Whether you're a tent camper, an RVer, or just passing through, Arroyo Seco, NM has a lot to offer. There are tons of hikes and other fun activities to partake in, as well as sights to see and explore. Find the best campgrounds near Arroyo Seco, NM. Read reviews from campers like you and find your perfect campsite.
"GPS will bring you to the bottom of the road to the Ski Valley. There are campsites all along the lower part of the road."
"No amenities except some great river side places.
Dispersed camping along the road (though it’s not a busy one, especially not at night so not noisy) right on the river."
"There are several sites along FR-5, though some might require high clearance or 4wd. "
"No facilities. Crick 3x bigger now. Early May. So beautiful."
"Dirt road but we did it with no problem with our 24ft trailer."
"A good dispersed campground with a few spots. Don’t drive to the John dun bridge from Taos use the longer route instead. The switch back road is blocked off now."
"Rio Grande del Norte National Monument is BLM land so it is all dispersed camping. You will need to make sure you aren't on someone's property or nearby any roads. There are plenty of turn offs. "
"This is the most remote BLM site I’ve ever been too. Right at the edge of the Gorge, it is primitive—only saw one bathroom about 2 miles back."
"A little more secluded than the spots next door and a little farther away from the edge of the cliff but still beautiful."
"Just a handful of sites on this short road--one side of the road is fairly open but has the creek/river flowing nearby; the other side of the road is more in the forest and offers some shade and privacy"
"Fairly accessible. We brought a pop up. Elk everywhere. We had a nice time"
"Beware drive in can be muddy if raining 4wd recommended and AWD is fine too. Front or Rwd is doable but at your own risk.
Bathroom Firepit Table There are only 4 available spots."
"We drove around Forest Trail 9 (FT9) until we found a great spot on the edge overlooking the Rio."
"There are a bunch of different roads you can turn off to camp on if you’re driving from Taos to Durango."
"I tent-camped off of Carson NF Forest Service Road 578 in mid April 2022. FS 578 is south of Tres Piedras about 5 miles on the west side of Hwy 285."
"Even with a couple and a new born up the hill I never heard them from our campervan! Serene surroundings and even and beautiful place to camp during a thunderstorm!"
LegendRio Grande del Norte National Monument is BLM land so it is all dispersed camping. You will need to make sure you aren't on someone's property or nearby any roads. There are plenty of turn offs.
This isn't a "get away" more like a stopover spot. I stopped here on my way back North to Colorado to see the bridge over the Rio Grande and so I wasn't so high up in elevation that I would freeze.
But if you can find a quiet place it is a beautiful dispersed spot where there is civilization nearby and toilets at local businesses and picnic areas that you can use. See map on review.
Be careful roaming at night. The drop into the river is quite deep so offroading isn't just ill advised for keeping the flora and fauna safe…but you as well.
There are picnic ares around the monument too, just not established camping spots.
GuideThere are a bunch of different roads you can turn off to camp on if you’re driving from Taos to Durango. We mapped Forest Road 578 and it took us to a dirt road with a lot of flat spots you can camp on. We spent the night there and it was very quiet and peaceful. If you keep going to Durango you’ll get to Carson National Forest, which is not too far from the coordinates on The Dyrt. That’s where more people are camping, you can pull off right before the 64H road marker. You’ll keep passing camping spots as you drive to Durango so you can really go almost anywhere!
RangerI tent-camped off of Carson NF Forest Service Road 578 in mid April 2022. FS 578 is south of Tres Piedras about 5 miles on the west side of Hwy 285. There are several dirt road turn offs but FS 578 is clearly marked with a brown NFS sign (see photo) and has no gate but there is a cattle guard/grate. Here is a NFS road use map that shows dispersed camping along FS 578 and many other NFS roads: https://www.fs.fed.us/r3/gis/mvum/Carson/CarsonTresPiedrasCanjilonElRito.pdf (see also screenshot). My Tacoma had no problem on the dirt road, which has ruts and might be tough for an RV. There were few clearings suitable for dispersed camping but I found a nice spot with a small fire circle in a small clearing on the south side of the road just past a fork in the road. I carried two black boulders over to serve as a table and chair. I didn’t see anyone else camping or driving by. The forest is a nice mix of sage, juniper, and pine trees. I saw two elk across a swath of sage. I could see the snow capped peaks of the Sangre de Cristo range on the eastern horizon when I walked farther up the road. It got cold at night, like 27 F. It was a nice waypoint on my trip between Gunnison CO and El Paso TX but it didn’t look like many people camped there. I had intended to drive to Taos the next day on Hwy 64, but didn’t.
