Best Dispersed Camping near Ojo Caliente, NM

Northern New Mexico's high desert landscape surrounding Ojo Caliente features predominantly dispersed camping options on public lands managed by the Bureau of Land Management and Carson National Forest. Forest Road 558 and Tres Piedras Dispersed Site offer primitive camping within 30 minutes of Ojo Caliente's mineral springs, with sites scattered along dirt roads that extend into juniper and piñon woodland. Carson National Forest's Forest Service Road 578 provides additional dispersed sites with views of the Sangre de Cristo mountains, while areas near Taos Junction offer proximity to the Rio Grande corridor for those seeking riverside camping experiences.

Road conditions vary significantly throughout the region, with many access routes requiring high-clearance vehicles. As one camper noted about Forest Road 558: "We stayed closer to the highway which is safer without 4WD. Higher clearance is helpful due to ruts in the road." Most dispersed sites lack amenities, requiring self-sufficiency with water, waste disposal, and other essentials. Seasonal considerations include cold nights even in summer, with temperatures dropping below freezing in spring and fall. A camper at Carson NF reported: "It got cold at night, like 27°F" during an April stay. Fire restrictions are common during dry periods, and the 14-day stay limit applies to most public lands in the area. Cell service is spotty but available in higher elevations and areas closer to highways.

Stargazing opportunities rank among the top experiences mentioned by campers in the region. The minimal light pollution and clear desert air create exceptional night sky viewing. Wildlife sightings, particularly coyotes and elk, are frequently reported in the Carson National Forest areas. Campers consistently mention the solitude and spaciousness as primary attractions. One visitor to the Tres Piedras area noted: "Beautiful dispersed camping spots plentiful. Park ranger Melissa was top notch." While most sites are primitive, the proximity to Ojo Caliente's hot springs, Taos, and outdoor recreation opportunities makes this region particularly appealing for those comfortable with self-sufficient camping and variable road conditions.

Best Dispersed Sites Near Ojo Caliente, New Mexico (56)

    1. Forest Road 558

    3 Reviews
    Ojo Caliente, NM
    4 miles

    "A good amount of dispersed sites off of FSR558. I just pulled off to one of the closer sites but looked like tons of other sites were further in on the road."

    2. Tres Piedras Dispersed Site

    1 Review
    Carson National Forest, NM
    14 miles
    Website
    +1 (575) 758-8678

    "No hookups. Not many people. You can spend 14 days there. Make sure you practice LNT and take some time to enjoy nature."

    3. Carson NF - Forest Service Road 578 - Dispersed Camping

    5 Reviews
    Carson National Forest, NM
    19 miles
    Website
    +1 (575) 758-8678

    "There are a bunch of different roads you can turn off to camp on if you’re driving from Taos to Durango."

    "I tent-camped off of Carson NF Forest Service Road 578 in mid April 2022. FS 578 is south of Tres Piedras about 5 miles on the west side of Hwy 285."

    5. Sante Fe National Forest BLM-Road 62 Dispersed

    42 Reviews
    Santa Fe, NM
    43 miles

    "This is dispersed camping with mostly RVs, some vans, and a few tents and teepees. There are no hookups but near the entrance there is a building with two enclosed bathrooms."

    "It's a great area with flat sites and close proximity to Santa Fe. The dirt road is not too long and not bad at all. There were a bunch of campers there but it didnt feel crowded."

    7. Dispersed Camping Near Taos

    4 Reviews
    Arroyo Hondo, NM
    25 miles
    Website
    +1 (575) 758-8851

    "Dirt road but we did it with no problem with our 24ft trailer."

    "A good dispersed campground with a few spots. Don’t drive to the John dun bridge from Taos use the longer route instead. The switch back road is blocked off now."

    8. Tres Piedras Camp

    2 Reviews
    Carson National Forest, NM
    25 miles

    "Seen all the road exits of the Carson National Forest on our way to Taos we said “let’s give it a try!” And we found apparently a fairly popular place."

    "Close to main roads but quiet flat and wide spots. Several fire spots (3-5 didn’t count all). We had neighbors we could see but all are pleasantly spaced."

    9. Dispersed Camp Site near Carson

    Be the first to review!
    Carson National Forest, NM
    14 miles
    Website
    +1 (575) 758-8678

    10. Pajarito Springs (Dispersed)

    18 Reviews
    Los Alamos, NM
    37 miles

    "We were just looking for a place to crash in our SUV before going to Bandelier National Monument in the morning and continuing on our road trip."

    "Along the entire length of this road dispersed camping is allowed."

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Dispersed Camping Reviews near Ojo Caliente, NM

191 Reviews of 56 Ojo Caliente Campgrounds


  • Tim W.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 24, 2023

    Whirlpool Dispersed Camping Area

    Will go again

    We got there on a Friday and had our pick of sites. We picked one right on the river. No electricity. No water. No picnic tables. No trash receptacle. Vault toilets. Camp spaces are spread out. Some of the roads on the campground had deep ruts and pools of mud water but not all. You can see every star on a clear night. The road to the campground is about 6 miles of curvy dirt and gravel single lane. But a woman managed it in a Jaguar so not too bad just go slow. Rustic and relaxing.

