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Room for Tent/RV - bathrooms are close by
Many people enjoy the solitude and primitive experience of camping away from developed campgrounds and other campers. Dispersed camping is camping anywhere in the National Forest OUTSIDE of a designated campground. It means no services; such as trash removal, and little or no facilities; such as tables, fire pits and toilets are provided.
There are extra responsibilities and skills that are necessary for dispersed camping. It is your responsibility to know these before you try this new experience. Camping rules and regulations apply to make your experience safe, and to keep the natural resources scenic and unspoiled for other campers.
**This road runs into Taos Pueblo land, please respect this and do not trespass on their land. **
The road is closed in the winter and is popular for cross country skiing and snowshoeing.
Summer and fall the road is open to hiking, mountain biking and horseback riding, but is also open to vehicles. Expect to see motorized traffic. When it is closed for the winter it is a quiet place to cross-country ski or snowshoe.
With two outstanding Wild and Scenic Rivers and three developed recreation areas, the BLM’s Taos Field Office is a great place to experience a whitewater rafting challenge; enjoy a breathtaking view of a river gorge; hike miles of developed trails; camp under the stars; view wildlife; or visit important prehistoric, historic, or active cultural sites. Come and explore over 594,000 acres of your public lands. The Field Office also administers over 4 million acres of Federal mineral estate.
Guide
There are so many campsites to choose from, all along the Hondo Rio. It's peaceful and quiet. We brought our four dogs and 13 year old. There's so much to do to keep them busy. The dogs love the river and to run through it. No one really bothers anyone. There are toilets at some of the sites. Very clean. We had storms while camping. At least six rock/mud slides on the road. I don't know who, but someone managed to clean it all up in record time. We've had a great time, even with the rain and hail. We will definitely come back.
Guide
Even with a couple and a new born up the hill I never heard them from our campervan! Serene surroundings and even and beautiful place to camp during a thunderstorm!
Traveler
I pull a small trailer and the road in was rough. I was concerned about being able to turn around. When I got to the spot where there are six or eight camping spots, finding one suitable for a trailer was difficult, but I did it. This is more suitable to car camping.
There is an open area that would be good for group camping. There are three or more RVs that appear to be permanent features. That was strange. Looked like fishing camps. I didn't want to drive the steep road down to this area.
Personally, I wish I had stopped a the forest service campsites up hill from this location, but if you are in a car and want to tent camp here, I don't see a problem,
Traveler
Great site with shade and sun, water from creek, could possibly hold 3 med. Sized rv's. About 10 miles south of taos nm. And about 1 mile off pavement
TravelerAs a dead end (there is the Taos ski resort up further, the best spots are before the ski resort) there wasn’t much traffic. One of the cleanest campsites off a road I’ve been to! Plenty of brush if you want to start a fire. There is no Verizon service.
TravelerI work seasonal(may-oct) jobs and found out about this site from freecampsites.net, i stayed here with a frequency (abiding to the rules but frequently). There are 4 places to park on the lower section and 3 on the upper section, most spots can fit multiple cars. A little stream is near by-- a little shallow and a little mucky on the bottom, but really refreshing. The stars are incredible, also some beautiful views of the mountains from the lower section. The road in is a bit sketchy at times, but as long as you are mindful of potholes you should be good-- my minivan made it with ease.
There are some family reunions which took place while i visited and they dont really follow the rules which sucks. One family had their stuff on the land for over a month i noticed, they had fires when not permitted, trash scattered, and they had atvs which would tear up the place a bit... other than that though this place is amazing and close enough to town if youre a seasonal worker and need a good home base. AT&T service was crap, i think one time i got 1 bar of service for a second but i bumped my phone and lost it.
Last thing i will say is be cognizant of fires and flooding, both can happen here! Happy camping folks :)
Scout
One thing is that you MUST approach from the west, you can’t get here coming from the east over John dun bridge. Dirt road but we did it with no problem with our 24ft trailer. Make sure you go all the way to the coordinates as there are a ton of great spots off to the left of the road, plenty of room to spread out and some solidly flat spots. Made a quick walk down to the springs in the evening and watched the stars come out. Awesome!!
Guide
Got there late so we just pulled into the first site we saw. Woke up to a little creek behind us. More people were camping on down the road. And had a few people show up in the morning to go on a walk.
