Home Base:
Type of RV:
Managed Parks
Top of Raton Pass
I-25/Exit 460
Raton, NM
87740
Reviews of Raton Pass Camp & Cafe
Meander
27 reviews
Jul 2017
New name, New ownership - Raton Pass Camp and Cafe...great place to stay!
Date of Stay: July, 2017 - $38.00
Overall Rating: 5 stars
RV: 25' Motorhome with toad (42' overall). Didn't have to unhook the tow vehicle in space #2
3 week trip and this was our #1 favorite! It's not a big, ol' resort, but that didn't matter. I give this 5 stars in context with other spots in the region and for the obvious attention to detail and wonderful food. The owner was fantastic - she clearly puts forth a lot of effort and pride into her campground. It has that "personal touch". Not sure when she took it over and changed the name to Raton Pass Camp and Cafe (from Cedar Rail RV Park), but the rock gravel was in perfect condition and there were so many "personal touches", so I imagine she's made numerous improvements since she took over ownership sometime after the last review before mine was written.
We intended to stay elsewhere and had put a deposit on another campground in the area, but after driving through it...we high-tailed it out of there. We cancelled that reservation and went online and found Raton Pass RV Park (formerly Cedar Rail). Luckily for us, we got the last pull-thru site! We arrived a bit past their hours, but the owner and her staff stayed to get us settled in. We were starving and tired and asked if the restaurant was open. It had just closed, but she offered to make us dinner and bring it to our site! She started reeling off her menu...lots of slow smoked meats, etc (definitely not for Vegans). The offerings were numerous, and it was hard to decide what to order. We had fantastic homemade lasagna, marinated chicken, white beans to die for, cole slaw, potato salad, rolls, tea, etc. I enjoy cooking and she is quite a cook. Nothing like a home cooked meal cooked and served by someone else! What service! They escorted us to our site (#2), which was not next to anyone, but rather alongside the wide driveway area. Worked just great.
The campground is up on a hill with beautiful views and the sunset was stunning. The air crisp and clean. There is wifi, but we were strongly warned not to stream Netflix or download a bunch of stuff because she would know and cut us off. Fair enough. That was her only "thing". The campground is clearly a labor of her love...incredibly clean, spotless and level. The hookups were in great shape and well positioned. We intended to eat our meal outside and enjoy the sunset, but it was a bit chilly and windy, so we didn't take advantage of the picnic table. The gravel was firm and well-maintained. The bathrooms were spotless and so cute! I took advantage of the facilities, something I rarely do, and enjoyed a nice, long shower. Our dogs appreciated the lack of "stickers". We didn't walk them down to the tent camping area, but it looked to be a great little place to explore with the dogs. The other campers were quiet and friendly. We walked around and enjoyed the views and cool air after driving through excessive heat the previous 3 days. This was "just an overnight", but it was such an oasis, we would have loved to stay longer. We would definitely stay at Raton Pass Camp again...for the ambiance, views, services, cleanliness, friendly owner/staff and amazing, homemade food. We spent $60 for our site and dinner for 2.
Date of Stay:
July, 2017
Rate Paid:
$38.00
ckeissler
3 reviews
Jul 2012
Gorgeous Views
We love staying in this park because it is out of town high on a hillside with beautiful views. The two times we have camped there we parked in the upper section of the park. The staff is very friendly and even escorts you to your site. Camping fees are reasonable, we paid $25 for each night. Most campers stay here for short stays usually on the way to a different destination. Will stay here again for next trip to Colorado.
Date of Stay:
July, 2012
Rate Paid:
$25.00
wanderingairstr...
14 reviews
May 2011
looky loo review Cedar Rail Campground & RV Park
here's our looky-loo review of Cedar Rail, for review with full photos, go to our website, www.wanderingairstream.com and here's the direct link:
http://wanderingairstream.com/eddie/looky-loo-review-raton-new-mexico
We stayed at Cedar Rail RV Park for just one evening and had the whole park to ourselves. Raton, New Mexico is not exactly a destination place, we drove around town just a bit before settling in for the evening and didn’t see too much going on… but it was a good spot to stop for the night. The park is on top of Raton Pass, just a few miles outside of town, and is smack dab on top of the New Mexico/Colorado border.
The owners were very friendly, the park is clean and well-maintained and the bathrooms were very clean and spacious. The nightly cost was $29 plus tax which we thought to be a bit high since you are pretty much in the middle of nowhere and although they advertise internet there is none unless you are down the hill inside the office with them. So with fairly isolated surroundings, no cable and no internet it seemed a bit high to us.
It was our first stop that had warnings about bears with reminders posted in the bathrooms, etc.. it definitely takes getting used to thinking you might step out of your RV and see a bear and we fully admit to being thankful to miss out on any sightings. The only bears we like to see are clark & ellen!
Date of Stay:
May, 2011
Rate Paid:
$29.00
RVingToadless
35 reviews
Aug 2010
Cedar Rail Campground
Wow, what a view! Even my cat loved it, he wouldn't budge from the windows! But one caveat, chock your tires, as you will be backed up at the edge of a very steep embankment! Also, this park is 8 miles north of Raton (about 6300 feet elevation), but those 8 miles are a very steep grade up to about 7,888 feet in elevation. If you don't get a "running start" when you drive through Raton on I-25, you will drive the 8 miles chugging at 45 mph while the RV's with Colorado plates just speed past you (probably laughing!). The price I am showing is the base price before discounts and taxes. The other reviews are right, this is a great overnight stop on your way up or down I-25. Sites are all on gravel. Laundry room was clean, women's rest room was clean, except only one shower was in use. The other showers had "stuff" stored in them. Wi-Fi was a bit slow, but it operates from a satellite. To use the Wi-Fi, you have to register, and you get a "coupon" code good for one day. TV reception via antenna was OK, some channels good, some spotty. Cell phone service was spotty, had to walk around to find a signal. My Verizon air card wouldn't even connect. The water here is great! The only negative I would say about this park is that I would try to avoid spots 1 & 2 and spots 22-24 as those spots, although they are "pull through," are located parallel along the driving area. Lastly, if you are one of those people who bought the expensive surge protector from Camping World, you can use it here. The electric poles are long enough to allow you to plug in the surge protector.
Date of Stay:
April, 2009
Rate Paid:
$29.00
