Dispersed camping near Hanover, New Mexico provides access to the rugged backcountry of the Gila National Forest at elevations ranging from 5,200 to 7,500 feet. The region sits at the convergence of desert scrubland and mountain forests, creating distinct camping zones with temperature differences of 5-10 degrees between lower and higher elevations. Road conditions deteriorate rapidly after rain, with many sites accessible only from May through October due to seasonal closures.
What to do
Continental Divide Trail hiking: Several primitive campsites provide direct access to sections of the Continental Divide Trail (CDT) for day hikes or backpacking trips. Comfort Well Dispersed Camping sits near excellent CDT trailheads. A camper notes it has "great hiking around the CDT and fishing in Lake Roberts. Most of the sites sit on the shades of ponderosa and there's plenty of space for group camping."
Stargazing opportunities: The remote nature of Bear Mountain provides exceptional dark sky viewing. One camper reports "Very clear skies at night" while another mentions "Pretty stars, and 2 bars of service for Verizon." Light pollution is minimal throughout the forest, but higher elevation sites offer the clearest viewing conditions.
Wildlife observation: The transition zones between forest and desert create diverse wildlife habitats. Dawn and dusk offer prime viewing times for deer, elk, and various bird species. At Cattlemen Trail, a camper reported "Heard some cows but never seen them. Clean place. No services. Cell signal was good." Others mentioned regular cattle sightings throughout the area.
What campers like
Seasonal temperature differences: Higher elevation sites provide natural cooling during summer months. At Bear Canyon Road Camp, one camper highlighted the "Beautiful area and nice to escape a little bit of the heat in the summer compared to silver city or south of there. About 5-10 degrees cooler and lots of shade."
Limited crowds: Even during peak seasons, many primitive camping sites near Hanover remain relatively uncrowded compared to developed campgrounds. A visitor to Meadow Creek Dispersed Camping shared: "Road is a little rough but well worth it. No one camped near us. Was able to let the dogs roam without fear. Lots of wood in the area."
Variable terrain options: Campers appreciate having choices between desert and forest environments within short driving distances. One camper comparing sites mentioned the lower desert areas have "plenty of hidden spots behind/among the scrub brush and low trees" while higher elevation spots feature "tall pines/spruces" with more shade coverage.
What you should know
No drinking water sources: All primitive camping areas near Hanover require carrying in your water supply. Sites at North Star Mesa Dispersed Camping are typical: "Nothing in terms of services and amenities, but nice hiking nearby." Plan on 1-2 gallons per person per day, with additional supplies during summer.
Variable road conditions: Road quality depends heavily on recent weather and maintenance schedules. One Meadow Creek camper warns "This trail requires 4x4 and high clearance. It is a bumpy road for all 3+ miles into the mountainside." Similarly, a Bear Mountain visitor noted you "won't need 4x4 or high clearance necessarily, but just not fun to drive on at all."
Cell service inconsistency: Connectivity varies dramatically between sites. A camper at the BLM land reported "I have good cell service, and my home fi hot spot is working great." Meanwhile, at Meadow Creek, visitors found "No service in the valley." Higher ridgelines generally offer better connectivity than canyon bottoms.
Tips for camping with families
Pre-scout specific sites: Many camping areas have rough access roads unsuitable for family vehicles. Pine Flats Campground offers easier access with "Dirt road in decent shape" though "No road signs off of highway 15. Just need to use the GPS coordinates."
Wildlife awareness: Teach children about keeping food secure and maintaining distance from wildlife. One visitor mentioned "She said a bear was just shot yesterday a few miles north of here. Be vigilant."
Trash preparation: No disposal services exist at any primitive camping areas. A conscientious camper at Gila National Forest Road 861 Dispersed shared "We cleaned up the beer cans, bottles, and trash left from other before us." Pack sturdy trash bags and plan to carry out all waste.
Tips from RVers
Length restrictions: Most primitive camping areas have natural size limitations. A Bear Canyon Road camper noted "Pulled my 24 foot (tip to tip) travel trailer up the mountain. Curvy, narrow roads... just be careful and go slow."
Solar readiness: Assess sun exposure before setting up. One Cattlemen Trail visitor mentioned their site offered "plenty of shade and also sun for solar recharge."
Leveling challenges: Many sites require significant leveling. At Gila National Forest Road 861, a visitor found "multiple fairly level and easily accessible boondocking sites" but this isn't guaranteed at all locations.
