Six Mile Canyon Road Dispersed Site offers primitive camping options near Mentmore, New Mexico with varied terrain that transitions from desert to ponderosa pine forests. Located in McKinley County at elevations around 7,000 feet, camping areas experience temperature drops of 15-20 degrees at night compared to daytime highs. The region maintains drier conditions than nearby mountainous areas, with most established RV sites remaining accessible year-round.
What to do
Hiking trails in red rock country: Red Rock Park & Campground features distinctive sandstone formations with hiking paths suitable for various skill levels. "Church Rock Trial and Pyramid Rock Trail are both about 3 to 3 and a half miles round trip from the campground. Your surrounded by desert on one side and dark red stone on the other, very cool place and trails," notes Fain H.
Mountain biking on forest roads: Turkey Springs provides access to miles of unpaved roads through ponderosa pine forests. According to Terry O., "Biked 6 miles up the road. Had cell service (Verizon and T-mobile)," making it practical for those wanting to stay connected while exploring the backcountry.
Fishing at Bluewater Lake: Bluewater Lake State Park Campground offers shoreline fishing opportunities year-round. "There is a nice beach as well as boating and fishing. The campground is broken up into a couple areas," reports Sara S., highlighting the multiple recreation options available.
Cultural exploration: Native American heritage sites and trading posts are accessible from most camping areas. "Gallup is a super interesting place and could have easily spent way more time than we did," says Mike M. about staying at USA RV Park while exploring local cultural attractions.
What campers like
Affordability in remote settings: Six Mile Canyon Road Dispersed Site provides free camping with privacy. "We did have to drive a couple miles to get away from other campers. Was perfectly fine after a day of cross country driving," explains Jami C., noting the balance between accessibility and seclusion.
Clean facilities at state parks: Maintenance standards at established campgrounds exceed expectations. According to Bryson D., USA RV Park offers "Clean showers, a nice heated pool, very friendly staff," while Robert G. notes about McGaffey Campground: "The restrooms are some of the cleanest we've seen so there's a big plus!"
Weather conditions: The higher elevation camping areas provide relief during summer months. "Just off & along the interstate, you'd never know. The valley road cuts through green canyon bluffs and rolling hills with good tree coverage," describes Twan M. about Six Mile Canyon, highlighting the environmental contrast with the surrounding desert.
Dark skies for stargazing: Areas away from Gallup offer minimal light pollution. "The stars were bomb dot com," reports Nat&Rach C. about their experience at Six Mile Canyon Dispersed Site, pointing to the quality of night sky viewing in the area.
What you should know
Seasonal closures affect access: Several dispersed camping areas have restricted winter access. "The gate at the end of the road is closed Dec. 15 to March 31. Parked outside the gate for the night," reports Dan J. about Turkey Springs, while Dave B. confirms: "This site is closed from December 15 to March 31."
Road conditions vary significantly: Turkey Springs requires cautious driving in wet conditions. Kenny R. advises: "Don't recommend if it's muddy! Great spot! Lots of options and tons of open space. Beautiful area... dispersed camping area kinda being a mudpit after the rain."
Site spacing considerations: RV sites near Mentmore, New Mexico range from spacious to compact. Susan R. notes about USA RV Park: "The sites are VERY close together and many of the picnic tables seem to need new boards for seats."
Limited water availability: Dispersed camping areas require bringing your own water. "NO cell service - at least AT&T so bring your Starlink if you've got it," adds Robert G. about McGaffey Campground, reminding campers about connectivity limitations.
Tips for camping with families
Pizza delivery option: USA RV Park allows food delivery to campsites. "We were able to get pizza delivered to our RV site which was a big hit with the kids," shares Nicole B., making it a convenient option for family meals.
Playground access: State park campgrounds provide recreational facilities for children. Sara S. describes Bluewater Lake State Park: "Playground for the kiddos, lots of areas to explore with the puppers, and plenty of bathrooms and Ramadas available for day use."
Wildlife viewing opportunities: Wild horses can be spotted at certain campgrounds. Austin C. reports about Bluewater Lake: "Wild horses roaming around the lake were also pretty cool," providing a natural attraction for children.
Pool amenities in summer: Some RV parks maintain swimming facilities during warm months. Melissa L. mentions that USA RV Park has "nice pool, bbq place on site!" which provides entertainment options for families with children during hot weather.
Tips from RVers
Big rig accessibility: El Morro RV Park and Cabins accommodates larger vehicles despite remote location. Max M. shares: "Full camper hookups. It is just minutes from El Morro Nat'l Monument and close to Mal Pais Volcano flows. I recommend the place."
Level site availability: Finding flat parking at dispersed sites requires planning. Timothy N. advises about Turkey Springs: "Lots of options for sites on both sides of 162 before it starts going uphill. Several sites off the smaller two track roads can support good size trailers with lots of flat open space."
Hookup quality variations: Electric and water connections differ between facilities. Grace D. reports about Bluewater Lake State Park Campground: "Nice host greeted us and explained where the best sites were for our very large 5th Wheel. The sites with power were already taken, but we can boondock and the pull-through sites were great."
Temperature management: Higher elevation campgrounds experience significant temperature swings. Timothy N. notes about Turkey Springs: "It is above 7k, so it does get colder at night than the local forecast for Gallup," reminding RVers to prepare for overnight temperature drops.
