Date of Stay: November, 2019 - $15.00
Overall Rating:

We loved the privacy and quiet of this park! The campground is a long drive off of the highway (watch for cows!), but the roads are in good shape. The ranger station was not open at the specified check-in time, but we had reserved and paid online so we proceeded to our spot (it was never open when entering at other times, but there are self-pay stations at the park entrance and at the campground). The campground host did come around and let us know about the freeze warning in effect. Our back in site was level with a covered picnic table area. As other reviewers have noted, the bathrooms weren't great so we didn't use them. Our dogs enjoyed walks along the trail right outside our campsite. There is quite a bit of wind at times as well as some not-so-great smells from the oilfield across the lake, but it isn't bad at all. We will definitely be back when we are in the Carlsbad area. Be prepared to travel at least 15 minutes to the closest gas station and about 20-25 minutes for groceries. We camped at Brantley Lake State Park in a Fifth Wheel.

Value

Clean Restrooms

Service

Clean Showers

Cleanliness

Date of Stay: June, 2019 - $18.00
Overall Rating:

The campground has mainly water and electric. There is a dump station but may not be able to get into with 40 foot motorhome. We were there only 2 nights so did not need to dump. The views of the lake are gorgeous and give one a good idea of this high desert country. There are walkways to the bathhouse and limited parking for the baths and toilets. They needed cleaning but were not nasty. Chose not to use. The back-in spot we had was plenty long. We had a covered picnic table that was grounded in cement. Lots of stickers and brambles. Wear close toed shoes and don't let pets get in the weeds. We were about 12 miles from town. Jalisco Mexican is a good place to eat. The roads into and out of the park were good. We camped at Brantley Lake State Park in a Motorhome.

Value

Clean Restrooms

Service

Clean Showers

Cleanliness

Date of Stay: May, 2019 - $14.00
Overall Rating:

Stopped at this state park on my way back from Texas. Was a little hesitant due to recent reviews but found no problems. I pulled in a little before 5PM on a Tuesday and got the next to last available first come site. There is a host. Bathrooms are old and worn but clean. What a great deal water, electric and a covered picnic table for $14. For tenters there is an equally nice camp ground with out hook ups but with covered table and restrooms for $8 less than half a mile past pass the RV campground. The park is a little off the beaten path but close enough to both Carlsbad and Artesia to check both towns and Sitting Bull Falls. Rangers made their rounds several times and I was there less than 24 hours. I would recommend making reservations. I was very lucky to find a place and the last site was taken before I got set up. We camped at Brantley Lake State Park in a Travel Trailer.

Value

Clean Restrooms

Service

Clean Showers

Cleanliness

Date of Stay: April, 2019 - $14.00
Overall Rating:

Stayed 7 days in April 2019. Wonderful views & sunsets. Enjoyed trails. Had a nice site. Terrible experience with bathhouse and garbage. Sign on men's/women's when arrived "no hot water heater - go to KOA for shower." Both signs came down, but the water was still frigid. Many campers grumbling about it. Someone kept signing a cleaning checklist, but bathrooms never cleaned entire 7 days - including over busy Easter weekend. Bathhouse garbage cans and campground cans all overflowing. Ran out of hand soap & T-paper & never refilled despite completed checklist showing all "OK." The only park staff was a daily check at 5:30pm to make sure every camper had paid, but they never used the money to install a water heater or clean up. Visitor center always closed. Overall, a very negative impression. We camped at Brantley Lake State Park in a Motorhome.

Date of Stay: April, 2019 - $14.00
Overall Rating:

We were leery driving into the campground but pleasantly surprised with the sites. Each had a shade structure and picnic table. Plenty of room for our 37 ft motorhome and car.
Bathrooms cleanliness was disappointing. No amenities other than a small playground. The lake was very low and you would need to drive to access. Overall a fine place for a night or two. A great value at $14 a night. We camped at Brantley Lake State Park in a Motorhome.

Date of Stay: March, 2019 - $18.00
Overall Rating:

Limestone CG at Brantley Lake is a distance off the highway and the pavement is not maintained well. Sheltered picnic table with one wall was some protection from the wind. The lake was not easily accessible for fishing. Within the site it was level but most of the sites were on an incline. Ours was not quite as inclined as others. Using the Relief Route avoids downtown Carlsbad. Camp host was very helpful. OTA channels but no wifi. We camped at Brantley Lake State Park in a Fifth Wheel.

Value

Clean Restrooms

Service

Clean Showers

Cleanliness

Date of Stay: March, 2019 - $14.00
Overall Rating:

The park is located on the east side of the dam. Four plus mile ride on a paved road to get there. The sites were spacious, had covered picnic areas and grill. No ground fires although I did see another camper with a bon fire going in the grill. There are two or three full hook up sites at $18 per night. Ours was 50 amp and water $14 per night. The dump station is located on the access road near the entrance to the campsites. It is large enough for a big rig to maneuver in. Great desert views. Wind could be a problem as there are few trees on site. Half of the sites were reservation and half are first come. We camped at Brantley Lake State Park in a Motorhome.

Value

Clean Restrooms

Service

Clean Showers

Cleanliness

Date of Stay: February, 2019 - $14.00
Overall Rating:

Great stay for a night or two in the desert. Quiet and spacious. We camped at Brantley Lake State Park in a Motorhome.

