City of Rocks State Park
City of Rocks State Park
4.5
About
One of New Mexico's most visited sights, this state park is uncommercialized and filled with strange rock formations.
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
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4.5
390 reviews
Excellent
251
Very good
106
Average
30
Poor
1
Terrible
2
Tony K
Moreno Valley, CA973 contributions
Mar 2025 • Couples
On our way to Texas we got a campsite for the night. Kinda crazy for as far as the eyes can see not a rock in sight…then you come to the “ City of Rocks” all piled up in one area and huge rocks at that ! All the dry camping sites are nestled in & among the big rocks. Plus they have a full hooked area too away from the rocks. Perimeter road drives all the way around the rocks/campgrounds. Bathrooms & free showers at visitors center was nice and clean !
Written March 11, 2025
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Debbie F
Concord, NH214 contributions
Jul 2022
My only regret was that we didn't include camping at the City of Rocks as a part of our itinerary. What an incredible place! Like with many parks, the visitor center served as our base of operations. The volunteer who greeted us (unfortunately, I didn't catch her name) was incredibly welcoming and friendly. The bathrooms were clean (even with hot showers) and the small museum was chock full of information. We drove the perimeter of the park, took the "planets walk" (a scale model of the solar system), then had lunch amidst a rock outcropping. We left for another commitment, but returned later in the afternoon for a hike up Table Mountain. The round trip took less than 2 hours (we were the only ones on it) and offered amazing views. This place is other-worldly. We visited in July and spent about 4 hours in the park. We basically had the park to ourselves. The rock formations were incredible!!! I wish that we had the time to see the stars at night. If we return to NM in the future, staying at this park would definitely be a part of the plan!
Written August 2, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jeremy Z
Roseville, MN3,189 contributions
Nov 2021
Considering there isn't a whole lot else to see in this part of NM, this mini-"Stonehenge" is a fun little stop. One thing we didn't understand, though, is why there are so many RV/campsites in amongst the rock formations. It seemed there were so many it would be hard for anyone to hike around the rock formations without intruding on someone else's campsite. It is a very small area, but we did think the sunrise was really cool to watch the rocks light up.
Written December 27, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
plontreb
Vancouver, Canada3 contributions
Apr 2024 • Solo
This is an amazing place with beautiful rock formations that you can spend hours exploring. Overall I really enjoyed staying here and seeing the sights. However, I ran into two issues (one major) while camping at site #28:
1. There is a large wasp nest in the base of the tree at this site. Depending on the time of day, there can be a LOT of wasps flying around throughout the entire area of site #28, making the entire site unusable. Notably, this nest is in the only shaded area of the site, so you have no usable shade. Once you bring food outsite, even more come out and they get aggressive. I got stung twice while trying to eat outside. I contacted the park about this by e-mailing the park manager (Gabriel Medrano) twice. He never responded to the e-mails. I also called the park office during business hours, but they did not answer. I left a voicemail, but they never called back. Clearly this park's management does not care about its guests. I later talked to one of the rangers. They said they are not allowed to disturb the wasp nest by spraying it or doing anything else due to directives from management. In other words, the park manager would rather preserve a dangerous pest instead of ensuring visitor safety and park usability.
2. There is a windmill near site #28 that makes a very loud and annoying metal grinding noise when it turns slowly. It is shockingly loud and at first I thought that there was some sort of metal fabrication factory or construction site nearby. This happens any time of day or night, depending on the wind, and can be clearly heard from most sites on the west side of the campground. It would be loud enough to wake someone in a tent, but probably not an RV. Again, I e-mailed the park manager (Gabriel Medrano) about this, and didn't even get the courtesy of a reply.
1. There is a large wasp nest in the base of the tree at this site. Depending on the time of day, there can be a LOT of wasps flying around throughout the entire area of site #28, making the entire site unusable. Notably, this nest is in the only shaded area of the site, so you have no usable shade. Once you bring food outsite, even more come out and they get aggressive. I got stung twice while trying to eat outside. I contacted the park about this by e-mailing the park manager (Gabriel Medrano) twice. He never responded to the e-mails. I also called the park office during business hours, but they did not answer. I left a voicemail, but they never called back. Clearly this park's management does not care about its guests. I later talked to one of the rangers. They said they are not allowed to disturb the wasp nest by spraying it or doing anything else due to directives from management. In other words, the park manager would rather preserve a dangerous pest instead of ensuring visitor safety and park usability.
2. There is a windmill near site #28 that makes a very loud and annoying metal grinding noise when it turns slowly. It is shockingly loud and at first I thought that there was some sort of metal fabrication factory or construction site nearby. This happens any time of day or night, depending on the wind, and can be clearly heard from most sites on the west side of the campground. It would be loud enough to wake someone in a tent, but probably not an RV. Again, I e-mailed the park manager (Gabriel Medrano) about this, and didn't even get the courtesy of a reply.
