The Santa Fe Trail, Old Spanish Trail and El Camino Real de Tierra Adentro cross portions of the forest, giving you direct access to historic routes. Dates: March 27, 2023 - August 25, 2023 (option to extend to November) . The road to get here is easily passable for trailers and RVs, so this is a good option if youre traveling in a larger vehicle. Sante Fe National Forest BLM-Road 62 Dispersed. Restrooms:NoWater:NoCrowds:ModerateMap. Both of these public agencies broadly permit dispersed camping on the land they manage, so are often the first place you should consider when dispersed camping. My destination was a boondocking spot in the Santa Fe National Forest. Its not hard to see why its such a popular RV snowbirding destination. Unless otherwise noted, primitive camping is permitted practically everywhere in the Santa Fe National Forest. J. Boyle 9. This will show you how to find camping, how to eat healthy, how to lose weight. The Capitan Wilderness is a great place to set up camp for free in south-central New Mexico. Call the Sadia Ranger District for more information: (505) 281-3304. Ten units, picnic tables, and fire rings are included. Borrego Mesa Campground . But, if you live in the state and go camping regularly, its definitely worth thinking about. Yet, I personally prefer staying at Parks Ranch Campground, a primitive BLM campground that allows free camping for up to 14 days. This is probably tops of all the best free campgrounds in New Mexico though it is limited to a seven-day stay instead of the typical 14 days. Aside from a handle of picnic shelters and a handful of trees, theres minimal shade. 8. And, please be extra cautious after rain as Forest Road 9 can get very muddy. The Santa Fe National Forest has a variety of lovely camping places that range from high to low altitude, from high desert to forested, and from basic to develop. Users have dubbed it quiet and convenient, and its close to the Dripping Springs Natural Area for good hiking trails. Within Holy Ghost Canyon, the Santa Fe National Forests Holy Ghost Campground is located on the outskirts of the Pecos Wilderness. Find additional details ondispersed camping in National Forestsand on BLM land in New Mexico in the sections below: There are six National Forests and one National Grassland located in New Mexico that are managed by the USFS. Choose wisely! 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 . It's located in an alpine meadow and provides easy access to the San Pedro Parks Wilderness through both Vega Redonda Trail #34 and Corralitos Trail #452. Angel Peak is an excellent place to stop for an overnight on your way to or from the Four Corners Monument. Although you shouldnt expect solitude, camping here is a lot more private than you might expect from a BLM campground. It boasts four concrete telescope pads (camping isnt allowed on these) and requires campers to use red light filters on all flashlights and headlamps to minimize light pollution. Location: Based out of Durango, CO . Dept. New Mexico has no shortage of interesting rock formations, and this cluster of boulders, near . 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). Theres minimal shade here. Posted 11:06:55 PM. Also Check: Best Portable Power Bank For Camping. The closer to the lake you get, the rougher the road gets, but all vehicles should be fine, unless it just rained. Call the Farmington Field Office for more information: (505) 564-7600. Aside from the stargazing, this campground is notable for its remoteness and wide-open desert views. Navajo Dam, NM 87419, Phone: 505-632-2278, 25 Best Campgrounds in New Mexico for Locals & Tourists Restaurants, HotelsBack to Top or Beautiful places near me, what to do, restaurants for breakfast, travel guide, nearest beach, What to do near my location downtown at night in fall, winter, spring, spa near me, summer, places to go, wedding venues near me, beach, wedding venues, open parks, hotels near me, burger, nature park, nice restaurants near me: UT, Indianapolis, From Kansas City, Mackinac Island, Chattanooga, RI, From Chicago, Sacramento, Nantucket, Girls Getaways, Santa Barbara, PA, Michigan beaches. This is a large area of dispersed camping. Itstruly amazing just how many opportunities there are for free camping in this southwestern state, including many free campsites nearmajor tourist attractions! 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. 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. Erik, Google review, Read Also: Camping World Near San Antonio, Home Articles Camping Near Santa Fe | The Santa Fe National Forest. This includes all of the national forests in New Mexico (more on that below) as well as a significant amount of BLM land. Youll likely see others dispersed camping along BLM Road 7175 on your way to Angel Peak Campground, especially near the Angel Peak Badlands Overlook. 