Whether you're a tent camper, an RVer, or just passing through, Aztec, NM has a lot to offer. Aztec is a great camping destination for everyone. There are tons of nearby hikes, adventurous activities, and sights to see. Search nearby campsites and find top-rated spots from other campers.
"Flat, very clean pit toilets, picnic tables with shade and a great trail. 100%!"
"It's a gravel parking lot at a mountain biking trailhead. Pit toilet and single covered picnic table. On a Mesa so decent views and full bars of fast cell signal."
"Covered picknick tables and good pit toilets.
I left my tent up while visiting Chaco. "
"Just arrived at Angel Peak dispersed campground near Bloomfield NM. It's Monday July 9th 2024. We stayed one night. The gravel road from HWY 550 is in good shape."
"This spot is a little tough to find but can be worth it if you need a good free camp for the night. Located off Hwy 160, about 14 miles from Durango you will find BLM land."
"You will see the blm sign. Gravel road, fire pits. We stayed in a camper van at one of the first spots and had 5g internet with AT&T. Can hear highway noise"
"Could do it in a non 4wd non high clearance, but wouldn’t recommend beyond the 4.5 mark."
"Madden Peak dispersed camping is a fantastic option for those seeking a peaceful and scenic camping experience near Mesa Verde National Park, Cortez, and Durango."
"These dispersed campsites were recommended to us and they did not disappoint! Secluded dry camping spots with great views of the monuments."
"This is a good free spot near Mesa Verde, but if it is closed check out the many BLM spots on road 316 off the highway, barely West of Target Tree Campground slightly East of Mancos."
"You can set up shop right on the outskirts of the parking lot on the flat ground or in the nearby canyons or turnoffs on the road to get the the parking lot. "
"This free campground positioned us well to beat the heat and hike through the badlands first thing in the morning!"
"We got to town late and our preferred spots were all taken, so we came here as a backup. The spots are all right off of the road and easy to get to. The views aren’t much, but they’re good spots."
"Big spaces easy access for larger campers very peaceful"
"This is a good free spot near Mesa Verde, but if it is closed check out the many BLM spots on road 316 off the highway, barely West of Target Tree Campground slightly East of Mancos."
"This campsite is right outside of Mesa Verde and is easy to locate. Campsites are located along a dirt road and they are clearly marked."
LegendThis campground is more like a parking lot with extended canyons for camping. You can set up shop right on the outskirts of the parking lot on the flat ground or in the nearby canyons or turnoffs on the road to get the the parking lot.
There is a pit toilet located there that is really well taken care of. There is also a picnic shelter for those super hot days when you are in need of shade.
You can also backpack across the wilderness area as well. You will need to check the weather and supply extra water since there is not much shade and no water sources.
For Hiking: We used Gaia GPS to pinpoint our coordinates to the "cool" spots and ended up getting detoured due to really cool formations all over the place. We were like moths to flames. It is such a cool spot and LOTS to see!
Gear review: Banner and Oak Freedom to Explore hat
Occasionally as a Ranger we get the opportunity to test out some gear from time to time. I got this hat for my partner and he wanted to test it out for a while before we reviewed it so we thought this was the perfect opportunity. You can find the hat here: https://bannerandoak.com/collections/hats/products/horizon-olive
This hat is extremely fashionable and comfortable. The color is a perfect Olive with black writing that says "Freedom To Explore". There is a mesh lining on the inner front of the hat that helps with sweat and heat. It also keeps you from getting a line across your forehead when removing the hat. He wore it all day and didn't take it off once for it being too loose or too tight. Even after a week fo wearing it everyday it didn't get that gross sweat smell that normal hats get.
The back of the hat has a buckle closure instead of snaps so it lays nice on the back of your head and doesn't dig in.
GuideOnly free place near Durango in the winter. We called and asked the BLM & Forest Service. Easy access, lots of space. Bumpy access road and highway noise.
ScoutThere is no overnight parking, and it is on the private property of done very angry people. There is no where to camp, and if you make the drive out there, you will have to do a lot of driving until you can find a spot. Don’t go here!!!!!!!!
TravelerThis free campground positioned us well to beat the heat and hike through the badlands first thing in the morning! Pit toilets available next to the parking lot as well as a pavilion area with tables.
