If you would like to NOT be in a commercial campground while in the Las Cruces area, I will list 3 possible places to camp. One out from Deming which is about 60 miles west of Cruces, another one north of Cruces, and the last is east of town on the other side of the Mts.
Out from Deming you can find: City of Rocks State Park in Southwestern New Mexico is a great little area, a unique spot. No need for reservations, however, you may reserve a few spots. There are some water and electric spots and a lot of boon docking among the rocks. Elevation 5,250 feet; dress warm for mornings, evenings & nights, could be warm in the days in the Spring and
Fall.
It could be a little hot in the Summers during the day.
http://www.emnrd.state.nm.us/PRD/cityrocks.htm
http://www.emnrd.state.nm.us/PRD/doc...fRocks_001.pdf
Overnight Camping (per vehicle, per night)
Primitive site $8
Notes: Primitive campsites offer no special facilities except a cleared area for camping. Sites may include trash cans, chemical toilets or parking. Developed sites offer additional facilities such as electric and sewage hookups.
Developed site $10
Developed site with electric hookup $14
Electric hookup with annual camping permit $4
Sewage hookups $4
Facilities Activities
Visitor Center Camping
Group Shelter Picnicking
Developed Sites (52) Star gazing
Electric Sites (10) Relaxing
Interpretive Exhibits Wildlife Watching
Restrooms Hiking / Biking
Showers Hide and Seek Among the Rocks
Photography
Painting & Sketching
Showers are new and free.
Faywood Hot Springs is about 1 mile away, a rustic natural geothermal resort in southwestern New Mexico, located between Silver City and Deming, has many outdoor public and private soaking pools for those who wish to partake of its healthful and rejuvenating mineral water baths. There are separate clothing-required, clothing-optional (naturist) and private bathing areas.
http://www.faywood.com/Contents.htm
Silver City is about 30 miles away and the Gila Nat'l Forest.
http://www.silvercity.org/
Formed of volcanic ash 30 million years ago and sculpted by wind and water into rows of monolithic blocks, City of Rocks State Park takes its name from these incredible rock formations. Cactus gardens and hiking trails add to this unique destination. The rock formations at the park are so unique that they are only known to exist in six other places in the world. Imaginative visitors may see the rock formations as a small city, complete with houses, chimneys, courtyards, and streets.
Until 1200 A.D., Mimbres Indian roamed this area and left arrowheads and pottery shards as evidence of their culture. Spanish conquistadors also spent time in the area, carving crosses into the rocks.
Visitors can see a sampling of southwestern plant and animal. The park's desert botanical garden is home to cow's tongue and bunny ear cacti, Yucca, and towering Century plants. Deer, antelope, javelinas, and jackrabbits are frequently seen in the area, along with over 35 species of birds, ranging from Golden Eagles to finches.
Directions: From Deming of I-10, take US 180 northwest 24 miles, and then go northeast on NM 61 for four miles to the park access road.
North of Las Cruces: Leasburg Dam State Park offers camping, picnicking and bird watching.
Adjacent Fort Selden State Monument has a museum and trails at a 19th-century military outpost.
Leasburg Dam, built in 1908, is one of the oldest diversion dams in New Mexico. It heads a canal system that irrigates extensive farmlands south to Las Cruces.
Recent Makeover: The park has attractive picnic and camping facilities on the Rio Grande, a modern restroom with showers, a new playground for the young at heart, a new campfire circle for evening programs, and a new visitor center with exhibits.
Getting There
To get to Leasburg Dam State Park, go 15 miles north of Las Cruces on I-25, get off at exit 19 and take NM 157 west to the park entrance.
On the east side of the Organ Mts: a BLM Campground over looking the main base of White Sands Missle Range: Aguirre Springs.
The high wall, needle-like spires of the Organ Mountains curve dramatically around a semicircle of Chihuahuan Desert habitat at the Aguirre Spring Campground. The campground, nestled at the base of spectacular cliffs, overlooks the Tularosa Basin and White Sands National Monument. Alligator juniper, gray oak, mountain mahogany and sotol are a few of the abundant plant species here. Seasonal springs and streams occur in the canyon bottoms, with a few perennial springs that support riparian habitats.
Activities
Hiking, camping, horseback riding, picnicking, watchable wildlife.
The picnic/camp sites have shelters or shade trees; handicapped-accessible restrooms also are available.
Hiking
Two national recreation trails start at the campground. The Baylor Pass Trail has its eastern end at the campground. This is a one-way trail of six miles, which will take you to the Baylor Canyon Road on the west side of the mountains. The Pine Tree Trail is a four-mile loop that climbs to the base of the Organ Needles, in Ponderosa Pine habitat. Both trails provide spectacular views of the Organ Mountains and the Tularosa Basin. The Baylor Pass Trail is open to hiking and equestrian use. The Pine Tree Trail is open to hiking only.
Camping
The Aguirre Spring Campground is the only high-country campground in the Las Cruces/El Paso/Juarez region. It is hugely popular as a picnic site on weekends and holidays. The campground includes 57 family sites and two group sites, which can be reserved through the BLM Las Cruces District Office at 505.525.4300.
Location / Access
The Aguirre Spring Campground is located on the east side of Organ Mountains, east of Las Cruces in Dona Ana County. Take U.S. 70 for 14 miles east of the I-25/U.S. 70 interchange in Las Cruces, then turn south on the Aguirre Spring Road (1.1 miles after San Augustine Pass) for six miles. At mile 4 the road becomes a one-way loop and climbs steeply.
DesertHawk- Las Cruces, NM USA 
We just got back from a sampling of the southwest. Las Cruces was one of our favorites. Make sure you go to the square - Mesilla - beautiful shops, nice church. Two fun native southwest restaurants just off the square - not the espensive one ON the square, but on the way back to the visitor center - look left - great food,cheap!! 
Thanks for the tour of your Rubea II, a very nice egg and roomy as well!
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