Planning a dispersed camping trip near Animas? The Dyrt provides you with a diverse selection of places to camp, from dispersed backcountry camping to boondocking, and everything in-between. Each dispersed site offers quick access to one or more of Animas's most popular destinations.
The majority of campgrounds on the Gila National Forest are primitive and offer dispersed camping. You may camp outside of developed campgrounds anywhere on the Forest at no charge. The Gila National Forest implemented Travel Management and we recommend you stop in to one of our six ranger stations and pick up travel management maps so that you are aware where vehicles are and are not permitted. Potable water, toilets, and other amenities are not generally available. If you choose to camp outside developed areas, be sure to bring adequate water or be prepared to purify any water source before drinking. No permits are required to camp in wilderness areas. The Gila National Forest has a 14-day stay limit, in any 30 day period, on all camping. Areas designated as “Day Use Only” are limited to posted hours, no overnight use.
The Round Mountain Rockhound Area is a popular rockhounding area located near the town of Duncan in eastern Arizona. Please follow all rules and regulations.
Guide
First off do not use Google maps. It will not take you to the right place. Use the built-in location found in DYRT. After you turn off I 10 on the left to travel approximately 10 miles the site will be on your right hand side. Follow the road to the left as you go through the gate. The site is very well-maintained. There are only a handful of sites available, but when I was there, I was the only one.
Traveler
Was a little busy and the bulls can get aggressive in your campsite.
Guide
We came in after dark, but the roads were clear and it was easy to set up. Quiet.
TravelerGreat spot. Rocks and cactus and sunrises. Narrow sandy road, but manageable for smaller RV.
Guide
The drive up is beautiful, the road isn’t maintained, but in pretty good condition. I stopped right after the cattle guard. There is another site going up about .5 mile in the left. Couldn’t see good enough in the dark. The creek was flowing and quite a few animals at dawn and dusk. Not a lot of traffic, and a trail right up the road to hike or follow the creek. The last campers left it so nice I was able to add decorations.
GuideA beautiful, serene location not too far from I-10 and Fort Bowie. We arrived at around 10pm in our Sprinter van and found a quiet location. The campsites are far apart and you travel on compacted dirt road to get there. The father you go, the more space you have. It will be quite bumpy if you do not have an AWD or 4x4.
RangerAmazing views. A bit sandy of a drive. You have to open and close a gate but it is not locked. Quite, no lights nearby, dispersed camping at its best. Just a few cows. I would camp here again. We made it up in a long bed crew an Chevy 2500. Some camp sites at the bottom. But if you go up to the dead end keep to the left. Site is not to level but throw a couple of rocks under the tires and you can level out. Drive up is a little bit narrow with cactus close to the road. I would not think you need 4x4 but maybe something more then a car would be better. If wet I would think it may get a bit squishy, but with it dry a stock suv would make it just fine. Camped next to a rock face. Just beautiful!
LegendThis is a wonderful place to boondock if you are driving the I-10 or visiting Fort Bowie Nation Historic Park. The dirt road is easily passable for most vehicles. Ver quiet. Decent cell signal with T-Mobile.
Guide
Great place I came upon while on I-10. Thirty minutes for the interstate. The hiking was good. The place was a little busy, but not bad. Heard some cows but never seen them. Clean place. No services. Cell signal was good.
Traveler
Happy Camp Canyon is in fairly good condition. There is a trailhead parking area that is posted as no camping but about 50 yards further down there is a clearing with fire rings. We ended up sharing the spot with some cattle for a while.
Travelera place like from some safari movie, beautiful sunset, you can see a herd of cows. plenty of room for everyone and an easy route
TravelerOverall the stay was great. My only complaint would be the bugs that were swarming in the morning. They only swarm certain plants and we happened to be by one so we had bugs EVERYWHERE. But it wasn’t a big deal. We just quickly packed up and went and ate breakfast at the picnic area right down the road and explored the granite rocks for a while.
Scout
A number of flat cleared areas not far off of hwy90. We cleaned up the beer cans, bottles, and trash left from other before us. We plan on being here for several more days. 30ft class A with toad.
LegendFantastic spot. Was not busy and cows were all around minding there own business. Entry road was very good. Good cell service also. Town right up the road.
GuideWe got there far later than we should have (10:30pm) but were able to find a little space. It was, of course, difficult to navigate in the dark. The entrance was sooner than GPS showed but not too difficult to find. Sadly, we only saw hoof prints. No cows.
