Best Dispersed Camping near Hillsboro, NM
Looking for the best Hillsboro dispersed camping? Dispersed camping is the perfect way to get off the grid. Find the perfect dispersed campsite for your next adventure.
Best Dispersed Sites Near Hillsboro, NM (16)
1. Monticello Road Dispersed Camping
Truth or Consequences, New Mexico11 Reviews•13 Photos•140 Saves- Pets
- Fires
- Phone Service
- Dispersed
- Alcohol
2. Truth or Consequences Camp on Rio Grande
Truth or Consequences, New Mexico1 Review•20 Saves- Pets
- Fires
- Phone Service
- RVs
- Tents
- Dispersed
3. North Star Mesa Dispersed Camping
Mimbres, New Mexico1 Review•3 Photos•12 Saves- Fires
- Phone Service
- RVs
- Tents
- Equestrian
- Standard (Tent/RV)
4. Celebration Well Dispersed Camping
Hanover, New Mexico1 Review•4 Photos•12 Saves- Pets
- Fires
- RVs
- Tents
- Group
- Standard (Tent/RV)
5. Desert Cove — Elephant Butte Lake State Park
Elephant Butte, New Mexico1 Review•2 Photos•4 SavesDesert Cove Campground is part of Elephant Butte Lake State Park in New Mexico. 16 campsites, open year round. RVs and trailers between 20 & 40 feet. Each site includes a fire pit, grill, picnic table, electric and water hookups. Amenities shower, dump station, restroom, flush toilets.
- Pets
- Fires
- Electric Hookups
- Phone Service
- Reservable
- ADA Access
$14 / night
6. Meadow Creek Dispersed Camping
Gila National Forest, New Mexico2 Reviews•6 Photos•62 SavesThe majority of campgrounds on the Gila National Forest are primitive and offer dispersed camping. You may camp outside of developed campgrounds anywhere on the Forest at no charge. The Gila National Forest implemented Travel Management and we recommend you stop in to one of our six ranger stations and pick up travel management maps so that you are aware where vehicles are and are not permitted.
Potable water, toilets, and other amenities are not generally available. If you choose to camp outside developed areas, be sure to bring adequate water or be prepared to purify any water source before drinking. No permits are required to camp in wilderness areas.
The Gila National Forest has a 14-day stay limit, in any 30 day period, on all camping. Areas designated as “Day Use Only” are limited to posted hours, no overnight use.
- Pets
- Fires
- RVs
- Tents
- Group
- Standard (Tent/RV)
9. Bear Mountain
Silver City, New Mexico3 Reviews•4 Photos•45 SavesThe majority of campgrounds on the Gila National Forest are primitive and offer dispersed camping. You may camp outside of developed campgrounds anywhere on the Forest at no charge. The Gila National Forest implemented Travel Management and we recommend you stop in to one of our six ranger stations and pick up travel management maps so that you are aware where vehicles are and are not permitted. Potable water, toilets, and other amenities are not generally available. If you choose to camp outside developed areas, be sure to bring adequate water or be prepared to purify any water source before drinking. No permits are required to camp in wilderness areas. The Gila National Forest has a 14-day stay limit, in any 30 day period, on all camping. Areas designated as “Day Use Only” are limited to posted hours, no overnight use.
- Pets
- Phone Service
- Dispersed
- Alcohol
10. BLM Near City of Rocks
Be the first to review!Faywood, New Mexico•6 SavesBLM land near the City of Rocks entrance
- Pets
- Fires
- RVs
- Tents
- Equestrian
- Alcohol
Recent Dispersed Reviews in Hillsboro
20 Reviews of 16 Hillsboro Campgrounds
Teresa T.
Legend
Desert Cove — Elephant Butte Lake State Park
Desert Cove is actually a campground and also dispersed camping area
This is a very nicely spaced campground. Can't really see the water from here but the sites have water and electric. The bathroom was being worked on so not open during the visit and the water level is at like 5 % capacity but there are lots of places to walk and bike and camping here in the winter provides very livable temperatures.
- TTodd S.
Scout
Meadow Creek Dispersed Camping
Meadow Creek,NM
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. A small creek along the road. Good hiking area. Will definitely go back.