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. There are a lot of campgrounds there, and if you have a high-clearance vehicle, youll have even more possibilities. Picnic tables, fire pits, and small corrals suited for one or two horses are available at each location. 2023 This site is owned and operated by CamperAdvise. This article discussed everything about the best dispersed camping near Santa Fe, New Mexico. Santa Fe, NM 87501 505-983-7175. 3. However, theres a ton of room to spread out, so youre sure to find something quiet and peaceful, especially if youre willing to brave the rough roads. Camping is not permitted anywhere in Pecos National Historical Park. I am Ted Mosby from Cleveland, Ohio. LockA locked padlock Rumpl Puffy Blanket - The coziest camp blanket out there. The views here are truly stunning and youll be treated to some incredible sunsets and sunrises at Dog Canyon. on official, secure websites. CamperAdvise also participates in affiliate programs with B&H, Adorama, Clickbank, CJ, and other affiliate sites. BLM land can be a bit harder to determine whether or not dispersed camping is permitted, so we recommend reaching out to the relevant district offices for New Mexico listed below when starting your search for a campsite: You can find a good overview ofBLM dispersed camping ruleshere. Holloman Lake is managed by the Bureau of Land Management. 3. Visit forestcamping.com to learn more. There is more space than you can think of in . The whole place is breathtakingly beautiful, and New Mexico 475 is declared the Santa Fe Scenic Byway. Located in Carson National Forest about 45 minutes north of Taos, this area is best known for its peace and quiet as well as its beautiful canyon views. Lincoln National Forest is chock full of dispersed campsites. Aspen Basin Campground Vault toilets are available on the entrance road in, and this makes a great spot to spot when visiting Fort Sumner or just passing through on your next road trip. The map above leads to one of the more popular dispersed sites along Forest Service road 462DC1, but there are many additional sites in the surrounding area. 2. Please keep your campsite at least 100 feet from streams and lakes, including riverbanks or areas next to bodies of water. As such, please be prepared and always practice Leave No Trace camping. Cosmic Campground is part of Gila National Forest. Youre in luck. For more information on hiking in Pecos Wilderness visit www.fs.usda.com. American Springs Dispersed Camping, Santa Fe National Forest in Los Alamos is rated 10.0 of 10 at RV LIFE Campground Reviews. There are several horse corrals and an abundance of horseback riding (and hiking) trails nearby. Call the Las Cruces District Office for more information: (575) 525-4300. You will have plenty of room for trailer/RV camping. This graded forest road provides access to the Santa Fe National Forest for about half the year, or at least until the snow melts. Dispersed camping is abundant throughout the Sandia Ranger District in Cibola National Forest near Albuquerque. Many of the places are level. The dirt access road isnt horribly rough, but high-clearance is certainly helpful. G. Snyder 7. As I am a Freelancer I can work anywhere so most of my work is done inside my camper remotely. Also on the west side of the Organ Mountains, the Dripping Springs dispersed camping area is located about 10 miles east of town. Here are a few of the most important rules to follow: If youre new to primitive camping outside of developed campgrounds, I strongly recommend reading up on the 7 Leave No Trace principles before your trip. Because of COVID-19, garbage collection has been suspended and all toilet facilities in the forest have been locked. Santa Fe National Forest. With its stunning deserts, towering mesas, and unique rock formations, New Mexico is a top destination for camping. Nearby Forest Road 462 is rough but has excellent dispersed campsites if you can reach them. There are 250 developed campsites with 54 electric sites, perfect for RV camping. Although there is occasional traffic noise, it becomes calmer as you get farther into the campgrounds. Matt Dahlseid is a digital enterprise producer and outdoors writer for the Santa Fe New Mexican. The sites are nicely spaced, and there were always available spots throughout the weekend. The entire area of Holy Ghost Creek is home to a variety of fauna and birds. Within Holy Ghost Canyon, the Santa Fe National Forest's Holy Ghost Campground is located on the outskirts of the Pecos Wilderness.