TravelerRight off the road, literally. it hidden behind some trees so the barrier between the site and road makes for a little privacy. 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. trees to put up a hammock. Fire pits but they were off limits do to fire season . Would definitely recommend .
ScoutLed me to dirt, private road after 3 attempts! I don’t give up easily but 3 xxx you’re out! Bad gps guidance here and also another site as well! Will not continue with app, trial/pro or otherwise!
Guide
Highway 64 between Taos and Angel Fire > Turn onto Forest Rd 5 and go to end
Solid road, no issue with 25ft travel trailer.
There's a gravel cul-de-sac with a couple obvious places to camp. Also a couple two tracks roads continuing into the woods, but those weren't passable due to mud.
There's a few small ponds which appear to be the beginning of the Rio Fernando. I think there's some restoration work going on if I'm not mistaken.
I tried parking so that I was looking out at the clearing, but this made levelling my trailer pretty difficult. Probably would be easier to just keep in on the gravel.
I somehow had 5g reception here on Verizon, and Starlink also worked well.
RangerAs you can see in the pictures, camping is not allowed here. The icon of the tent with a red line going through it indicates that they would prefer if you do not camp in this place. The other signage indicates that this area is for launching your white water rafting craft if you have the necessary equipment and skills. This entry in the database was not vetted very carefully.
TravelerThis is a gorgeous campsite just north of Red River. While the drive up is laborious and on a rickety road, there were a dozen large RV’s waiting at the site which had no trouble getting in.
The site is stunning—verdant mountains, a babbling brook, unobstructed views of a lush valley. The trees are fantastic, and there are at least two excellent hiking trails.
Downside: when I camp, I want some degree of privacy and silence. This place feels like a tailgating party. At no point did I not hear a generator. Friendly people, but no different than a state park, save for fees and amenities.
TravelerAll camping spots here are right off the roads where you can find one or two spots that are less close. Arroyo Seco is the town close to the camping, but you keep going straight from the coordinates to get to Cuchillo de Medio and Cuchillo. It’s not truly “dispersed” camping because there aren’t many sites and your pretty close to your neighbors. Cuchillo Del Medio does have some fire pits, picnic tables, and a bathroom. You do get to camp right on a clear river that is beautiful!
RangerA good dispersed campground with a few spots. Don’t drive to the John dun bridge from Taos use the longer route instead. The switch back road is blocked off now. If you make it up to the campsite it’s only a mile walk to the hot springs down below where the bridge is. You can go fishing over there as well as rock climbing.
Guide
There are at least four established campground in the del Norte Wild Rivers Recreation area with La Junta being a walk-in and the others camping areas having the capability of parking really close to covered tables. Area is on the edge of the gorge overlooking the Rio Grande 800’ below or the Red River gorge about the same depth. Awesome views, adequate spacing between sites, visitor center, remote area, dark skies, private, arid area with small trees for shade. Hiking, rafting, horseback riding nearby.
ScoutI car-camped here just before Labor Day weekend and while it wasn’t the most private camping area, I was able to snag a spot along the river and had a nice time.
LegendRio Grande del Norte National Monument is BLM land so it is all dispersed camping. You will need to make sure you aren't on someone's property or nearby any roads. There are plenty of turn offs.
This isn't a "get away" more like a stopover spot. I stopped here on my way back North to Colorado to see the bridge over the Rio Grande and so I wasn't so high up in elevation that I would freeze.
But if you can find a quiet place it is a beautiful dispersed spot where there is civilization nearby and toilets at local businesses and picnic areas that you can use. See map on review.
Be careful roaming at night. The drop into the river is quite deep so offroading isn't just ill advised for keeping the flora and fauna safe…but you as well.
There are picnic ares around the monument too, just not established camping spots.
GuideNo amenities except some great river side places.
Dispersed camping along the road (though it’s not a busy one, especially not at night so not noisy) right on the river.
First coms first served with mostly tenting spaces.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular dispersed campsite near Cimarron, NM?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dispersed campground near Cimarron, NM is Ponderosa Campground — Cimarron Canyon State Park with a 4.5-star rating from 4 reviews.
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TheDyrt.com has all 17 dispersed camping locations near Cimarron, NM, with real photos and reviews from campers.
