Photo thanks to Bonito Hollow RV Park & Campground
Bonito Hollow RV Park & Campground
A family-run seasonal campground on 12 shady acres along the Rio Bonito north of Ruidoso, with creekside RV sites, fire rings, a fenced dog park and elk and deer wandering through.
Alto, New Mexico · On the Rio Bonito off NM-37
Season
Apr 1–mid-Oct
Closed for the 2026 season on October 15
Elevation
About 7,000 ft
Cool summers, cold nights
Hookups
Full & partial
Full hookups or water and electric; 20/30/50 amp
Big rigs
Up to about 58 ft
Longest pull-thrus; many sites are shorter
Updated October 18, 2026 · Details checked against the park’s website
A creekside hideaway
The Bonito Hollow experience
A family-run campground on 12 acres of shade trees along the Rio Bonito, about 20 minutes north of Midtown Ruidoso. Sites have fire rings and picnic tables, many back onto the creek, and elk, deer and wild horses wander through.
Full & partial hookupsFull hookup or water/electric; 20/30/50 amp
Rio Bonito frontageCreekside sites, river access and fishing
Creek trailsWalking paths along the river
BathhouseRestrooms and hot showers
LaundryOn site
Pavilion & fire pitA community fire pit and covered pavilion
Fenced dog parkOff-leash with an adult present
PlaygroundPlus horseshoes and sand volleyball
Camp store & libraryFirewood for sale
Wi-FiFree; reviewers say it’s weak when the park is full
Hosts on siteOn call around the clock
Dump stationFor water/electric sites
Life at camp
What guests say
The park report card
We don’t recycle other sites’ reviews, but the published scores tell a clear story: guests love the hosts, the shady creekside setting and the quiet, while RVers mention weak cell service, tight sites for big rigs and spotty Wi-Fi when it’s busy.
How RVers rate it
Category scores from Campendium reviewers, out of 5
Field notes from RVers
Longest rig RVers report38 ft July 2021
Cell signal reportedVerizon 4G/5GAT&T 4G/5G
Last reported nightly rate$40 July 2021
As reported by Campendium users, whose reviews date from 2014 to 2021; booking listings show pull-thrus up to about 58 ft. Recent reviewers say cell signal is weak at most sites. Confirm rates, site lengths and policies with the park before you go.
On NM-37 north of Ruidoso
Getting there
The park is on NM-37 just north of its junction with NM-48, at mile marker 1. From Ruidoso, it’s about 20 minutes north on NM-48 through Alto; from Capitan, come south on NM-48 and turn right on NM-37.
From Ruidoso: NM-48 north through Alto, then left on NM-37; the park is at mile marker 1From Capitan and the north: NM-48 south, then right on NM-37 at the junction
NM-37 · MILE MARKER 1
Set your GPS
221 NM-37, Alto, NM 88312
To Midtown Ruidoso*About 20 min
To CapitanAbout 20 min
To Ski ApacheAbout 35 min
From El PasoAbout 3 hr 15 min
Seasonal park. Bonito Hollow closes in mid-October and reopens April 1; the 2026 season ended October 15.
About 7,000 ft. Summer days are mild, nights are cold well into June, and wildfire burn scars upstream mean flash flood watches in monsoon season.
*Drive times are from OpenStreetMap routing and are approximate. Locator map is approximate, not for navigation.
Day trips from camp
Around Ruidoso
Midtown Ruidoso is about 20 minutes south, Smokey Bear’s hometown of Capitan is 20 minutes northeast, Ski Apache is about 35 minutes and White Sands makes a day trip.
Photo thanks to Dennis Adams, FHWA (public domain)
Midtown Ruidoso & Wingfield Park
Shops, galleries, tasting rooms and restaurants along Sudderth Drive, plus Wingfield Park’s playground, river walk and summer events, an easy walk from camp.
Photo thanks to Jonathan Cutrer (CC BY 2.0)
Ski Apache
The Mescalero Apache Tribe’s ski area high on Sierra Blanca, with winter skiing and scenic gondola rides in summer. Ski Run Road is steep and winding, so leave the rig at camp.
Photo thanks to Road Travel America (public domain)
Smokey Bear Historical Park
A small state park and museum in Capitan telling the story of the real Smokey Bear, a cub rescued from a 1950 fire in the nearby Capitan Mountains; his grave is on the grounds.
Photo thanks to Pablorgalindo (CC BY-SA 4.0)
White Sands National Park
Rolling white gypsum dunes for sledding, hiking and sunset walks, past Alamogordo. US-70 can close briefly for missile-range tests, so check before you go.
More places to stay
Other parks worth a look
These are the closest parks we’ve reviewed around Ruidoso.
Photo thanks to Along the River RV Park
Along the River RV Park
A seasonal park on the Rio Bonito off NM-37, with big-rig pull-thrus, cabins and campfires when allowed.
Video still thanks to Mountain Home Properties NM
Eagle Creek RV Resort
A gated, adults-only seasonal resort in the pines on Ski Run Road, backing onto the national forest.
Video still thanks to Joe & Steve
Little Creek RV Park Resort
A small, highly rated park on NM-220 near Alto, minutes from the airport and the Motorcoach Ranch.
Before you book
Plan your stay
Everything that decides whether Bonito Hollow fits your rig, your dates and your budget, in one place.
Our take: a friendly, shady creekside campground with hosts who remember your name, fire rings at every site and real quiet, about 20 minutes from Midtown. Cell signal is weak, Wi-Fi struggles when it’s full and some gravel sites are snug, so it suits RVers who want the woods more than a resort.
