Best Dispersed Camping near Gallina, NM
The Santa Fe National Forest offers several dispersed camping areas near Gallina, New Mexico, with options along various forest roads. Whirlpool Dispersed Camping Area provides riverside sites with vault toilets and trash collection, accessible via a 6-mile dirt road that requires careful navigation during wet conditions. Resumidero Camping Area features widely spaced sites in both meadows and forested areas, with hiking trails directly from the campground.
Forest Road 376 contains numerous free primitive sites across varying terrain. One camper noted, "There are lots of sites to choose from down this road of varying quality." Several areas including Forest Road 533 and Fenton Lake Road 378 offer secluded clearings suitable for multiple vehicles. Most sites lack amenities—no drinking water, hookups, or cell service—though some have established fire rings when restrictions aren't in place. Many areas require modest vehicle clearance, with several reviewers mentioning access is possible in standard cars when conditions are dry. During monsoon season, roads can become challenging with deep ruts and mud, particularly at higher elevations around Fenton Lake where sites sit approximately 8,000 feet above sea level.