Pilot project will transform former well pad near Carlsbad into new public campground
EDDY COUNTY, N.M. — A former well pad in southeastern New Mexico is about to get an entirely new purpose. Through a new partnership between The Great Outdoors Fund (TGOF), ConocoPhillips, and the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), the site will become Tomago Moon Campground, creating a new, affordable place for visitors to camp and explore some of the region’s most iconic public lands.
The pilot project marks the beginning of a new partnership between TGOF and ConocoPhillips and an important step in TGOF’s continued effort to bring more private partners to the table to invest in recreation infrastructure. Located less than 30 minutes from Carlsbad, Carlsbad Caverns National Park, and Guadalupe Mountains National Park, the new Tomago Moon Campground will add 10 new campsites in an area where affordable camping options are limited and demand is high.
“There’s something pretty special about looking at an empty piece of ground and imagining what it could become,” said Lori McCullough, Founder and CEO of The Great Outdoors Fund. “Today, it’s an old well pad. Soon, there will be families setting up tents, RVers pulling in for the night, and people using this as a home base to explore some incredible national parks nearby. That’s the kind of tangible impact we love to create, and we’re excited to have ConocoPhillips helping to make it happen.”
Once complete, the campground will include five tent campsites and five RV campsites, each equipped with a shade shelter, ADA-compliant picnic table, grill, and fire ring. New signage and kiosks will also be installed. The location, roughly halfway between Carlsbad Caverns National Park and Guadalupe Mountains National Park, will provide a safe, affordable, and environmentally responsible base for visitors exploring southeastern New Mexico.
The need for additional camping opportunities in the area is significant. Carlsbad Caverns National Park alone welcomed nearly 500,000 visitors in 2024 with an additional 400,000 visiting in 2025. Many visiting the Park plan multi-day stays to enjoy other area attractions, with some camping on BLM-managed lands. The BLM has only two campgrounds in the vicinity, both of which fill quickly.
“The conversion of this pad to a campground reflects the work of several partners combining efforts for the benefit of local communities,” said ConocoPhillips Permian President Aaron Hunter. “We look forward to seeing more campers enjoy New Mexico’s landscapes and national parks when the campground is complete.”
The Bureau of Land Management will also play an important role in bringing the project to life. They will provide materials, along with project and construction support. Plans include a workday that will give ConocoPhillips employees an opportunity to work alongside the BLM on site.
“For us, this project is also about what’s possible when we continue bringing new partners into this work,” McCullough added. “Every new relationship expands our reach and gives us another opportunity to invest in public lands. Tomago Moon is our first project with ConocoPhillips, and we hope it’s just the beginning of what we can accomplish together.”
The Tomago Moon project is shovel-ready, with the new campground to be open by March 2027.
About The Great Outdoors Fund
The Great Outdoors Fund is a nonprofit organization dedicated to expanding equitable access to the outdoors and improving recreation opportunities through public-private partnerships. Its mission is to ensure people of all ages, abilities, and backgrounds can experience and enjoy nature. From city parks to national forests, The Great Outdoors Fund and its partners strive to make a difference and help keep the great outdoors great. For more information, please visit thegreatoutdoorsfund.org or visit us on Instagram at @thegreatoutdoorsfund.
About ConocoPhillips: At ConocoPhillips, it’s our goal to build strong relationships and create positive outcomes wherever we operate. As a leading global exploration and production company, we value the places and communities where we live and work. We collaborate with our neighbors and contribute through charitable investments, volunteerism and high-impact programs. Every day is an opportunity for us to make a beneficial difference by working collaboratively, responsibly and safely. For more information, go to www.conocophillips.com/permian.