Photo thanks to River Ranch RV Park · taken before the 2025 floods
River Ranch RV Park
Heads-up: 2026 reviews say flood damage closed River Ranch’s restrooms, showers, laundry and clubhouse. It’s an older riverside park on US-70 east of Ruidoso Downs with full-hookup sites and low rates, so check conditions before you book.
Glencoe, New Mexico · On US-70 east of Ruidoso Downs
Season
Year-round
Facilities reported closed in 2026
Elevation
About 6,000 ft
Riverside, below Ruidoso Downs
Hookups
Full hookups
Water, sewer and 30/50 amp listed at all sites
Big rigs
Pull-thrus listed
No posted maximum; ask about site condition
Updated October 18, 2026 · Details checked against the park’s website
Read this first
The River Ranch experience
An older riverside park on US-70 about 8 miles east of Ruidoso Downs, with about 67 full-hookup sites on and off the Rio Ruidoso. Campspot reviews from July and September 2026 say flood damage left silt on the grounds and the restrooms, showers, laundry and clubhouse closed, so plan to be self-contained.
Full hookupsWater, sewer and 30/50 amp listed at all sites
Riverside sitesOn-river and off-river sites on the Rio Ruidoso
Wi-FiListed at all sites; cable TV extra
Dog parkListed on Campspot
Pavilion & basketballPavilion available to rent
Life at camp
What guests say
The park report card
We don’t recycle other sites’ reviews, but the published scores tell a mixed story: Google reviewers like the riverside setting and the friendly staff, while recent Campspot reviewers, who rate it 3.1 of 5, describe flood damage, closed facilities and many long-term residents.
On US-70 near Glencoe
Getting there
The park is right on US-70 near Glencoe, about 15 minutes east of the Ruidoso Downs race track, so there are no mountain roads to tow up. Midtown Ruidoso is about 20 minutes west.
From Ruidoso: US-70 east through Ruidoso Downs, past Slow Play and Seeping SpringsFrom Roswell and the east: US-70 west through Hondo; the park is on the river near Glencoe
US-70 · GLENCOE
Set your GPS
26876 US-70, Glencoe, NM 88324
To Ruidoso Downs Race Track*About 15 min
To Midtown RuidosoAbout 20 min
To Ski ApacheAbout 55 min
From El PasoAbout 3 hr 15 min
Come self-contained. 2026 reviewers found the restrooms, showers, laundry and clubhouse closed after the floods, and silt and debris still on the grounds.
On the Rio Ruidoso. The park sits on the river below the 2024 burn scars; during monsoon season (July to September), watch flash flood warnings.
*Drive times are from OpenStreetMap routing and are approximate. Locator map is approximate, not for navigation.
Day trips from camp
Around Ruidoso
The race track is about 15 minutes west, Midtown Ruidoso about 20, Ski Apache and Smokey Bear’s hometown of Capitan are under an hour, 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 Seeping Springs Trout Lakes
Seeping Springs Trout Lakes
Full-hookup sites beside stocked trout lakes east of Ruidoso Downs, where you can fish without a license.
Photo thanks to Slow Play RV Park
Slow Play RV Park
A big, tidy park on US-70 in Ruidoso Downs with long gravel pull-thrus, paved roads and spotless bathhouses.
Photo thanks to Pine Ridge RV Park
Pine Ridge RV Park
An older, wooded hillside park just off US-70, minutes from Midtown, with full hookups and quiet, tree-shaded sites.
Before you book
Plan your stay
Everything that decides whether River Ranch fits your rig, your dates and your budget, in one place.
Our take: a cheap riverside stop with full hookups and kind staff, but 2026 reviews describe lingering flood damage and closed restrooms, showers, laundry and clubhouse. Unless you’re fully self-contained and have confirmed current conditions, Slow Play or Seeping Springs a few minutes west are safer bets.
