Best Dispersed Camping near Ocate, NM

Rio Grande del Norte National Monument is BLM land so it is all dispersed camping. You will need to make sure you aren't on someone's property or nearby any roads. There are plenty of turn offs. 

This isn't a "get away" more like a stopover spot. I stopped here on my way back North to Colorado to see the bridge over the Rio Grande and so I wasn't so high up in elevation that I would freeze. 

But if you can find a quiet place it is a beautiful dispersed spot where there is civilization nearby and toilets at local businesses  and picnic areas that you can use. See map on review. 

Be careful roaming at night. The drop into the river is quite deep so offroading isn't just ill advised for keeping the flora and fauna safe…but you as well. 

There are picnic ares around the monument too, just not established camping spots.

All camping spots here are right off the roads where you can find one or two spots that are less close. Arroyo Seco is the town close to the camping, but you keep going straight from the coordinates to get to Cuchillo de Medio and Cuchillo. It’s not truly “dispersed” camping because there aren’t many sites and your pretty close to your neighbors. Cuchillo Del Medio does have some fire pits, picnic tables, and a bathroom. You do get to camp right on a clear river that is beautiful!

There are a few tent spots and car camping spots, and it’s right along a creek where you can fly fish. It was a longer drive out there than expected, but there’s a sign that lets you know your in the National forest and out of peoples private property. You probably want 4WD because the road was rough, but definitely worth it with the fall colors! We loved this spot!

No amenities except some great river side places.

Dispersed camping along the road (though it’s not a busy one, especially not at night so not noisy) right on the river.

First coms first served with mostly tenting spaces.

The 8 campsites are distributed along the forest road. Each campsite is no more than 10 feet from the road (very little privacy), but most appear to have a fire ring close by and space for a tent which is protected from vehicle encroachment by the strategic placement of some very large boulders. The well cared for creek runs next to each campsite. There were two campsites that could possible fit a larger trailer, but again, you will be right next to the road. The forest itself has taken some extensive damage from fire and I’m guessing drought. It is beginning to repair itself, but may take decades to get back to its former glory. Dead trees standing and fallen, dot the hills, but so do live aspens, very young oak, grasses and some fire damaged pine. We have a 4 wheel drive truck, but we saw many smaller 2 wheel drive vehicles. The road is bumpy and narrow at times but serviceable. There was light traffic all day and into the evening, including ATV’s. Our campsite (one of the few that would fit our trailer) had a lot of trash strewn about, including a very used bucket and a car battery. We packed it out, but it’s distressing to see our forests uncared for.

As a dead end (there is the Taos ski resort up further, the best spots are before the ski resort) there wasn’t much traffic. One of the cleanest campsites off a road I’ve been to! Plenty of brush if you want to start a fire. There is no Verizon service.

There are so many campsites to choose from, all along the Hondo Rio. It's peaceful and quiet. We brought our four dogs and 13 year old. There's so much to do to keep them busy. The dogs love the river and to run through it. No one really bothers anyone. There are toilets at some of the sites. Very clean. We had storms while camping. At least six rock/mud slides on the road. I don't know who, but someone managed to clean it all up in record time. We've had a great time, even with the rain and hail. We will definitely come back.

Got there late so we just pulled into the first site we saw. Woke up to a little creek behind us. More people were camping on down the road. And had a few people show up in the morning to go on a walk.

Highway 64 between Taos and Angel Fire > Turn onto Forest Rd 5 and go to end

Solid road, no issue with 25ft travel trailer.

There's a gravel cul-de-sac with a couple obvious places to camp.  Also a couple two tracks roads continuing into the woods, but those weren't passable due to mud.

There's a few small ponds which appear to be the beginning of the Rio Fernando.  I think there's some restoration work going on if I'm not mistaken.  

I tried parking so that I was looking out at the clearing, but this made levelling my trailer pretty difficult.  Probably would be easier to just keep in on the gravel.

I somehow had 5g reception here on Verizon, and Starlink also worked well.

I car-camped here just before Labor Day weekend and while it wasn’t the most private camping area, I was able to snag a spot along the river and had a nice time.

Led me to dirt, private road after 3 attempts! I don’t give up easily but 3 xxx you’re out! Bad gps guidance here and also another site as well! Will not continue with app, trial/pro or otherwise!

Right off the road, literally. it hidden behind some trees so the barrier between the site and road makes for a little privacy. Great spot for a day or two right next to a creek so you fall asleep to the sound of it, not wasn’t a gentle creek, but lovely all the same. trees to put up a hammock. Fire pits but they were off limits do to fire season . Would definitely recommend .

One thing is that you MUST approach from the west, you can’t get here coming from the east over John dun bridge. Dirt road but we did it with no problem with our 24ft trailer. Make sure you go all the way to the coordinates as there are a ton of great spots off to the left of the road, plenty of room to spread out and some solidly flat spots. Made a quick walk down to the springs in the evening and watched the stars come out. Awesome!!

There are at least four established campground in the del Norte Wild Rivers Recreation area with La Junta being a walk-in and the others camping areas having the capability of parking really close to covered tables. Area is on the edge of the gorge overlooking the Rio Grande 800’ below or the Red River gorge about the same depth. Awesome views, adequate spacing between sites, visitor center, remote area, dark skies, private, arid area with small trees for shade. Hiking, rafting, horseback riding nearby.