Are you the owner for this park? Make it a featured listing and be seen in the top search results!
Pancho Villa
Overview
Pancho Villa State Park offers a unique blend of American history and desert beauty. Located on the site of the former Camp Furlong, this park commemorates the 1916 raid by Mexican revolutionaries led by General Francisco Pancho Villa. It is a National Historic Landmark that provides RVers with a quiet, educational atmosphere amidst a stunning botanical garden of Chihuahuan Desert flora. The park serves as a bridge between the past and the present, offering a peaceful retreat in a historically significant setting.
Location & Surroundings
Situated in the quiet border town of Columbus, New Mexico, the park sits just three miles north of the international border with Mexico. The surrounding landscape is characterized by wide-open desert horizons and views of the nearby Tres Hermanas Mountains. Its unique proximity to the border makes it a popular stop for those looking to experience the cultural intersection of the American Southwest and Northern Mexico, all while enjoying the vast, sun-drenched plains of the southern desert.
Amenities & Park Features
This state park is exceptionally well-equipped for modern RVers, offering rare full hookup sites that include water, sewer, and electricity. Guests have access to clean restroom and shower facilities, a dump station, and a playground for families traveling with children. A standout feature is the expansive desert garden, which showcases numerous varieties of cacti and succulents native to the region, creating a peaceful environment for morning walks and bird watching right from your campsite.
Nearby Attractions & Things to Do
Visitors can explore the onsite museum and visitor center, which features extensive exhibits detailing the history of the 1916 raid and the subsequent Punitive Expedition. Many travelers take the short trip to the Palomas border crossing to enjoy authentic Mexican dining and shopping in a friendly atmosphere. For nature lovers, the clear desert skies make the park an exceptional location for nighttime stargazing, while the surrounding terrain offers unique opportunities for photography and historical exploration.
Who This Park Is Best For
This park is ideal for history enthusiasts and lifelong learners who appreciate deep dives into military and regional history. Its quiet ambiance and spacious sites cater to retirees and winter Texans looking for a peaceful, well-maintained winter destination. It is also an excellent choice for cross-country travelers seeking a comfortable, full-service stopover with a sense of place that goes far beyond a standard roadside park.
Amenities
- Recreational Facilities
- Policies
- Other Amenities & Services
- Recreation Nearby (within 10 miles)
- Facility
- On-Site Rentals
- Sites
User Reviews
Justin Marsh
Very well put together and informative park of Pancho Villa’s raid into the US. It wasn’t that long ago, was it?
Avi Baram
We love it. Town of colombus great small town with most friendly people. Only 3 miles from Puerto Paloma.mx. Another friendly town to visit.
AnnMarie
This is an awesome campground. I was here last year and came back because I really like it here. The dump station and showers are closed. They have very clean porta potties all over the campground. It's full of plants and trees. Easy pull through sites for all sizes of motorhomes. If you have a NM park pass, you only pay for electric $4/day if you want it. Plenty of areas to walk your dog, very peaceful and includes water, picnic tables with covers over cement patios. I have enjoyed staying here for the last two years.
Sands Spencer
Enjoyed our two nights there. Very nice little museum, plus a knowledgeable park ranger to answer questions. Sites are flat, easy access, and clean. This is desert, so don't expect trees and babbling brooks. Utilities required a little maneuvering to get close enough for standard length electrical cable to reach. In April 2024 the dump station was closed, so check and plan accordingly. Mexico is a 5 minute drive away.
Rob and Curtis Jesson Horsman
We had to accelerate our travel plans from Ontario to Arizona by a week to avoid some very unseasonably cold weather. Unfortunately this weather extended down into Dallas where we had planned to spend a few days. Looking for somewhere we could get to that was warm we discovered Pancho Villa State Park. We made plans to head there for four or five nights, not knowing what to expect. We were very pleasantly surprised. This is a beautiful Park with great sites beautiful sunsets and sunrises. Sites are only $14 per night with water and hydro and no admission fees. Puerto Palomas, Mexico is just 3 miles away across the border. Although the washrooms and dump station are closed at this time there were very clean porta potties available and the washrooms at the visitor center were opened from 7:00 a. m. until 4:00 p.m Would highly recommend several nights here if you are in the area.