Best Dispersed Camping near Laguna, NM

Dispersed camping near Laguna, New Mexico centers primarily on Bureau of Land Management (BLM) lands and Forest Service areas. Several primitive sites exist in the region, including Forest Service Road Large Camp along FSR 456/239, Camel Head Camp, BLM dispersed camping near Zia Pueblo, and the Ignacio Chavez Special Management Area. These locations provide free boondocking opportunities on public lands without developed facilities. Most sites feature open terrain with natural clearings suitable for tent camping, with some areas accessible to vehicles depending on road conditions.

Access to many dispersed camping areas requires travel on unpaved roads that range from washboarded dirt to rough forest service routes. The BLM dispersed camping near Zia Pueblo requires driving through reservation land with attention to posted signs, while Forest Service Road Large Camp is accessible via forest service roads that may require higher clearance vehicles. None of these sites offer drinking water, toilets, or trash service. Fire rings exist at some locations like Forest Service Road Large Camp, but campers should verify current fire restrictions before visiting. Cell service is described as spotty throughout the region, with Verizon providing better coverage than other carriers in some areas.

The camping experience varies significantly between sites. Forest Service Road Large Camp provides spacious areas with established fire rings and proximity to the Continental Divide Trail. Camel Head Camp offers a more secluded experience, described by one visitor as "a great little spot for a short night stay on NMBDR." The BLM dispersed camping near Zia Pueblo presents more mixed experiences, with some visitors noting concerns about noise. According to reviews, "The shooting sounds were indeed there, but didn't bother us much. Cattle grazing in the area sometimes." Another review mentioned that "the entire location was full of litter" including "shotgun shells, bullet casings, beer bottles." Wildlife encounters primarily consist of free-roaming cattle that may wander through campsites.

Best Dispersed Sites Near Laguna, New Mexico (5)

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Recent Free Dispersed Camping Photos near Laguna, NM

3 Photos of 5 Laguna Campgrounds


Dispersed Camping Reviews near Laguna, NM

5 Reviews of 5 Laguna Campgrounds


  • Laura M.The Dyrt PRO User
    Nov. 20, 2020

    BLM dispersed camping / Zia Pueblo

    Washboard and Guns!

    This would be an awesome camping area if it were not for the non stop shooting. Great scenery but annoyingly loud. Shooting noise started at the crack of dawn until sunset and it sounded like it was coming from all directions along with the ricochets. Shooters have left tons of shells and all the garbage they shoot at which is unacceptable and sad. 

    There are free roaming cattle in the area that can get quite close at times. They were not the slightest phased by the shooting just yards from them.

    The dirt road from highway 550 is all washboard for miles and miles. You go through Zia Reservation land to get to this area so pay attention to the signs. You'll pass a couple of bike trail parking areas for White Ridge Bike Trails along the way which you can stay at if there is space otherwise leave it for the bikers. There is a large dumpster near the bike area as well. 

    Google maps shows areas further up the road. The GPS location for this site is right off the main dirt road but further in there are some nice spots but not advisable for low clearance vehicles.

    There is no water and cell reception is spotty. Decent=Verizon AT&T=poor

  • Mike V.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jun. 3, 2025

    Forest Service Road Large Camp

    Good Open spot with fire ring

    This spot is fairly wide open spacious, right off the Continental Divide Trail, and has two fire rings. You can drive to this location Via forest service road 456 until it turns into FSR 239.

  • muj V.
    Oct. 7, 2021

    BLM dispersed camping / Zia Pueblo

    Nice, secluded spot

    So the road getting here is a bit of a long dirt road, somewhat washboarded by the big trucks that drive along it. The area is big and has a selection of camp sites / flat areas to choose from. The shooting sounds were indeed there, but didnt bother us much. Cattle grazing in the area sometimes. Overall not a bad place to camp. Nearby are also some hiking and biking trails.

  • Drew T.The Dyrt PRO User
    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.

  • Luke M.The Dyrt PRO User
    Apr. 18, 2023

    BLM dispersed camping / Zia Pueblo

    Gunfire 3am, trash, and cows

    Woke up by gunfire at 3am. We knew full well to expect some gunfire at dawn but 3am was a little too early. It was way to close to be comfortable. Additionally, the entire location was full of litter. It was quite shameful. Shotgun shells, bullet casings, beer bottles, cow feces... cows marched through our site at one point waking us up.


