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Best Dispersed Camping near Pinehill, NM

40 Reviews

Dispersed camping near Pinehill, New Mexico offers several primitive sites on public lands, including Six Mile Canyon, Turkey Springs, and Six Mile Canyon Road dispersed sites. These free camping areas provide basic accommodations for tents and RVs with no amenities or facilities. Six Mile Canyon sits conveniently off Interstate 40, making it popular for overnight travelers. Turkey Springs features tall ponderosa pines and oak scrub at higher elevation, providing natural shade and scenic surroundings.

Vehicle access requires careful planning at these sites. The dirt roads leading to Six Mile Canyon become impassable after rain, with several campers reporting being stranded in mud. According to reviews, "Do not attempt after rain. People get stuck!" Four-wheel drive vehicles are strongly recommended, especially for accessing sites beyond the first mile. The main road to Turkey Springs remains in good condition until it begins climbing uphill, where it becomes rutted and challenging for standard vehicles.

Seasonal closures affect both areas. Gates to Six Mile Canyon and Turkey Springs remain closed from December 15 through March 31 annually. During open seasons, campers should prepare for primitive conditions. No drinking water, toilets, or trash services exist at these locations. Fire rings are present at some established sites, but visitors must bring their own firewood and practice proper fire safety. Cell service varies throughout the area; Verizon typically provides 2-3 bars while T-Mobile offers inconsistent coverage. The proximity to gas stations (Flying J and Pilot) provides convenient access to basic supplies for campers.

Turkey Springs sits at approximately 7,000 feet elevation, resulting in cooler nighttime temperatures than forecasted for nearby Gallup. The area experiences significant temperature fluctuations between day and night. Free-roaming cattle are common in the Six Mile Canyon area, requiring campers to secure food properly and maintain appropriate distance from livestock.

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Best Dispersed Sites Near Pinehill, New Mexico (3)

    1. Six Mile Canyon - Dispersed Camping

    31 Reviews
    Jamestown, NM
    33 miles
    Website

    "No amenities but very close to Flying J! The dirt road was dry but you could tell after a rain it would be impassable."

    "We drove 3 miles down a dirt road before picking our spot. You could easily park anywhere but they have some spots with fire-pits, there are no hook ups or water so be prepared."

    2. Turkey Springs

    7 Reviews
    Fort Wingate, NM
    28 miles

    "Several sites off the smaller two track roads can support good size trailers with lots of flat open space.  A few sites in the trees right on the road could only support vans or tents.  "

    "I decided to stay at the nearby Quaking Aspen Campground (0.5 mile away) due to this dispersed camping area kinda being a mudpit after the rain 😂

    Would be awesome during a dry time!"

    3. Six Mile Canyon Road Dispersed Site

    3 Reviews
    Jamestown, NM
    32 miles
    Website

    "We got a site for 2 RVs that protected us from an impending windstorm. Sites not very level but managed to get the RVs level enough. Thoroughly enjoyed the area. Biked 6 miles up the road."

    "We did have to drive a couple miles to get away from other campers. Was perfectly fine after a day of cross country driving. Camped in a Jeep."

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Recent Free Dispersed Camping Photos near Pinehill, NM

10 Photos of 3 Pinehill Campgrounds

Dispersed Camping Reviews near Pinehill, NM

40 Reviews of 3 Pinehill Campgrounds

  • Brandon S.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 2, 2023

    Six Mile Canyon - Dispersed Camping

    Not sure what's better pilot gas station or this area

    This is just down the road from a pilot gas station so that aspect is nice.

    Very rough road would suggest 4*4 or clearance for bad weather access. I had an awd car and made it but I didn't go more than a few miles past the actual start of camping areas for fear of being washed out. Not a lot of space from a spot to camp and the road. Also not a lot of spaces that have been " broken in". Has free roaming cows as well.

    Again I would almost just stay at the gas station unless your vehicle is able to handle a rough road.

    Also I have T-Mobile and had a hell of a time with reception you get it but not consistent or strong at all 1-2 bars.

  • Meggy B.
    Apr. 22, 2023

    Six Mile Canyon - Dispersed Camping

    Quiet and private with awesome views!

    We arrived after dark and found it with ease. No amenities but very close to Flying J! The dirt road was dry but you could tell after a rain it would be impassable. We drove about 3 miles past the second gate and found a great little pull off and woke up to a beautiful sunrise. Highly recommend!

  • Mark M.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 7, 2021

    Six Mile Canyon - Dispersed Camping

    Close to I-40

    Be careful taking the road past the parking lot! There is a deep mud pit on the right that looks just like normal dirt. When going in stay to the left, and when leaving stay right

    GPS led me to the wrong location as I'm sure it did many - route yourself to Six Mile Canyon RD instead, it should take you to these coordinates:

    Lat: 35.439524 Lon: -108.545567

    You'll see the lot at first. I couldn't tell if there were campsites there or not (looked like they were at least walk ins, but it's so quiet I'm sure you could do whatever here).

