Looking to find more free, dispersed camping? The views here are truly stunning and youll be treated to some incredible sunsets and sunrises at Dog Canyon. Cosmic Campground is part of Gila National Forest. The stars were really bright outside and the air was fresh and it was just like, I think we could feel ourselves relax.. Campgrounds include: Vista Linda, San Antonio, Redondo, Paliza, and Jemez . White Sands National Park offers miles of trails, boardwalk viewing areas, and ten primitive camping sites. The campground is rustic and underutilized, and it is far less developed than most. Not only is camping here free for up to two weeks, but the campground is very clean and well-maintained. The past meets the present in this environment where year-round day-use, water focused . The quiet campground is located in a strand of ponderosa pine in the Santa Fe National Forest. B. Callicott 4. New Mexico is home to some of the best camping in the UnitedStates, bar none. This includes everything from where dispersed camping is allowed in New Mexico, to what to bring, and how to minimize your impact. Write a Review. P. List 3. Reasonably convenient to I-25 if youre driving from Santa Fe to Denver. Santa Fe is the hub . Independent. Spotlight. 2023 This site is owned and operated by CamperAdvise. 2023 Campendium Inc. All rights reserved. In January, Los Alamos hiker Coco Rae published Hiking Trails in Valles Caldera National Preserve, the first comprehensive guide to the 20-year-old preserve's trail system. Do not camp within 200 feet of a water source. Dont let these amenities fool you though as these sites are remote and give you a true wilderness experience. Pecos/Las Vegas RD, Santa Fe National Forest. Ten units, picnic tables, and fire rings are included. Santa Fe, NM 87501 505-983-7175. The recreation area shall be comprised of approximately 57,000 acres of lands and interests in lands within the Santa Fe National Forest as generally depicted on the map entitled "Jemez National Recreation AreaProposed" and dated September 1992. The landscapes are otherworldly and not overrun with visitors, making this a classic New Mexico destination. The campgrounds trailhead connects to a 350-mile network of Pecos Wilderness trails, including Holy Ghost Trail, connecting to Skyline Trail and scenic Stewart Lake. Ok, now were on to the fun part! . Santa Fe, NM We have a petit, green friendly, casita with passive solar and vaulted ceilings. Countless other dispersed campsites are scattered across the states public lands. The next right is FSR 64 J, which as several dispersed campsites along its length. There are no facilities at Dog Canyon, although you may be able to use the facilities at Oliver Lee. The campground is small and each campsite is spaced quite far apart. 8. 191 6633 6608 693 Highpoint Ranch Rd. Cramming into nooks and crannies all along U.S. Forest Service roads throughout Santa Fe National Forest, recreationists haven't allowed the COVID-19 pandemic to keep them from enjoying their . Along the road, there are plenty of dispersed camping areas, some along the creek. Get your space case on! Just a half hour to both Carlsbad National Park to the north and Guadalupe National Park in Texas to the south. Listing for: American Conservation Experience. American Spring Dispersed Camping The Capitan Wilderness is the place to go for peace and quiet. Routing by HERE 2021; Improve this map; Remove Ads. Our dispersed camping checklist has all the camping essentials plus specific items for dispersed camping. Small and medium sized RVs and trailers (up to about 32 feet) will fit here. Holy Ghost Group Area Full Time position. Its located in Northeast New Mexico about an hour off I-25. The dirt access road isnt horribly rough, but high-clearance is certainly helpful. The site is quite populated, especially in the summer and during the fall aspen viewing days, due to the beautiful qualities and easy access from Santa Fe. Santa Fe Skies RV Park offers full-service Santa Fe campsites. These sites get a fair amount of use given their proximity to Albuquerque, so please leave them in better shape than you found them. Call the Carlsbad Field Office for more information: (575) 234-5960. But the noise really isnt as terrible as you might think. . Gordon Gulch Dispersed Area Nederland. Users have dubbed it quiet and convenient, and its close to the Dripping Springs Natural Area for good hiking trails. Here are the best and closest campgrounds to Santa Fe, NM, in order of proximity: Black Canyon Campground (8 miles). As such, please be prepared and always practice Leave No Trace camping. Junction City - Schreiner Park Campground, Upper Teton View - Toppings Lake Dispersed Campsites 8-16, Oliver Lee Memorial State Park Campground, Video: Where to Camp in Quartzsite, Arizona. Call the Smokey Bear Ranger District for more information: (575) 257-4095. Tres Piedras couldnt be easier to get to, simply take Highway 64 west (if coming from Taos area) until you pass the Tres Piedras Ranger Station. Around 45 minutes to the town of Carlsbad. Primitive camping is allowed almost anywhere on the Santa Fe National Forest unless otherwise posted. The Rio Medio Trailhead, one of the primary trailheads within the Pecos Wilderness, lies adjacent to and south of the campground. Even 4WD vehicles should be cautious about camping here if rain is in the forecast. Mills Canyon Campground is another free campground thats well worth an overnight stop. Overall, this is a nice place to set up