Guide to Laguna

Dispersed camping near Laguna, New Mexico provides primitive backcountry experiences on public lands managed primarily by the Bureau of Land Management and US Forest Service. The region sits at elevations between 5,500-7,000 feet, creating distinct seasonal temperature variations with summer highs averaging 85-95°F and winter lows frequently dropping below freezing. Road conditions deteriorate significantly during monsoon season (July-September), when afternoon thunderstorms can quickly transform dirt access roads into impassable mud.

What to do

Hiking access: Forest Service Road Large Camp connects directly to the Continental Divide Trail, allowing campers to access this iconic long-distance route for day hikes. "This spot is fairly wide open spacious, right off the Continental Divide Trail, and has two fire rings," notes Mike V. in his review of https://thedyrt.com/camping/new-mexico/forest-service-road-large-camp.

Mountain biking: The White Ridge trail system offers technical singletrack riding on slickrock terrain near the BLM dispersed camping areas. "Nearby are also some hiking and biking trails," mentions reviewer muj V. about the https://thedyrt.com/camping/new-mexico/blm-dispersed-camping-zia-pueblo area.

Wildlife observation: Early mornings provide opportunities to spot pronghorn antelope, coyotes, and various raptors. Free-range cattle frequently move through camping areas, particularly during dawn and dusk hours.

What campers like

Seclusion factor: Camel Head Camp offers privacy despite its proximity to backcountry routes. "Great little spot for a short night stay on NMBDR. Tucked into the ledge," shares Drew T. about his experience at https://thedyrt.com/camping/new-mexico/camel-head-camp.

Established sites: Several locations feature clearly defined camping areas with basic amenities. Forest Service Road Large Camp provides "fairly wide open spacious" sites with established fire rings for safer campfires during permitted seasons.

Budget-friendly: All dispersed camping options in the Laguna area are free, with no permits required for stays under 14 days on most public lands.

What you should know

Noise considerations: Some primitive camping areas near Laguna experience significant shooting activity from recreational target shooters. "The road getting here is a bit of a long dirt road, somewhat washboarded by the big trucks that drive along it. The area is big and has a selection of camp sites / flat areas to choose from," reports reviewer muj V. about the https://thedyrt.com/camping/new-mexico/blm-dispersed-camping-zia-pueblo location.

Road conditions: Access routes range from moderately maintained dirt roads to rough forest service tracks requiring high-clearance vehicles. Most sites become inaccessible after heavy rainfall.

No facilities: Campers must bring all water supplies and pack out all waste. No trash service, toilets, or drinking water exists at any dispersed camping locations near Laguna.

Tips for camping with families

Safety protocols: Establish clear boundaries for children at primitive sites near Laguna where natural hazards like steep dropoffs or wildlife may be present.

Weather preparation: Summer afternoon thunderstorms develop quickly, often bringing lightning, strong winds and flash flood risks to primitive camping near Laguna, New Mexico. Pack extra tarps and rain gear even during seemingly clear weather forecasts.

Entertainment planning: No amenities exist at https://thedyrt.com/camping/new-mexico/new-mexico-ignacio-chavez or other primitive sites, so families should bring all recreation items needed for their stay.

Tips from RVers

Size limitations: Most dispersed camping areas near Laguna accommodate smaller rigs only, with tight turns and low-hanging branches creating obstacles for larger vehicles.

Level sites: Bring leveling blocks as natural clearings rarely offer perfectly flat parking areas. The Ignacio Chavez Special Management Area contains several pull-offs suitable for vans and small trailers but requires careful site selection.

Supply planning: No services exist within 20 miles of most primitive camping locations, requiring complete self-sufficiency for the duration of your stay.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular dispersed campsite near Laguna, NM?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dispersed campground near Laguna, NM is Forest Service Road Large Camp with a 4-star rating from 1 review.

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

TheDyrt.com has all 5 dispersed camping locations near Laguna, NM, with real photos and reviews from campers.