Nightly ratesBooking listings · checked Oct 18, 2026
RV site, nightlyFrom $40 /night
Premium and creekside sitesUp to about $54 /night
Day visitors$5 /car
Extra day visitor over 10$3 /person
Overnight visitors$5 + $5 /car + person
Rates come from the park’s booking listings and are before tax; the park’s own website doesn’t post a full rate card, so confirm when you book. Children 9 and under stay free.
Prices are subject to change at any time and may vary by date, season and availability. For the latest pricing, check the park’s rates page or call (575) 336-4325.
Typical July afternoon
Ruidoso81°
Phoenix107°
Cool mountain summers: 26° cooler than Phoenix in July, and a few degrees cooler again up the Bonito valley.
Is it right for you?
Who it suits, what to consider, and why RVers keep coming back.
Open
Site types
From about $40 a night for an RV site.
Open
Rates & policies
Check-in, fires, pets, visitors and stay rules.
Open
Before you book
Questions to ask before you reserve.
Open
Bonito Hollow RV Park & Campground is a privately owned, family-run seasonal campground on the Rio Bonito north of Ruidoso, run by owners Marshall and Christina Thompson. Most guests come for the creek, the campfires and the quiet.
Best for
- Creek lovers: many sites sit along the Rio Bonito, with trails and fishing on the property.
- Campfire fans: every site has a fire ring and picnic table, when fire restrictions allow.
- Families: a playground, horseshoes, volleyball and a fenced dog park, and kids 9 and under stay free.
- Summer escapes: about 7,000 ft up, with mild days and cold nights.
Consider this
- It’s seasonal: closed from mid-October to April 1.
- Verizon and AT&T signal is weak at most sites, and Wi-Fi is spotty when the park is busy.
- Gravel sites can be snug for big rigs and muddy after rain.
- Burn scars from the 2024 fires sit upstream, so monsoon flash flood warnings are common.
Summer in Ruidoso
Typical July afternoon
81°
Ruidoso
Ruidoso, NM (NOAA)
107°
Phoenix
Phoenix Sky Harbor
26 degrees cooler than Phoenix, with nights near 51°. Normal July highs, 1991–2020.
Sites are gravel, each with a fire ring and picnic table. Some have full hookups and some are water and electric only, with 20/30/50-amp power; choose by length and hookups.
Full-hookup pull-thrus From $40/night
The longest sites in the park, for bigger rigs; give your exact length when you book.
Water & electric pull-thrus From $40/night
Pull-thrus without sewer, up to about 48 ft; use the dump station on the way out.
Back-in sites From $40/night
Back-ins from about 30 to 46 ft, some along the creek; good for trailers and smaller motorhomes.
Tent sites & cabins Call
Tent sites hold up to six people, and the park rents two cabins; tents aren’t allowed on RV sites.
Check-in1 p.m.No check-ins after 9 p.m.
Check-outNoonAsk about late checkout
Quiet hours10 p.m.–8 a.m.Generators not allowed
CampfiresRings onlyPre-cut firewood; follow fire bans
PetsWelcomeLeashed except in the dog park
GuestsUp to 8Per RV site; 2 cars max
Kids9 and under freeFamily friendly
Visitors$5 per carDay visitors out by 8 p.m.
Speed limit5 mphATVs only to office or restrooms
SeasonApr 1–mid-OctClosed Oct 15, 2026
Checked against bonitohollow.com and booking listings on October 18, 2026. Rates are subject to change at any time; see the website or call (575) 336-4325 for the latest rates. The park was closed for the season on October 15, 2026 and plans to reopen April 1.
Good to know before you pull in
Five things that change your booking
Ask these on the phone before you reserve.
- Is my site full hookup? Some sites are water and electric only, with a dump station on site.
- Which site fits my rig? Lengths run from about 30 ft to 58 ft; give your length and say if you tow.
- Are fires allowed right now? Seasonal fire restrictions can close the fire rings.
- Can I work remotely? Ask which sites get the best signal and Wi-Fi.
- Arriving late? Check-ins end at 9 p.m.
Know before you go
Frequently asked questions
A few details before you hit the road.
Season: Apr 1–mid-Oct
Ready for a creekside summer near Ruidoso?
Back up to the Rio Bonito, light the fire ring and spend the days on Sierra Blanca’s trails. Book direct with Bonito Hollow for current rates and availability.
Thank you to the people behind these photos and this video. Please support them by giving their work a look. The park photos come from Bonito Hollow RV Park & Campground, with our thanks. Video: Keel to Wheels on YouTube. Area photos via Wikimedia Commons: Dennis Adams, Federal Highway Administration (Midtown Ruidoso; public domain), Jonathan Cutrer (Ski Apache; CC BY 2.0), Road Travel America (Smokey Bear Historical Park; public domain) and Pablorgalindo (White Sands; CC BY-SA 4.0); the images were resized. Other-park photos: Along the River RV Park, Eagle Creek RV Resort and Little Creek RV Park Resort. Review-site logos are trademarks of their owners.
Disclaimer
RV-Roundup is an independent, community-based resource created to help RV travelers and to support and promote the parks we feature. RV-Roundup is not owned by, operated by, or officially affiliated with Bonito Hollow RV Park & Campground unless otherwise stated.
The information on this page was prepared using the most current details available at the time of publication, including the park’s published materials and publicly available sources. Pricing, availability, rules, policies, regulations, amenities and other details are set by the park and may change at any time without notice. Before you travel or book, please confirm all details directly with Bonito Hollow RV Park & Campground at bonitohollow.com or (575) 336-4325. RV-Roundup is not responsible for errors, omissions, or changes made after publication.
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