  • Dan G.
    Aug. 6, 2021

    Sante Fe National Forest BLM-Road 62 Dispersed

    Santa Fe BLM

    This is dispersed camping with mostly RVs, some vans, and a few tents and teepees. There are no hookups but near the entrance there is a building with two enclosed bathrooms. There is no trash collection so you must carry out everything you bring in. This is great free camping or just free overnight parking if you are self sufficient with your own water and solar power. There is lots of space but it seems like a lot of people just pull in and find spots near the front. We camped in August 2021 and days got up to 90 degrees. We hung out in SantaFe until about 8pm and it dropped to 80 and the breeze picked up. It is dry in the desert so 80 is very comfortable. Another nice thing about desert camping is there are some flies, and a few mosquitos but compared to the moist midwest we seem fine without having to use a lot of bug repellant. We will stay here again.

  • muj V.
    Oct. 7, 2021

    Sante Fe National Forest BLM-Road 62 Dispersed

    Great area close to Santa Fe

    It's a great area with flat sites and close proximity to Santa Fe. The dirt road is not too long and not bad at all. There were a bunch of campers there but it didnt feel crowded. There was a pit toilet, clean and maintained (had fully stocked TP).

    Driving along the access road, seems like there are also camping spots before the gate, but within the gate is the Forest Service grounds.

    Stars are amazing at night. We saw nearby hiking and mtb trails, though we didnt get to try them. Santa Fe is also a great city to visit while here.

  • Jennifer H.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 9, 2023

    Cow Creek Dispersed Camping Area

    Beautiful fall colors

    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!

  • Kevin C.The Dyrt PRO User
    Mar. 29, 2023

    Pajarito Springs (Dispersed)

    Worked for our needs

    We were just looking for a place to crash in our SUV before going to Bandelier National Monument in the morning and continuing on our road trip. Showed up at midnight and grabbed the first flat spot to park. Convenient and free is always nice. 20 min from the visitors center. There was a “No Campfires” sign at the entrance despite what this listing states.

  • Jeanie P.The Dyrt PRO User
    May. 31, 2021

    Pajarito Springs (Dispersed)

    Close to Bandelier and Los Alamos

    We stayed here 3 nights over Memorial Day weekend. Got in Thursday night and there were plenty of sites to choose from. As other reviews have said, the sites are spaced out well and there were always sites available throughout the weekend. We camped on the road that immediately turns to the right. Along the entire length of this road dispersed camping is allowed. If you go to the left (high clearance is good to have but could make it with 2wd) dispersed camping isn't allowed till you're about a mile in (see map picture). There are some fun single track trails (Water Canyon and Perimeter Trail) accessible from the campsite if you plan on mt biking or running/hiking. Bandelier National Monument is about 15 min drive away and is a fun place to checkout and climb in some cliff dwellings.
    Just as a side note we saw 3 coyotes our first night in and heard them howling in the AM and PM, so keep pets leashed if you bring them and keep small kiddos close!

  • Stephanie D.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 12, 2025

    Forest Road 102 Dispersed

    Borrego Trail-Long, bumpy road

    Long, bumpy one-lane dirt road. 2-5mph the whole way. No shoulder. No way to back up or turn around. Lots of ruts and washouts. Only a couple of turn-arounds way up the mountain. Not good for trailers. Best for high clearance or 4x4. Several walk in campsites if you have a small vehicle. If you make it to the top, there’s a handful of nice campsites that you can drive into. We made it, but it was rough! 56 minutes to drive 3.4 miles.

  • Hayley K.The Dyrt PRO User
    Feb. 14, 2020

    Rio Grande del Norte National Monument

    Quiet beauty

    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.

  • TheCampingNerd ..
    Oct. 21, 2021

    Sante Fe National Forest BLM-Road 62 Dispersed

    Huge Free Camping Area That Feels Safe Near Santa Fe

    There are a ton of campsites here, and even more options if you have a high clearance vehicle. 

    If you have a low clearance RV I recommend taking the first road to the left after crossing the cattle guard. That road leads around most of the camping area and you can avoid the side roads with the steep entrances. 

    It is right next to a landfill which is interesting but there were no flies or smells in October. 

    For a free camping area right next to a city the area felt safe and was surprisingly clean.


Guide to Ojo Caliente

Dispersed camping areas near Ojo Caliente, New Mexico offer free overnight options on public lands at elevations ranging from 5,800 to 7,500 feet. The region experiences significant temperature fluctuations with summer days reaching 90°F while dropping to 50°F at night. Cell service varies substantially throughout the area, with better reception found at higher elevations and closer to Highway 285.

What to do

Hot springs access: Campers at Forest Road 558 often use their sites as a base for visiting Ojo Caliente Mineral Springs. "We parked a little further off 285 than most people so the road noise was minimal. A car drove past us on the dirt road in the morning which was surprising but nothing more," notes Julie K.

