Within Holy Ghost Canyon, the Santa Fe National Forest's Holy Ghost Campground is located on the outskirts of the Pecos Wilderness. I own a Forest River Berkshire XLT Diesel 45A Class A Motorhome. The Land of Enchantment has a huge range of campingopportunities from primitive tent camping to amenities-filled RV camping tofree remote camping and so much more. Picnic tables, fire pits, and small corrals suited for one or two horses are available at each location. Fenton Lake State Park doesnt seem to be interesting from the outside. Its such a health risk for everyone around, the recreationists and our staff.. Beautiful views of the Rio Grande cutting its way through the canyon below. BLM employees in New Mexico, Oklahoma, Texas, and Kansas care for 13.5 million acres of public lands plus 42 million acres of Federal oil, natural gas, and minerals for the use and enjoyment of present and future generations. Youll take the road towards Oliver Lee Memorial State Park and the Oliver Lee developed campground to get here, and the camping area is located on the south side of the road before reaching the state park. While forest officials have been frustrated with the carelessness of some campers, they say they want the forests to remain open and understand the need for people to get outside and unwind during these challenging times. C. Anderson 6. These National Forests are home to some excellent dispersed camping opportunities, and offer some of the most remote wilderness youll find anywhere in the world! The breathtaking canyon view is spectacular, but owing to fallen trees, camping is inaccessible occasionally. Be sure to let us know in the comments below if you have any questions and be sure to tell us about your trip! 8. Job specializations: Outdoor/Nature/Animal. County Rd. Where is the best dispersed camping site near Santa Fe?Following are enlisted some of the best dispersed camping sites near Santa Fe, New Mexico: Distance Highest Rated Most Reviews Category. You can always find a toilet at the extreme west end of the parking area. Overall, this is a wonderful part of the state and a great place for dispersed camping. Check out the pullouts and spur roads along Highway 150 on the way to Taos Ski Valley for starters. Here the Organs stunning panorama of needle-like spires rises just outside your tent. The Resource Assistant (RA) will support both developed and dispersed recreation in an extremely engaged community focused on Sustainable Recreation with a focus on Dispersed Recreation opportunities like . In a pinch, you can even try stealth camping as long as your vehicle blends in with the crowd. Cosmic Campground is part of Gila National Forest. In addition to leaving smoldering campfires, campers have also left piles of trash. Camping is prohibited within 900 feet of any developed water source (guzzler, watering trough, etc.) What really makes West Mesa one of the best free campsites in New Mexico, however, is easy access to nearby mountain biking and hiking trails. Looking for dispersed camping in New Mexico? It stays a little cooler here than down in Albuquerque thanks to the higher elevation. Your account has been registered, and you are now logged in. You can cross reference the two and often see areas that have established campsites in Google Maps. To be safe, I recommend AWD/4WD and high-clearance if you plan to venture up to the top of the Caja Del Rio Plateau. The Santa Fe National Forest is located in north-central New Mexico and is comprised of 1,587,181 acres. The Forest used three methods to designate access to motorized dispersed camping: (1) Designating specific routes leading to dispersed campsites . With its stunning deserts, towering mesas, and unique rock formations, New Mexico is a top destination for camping. . This free camping spot is close to the La Cueva Trail if youre of the mind to get a little hike in during your stay. There are several horse corrals and an abundance of horseback riding (and hiking) trails nearby. As such, please be prepared and always practice Leave No Trace camping. What are some of your favorite lesser-known hiking/camping/offroading Although you must camp in a designated campsite, Mills Canyon used to allow proper dispersed camping and retains much of this primitive charm. Your best bet is to contact the Ranger District or refer to the helpful map for Mananita that displays dispersed campsites. As I am a Freelancer I can work anywhere so most of my work is done inside my camper remotely. Nearby Forest Road 462 is rough but has excellent dispersed campsites if you can reach them. Info:Bureau of Land Management Las Cruces District, 575-525-4300. The Bisti/De-Na-Zin Wilderness Area (often simply called Bisti Badlands) is an alternative to Angel Peak. Camping in store parking lots (here are which stores allow overnight parking for camping) and casino camping (camping in a casino parking lot) are two additional options. Camping Near Santa Fe | The Santa Fe National Forest This area is one of the most biologically and recreationally diverse regions for boondocking in New Mexico. Overall, this is a great option for free camping in the region! Use them to help plan your next dispersed camping trip. Santa Fe National Forest Headquarters 11 Forest Lane Santa Fe, NM 87508 (505 . The Capitan Wilderness is the place to go for peace and quiet. . The whole place is breathtakingly beautiful, and New Mexico 475 is declared the Santa Fe Scenic Byway. My destination was a boondocking spot in the Santa Fe National Forest. Located just southeast of Albuquerque, West Mesa Road dispersed camping is another gem. 