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Best Dispersed Camping near Organ, NM

75 Reviews

The eastern foothills of the Organ Mountains near Organ, New Mexico feature predominantly dispersed camping options on Bureau of Land Management (BLM) land. Sierra Vista and Baylor Canyon Road Spur offer the most established free camping areas, with multiple pull-off sites situated along dirt roads leading to trailheads. These areas accommodate various camping styles from tent camping to RVs and vans, though site availability varies by location. Most dispersed sites provide stunning views of the jagged Organ Mountains to the east and the lights of Las Cruces to the west, making them popular for both overnight stays and longer visits for those exploring the Organ Mountains-Desert Peaks National Monument.

Road conditions significantly impact site accessibility throughout the region. Many campers report that initial sections of access roads are well-maintained and suitable for standard vehicles, while deeper sections often require high-clearance or 4WD capabilities. As one visitor noted, "The road is pretty rocky, take it slow and you'll be good though. 4WD not needed, I managed fine in a 2WD Escape, wouldn't attempt going too far in with low clearance as some rocks are pretty big." Weather conditions can quickly deteriorate road quality, particularly after rain. Cell service is generally reliable with both Verizon and AT&T reported as strong in most camping areas. Temperatures fluctuate dramatically between day and night, with strong winds common in the afternoons and evenings.

Campers consistently highlight the panoramic views as the primary attraction of these sites. "The views of the mountain ridge as the sun comes up is awesome. The stars from here are pretty great too!" remarked one visitor to Sierra Vista. Sites closer to trailheads tend to fill quickly, especially on weekends and during peak hiking seasons. More remote sites offer greater privacy but require navigating rougher terrain. Wildlife sightings, particularly coyotes, are commonly reported at night. The lack of amenities is universal across these camping areas—no water, toilets, or trash service is available, requiring strict adherence to pack-in, pack-out principles. Despite proximity to Las Cruces (approximately 9-15 miles depending on the site), the camping experience remains distinctly primitive and self-sufficient.

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Best Dispersed Sites Near Organ, New Mexico (18)

    1. Sierra Vista

    30 Reviews
    Organ, NM
    8 miles

    "BLM managed area . Drive to the trailhead has about four areas set up for camping. Plus room for more at the cul-de-sac at the end."

    "Beautiful setting, hiking trails all over, there are people around but you feel like you have your own space, and of course free.  Very quiet.

    Easy access from road for larger vehicles."

    2. Baylor Canyon Rd Spur, BLM, Free

    13 Reviews
    Organ, NM
    6 miles
    Website
    +1 (575) 522-1219

    "Great place to rest for the night before attempting any hikes in Organ Desert Mountains National Monument. "

    "The sites are off a single dirt road with pull offs for the sites. There are about 10 or 12 sites as you follow the road. More if your neighbors are friendly."

    3. Baylor Pass West Trailhead Dispersed

    12 Reviews
    Organ, NM
    2 miles
    Website
    +1 (575) 525-4300

    "If you keep going down the road a bit farther, turn left onto a BLM dirt road (this camping area is listed on iOverlander app). There are a handful of dispersed sites just off the road."

    "You can car camp in the lot or hike out and tent camp. Beautiful view and generally quiet, albeit windy. Very easy to access from the road with my 2WD car."

    4. Sierra Vista - Back Side Dispersed

    7 Reviews
    Organ, NM
    8 miles

    "Coming in off of Dripping Springs Rd, you pass a large flat parking area with small sites you can pull off into, and this area is easy for any rig to access."

    "Sierra Vista’s Back Side Dispersed camping offers a pristine, serene outdoor experience."

    5. Oregan Wilderness Dispersed

    5 Reviews
    Organ, NM
    5 miles

    "I would definitely try to get spots here before Sierra Vista or Baylor Pass trailhead as you don’t have to deal with the traffic trying to get to the parking area to hike."

    "Additionally, the sites are quite close to another nearby main road that is primarily parallel to the road you camp off."

