Brantley Lake State Park
Brantley Lake State Park has a pair of campgrounds. The Limestone
Campground is a developed area with showers, a playground and an
RV dump station. The primitive camping area, the Rocky Bay
Campground, has no services other than trash cans.
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Campground data:
Maps:
Getting to the campground:
From Carlsbad, head north on US 285. At the signs for the southern
entrance to Brantley Lake State Park, turn and drive about 15 miles in
to the park.
The campground:
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The campsites at the developed campground all have shades, which during
the summer are essential to avoid baking in the sun.
Many of these campsites have areas for tents.
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A playground and soda machine are located near the bathroom complex
(which includes showers).
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 | The primitive campground is here amongst the salt cedar. The sign as
you enter says, "Leave no trace". However, there are several fire
rings; that is not "no trace" in my book.
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The primitive campground is very close to the lake. You can camp right
on the shore if you want to.
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Reader comments about this campground:
On Tue Aug 19 21:27:47 2003 Anonymous from Roswell NM said:
Great Lake. Clean. The only problem is that it can get low because it is used for irrigation also give the water to TX.
On Wed Oct 6 21:43:23 2004 Anonymous from texas said:
Your great state has no right to all the water of the pecos river.
New Mexcio damed up the water years ago we barely have river flow
unless you have a flood maybe we need flood of all floods to solve
the problem.
On Fri Oct 8 12:24:49 2004 the Webmaster replied:
For anybody who wants more information about the water issues between
NM and TX, the following book came highly recommended from a librarian
at UNM's Centennial Library:
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High and dry: the Texas-New Mexico struggle for the Pecos River
by G. Emlen Hall. University of New Mexico Press, 2002.
If you purchase the book through Amazon.com, ExploreNM.com makes a
little money to help support the web site. Or, visit your local
library.
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On Sat Oct 16 07:17:57 2004 Anonymous from texas said:
I love driving up to the lake for fishing. I have yet to go there
and not catch something. Great lake!
On Tue Feb 15 14:50:46 2005 Anonymous from Albuquerque NM said:
Texas has more water than any state around here. Quit complaining
about the water situation. All of our lakes are so low they can
hardly be used because we are giving the water to you!
On Sat May 14 12:09:27 2005 just me from Artesia , NM said:
Texans need to quit whining about the water....we have it first we
should do with it what we damn well please....give texas our leftovers
if we have any our lakes are going dry because of those cry babies
brantley in particular TEXAS get over it!!!!!!!!!!!!
On Sun May 29 18:57:37 2005 TEXAN from Texas said:
New Mexico needs to be thankful to all the Texans who come and
choose to spend their hard earned money in NM...it's what keeps
your state thriving...the nation's poorest state, but no most the
time we are treated like pests! Don't hate us because we can afford
to help you survive! If you weren't so poor you wouldn't be SELLING
all your water to us..not GIVING it to us, and yes maybe we have
more water, but we have more people and way more land! The Pecos
R. flows through Texas, so be mad at God not Texas!
On Tue Jun 28 13:39:05 2005 nourse from east texas said:
I just want to camp and fish.
On Tue Dec 20 08:17:06 2005 Anonymous from NM said:
Geez here I am looking into the various sites for a camping get away, within NM as well as Texas and I see political issues.... What a quick way to deflate the camping motivation!
On Mon Jan 1 07:28:10 2007 retired military from Midland, Michigan said:
I am planning on visiting soon, its interesting to view comments
prior to visiting NM. I will give a northern exposure to it after
spending time there soon. I will also visit Texas and see what the
complaining is all about.
On Tue Jan 2 00:24:32 2007 Devon Cloud from Dallas TX said:
It is funny... I grew up on the NM/TX border in El Paso, and never
once has the water/financial argument been brought up by anyone
except by the polititians... and now we all who love the outdoors
get disgraced by a few people who want to turn this site, which is
the only truly excellent site to show people the beauty of New
Mexico and all the nature it has to offer us all, into their own
political agenda. Those of you doing so make me sick. Does TX
need the water? Yes, the Western part of TX is among the driest
areas in the country and it desperately needs the water...as does
New Mexico. Does New Mexico need money? Yes, it does... but there
are those of us out here that hope NM keeps it's rural lifestyle
alive and well for ever. It is what draws people like me to this
beautiful State year after year. I can see wildlife, forests and
mountain ranges most will never see in their lifetimes... and all
this for a ten dollar a night (if that) charge. Don't you all see
the beauty in that? Camping is what people like me go to do to
get away from problems like the ones you are putting on the site.
