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Caja Del Rio Dispersed Camping

13 ReviewsAdd Review
SUMMARY PRESENTED BYT-Mobile

Dust coats everything here. That reddish film settling over gear, dashboards, and tent fabric is the most consistent detail campers mention about Caja Del Rio Dispersed Camping, a free, no-reservation area in Santa Fe National Forest where the terrain shifts between open scrubland and juniper cover. The main dirt road off Country Road 62 runs rough, with ruts and high banks on the right fork that can challenge larger vehicles, though reviewers with 26-foot travel trailers and 30-foot fifth wheels report making it work on the left fork near the vault toilets.

Crowd patterns follow a predictable shape. Sites near the entrance and pit toilet area fill first, sometimes with five or more RVs within sightline of each other. Drive further in and the density drops. Dwayne R. notes that "there are better spots if you keep going," and solo campers have found enough juniper cover near the main road to feel adequately screened without venturing far. Shooting happens nearby, and a trash dump sits within earshot on occasion, so light sleepers should factor that in.

The area functions well as a base for exploring Santa Fe, sitting roughly 15 to 20 minutes from downtown. Campers who want to compare dispersed spots near Santa Fe National Forest will find several alternatives along the same corridor, including Sante Fe National Forest BLM-Road 62 Dispersed just to the west and Santa Fe Ranch Recreation Area Dispersed — County Road 62 a short distance east. A trailhead and picnic pavilion sit near the entrance, and cell service on Verizon has tested reliably.

Road conditions deteriorate after rain or snow, so checking recent weather before arrival matters. Tracy T. stayed four nights and found it "pretty quiet with beautiful sunrises and sunsets," though she also packed out trash left behind by others. Bring more water than expected, a dust cover for sensitive gear, and plan to arrive early on weekends if you want a spot away from the cluster near the entrance.

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Map & DirectionsCaja Del Rio Dispersed Camping is located in New Mexico near Santa Fe

Detail location of campground
Dispersed Camping

Coordinates

35.68955 N
106.09187 W

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Connectivity

Presented byT-MobileT-Mobile is introducing T-Satellite to extend coverage in the outdoorsLearn More
  • signal strength bars
    T-Mobile5G
    Excellent Coverage
    Verified by 30 users
    Last on 8/4/26
  • signal strength bars
    Verizon5G
    Excellent Coverage
    Verified by 79 users
    Last on 8/4/26
  • signal strength bars
    AT&TLTE
    Good Coverage
    Verified by 11 users
    Last on 8/4/26

Connectivity

Presented byT-MobileT-Mobile is introducing T-Satellite to extend coverage in the outdoorsLearn More
  • signal strength bars
    T-Mobile5G
    Excellent Coverage
    Verified by 30 users
    Last on 8/4/26
  • signal strength bars
    Verizon5G
    Excellent Coverage
    Verified by 79 users
    Last on 8/4/26
  • signal strength bars
    AT&TLTE
    Good Coverage
    Verified by 11 users
    Last on 8/4/26

Access

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Site Types

  • Dispersed

Features

For Campers

  • ADA Access
  • Phone Service
  • Toilets
  • Alcohol
  • Pets

DISPERSED CAMPING

Enjoy dispersed camping on government land and leave no trace. Pack in and pack out. No (or limited) services at this camping area. Permit may be required.

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Reviews13 Camper Reviews - Caja Del Rio Dispersed Camping

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5 Stars

4 Stars

3 Stars

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1 Star

31%
46%
15%
0%
8%

4.0

out of 5

13 Reviews

Many campers appreciated the vast, private dispersed camping just 20 minutes from Santa Fe with beautiful mountain views. Common feedback included concerns about dusty conditions and variable road quality, though the quiet atmosphere and spacious sites were frequently praised.

SUMMARY PRESENTED BYT-Mobile
Reviewed Apr. 28, 2026

Caja del rio

Easy to find. No problem with 30ft TT. Some ruts entering the site we used but not bad could be muddy if raining. 20 minutes from Santa Fe plaza

Month of VisitApril
Reviewed Apr. 7, 2026

Passing tru

Very peaceful, people seem to gather in one area but, there is better spots if you keep going.

Siterandom
Month of VisitApril
  • Review photo of Caja Del Rio Dispersed Camping by Dwayne R., April 7, 2026
Reviewed Dec. 31, 2025

Boondicking Spot

Easy to find, decent for a night. Unfortunately several pull off areas have trash, unfortunate that people don’t respect the land.

Month of VisitDecember
Reviewed Jun. 6, 2025

Close to Santa Fe

PROS: Beautifull mountains, very close to pretty much any supplies you need. It is easily accessible with large RV(25'+). Cons: very dirty, large trash. Others are close also.

SiteBLM land
Month of VisitMay
Reviewed Dec. 29, 2023

Convenient location with drawbacks

Let me start by saying I'd stay here again. But there was such a pitted road to the right. It's too hard to get off the high banks with our Transit. On the left fork near the pit toilets, better roads but more campers. 5 rvs all in sight of one another. There was rain and snow week before that made roads worse I assume. Not much trash around. Near horse corral that gets use. 17 degrees with wind this morning but clear skies. Shooting nearby as well as the trash dump nearby. But the location can't be beat.

