Best Dispersed Camping near Alamogordo, NM
Several free dispersed camping areas exist in the mountains surrounding Alamogordo, New Mexico. Dog Canyon offers the most accessible option approximately 20 minutes south of town with gravel roads suitable for most vehicles. The area features multiple pull-off spots with established fire rings and mountain views, though some visitors note occasional trash and broken glass. Forest Road 568 near Cloudcroft provides higher elevation camping with both drive-in and walk-in sites. Most areas lack amenities—no toilets, water, or trash service—requiring fully self-contained camping.
The terrain varies significantly between locations. Lower elevation sites at Dog Canyon and Red Sands OHV Area remain exposed to sun and wind with desert vegetation, while higher forest roads offer more shade among aspen groves. Road conditions can be challenging at some sites, with campers reporting "steep, washed out, and tight" trails at Dry Canyon and recommending high-clearance vehicles. Cell service is generally available at Dog Canyon but limited or non-existent at higher elevation forest sites. As one camper noted about Alamo Peak Road, "We have a 30 foot motor home and were so glad to find a dispersed spot in the mountains we could fit!"
