Best Dispersed Camping near Mimbres, NM
Dispersed camping opportunities abound in the Mimbres area of southwestern New Mexico, with several free primitive sites available on public lands. Comfort Well Dispersed Camping, Meadow Creek Road, North Star Mesa, and Pine Flats Campground offer no-fee camping options within the Gila National Forest. These sites typically feature simple fire rings and cleared areas for tents or small RVs. According to reviews, Meadow Creek Road "starts out as a well maintained dirt road with a handful of sites marked by fire rings," with approximately a dozen sites within the first quarter mile.
Road conditions vary significantly between sites. North Star Road is generally well-maintained and accessible to most vehicles, while Meadow Creek Dispersed Camping requires 4WD and high clearance vehicles. Several campers noted that Meadow Creek has a "bumpy road for all 3+ miles into the mountainside," though the seclusion makes it "worth the drive." No drinking water, toilets, or trash facilities exist at any of these sites. Cell service is spotty throughout the region, with T-Mobile occasionally available in clearings and higher elevations.
These areas operate under standard Leave No Trace principles. Pack out all trash, as the remote Gila wilderness makes waste removal particularly challenging. Campfires are permitted in existing fire rings when no fire restrictions are in place. The sites provide excellent access to hiking trails, including portions of the Continental Divide Trail. Pine Flats Campground offers abundant shade beneath tall ponderosas, while North Star Mesa is known for exceptionally clear night skies. Summer brings increased visitation, while winter months remain quieter. Wildlife sightings are common, and cattle occasionally graze through some camping areas.
