Rustic camping near Mountainair, New Mexico offers visitors juniper and ponderosa pine landscapes with elevation changes causing significant temperature fluctuations. Free dispersed sites in Cibola National Forest lands require preparation for remote conditions with limited facilities. Water availability remains minimal throughout the area, with most campers needing to pack in supplies.
What to do
Canyon exploration: San Lorenzo Canyon provides unique geological formations for day hikes from your campsite. "The canyons were amazing to hike in and bike among. I saw very few people it will feel like you are not driving on the right place as the 'road' is eventually just a dry river bed, but keep going the course and you will find gorgeous sites to camp at," notes a visitor to San Lorenzo Canyon Dispersed.
Wildlife observation: Early mornings offer opportunities to spot local wildlife while avoiding midday heat. "We stayed here with our pull behind trailer and I do not recommend doing what we did. It's very hard to get up to the actual spots," writes one camper about approaches to wildlife areas.
Firewood collection: Several camping areas permit gathering downed wood for campfires. At Manzano Mountains Camp, one camper reports an "Ample supply of downed trees to use as firewood. Gets muddy if it rains."
What campers like
Privacy between sites: Many dispersed areas offer substantial space between campsites for solitude. "There are plenty of spots to pull of to along the side of the road. Designated areas with fire pits are bit difficult/narrow to get to if you are towing anything," notes a camper at Dispersed Camping off FS 542.
Wind protection: Forested areas provide natural windbreaks for tent campers. One visitor to Cedro 2 Track 13 Dispersed Site commented, "We are the only ones here they have nice fire pits very quiet lots of trees. Because of that you have quite a decent wind block."
Pit toilets at select locations: Some primitive sites offer basic facilities. A camper at Gallinas Site reports, "This is a nice site with loads of space. Even in the winter there was a fair amount of people around but we could all really spread out. Very good New Mexican food in nearby town of Corona too!!"
What you should know
Cell service varies by location: Service strength changes dramatically based on proximity to towers. "I had a couple of bars of service (Verizon) in the camping area," notes one Gallinas Site visitor, while another camper at San Lorenzo Canyon reports "Zero cell service. Don't follow goggle to find."
Fire restrictions fluctuate seasonally: Check current fire regulations before planning campfires. "This area is very wooded. Could get muddy when it rains. Lots of sites. Big rig friendly," writes a Manzano Mountains Camp reviewer.
Road conditions worsen during precipitation: Many access roads become challenging after rainfall. At Manzanita Rec Zone Dispersed Camping, a visitor notes, "The road up to the camping area is decent. There are big ruts headed into the camping area that are impassible to low clearance vehicles but nice spots otherwise."
Tips for camping with families
Arrive during daylight hours: Finding legitimate camping spots proves difficult after dark. "Plan to arrive well before dark, as it's very hard to find the rings in the dark. There are small brown numbered signs but the spots kind of blend together in the dark," advises a camper.
Pack extra layers year-round: Temperature swings require adaptable clothing options. "Elevation is about 7500 feet so if you're from sea level like us, give yourself some time to acclimate before you go venturing on one of the many trails or canyon hikes nearby," suggests one visitor.
Identify established sites: Look for metal fire rings to locate official camping areas. According to one camper, "National forest, public land, dispersed camping. Pit toilet, bear proof trash cans. Easy pull off hwy 54 onto good gravel road."
Tips from RVers
Scout ahead when possible: Check road conditions before committing to routes with trailers. One RVer explains, "My family and I camped here and chose this location as one of our stops on our road trip. It was easy to find and get to. Luckily, I have a have a high clearance vehicle due to the ruts on the road."
Choose first available sites: The easiest access sites are closest to main roads. "Turned down 192 and found a spot about 1/4 miles in. 4 bars Verizon," shares a camper at Cedro 2 Track 13 Dispersed Site.
Avoid narrow access roads: Many forest service roads lack turn-around space for larger vehicles. "Yeah, today, unfortunately, I went four wheeling in a bus. Everybody says it's rough, but easily doable. And I found that the place is full of massive amounts of ruts everywhere," cautions a visitor to Manzanita Rec Zone.
