Are you in need of a campground near Las Cruces, NM? There are tons of hikes and other fun activities to partake in, as well as sights to see and explore. Ready to plan your adventure? Check out our campgrounds near Las Cruces and user-submitted reviews.
"BLM managed area . Drive to the trailhead has about four areas set up for camping. Plus room for more at the cul-de-sac at the end."
"It wasn’t too far from Las Cruces at all. The sites are well maintained and the sights were great."
"The road is pretty rocky, take it slow and you’ll be good though. 4wd not needed, I managed fine in a 2wd Escape, wouldn’t attempt going too far in with low clearance as some rocks are pretty big."
"Great place to rest for the night before attempting any hikes in Organ Desert Mountains National Monument. "
"We stopped here on our way from las cruces to white sands. It’s very popular pullout spot for good reason- awesome views of the Organ Mountains!"
"If you keep going down the road a bit farther, turn left onto a BLM dirt road (this camping area is listed on iOverlander app). There are a handful of dispersed sites just off the road."
"Coming in off of Dripping Springs Rd, you pass a large flat parking area with small sites you can pull off into, and this area is easy for any rig to access."
"Sierra Vista’s Back Side Dispersed camping offers a pristine, serene outdoor experience."
"Safe. Beautiful view. No complaints."
"I spoke to the security guard and he said that the rest area is very safe. He said that he is mostly here to ensure that semi trucks do not park across car spots."
"I would definitely try to get spots here before Sierra Vista or Baylor Pass trailhead as you don’t have to deal with the traffic trying to get to the parking area to hike."
"Additionally, the sites are quite close to another nearby main road that is primarily parallel to the road you camp off."
"One other pop up VE camper near top, but I stayed far away. Saw a vehicle with 4-wheel ATV trailer on way out at 7am.
No traffic all night in camping area."
"Pretty good about 4 spots to pull off maybe more if you have a higher clearance vehicle and can make it back in farther my Camry couldn’t lol but still a nice place to stay a couple days good view of the"
"This area is on the same road as the Baylor Canyon Spur Dispersed site. The road is dirt and a bit rocky. I was able to get a campervan through, but it can be a bit bumpy."
TravelerThe road is pretty rocky, take it slow and you’ll be good though. 4wd not needed, I managed fine in a 2wd Escape, wouldn’t attempt going too far in with low clearance as some rocks are pretty big. There were quite a few Campers and 5th-wheels further down the way, but I found a good spot with venturing too deep. Person not too far from me pitched a tent, I car camp so can’t say how tent conditions would be, but saw him with a tent pitched & staked! I was up at 7am and they were gone, imagine they must’ve been pretty cold, temps drop quite dramatically and the winds whip up there. Heard coyote’s howling pretty nearby around 1:30am, and in the area again at 3am-ish. There was also lots of scat around, pretty large piles, thinking it’s cow as there’s several cattle ranches very close by and they seem to get loose often-be cautious when driving around, they pop out of nowhere on the main road to Baylor. Sunset is breathtaking!! I don’t recommend arriving here after dark whatsoever. Stars are surprisingly visible too- there’s a lot of light pollution from Las Cruces down below, but it didn’t seem to have much effect on star gazing while I was there. Will definitely return!
LegendFirst off this is a parking lot but you are able to camp here for free. There were trailers, RVs and even car camping in this BLM area. There are other spots along the way such as Sierra Vista Trailhead and Baylor Canyon Road as well as multiple pullouts along the Dripping Springs Road.
You're basically at the foot of the Organ Mountains and the view is awesome, even the city lights in the distance were nice.
There are no amenities here. Cell reception good with AT&T and Verizon.
Nice place to stay if you plan on hiking the Organ Mountains or heading the next 40 miles to White Sands National Monument.
RangerWe stopped here on our way from las cruces to white sands. It’s very popular pullout spot for good reason- awesome views of the Organ Mountains! We pulled in late and easily found a spot, but cars here really are parked side by side. It’s a good spot for a nights rest.
LegendThis area is about 20 minutes west of Las Cruces. It's directly off the highway and is a gravel/dirt area. There aren't really any sites, more just areas to pull a vehicle through. Large enough for any kind of camper (RV, Trailers, ect). You could also tent camp if you wanted.
This area was nice to stop for the night because I was getting tired. Lots of highway noise, and the area is a bit trashy. For a stop to rest and eat, it worked perfectly. There is a gas station nearby, but the area is dispersed, so there are no services. Verizon service was good.