Johnny W.ScoutTruth or Consequences Camp on Rio Grande
Free riverside camping
Free camping (14 days) on the riverside! Amazing. Perfect for van life. Space for big rigs too but only a couple big turnaround spots so just be strategic about it.
Twan M.
Ranger
Monticello Road Dispersed Camping
More Than Meets the Eye
We drove all the way to the power line rd, made a right and then proceeded through multiple BLM gates that we had to open then close behind us. We ended up down in the reservoir valley, out of the wind. Phenomenal spot. Good verizon service.
Jorge G.
Guide
Celebration Well Dispersed Camping
Low-key dispersed sites
A handful of sites located on the other side of Skates Canyon from Sapillo Campground. Close to 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.
This is as bare as it gets. No services, no cell signal, no trash disposal, not even a pit toilet. Some sites have rock rings for campfires but that's about it. Please recreate responsibly and leave no trace. Pack out whatever you pack in.
Quiet during the winter, but gets busy during the summer as evidenced by how well worn the dirt paths around the area are.
- TTracy T.Guide
Monticello Road Dispersed Camping
Dec Pass thru
This is one of my fave spots yet.. drove to almost next cattle guard and ended up in the middle of a mountain range Fairy circle.
Didn’t see another person for 3 days. Sun rise and sets are AMAZING
Jenny&Tobias P.GuideMonticello Road Dispersed Camping
Good Overnight Stay on a Roadtrip
It's quite, a lots of spots with rock firepits. Amazing sundown and sunrise. But too hot at daytime.
Sierra N.GuideMeadow Creek Dispersed Camping
Legendary creek side camping in a valley
This trail requires 4x4 and high clearance. It is a bumpy road for all 3+ miles into the mountainside. But it is far worth the drive for the seclusion. There are plenty of spaces to camp before the creek. But we kept going for about 3 miles, hit a road gate, and started traveling into the valley. It will eventually open up and you will see meadow creek. Spots to the left and right of the fork, we settled at the bottom. No service in the valley. Extremely magical, and serene. Leave it better than you left it please! If you want a camp spot off the beaten path, this is it. Perfect for tent camping/car camping.
- Sierra N.Guide
Bear Mountain
Quiet & Beautiful
Right off the road, 4 campsites. The last one is a little more open and we will def be coming back. Pretty stars, and 2 bars of service for Verizon. Please remember to clean up after yourself! Unfortunately there was a lot of old glass, among other trash. Also be careful on the road, it’s 30, but people fly down it not thinking of others on the road. It is a tight squeeze to get a truck back there, Tacoma, but we got tucked in just fine. Also there’s a woodsy sign leading into the forest! Cool to see an iconic owl!
- AAustin P.Scout
Monticello Road Dispersed Camping
It’s quiet
Not much in the immediate area, but a nice place to stop for the night.
- aannelieseScout
Bear Mountain
Nice dispersed spots
4-5 dispersed spots on road 4242d before reaching the summit on bear mountain road (where the coordinates take you to). A narrow, rocky road with some low-hanging trees. Our sprinter made it but it was tight. The best spot was where the road dead-ends. Lots of shelter but not a ton of sunlight.
Darrin R.
TravelerBear Mountain
Rugged, no frills, but beautiful and quiet
Stopped here to spend the night in July because it was cooler (~7500 ft elevation), free, quiet and beautiful. It's just a place to camp in the National Forest. No amenities.
- GGarret M.Traveler
Monticello Road Dispersed Camping
Dispersed Off I-25
Have stayed here twice.Easy access from I-25. Hardly anyone on-site. Go further down the road for more secluded spots. Great view of stars at night.
- Jeff K.Guide
Monticello Road Dispersed Camping
Dispersed Camping
Big pullouts down gravel road off I-25. Great place for a quick overnight. You can go all the way to the old camp grounds for the upper end of Elephant Butte reservoir, but you might struggle getting back up the hill with anything bigger than a teardrop.
- AAllison B.Guide
Monticello Road Dispersed Camping
Great for overnight off I-25
We stayed for a night on a road trip and was just what we were looking for. Lots are spaced out, even, and easy to access. Others commented that the road had potholes but that wasn’t our experience (maybe further in that’s the case-we didn’t explore much). Excellent sunrise and sunset views, no noise from interstate. No amenities but there were fire pits.
