Best Dispersed Camping near Gallina, NM

Want to go dispersed camping near Gallina? The Dyrt provides you with a diverse selection of places to camp, from dispersed backcountry camping to boondocking, and everything in-between. Find dispersed campsites you've visited before, or discover new spots from other campers.

Best Dispersed Sites Near Gallina, NM (26)

Showing results 1-10 of 26 campgrounds

Recent Dispersed Reviews in Gallina

47 Reviews of 26 Gallina Campgrounds


  • Julie K.The Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Forest Road 558
    Oct. 27, 2024

    Forest Road 558

    Good enough for an overnight

    We parked a little further off 285 than most people so the road noise was minimal. A car drove past us on the dirt road in the morning which was surprising but nothing more. There was a rotting animal smell once in a while but we didn’t smell once inside the van. No toilet. Someone left a small fire ring. The road was rutted, don’t go if it’s wet. Fine for overnight lodging but I wouldn’t hang out there.

  • KThe Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Forest Road 558
    Sep. 8, 2024

    Forest Road 558

    Dispersed Sites FSR558

    A good amount of dispersed sites off of FSR558. I just pulled off to one of the closer sites but looked like tons of other sites were further in on the road. Really quiet even with the highway close by. Great stars at night, decently clean (the sites that I saw). You could probably make it in a 2WD vehicle for the first few sites but it gets a bit more rugged as you continue in.

  • Timothy N.The Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Dispersed Camping Near Hopewell Lake
    Aug. 29, 2024

    Dispersed Camping Near Hopewell Lake

    Plentiful dispersed options

    We spent a few nights in the dispersed area near Hopewell .  We rolled in at 5 and had plenty of sites to choose from.  We chose one of the lower areas, with one large open space surrounded by smaller sites.  There were many more up the road, and there was constant traffic headed uphill until about 9PM.   Once the traffic stopped it was very quiet, only the cattle calling through the trees.  It rained for several hours and our spot stayed solid.  Some offshoot roads were rutted out. The main road had minimal rocks and holes, didn't get very muddy.  TMobile\Google mobile service worked well enough.  Verizon did not work.

  • CThe Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Jemez Boondocking
    Aug. 22, 2024

    Jemez Boondocking

    Jemez mountains

    Jemez is a popular camping destination.  There are boon docking and campgrounds available.   I do not recommend trying to bring a rig of any size through the Gilman tunnels.  Best access for large rigs is taking 126 and accessing FS 376 from that route.

    The Jemez are by far our favorite mountains to camp in within a 3 hr radius of my home.

  • Chris E.The Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Dispersed Camping Near Hopewell Lake
    Jul. 29, 2024

    Dispersed Camping Near Hopewell Lake

    Lots of sites in high elevation and shaded area.

    This dispersed area is close to Hopewell Lake and Campground where there is fishing and vaulted toilets. The Continental Divide Trail goes right through this location.

  • Josh K.The Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Road 378, Fenton Lake - Dispersed
    Jul. 8, 2024

    Road 378, Fenton Lake - Dispersed

    Secluded clearings with plenty of room

    This campsite is beautiful and right next to the lake. Perfect for some chill camping. There are multiple clearing along this road. Each one is big enough for several cars and even a couple groups. The clearings are far enough apart that you can make some noise without bothering the other campers. You need a bit of clearance to be able to drive the road but not much as my Crosstrek did it great. Even on July 4th this site wasn’t busy. We only saw one other camper since most people choose to pay for a campground right on the lake

  • Maya T.The Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from FR376 Dispersed
    Jun. 20, 2024

    FR376 Dispersed

    My Go-To

    I live in Albuquerque, and this road is one of my constant summer repeats. You got water, shade, privacy and an adventure. It's about 1.5 hours from Abq and it takes you through the Gilman Tunnels which is always a fun stop and view. The road is a little bumpy and rocky, but there's probably 100 dispersed camping spots. There's ones right on the river, in forrest spots or meadows, you choose! There are no bathrooms, water, or cell service. Everyone has got their spot in Jemez, but this road offers endless possibilities, for all types of campers!

