Fort Stanton-Snowy River Cave National Conservation Area

Show on map 575-322-0030 blm_nm_pdo_mail@blm.gov

Roswell Field Office, 2909 West Second Street
Roswell, NM 88201

The Fort Stanton - Snowy River Cave National Conservation Area (NCA) was established in 2009 to protect, conserve, and enhance the unique and nationally important historic, cultural, scientific, archaeological, natural, and educational subterranean cave resources of the Fort Stanton - Snowy River Cave system. The NCA was once known as the Fort Stanton Military Reservation. In 1855, the U.S. Army established Fort Stanton as an Infantry and Cavalry post in the east-central New Mexico Territory to protect settlers in the region. Within the NCA is Fort Stanton Cave. Fort Stanton Cave has over 56 miles of passage mapped, it is the second longest cave in New Mexico, the seventh longest cave in the U.S., the 32nd longest in the world, and the largest cave the BLM manages. Snowy River is a significant passage within Fort Stanton Cave, and is the longest cave formation in the world. Ongoing exploration continues, and previously unknown passages have been identified and mapped, without reaching the end.

Directions

From the intersection of NM 246 and US 380 in Capitan, NM, drive east on US 380 for 4.3 miles to NM 220, which will be on the right. From the west end of Lincoln, NM, drive west 7.75 miles to NM 220, which will be on the left. Drive south 0.9 for miles to the Rob Jaggers Campground, where maps and an information kiosk are available. Historic Fort Stanton is approximately 1.5 miles further south on NM 220. On the grounds of Fort Stanton, the State of New Mexico operates a museum with information about the Fort and the Fort Stanton - Snowy River Cave NCA.

Fees

Yes

Stay Limit

14 Days

Reviews

Fort Stanton-Snowy River Cave National Conservation Area offers a mostly well-maintained and peaceful camping experience with helpful hosts and convenient amenities like water, electric, and easy registration. The campground is in a beautiful location with some historic sites nearby. However, some reviewers noted issues such as lack of shade, exposure to wind, occasional problems with water leaks, full trash bins during longer stays, and cleanliness problems with respect to pit toilets.

Well-maintained campground

Helpful and friendly hosts

Good amenities: water, electric, internet access

Easy registration via app

Peaceful atmosphere and nice location

No shade, sites open to wind

Water leakage issues at some sites

Full trash bins during longer stays

Filthy pit toilets reported by some

Intimidating campground host presence noted by one visitor

10 reviews

5 stars

4 stars

2 stars

Jesse J

Campground:Rob Jagger's Campground

Loop:Rob Jagger

Site:

Reviewed 24 days ago

Clean park good facilities

Edward B

Campground:Rob Jagger's Campground

Loop:Rob Jagger

Site:

Reviewed 6 months ago

Great little campground

Ken D

Campground:Rob Jagger's Campground

Loop:Rob Jagger

Site:

Reviewed 7 months ago

Campground is okay. No shade, no trees, open to the wind but sites have water and electric. Pit toilets on site were relatively clean but all the trash bins were full and we were there for 5 nights and they never got emptied. When we arrived the water wasn’t on at our site but campground host came and worked on the water and got it working but it leaked all over the ground the entire time it was on. If you Wed somewhere to stay for one night or you are camping with horses it is fine, as many sites have corrals, but other than that I can’t see a reason to stay here.

Karen D

Campground:Rob Jagger's Campground

Loop:Rob Jagger

Site:

Reviewed 8 months ago

It was the absolute best—clean water and restrooms. Everything was well-organized, and there was excellent internet access, making it easy to pay even if you didn't have cash. I loved it; everyone staying there was elderly—the best kind of people. They look out for you and check to make sure everything is okay throughout the night. It was very peaceful, there were no mishaps whatsoever, and the sky itself is the best sign you could ask for that you’ve found the perfect spot. I highly recommend it.

Jennifer G

Campground:Rob Jagger's Campground

Loop:Rob Jagger

Site:

Reviewed a year ago

Well maintained

Doug N

Campground:Rob Jagger's Campground

Loop:Rob Jagger

Site:

Reviewed a year ago

Caretaker was very helpful. We enjoyed the hospitality and stay.