Best Tent Camping near Cedar Crest, NM
The Cibola National Forest surrounding Cedar Crest, New Mexico offers several primitive tent camping options with varying levels of accessibility. Dispersed Camping off FS 542 provides free tent sites with established fire rings and is located within the forest boundaries. Manzanita Recreation Zone also offers dispersed camping opportunities on the Sandia District with drive-in and walk-in tent sites. These areas provide alternatives to established campgrounds and allow tent campers to experience more secluded settings.
Road conditions to these dispersed tent camping areas can present challenges for some vehicles. Forest Service Road 542 features dirt surfaces with significant ruts, potholes, and rough sections that may require high-clearance vehicles in some areas. Basic passenger cars can access some sites, but drivers should proceed with caution, especially after rainfall when conditions worsen. Most tent sites include established fire rings but lack amenities such as toilets, potable water, or trash collection. A visitor commented, "The sites are well kept and there are tons of space, but the road is a little washed out once you get to the end of the paved road."
Tent campers in Cedar Crest area campgrounds experience good cell phone reception due to nearby towers, making these sites suitable for those wanting to stay connected. The sites offer varying levels of privacy depending on their location, with many providing adequate tree cover for shade and site separation. Areas with designated sites typically feature flat tent pads accommodating small to medium tents. Elevation in these camping areas ranges around 7,500 feet, which can mean cooler temperatures at night even during summer months. A camper wrote, "It was very cold at night, so bring layers and appropriate bedding." Wildlife sightings are common, with campers reporting encounters with coyotes, snakes, and various small mammals, requiring proper food storage and awareness.
