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Best Dispersed Camping near Nogal, NM

58 Reviews

Upper Bonito Dispersed Recreation Area provides free camping in Lincoln National Forest near Nogal, New Mexico. The area features established dispersed sites along a small creek with vault toilets but no drinking water or hookups. Access requires navigating dirt roads that can become dusty in dry conditions and potentially impassable when snowed in during winter months. As one camper shared, "There's some privacy if you find a good spot, could be busy during the weekend, but it's worth visiting."

Several other dispersed camping options exist within driving distance of Nogal. West Mesa Trailhead BLM offers free remote forest camping with good cell service and road access suitable for standard vehicles. Guebara Tank Camp provides isolated tent and RV camping with mountain views, while Forest Road 568 dispersed camping near Cloudcroft offers numerous pull-offs under pine forest canopy. Most sites permit campfires (except during restriction periods), allow pets, and maintain the standard 14-day stay limit. No water or services are available, so campers must pack in all supplies and pack out all waste.

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Best Dispersed Sites Near Nogal, New Mexico (16)

    1. Upper Bonito Dispersed Recreation Area

    5 Reviews
    Nogal, NM
    7 miles
    Website
    +1 (575) 257-4095

    "A lot of dispersed camping areas don't have toilets, but this one does. Lots of first come first served campsites along the little creek. Not much privacy when it's busier (warmer months)."

    "We had a great night drove through the entire area and off roads to find a nice quiet area we had our son and two big doggos and had plenty of space for them to roam."

    2. Guebara Tank Camp

    1 Review
    Nogal, NM
    4 miles
    Website
    +1 (575) 257-4095

    "Not to many trees that are tall so u get cover but not complete seclusion but enof to where it’s enjoyable and u see the sky at nights so path ways are very down sloap if ur in a car know how to drive"

    3. West Mesa Trailhead BLM Dispersed

    2 Reviews
    Capitan, NM
    12 miles
    Website
    +1 (575) 244-4605

    "Easy to find and not a rough drive. I saw several dirt pull offs surrounded by trees before parking. This was a very private remote area in the forest."

    "But I rode my bike all over the place and there's dispersed camping everywhere. Good cell phone service. I plan on staying for a full week and working from here."

    4. End of Cedar Creek Road

    1 Review
    Ruidoso, NM
    12 miles
    Website
    +1 (575) 434-7200

    5. West Mesa Conservation Area

    Be the first to review!
    Capitan, NM
    12 miles
    Website
    +1 (575) 244-4605

    6. Middle Fork at Cedar Creek

    Be the first to review!
    Ruidoso, NM
    12 miles

    7. Forest Road 568 - Dispersed Camping

    17 Reviews
    Cloudcroft, NM
    39 miles
    Website
    +1 (575) 682-2551

    "You can get as far away from main roads as you need. There are infinite spots on this road. It’s quite long and the road conditions aren’t all that bad, so anyone can access it."

    "04/15/22 service road 568, Lincoln National Forest, NM Friday night/Good Friday

    I found this camp on a suggestion from a local waitress at Big Daddy’s."

    8. Bluff Springs Dispersed Camping

    17 Reviews
    Sunspot, NM
    49 miles
    Website
    +1 (575) 682-7570

    "Dispersed camping along the bluff spring stream. A ton of campsites, and easy access to bluff spring and a trail complex. High clearance vehicle recommended, pretty packed in the summer months."

    "This is a quiet area tucked away in Lincoln National Forest. It's not too far from Cloudcroft, NM so it's easy to resupply on water, snack, etc."

    9. Forest Rd 568 Dispersed

    8 Reviews
    Cloudcroft, NM
    40 miles
    Website
    +1 (575) 682-2551

    "You can get as far away from main roads as you need. There are infinite spots on this road. It’s quite long and the road conditions aren’t all that bad, so anyone can access it."