    6. Baylor Canyon Rd Dispersed Site

    2 Reviews
    Organ, NM
    2 miles
    Website
    +1 (575) 525-4300

    7. BLM Dispersed camping along B059 New Mexico

    6 Reviews
    Mesilla, NM
    15 miles
    Website
    +1 (575) 525-4300

    "Pretty good about 4 spots to pull off maybe more if you have a higher clearance vehicle and can make it back in farther my Camry couldn’t lol but still a nice place to stay a couple days good view of the"

    "Never see anyone here, besides a ranger this time. Good spot under open sky."

    8. Organ Mountain Area Dispersed

    1 Review
    Organ, NM
    5 miles
    Website
    +1 (575) 525-4300

    "This area is on the same road as the Baylor Canyon Spur Dispersed site. The road is dirt and a bit rocky. I was able to get a campervan through, but it can be a bit bumpy."

    9. Baylor Canyon - Organ Mountains Basecamp

    1 Review
    Organ, NM
    6 miles

    10. Sierra Vista Camp

    1 Review
    Organ, NM
    7 miles
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Recent Free Dispersed Camping Photos near Organ, NM

67 Photos of 18 Organ Campgrounds

Dispersed Camping Reviews near Organ, NM

75 Reviews of 18 Organ Campgrounds

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

    Baylor Pass West Trailhead Dispersed

    Camp in a Parking Lot=FREE

    First off this is a parking lot but you are able to camp here for free. There were trailers, RVs and even car camping in this BLM area. There are other spots along the way such as Sierra Vista Trailhead and Baylor Canyon Road as well as multiple pullouts along the Dripping Springs Road.

    You're basically at the foot of the Organ Mountains and the view is awesome, even the city lights in the distance were nice. 

    There are no amenities here. Cell reception good with AT&T and Verizon.

    Nice place to stay if you plan on hiking the Organ Mountains or heading the next 40 miles to White Sands National Monument.

  • Sam W.The Dyrt PRO User
    May. 12, 2023

    Baylor Canyon Rd Spur, BLM, Free

    Perfect Stop For The Night

    Great place to rest for the night before attempting any hikes in Organ Desert Mountains National Monument.  I had a little trouble with the road driving a low clearance 2WD Ford Fusion, but was able to navigate to a fire ring about 2 spots in where I made camp for the night. Tent camped although the ground is quite hard for spikes and spot can be very windy in the afternoon but views were worth it.

  • Laura M.The Dyrt PRO User
    Nov. 23, 2020

    Sierra Vista - Back Side Dispersed

    Rugged area past the main parking lot

    Coming in off of Dripping Springs Rd, you pass a large flat parking area with small sites you can pull off into, and this area is easy for any rig to access. But if you keep going all the way to the trail head and turn left, you can access more dispersed and remote camp sites just around the bend. You will need a high clearance 4x4 to get to these sites, or you can park in one of the sites in the beginning lot and hike in.  There are several large flat spots that are great for camping.  There are small rock fire rings and hiking trails throughout.  Good Verizon and AT&T reception.

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

    Gap Tank dispersed camping

    Lonely desert

    Gap Tank is located in the gap between Mt. Riley and the E. Potrillo Mountain ridge in the Desert Peaks National Monument on BLM land in the Chihuahuan Desert. Very few people out there. Very primitive. No campground. Little to no shade. I’ve camped here twice in my truck bed—once in 2017 when I climbed Mt. Riley and once in 2020. Close to Mexican border but I didn’t have any problems. Probably not conducive to RVs because difficult to pull off county road.

  • NThe Dyrt PRO User
    Jan. 4, 2023

    Baylor Canyon Rd Spur, BLM, Free

    Great views, great spot

    First off, views of the mountains are great! The sites are off a single dirt road with pull offs for the sites. There are about 10 or 12 sites as you follow the road. More if your neighbors are friendly. You shouldn't a need 4x4 unless it rains, but some there are some larger rocks that might scrape if you don't have a high clearance. You could potentially maneuver around them.

    I saw some trailers up the road, however it does get narrow at points, so a large RV might have some issues. I'd say these site are more tent, car, and campervan friendly.

    There are no services, pack in pack out. Verizon service was good.