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. Locals from adjacent settlements use it largely for picnicking, but it also serves those who stay overnight before starting a horseback or backpack trip into the Pecos. Weve included a few good options for dispersed campsites in these national forest in the sections below, and have also linked to the dispersed camping regulations page for each forest below: To better visualize where each of these National Forests are located in New Mexico, take a look at the USFS map below: The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is the other governmental agency that permits dispersed camping in New Mexico. It has everything you need for a comfortable stay in a spectacular location with views of the valley, mountains, and amazing sunsets. Guide to Camping on the Tour du Mont Blanc, Guide to Hiking from Aspen to Crested Butte, Guide to Camping on the West Highland Way, Guide to Camping on the Walkers Haute Route, The Ultimate Guide to the Coast to Coast Walk, The Complete Guide to Snowshoeing in Rocky Mountain National Park, How to find dispersed campsites in New Mexico, The Best Dispersed Camping Areas in New Mexico, Santa Fe National Forest Dispersed Camping, Lincoln National Forest Dispersed Camping, Coronado National Forest Dispersed camping, Bureau of Land Management Dispersed Camping in New Mexico(BLM), Albuquerque District Office (Albuquerque), the New Mexico BLM lists these helpful rules for dispersed camping, combination of several online apps/websites, Cibola National Forest & Kiowa National Grassland MVUM, Upper Bonito Recreation Area Dispersed Camping, Kiowa National Grassland (administered by Cibola NF). Although the parking lot is windswept, you will conveniently find a silent area. Just 30 minutes away from White Sands National Park, Dog Canyon dispersed camping is another great area for any size rig. Because the Aspen Basin Campground provides access to a breathtakingly beautiful environment, it can be quite busy during the days of summer and fall aspen viewing days. If youre looking for dispersed camping near Santa Fe, then the Caja should be high on your short list. A lot of mountain biking and hiking trails are located nearby if youre into those activities. The cell service is excellent, and there are numerous breathtaking views. Its a little over an hour away and is notable for its badland scenery, especially its hoodoo formations. The most popular campsites are right on the lakeside itself. Santa Fe National Forest Campgrounds. The entirety of 435 is BLM land so you can tent or auto camp anywhere you like. Here are 5 of the best places for free camping in NewMexico: The site is pretty nice. 3. Your real name will be displayed next to your photo for comments, blog posts, and more! FS-88 Cuba, NM 505-438-5300 Official Website. I am a freelance architect by profession but a camper by passion. Fenton Lake State Park The Albuquerque resident has been making the trip to the Jemez to camp since he was a young child, and he said the trash issue has gotten progressively worse over time. Just be aware, the mosquitos can be pretty bad here. GPS Coordinates: 32.21013705590772, -106.61473041202322. Small and medium sized RVs and trailers (up to about 32 feet) will fit here. The Upper Bonito Recreation Area is a great designated dispersed camping area near the White Mountain Wilderness in Lincoln National Forest. Thanks to campground reviews on The Dyrt, you can be ready and prepared, before you embark on your Santa Fe camping adventure. . ABOVE: Grant Wingert of Albuquerque stands at the dispersed campsite he secured Friday along N.M. 126 in the Jemez Mountains for the weekend. Unfortunately, I dont believe dispersed camping is allowed within the scenic area, even though its administered by the Bureau of Land Management. If you have a low-clearance RV, take the first route on the left after passing through the livestock gate. However, know that the dirt roads here often become incredibly muddy and rutted when it rains. with a maximum RV limit of 36 feet. Free Camping in New Mexico Vibes Score: 9.1/10, Recommended Reading: Dog Friendly Camping Northern California. More of that wide-open desert-like terrain, Monticello Point Road has plenty of space for any size rig and the sunshine you need for solar. There are also a handful of free developed campgrounds in the area, such as Cave Campground which is part of the Fort Stanton-Snowy River Cave National Conservation Area managed by the Bureau of Land Management. Get 20% here. If you do decide to camp here be sure to explore the surrounding Angel Peak area. But, if you live in the state and go camping regularly, its definitely worth thinking about. This is true dispersed camping so you wont find any amenities here. Santa Fe Skies RV Park offers full-service Santa Fe campsites. Its easy to find, and theres lots of room for dispersed camping. Peak to Peak RV Park. Only a handful of campsites. There are many places in the forest that you can experience the trails! New Mexicos national forests and BLM lands are busier than ever before and with that increased use comes a much higher risk of misuse, abuse, and damage. 18.7 mi. Most passenger vehicles can continue up the road. The Memorial Day weekend is the unofficial launch of the summer recreation season on the 1.6-million-acre Santa Fe National Forest . Santa Fe, which is located in New Mexico, has to offer everything if you are looking for dispersed camping in New Mexico. Its also a great place for boondocking in RVs and trailers of all sizes. Here are the seven principles of Leave No Trace camping: You can read more about the seven principles of Leave No Trace camping here. There are several sites that have a fire ring, picnic table and shelter, and can accommodate big rigs. Aldo Leopold Presentations Leopold Presentations.pdfAldo Leopold Although there is occasional traffic noise, it becomes calmer as you get farther into the campgrounds. Science. A choice between dispersed camping and a free USFS campground. Although its only good for dry campsites, you can pay just $4 extra per night for an electric hookup (when available). Listed on 2023-02-28. Every scenic stop was crawling with people, and every trailhead had a half mile of overflow parking along the road. Camping in Santa Fe, NM, US: 12 Best Campgrounds 2023 | Hipcamp The campground is located within Gila National Forest, which is already one of the most remote and rugged wilderness areas in the United States. Angel Peak is an excellent place to stop for an overnight on your way to or from the Four Corners Monument. The crowds of holiday campers were making me wish I was somewhere else some place peaceful, quiet, and uncrowded. Santa Fe National Forest, Outdoor Recreation Management, Crew Leader P. List 3. Stores and gas stations are merely a couple of minutes away. This is pretty much only for car camping and tent camping. Santa Fe Fire Road is an excellent trail for beginning off-roaders with its smooth surface and several spurs to explore. The Cimarron Campground may be rustic but provides equestrian and non-equestrian campers one of the most memorable experiences found in few places in the United States. * I believe the USFS plans to require a nightly fee here ($10 to $12) in the near future. United States government. Lots of people doing one night stays. In addition, the New Mexico BLM lists these helpful rules for dispersed camping: Dispersed camping is permitted on public lands in New Mexico for no more than 14 days within any 28-day period.