RatesCampspot · checked Oct 18, 2026
On-river RV siteFrom $45 /night
Off-river RV siteFrom $40 /night
Weekly, on river$290 /week
Weekly, off river$260 /week
Monthly, off river$365 /month + electric
Permanent site$400 /month + electric
Rates are from the park’s Campspot listing and are before tax. Campspot also lists a $3-per-person shower fee, but 2026 reviewers said the bathhouse was closed; ask before you pay.
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) 378-4245.
Typical July afternoon
Ruidoso81°
Phoenix107°
Cool mountain summers: 26° cooler than Phoenix in July; the river valley here runs a little warmer than town.
Is it right for you?
Who it suits, what to consider, and what reviewers report in 2026.
Open
Site types
From $40 a night off the river or $45 on it.
Open
Rates & policies
Facilities, pets, fishing and stay rules.
Open
Before you book
Questions to ask before you reserve.
Open
River Ranch RV Park is a privately owned park on the Rio Ruidoso near Glencoe, east of Ruidoso Downs. It mixes overnight sites with monthly and permanent residents, and it took on flood damage during the July 2025 Rio Ruidoso floods.
Best for
- Self-contained RVers who want a low-cost riverside site on US-70.
- Monthly stays: off-river sites from $365 a month plus electric.
- Pet owners: pets are allowed at all sites, with a dog park listed.
- Anglers with a New Mexico license who want river access.
Consider this
- 2026 reviewers say the restrooms, showers, laundry and clubhouse were closed after the floods.
- Silt, debris and weeds were still on the grounds in 2026, reviewers report.
- Many long-term residents, and some reviewers mention barking dogs.
- Cell signal is weak, and the park’s website doesn’t reflect current conditions.
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.
Campspot lists about 67 full-hookup sites with 30/50-amp power and Wi-Fi, on and off the river, mostly back-ins with some pull-thrus. Prices depend on the river view and the length of stay.
On-river sites From $45/night
Sites along the Rio Ruidoso; $290 a week.
Off-river sites From $40/night
Sites away from the river; $260 a week.
Monthly off-river $365/month
Monthly stays with metered electricity on top.
Permanent sites $400/month
Long-term sites for residents; ask about availability.
RestroomsReported closedPer 2026 reviews
LaundryReported closedListed 7 a.m.–10 p.m.
Shower fee$3/personIf open; $30 a month
NightlyFrom $40Off river; $45 on river
BookingCampspotOr call the office
PetsAllowedDog park listed
FishingLicense requiredRio Ruidoso
Basketball9 a.m.–8 p.m.Court on site
SeasonYear-roundPer listings
AgesAll agesNo age restrictions
Checked against the park’s Campspot listing and recent reviews on October 18, 2026; the park’s website still lists facilities that reviewers say were closed in 2026. Rates are subject to change at any time; see Campspot or call (575) 378-4245 for the latest rates and conditions.
Good to know before you pull in
Five things that change your booking
Ask these on the phone before you reserve.
- Are the restrooms, showers and laundry open? Reviewers found them closed in 2026.
- Has the flood silt been cleared from my site? Ask for a site in good condition.
- On-river or off-river? On-river sites cost about $5 more a night.
- Do I need a fishing license? Yes, for the Rio Ruidoso.
- What’s the cancellation policy? Check the terms on Campspot.
Know before you go
Frequently asked questions
A few details before you hit the road.
Season: Year-round
Thinking about River Ranch?
Check the latest Campspot reviews and call the office about facilities before you book. If you need a bathhouse, nearby Slow Play and Seeping Springs are a few minutes west.
Thank you to the people behind these photos. Please support them by giving their work a look. The park photos come from River Ranch RV Park, with our thanks; they were taken before the 2025 floods. 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: Seeping Springs Trout Lakes, Slow Play RV Park and Pine Ridge RV Park. 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 River Ranch RV Park 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 River Ranch RV Park at riverranchpark.com or (575) 378-4245. RV-Roundup is not responsible for errors, omissions, or changes made after publication.
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