Oliver Lee Memorial State Park

Yekaterina Goryacheva

2024-04

We were RV camping at Oliver Lee for two nights while visiting White Sands NP. We only had reservation for one night and the second we scored due to a cancellation. We really liked the setting of the campground - great views and sunset, amazing canyons on the backdrop. Lots of gorgeous vegetation and birds. Visitor center is fun! The volunteers are really friendly and informative. Campground keeper was friendly too. Campground has different types of sites scattered around: with and without shed, with or without hook ups. Dump station had limited working hours. Hot showers were great! We hiked to the springs (although almost dried out) and enjoyed our morning hike.longer canyon hike available. Plus an overflow for 5$ a night! For us, East coasters, this place was magical! Thank you to the friendly staff and beautiful nature!Restrooms: Clean restrooms, hot showers

Shiela Gomez

2024-05

What a little gem. Spacious rv spots and lots if restrooms within the loop. The kids Loved the trail to Lawson Spring. It is dry but when you get to the upper spring, there’s a few shades under the trees. I had never seen such variety of cacti in a short trail. The hike was easy to moderate. Bring lots of water and watch out for sprouting cacti to Not step on them.

Patrick Tanguy

2024-03

Great place to spend a few days. Located close to the Benson Ridge, on Sacramento Mountain foothills, so therefore on a slope.Stayed at site 23 with water and electricity but no sewer. Site was fairly big. We had some challenges to get at level on our site but that was minor. Other sites looked very leveled.There is a dump site (opened between 8am and 4pm).For 18$/night, this is an amazing deal with beautiful landscape (night sky quite nice).But I heard that NM will raise the camping fees to align on other state parks next year.Camping hosts were friendly and helpful.Washrooms and showers were very clean.Located closed to White Sands National Park (30 min drive) and to the Space Museum (30 mins).Overall, it was super quiet, a bit windy but we enjoyed our stay.Playground: Don’t think there is a playgroundRestrooms: Clean and well maintained. Just two showers for men and 2 for women in the block close to our site. Plenty of hot water.Dog-friendliness: A lot of dogs on leash but still very quietPicnic area: Spots to stop for picnics

Julie Childs

2024-03

We stayed at Oliver Lee for 4 nights on a beautiful site (#14) without amenities. Water was available close to our site so it was easy to get when needed. There are 18 sites with water and electricity but were all reserved at the time of our stay.We are self-contained, but we did see the bathrooms, and they appeared nice and clean.The camp host were helpful and did a nice job updating reserved sites and offering their help if needed.We were able to visit White Sands National Park easily from here. Alamogordo is just a few miles away and had everything you might need as far as supplies.We hiked the Dog Canyon trail for a couple of miles and were treated to dome lovely views.This place is a gem in the muddle of the desert, and we would definitely stay again.

Isabelle Murphy

2024-04

Passing through and decided to stay here instead of dispersed camping at Dog Canyon just below. They were full but they have overflow sites available (6 sites in close proximity to each other) for $8, no electric or tent pads. Perfect for car camping for the night, plus you can use the bathroom and shower facilities. Our timid, little dog actually explored the area a little. All in all, a pleasant overnight. Amazing night sky, sunset and sunrise.Notes: best to have exact change, ranger doesn't carry cash.If car or van camping, check your grade when parking. Sites are relatively level but your feet can end up slightly higher than your head.The "comfort station" is closed between 9pm-6:45am.

David Nelson

2024-05

What a great desert campground! Sites were nicely spaced gravel with backdrop of desert mountains. Restroom facilities and showers were very clean. Camp host came by for friendly greeting. Dump station on way out was well equipped. Had an RV site with electric and water.

Carl Carlson

2024-04

Camped here for three nights. My first site was in the lower section and was fairly level. The second site was up on the slope and leveling was a challenge. Clean restrooms and showers. Very quiet at night.

Mine 205

2024-05

Great campground with hook up and a nice view. The campground hosts were super friendly. Dogs are welcome and great hiking opportunities.

