Looking for the best dispersed camping near Artesia? The Dyrt can help you find the best dispersed campsites for your next trip. 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.
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.
Guide
I stayed here for a few nights in march. I have a high clearance truck that allowed me to get up a bit higher. The view is nice, you can see the lights from the oilfield. Walmart is about 20 min, but at 70mpg the entire time.
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,
TravelerWent on cavern tour which is highly recommended. Set up camp around 1600. Tent camping is interesting when you have 20 mph winds with gusts. Great location. A little road noise from highway. Almost no one else around. Would be ideal in overlander trailer or camper. Road past first parking area a little rough but 4WD made it seem easy. Some parts might not be optimal for low clearance vehicle.
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.
Traveler
4 miles from Carlsbad Caverns NP. Not traffic. No noise. We had area to our self. Level Dirt/gravel area. Bring water and toilet. Would stay here again.
GuideOnly stayed here for a night. Super easy to find. I took the first spot available and made camp. I awoke to cows near my tent. Unphased by me doing their on thing. There were plenty other spots available that were higher up that gave beautiful views
Traveler
I 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.
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
Guide
Sweet 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.
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.
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!!
Ranger
The caves were so epic! It feels like you’re in space!
GuideFirst 3 spots are easily accessible. Last 4 spots require a little more patience and finesse to access and probably wouldnt be great for low clearance vehicles. We camped at spot 6, which gave great views. Spot 7 is semi adjacent to oil equipment, so not an optimal view. Fire pits at all locations, but bring your own wood. There is none to scavenge.
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.
TravelerThe 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.
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.
GuidePulled in around 5:30 and picked a spot closer to the road, loved the view. Had a little wind and rain but nothing major. Would definitely come back again!
TravelerPeople messing with each other just a bad experience
TravelerIf you have high clearance (4wd not needed but high clearance is) the sites farther in are amazing! The first three sites were fine but nothing really special. But sites 5-7 were all super cool, quiet, private, and well set up
TravelerWe 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.
ScoutGot here late afternoon. No thrills except the scenery. But that’s why we go camping
TravelerOnly 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
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!
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!
LegendGreat spot right off the highway. Only 25 minutes from Carlsbad NM, and 20 minutes from the NP.
The road is a bit rough and may need a higher clearance the further you drive in. There are about 1-2 large spots right near the entrance if you don't want to jostle your way further up. If you go back far enough the hill blocks the highway. Sites are spaced well. Most of the sites are fairly level, may need to move some rocks if tent camping. Only noise throughout the night was the occasional car from the highway and some cows.
No services, so pack in pack out. Verizon service was good.
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)!
Camping near Artesia, New Mexico, offers a mix of beautiful landscapes and unique experiences. Whether you're looking for a peaceful getaway or an adventure-filled trip, there are several campgrounds to choose from.
Camping near Artesia, New Mexico, has something for everyone, from families to solo adventurers. With a little planning, you can enjoy the great outdoors and make lasting memories.
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 Avalon Lake Dispersed with a 4-star rating from 1 review.
What is the best site to find dispersed camping near Artesia, NM?
TheDyrt.com has all 7 dispersed camping locations near Artesia, NM, with real photos and reviews from campers.