A handful of dispersed sites were available once in the BLM boundaries as well as plenty of space in the trailhead parking lot to spend the night.
The hike to the various features of the badlands are not marked, however good GPS signal allowed us to plug in coordinates to follow during the hike. Land forms looked like they should be from a different planet!
LegendThis spot is a little tough to find but can be worth it if you need a good free camp for the night. Located off Hwy 160, about 14 miles from Durango you will find BLM land. After crossing a cattle guard and a building you will then enter into BLM land and can camp wherever you need. There are about 10 spots already created with rock fire pits but that is about it here. It is very dispersed and there are no facilities.
We stayed out here during the off season and had no problem getting a spot but during the high season it can get pretty busy here. The views are just OK, you are treated to an over view of the plains. You may also have some visitors in the night, Cattle. We had many of them around us all night and we even heard a pack of coyotes in the distance.
Overall good spot not far from town. Free really helps.
GuideI loved my stay here--absolutely incredible views, not too crowded. Covered picknick tables and good pit toilets.
I left my tent up while visiting Chaco. Some wild weather came through and when I got back my tent had nearly gone over the canyon rim despite being staked down and weighted with my sleeping bag and pad. I'd strongly recommend tying at least one tent line to the shade structure around the picknick table in times of iffy weather.
GuideWe had the goal of exploring New Mexico back country and Bisti, which we did! The Dyrt directions to the trailhead here are perfect. There were a few folks camping at the parking lot and there is a relatively clean pit toilet there though bring TP. We drove past the lot and got over a ditch no problem with our Tacoma. Past the second lot there is dispersed camping. We picked a great spot on the left. Nearby our spot 100 yards were very cool rock formations. We hiked in the badlands and found some neat formations and petrified wood though nothing like the beautiful photos published online. It was still worth it for the unique experience. We did a 6 mile out/back hike with 2 dogs. Flat but hot and windy at times. Some of the wind got intense at our camp spot. All in all this is a worthwhile experience if you like getting off the beaten path and exploring something different. We drove from here to Alien Throne. GPS was spotty but got us there and we had on/off service in Bisti.
ScoutGoing east from Durango, you make a right turn on silver hills road. You will see the blm sign. Gravel road, fire pits. We stayed in a camper van at one of the first spots and had 5g internet with AT&T. Can hear highway noise
TravelerThese dispersed campsites were recommended to us and they did not disappoint! Secluded dry camping spots with great views of the monuments.
Discover the beauty of dispersed camping near Aztec, New Mexico, where you can immerse yourself in nature without the constraints of traditional campgrounds. This area offers stunning landscapes and a variety of outdoor activities for adventurers.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are there free dispersed camping options near Aztec, New Mexico?
Yes, there are several free dispersed camping options near Aztec. Bisti / De-Na-Zin Wilderness Area offers free camping with pit toilets and a pavilion area with tables. You can set up either near the parking lot or in nearby canyons. Another excellent option is Angel Peak NM Badlands, which features incredible views, covered picnic tables, and pit toilets. Both locations provide good access to natural attractions and hiking trails. For locations closer to town, check BLM land boundaries where numerous free dispersed sites can be found.
What regulations apply to dispersed camping in Aztec area?
Dispersed camping in the Aztec area follows standard BLM and Forest Service regulations. At Ah-Shi-Sle-Pah Trailhead Parking Lot, camping is permitted but requires 4WD access during wet weather. At Mesa Verde National Park Boundary BLM Land, you must camp only in designated dispersed areas. Common regulations include a 14-day stay limit, no camping within 200 feet of water sources, pack-in/pack-out trash policies, and use of existing fire rings where permitted. Always verify current fire restrictions before your trip, as they change seasonally. Contact the Farmington BLM Field Office for specific area rules and seasonal closures.
Which is the most popular dispersed campsite near Aztec, NM?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dispersed campground near Aztec, NM is Alien Run Trailhead Basecamp with a 4.6-star rating from 5 reviews.
What is the best site to find dispersed camping near Aztec, NM?
TheDyrt.com has all 32 dispersed camping locations near Aztec, NM, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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