TravelerI pull a small trailer and the road in was rough. I was concerned about being able to turn around. When I got to the spot where there are six or eight camping spots, finding one suitable for a trailer was difficult, but I did it. This is more suitable to car camping.
There is an open area that would be good for group camping. There are three or more RVs that appear to be permanent features. That was strange. Looked like fishing camps. I didn't want to drive the steep road down to this area.
Personally, I wish I had stopped a the forest service campsites up hill from this location, but if you are in a car and want to tent camp here, I don't see a problem,
TravelerWe stayed here for 2 days at the beginning of June 2025. There are several sites along FR-5, though some might require high clearance or 4wd. When we stayed, the ground was still quite damp - I would have stayed longer, but there were 3 days of rain in the forecast, and I felt there was a significant risk of getting stuck.
GuideWide open dispersed desert camping. FS-558 runs for several miles south of HWY-285. We stayed closer to the highway which is safer without 4WD. Higher clearance is helpful due to ruts in the road. There's a fair amount of trash, but plenty of spots without. Bummer that locals use public land as their private dumping area. The nights were quiet, other than occasionally coyote calls, which add to the ambiance. We had a few thousand acres all to ourselves for four nights while climbing on nearby El Rito walls.
TravelerAll camping spots here are right off the roads where you can find one or two spots that are less close. Arroyo Seco is the town close to the camping, but you keep going straight from the coordinates to get to Cuchillo de Medio and Cuchillo. It’s not truly “dispersed” camping because there aren’t many sites and your pretty close to your neighbors. Cuchillo Del Medio does have some fire pits, picnic tables, and a bathroom. You do get to camp right on a clear river that is beautiful!
TravelerGPS will bring you to the bottom of the road to the Ski Valley. There are campsites all along the lower part of the road. They aren’t super private, but we stayed at a few different ones over the week & everyone was quiet & respectful. Great hikes nearby & close to Arroyo Seco for a good market too.
ScoutThe location on Dyrt maps is wrong, forest service is NW of 285 & 64. Beautiful dispersed camping spots plentiful. Park ranger Melissa was the top notch. Couldn’t have been more helpful and friendly. Definitely stay there again.
Discover the beauty of dispersed camping near Arroyo Seco, New Mexico, where nature enthusiasts can enjoy serene landscapes and outdoor adventures. This area offers a variety of spots for those looking to escape into the wilderness.
Frequently Asked Questions
What dispersed camping options are available near Red River, NM?
Near Red River, NM, you'll find several quality dispersed camping options in the Carson National Forest. Carson NF - Forest Service Road 578 - Dispersed Camping is located about 5 miles south of Tres Piedras on the west side of Highway 285, offering numerous flat camping spots. The road is marked with a brown NFS sign and has several dirt road turnoffs. Another option is Forest Road 558, which runs for several miles south of Highway 285, providing wide-open desert camping. Spots closer to the highway are more accessible without 4WD, though higher clearance vehicles are recommended due to road ruts.
Where can I find dispersed camping in Arroyo Seco?
Dispersed camping is available throughout the Arroyo Seco area, primarily along the road leading to the Ski Valley. Arroyo Seco Dispersed NF Camping offers multiple sites along the lower portion of this road. While these spots aren't particularly private, campers report that visitors are typically quiet and respectful. The GPS coordinates will bring you to the bottom of the road to the Ski Valley, with campsites situated along the lower sections. The location provides convenient access to nearby hiking trails and is close to the town of Arroyo Seco for groceries and other amenities.
Is the Arroyo Seco river open for camping?
While camping directly on the Arroyo Seco river isn't specifically designated, there are excellent riverside camping options in the area. Rio Fernando de Taos - Forest Rd 5 offers beautiful sites with creek/river access. This short road features a handful of spots - one side is fairly open with the creek flowing nearby, while the other side offers more forested sites. Another water-adjacent option is Forest Road 5 - Dispersed campsite, though be aware that the ground can be damp following rain. Always check local regulations and practice Leave No Trace principles when camping near waterways.
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