Searching for the perfect place to dispersed camp near Carlsbad? Dispersed camping is an excellent way to get away from it all and to disconnect. Each dispersed site offers quick access to one or more of Carlsbad's most popular destinations.
Accessibility is not guaranteed, always scout ahead before driving down dirt roads. Learn more: https://www.campendium.com/camping/boondocking-101/
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
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
Two 40 ft toy haulers fit great place
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.
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!
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.
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.
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
ScoutAbout 7 miles away from Carlsbad Caverns. A half dozen spots right at the entrance. It was empty so we stayed near the front with a small rock fire pit. There are other spots deeper in the field but we didn’t go that far in. Easy to find entrance, easy to find a spot, easy to get to Carlsbad Caverns or Guadalupe Mountains NP. Great for a quick overnight spot.
GuideRight off of the highway, the coordinates took us right to it! The trail is bumpy but not horrible. We’re driving a 34 footer! 10 minute drive to the caverns, and pretty quiet (even considering being on the highway) not too many people have come down here. We’ve stayed 4 days with pretty little traffic!
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.
TravelerQuiet place away from others, which we like. We followed the GPS coordinates and found a spot away from the freeway. It had a firepit and we weren't super close to our neighbors. We could see them, but they were a ways off. Sunrises were beautiful and the weather in April pleasant. Occasional wind gusts, but not too bad. We stayed for 4 nights.
10 minutes from the entrance to Carlsbad Caverns National Park. Once you enter, you have a 15 minute drive to get to the Visitor's Center. And, this spot is only 25 minutes from Carlsbad, with Walmart, restaurants and gas stations.
First we tried Carlsbad BLM Land Dispersed, but didn't want to stay in the lot right off the freeway. And we walked the road going further up and it was too rutted for our 36 ft travel trailer. We could have done it but wanted something not so hard on our camper.
Next we tried Carlsbad Caverns Dispersed. We followed the coordinates here on Dyrt.com and it took us way out into 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 the side of the road to boondock. Right after the grates there is a dirt lot off to the left but was too close to freeway and others for us. If you do that one, just don't follow the GPS coordinates.
We needed to refill our water and use a dump station, so I called around. White City RV charges $15 for dump and refill (too much), and we found an Ice House America at the White City gas station the had water refills for $.25 a gallon (good for our drinking water bottles, but not good for filling our RV). Finally we called Greasewood RV. Neil, the owner, was super nice. He told us we could just pull up to any open spot at his park and fill our water tanks, dump our black tank and use the big trash bin. He also said he had spaces for us to stay if we wanted to. He offered $20 a night instead of his usual $30 a night which I thought was super nice of him. If we had known that, we may have stayed their instead since we calculated that it costs us $18-$20 a night to boondock. We like having electricity when possible because we have a full size fridge to keep cold.
Anyway, we really enjoyed this spot. Our kids even found a sinkhole with what looked like a small cave near our campsite.
Camping near Carlsbad, New Mexico, offers a mix of stunning landscapes and unique experiences. Whether you're looking for a free spot or a more established campground, there's something for everyone in this area.
Camping around Carlsbad, NM, offers a variety of experiences, from free dispersed sites to established campgrounds with amenities. Whether you're a family looking for fun or an RVer seeking adventure, there's a spot for you!
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 Mile 10 - Dispersed Camping with a 4.3-star rating from 30 reviews.
What is the best site to find dispersed camping near Carlsbad, NM?
TheDyrt.com has all 6 dispersed camping locations near Carlsbad, NM, with real photos and reviews from campers.