Allison Crooks

2024-04

Loved this state park! We camped here in a 42 foot toy hauler. The camp host was amazing and the views were incredible!!

Tina M

2024-03

Such a great campground. The views! The quiet! The heated bathroom! And the friendly greeting at the gate. Don’t skip this.

Rachel Senick

2023-12

Beautiful campground with a small shelter around cement tables, showers, hiking trails, close enough to town and white sands for convenience but far enough away to see a sky full of stars and enjoy peace and quiet. The camp hosts were kind, respectful, and I felt very safe. Highly recommend staying here.Restrooms: Very clean

James Robbins

2023-10

I'm shocked that I somehow did not rate this place already! This was one of the biggest surprises on the trip that I took in May 2023 visiting several national parks. I stayed here because it is super close to White Sands National Park. The camping are is small, and the trails are mainly very short, however the Dog Canyon trail is a great, and tough trail, with plenty of grand views of the area. I was running low on time and was unable to complete the final mile, because I was running out of daylight, but from what I have heard, the final mile does not offer much in the way of views... I do not know this for myself though. The hosts were very pleasant, and I had a fantastic time here.

Dionesia King

2024-02

Dog canyon trail was 5+ miles and I will definitely be going back with a walking stick and booties for my dog!! Really great views. Would recommend coming with a partner and to keep in mind the trail is very rocky

Sven's Stuff

2024-03

Beautiful views of the mountain. It was nice to the lights in the valley twinkling on at dusk. The night sky was also a treat.

Dietrich

2023-07

I camped here one night after visiting White sands National Park.The place is clean, quiet and easy to find. It's about 20 minutes away from White sands.The campsites are pretty large and have hookups for RVs. Water and electricity. You can tent camp here as well.They have latrine style toilets and showers on site. They're located centrally in the middle of the loop.There are park hosts here year round. I'm met one as soon as I was pulling in and she was very helpful. They have a dog "#1... It looks super nice and I wanted to pet it, but I resisted the temptation to ask 😆Restrooms: Clean. Has running water for showering and sinksPicnic area: Tables at each site and tent camping sites have small awnings

William Bingham

2024-05

Normal high desert camp ground at base of mountain to the east. Elevated west views of White Sands. Excellent desert fauna and cactus. Can be windy. Campsites can be unlevel. Many campsites for dry camping, no electric, but water nearby. Only one shower/bath house centrally located. Very reservation only state park..

Rachael Meadows

2023-06

This was a great spot to spend the night while visiting White Sands NP! We did have some trouble at the campground with someone stealing our reserved campsite and the camp host was not helpful with this situation. Other than that, I would definitely stay here again. The campsites were easy to access and spread out far enough with lots of desert vegetation between them. The showers were a nice bonus for staying here.Restrooms: The restrooms were clean and operational. They were missing soap often. The showers were a nice extra here.

Sandra Ellis

2023-06

Stunning canton camping. Great views looking west with fabulous sunsets. Clean restroom with hot showers. Great camp host. Hiking up the canyon in the evening was great. Good proximity to White Sands, national Park, and Cloudcroft, New Mexico. Some sites are equipped with water and electric plus a bonus shelter.

Joel Smith

2023-05

We had trouble getting a first come first serve site and had to stay in the overflow area the first night but then were able to get a no-services site for the next 2 nights. They really should change their booking system and charge much higher cancellation fees for people that reserve and don't show up because all 3 nights there were empty sites that overflow people could have used.However once you're in the park is very nice. We did the Lawson Spring Trail, the nature trail by the visitor centre (scramble on the rocks past the picnic table to see really interesting spring pools and fern walls), and we did the tour of the Oliver Lee ranch. The last time we were here we did the very difficult hike all the way up Dog Canyon and across the Eyebrow which was a little scary but worth the views.