    "This was a beautiful location, near the town of Cloudcroft. We enjoyed the cooler weather up in the mountains. It was peaceful and quite. There were not very many spaces available."

    10. Bailey Canyon

    1 Review
    Cloudcroft, NM
    39 miles

    "Very much so dispersed camping with no amenities. The road up was a little muddy but over all smoother and easy. We picked a spot at the highest point along Bailey Canyon Rd."

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Recent Free Dispersed Camping Photos near Nogal, NM

35 Photos of 16 Nogal Campgrounds

Dispersed Camping Reviews near Nogal, NM

58 Reviews of 16 Nogal Campgrounds

  • Niels W.The Dyrt PRO User
    Mar. 16, 2025

    Gallinas Site

    Boondocking

    National forest, public land, dispersed camping. Pit toilet, bear proof trash cans. Easy pull off hwy 54 onto good gravel road.

  • Mitchell M.
    Dec. 11, 2021

    Forest Road 568 - Dispersed Camping

    Great Stay

    Needed a last resort spot to sleep and decided on finding a spot here. Visited in last day in November, so it was a bit cold at night. Since it was so late in the year I ran across 0 other people, and at night it was absolutely silent. You can get as far away from main roads as you need. There are infinite spots on this road. It’s quite long and the road conditions aren’t all that bad, so anyone can access it. You can tell where other people have been due to campfires. But if you visit anytime in the year I’m sure you’re able to find a spot, as they can extend up to 200ft back into the woods and have lots of area. About 5 min drive to main road and 8 minutes to cloudcroft. There was no trash, and also no amenities. I highly recommend this spot if you need somewhere free to stay extended or even one night if you’re visiting Lincoln. Coordinates are accurate

  • Mitchell M.
    Dec. 11, 2021

    Forest Rd 568 Dispersed

    Excellent Stay

    Needed a last resort spot to sleep and decided on finding a spot here. Visited in last day in November, so it was a bit cold at night. Since it was so late in the year I ran across 0 other people, and at night it was absolutely silent. You can get as far away from main roads as you need. There are infinite spots on this road. It’s quite long and the road conditions aren’t all that bad, so anyone can access it. You can tell where other people have been due to campfires. But if you visit anytime in the year I’m sure you’re able to find a spot, as they can extend up to 200ft back into the woods and have lots of area. About 5 min drive to main road and 8 minutes to cloudcroft. There was no trash, and also no amenities. I highly recommend this spot if you need somewhere free to stay extended or even one night if you’re visiting Lincoln. Coordinates are accurate

  • Abraham The Dyrt PRO User
    Jan. 1, 2021

    Bluff Springs Dispersed Camping

    Lots of options

    Dispersed camping along the bluff spring stream. A ton of campsites, and easy access to bluff spring and a trail complex. High clearance vehicle recommended, pretty packed in the summer months.

  • Mark G.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jan. 21, 2024

    Dry Canyon Near Hang Glider Launch

    Great camping. Difficult terrain. Gun range at the bottom.

    The camping is great and the views are amazing. However, the trail up to the camping spots is steep, washed out, and tight. Can be navigated with a stock 4x4 pick up. Also, there is a gun range at the bottom, so you'll hear gun shots til sundown. Also, a little highway noise is present in the distance.

  • JThe Dyrt PRO User
    Jun. 12, 2019

    Bluff Springs Dispersed Camping

    Lovely little spot in the Lincoln NF

    This is a little pull-off area in a very populated National Forest. It can get pretty crowded so hiking in is important. The car-camping and RV camping is right on the road.

