While I embarked on my full-time RVer journey on May 15th, 2026, I transitioned into making my overnight stays from boondocking to the New Mexico State Parks system on July 12, 2026. That decision was made after careful evaluation of my overall expenses versus the costs of staying at the State Parks, after purchasing their Annual Camping Permit.
While the permit costs $600 and expires at the end of the year, my plan is to visit the parks every day during that 5 1/2 month span. It reduces my travel mileage and fuel expense (including the gas to run my generator when the air conditioning was a necessity), plus provides rest rooms and showers, along with a safe environment. I did the math several times before making the decision. So I did the paperwork at Caballo Lake State Park and spend the 7 day max stay there before moving to the next location about 8 miles south.
I set up my rig at campsite #39, in the Stallion Campground, which had 10 of the park’s 56 sites with hookups in 4 different campgrounds. (Stallion, Appaloosa, Palomino and Riverside) There is also primitive camping and beach camping available.
There were 2 Comfort Stations with Showers and Restrooms, which were well maintained and cleaned daily.
Caballo Lake sits at the foot of the base of the Caballo Mountains and is visable in the distance of the campgrounds.
The Park is located 16 miles south of Truth or Consequences, New Mexico, taking Exit 59 off I-25. The Visitor Center is just 1 mile north There is a dump station, 2 boat ramps, and even a EV Charging Station. The hookup sites are by reservation only, and you’ll need to get that done through ReserveAmerica.com.
It was a peaceful, quiet stay for my dog ‘Squirty’ and I , with only a few campers in the Stallion loop during my stay. The weather was HOT, but the dry heat associated with New Mexico made the upper 90s tolerable and really pleasant.
Would I stay there again ? Well, I actually did several weeks later.