Hiking options: Multiple trail systems are accessible from Tres Piedras Camp, located in Carson National Forest. "There are signs for trailheads and pretty rock formations that will need to be explored next time," mentions a reviewer from Wild Berries B.

Fishing and rock climbing: The Rio Grande corridor offers both activities near Dispersed Camping Near Taos. As camper Toni K. explains, "If you make it up to the campsite it's only a mile walk to the hot springs down below where the bridge is. You can go fishing over there as well as rock climbing."

What campers like

Solitude and spaciousness: Many sites at Carson NF - Forest Service Road 578 offer privacy. "A nice secluded little forest road. RVs will not make it, so it's nice and quiet. Stayed one night and saw no one else," writes Kala J.

Wildlife viewing: The juniper and piñon woodland habitat supports diverse wildlife. "I saw two elk across a swath of sage," reports Jacob W. about his Forest Service Road 578 experience.

Night sky viewing: The minimal light pollution creates exceptional stargazing conditions. "We made a quick walk down to the springs in the evening and watched the stars come out. Awesome!!" shares madeleine H. about her experience at Dispersed Camping Near Taos.

What you should know

Vehicle requirements: Most access roads require appropriate vehicles. "AWD/4WD needed on the rutted rocky road," notes Kala J. about Forest Service Road 578. For Forest Road 558, Kayla D. advises, "You could probably make it in a 2WD vehicle for the first few sites but it gets a bit more rugged as you continue in."

Access routes: Some areas have specific access requirements. For Dispersed Camping Near Taos, Nora S. cautions, "Bridge is open as of June 2025 so this spot is accessible via east or west. The west access is not for the faint hearted but still doable in any AWD."

Variable cell service: Coverage differs significantly by location. "Cell service drops completely pretty soon after leaving the highway. I sporadically received some messages at my camp site but not reliably," reports Kala J. about Forest Service Road 578.

Tips for camping with families

Proximity to amenities: Sante Fe National Forest BLM-Road 62 offers reasonably convenient access to supplies. "This place is super convenient to Santa Fe. Easy to find and plenty of spots," writes Matt P.

Clean bathroom access: Some areas provide basic facilities. "Bathrooms were shortly after the left turn to the right. Fairly clean so that was nice," notes Carole about Sante Fe National Forest BLM-Road 62.

Site selection for privacy: Choose locations strategically. "We opted not to camp in the 'lot' where a lot of people set up. We drove back the road a bit further for some privacy," suggests Matt P. about BLM-Road 62.

Tips from RVers

Level ground availability: Pajarito Springs offers suitable terrain for larger vehicles in specific areas. "Go right and there are plenty of spaces to choose from. Los Alamos is only 15 minutes away," advises Jim C.

Site accessibility challenges: Many dispersed sites have limitations for larger rigs. "Very inaccessible, was crowded when I got there. Would be good for backpack camping. But not RVs or larger trailors. You'll need good 4x4!" warns Rick W. about Pajarito Springs.

Seasonal road conditions: Spring and fall bring variable conditions. For free camping near Ojo Caliente, New Mexico, consider that many access roads become impassable after rainfall. "I wouldn't advise going down left road, as it gets really tight and not many places to turnaround," cautions Brett H. about Pajarito Springs.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where exactly can I find dispersed camping near Ojo Caliente?

Several dispersed camping options exist near Ojo Caliente. Rio Grande del Norte National Monument offers BLM dispersed camping with multiple turnoffs, making it a convenient stopover option. For those seeking riverside camping, Whirlpool Dispersed Camping Area provides sites directly on the water, though be aware of potential muddy conditions on some access roads. Both locations are free but come with the typical dispersed camping limitations – no electricity, water, or trash services. Look for established pullouts and cleared areas to minimize environmental impact.

Is there hot springs access from the dispersed camping areas at Ojo Caliente?

Direct hot springs access from dispersed camping areas near Ojo Caliente is limited. While Pajarito Springs (Dispersed) is located in the general area, it doesn't offer immediate access to developed hot springs. The main Ojo Caliente Mineral Springs are privately operated and require paid admission for access. Most dispersed campers in the area plan day trips to the resort for soaking. Some locals mention natural hot springs spots along the Rio Grande, but these are not officially maintained and access points change seasonally. For guaranteed hot springs access, plan to visit the resort facilities rather than expecting access from your camp.

What are the rules and permits required for dispersed camping at Ojo Caliente?

Dispersed camping near Ojo Caliente follows standard BLM and National Forest regulations. At Sante Fe National Forest BLM-Road 62 Dispersed, camping is free with a typical 14-day stay limit. No permits are required, but you must practice Leave No Trace principles – pack out all trash, as there's no collection service. Campfires may be restricted seasonally, so check current fire regulations before your trip. At Cow Creek Dispersed Camping Area, similar rules apply, though access requires navigating rougher roads that may need 4WD. Most sites prohibit camping within 200 feet of water sources and 100 feet from main roads. Always use existing fire rings when available.