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Best Dispersed Camping near Arenas Valley, NM

24 Reviews

Multiple dispersed camping areas surround Arenas Valley in the Gila National Forest and nearby BLM land. Bear Mountain offers four primitive sites at approximately 7,500 ft elevation, accessible via Forest Road 4242D, though some campers note "a narrow, rocky road with some low-hanging trees" that can be challenging for larger vehicles. Cattlemen Trail provides more accessible dispersed camping with flat, cleared areas suitable for large RVs, featuring good cell service and proximity to Silver City.

Free camping options extend north along Highway 15 toward Pinos Altos, where Meadow Creek Road and Bear Canyon Road provide additional primitive sites. A camper described Meadow Creek as having "about a dozen dispersed sites in the first 1/4 mile" with "plenty of space to stretch out at each spot." Most dispersed areas in the region permit 14-day stays, allow campfires except during seasonal restrictions, and require visitors to pack out all trash. No amenities or services are available at these locations, making them suitable for self-sufficient campers prepared for off-grid experiences.

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Best Dispersed Sites Near Arenas Valley, New Mexico (18)

    1. Bear Mountain

    4 Reviews
    Silver City, NM
    10 miles
    Website
    +1 (575) 388-8201

    "It's just a place to camp in the National Forest. No amenities."

    "4-5 dispersed spots on road 4242d before reaching the summit on bear mountain road (where the coordinates take you to). A narrow, rocky road with some low-hanging trees."

    2. Bear Canyon Road Camp

    1 Review
    Hanover, NM
    11 miles

    "Curvy, narrow roads… just be careful and go slow. Plenty of campgrounds along the way, as well as these dispersed areas."

    3. Meadow Creek Road

    1 Review
    Hanover, NM
    12 miles

    "Meadow Creek Rd starts out as a well maintained dirt road with a handful of sites marked by fire rings."

    4. Cattlemen Trail - Dispersed Camping

    8 Reviews
    Silver City, NM
    21 miles
    Website

    "Staying 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."

    "Easy to find, no rough roads, clean and quiet campsite. There were about 10 other campers when I was here. Would definitely stay here again"

    5. Pine Flats Campground

    1 Review
    Hanover, NM
    13 miles

    "No facilities, but a beautiful spot. Lots of shade. Dirt road in decent shape. No road signs off of highway 15. Just need to use the GPS coordinates. A few level spots with fire rings. "

    6. Comfort Well Dispersed Camping

    1 Review
    Hanover, NM
    17 miles
    Website
    +1 (575) 388-8201

    "A handful of sites located on the other side of Skates Canyon from Sapillo Campground. Close to great hiking around the CDT and fishing in Lake Roberts."

    7. Gila National Forest Road 861 Dispersed

    4 Reviews
    Silver City, NM
    22 miles
    Website
    +1 (575) 388-8201

    "This is a Gila National Forest Access Road just west of the Continental Divide on highway 90.  It has multiple fairly level and easily accessible boondocking sites."

    "Off 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."

    8. Bear Mountain Camp

    Be the first to review!
    Silver City, NM
    10 miles

    9. BLM Near City of Rocks

    1 Review
    Faywood, NM
    20 miles
    Website
    +1 (505) 954-2222

    "This is open BLM land. When you turn off Highway 61, you go through a gate. There are multiple pull-outs along the road. Great views, desert terrain."

    10. Gold Gulch Road

    2 Reviews
    Silver City, NM
    23 miles
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Recent Free Dispersed Camping Photos near Arenas Valley, NM

5 Photos of 18 Arenas Valley Campgrounds

Dispersed Camping Reviews near Arenas Valley, NM

24 Reviews of 18 Arenas Valley Campgrounds

  • Jorge G.The Dyrt PRO User
    Mar. 4, 2024

    Comfort Well Dispersed Camping

    Low-key dispersed sites

    A handful of sites located on the other side of Skates Canyon from Sapillo Campground. Close to great hiking around the CDT and fishing in Lake Roberts. Most of the sites sit on the shades of ponderosa and there's plenty of space for group camping.

    This is as bare as it gets. No services, no cell signal, no trash disposal, not even a pit toilet. Some sites have rock rings for campfires but that's about it. Please recreate responsibly and leave no trace. Pack out whatever you pack in.

    Quiet during the winter, but gets busy during the summer as evidenced by how well worn the dirt paths around the area are.

  • Kenny R.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 31, 2025

    Bear Mountain

    Ehhh...

    I eventually found the campsites thanks to another reviewer mentioning it was not at the coordinates listed. It is just before you reach the summit on road 424D or something like that. Not listed on maps - just a little brown sign on the left as you are driving along. Very tight squeeze of a path. Did not feel like taking my truck through there. 

