Dispersed tent campsites near Dexter, New Mexico offer primitive camping in high desert terrain at elevations between 3,500-4,000 feet. The region experiences extreme temperature swings throughout the year, with summer daytime highs regularly exceeding 95°F and winter nights frequently dropping below freezing. Seasonal wind patterns intensify during spring months (March-May), creating challenging conditions for tent setup and maintenance.
What to do
Wildlife observation opportunities: At Alamo Road Camp, overnight visitors might encounter local fauna during dawn and dusk hours. One camper reported, "A herd of cows came near my camp last night as the sun was setting." The surrounding desert landscape supports various wildlife species.
Target shooting access: Campers at Alamo Road Camp should be aware of the nearby shooting activities. According to a visitor, "There is a target shooting range on DOD land about 2 mi away so during the day you do hear gunshots from time to time. Everyone shooting there is shooting North so stay south of the zig zag road sign."
Off-highway vehicle recreation: The sand dunes at Mescalero Sands North Dunes OHV Area provide designated riding areas for ATVs and off-road enthusiasts. A regular visitor notes, "This is an OHV park and there are few places for folks to have this kind of fun." The area features extensive sand dune formations suitable for various skill levels.
What campers like
Spacious site placement: Tent campers appreciate the privacy afforded by the distance between sites at Alamo Road Camp. As one reviewer mentioned, "Closest camper is probably a few football fields away. There are areas pretty clear to be able to tent or car camp easily."
Cellular connectivity: Despite the remote setting, connectivity remains surprisingly strong at certain dispersed camping areas. A camper noted, "The cell phone signal is amazing for T-Mobile" and another stated, "Good cellar service with Verizon" while staying at Alamo Road Camp.
Evening skies: The minimal light pollution around Haystack Mt OHV Area provides excellent stargazing opportunities. One camper described it as a "Dessert with a view," while another at Alamo Road Camp mentioned, "great views at night, and everyone was pretty nice and spread out so no troubles."
What you should know
Road conditions: Access to dispersed camping locations requires preparation for unpaved routes. A camper at Alamo Road Camp described, "Down a bumpy and mostly dirt road. This area will get muddy for sure in a decent rain... The road to camp is not labeled at all. The road is pretty primitive, with potholes along the entire length."
Weather considerations: High desert camping near Dexter requires preparation for strong winds and temperature fluctuations. A camper reported, "High winds warning for tonight up to 70mph gusts. Flat wide open so wind can be tough." Another noted, "This time of year is pretty windy, as it seems most desert locales are at times."
Weekend activity levels: Camping experiences vary significantly between weekdays and weekends at tent camping areas near Dexter. At Mescalero Sands North Dunes OHV Area, a visitor warned, "Weekends can be tough with drunken, blaring radio, 200,000 lumen, ATVs running all night... This was an offseason midweek visit with nobody else around and quiet all night."
Tips for camping with families
Water requirements: When tent camping with families near Dexter, plan for increased water needs. One visitor to Mescalero Sands North Dunes OHV Area advised, "Hot! Great place to ride atv s lots of sand and trails. Bring plenty of water."
Wildlife precautions: Families should maintain appropriate awareness of desert wildlife. A visitor to Haystack Mt OHV Area offered this simple but important reminder: "Watch for snakes." The desert terrain harbors various reptile species, requiring regular site checks.
Site selection strategies: Families seeking quieter camping experiences should consider timing and specific site locations. One experienced camper at Mescalero Sands North Dunes OHV Area suggested, "When its kicking, sleep by the dumpsters, they will never go there."
Tips from RVers
Rig accessibility: RV campers have successfully navigated to certain dispersed sites despite challenging terrain. A camper at Alamo Road Camp observed, "I've seen bus campers and class A RV's here, as well as fifth wheels camping. Just pick the camp site that suits your mode of camping. Some are big enough to pull thru class A, fifth wheels and not have to worry about backing."
Surface maintenance challenges: The fine desert dust creates ongoing maintenance issues for RVs. As one camper noted, "The dust here is very fine, and builds fast on surfaces." RVers should prepare for frequent cleaning of air filters, vents, and interior surfaces.
Seasonal timing considerations: RV campers should consider seasonal weather patterns when planning visits. A November visitor reported, "It rained a day or two before I got here and the mosquitoes were still a little bad but the weather was great up until my moving Day when I was leaving today November 18th. As long as it doesn't rain hard the ground should be good but if it rains really hard it gets really muddy."
