Looking for the best dispersed camping near Carlsbad? Dispersed camping gets you off the grid so you can disconnect from the hecticness of everyday life. Find the perfect dispersed campsite for your next adventure.
Chosa Campground consists of a 3.5-acre, pipe-rail fenced pad that offers a trash container and a safe parking space for your Recreational Vehicle plus a protected area to set tents, whatever your camping style. Chosa campground provides visitors a fee free location strategically located between two national parks with Carlsbad Caverns a short 11-mile drive north and Guadalupe Mountains National Park 27 miles south on highway 62.
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.
A Wilderness Use Permit is required for all use of these campsites. An interesting hike along the Permian Reef Trail meanders up 2,000 feet to Wilderness Ridge where the sudden transition from rock to trees is refreshing. Once on top, the trail is level through forested and open areas and takes you to the edge of the escarpment where the view is outstanding. Wilderness Ridge Campground is in the trees, and worth the extra distance to save the resource from unnecessary damage.
$6 - $48 / night
Ranger
I drove up to the area and a long the path they have put a row of rocks and gravel about a foot foot and a half tall to keep people from driving through so you can't access the dirt path to get to the area anymore. Also there was some clearing about two miles before that closer to the highway that had a sign that said area closed road closed no camping no soliciting
Traveler
Large 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.
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.
Traveler
This 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.
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
Two 40 ft toy haulers fit great place
ScoutJust 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.
GuideThe proximity to both Guadalupe Mountains NP and Carlsbad Caverns NP are unbeatable and the sunsets over the mountains are truly phenomenal. I even got a kick out of the cows.
Spacious with fire rings, and a thousand times better than Sunset Reef (they were packed in like sardines with zero privacy) but beware of the winds! I was caught in a two day dust storm with 70mph winds and it was admittedly miserable, as was the amount of dirt inside my van.
Overall I would recommend staying here, but don’t rely too heavily on the weather forecast—it drastically changed every hour I was there over 4 days. Cell service was also phenomenal for working remotely.
Traveler4 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.
TravelerReally nice place to stop. Impeccable cell service, lots of space with any neighbors far away, and location 20 minutes away from Carlsbad Caverns can't be beat. No sun or wind protection though!
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
RangerComing from Carlsbad the GPS may have you get off at Chosa Campground and there’s a dirt road connecting that to this site, but recommend you turn around to get back on the highway going north and then exit at this marker. Even camped right off the highway the noise didn’t bother us, but a few people continued down the roads going further away. Windy and hot until the sun went down!
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.
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.
TravelerLike others have said. Easy to find and access road is doable for almost any rig. Sunrise and sunsets are amazing. Cows can be persistent and if you have a dog be careful it doesn’t get trampled. Loved the spot and would definitely return
TravelerLots of room! Nobody around. Right off the main HWY.. kind of a hidden gem! Not so bad if you don't mind cows or cow poop! Lol! Nice little spot.. easy for my truck and trailer to get in here! Plus room for others!
GuideThis is a good place for dry camping. Right off the road. GPS takes you straight there. 6 or 7 miles from Carlsbad Caverns. Not far from Carlsbad, NM. Very few people came through. I went past the first two sites on down a short distance to a great spot on the left. There was a rock fire ring there. Another big spot on down a little on the right. Great view of the mountains. No services, but not far from Carlsbad. Cell service is full 5G!
Can't beat it for free campsite.
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.
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.
Guide
It’s just a huge free dirt lot to camp in. Very close to Carlsbad caverns and Guadalupe National parks.
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!
GuideOur first NM BLM camp was here. Literally 6 miles north of the Texas border. We got there at 5pm in 90 degree weather. Luckily we had a swamp cooler to keep us cool. I highly recommend if you camp in Summer months to get there closer to sunset. It cools down quickly when the sun is down, and gets as cold at night as it gets hot in the day. We left around noon before it got too hot.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular dispersed campsite near Carlsbad, NM?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dispersed campground near Carlsbad, NM is Chosa Campground with a 4.4-star rating from 50 reviews.
What is the best site to find dispersed camping near Carlsbad, NM?
TheDyrt.com has all 9 dispersed camping locations near Carlsbad, NM, with real photos and reviews from campers.