- Chelsea P.Scout
Monticello Road Dispersed Camping
Availability limited
This road is not maintained at all but is passable but has alot of potholes. There are a few spots right of hwy 25 and more down the road. The spots are very spread out and all a decent size. Half of them where occupied so we drove in further then would have liked with our class A. If your looking for a quick stop though it's great and better then the rest stops around.
- AAntony V.Guide
Roadside Pullouts and Disperesed Camping along Route 15
Many scenic overnight pullouts along Route 15
We were hoping to stay at the Gila Hot Springs campground, but it was full. Although the hot springs were oh so tempting, we're glad it turned out that way. First, FREE! Second, fabulous views, stars, and amazing quiet.
All along Route 15 in the mountains to the south of Gila Hot Springs are numerous pull-offs, pull-outs, and pull-throughs where you can camp overnight. I wouldn't recommend a long stay, but we found a little road off up a gentle embankment with a killer view. There were many others we would have gladly stayed at too. We are pulling a 17-ft travel trailer but some of the spots are wide and broad and would fit a much larger rig.
No-one but a masochist would drive along Route 15 at night (slow, steep, winding) and so there was zero car noise all night. This would be true for any of the pullouts, so even though you're close to the road, there aren't any cars so it doesn't matter much. No cell service, but there isn't cell service anywhere in the area, even in Gila Hot Springs.
We drove to the cliff dwellings in the morning, took a leisurely 20-30 minutes.
- Tom D.Scout
Monticello Road Dispersed Camping
Desert like
Vast desert with mountains in distance. Flat pull out 1 mile from I25.
- MMichael D.Scout
Monticello Road Dispersed Camping
Easy access, quiet campsite.
Was looking for a quick campsite off the highway and this worked perfect.
Kelsie S.GuideMonticello Road Dispersed Camping
Easy pull off from I-25
Stayed here one night on my way back to CO. Several pull offs with already made fire pits. Could see the stars like crazy! Can’t hear interstate traffic. Spots close to the water too.
Guide to Hillsboro
Discover the beauty of dispersed camping near Hillsboro, New Mexico, where you can immerse yourself in nature without the constraints of traditional campgrounds. Enjoy the freedom of choosing your own spot while taking in the stunning landscapes of the region.
Top Activities While Free Camping Near Hillsboro
- Experience the tranquility of riverside camping at Truth or Consequences Camp on Rio Grande, where you can set up your camp just steps away from the water.
- Enjoy stargazing under clear skies at North Star Mesa Dispersed Camping, which offers a peaceful environment perfect for night-time adventures.
- Take advantage of the nearby hiking trails and fishing opportunities at Celebration Well Dispersed Camping, making it an ideal spot for outdoor enthusiasts.
Tips for Free and Dispersed Camping Near Hillsboro, New Mexico
- Always pack out what you pack in at Maryicelli Road Dispersed Camping to maintain the natural beauty of the area and adhere to Leave No Trace principles.
- Be prepared for a lack of amenities at Pine Flats Campground, as it offers no facilities, making it essential to bring your own supplies.
- Choose your camping spot wisely at Desert Cove — Elephant Butte Lake State Park, where the landscape can vary significantly, providing both open areas and shaded spots.
Dispersed Campers Should Check Out North Star Mesa
- North Star Mesa offers a variety of dispersed sites with fire rings, perfect for cozy campfires and evening gatherings.
- The area is known for its well-maintained roads, making it accessible for most vehicles, which is a plus for those traveling with larger rigs.
- With its secluded spots and beautiful surroundings, North Star Mesa Dispersed Camping is a great choice for those looking to escape the crowds and enjoy nature.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular dispersed campsite near Hillsboro, NM?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dispersed campground near Hillsboro, NM is Monticello Road Dispersed Camping with a 4.1-star rating from 11 reviews.
What is the best site to find dispersed camping near Hillsboro, NM?
TheDyrt.com has all 16 dispersed camping locations near Hillsboro, NM, with real photos and reviews from campers.