Written April 26, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Anika F
8 contributions
May 2021 • Family
This is an awesome spot! We stopped by for an hour or so, paid the day pass rate for NM state park ($5) and boy, it was worth every penny!
Get out, explore around and take in the vast expanse of desert that surrounds the rocks.
The visitors center is neat, with a small museum and tons of cool info.
Our kids are 10, 8 and 1.5 years old. They all had a great time!
Get out, explore around and take in the vast expanse of desert that surrounds the rocks.
The visitors center is neat, with a small museum and tons of cool info.
Our kids are 10, 8 and 1.5 years old. They all had a great time!
Written May 20, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Cheryl D
Minneapolis, MN98 contributions
Mar 2022 • Couples
City of Rocks State Park was recommended and we were so happy it was. It’s an awesome campground in the middle of no where. When going opt for the no electricity sites since they are the absolutely the best nestled amount the rock formations. Most of the sites are good however we were at site 38 and thought it was great!
Written March 24, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Charles M
California282 contributions
Feb 2020 • Couples
My wife loves rocks and when we saw the sign "City of Rocks" we just had to check that out. In the middle of nowhere there are a series of rock formations that look like a city. You can't see it from the Highway. It's a 3 mile detour well worth the time. We took lots of pictures of the local flora and rocks. Great place to picnic and camp.....
Written February 26, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
KarynSpokane
Spokane, WA81 contributions
Apr 2021
I cut out a newspaper article in 1987 about City of Rocks and have wanted to see it ever since. I was not disappointed. We had just left Canyonlands and The Arches in Utah and felt this park easily rivaled them, albeit smaller. I wish we’d been camping so we could have spent more time here. This park is worth a detour. You will be be happy you did.
Written April 18, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Loren R
Helena25 contributions
Apr 2022
If you love history, geology, and camping, this is the place for you! I believe we happened into one of the best camp sites in the park! While there are some electrified campsites available, most sites are primitive. Many of the sites are suitable for tents or very small tent trailers, and some require some finagling to get your larger RV situated - so be careful when reserving your site online. You can wander on trails among the rocks and look for petroglyphs/pictographs, take a hike on marked trails, or walk the perimeter of the park. The night skies are TREMENDOUS, as are the sunrises and sunsets. Deming and Silver City are both close if you need to make a run into town. We were able to leave our blinds up at night and just look out at the stars that seemed close enough to touch.
Written April 24, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Tom C
4 contributions
Dec 2022 • Couples
A beautiful and unusual park with giant rock formations that are otherworldly. We were able to get a first come, first served rustic site but had a hard time getting our 25' motorhome leveled. Many of the non-electric sites are pretty steep. I was surprised to find out there is no dump station.
Written December 30, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
What is the closest major airport to Deming? We world fly in from Vegas
Written September 10, 2019
How much time should we allow to see the park?
Written July 28, 2017
A couple of hours would be plenty. That being said, we felt as though we would like to camp there at a future date as it is so unique.
Written July 29, 2017
As long as they are leashed and you clean up their messes.
Written April 3, 2017
are the campsites a nice distance apart? any suggestions on the best camping sites we are camping in a homemade trailer type camper?
Written October 29, 2019
parkwood2015
Las Vegas, Nevada
Can I get a pamphlet of the area? I am climbing for a week in June at City of Rocks and would like to have a printed pamphlet or etc. of the surrounding attractions and lay-out for seeing other sites, when not climbing.
Thanks,
Jasmine
Written June 6, 2015
There was a office building there with a park ranger to answer questions the first time we went and some pamphlets and books and a bathroom- however the second time we went it wasn't open---but we really didn't need info as we just liked exploring. There were campers there also
digging (rock hounds, the call them)
Written June 7, 2015
Any special safety precautions I should take? I was told by some (possibly misinformed) people way up north that this was a popular sight for bears, mountain lions, and sometimes Blackbears. New to the desert canping, being from IL!
Written February 15, 2015
Bob R
Santa Teresa, New Mexico
Your more likely to run into a rattle snake than anything else,maybe a coyote,rabbit etc.While i prefer to carry a weapon or two its more for peace of mind than anything else.but this place has a ranger on site most of the time so go have some fun the city of rocks,ROCKS.
Written February 15, 2015
Bob R
Santa Teresa, New Mexico
If we campout and we bring our dirtbikes can we ride off into the desert to ride
Written February 4, 2015
Bob, You should try taking your dirt bikes to the Hot Well Dunes. It's in Arizona but not too far from City of Rocks. It's pretty popular with off-roaders and I believe it's only 3.00 a night to camp. There are facilities there, including hot tubs that are filled with the natural hot springs water. You should like it! Mountain bikes (bicycles) are allowed at City of Rocks, even in the rock formations.
Written February 15, 2015
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