LegendWe really enjoyed our time here! The cows were great to watch and we got some great video of them! The road in was dirt and washboard here and there but overall could be easily passed by most any car. GPS coords were pretty accurate as well. Once you are off the main road the sand can be pretty deep and some of the turns pretty tight so scope it out if your in a bigger rig, before heading in. Lots of spots on the left in the first loops and on a spur to the right near some cool rocks. Not many people around when we were here and was nice and quiet.
Legend
Drove about 40 minutes down pinery canyon road. Roads weren’t terrible but had a few washboard spots. Several sites located off the main road. Plenty of wood to collect for the fire. It was pretty cold at night in late November but there was plenty of space between sites that my generator wasn’t offensive to others. Very clean site too.
GuideThis has been our favorite campsite of our road trip so far. Noteworthy mentions: It is off the beaten path. It’s free. There are free roaming cattle There are endless rocks to explore and climb. It will keep your attention for days. Not many people here. Campfires allowed. Would recommend a 4x4 to get to further sites. Awesome remnants of Native American activity. You’re right next to where you wanna be. Thumbs up.
TravelerThere’s several campsites around the trail head. I found a great secluded spot along a rough back road area, my express van with chunky tires was able to clear the bumps in the roadway. Cell service is excellent for Verizon even wandering around the trails back here.
GuideDirections from Dyrt were spot on. As others have said If you have a Big rig park by the day use area and SCOUT it out! After the first few sites the road becomes real sandy in places and not anywhere to turn big rigs around without it being sketchy. We stayed about a mile in on the left next to some huge rocks, nice firepit, no trash, no shade. Will be here two weeks. Met some ranchers moving some of their cattle other than them saw nobody. My dogs loved it. I was just concerned about keeping them safe from rattlesnakes. Have seen at least one every day. One was HUGE @ 5' western diamondback but very beautiful red brick color. Just be very aware as this is their home we're just visiting.
GuideOff Chisholm trail , previous coordinates are for CDT NO VEHICLE TRAFFIC. Great sites, I think I had the best one. First on right just before Cattlemans road. Met Pat she has the grazing rights here. She was very apologetic about the trash the last campers left. I just said well some are scum and showed her the two trash bags full and the 4x6 platform I cut up so it's manageable. Will burn the wood and haul the rest off. Only saw her cattle one afternoon. I'm a country boy so seeing cow poop is not a big deal. She said a bear was just shot yesterday a few miles north of here. Be vigilant. #leavenotrace
GuideStaying at the first site on the right. 14 days. Love it, plenty of shade and also sun for solar recharge. No utilities and sites not marked but they are abvious. Peace and quiet. I'm getting 3 bars on AT&T which is pretty good I think. Streamed a movie last night with no issues. Previous campers left trash, so my two dogs and I cleaned it up. Cut up a 4x6 platform they left. Will burn the wood and haul off the frame to a dumpster in Silver City where I'll restock at walmart. Met Pat this morning- she has the grazing rights through here. She apologized for mess from previous camper's. Told her and showed her it's taken care of and Thanked her for stopping by to say Hi. Will definitely stay here again!
TravelerThis site was pretty easy to get to and at the foothills were beautiful and well-maintained. Didn’t use the restroom because there was a giant spider and there wasn’t TP, but it was there. People left rock fire pits, which we also didn’t use, but it’s nice they were there. Woke up to see cows hanging around and got to see a baby cow and mom, which was so sweet.
GuideStayed here on our way to New Mexico. It was a beautiful spot, very scenic. The dirt was soft as sand, and the area was cleaner than most. The only negative was their was tons of wasps at our site, not sure about the others. They didn’t mess with us but they were annoying like flies.
GuideThis area is beautiful and dispersed. A lot of campers so scout out your site before you pull in, we pulled in with our 24 ft TT and it was a little tight to turn around.
-Youtube: Likely Lost
GuideI spent one night here. It was very quiet and secluded, and the dirt road is in great condition. There's tons of spots and the trees give a little cover. I rained on and off at night, but I feel the tree foliage kept a lot of water from dripping down onto the tent.
TravelerIf coming from the east your gps might try to take you via White Water Rd -DONT! Instead take the 90 unless you want to spend an hour driving over bone jarring washboard roads
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular dispersed campsite near Animas, NM?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dispersed campground near Animas, NM is Granite Gap with a 4.3-star rating from 3 reviews.
What is the best site to find dispersed camping near Animas, NM?
TheDyrt.com has all 13 dispersed camping locations near Animas, NM, with real photos and reviews from campers.