camp. Out of a handful of options in nearby Cibola National Forest, my favorite free campsites in the area are those along Juan Tomas Road south of Tijeras. There is lots of hiking, wildlife viewing, and photography opportunities. However, we wouldnt recommend counting on it since those are technically reserved for paid campers. The whole place is breathtakingly beautiful, and New Mexico 475 is declared the Santa Fe Scenic Byway. Youll enjoy the campgrounds modest environment. The campsites here can accommodate just about any setup, so this is a good option if youre in an RV or pulling a trailer. In that area is also the Valles Caldera (pronounced VIE-ay) , the site of an old supervolcano eruption that is now a nature preserve. Nearby Columbine-Hondo Wilderness Area and Wheeler Peak Wilderness Area (both also part of Carson National Forest) have countless dispersed camping opportunities. Cebolla Mesa is part of Carson National Forest. The natural area is a beautiful combination of desert scrub and low-elevation pinion-juniper and oak woodlands. The campsites here are spacious and level, making them perfect for boondocking in RVs and trailers. Related Post: Where to Go Dispersed Camping in Utah. Only have a campfire if it is permitted, and always be sure it is completely extinguished. When searching for a good campsite ourselves, we prefer to use acombination of several online apps/websitesalong with publically available USFS/BLM maps. The threat of a fire is the most pressing concern for Luke McLarty, fire battalion chief of the Jemez Ranger District. To make finding free campsites in New Mexico even easier, Ive rounded up 9 of my personal favorites to share with you below. Dont Miss: Camping Near Mt Princeton Hot Springs. LockA locked padlock New Mexico's first State Park is set in the Sangre de Cristo Mountains pine forest, along Little Tesuque Creek. We hope weve provided all of the information you need to plan a great dispersed camping trip in New Mexico. Volunteers have chipped in to help Hurleys small staff pick up garbage, but they cant keep up and its been accumulating in areas they havent had time to reach. Call the Sadia Ranger District for more information: (505) 281-3304. 6. About Us; Staff; Camps; Scuba. However, the campground is relatively easy to access and has some basic amenities to make your stay a bit more comfortable. It stays a little cooler here than down in Albuquerque thanks to the higher elevation. 52 Photos. 3. Its a great place to hunker down or a good jumping-off point if you want to explore some quirky New Mexico towns. Learn how to plan your route, create GPS files, navigate offline, and even print you own maps. I use these in conjunction with a free, open source topo like Caltopo or Gaia GPS. Youll enjoy the campgrounds modest environment. An official website of the However, as you pull in, its pretty enormous. Dispersed camping is abundant throughout the Sandia Ranger District in Cibola National Forest near Albuquerque. This includes all of the national forests in New Mexico (more on that below) as well as a significant amount of BLM land. To aid in the effort, Hurley said Sandoval County law enforcement officials, who do have authority to enforce the emergency orders, have been making rounds through the forests. Navajo Lake State Park is made up of three recreation areas, including the well-developed Pine River area, which features a visitor center with interpretive exhibits, several campgrounds, a day-use area, and a full-service marina. Check out The Dyrt PRO to get campsite reviews, offline maps, and the best map layers for finding public dispersed camping! G. Snyder 7. RVs and trailers should stick to the first couple pullouts rather than attempting to drive up to the plateau. Sante Fe National Forest BLM-Road 62 Dispersed Its easy to find, and theres lots of room for dispersed camping. Secure .gov websites use HTTPS A lock In addition, the New Mexico BLM lists these helpful rules for dispersed camping: The map below gives you a sense of where BLM managed land is located in New Mexico: There are many resources available to help you find dispersed camping areas in New Mexico, first and foremost of which is this guide! Plan your road trip to Caja Del Rio Dispersed Camping in NM with Roadtrippers. Status: Seasonal, Full time, Non-Exempt . Read Also: Camping World In Asheville North Carolina. Las but certainly not least on our list of the best places for dispersed camping in New Mexico is Cebolla Mesa. You have a couple options after turning off Highway 522 onto Forest Road 9. A vault toilet is located on-site. A relatively quick and easy drive into Taos. I strongly recommend visiting what we call The Jemez (pronounced HEY-mez) . There are several sites that have a fire ring, picnic table and shelter, and can accommodate big rigs. In this article, the best dispersed camping near Santa Fe, New Mexico, is discussed. CONTACT. Posted 11:06:55 PM. Explore the spur roads off Juan Tomas Road to find other campsites. Very dark and quiet at night. Holy Ghost Creek borders this dispersed camping area. I work remotely so I camp a lot in my RV. The U.S. National Forest Campground Guide - National, consolidates the nine Regional Guides. Developed campgrounds offer amenities ranging from electrical hookups for RV or trailer camping, to only a toilet. The place seemed safe and remarkably tidy for a free camping area adjacent to a metropolis. I own a Forest River Berkshire XLT Diesel 45A Class A Motorhome. Many full-time