Sitedispersed close to pit toilet
Month of VisitDecember
  • Review photo of Caja Del Rio Dispersed Camping by Renee T., December 29, 2023
  • Review photo of Caja Del Rio Dispersed Camping by Renee T., December 29, 2023
  • Review photo of Caja Del Rio Dispersed Camping by Renee T., December 29, 2023
  • (9) View All
Reviewed Nov. 8, 2023

Close to Santa fe

I stayed 4 nights bc it was so close to hiking and town. Very dusty and packed some trash out that was left behind. Pretty quiet with beautiful sunrises and sunsets.

Month of VisitNovember
  • Review photo of Caja Del Rio Dispersed Camping by Tracy T., November 8, 2023
Reviewed Oct. 28, 2023

Quiet with lots of room

Stayed 4 nights. Very quiet. About 15 minutes from downtown Santa Fe. Many sites available. Very dusty due to no recent rain. We have a 26 ft travel trailer. We saw larger Rvs, vans, cars. Tents.

Siteopen area
Month of VisitOctober
Reviewed Aug. 17, 2023

Great Spot

Perfect dispersed camp spots close to town but very quiet. Except a few evening fun shots. Lots of spots scattered with plenty of privacy.

Month of VisitApril
  • Review photo of Caja Del Rio Dispersed Camping by Amanda V., August 17, 2023
  • Review photo of Caja Del Rio Dispersed Camping by Amanda V., August 17, 2023
  • Review photo of Caja Del Rio Dispersed Camping by Amanda V., August 17, 2023
  • (4) View All
Reviewed May. 18, 2023

Santa Fe Forest

A lot of camping hundreds and hundreds of acres. Some of the roads are good and some of them or technical.

Sitethere are no site numbers
Month of VisitApril
  • Review photo of Caja Del Rio Dispersed Camping by mont B., May 18, 2023
  • Review photo of Caja Del Rio Dispersed Camping by mont B., May 18, 2023
Reviewed Feb. 8, 2023

Beautiful dispersed campground near Santa Fe

A gorgeous and vast dispersed campground just a short drive from Santa Fe. There was enough space and trees/shrubs to offer privacy, and as a solo traveler I felt completely safe sleeping in my crossover. I parked just off the main dirt road between a couple of junipers and still felt like I had the privacy I preferred. You can drive further to get a more secluded space. The only downside: it was very windy and the entire interior of my vehicle was covered in reddish dust. But this place was so beautiful and spaced out that being covered in dust seemed like a small price to pay for a great experience.

The Campground: The main dirt road wasn't in great condition, so the short journey after you turn off of Country Road 62 was very bumpy, but it didn't appear that anyone was having issues navigating it (that might change if there's heavy rainfall). There's a vault toilet and picnic pavilion near the front; this area is also a trailhead. The whole place feels very open and has a nice view of the mountains. 

The area: Very close to Santa Fe. 

Booking: No booking or fee. This is dispersed camping and there are no official "sites" here. When looking for a place to set up, make sure you chose a place that's well-traveled. Seemed like there were enough areas to camp that I don't imagine this place ever gets too full.

Cell Service: I have Verizon, and my service was good.

Month of VisitApril
  • Review photo of Caja Del Rio Dispersed Camping by Erin , February 8, 2023
  • Review photo of Caja Del Rio Dispersed Camping by Erin , February 8, 2023
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Showing results 1-13 of 13 reviews

Frequently Asked Questions

Do you need 4WD to access Caja del Rio dispersed camping areas?

4WD is not strictly required for all areas of Caja del Rio, but it's helpful for certain sections. The main dirt roads are generally accessible with standard vehicles, including larger RVs up to 26+ feet. However, some roads are more technical with pitted sections that can be challenging. After rain or snow, conditions may deteriorate. Many campers in 2WD crossovers, vans, and cars successfully navigate the area by sticking to the better-maintained roads, particularly those near the pit toilets.

What are the rules and regulations for dispersed camping in Caja del Rio?

Dispersed camping in Caja del Rio follows standard Forest Service regulations, which typically include a 14-day stay limit. Campers should practice Leave No Trace principles by packing out all trash and waste. Unfortunately, some visitors have left garbage behind, so bringing extra bags to help remove litter is encouraged. Campfires may be restricted during dry seasons. Always use existing fire rings when allowed. The area is experiencing increasing use, so respectful camping practices are essential to keep this area available for public enjoyment.

Where is Caja del Rio dispersed camping located?

Caja del Rio dispersed camping is located approximately 15-20 minutes from downtown Santa Fe, New Mexico. This vast dispersed camping area spans hundreds of acres of public land in the Santa Fe National Forest. The location offers a convenient base for exploring Santa Fe while providing the solitude of a natural setting. The area features numerous dirt roads leading to various camping spots, with juniper trees and shrubs scattered throughout the landscape that create natural privacy between sites.

What activities can you do near Caja del Rio dispersed camping?

The area offers excellent hiking opportunities with trails in the surrounding mountains. Being just 15-20 minutes from Santa Fe, campers can easily visit the city for cultural attractions, dining, and shopping. The location provides beautiful sunrise and sunset viewing, with open landscapes perfect for photography and stargazing. Wildlife observation is possible throughout the area. The proximity to town means you can enjoy outdoor adventures during the day and still have easy access to urban amenities when needed.

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