If you're looking for a place to dispersed camp near Artesia, look no further. Here you'll find a diverse selection of places to camp, including remote dispersed camping to boondocking, and everything in-between. Search dispersed campsites you've visited before, or discover new spots and read camper reviews.
Dispersed camp sites are located along most secondary roads and may not be marked. Popular locations can be recognized by the telltale flat disturbed area that has been used as a camp site before. Not all flat spots are sites. If possible, please use existing sites to avoid creating new disturbances. To further protect your public lands, campers must not dispose of any refuse, hazardous materials, sewage, or in any manner pollute the surrounding area.
Traveler
We tried this location. It looked like it could be just what we wanted. However, we followed the GPS coordinates here on Dyrt.com and though the road was smoother than the one across the street, it took us way out on a small dirt road that led to a cow field (with very aggressive cows) and eventually a dead end. It was a bit tricky getting turned around. We never did see places off to the side of the road to boondock.
Just as we left the freeway, right by the grates there is a dirt lot off to the left but it was too close to the freeway and others for us. If you decide to try this spot, just don't follow the GPS coordinates.
We ended up staying 4 nights at Mile 10 - Dispersed Camping, and we really liked it.
Traveler
We found a little gravel track off the road and parked for the night. Some cows roaming nearby. Served as a good free camp out for us to check out Carlsbad caverns the next day.
Traveler
Multiple pull offs along the paved road to sitting Bull Falls. The road follows a winding canyon up to a natural spring and waterfalls. There's a picnic area at the falls and trailhead to loads of hiking into Lincoln National Forest. No facilities at the campsites but there is water, trash, and bathrooms at the end of the road at the bottom of the falls. Well with the visit!!
GuideGood place to boondock! You get the low hum of the oilfield. Road can be kinda rough but we did it in a Camry. We were the only ones. May get a visit from some cows.
TravelerThis was a great camping spot off the beaten path. I would make sure to have high clearance and even 4 wheel drive for the steep rocky drive up if you plan to go past the main camp area. I was worried it would be busy this time of year, but we were the only ones there. We drove up the road a way past the camp site. Beautiful views. It did get very windy at night. Very quiet and far off from traffic noise.
Traveler
Only 5 minutes from Carlsbad caverns, this dispersed OHV trail is accessible to anyone with a vehicle that can make it over potholes and speed bumps. Gorgeous views of southern New Mexico and the chihuahuan desert are worth it when you wake up
GuideI went further up the trail past the lot and there are a few spots up there as well. Nice view of the city and zero noise. Trail up to the top is a rough one though. High clearance needed and offroad tires recommended if going past the lot camp spot. Great off the beaten path spot.
Guide
It's a decent pull off from a random dirt road in New Mexico. You have to drop off into a slight ditch to get to the spot, about 3-4 inches I'd say. We were fine in a truck camper but it's something to consider. There was a decent amount of local trees traffic on the road, but we were far enough away from the highway that we couldn't hear much of any road noise. Literally just a patch of somewhat level gravel
LegendOnly 20 minutes from Carlsbad Caverns NP! This is area is about 2.5 miles off the highway. Only about .7 miles on a pretty level gravel road with some small ruts here and there.
There aren't sites per say when you get to where the GPS takes you. It's a long stretch of gravel road with some areas to pull off. I didn't see any fire rings, but it was a good spot to pull off for the night that is a couple miles from highway noise. Would be easy for any large camper to make its way here. (There is another dispersed site directly across the highway from this spot that has fire rings and a bit better of a view, but the road is rougher)
Dispersed area, so pack in pack out. Verizon service was good!
GuideGood dispersed spot with no amenities. Just drive through the open fence and pick a spot. Very quiet and wide open in March. Area is wide open with typical desert bushes, nothing other than twigs to collect for fire wood. Road up is kind of rough and likely requires some 4x4 depending on how far you take it.
GuideIt is a 2 mile drive on gravel to get to this place… however if QUIET is what you are looking for, it is WELL worth the drive! We drove our 2003 Itasca (34’ long) motorhome here, and found a PERFECT flat spoke on the first left “road” after crossing the cattle guards into this dispersed land!
We see cars and trucks on the road FAR away… but HEAR NONE of them!
Wonderfully quiet! Beautiful sunrises… views… and sunsets! What a blessing! Praise Yahweh (God)!
LegendOnly 30 minutes from Carlsbad Caverns NP and about 20 minutes from Carlsbad NM! This is a great spot off the highway with basically no noise from cars.