    Not the prettiest area... and a pretty rough road. You won't need 4x4 or high clearance necessarily, but just not fun to drive on at all. The benefit is that you will not see hardly anyone else because of that lol. The other side of Pinos Altos is MUCH nicer roads, landscape and environment. Try Meadow Creek area. That whole road. Happy camping!

  • Danny H.The Dyrt PRO User
    Mar. 5, 2022

    Gila National Forest Road 861 Dispersed

    Nice Overnight Boondocking location

    This is a Gila National Forest Access Road just west of the Continental Divide on highway 90.  It has multiple fairly level and easily accessible boondocking sites. It's far enough from the highway to be quiet. The only real drawback is the Cattle droppings here and there. We spent the night, so can't comment on other activities in the area, but there are roads and trails leading out of the location and into the Forest.

  • Sierra N.The Dyrt PRO User
    Apr. 16, 2023

    Meadow Creek Dispersed Camping

    Legendary creek side camping in a valley

    This trail requires 4x4 and high clearance. It is a bumpy road for all 3+ miles into the mountainside. But it is far worth the drive for the seclusion. There are plenty of spaces to camp before the creek. But we kept going for about 3 miles, hit a road gate, and started traveling into the valley. It will eventually open up and you will see meadow creek. Spots to the left and right of the fork, we settled at the bottom. No service in the valley. Extremely magical, and serene. Leave it better than you left it please! If you want a camp spot off the beaten path, this is it. Perfect for tent camping/car camping.

  • Darrin R.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jan. 19, 2022

    Bear Mountain

    Rugged, no frills, but beautiful and quiet

    Stopped here to spend the night in July because it was cooler (~7500 ft elevation), free, quiet and beautiful. It's just a place to camp in the National Forest. No amenities.

  • SThe Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 5, 2022

    Cattlemen Trail - Dispersed Camping

    Excellent area

    Staying 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!

  • Tom S.
    Mar. 25, 2022

    Cattlemen Trail - Dispersed Camping

    Clean and quiet

    Easy to find, no rough roads, clean and quiet campsite. There were about 10 other campers when I was here. Would definitely stay here again

  • Jonathan E.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jun. 29, 2025

    Safari Campsite

    Sufficient, but small and mediocre

    This site is just a relatively short turn-off road with a loop for turning around and a small, non-dedicated area for pitching a tent as far as I could tell. If you have a camper/RV/van, then it should work fine, but it’s not the best for tent camping. I made it work, but wasn’t super excited about it. Also, there was a bit of trash left behind when I was there, but it wasn’t necessarily a dump.

    Getting to this spot was convenient since it is right off a paved road. There was a bit of car noise here and there, but it wasn’t bad. I heard coyotes singing nearby (from multiple directions) in the evening, but didn’t actually see any wildlife.

    In all, it was alright. Not horrible, not great, just sufficient.

  • a
    Nov. 10, 2022

    Bear Mountain

    Nice dispersed spots

    4-5 dispersed spots on road 4242d before reaching the summit on bear mountain road (where the coordinates take you to). A narrow, rocky road with some low-hanging trees. Our sprinter made it but it was tight. The best spot was where the road dead-ends. Lots of shelter but not a ton of sunlight.

Guide to Arenas Valley

Discover the beauty of dispersed camping near Arenas Valley, New Mexico, where you can immerse yourself in nature without the constraints of traditional campgrounds. With a variety of options available, you can find the perfect spot to unwind and explore the great outdoors.

Scenic Hiking Trails for Dispersed Campers

Wildlife Watching Opportunities While Free Camping Near Arenas Valley

  • At Bear Mountain, you can enjoy the tranquility of nature while keeping an eye out for various wildlife, including deer and birds.
  • The area around Gold Gulch Road is known for its beautiful sunsets and the chance to see herds of cows grazing, adding a unique touch to your camping experience.
  • If you're lucky, you might spot some of the local fauna while camping at Celebration Well Dispersed Camping, where the natural surroundings provide a perfect habitat for wildlife.

Top Spots for Stargazing While Dispersed Camping

  • The clear skies at North Star Mesa Dispersed Camping make it an ideal location for stargazing, allowing you to marvel at constellations and celestial events.
  • Experience the serenity of the night sky at Pine Flats Campground, where the tall pines provide a beautiful backdrop for your evening under the stars.
  • For a truly magical experience, visit Meadow Creek Road, where the remote location ensures minimal light pollution, making the stars shine even brighter.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular dispersed campsite near Arenas Valley, NM?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dispersed campground near Arenas Valley, NM is Bear Mountain with a 4.3-star rating from 4 reviews.

What is the best site to find dispersed camping near Arenas Valley, NM?

TheDyrt.com has all 18 dispersed camping locations near Arenas Valley, NM, with real photos and reviews from campers.

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