If you want a free site that you can spend a few days at, there are some great dispersed campgrounds on the east side of Las Cruces. They have hiking trails nearby at the Orange Mountains.
GuideGreat place to rest for the night before attempting any hikes in Organ Desert Mountains National Monument. I had a little trouble with the road driving a low clearance 2WD Ford Fusion, but was able to navigate to a fire ring about 2 spots in where I made camp for the night. Tent camped although the ground is quite hard for spikes and spot can be very windy in the afternoon but views were worth it.
LegendComing in off of Dripping Springs Rd, you pass a large flat parking area with small sites you can pull off into, and this area is easy for any rig to access. But if you keep going all the way to the trail head and turn left, you can access more dispersed and remote camp sites just around the bend. You will need a high clearance 4x4 to get to these sites, or you can park in one of the sites in the beginning lot and hike in. There are several large flat spots that are great for camping. There are small rock fire rings and hiking trails throughout. Good Verizon and AT&T reception.
RangerGap Tank is located in the gap between Mt. Riley and the E. Potrillo Mountain ridge in the Desert Peaks National Monument on BLM land in the Chihuahuan Desert. Very few people out there. Very primitive. No campground. Little to no shade. I’ve camped here twice in my truck bed—once in 2017 when I climbed Mt. Riley and once in 2020. Close to Mexican border but I didn’t have any problems. Probably not conducive to RVs because difficult to pull off county road.
LegendFirst off, views of the mountains are great! The sites are off a single dirt road with pull offs for the sites. There are about 10 or 12 sites as you follow the road. More if your neighbors are friendly. You shouldn't a need 4x4 unless it rains, but some there are some larger rocks that might scrape if you don't have a high clearance. You could potentially maneuver around them.
I saw some trailers up the road, however it does get narrow at points, so a large RV might have some issues. I'd say these site are more tent, car, and campervan friendly.
There are no services, pack in pack out. Verizon service was good.
RangerConveniently located to town. Easy to get to. Would recommend high clearance vehicles, but manageable for others. Spectacular views of the organ mountains and plentiful hiking opportunities. Great spot to boondock. We had great service for work and virtual classes.
Discover the beauty of dispersed camping near Las Cruces, New Mexico, where you can immerse yourself in nature without the constraints of traditional campgrounds. With stunning landscapes and a variety of options, this area is perfect for those seeking adventure and tranquility.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where can I find free dispersed camping near Las Cruces, NM?
Free dispersed camping can be found along Dripping Springs Road and Baylor Canyon Road near the Organ Mountains. Sierra Vista is a popular free camping area with multiple pull-outs for vehicles of all sizes, offering beautiful mountain views and proximity to hiking trails. About 20 minutes west of Las Cruces, Dispersed Camping off Corralitos Rd on I-10 provides a convenient option directly off the highway with gravel/dirt areas suitable for any size vehicle. Both locations are on BLM land and have no time restrictions, though they can get busy on weekends. For the best chance at securing a spot, arrive mid-week or early in the day.
What amenities are available at primitive camping sites near Las Cruces?
Primitive camping sites near Las Cruces are truly primitive with minimal to no amenities. Baylor Pass West Trailhead Dispersed is essentially a parking lot that allows overnight camping but offers no facilities. Gap Tank dispersed camping in the Desert Peaks National Monument is extremely remote with absolutely no amenities. These sites typically provide nothing more than a place to park and perhaps established fire rings at some locations. Campers should bring all necessary supplies including water, food, and waste disposal equipment. Cell service varies by location, with better connectivity at sites closer to Las Cruces. The trade-off for this lack of amenities is beautiful scenery, solitude, and free camping with no reservation requirements.
What BLM land is available for camping around Las Cruces?
The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) offers several dispersed camping areas around Las Cruces. Baylor Canyon Rd Spur, BLM, Free provides camping opportunities along a somewhat rocky road that's manageable in 2WD vehicles with careful driving. This area is suitable for various camping setups including tent camping and smaller RVs. Sierra Vista - Back Side Dispersed offers more remote sites if you continue past the main parking area to the trail head and turn left. Additional BLM camping can be found throughout the Organ Mountains-Desert Peaks National Monument, which surrounds Las Cruces on multiple sides. These areas typically allow up to 14 days of camping and follow standard BLM dispersed camping regulations requiring you to camp in previously disturbed areas and practice Leave No Trace principles.
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