The area is a level gravel lot with some brush and scubs scattered about. Seems like a place that isn't well known. I'd recommend high clearance to get up to the main area. There are other sites as you follow the road up the hill, but the road gets more rocky the further you go up. One fire ring in the main area and some fire rings in other sites. If you want a site that you can't see the highway from, this is the spot.
Dispersed area, pack in pack out. Verizon service was good!
TravelerJust arrived at this spot and I’ll tell ya, it’s secluded and beautiful!
I saw about 5 spots in the first half mile of the trip. If you’re a bold 2wd kind person, this may work for you. If you can make it to the top, stay left the entire route and there are some primo spots. My dog and I came in around 440 and it was quiet and BEAUTIFUL. We decided to stay a couple days.
The road was rough and full of good sized rocks in the road. I have a 2 inch lift on my little tacoma and we conquered this trail in no time. I have full service and can barely hear the road just a few miles away.
Traveler
The road is much less worn than we're used to. Not too many campsites but could easily park a camper. Roswell, with many supply chains within 20 minutes including big R, Tractor supply, Walmart and various sporting goods stores. Not a bad spot to crash heading to the next one. Alamo road does wind on a quite a bit further than we traveled down it, so there may be even better options.
ScoutOpen land, elevated, great scenic view over the landscape. There are 10+ sites along the road, all private with firepits. Was windy for us during May and yes road is rough in some areas. But for everything else you get for free you can't beat it
GuideReally easy to find, just pull off from the national parks highway and you'll find a big clearing at the base of the hill. More campsites up the hill but it's pretty rocky and a little steep, go slow and 4wd. It was extremely windy, which was refreshing, but there was a fire watch. I didn't build a fire but there were pits for them. Overall great location for a night in the desert, must visit Carlsbad Caverns 20 minutes away it's mindblowing.
Guide
Cool spot, but beware of NAILS! Other than that, some night you might get some loud locals riding OHV on the other side of the lake.
Scout
Just got here, nice level spot! Hot but good breeze so in my Casita or any type of shade is ok! Road off main road is gravel and washboarded so go slow! High clearance is not needed,
TravelerLarge open area with washed out hills. Access was easy but the road back does have issues because of gully wash. It was lightly raining when I arrived and I did a bit of a walkabout before it got dark. Many flat spots to choose from. Ground is a white flaky soil. But saw no problems with sinking into it. Might be a different story if there is a hard rain.
GuideThis place is a lot of fun. So many trails. But be careful, when it gets dark it’s almost purple.
ScoutDoes tho job for an overnight stay and no one to disturb you. Literally a spot in the dessert. 4 wheel drive recommended
RangerI only spent one night here while on a road trip to Carlsbad Caverns National Park. If you are looking for amenities, shade, or pavement, this isn't the place for you. It's just a few open areas large enough for an RV to park. Some call it bookdocking. If you just need a place to sleep one night, this could be a good spot. As I recall, it was about 40 minutes from the caverns.
GuideSweet spot. I have a high clearance truck that allowed me to continue past the lot, and up up up the mountain. If you get up to the top and keep following it, you will end up in an amazing place.
GuideI spent 1 night there and had the place to myself. Great location when checking out Carlsbad Caverns. Close to the road.
TravelerI spent 2 nights here and while the sunsets are something to write home about, I clearly stayed in a place where locals use it as target practice. Shelf casings and garbage abound. I don't carry big trash bags with me but I picked up what I could. I would not discourage people from staying here. If I ever come back to the area, I will probably stay here again....I will just bring a bunch of trash bags with me.
Ranger
I stayed here for the second week of November. It rained a day or two before I got here and the mosquitoes were still a little bad but the weather was great up until my moving Day when I was leaving today November 18th. As long as it doesn't rain hard the ground should be good but if it rains really hard it gets really muddy. The cell phone signal is amazing for T-Mobile it's very quiet at night your neighbors are a couple football fields away if you have any at all. There is a target shooting range on DOD land about 2 mi away so during the day you do hear gunshots from time to time. Everyone shooting there is shooting North so stay south of the zig zag road sign.
ScoutGot here late afternoon. No thrills except the scenery. But that’s why we go camping
Discover the beauty of dispersed camping near Artesia, 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.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular dispersed campsite near Artesia, NM?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dispersed campground near Artesia, NM is Carlsbad BLM Land Dispersed with a 4.6-star rating from 18 reviews.
What is the best site to find dispersed camping near Artesia, NM?
TheDyrt.com has all 9 dispersed camping locations near Artesia, NM, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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