Located in Ruidoso Downs, New Mexico, Seeping Springs Trout Lakes and RV Park is open year-round for visitors to stay with their RVs or go fishing. All sites contain full hookups and offer rate options for nightly, weekly, monthly, and yearly stays. The grounds also have a variety of fishing options; there is river access for those serious fishermen with a state fishing license. There is also a pond that, when stocked, is available to campers staying on a monthly or yearly basis. Finally, the property owners mention a pay-pond, where everything needed for fishing is provided, and "a catch is guaranteed." The trout lake is open to everyone, whether they are staying in the park or not. A variety of trees around the park offer shade to trailers and fishermen. It is also possible for campers to see the occasional deer or elk wandering through the park.
Located just off Highway 70, east of Ruidoso Downs, New Mexico, Seeping Springs Trout Lakes and RV Park is open year-round for visitors to stay with their RVs or to come fishing. All 50 spaces are full hookups, with water, sewer, electric, cable, and Wi-Fi. All sites have 30 amp service, and some also have 50 Amp. There are a few pull-through sites for smaller trailers. However, Stacie—one of the park owners—states most sites are easier to back into. There are discounted rates for weekly, monthly, and yearly visitors. Yearly guests are offered spots in the back of the park when possible. Many of the spaces are shaded by cottonwoods and poplars. There are picnic tables at each site, and while there are no fire pits at each site, visitors are welcome to bring one with them or rent one at the offices. Ground fires are not allowed within Lincoln county. Campers are asked to get prior approval before starting a fire due to the possibility of burn bans or high winds. RV park guests have access to bathrooms and showers year-round. During office hours, snacks and drinks are sold along with a few RV parts.
Seeping Springs is a pet-friendly RV park. However, guests are required to keep their pets on a leash and to clean up after them. Park owners also request that pets not be left tied up or crated outside and are not allowed to bark. Due to insurance stipulations, customers with large breed dogs are asked to get approval upon booking a reservation. For safety reasons, pets are not allowed inside the pond area. There is a primitive walking trail that goes around the property that can be used for walking dogs. Many campers also use this loop for getting exercise or enjoying the air. The park is home to several different tree species, including both deciduous and evergreen trees. During the fall, apples and pears can be picked around the park.
Also located on the grounds as a fishing opportunity is a half-acre pond stocked with trout. At this location, visitors are provided with poles and bait at no cost. Fishermen are allowed to keep everything they catch and pay for them per inch of length. The staff at the park offers to clean caught fish so visitors can take the fish home to cook. The park also issues the permit that is required by the state to have the trout in possession. Guests do not have to be staying in the park to fish there.
On a separate pond, pedal boating is offered during the summer season. When available, monthly and yearly RV park customers can use this pond for fishing at no cost. It is accessible from the main office, and guests will need to speak with owners to gain access. It is stocked with both cold and warm water fish and does not require a state fishing license. Lastly, for the more avid fishermen, there is property along the river where guests can fish, provided they have a New Mexico-issued state fishing license. Both of these options do require visitors to have their own fishing equipment.
Seeping Springs is a quiet park, often described by its customers as peaceful and relaxing. It is an older park, which means it comes with mature trees but smaller spaces. The owners explain that, while the sites are a little small for today’s trailers, most of their campers do not mind because their neighbors are friendly and quiet. Park quiet hours start at 9:30 pm from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day weekend. There is not much need for the quiet hour outside the summer months.
The office is open every day during the summer season from 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM, except Sundays when it may open late. After Labor Day, the office is open by appointment. While Wi-Fi is available throughout the park, customers are welcome to come up to the office if they need a better signal or need access to a printer or scanner. Snacks and drinks are sold in the office. Smoking is allowed on the property but not inside any buildings. Guests should be aware that sometimes, under extreme conditions, smoking is not allowed outside by county ordinances.
Stacie, Jimmy, and their boys have owned and operated the RV park and fishing pond for over 20 years. Hunter and Bradly have grown up running the park and helping the customers. They all believe their customers to be members of their extended family. Stacie says they want people to feel like they have come home as soon as they arrive. She believes this is a large part of what brings many campers back. They try to nurture this feeling between their campers by having potlucks and other gatherings throughout the year. Stacie also hopes that when people return home, they do so feeling more relaxed and rested after their visit.
One visitor to the park said, "It is a rustic park. It has ponds and the Ruidoso river creek going behind the property. There was very kind managerial staff as well." According to Stacie, the adjectives most often used to describe the RV park by customers are “peaceful” and “friendly.” Stacie mentions how often she hears her fishing customers mention that they had enjoyed the park when they were kids, that they are now bringing their kids to go fishing, or that their kids had fun coming fishing through the years that they were now bringing their grandkids.
Many people visit the area during the summer to get out of the hotter Texas weather. Summertime offers horse racing at the Billy the Kid Racetrack and Casino, water activities at Grindstone lake, horseback riding, hiking, and biking. After Labor Day, people are still drawn to Ruidoso for the weather and the variety of weekend festivals. According to Stacie, fall foliage is at its peak in late September and early October. Winter brings snow for skiing and tubing, an outdoor ice rink in midtown, and lots of Christmas lights. The weekend festivals continue into the spring until the weather allows guests to resume outdoor activities.
Dining options near the Seeping Springs Trout Lakes and RV Park include Casa Blanca, Farley's Food Fun and Pub, Hall of Flame, and K-BOB's Steakhouse. There is also a lot of shopping, including a store just up the road from Seeping Springs called Lots of Stuff. White Sands National Monument, Carlsbad Caverns National Park, and several state parks, along with Cloudcroft, Capitan and Lincoln, are all short day trips from the park.
The park, which was built in the 1960s, sits on 10.5 acres of land backed by the Rio Ruidoso. Guests drive past what was once the Biscuit Hill Cafe as they arrive at the park. Truck drivers would plan their routes to make sure they were able to stop there for breakfast. The cafe and the small cabin before the RV park still belong to the family that originally developed the property. In the past, seeping Springs Trout Lakes and RV Park was called Conley’s Trout Lakes. Stacie and Jimmy have owned and operated since 2001. Their two boys, Hunter and Bradly, were born in Ruidoso and have grown up working in the RV park and trout ponds.
Lincoln County has much history and lore, from Billy the Kid to Smokey the Bear. The town of Capitan is the Home of Smokey the Bear, a bear cub found after a local forest fire who became the face of the forest fire prevention campaign. Lincoln county is known for Billy the Kid lore, with the town of Lincoln being “frozen in time” and dedicated to preserving the story of the Lincoln County Wars and Billy the Kid. People can also visit historic Fort Stanton or Three Rivers Petroglyphs. For the more adventurous at heart, Carlsbad Caverns and White Sands National Monument.
110 Seeping Springs Rd. 4 mi. E of Racetrack on Hwy. 70 Ruidoso Downs NM 88346 United States
Ruidoso Downs, New Mexico 88346
United States
Campground
Stacie and Jimmy Belcher