Katelyn Garcia

2023-05

I was so blown away by this park! I will admit that I had no idea what to expect. I selected it because it was in the right direction, and the reviews were over 4.5 and specifically mentioned good camp sites. But I could not be more pleased with the choice to book a few nights here. We originally only reserved two nights but immediately added a third. (And I wish we'd stayed a whole week.) The campground itself is pretty small, which makes everything easily walkable. The hosts and staff were incredibly friendly and attentive. The facilities were well-maintained. As for the park land itself; GORGEOUS. It's in Lincoln National Forest and has ~8mi of trail. The Riparian Nature Trail can either be a short loop along a maintained trail, or you can just scramble your way through the canyon itself if you're feeling more adventurous. (We went the unmarked scrambling route through the canyon, and it was a blast!) The Dog Canyon Trail is a pretty difficult 5.5mi out and back hike (so ~11mi total) with amazing views as it climbs and winds along the canyon. And the Lawson Spring Trail is a short jaunt to a spring with slight elevation (and an option to forego the elevation for a lower view). The land this park is on is breathtaking, and the sunsets are even more amazing. No matter which site you find yourself in, you will have a front row seat to the sunset. AND there are warm showers and flushing toilets?! On all fronts, I give this park 5/5 stars!

Humphrey Vives

2022-05

This State Park is such a lovely park to either camp at or hike it’s awesome trails that take you on a 5 mile 3500ft elevation climb. The views are spectacular and the trails are moderate but can be difficult for some. I highly encourage others to come prepared with camera, hydration, sun screen, hat, and a backpack with essentials and necessities. The park is also a campground providing full hook-up and dry camp but reservations are needed prior to coming here. This campground and State Park is nestled along the mountain side providing spectacular views with White Sands National Park in the distance. If you are ever in the area and would like to get your cardiovascular workout, please be sure to come here and get some.

Kevin Johnson

2024-04

Beautiful park. EXTREMELY kind and helpful staff! Had a couple of interesting programs on stars and birds of prey. Reliable hookups for the RV. Excellent experience. Felt very safe! 14 bucks a day for electric and water. Free dump station….

Tanisha Pacheco

2023-12

A very beautiful place, great camping with picnic tables. Bathrooms have showers, very nice.

Sheisster1313 !

2024-02

Desert sunrises never fail to deliver. And if ur lucky, you’ll get to see the moonrise over the mountains, usually accompanied by Jupiter.

Mixed up Outdoor Adventures

2023-11

It's a nice park with a couple of hiking trails. Lots of RV spots and it's surrounded by BLM land. It's super peaceful and really pretty.

A T

2022-05

Incredible. I only made it about a half a mile up the trail and then back down in three hours. Very steep climb, lots of reasons to stop and look at the view.Shout out to Stan who clearly loves his job and this canyon! Very informative and you can tell he delights in talking to the guests! I'm going to plan on coming back in the spring, making sure I have campground reservations, and make a full day/night of the hike. I wanna get all the way through!

Roberto Abdo

2024-01

Nice park with good restrooms, showers, a couple of nice trails, and epic viewsRestrooms: Clean, showers with hot water

JJ the MIR Minister

2023-12

I haven't seen the bathrooms yet. The campsites ate lovely. Some have picnic tables. They all have a fabulous view. I stayed in site 18, which was perfect.Dog-friendliness: On a leash, pick up after pet.Picnic area: Table, cover, and wind break.

Liz S.

2024-04

We only stayed one night, however the sites we had were big and roomy. We had no hook-ups, but there was a dump station and potable water if needed. Warning, stay on the developed areas due to the vast numbers of prickly cactus around. Another reason to keep your don on a very short leash!Restrooms: Fairly clean restrooms, and comfortable showers with good pressure.Dog-friendliness: As long as one keeps the dogs on a short leash, on the developed areas, dogs are welcomed. There are lots of cactus around, and dogs don't understand that they hurt!

AM Check

2023-05

This is one of my favorite campgrounds. The staff are all helpful and friendly. The visitor center and exhibits are informative, explains the unique history of the area. There are interpretive trails, hiking and birding. The best are the beautiful sunrises and sunsets.