Joe Skeen Campground El Malpais NCA
Grants NM Boondocking Location
| ADDRESS |
|---|
| HWY 117 Grants, New Mexico GPS: 34.941908, -107.820155 Elevation: 6898′ |
| MANAGEMENT |
| Public – BLM (Official) (505) 280-2918 This is a FREE campsite. |
Previous Reviews:
Joe Skeen Campground El Malpais NCA Grants NM boondocking location: The road in is Dirt. Joe Skeens – El Malpais NCA is open year-round. There are 6-15 campsites at this location and the maximum RV length is 36′. You may stay see description at Joe Skeens – El Malpais NCA. 11 miles south on 117, from exit 89 on I-40 and 2 miles south of the BLM Ranger Station. There is a 7 day stay limit at the campground.
Offers ten free, primitive campsites with picnic tables and shade pavilions. Vault toilets on site. A Camp Host is on duty.
There is a water spigot at the ranger station that may be used to fill up your holding tanks during the station\’s business hours.
Due to a large dip on the road in, your total length cannot exceed 36′ (vehicle + trailer). The BLM states that there isn’t anywhere to turn around once you get to the dip, and you will have to back your way out.
About This Location
Looking for a quiet spot to camp near Grants, New Mexico? The Joe Skeen Campground could be just what you need for boondocking. You’ll find free, first-come, first-serve camping with basics like picnic tables, fire pits, and pit toilets. Joe Skeen Campground El Malpais NCA Grants NM boondocking location is not hard to get to—just a quick drive off I-40—so it’s handy if you want to explore the El Malpais National Conservation Area.
You can bring a tent or an RV and settle into this natural setting. The views are pretty great, and there are hiking trails to keep you busy. The campsite has a calm, laid-back vibe—perfect if you’re after a simple, low-cost camping trip that keeps you close to nature.
Location And Access
You’ll find the Joe Skeen Campground El Malpais NCA Grants NM boondocking location near Grants, New Mexico, right in the El Malpais National Conservation Area. The place is known for its wild lava fields and sandstone cliffs.
To get to Joe Skeen Campground, take Exit 81 from Interstate 40, then drive about 9 miles south. The campground sits just before the ranger station if you’re coming from I-40.
Standard vehicles can make it in just fine. Most roads are dirt, but they’re usually in decent shape. Since there are no fees to camp here, it’s a popular spot for free camping.
There are 10 campsites, and each one comes with a sheltered picnic table. You’ll have basic amenities—vault toilets, including two ADA-accessible units.
Sandstone Cliffs and the V Arch are close by, so you can check out some cool landmarks without going far. The Joe Skeen Campground El Malpais NCA Grants NM boondocking location lets you jump into hiking and outdoor activities all around El Malpais.
Directions: How To Get There And What To Expect
To reach Joe Skeen Campground El Malpais NCA Grants NM boondocking location, start at exit 89 on I-40. Head south on Highway 117 for 11 miles, then keep going another 2 miles past the BLM Ranger Station.
You’ll spot the campground on the west side of Highway 117. Look for a small parking area and the entrance. If you see a dirt road heading east, don’t take it unless you’re sure you’re staying on public land.
At the campground, you’ll find 10 campsites with covered picnic tables. Each site has a BBQ grill and fire pit. There are two ADA accessible vault toilets and two pit toilets.
Each spot can handle up to 8 visitors, so you’ve got room for friends or family. If the main sites are full, there’s an overflow parking lot at the entrance.
It’s a quiet, no-frills place—great for boondocking. There aren’t any hookups or running water, so bring what you need. The ground is flat, and you’ll have easy access to hiking trails and outdoor stuff nearby.
Amenities And Activities
At Joe Skeen Campground El Malpais NCA Grants NM boondocking location, you’ll get the basics you actually need. There are 10 campsites, first-come, first-served. Each one has a covered picnic table, a fire ring, and a BBQ grill—so you can cook up dinner and hang out outside.
You’ll find two pit toilets, and they’re ADA accessible. That’s about it for amenities—no hookups, no water—so you’ll need to plan ahead and bring your own supplies. It’s a free campsite, so you’re trading luxury for simplicity.
Hiking is a big draw here, with plenty of trails in the El Malpais National Conservation Area. If you’re into horseback riding, you’ll find horse trails running through the area, too.
Wildlife watching is a mellow way to spend an afternoon. You’ll probably spot birds and maybe some other critters that call New Mexico home. The Joe Skeen Campground El Malpais NCA Grants NM boondocking location is remote and peaceful, which makes it easy to just relax and soak it all in.
| Amenity | Details |
|---|---|
| Campsites | 10, first-come, first-served |
| Picnic Tables | Covered |
| Fire Rings | Yes |
| BBQ Grills | Yes |
| Restrooms | 2 pit toilets, ADA accessible |
You really do need to come prepared, since services are minimal. If you want something simple and natural, with easy access to hiking and outdoor fun, this place will probably hit the mark.
Camping Regulations And Restrictions
Joe Skeen Campground El Malpais NCA Grants NM boondocking location works on a first-come, first-served basis. There are 10 campsites, each with a covered picnic table, fire pit, and BBQ grill.
You can stay up to 7 days at the campground. If you want to try dispersed camping nearby in El Malpais National Conservation Area, you get up to 14 days.
Each site allows up to 8 visitors. If you’re dispersed camping, you’ll need to set up within 100 feet of your vehicle.
There are two ADA accessible pit toilets, but no water or electrical hookups—so bring whatever you’ll need.
You can’t reserve spots ahead of time, so if you’re coming during a busy period, it pays to arrive early. Large groups might have trouble fitting in, since the sites are limited in size and number.
Leave No Trace
When you’re camping at Joe Skeen Campground El Malpais NCA Grants NM boondocking location, protecting the natural environment really matters. Follow the Leave No Trace principles. Always pack out your trash—don’t leave waste behind, not even food scraps or that random granola bar wrapper.
Stick to the fire rings or pits you find at your site. Don’t go cutting live trees or tearing up plants for firewood. If you’ve brought your own, make sure it’s only dead and downed wood.
Try to keep your campsite small, and don’t spread out past your designated spot. Stay on the trails that are already there and please, resist the urge to make a shortcut. Trampling new paths just messes with the land and plant life.
Deal with human waste the right way. Use the pit toilets if they’re open. If they’re not, you’ll need to dig a hole—at least 6 inches deep and a good 200 feet from water, trails, and camp. Not glamorous, but it’s the right thing to do.
Give wildlife some space. Watch animals from a distance, and don’t feed them or leave your food out. It’s better for you and definitely better for them.
Basic Leave No Trace tips:
| Practice | What to Do |
|---|---|
| Trash | Pack it out, leave no litter |
| Fires | Use existing fire pits only |
| Vegetation | Avoid cutting plants or trees |
| Waste | Use toilets or bury waste properly |
| Wildlife | Observe from a distance, do not feed |
Let’s be honest, Joe Skeen Campground El Malpais NCA Grants NM boondocking location stays clean and wild only if everyone does their part. Your choices make a difference for the next person—and for whatever’s living out there.
| AMENITIES: | ACTIVITIES: |
|---|---|
| Fire Ring Picnic Tables Restrooms |
RV Camping Tent Camping Hiking Horse Trails Wildlife Viewing |
Have you been to this location?Please help us and future travelers by putting in your personal review of this camping site. |