Related Post: Where to Go Dispersed Camping in Utah. This free primitive campground has 5 first-come, first-served campsites and offers the best views of the Rio Grande far below. Forestry, Nature, Outdoor, Recreation. Beautiful views of the Rio Grande cutting its way through the canyon below. There arent any facilities here so be sure to stock up on supplies before setting up camp. L. Westra 8. Cebolla Mesa is part of Carson National Forest. Sante Fe National Forest BLM-Road 62 Dispersed. Our final New Mexico dispersed campsite in this guide isnt actually a dispersed site. 106-887 DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR AND RELATED AGENCIES APPROPRIATIONS FOR FISCAL YEAR 2001 ========= Maps are available at all SFNF offices and online that designate roads and trails that are open to motor vehicle traffic. 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 . Santa Fe National Forest Headquarters Home. Call the Questa Ranger District for more information: (575) 586-0520, Get Directions to Cebolla Mesa Campground. Motorized Access to Dispersed Camping: To reduce the risk of future damage to natural and heritage resources, the Santa Fe National Forest proposes to designate motorized access to dispersed camping. 5. . Santa Fe, NM 87508 Forest Information. Just before you enter Santa Fe National Forest near Headquarter Wells is a small slice of BLM land (GPS coordinates: 35.692300, -106.086200). Nightly rate based on last price paid . Want to know the essentials for your next camping trip? mdahlseid@sfnewmexican.com, Coco Rae hopes trail guide will help encourage others to explore Valles Caldera, Newly elected Santa Fe County magistrate arrested on DWI charge, Santa Fe Bite has new owners, but old owners remain on board, Bodybuilder, SFPD bicycle officer often patrolled the Plaza, Another troubled Espaola complex teeters, Longtime weatherman forecasts a new life outside TV, Accused judge removed from bench in wake of DWI charge, Bipartisan criticism after Lujan Grisham intervenes in Medicaid procurement process, Predictions: Horsemen go all the way; Demons upset everyone, Magistrate pleads not guilty to DWI; attorney says Khalsa weighing resignation. In addition to Sunset Reef Campground and Chosa Campground, the BLM lands near Carlsbad Caverns National Park are littered with dispersed campsites. Its not far off of the highway, but far enough that it still feels private. Scuba Certification; Private Scuba Lessons; Scuba Refresher for Certified Divers; Try Scuba Diving; Enriched Air Diver (Nitrox) Do keep in mind that there is not water source so youll want to come prepared with all that youll need for your trip. The first stretch of campsites is great for boondocking in RVs and trailers. The chilly waters are home to brown trout and stocked rainbow trout. Forest Service officials say they have seen a significant increase in the usage of dispersed, or undeveloped, campsites this spring compared to what they would typically see this time of year. There was a problem saving your notification. Check out our Dispersed Camping App guide here. 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. The Forest used three methods to designate access to motorized dispersed camping: (1) Designating specific routes leading to dispersed campsites . Weve rounded up some of the best RV parks around Santa Fe, according to campers who have been before. San Antonio Campground was completely rebuilt and reopened . The Rio Medio Trailhead, one of the primary trailheads within the Pecos Wilderness, lies adjacent to and south of the campground. Not much to complain about here the access road is a little bumpy, but nothing that any passenger vehicle cant handle as long as you take things slow. Nearby Forest Road 462 is rough but has excellent dispersed campsites if you can reach them. Create a password that only you will remember. Santa Fe, which is located in New Mexico, has to offer everything if you are looking for dispersed camping in New Mexico. CONTACT. However, there is no disposal station. Angel Creek Scenic Area is managed by the Bureau of Land Management. You can always find a toilet at the extreme west end of the parking area. No matter though the free Angel Peak Campground is a great alternative. We won't share it with anyone else. The Santa Fe BLM is conveniently located just outside of Santa Fe. You will have plenty of room for trailer/RV camping. Youll see a couple large dispersed campsites just after you exit Highway 180 towards the campground. Holloman Lake is managed by the Bureau of Land Management. Fly-fishing is popular on Holy Ghost Creek. 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. 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. Some campers are doing their part, however. Although the parking lot is windswept, you will conveniently find a silent area. . This will show you how to find camping, how to eat healthy, how to lose weight. My destination was a boondocking spot in the Santa Fe National Forest. Unfortunately, theres quite a bit of trash here (an all too common sight at dispersed campsites nowadays). United States. Dispersed camping isnt allowed until youre about a mile in if you head to the left (high clearance is recommended, but 2wd will suffice). Thats a cause for concern for Forest Service employees whose resources are already stretched thin as they deal with the impact of the surge in dispersed campers, particularly in Pecos Canyon and the Jemez Mountains. 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. These regions usually do not have any amenities, though you may occasionally encounter a toilet building or a picnic table and grill. When searching for a good campsite ourselves, we prefer to use acombination of several online apps/websitesalong with publically available USFS/BLM maps. 