  • MThe Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Pajarito Springs (Dispersed)
    Jun. 9, 2024

    Pajarito Springs (Dispersed)

    Secluded spaces

    Quiet, secluded spaces especially if you drive out the road far. We didn’t see any other people or campers but heard guns being shot in the morning and there were old shells at our campsite.

  • Dare To Everywhere  .The Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Pajarito Springs (Dispersed)
    May. 27, 2024

    Pajarito Springs (Dispersed)

    Amazing views!

    Stayed: May 26, 2024 Cost: FREE Site: 35.84243° N, 106.37266° W Cell Service: Solid LTE AT&T and T-Mobile Equipment: Forester / Tent

    Different apps give this different names. It is Forest Road 181 within Santa Fe National Forest, directly off of Highway 4.

    This is some great National Forest camping. Seemed like plenty of room when you first turn in and the you can go left or right. We went left and continued to the end of the road. There were a few sites along the drive back, but we pulled up the satellite map and wanted to keep going. It gets pretty rocky and you’ll need a bit of clearance in some spots.

    To get to the end of the road site, when you pull off Highway 4, take a left and then eventually a right at the fork in the road further beyond (~1.5 miles from Highway 4). There were a couple more sites along this road, not very level, so we continued on and are so glad we did! About 30 min from Hwy 4 to end of this road. Elevation is just over 8,000 feet at this point.

  • sThe Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from FR376 Dispersed
    Apr. 27, 2024

    FR376 Dispersed

    Amazing

    This camp spot is one of the best free camp sites in New Mexico. Would definitely go again. Highly recommend to anyone who loves to camp and drive four wheelers

  • Benjamin R.The Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Dispersed on 4 - Fenton Lake State Park
    Oct. 24, 2023

    Dispersed on 4 - Fenton Lake State Park

    Great spot!

    What a great spot. After backcountry in the Valles Caldera, I camped here for a night.

    Pulling off of HWY 4, I turned left and veered right. Got to look for it, but not far down there is a path up to a great spot.

    I did this in a 2WD Tundra. Just go slow and be careful.

  • Stacey M.The Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Dispersed on 4 - Fenton Lake State Park
    Oct. 2, 2023

    Dispersed on 4 - Fenton Lake State Park

    Soak in the Sunset

    Found the perfect spot to soak in the sunrise and amazing views. Easy to get to in my Subaru. Fire pit too! Go left after entering and take the road to the gate (which was closed). But to the right at the top of the hill is perfect to relax the weekend away.

  • MThe Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Road 378, Fenton Lake - Dispersed
    Sep. 28, 2023

    Road 378, Fenton Lake - Dispersed

    Views, hiking, peaceful

    The road is a bit rough, but easy access and close enough to the lake that I drove over to kayak after setting up camp. Fire pits set up, the first area is a big open space with a beautiful cliff view, we had it to ourselves but could be busy, if you drive further up there are areas to camp that would have more privacy if needed. Very quiet and peaceful. It does get cold at night since at approximately 8,000 elevation.

  • Tim W.The Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Whirlpool Dispersed Camping Area
    Sep. 24, 2023

    Whirlpool Dispersed Camping Area

    Will go again

    We got there on a Friday and had our pick of sites. We picked one right on the river. No electricity. No water. No picnic tables. No trash receptacle. Vault toilets. Camp spaces are spread out. Some of the roads on the campground had deep ruts and pools of mud water but not all. You can see every star on a clear night. The road to the campground is about 6 miles of curvy dirt and gravel single lane. But a woman managed it in a Jaguar so not too bad just go slow. Rustic and relaxing.