  • Jacob W.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 3, 2020

    Bluff Springs Dispersed Camping

    Potentially good

    Bluff Springs is nestled in a pretty forested valley with a creek and falls in Lincoln National Forest about 10 miles south of Cloudcroft off Sunspot highway on Upper Peñasco Road. There’s a gravel parking lot with bathrooms but no campground. We tent camped Sat, Aug. 1, 2020, arriving about 2pm. There were many people camping and it was difficult to find a spot along the road with dispersed camping sites. We had to camp in thicker grass among cow dung because the mowed sites were taken. Still, life outside is better, right? It stormed much of the day and night but Sunday morning dawned clear and we took a short 1-mile hike from the Bluff Springs trailhead to the Willie White trailhead. There are longer hikes too. There were some camping trailers but no big RVs. Upper Peñasco Road is narrow in parts. A decent place.

  • D
    Sep. 16, 2020

    Bluff Springs Dispersed Camping

    Awesome Dispersed Camping Spot

    This is a quiet area tucked away in Lincoln National Forest. It's not too far from Cloudcroft, NM so it's easy to resupply on water, snack, etc. You can camp right next to a creek and the valley makes for some great views. This area is basically everything you can ask for when dispersed camping. It's quiet and other than the occasional hiker, nobody else is around. There's plenty of hiking and just good times to be had. A quintessential camping experience.

  • Laura M.The Dyrt PRO User
    Nov. 21, 2020

    Forest Road 568 - Dispersed Camping

    Generators and Chainsaws

    This is right off of highway 244. From CloudCroft take highway 82 east to highway 244 about half mile past designated campgrounds is a dirt road to the left. There is a large grass/dirt area right off the road on the left and a couple of spots further down. To the right there are a couple of more"secluded" spots though the generator noise and the chainsaws are still loud. One generator ran all night long. The chainsaw eventually stopped after the guy had maybe enough for a log cabin. 

    You can continue up the road which is a nice hike and there are a few more pull out site along the road. The road Ys and to the left are more sites that are private but the road is a bit rough. This place is FREE which we usually look for but this is probably one of the loudest we've been to. Both roads at the Y offer a nice hike with minimal traffic, there was only a single vehicle we came upon. Very nice.

    Good cell reception AT&T and Verizon. No water, garbage or bathrooms. PACK IN AND OUT! Multiple rock fire rings in random places as this is a dispersed camping area and watch out for the multitude of animal limbs and carcasses laying around from hunters.

Guide to Nogal

Discover the beauty of dispersed camping near Nogal, New Mexico, where nature enthusiasts can enjoy serene landscapes and outdoor adventures without the constraints of traditional campgrounds. This area offers a variety of spots perfect for those looking to immerse themselves in the great outdoors.

Scenic Trails for Hiking Enthusiasts

  • The Upper Bonito Dispersed Recreation Area is surrounded by numerous trails, making it an ideal base for hiking adventures, including the popular Big Bonito Trail.
  • Visitors have noted the peaceful atmosphere and ample space for exploration, perfect for families and pets, although pets are not allowed at this specific area.
  • With its proximity to a lake, this area provides opportunities for both hiking and enjoying water activities, enhancing the overall camping experience.

Ideal Spots for Horseback Riding

  • The West Mesa Trailhead BLM Dispersed is a fantastic location for horseback riding, with trails that cater to equestrian enthusiasts.
  • This area is known for its remote forest setting, offering riders a chance to explore the natural beauty of the region while enjoying the tranquility of the surroundings.
  • Many visitors have reported good cell service, making it convenient for those who want to stay connected while enjoying their rides.

Perfect Locations for Stargazing

  • The Guebara Tank Camp offers open areas with minimal light pollution, making it a prime spot for stargazing enthusiasts.
  • Campers have appreciated the clear night skies, which provide breathtaking views of the stars, perfect for photography or simply enjoying the cosmos.
  • The peaceful environment allows for a quiet night under the stars, enhancing the overall camping experience in this beautiful part of New Mexico.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dispersed campground near Nogal, NM is Upper Bonito Dispersed Recreation Area with a 4-star rating from 5 reviews.

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

TheDyrt.com has all 16 dispersed camping locations near Nogal, NM, with real photos and reviews from campers.

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