Value

Clean Restrooms

Service

Clean Showers

Cleanliness

Date of Stay: January, 2019 - $14.00
Overall Rating:

This is our first visit to Brantley. Been here 4 nights, leaving tomorrow. The park is fine. I wouldn’t call it “beautiful” as someone else has. The lake is a distance away & we have a small view of a corner of it. The rest of our view is flat, limestone, rocky nothing. Only a few sites have sewer at an additional cost. Ours did not. There is a dump station accessible from both sides of your rig. No wildlife to see, either. I’ve been looking and saw one hawk and one roadrunner. It’s also been VERY windy up here; location is a higher elevation compared to surrounding area, and no barriers to block the wind. Site 11 is just big enough for our 35’ motorhome with compact car parked at an angle. Nice gravel area, picnic table on pad with sun cover. Charcoal grill. No ground fires allowed at any state parks right now. Bathroom looked clean, showers are the type where you have to push the button to start the water as you are standing right there where the water shoots out at you, and sign says it can take a few minutes for hot water. Bring a long pole with you or you’ll be starting your day with a cold shower! It’s a LONG ride to anywhere from here. There is one grocery store in town, Albertsons, and our two visits there were total insanity. Could not find parking in the middle of a weekday. Second time someone actually stole my space as I was in process of backing into it! It’s a desperate situation! Walmart is down the other end of town. One hour plus to caverns. New Mexico State Park annual pass is $225 for "out of staters", and for someone who plans to spend more than 22 days a year camping in the state, it’s a no brainer. (I had read that the annual pass gets you free camping, which is not exactly true - it’s free if you’re paying for primitive sites, which cost $10. Otherwise, the pass gets you $10 per day off the cost of your site, so I’m paying $4 per night for this site.) We prefer state parks even without a view! Really not much to do in Carlsbad. The caverns are outstanding, of course! OH! There are oil fields nearby; you can’t really see them from the campground, but if the wind is blowing in the wrong direction I get a faint smell of petroleum inside the motorhome as well as out. Something to be aware of if you are sensitive to odors. We camped at Brantley Lake State Park in a Motorhome.

Date of Stay: January, 2019 - $14.00
Overall Rating:

Setting was beautiful. Don't even think about taking a shower here though. You have to hold a lever down, it sprays for 30 seconds and NEVER gets hot. Some toilets do not work either. You have to drive about 20 miles to Carlsbad city. Close to caverns also. We camped at Brantley Lake State Park in a Fifth Wheel.

Value

Clean Restrooms

Service

Clean Showers

Cleanliness

Date of Stay: November, 2018 - $4.00
Overall Rating:

This park has a couple small trails but they are rocky. Only a few sites have sewer, but there is a dump station nearby. Electricity is 30 amp only. All sites have a view of the lake which is a bit of a distance away. Great Verizon. We camped at Brantley Lake State Park in a Motorhome.

Value

Clean Restrooms

Service

Clean Showers

Cleanliness

Date of Stay: November, 2018 - $14.00
Overall Rating:

This state park we stayed out (our second time) on the way from San Antonio up thru to Santa Fe. We wanted to visit Carlsbad Caverns again so this cheap, clean, easy state park was our first choice. We arrived after dark but knew our way around so we found an open site. There were no open sites in the first come loop but in the reserve loop, there were plenty that had one night only and could be used without a reservation. When we got up the next morning, we looked on line and the site we chose was empty for the entire week (along with half the loop). We stayed two nights and paid each night without making the reservation. Verizon cell and over the air channels work well here. Two nights without sewer was no big deal but there are a couple you can reserve with full hookups. The park is a long drive to Carlsbad and into the park is a long drive off the main rode but we like it enough to forgo that convenience. Self registration and clean bathrooms. The sites are rather short and mostly back-ins but if u want to unhook there is room to put the truck out of the way. A big hill and plenty of walking to the lake etc. We camped at Brantley Lake State Park in a Fifth Wheel.

Value

Clean Restrooms

Service

Clean Showers

Cleanliness

Date of Stay: November, 2018 - $14.00
Overall Rating:

Access is paved all the way. Perimeter roads are paved and in good condition. Check in was very easy (self check in). Our site, 49, was a back in with a covered table, power, water with a grill on a stand. OTA TV was good, Verizon was 4 bars. This is a very quiet park. No long terms were noted. There is a 14 day max stay. We used this park as a base to visit The Carlsbad Caverns. It is a bit of a drive but we just didn't like the reviews for parks closer in. We are glad we stayed here. $14,00 for a power and water site is a bargain. There are not services or restaurants within walking distance. Washrooms and showers appeared clean and well maintained. Free dump station just a ways down the road. We would return. We camped at Brantley Lake State Park in a Motorhome.

Value

Clean Restrooms

Service

Clean Showers

Cleanliness

+ 2

Date of Stay: November, 2018 - $18.00
Overall Rating:

We stayed in a reservable site with sewer hookup that was in the back of the lot. Had to use 2 sewer hoses to reach. Easy to level. Water pressure good. Parking spot big enough for 40' fifth wheel. Had to disconnect. Steps down to the picnic area was kind of nice, yet left little room to step out of the RV on level ground. Easy to get around in our big rig on the inner roads. We camped at Brantley Lake State Park in a Fifth Wheel.

Value

Clean Restrooms

Service

Clean Showers

Cleanliness

Date of Stay: October, 2018 - $17.00
Overall Rating:

When looking for an RV park that is close to Carlsbad Caverns, this one stands out simply because its so beautiful. Its a bit of a drive (25 minutes from the town of Carlsbad) but the roads are good and the stars are clear at night. Most of the sites have views of the water (and all are just a short walk to the shore line). Its high desert so expect to see rabbits and coyotes; this lake is also on the fly zone so expect to see lots of water fowl. Only a few of the sites had sewer hookups; dump station is conveniently located on the road in/out. We camped at Brantley Lake State Park in a Motorhome.

Value

Clean Restrooms

Clean Showers

Cleanliness