  • Nancy B.The Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from American Springs
    Sep. 19, 2023

    American Springs

    Great spot

    Great spot once you make the steep road up!!! We camped close to the entrance. We explored and found some amazing sites further back

  • Michael N.The Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Whirlpool Dispersed Camping Area
    Sep. 7, 2023

    Whirlpool Dispersed Camping Area

    Awesome views

    This camping spot is awesome but can be busy at times. One down side being close to the river is the bugs, literally thousands of them can make it unpleasant. Outside of that the spot on the river is fantastic for viewing pleasure. You can certainly find valuable relaxation here.

  • NThe Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from FR376 Dispersed
    Sep. 5, 2023

    FR376 Dispersed

    Stay Here!

    Lots of camping along this forest road. Be prepared... Zero cell service. Don't care what the main post says.

  • JThe Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from FR376 Dispersed
    Aug. 6, 2023

    FR376 Dispersed

    Long road with multiple spaces

    This area has multiple free camping spaces. If you follow the road, you can find the prefect camping for you. We saw from damp camping areas to big groups spaces. There is a fire restriction to gas stove only and there is no bathrooms or potable water.

  • Christopher C.The Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Cuba Hwy Pulloff on Forest Road 88
    Jul. 15, 2023

    Cuba Hwy Pulloff on Forest Road 88

    Primitive area, very private

    It was getting late after a full day of driving and I happened to find this site. No amenities, but we were the only people in the area. We were just thankful for a place to stop. Lots of sage brush and we had a full moon that night and the area was lit up l, bright as a cloudy day!

  • JUSTIN C.The Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Dispersed on 4 - Fenton Lake State Park
    Jul. 3, 2023

    Dispersed on 4 - Fenton Lake State Park

    It pretty OK

    The campsites are big and plentiful but I think they are used by locals as there is a bunch of trash. Not that is had to be locals but I don't think the dispersed community would do that.

    We are car camping/tent, RV's couldn't make it is the spot we have at least.

    I would rate it better but we have been at so many other campsites in AZ and CO that are definitely better.

    Hopefully someday we will have a different experience in NM but hey, it smells good and is pretty. Stop by for a night and see how you feel.

    What we think is the best site is to the left and then up to a little hill (any AWD or 4WD could make it, its the only one we saw with a view besides trees (not that they aren't great!) but for free I would take it for sure 😊

  • CThe Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Forest Road 558
    Jun. 30, 2023

    Forest Road 558

    Okay Dispersed Camp Spot

    Wide open dispersed desert camping. FS-558 runs for several miles south of HWY-285. We stayed closer to the highway which is safer without 4WD. Higher clearance is helpful due to ruts in the road. There's a fair amount of trash, but plenty of spots without. Bummer that locals use public land as their private dumping area. The nights were quiet, other than occasionally coyote calls, which add to the ambiance. We had a few thousand acres all to ourselves for four nights while climbing on nearby El Rito walls.

  • GThe Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from FR376 Dispersed
    Apr. 23, 2023

    FR376 Dispersed

    Very nice free camp spot with plenty of sites

    There are sites all along the forest road with fire pits and pretty views.

  • Kevin C.The Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Pajarito Springs (Dispersed)
    Mar. 29, 2023

    Pajarito Springs (Dispersed)

    Worked for our needs

    We were just looking for a place to crash in our SUV before going to Bandelier National Monument in the morning and continuing on our road trip. Showed up at midnight and grabbed the first flat spot to park. Convenient and free is always nice. 20 min from the visitors center. There was a “No Campfires” sign at the entrance despite what this listing states.

  • Drew T.The Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Camel Head Camp
    Nov. 23, 2022

    Camel Head Camp

    Perfect Western Pull off

    Great little spot for a short night stay on NMBDR. Tucked into the ledge. Probably a mess in a rain storm but a wonderful spot to disperse camp.



Frequently Asked Questions

  • Which is the most popular dispersed campsite near Gallina, NM?

    According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dispersed campground near Gallina, NM is Dispersed on 4 - Fenton Lake State Park with a 4.5-star rating from 13 reviews.

  • What is the best site to find dispersed camping near Gallina, NM?

    TheDyrt.com has all 26 dispersed camping locations near Gallina, NM, with real photos and reviews from campers.