    I took the road back. I was skeptic because it looked real beat up and I'm driving a Kia Forte, but it took me back to a campsite when I took a right at the fork. It only took about 3 min to get there, no idea how far back you need to go if you take the left at the fork.

    Overall they're quite sites tucked away. My site has a very primitive fire pit, not sure if it's like that at every site. It's also super buggy out here so make sure to bring spray!

    Saw a lot of people saying it's right off the highway, it's maybe about 5/10 minutes back once you get the right exit, so not bad at all if you need a night to just crash.

  • Bob & Ramona F.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 6, 2022

    Six Mile Canyon - Dispersed Camping

    "Iffy" to get to.....

    Not able to access this site of ours trained in the last week. It's a 1 lane road to get to site. Just before the "T" there is an area when all the water goes thru. This is a sandy/dirt crossing and would be fine if no water. There had been some in the area and while it wasn't raining that day, there was 12"+ deep of mud to cross. Can't imagine the challenge of our was dry upon arriving and trained overnight! Take caution and watch the weather reports before attempting. We had to back up about 1/2 mile as there was no place to turn around.

  • A
    May. 11, 2021

    Six Mile Canyon - Dispersed Camping

    Perfect spot for a few days of camping no no

    We are doing a trip across the country, looking for cheap to free campsite and this one wast perfect. Right off the Interstate, the sign can be easily missed so keep an eye out. We drove 3 miles down a dirt road before picking our spot. You could easily park anywhere but they have some spots with fire-pits, there are no hook ups or water so be prepared.

  • Ruby D.
    Sep. 2, 2021

    Six Mile Canyon - Dispersed Camping

    Good Enough

    While driving cross country, my friend and I were just looking for a place to camp for the night, relatively hassle free. We put “Six Mile rd” into our GPS and it took us to one of those dirt roads that runs right along the highway. We made the mistake of going in the dark, and we got lost and wound up in a residential neighborhood because we were convinced there was no way the campsites were out the highway rd. The road also said rd work, no access ahead, so we thought we couldn’t even get to it. When we made it, it was hard to tell if there were any campsites, as we didn’t see anyone else camping. We went up a steep hill and there was a huge washout and our car almost fell down nearly 10 feet. In the end, we just pulled off the road and parked for the night. The highway was visible and super loud all night long. My tip, DONT TRY TO FIND IT IN THE DARK!

  • mThe Dyrt PRO User
    Jun. 22, 2024

    Six Mile Canyon - Dispersed Camping

    Watch out for rain

    I’m actually stuck here as I’m writing this because the rain washed out the road, and everything is so muddy. I was tired and the weather app said only a 50% chance of rain for an hour, but boy was that wrong. A nice spot besides that, close to the highway but far enough away to not have much noise. I would avoid it in the future without something 4x4 though.

  • MThe Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 16, 2021

    Six Mile Canyon - Dispersed Camping

    Good spot away from the Interstate

    Nice sites for an overnight stop over away from the noise and traffic of the interstate.

    A little difficult to find but once we did we had a very peaceful night under a star filled sky. 

    Keep free camping alive by keeping campsites litter free.

    A little clean up goes along way.

  • Timothy N.The Dyrt PRO User
    Apr. 26, 2025

    Turkey Springs

    Great dispersed camping

    Lots of options for sites on both sides of 162 before it starts going uphill.  Several sites off the smaller two track roads can support good size trailers with lots of flat open space.  A few sites in the trees right on the road could only support vans or tents.   Pics of all the major sites included

    The main road 162 was in great condition until it starts going uphill, then it was rutted out.  Only a couple spots beyond this point.  Road is closed from Dec 15 through March 31.

    TMobile access was mixed.  Sometimes limited LTE, sometimes 5G.

    The paved road is loud in the morning and evening with ranch\quarry traffic, but it is very quiet at night.

    It is above 7k, so it does get colder at night than the local forecast for Gallup.

Guide to Pinehill

Discover the beauty of dispersed camping near Pinehill, New Mexico, where nature lovers can enjoy serene landscapes and a sense of adventure. With various options available, campers can find the perfect spot to unwind and connect with the great outdoors.

Dispersed campers should check out Turkey Springs

  • Turkey Springs offers a beautiful and secluded spot, perfect for those looking to escape the hustle and bustle of everyday life.

Scenic views while free camping near Pinehill

Adventure awaits at Six Mile Canyon Road Dispersed Site

Frequently Asked Questions

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

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dispersed campground near Pinehill, NM is Six Mile Canyon - Dispersed Camping with a 3.8-star rating from 31 reviews.

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

TheDyrt.com has all 3 dispersed camping locations near Pinehill, NM, with real photos and reviews from campers.

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