Dispersed camping near Bent, New Mexico provides access to the Lincoln National Forest with elevations ranging from 7,500 to 8,500 feet. Winter temperatures frequently drop below freezing with snow accumulation common from November through March. The Sacramento Mountains create a stark temperature difference from the desert basin below, often 15-20 degrees cooler even during summer months.
What to do
Wildlife viewing opportunities: The forested areas provide habitat for numerous wildlife species, particularly at dawn and dusk. At Forest Road 568 - Dispersed Camping, one camper reported "We saw more elk than we could count! Just glowing eyes everywhere and all in the road." Another camper at Bluff Springs Dispersed Camping mentioned their camp was a "free range area so cows are all over the place which was fun to see."
Hiking access: Multiple forest service roads connect to hiking trails throughout the area. A visitor to Bluff Springs noted "There are longer hikes too" beyond the short 1-mile loop trail. Forest Road 568 campers appreciate that there are "trails that lead to town, road biking distance to town" making it easy to connect with various recreation opportunities.
Waterfall exploration: Several camping areas provide access to small waterfalls and streams, particularly during spring snowmelt. One camper at Bluff Springs mentioned "the spring waterfall was great" while another noted "a creek for kiddos to play in." After rainfall, many seasonal streams activate throughout the forest area.
What campers like
Mountain climate relief: The high elevation provides significant cooling during hot months. As one Forest Rd 568 Dispersed camper noted, "This place was an unexpected blessing in our NM trip. You can't deny the stark temp difference coming from Roswell to LNF." Many campers specifically seek these areas during summer when lower elevations exceed 100°F.
Night sky viewing: The distance from major cities creates excellent stargazing conditions. A Dog Canyon visitor mentioned "starry skies" while another at Forest Road 568 reported "the stars were very clear and beautiful." Light pollution is minimal in most dispersed areas.
Solitude options: Despite weekend popularity, many sites offer privacy when you know where to look. One camper at Forest Road 568 explained "if you go further you can find some privacy" while another at Dog Canyon reported "Stayed for 3 days and only saw a few cars pass by that whole time. Felt very private and had plenty of space."
What you should know
Road conditions vary significantly: Many forest roads become challenging after rain or snow. At Bailey Canyon, one visitor noted "The road up was a little muddy but over all smoother and easy." However, other areas require more caution as a Forest Road 568 camper warned "The road is rocky and narrow, but we were able to make it in a 2 wheel drive vehicle with pretty low clearance."
Fire restrictions change seasonally: Always check current fire regulations before camping. During high fire danger periods, restrictions can be severe. A visitor to Forest Road 634 mentioned "Loads of fire rings" in the area, but this doesn't guarantee fires are currently allowed.
Wildlife encounters require preparation: Elk, deer, and occasionally bears frequent the area. One camper at Forest Road 568 reported "Elk everywhere!" while another mentioned "daily short rains, wild mustangs walking right through our site." Proper food storage is essential during all seasons.
Tips for camping with families
Stream access for children: Several sites offer safe water play opportunities during warmer months. A Bluff Springs visitor mentioned "a creek for kiddos to play in" providing natural entertainment. Another camper noted the area was "a good family get away" with specific spots next to small creeks.
Educational opportunities: The forest environment offers hands-on learning experiences. At Alamo Peak Rd, a visitor noted "Elk, hummingbirds, all tucked away in aspen grove. This is a special spot" for nature observation. Forest roads often have interpretive signs about local ecology.
Easy supply access: The proximity to Cloudcroft allows quick trips for forgotten items. One Forest Road 568 camper mentioned it's "About 5 min drive to main road and 8 minutes to cloudcroft" making family logistics simpler. Another noted "Cloudcroft is the closest town, small and cute to visit."
Tips from RVers
Size limitations: Most dispersed sites accommodate smaller RVs only. A Dry Canyon Near Hang Glider Launch visitor cautioned "the trail up to the camping spots is steep, washed out, and tight. Can be navigated with a stock 4x4 pick up." Forest Road 568 campers warned "larger than vehicle should stay at beginning of road" and "Was gated and locked about 1.5 miles in no room to turn a rig around there."
Leveling challenges: The mountainous terrain creates mostly uneven sites. One RVer at Forest Road 568 mentioned "The good: beautiful tree coverage... The bad: rocky unlevel sites" requiring stabilizers and leveling blocks. Another reported "We have a 30 foot motor home and were so glad to find a dispersed spot in the mountains we could fit!"
Turn-around planning: Some roads dead-end without adequate turning space for larger vehicles. One visitor cautioned "We went to the end of the road to find out that there was no way to turn our 29 ft trailer. We had to go in reverse about 1/4 mile to find a place to turn around."
