Dispersed camping around Deming, New Mexico offers extensive public lands for primitive overnight stays within the Chihuahuan Desert. The terrain features volcanic mountains, desert scrubland, and seasonal water tanks across Bureau of Land Management properties. Winter temperatures typically range from 30°F nights to 60°F days, while summer brings 100°F+ heat and minimal shade protection across most camping locations.
What to do
Night sky observation: Bureau of Land Management areas provide exceptional darkness for astronomy. At Gap Tank dispersed camping, a camper noted, "The sky was dark at night and we couldn't see any electric lights. Kind of cool so close yet so far from El Paso."
Wildlife watching: Early mornings and evenings bring desert wildlife including jackrabbits, coyotes, and occasional javelinas. A recent visitor reported, "No javelinas this time, just a jackrabbit. Gap Tank was dry but nearby Mesquite Tank had water and even a little ice on the edges."
Hiking: Mount Riley provides challenging climbs from nearby dispersed sites. One camper shared their experience: "I've camped here twice in my truck bed—once in 2017 when I climbed Mt. Riley and once in 2020."
What campers like
Solitude: The remote desert locations offer peaceful camping away from crowds. A visitor described BLM Near City of Rocks as "open BLM land. When you turn off Highway 61, you go through a gate. There are multiple pull-outs along the road."
Connectivity: Despite remoteness, some areas maintain usable cell service. One camper at BLM Near City of Rocks reported, "I have good cell service, and my home fi hot spot is working great."
Border proximity: The southern sites sit near the international boundary without reported issues. A Gap Tank camper noted, "Close to Mexican border but I didn't have any problems."
What you should know
Limited facilities: All dispersed sites lack developed amenities. At Safari Campsite, one camper observed, "This site is just a relatively short turn-off road with a loop for turning around and a small, non-dedicated area for pitching a tent as far as I could tell."
Road conditions: County roads vary in quality, potentially limiting vehicle access. A camper at Gap Tank warned the site was "probably not conducive to RVs because difficult to pull off county road."
Seasonal water availability: Desert tanks and seasonal water sources fluctuate throughout the year. During January 2025, a visitor noted, "Gap Tank was dry but nearby Mesquite Tank had water and even a little ice on the edges."
Tips for camping with families
Wildlife education opportunities: The Chihuahuan Desert ecosystem provides educational experiences with desert wildlife. Campers often report coyote sightings, with one Safari Campsite visitor sharing, "I heard coyotes singing nearby (from multiple directions) in the evening, but didn't actually see any wildlife."
Temperature preparation: Desert temperature swings require appropriate clothing and shelter. A winter camper noted, "I tent camped at Gap Tank again in January 2025. Awesome time again. It was actually cold then."
Site selection: Choose locations with turn-around space and level ground. One camper advised Safari Campsite "should work fine, but it's not the best for tent camping. I made it work, but wasn't super excited about it."
Tips from RVers
Pull-out options: BLM areas offer multiple spots to position larger vehicles. A visitor described, "There are multiple pull-outs along the road. Great views, desert terrain."
Horse campgrounds near Deming, New Mexico: While designated equestrian campgrounds are limited, many BLM dispersed areas can accommodate horse trailers with sufficient space for temporary corrals. Safari Campsite and similar dispersed locations near Deming provide options for equestrian camping with proper preparation and waste management.
Road access: Choose sites with established entry points for easier navigation. A Safari Campsite visitor noted, "Getting to this spot was convenient since it is right off a paved road. There was a bit of car noise here and there, but it wasn't bad."
