Reviews

For Brantley Lake State Park: I really loved Brantley Lake when I was a child growing up in West Texas. So much, that I brought my wife of 30 years on a recent RV extravaganza through the SouthWest. Sadly the place is being run down. It started when we came in through the gate at 4 p.m. and the Ranger station was already closed. It continued when we noticed that all the trash dumpsters in the RV campground were overflowing. In our 2 day stay they were not emptied. The restrooms featured a women’s bathroom where 1 out of 3 toilets were out of service as well as 2 out of 3 showers. In the men’s rooms 1 out of 2 toilets were out of commission and the posted sign asked you to use the day area bathrooms. I took that advice and ½ mile later I arrived to some super clean and functional restrooms. Then, I trudged back ½ a mile. We decided to hike across the desert back to the visitor center. We encountered an equally run down building. The bathroom doors were broken and slammed shut. Old leaves littered the picnic table area. We also interacted with an indifferent ranger who curtly answered our few questions on fishing opportunities and ground fires. As we were walking out, I noticed that the cigarette ash tray had several butts and an empty mini of Fireball. During my walks through the camp area, I noticed that the camp host had a New Mexico state trooper car parked in his area. The camp host also had a late model Corvette on blocks with a front tire missing. Across the camp host in one of the four sites with full hookups including sewers was another New Mexico state trooper vehicle. I felt very safe. :-( Later in the evening I noticed some ¾ ton pickup trucks arriving at some of the “first come first served” RV sites. There seems something fishy going on. During our two night stay never a camp host was seen. Never a Park Ranger was seen. Too bad, I think some hanky panky is ruining this classic desert lake park Camped here in March 2018

Posted Nov 10, 2018 by BigMo from NE. This is the subjective opinion of a traveler and not of AllStays LLC.

For Brantley Lake State Park: We have conflicted feelings about this campground. On the surface, it is a beautiful park with views of the lake from every site. But, as others have said, the bathrooms are an embarrassment to the New Mexico State Parks system - seriously bad. Only 1 of 3 showers on Women’s side had hot water AND a functioning shower curtain. None of the electrical outlets worked, so unable to dry your hair. The spider webs were impressive - multigenerational families of spiders weaving webs in their undisturbed bathroom environment. You didn’t notice the stench from the lake/oil rigs until the air cooled at night, and then, whoa, was it ripe. Once air warmed up during the day, air quality improved.

Posted Oct 27, 2018 by Denise from SoCal. This is the subjective opinion of a traveler and not of AllStays LLC.

For Brantley Lake State Park: Beautiful park to stay. We were slated to stay 4 nights but the day we were leaving was going to be 50mph winds so we stayed 2 more nights. Easy access to town and the caverns (about an hour drive). Ranger frequently drives by and everything was quiet. We have a covered patio and picnic bench which was nice. We were in site #22 on the reserved side and the view was great. Price was very reasonable. Site was pretty level and easy to get in and out. Would recommend and we would stay there again.

Posted Apr 30, 2018 by Meandering Life from . This is the subjective opinion of a traveler and not of AllStays LLC.

For Brantley Lake State Park: Noisiest campground I've ever been in!!!!!! Also bathrooms dirty & a sink & toilet didn't work. Might have been ok without all the noise

Posted Apr 22, 2018 by Linda from Colorado. This is the subjective opinion of a traveler and not of AllStays LLC.

For Brantley Lake State Park: Avoid this park except for a one night stop over. The morning air is ripe with the smell of oil and gas fumes from nearby oil wells.The man-made lake is polluted with DDT. The restrooms were dirty and both the men's and women's side had at least one toilet that was not functioning. There was dirty underwear on the floor of the men's shower. One fellow camper told me he was writing the state to complain about the conditions. Sites are well spaced and fairly easy to back in. The five star rating is way off base. Three stars at most!

Posted Mar 03, 2018 by Peter from Virgina. This is the subjective opinion of a traveler and not of AllStays LLC.

For Brantley Lake State Park: I really struggled with this review as I really want to love this place, but I just didn't. However, in spite of my negative comments that follow I would still recommend this park if you are in the area as I don't think you'll find much better. Certainly not at this price point. plus I'm a fan of the larger sites you typically get in state parks.
Pros. Large, spacious sites. Nice covered concrete pavilion with a picnic table. Almost all sites will have some type of lake view. And you can't beat the price.
Cons, this park is quite remote but even though it is 5+ miles off the road, you still see the main road from the campsites. The facilities seem quite tired. Restrooms smell, the showers provide mist at best. There are only a couple of trails. And, for me, the worst was the frequent petro chemical smell coming from all the oil/gas rigs.

Tip. The Living Desert and Zoo is worth a stop. Also one of our best meals was at YellowBrix in Carlsbad.

Posted Feb 19, 2018 by OffIsland from Maine. This is the subjective opinion of a traveler and not of AllStays LLC.

For Brantley Lake State Park: Quiet site. Long and winding road from the hwy, but still convient to Carlsbad (15 minutes away). RV campground sits on a hill overlooking the lake. Loys of well maintained walking.trails. Typical NM state run park. Clean, $14, quiet, 1/2 empty, few full hookups, mostly water/elec sites, covered picnic tables.

Posted Sep 01, 2017 by Walkabout from Oklahoma. This is the subjective opinion of a traveler and not of AllStays LLC.