In 1855, the U.S. Army established Fort Stanton as an Infantry and Cavalry Post in the East-Central New Mexico Territory to protect settlers in that region. Later, the Fort was a Military Reservation.
Today, the Fort is known as Snowy River Cave National Conservation Area (NCA) which was established in 2009; to protect, conserve and enhance the unique nationally important historic, cultural, scientific, archaeological, natural and educational subterranean cave resources of Fort Stanton’s River Cave System.
The Cave spans over 31 miles and is the second longest cave in New Mexico. The 14th longest cave in the United States and the 62th longest cave in the world managed by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM). Additionally, Snowy River is a noteworthy water passage within the cave; approximately 15 miles of previously unknown passage have been mapped without reaching the end.
The Fort grounds contains two public 14-day campsites in different locations. Rob Jagger campground in Lincoln, NM is considered a developed camp area because it is graveled and includes five-parking sites with electric and water hookups; five additional sites only offer electric hookups. There are three shareable fire-rings, two picnic pavilions and 12-horse corrals to accommodate horse owners; corrals are used on a first-come first-served basis.
Payment for developed sites are based on the honor system as follows:
Water: $5.00 daily
Electric: 30 amp. $5.00 daily
Water only: $5.00 daily
Rv Dump Station: $15.00
The Group Shelter is $25.00. Contact Roswell Field Office to make reservations.
Note: Seniors pay half-price based on membership passes.
The second camp area is a smaller primitive campground near the entrance to Fort Stanton Cave which I never got the opportunity to visit. It is my understanding that the cave is closed due to a problem with bats residing in parts of the cave. As a result, I made Jagger campground my home from September 13-27.
Recreations: Hiking, biking, horseback riding, caving, cultural and historic sites, picnicking, wildlife observation, nature studies and photography.
I can’t end this article without sharing this: I met two awesome females. They were friendly, hardworking, conscientious women. Who were temporary Campground Hosts until a full-time host is hired. In the past, every campground, I have ever used or visited was manned by men.
I swear, watching these women rise early every morning to check, clean and restock bathrooms; shovel and remove horse manure; then use logs to level-out dirt in corrals and other areas. Pull trash from garbage cans throughout campgrounds and transport it to larger dumpers; use a nail gun to re-enforce a recently installed wooden fence, as well as, maintain and mow grounds. Yes, I really mean…Mow grounds.
Although both women were hard workers in every task I observed. One female’s job performance, creativity; use of tools and equipment – I’ve only seen men use was beyond reproach. There is no one skill category this woman falls under rather than jack-of-all-trades. I look forward to staying at another campground hosted by Frugal Rv Gal and her best friend, Kim in the future. Be Safe-RVing Sisters.
