Prehistoric Trackways Dispersed Camping

Arrived in my 35ft 5th wheel on Fri 4/5/24 at 3pm. Google maps navigated correctly & paved roads until entrance. Gravel road to large open, flat parking lot type space. A few smaller camper vans & sm RV present. Very windy (wind advisory in effect) & continued all nite. Had a knock from fellow camper once set-up trying to sell her painted rocks. We kindly declined. We felt reasonably safe here. It's in an area of bigger homes on average & looks to be pecan orchards. Nothing fancy, no water/toilet etc. Area clean.

We parked in the big parking lot with our rooftop tent. Another person who just pulled in with an rv before us was the only other person there. We weren’t there 5 minutes when he came up to us TWICE at 10 pm. It’s pitch black out there and very far from the main city. He was extremely creepy and we honestly thought he was gonna kill us. He asked questions like is this our first time camping and asked if we were going to bed or staying up and had a very disturbing Demeanor. We quickly folded up the tent and sped off. I would not camp here alone unless there’s a few other campers. Other than that great spot to camp.

This site is easy to get to on the outskirts of Las Cruces. Take it slow going in because of the dips in the road. The camping area is actually a big parking lot which is past the prehistoric trackways parking lot. Lots of area to hunt for rocks and fossils outside the national monument. And, of course, lots of hiking in the monument. We were the only camper there.

Easy to find, quick access. In case the coordinates are iffy, you can google map search "Prehistoric Trackways National Monument." You will most likely see RVs and campers sleeping in the second parking lot.

You will pass pecan tree farms and small homes on the way to this location. There are two parking lots at the trail head. You can drive further past the parking lots for more secluded spots, but the road is pretty rocky and I mostly saw only trucks go deep inside. My impreza didn't enjoy the deep rockiness of the road farther in, so I parked to the side of the road where there is enough space for a tent.

Not the greatest of views, but a very convenient location if you need to make a pit stop at Las Cruces before heading to White Sands or Cloudcroft/Ruidoso. The only major qualm I have with this site are the many areas of broken glass-- I didn't feel comfortable letting my dog roam around the area. Had decent cell service.

This place is a delight. Plenty of room and different places to park your rig. The road in is not too long and decently maintained, far from traffic, and peaceful.
It has a off road vehicle playground but not near camp so you don't get disturbed by noise.
The hiking trails have fossils and gem stones scattered near by with ancient foot prints in the river beds if you look close enough.
Will definently return.