Tent Camping in or around Carlsbad, just passing through

[AussieRedneck]

Hey guys my family and I are going to Colorado by means of Carlsbad at the end of August. We are looking for a good tent camping spot with bathrooms. I have 5 kids and my wife and we will all be rolling in from Oklahoma. We need a good recommendation for tent camping or a decent cheap hotel/ motel for the first night rolling in. Thanks for any suggestions.
Jay

 

[marcfj60]

I think there is a KOA and another similar type campground there. Keep in mind it will be sweltering in late August so you may want to consider the cheap motel option. The landscape around Carlsbad is very dry, sandy desert so camping there in August in a tent will probably be very unpleasant unless you're just sleeping in the tent and spending the rest of the time in the caverns or other air conditioned space.

 

[slimbuddha]

I think there is a KOA and another similar type campground there. Keep in mind it will be sweltering in late August so you may want to consider the cheap motel option. The landscape around Carlsbad is very dry, sandy desert so camping there in August in a tent will probably be very unpleasant unless you're just sleeping in the tent and spending the rest of the time in the caverns or other air conditioned space.

Marc,
My wife just went there a couple weeks ago, and there are not much for "cheap" hotel/motels anymore. With all the oil work happening in the area, its become a bustling microtropolis. There is even a "rush hour" and traffic in town now.

THere is the Lincoln National forest not too far, where you can find primitive camping, as well as paid camping in the Guadalupe National park:
http://www.nps.gov/gumo/index.htm

As Marc stated though, its going to be very hot, so unless you find a shady area to camp, it could easily be in the 80's or 90's even overnight.

Ron

 

[marcfj60]

As Marc stated though, its going to be very hot, so unless you find a shady area to camp, it could easily be in the 80's or 90's even overnight.

Ron

And easily over 100 during the day.