Dispersed on 4 - Fenton Lake State Park

My friends and I were climbing at the Cattle Wall all day, and decided we wanted to disperse camp. While we pulled up to Jemez camping nearby, the park rangers told us it was closed because of Covid, but we could go down the road to this unmarked, unnamed, dispersed camp site. 

  

when we did we drove to the left, followed the path until we saw an opened gate, and turned up to a site on the right. It was well-used and had a fire pit, but you're not allowed to have fires right now. 

  

We wandered down to a cliff, and the most BEAUTIFUL view awaited us. If it was known, it would be a better view than the jemez falls and people would FLOCK to it. Instead, it was our campsite, free, and people-less. This is just a new mexico thing, I guess. finding best kept secrets everywhere. 

  

PS: weather was perfect, no sounds from anywhere in the campsite, completely amazing! Definitely go here.

Best Kept Secret

When I pulled into the dispersed camping I was shocked to see 2 fire rings right there!  There were two different ways to go and I choose to go right. All along the dirt road were pull offs and if you choose to go to the right side campsites you will end up at one of the fire rings with an incredible view of the canyon below. I did this because I love a good view! The main downside to this was how windy it was so I did not enjoy campfires until the third night and it was no longer windy. 
I highly recommend 4WD and high clearance vehicle to get to some of the best spots. Not impossible in my Honda Pilot but there were parts that I knew I wouldn’t make it. I was the only one there initially and only saw 2 others the 3 days I stayed. This is pack in pack out no restrooms just good old fashioned camping 🙌 
I was not expecting to have service but I did where I camped! (T-Mobile) in Jemez springs and in the canyon I did not have service. It was a bit cold until my third day which was a very nice warm and sunny day.  
I also went on a hike at Los Conchas Trail maybe 10 minutes up the road (away from Jemez Springs) and was shocked by the beauty!! What a wonderful hike! 10/10 recommend! Pictures are posted as well. 
My last day there I hiked to the hot springs at Spence Hot Springs Trail, there is a pull off but not clearly marked. It’s a 15 minute walk to lukewarm pools you can bathe in and the upper pool even has a cool cave you can sit in. 
There seems to be even more springs all about you can hike to I just did not have the time. I also think Soda Dam looks incredible from pictures so maybe check that out as well! 
I definitely hope to visit again! 


Beautiful Views & Fun Adventures 

It is right off of the main road but was pretty quiet the two nights we stayed there. There are some sites among the pines soon after pulling into the campground (on the right) and then there are more both further in and to the left upon entering if you're vehicle is 4x4 and has some good clearance...it wasn't so brave.

  

From the site it was only a quick drive to both hot springs and stream side hikes.

Nice Wooded Location

Pit toilets available at nearby parking lot for san diego canyon lookout point, two beautiful lookout points nearby 

Two beautiful viewpoints

We went on 4th of July weekend for an afternoon and a night. When we arrived, I think we were the only ones in the entire place. By the time morning rolled around there were a few more people around but most sites were still open. It was right off the road and easy to find with little road noise. 

We found a good, flat place to park our 22ft trailer but there weren’t a ton of easy to access spots for a trailer if it got busy. The roads as you kept going seemed to get pretty rough but could easily be navigated with a car with good clearance for tent camping. 

I’m glad I looked at previous reviews about the view because I’m not sure we would’ve found it without knowing it’s there. It’s one of the most beautiful views to watch the sun go down so make sure you build the time in to go find it. 

Didn’t have any service on t-mobile here but the roads feel pretty straight forward enough to navigate out of the mountains without a GPS if needed. 

Great dispersed camping 

I really like the subtle Ed’s of the campground. While driving in it doesn’t look like much, but it’s quite large once you pull in. Although there is some amount of traffic noise, it get quieter as you move deeper into the campgrounds. 

The amazing canyon view is jaw dropping, however that campsite it inaccessible due to fallen trees. Also, (WARNING!) the road is pretty steep and washed out right now so be careful driving even in an off-roaring vehicle. My care would not have made it with it meager front wheel drive hybrid.

Weekend across NM

There are a lot of spots to disperse in this campground but there are a few certain spots that blow the rest of them out of the water. We arrived on a Friday with only a few people there. Saturday/Sunday was maybe at half capacity. Pretty sure that were we the only ones there when we left on Monday. 

  

We stayed on the edge of the cliff at the far back right side of the campsite and it was easily one of the top 5 locations that we have camped at. Even in July, it was a perfect 60-65 degrees at night and in the upper 70's low 80's during the day. We have T-mobile and there was relatively no reception here. We had just enough to send out and receive a text message every once in a while but not strong enough for a phone call. The reception comes and goes the more that you walk through the campsite. We stayed here for 3 nights and were never bothered by the cars driving on the road close by. The later it gets the fewer the cars. We locked our food and trash up every night and never ran into any problems with any other animals during the day or at night. We all slept well include our Dog who always shuffles around if she hears something scurrying around our site at night. 

  

**Directions to our cliff edge campsite:**

\*Note we took on this adventure in a long bed Chevy 2500.   

  

*   As you enter go to the right.
*   The road will split but stay right and continue the slight uphill climb.
*   As the road starts to descend, you will see a small white sign nailed to a tree on the left with a sharp turn off the road. 
*   Take that trail to the left unless you have a high clearance vehicle. (We took the more adventurous route straight down and almost didn't make it)
*   At the bottom of that trail go right and start to weave your way through the trees all the way to the back right side of the campsite. 
*   The trees will begin to open up and you'll get a very clear picture of the cliff and mountains. 

  

In the 3 days that we were there, we didn't see anyone else try to take on the same route. Although, we saw plenty of other smaller SUVs and cars get down there via the turn-off.  

  

Still can't believe that this place was free with no reservations needed. It's a must stay if you are in the area.

Undiscovered gem in New Mexico

Easy to find. Easy access. Excellent views. A little abused in some spots but over a dozen spots, some pretty spectacular. Some not accessible in late March due to snow. 

Dispersed on 4

The campsites are big and plentiful but I think they are used by locals as there is a bunch of trash. Not that is had to be locals but I don't think the dispersed community would do that. 

We are car camping/tent, RV's couldn't make it is the spot we have at least. 

I would rate it better but we have been at so many other campsites in AZ and CO that are definitely better. 

Hopefully someday we will have a different experience in NM but hey, it smells good and is pretty. Stop by for a night and see how you feel. 

What we think is the best site is to the left and then up to a little hill (any AWD or 4WD could make it, its the only one we saw with a view besides trees (not that they aren't great!) but for free I would take it for sure 😊

It pretty OK

Found the perfect spot to soak in the sunrise and amazing views. Easy to get to in my Subaru. Fire pit too!  Go left after entering and take the road to the gate (which was closed). But to the right at the top of the hill is perfect to relax the weekend away. 

Soak in the Sunset

What a great spot. After backcountry in the Valles Caldera,  I camped here for a night. 

Pulling off of HWY 4, I turned left and veered right. Got to look for it, but not far down there is a path up to a great spot. 

I did this in a 2WD Tundra. Just go slow and be careful.

Great spot!

This spot is so peaceful and beautiful. Great canyon view but need a 4x4 vehicle to access it.