We get enought of that at our jobs and in city life and now you
want us to think about it while we go camping as well? There are
two sides to the argument people... There is no clear victor in
that argument... and regardless, this site is not about that argument
anyway... it is about showing off NM beauty to the rest of the
world. Save your anger and hatred for the Cities and leave Camping
to what it is meant for.... PEACE AND RELAXATION.
On Sat Jan 13 17:44:25 2007 Bill from Texas from Amarillo said:
WE wanted to visit SE NM but does SE NM want me to visit
On Tue Feb 13 15:57:04 2007 Yuck Monkey from New Texasco said:
Could be worse, Could Be Oklahoma
On Tue Mar 13 08:14:28 2007 Steve from Klecknersville, PA said:
We stayed in the primitive campground after a visit to Carlsbad.
The only negative was that we could hear a motor running in the
distance through the night---probably some kind of pump for the
dam. Other than that it was great---and the showers on site were
a plus. There was no evidence of a NM-TX rivalry at our campsite.
On Thu Mar 15 15:32:24 2007 Unimpressed with comments... from Somewhere said:
Just wanted to find info on camping and i get to read everyones personal polital views...come on people. That is not what this sight is for. Anyone with any real comments regarding the campgrounds would be appreciated.
On Tue May 8 00:24:10 2007 Guy from Atlanta from Georgia said:
Wow! I wanted to get some information on camping at Brantley Lake
State Park for my cross country vacation and found a bunch of people
that are clearly on the wrong website yapping at each other about
Texas/NM water issues!
You are all "drowning" in BS if you ask me. Start talking about
Camping and other things that this website was put up for.
On Sun May 20 17:26:43 2007 Micki from Clovis, NM said:
I would like to say to all those who are lookin for a campsite in New mexico and not looking for all the Texas-New Mexico water fighting... this is a great place to camp, we once lived in Carlsbad and would go here for a quick weekend get away...the camp ground over looks the lake and wow what sunsets...the bathrooms are very clean along with the showers...we camped here at least 6 times...we have moved from Carlsbad but would go here again to camp..and if your into boating, go in the summer months and have a blast...
On Sat Jun 9 20:24:18 2007 Bowfisher from Hobbs from Hobbs, NM said:
I think most of you need to stop complaining about who gets what,
and complain about the high levels of DDT (pesticides) in the water
at Brantley. Other than being in New Mexico, that water will
eventually (I'm sure it's there allready) flow into Texas.
The NM State Game and Fish Commission just released an ordinance
banning individuals to consume or take home any fish species from
Brantley and the Pecos River south of the lake.
So much for our kids in this area to enjoy fishing. Now we have to
worry about getting a mouth full of lake water while out smimming/skiing
etc. A biologist at the commission meeting stated "it will
take years or even centuries for DDT levels to susbside".
On Sat Jun 16 20:53:53 2007 Justin from Lovington, NM, said:
While I am normally one of the boondockers that camp on the north shore of the lake I have visited the park and must say that it is well kept. I wish we had a marina and developed swimming area, but I know that would cost a lot.
I grew up camping and skiing on the Tennessee River and was worried I wouldn't get to share that experience when I moved out here to haul oil. Happily I was wrong. This lake is close enough to home to come down every weekend and park my trailer right next to the shore! Thanks a lot!!!
On Thu Jul 5 13:17:50 2007 CONNIE from ODESSA TX said:
My family and I visit the lake at least 3 times a year and we love it. We don't care who's fighting for the water.
On Thu Aug 30 13:12:18 2007 Cookie from Texas said:
My family and I have camped here several times, and we love it. It is peaceful and a nice getaway from the city lights, I love the cool breeze in the evenings from the lake, and yes the campsites are very nice as well as the showers. So sad to here all the conplaining going on. We plan on visiting again very soon. God Bless Yall.
PS All the People we have ever encountered there whether from New Mexico or Texas or any other state have always been very nice and friendly. We campers always stick together.