boondockers and vandwellers utilize this annual pass. Each campsite is large and spacious (and most are wheelchair accessible). Here are 5 of the best places for free camping in NewMexico: The site is pretty nice. The 9 dispersed campsites outlined above are just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to free campsites in New Mexico. The Best 10 RV Parks in Boulder, CO Prospect Rv Park. The drive in from Highway 337 to the west is much rougher than arriving from Highway 217 to the east, although any passenger vehicle can do it if you take your time (and its not wet). Fenton Lake State Park doesnt seem to be interesting from the outside. Dispersed camping is generally limited to 14 days within any continuous 30 day period. Caja del Rio sits at a lower elevation compared to much of the surrounding National Forest so is a popular place to camp during the shoulder seasons. A great alternative to camping at Holloman Lake are the free dispersed campsites off Dog Canyon Road (GPS Coordinates: 32.7442, -105.9306). Not ideal for RVs or trailers. Visit forestcamping.com to learn more. From here, youll also be able to access hiking trails up into the mountains of southern New Mexico. Hikers and horseriders can access the adjacent wilderness via a number of paths at this place. The first campsites appear just off Forest Road 24 near Headquarters Well. Thanks to campground reviews on The Dyrt, you can be ready and prepared, before you embark on your Santa Fe camping adventure. Get up-to-the-minute news sent straight to your device. I am Ted Mosby from Cleveland, Ohio. There are several different options for camping here. Science. We have teamed up with Ape Survival to give you a huge 25% off EVERYTHING on their store! . Angel Peak is normally pretty mellow, but does become something of a local party spot on nicer weekends, especially around holidays. Its such a health risk for everyone around, the recreationists and our staff.. Forest Service Rd 268 Dispersed Site. You will have plenty of room for trailer/RV camping. Read Also: Camping World Rv Technician Training. It gets extremely hot in the summer. The book details over 25 trails and includes topographical maps, trail conditions and recommendations for mountain bike. Although you shouldnt expect solitude, camping here is a lot more private than you might expect from a BLM campground. According to users, the road condition is broken down as such: The initial four sites are accessible to lower clearance vehicles, but youll need a 44 vehicle with higher clearance if you want to camp further back. Contests and special offers from The Santa Fe New Mexican and advertising partners. The breathtaking canyon view is spectacular, but owing to fallen trees, camping is inaccessible occasionally. Unless otherwise noted below, the Santa Fe National Forests campgrounds and picnic areas are open. CamperAdvise is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. Share sensitive information only Please park your vehicle near existing roads or existing dispersed campsites. 5. In addition to Sunset Reef Campground and Chosa Campground, the BLM lands near Carlsbad Caverns National Park are littered with dispersed campsites. Title: Santa Fe National Forest (SFNF) Outdoor Recreation Management, Crew LeaderDates: March 27See this and similar jobs on LinkedIn. Visitors should be prepared for hot summer days and cool nights. There is something special about the combination of desert, mountains, and some of the most rugged wilderness in the US that gives New Mexico a certain allure that cant be denied. Your account has been registered, and you are now logged in. Cosmic Campground is clean and well-maintained. Each of the nine campsites has a picnic table and fire rings. Campendium is an Amazon associate site and earns from qualifying purchases. Jemez Falls Campground (Santa Fe National Forest) Another well-located New Mexico campground, Jemez Falls Campground has 52 campsites perfect for tents and smaller RVs. It takes just a 15-minute drive from the city to get into the Santa Fe National Forest and find yourself in Black Canyon Campground. The breathtaking canyon view is spectacular, but owing to fallen trees, camping is inaccessible occasionally. Scuba Certification; Private Scuba Lessons; Scuba Refresher for Certified Divers; Try Scuba Diving; Enriched Air Diver (Nitrox) Its also a great place for boondocking in RVs and trailers of all sizes. Quiet campsites throughout. Ive seen people stay here in RVs and trailers up to around 24 feet, but its probably better to find a different campsite, unless youre comfortable navigating rough roads. Even though dispersed camping isnt allowed here, Cosmic Campground is hands down my favorite place for free camping in New Mexico and its not even close. This is BLM land, so dispersed camping is permitted, just dont pitch your tent too close to the developed campground. We won't share it with anyone else. City of Rocks state park. Receive a list of headlines from the latest edition of The New Mexican in your inbox every morning. The Caja del Rio area in Santa Fe National Forest is my favorite place for dispersed camping near Santa Fe. Check-out is strictly at 11 a.m., and the administration begins cleaning the showers and restrooms at that time, so you must leave early, which can be frustrating. Job in Bishop - CA California - USA , 93514. These maps are published by the Forest Service and display the entire network of forest service roads in a given National Forest.