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). With just 12 campsites (three with their own horse corrals) spread between two camping loops (upper and lower), youll never have too much company around. This is a popular destination, so plan to arrive early on summer weekends here. This includes everything from where dispersed camping is allowed in New Mexico, to what to bring, and how to minimize your impact. Protect our public lands by always treating them with respect. Although its only good for dry campsites, you can pay just $4 extra per night for an electric hookup (when available). Many full-time boondockers and vandwellers utilize this annual pass. Where is the best dispersed camping site near Santa Fe? Receive a list of headlines from the latest edition of The New Mexican in your inbox every morning. J. Boyle 9. ) or https:// means you've safely Located just 45 minutes southeast of Farmington, this stunningly gorgeous slice of the state centers around towering Angel Peak and the surrounding badlands and canyons. Developed campgrounds offer amenities ranging from electrical hookups for RV or trailer camping, to only a toilet. This area is one of the most biologically and recreationally diverse regions for boondocking in New Mexico. Follow it to the end, where youll find the entrance to these free campsites. The diversity of New Mexicos landscape is reflected in a wide range of recreational opportunities and camping experiences one can find in the state. Dont forget to check out our other state specific dispersed camping guides: document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); 1. We think of this as the essential information to lay a foundation for your perfect camping trip. Use the custom map layers to find public land, download offline maps, and navigate to your perfect dispersed campsite. Ideally located near White Sands National Park, Lincoln National Forest, and Las Cruces, Dog Canyon is a great BLM dispersed camping area in New Mexico. Cramming into nooks and crannies all along U.S. Forest Service roads throughout Santa Fe National Forest, recreationists havent allowed the COVID-19 pandemic to keep them from enjoying their days and nights out in nature. The Santa Fe National Forest, the Cibola National Forest, and the Gila National Forest are some of the best places to find dispersed campgrounds in New Mexico. Here are 5 of the best places for free camping in NewMexico: The site is pretty nice. Golden Clear Creek R V Park. However, not all of them have this luxury. The Management Unit has one dirt road through it and no developed trails for any specific users. CamperAdvise also participates in affiliate programs with B&H, Adorama, Clickbank, CJ, and other affiliate sites. This is the name that will be used to identify you within the system. The Pecos Ranger Station of the Santa Fe National Forest is located just down the road on Highway 63 less than 1 mile south of the town of Pecos . website belongs to an official government organization in the 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. In fact, Cosmic Campground is the first campground built for amateur astronomers. Your real name will be displayed next to your photo for comments, blog posts, and more! Whether you camp in a tent or a recreational vehicle (RV), there are campgrounds in U.S. National Forests and Grasslands to satisfy the needs of most campers. The entirety of 435 is BLM land so you can tent or auto camp anywhere you like. In addition to the basic pit toilet, there are four cosmic observation pads where you can set up your telescope or simply enjoy the night sky. See 12 traveler reviews, 17 photos and blog posts New Mexico Free Camping Cuba Mesa De Cuba Dispersed Camping . They have camping gear, hiking gear, survival gear and much more, all at 25% off when you click the link below. Call the Carlsbad Field Office for more information: (575) 234-5960. Ill happily provide additional suggestions if none of the free campsites above hit the mark for you. 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. During the May 8-10 weekend, McLarty said he and his team found 38 improperly extinguished campfires. It offers nightly movies during the summer and access to hiking trails all year long. Most of the campsites enjoy some decent privacy and all have access to a vault toilet. Although you may find your next campsite by simply utilizing the sources above, we also highly recommend referencing the excellent information available through public agencies maps and resources. Each of the nine campsites has a picnic table and fire rings. [Senate Hearing 106-887] [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office] S. Hrg. Given what a gem Tres Piedras is, please be sure to Leave No Trace and keep this forest open to dispersed camping for generations to come. There is also an equestrian campground just down the road where you can fill up with water and dump your tanks. White Sands National Park offers miles of trails, boardwalk viewing areas, and ten primitive camping sites. A few of these cross into neighboring states, with Coronado National Forest being primarily located in adjacent Arizona. Aguirre Spring Campground has the convenience of being close to the states second-largest city, yet its location on the east side of the mountains makes the site feel remote. Title: Santa Fe National Forest (SFNF) Outdoor Recreation Management, Crew LeaderDates: March 27See this and similar jobs on LinkedIn. Almost immediately after this, the dirt access road becomes much rougher. Volunteers have helped Forest Service workers in cleanup efforts following weekends that have seen large amounts of trash left behind by campers. In our estimation, the best way to experience these unique landscapes is to spend a night out under the stars and New Mexico offers some incredible free, dispersed camping to make that happen. It is best to check current regulations with the relevant USFS or BLM office, but you should plan on adhering to the following asoutlined by the USFS: Always be sure to check for current New Mexico fire regulations by visiting the New Mexico Fire Information website before setting out. Category Filters. The level of development at these Campgrounds ranges from a near wilderness camping experience to recreational vehicle friendly Campground. Camping is not permitted anywhere in Pecos National Historical Park. If you are looking for a place to camp, there are several options nearby in the Santa Fe National Forest or Pecos Canyon State Park.