  • Izzy T.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 4, 2022

    Baylor Canyon Rd Spur, BLM, Free

    Wonderful views!

    Conveniently located to town. Easy to get to. Would recommend high clearance vehicles, but manageable for others. Spectacular views of the organ mountains and plentiful hiking opportunities. Great spot to boondock. We had great service for work and virtual classes.

  • Mike M.The Dyrt PRO User
    Apr. 4, 2025

    Oregan Wilderness Dispersed

    Beautiful and isolated spots

    I would definitely try to get spots here before Sierra Vista or Baylor Pass trailhead as you don’t have to deal with the traffic trying to get to the parking area to hike. The road is a bit rocky and the middle section has some bigger rocks protruding but if you can get camping spots in the first four sites from either side your gold, have high clearance then no troubles at all. Able to get our 39’ toy hauler into this location without any issues.

  • Jonathan E.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jun. 29, 2025

    Oregan Wilderness Dispersed

    Rocky road and crowded, but beautiful

    There are many sites off this road, but it was super crowded when I went in April. Additionally, the sites are quite close to another nearby main road that is primarily parallel to the road you camp off. I didn’t hear much car noise from that road, but I could easily see the cars driving by from my tent. With these things in mind, I wouldn’t necessarily say I felt isolated when camping here in my tent, and it is definitely not “out there” in nature, but the views of the Organ Mountains are wonderful!

    The road in is very bumpy/rocky. I’m kind of a risk-taker with my Toyota Corolla and was able to make it the full way from one end of the road to the other (driving VERY slowly and carefully), but had to get out of my car quite a few times to move large rocks out of the way.

    In all, I recommend this spot due to the beautiful views and convenient location, but be aware that it might be pretty crowded and the road doesn’t necessarily suit normal cars (shout-out to my fellow non-camper/van/jeep peeps!).

  • Jeanie P.The Dyrt PRO User
    May. 21, 2021

    Baylor Pass West Trailhead Dispersed

    Stopped here and kept going, you can do better

    I don't know how to add a campground so I'll just review from here. This spot would be fine for a night if you get in late or plan to do the hike at the TH then camp. But you're literally camping in a parking lot. If you keep going down the road a bit farther, turn left onto a BLM dirt road (this camping area is listed on iOverlander app). There are a handful of dispersed sites just off the road. More private and space than the TH parking and close access to a TH that takes you up the Organ Needle. 2wd OK for access to most sites

Guide to Organ

The Organ Mountains near Las Cruces offer Bureau of Land Management dispersed camping sites at elevations between 4,500-5,500 feet. Temperature swings of 30-40 degrees between day and night aren't uncommon in this high desert environment. Most campers stay at Sierra Vista or Baylor Canyon areas where site conditions vary from flat sandy pullouts to rockier terrain requiring careful vehicle placement.

What to do

Hike Baylor Pass Trail: This moderate 4.4-mile trail offers access to both east and west sides of the Organ Mountains with a 1,400-foot elevation gain. Baylor Pass West Trailhead Dispersed serves as a convenient basecamp. "You can car camp in the lot or hike out and tent camp. Beautiful view and generally quiet, albeit windy. Very easy to access from the road with my 2WD car," notes Mark F.

Visit Dripping Springs: Located about 10 miles from many dispersed camping areas, this historic site features ruins and natural springs. "I would stay here again! Dripping Springs' historical site is bear by too," mentions Bonnie L. from Sierra Vista.

Stargazing: The area provides excellent night sky viewing despite some light pollution from Las Cruces. "The stars from here are pretty great too! There was a little bit of traffic around 3 am and you could hear coyotes at night," reports Morgan Z.

What campers like

Privacy between sites: Many camping areas offer good separation between campers. At Baylor Canyon Rd Spur, BLM, Free, campers appreciate the layout. "Campsites have a good separation. It's open range," reports Mont B.

Wildlife encounters: The area hosts diverse desert wildlife including coyotes. "Heard coyote's howling pretty nearby around 1:30am, and in the area again at 3am-ish," reports Lynsey F. from Baylor Canyon Road Spur.