On Mon Oct 1 19:42:30 2007 Anonymous from el paso tx said:
great lake with very clean facilities. my family went there just expecting to enjoy the lake but were jazzed to find out that we were able to jump in the river about 3 miles from the entrance of the lake. great way to relax and cool off. like someone already stated the sunsets are priceless. as far as all the water rights issues mentioned before just get to the lake, kick back by the water and enjoy the sunset.
On Mon Oct 8 15:56:11 2007 easterner from Hobbs, NM said:
I am new to this area & often explore the country when I am off from work. I came upon this park when traveling from Carlsbad to Roswell. Some of the developed campsites are well situated, with nice views & a (false) sense of privacy. The park is very nice for this area of NM (more shade, less dust, etc.)
I find the water area to be pretty disgusting. Trash, murky water, many noisy motors on the lake, & a very rough shore. Wear shoes if you're wading.
I think the on-line dispute regarding water rights perfectly illustrates what you're dealing with here, in terms of mentality: It's the epicenter for ignorance. Yes, campers do tend to be friendly......but you're going to find these friendly campers to be dull & stupid.
On Wed Mar 19 09:59:11 2008 japheaux from Canyon, TX said:
Glad to see we have nothing to argue about except politics. Back at the farm....I have camped in NM several times and have had great times spending my American money. I miss not having fire rings at the campsites, but have seen some of the cleanest restrooms I have ever seen at any campground at NM sites.
Okay...get back to your politics. By the way, Stephenville, TX UFOs are really weather balloons, also...or whatever.
On Thu Mar 20 21:33:36 2008 Anonymous from Somewhere said:
Since I've moved to New Mexico I've discovered that Texans are to New Mexicans as Californians are to Oregonians (my home state). Gah! Just go away already! And take your stinking diesels and oversized EVERYTHING with you!
On Sat Apr 19 14:38:36 2008 Rick and Kim from Alamogordo, N.M. said:
Recently my husband and I had the pleasure of finding this hidden jewel - Brantley Lake State Park - and stayed 3 nights and 2 days there in our motorhome. We saw huge jack rabbits, cute cottontail rabbits, road runners, doves, and more. It was nothing but peaceful! The camp rangers were so nice and helpful! Our only regret was that we didn't have another week to stay there and we had to get home. So, we are going to go back to Brantley Lake as soon as possible and stay as long as we possibly can! There are things to do around Carlsbad if you get antsy, but if you just want to sit and read a book, well, it's perfect for that. Anyone who wants peace and quiet and to feel like you're a million miles away from everything - it's the place to come. Great weather too! No hurricanes, no tornados, no floods, no blizzards or ice storms to worry about. And best of all - no fighting and bickering!
On Wed Apr 23 15:05:31 2008 Monica from Houston, TX said:
I am proud to say that I was the project secretary for the company (Monterey Construction) that built Brantley Dam. I check the website just to see the photos of Brantley Lake. Unfortunately, I moved away from Carlsbad in 1986 before there was any water in the lake but it sure looks beautiful now!! It was one of the neatest jobs I've ever had - there were 800 people on our jobsite for a little over 4 years. I'm glad to have been a contributing member to such a monumental structure and park. Have fun camping!! I miss New Mexico weather....
Monica
Houston, TX
On Wed Apr 23 15:05:46 2008 Monica from Houston, TX said:
I am proud to say that I was the project secretary for the company (Monterey Construction) that built Brantley Dam. I check the website just to see the photos of Brantley Lake. Unfortunately, I moved away from Carlsbad in 1986 before there was any water in the lake but it sure looks beautiful now!! It was one of the neatest jobs I've ever had - there were 800 people on our jobsite for a little over 4 years. I'm glad to have been a contributing member to such a monumental structure and park. Have fun camping!! I miss New Mexico weather....
Monica
Houston, TX
On Fri Apr 25 12:27:32 2008 Anonymous from Carlsbad, NM said:
Please everyone, this is a sight for campground information not you personal or political issues. I agree if Texas has so much money either pay for the water, then we wouldn't be the poorest state, or if you are that rich try making your own. First come first serve. Quit your bickering or make up a separate sight. LEAVE THIS ONE ALONE. If you want to camp welcome, if you come to argue and complain do it elsewhere.
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