Dispersed tent camping in Carson National Forest provides remote backcountry options across varied terrain ranging from 8,000-13,000 feet elevation. Summer temperatures typically range from 45°F at night to 75°F during the day, with mountain thunderstorms common in July and August. Vehicle accessibility varies significantly between sites, with several campgrounds requiring high-clearance or 4WD vehicles.
What to do
Fishing access points: Cabresto Lake Campground offers clear water fishing with visible lake bottom in most areas. "The marsh on the east end provided plenty of bugs and worms for bait. The lake provided enough trout for a dinner," notes one visitor who camped with teenagers.
Hot springs hikes: Dispersed sites near Taos connect to natural hot springs via walking trails. A camper at Dispersed Camping Near Taos reports, "Made a quick walk down to the springs in the evening and watched the stars come out. Awesome!!"
Steep canyon trails: Multiple campgrounds connect to challenging riverside hikes. According to a visitor at Little Arsenic Springs Campground, "Hiking trails down to the Rip Grande river are close by," with campsites I2 and I3 offering "amazing cliffside" views.
What campers like
River sounds for sleeping: The riverside sites at Arroyo Seco Dispersed NF Camping provide natural white noise. One camper mentions, "Great spot for a day or two right next to a creek so you fall asleep to the sound of it, not wasn't a gentle creek, but lovely all the same."
Accessible wildlife viewing: Forest areas provide opportunities to spot local fauna. A tent camper at Carson NF Forest Service Road 578 reported, "The forest is a nice mix of sage, juniper, and pine trees. I saw two elk across a swath of sage."
Privacy between sites: Many dispersed areas offer sufficient space between campsites. A camper at Carson NF - Forest Service Road 578 found "a nice secluded little forest road. RVs will not make it, so it's nice and quiet... Stayed one night and saw no one else."
What you should know
Snow season limitations: Winter access becomes extremely difficult at higher elevations. A visitor to Lower Hondo Campground warns, "Camp in warm weather or you need to have a snow plow since drifts 3-5 ft deep."
Road conditions: Many forest access roads require appropriate vehicles. One camper at Cabresto Lake notes, "The road up to the lake is pretty rocky so we had to air down our tires so that we don't get back aches after our day 4x4 goose lake trail getaway."
Location confusion: Some campground coordinates can lead to wrong locations. A visitor to Dispersed Camping Near Taos advises, "One thing is that you MUST approach from the west, you can't get here coming from the east over John dun bridge."
Tips for camping with families
Kid-friendly water access: Several sites offer shallow water play areas for children. At Cuchilla Campground, one family reports, "We pulled our 19' RV with solar right up to the river and our dog was in and out of the river all day."
Space for multiple tents: Some areas accommodate larger family groups. A visitor to Cabresto Lake Campground brought "four teenage girls for a weekend of camping and fishing... the challenge was finding enough flat land for three tents."
Road noise considerations: Some campgrounds experience traffic noise that might disturb light sleepers. A camper at Goat Hill Campground notes, "Yes it's close to the road and was loud, but we were happy to get a spot and be buy the BEAUTIFUL rushing river."
Tips from RVers
Length restrictions: Most dispersed sites accommodate only smaller RVs or trailers. At Arroyo Seco Dispersed Camping, visitors found "there aren't many sites and you're pretty close to your neighbors" with limited maneuvering space.
Solar power viability: Open areas provide good solar charging opportunities. At Cuchilla Campground, one RVer describes "about 15 or so dispersed spots along HWY 150, on the river, in the trees" where they "pulled our 19' RV with solar right up to the river."
Leveling challenges: Uneven terrain requires preparation. A camper at La Junta Campground found "plenty of campsites" but noted the need to find level spots among the riverside terrain, mentioning that "quite a few ATVs around" share the area.