Proximity to amenities: Las Cruces is close enough for supply runs while maintaining a wilderness feel. According to Laura M., "This location is convenient enough to go back into town for things you need. We went to Holiday World RV (which I highly recommend) to get a repair done and returned to the area."

What you should know

Road conditions vary significantly: Many access roads start well-maintained but deteriorate. "The road is pretty rocky, take it slow and you'll be good though. 4wd not needed, I managed fine in a 2wd Escape, wouldn't attempt going too far in with low clearance as some rocks are pretty big," advises Lynsey F.

Sites fill quickly on weekends: Popular areas get crowded, especially near trailheads. At Sierra Vista - Back Side Dispersed, "Go as far as possible. The best sites are furthest from the entrance," suggests Jake & Lora K.

Weather extremes: Afternoon winds can be particularly intense. "Super crazy windy in the afternoons," reports Karla L. who stayed at Sierra Vista for 8 days.

BLM regulations: Rangers regularly patrol camping areas. "The Ranger went by every day I like that. The whole place have site by the road, clean and organice," notes Karla L.

Tips for camping with families

Pack for temperature swings: Desert nights get cold even when days are hot. "Temps drop quite dramatically and the winds whip up there," warns Lynsey F., adding campers should "be cautious when driving around, they [cattle] pop out of nowhere on the main road to Baylor."

Choose sites closer to trailheads: These areas typically have better maintained access roads. Sierra Vista Camp offers easier access but "looked like some 'party guys' were there. Right off the paved road. Didn't look like they were there for the night," notes David S.

Arrive early for better sites: The most suitable family spots get claimed quickly. "Luckily we got here early, since it really filled up around sunset. Vans, tents, and RVs all fit," advises Kate B.

Tips from RVers

Site selection for larger rigs: Some areas can accommodate larger vehicles but require careful navigation. At Oregan Wilderness Dispersed, "Able to get our 39' toy hauler into this location without any issues," reports Mike M.

Level challenges: Most sites aren't naturally level. "Sites are not level so be prepared," warns Dan M.

Length restrictions: Not all areas can accommodate larger RVs. "I'd say these site are more tent, car, and campervan friendly," explains Noah E., adding "a large RV or 5th wheel, you probably won't fit and the rest of us will have a grand time watching you get out after you discover this fact for yourself."

Frequently Asked Questions

Where can I find dispersed camping in the Organ Mountains?

Several excellent dispersed camping options exist in the Organ Mountains area. Baylor Canyon Rd Spur, BLM, Free offers about 10-12 sites along a single dirt road with pull-offs. High clearance vehicles are recommended but not required. Sierra Vista provides multiple camping areas as you drive to the trailhead, with additional sites at the cul-de-sac. For more options, check out the Baylor Pass West Trailhead, Sierra Vista Back Side area, or the various pullouts along Dripping Springs Road, all on BLM land within the Organ Mountains-Desert Peaks National Monument.

What permits or regulations apply to dispersed camping in the Organ Mountains?

Dispersed camping in the Organ Mountains-Desert Peaks National Monument is generally free and does not require advance permits. The area is primarily managed by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), which follows standard dispersed camping regulations. Baylor Pass West Trailhead Dispersed and other BLM areas in the monument typically allow up to 14 days of camping. Follow Leave No Trace principles, camp in established sites when available, and maintain at least 200 feet from water sources. Fire restrictions may apply seasonally, so check with the Las Cruces BLM office before your trip for current regulations.

What amenities or facilities are available at dispersed camping sites near Organ Mountains?

Dispersed camping in the Organ Mountains area is primitive with minimal to no amenities. Gap Tank dispersed camping is very primitive with no shade or facilities. Sierra Vista - Back Side Dispersed offers more remote sites but also lacks amenities. Most areas have established fire rings but no water, toilets, or trash service. Come prepared with all necessary supplies, including plenty of water. Las Cruces is approximately 9 miles away for supplies and facilities. Cell service is generally good throughout the area, with campers reporting sufficient coverage for work and virtual classes.

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