Best Dispersed Camping near Ponderosa, NM

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Best Dispersed Sites Near Ponderosa, NM (9)


Recent Dispersed Reviews in Ponderosa

51 Reviews of 9 Ponderosa Campgrounds


  • Lily C.The Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Top of New Mexico - Dispersed Site
    Nov. 17, 2024

    Top of New Mexico - Dispersed Site

    Beautiful quiet view!

    We spent one night here in our class c while on our trip to Miami and yeah the road is to be taken slow but it was worth it! There is a tiny art gallery on the side of the road!! Check it out!

  • Naoshad Z.The Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Dispersed Camping off FS 542
    Oct. 29, 2024

    Dispersed Camping off FS 542

    Easily accessible with peace and quiet. Decent views as well!

    Road is easily traversed but would be more comfortable in a truck/suv. Some rough rutted areas after rains when I went. There are plenty of spots to pull of to along the side of the road. Designated areas with fire pits are bit difficult/narrow to get to if you are towing anything.

  • Junaid A.The Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Top of New Mexico - Dispersed Site
    Oct. 22, 2024

    Top of New Mexico - Dispersed Site

    My True Review about Top of the New Mexico

    Top of New Mexico" near Albuquerque is a fantastic camping spot if you love open spaces and beautiful desert views. The sunsets here are breathtaking, and you might even spot wild horses roaming around. There's plenty of space for tents or RVs, and it's quiet and well-maintained, making it a perfect place to relax and enjoy nature. It can get a little windy, but that just adds to the experience. The road to get there winds through some houses, but once you arrive, you're surrounded by pure nature. also the food is so good, there are many food brands like subway menu who offers quality fast food services.

  • KThe Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Top of New Mexico - Dispersed Site
    Sep. 22, 2024

    Top of New Mexico - Dispersed Site

    place to relax

    There are no neighbors, and other vehicles are parked here, but they had to be a quarter of a mile away. Wild horses visit in the morning. We enjoyed the sunrise to sunset. There are easy hikes, and you can do some mountain biking.

  • Alice S.The Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Top of New Mexico - Dispersed Site
    Sep. 20, 2024

    Top of New Mexico - Dispersed Site

    Quiet Little Get Away

    Used Google Maps and had no problem finding the place. Lots of open area to choose from for parking. The road up to the location is paved but once you enter it is gravel. I have a pro master van and had absolutely no problems. Just drive slow and you should be fine. Might be worse if it was raining heavy or something but overall not a bad path. Saw wild horses which was awesome. The vegetation has a lot of thorns and spikes so for a casual hiker it’s best to stay on the gravel roads. The cell signal was pretty good but not perfect. Enough to have phone calls easy but internet connection was a bit slow.

  • Elle M.The Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Top of New Mexico - Dispersed Site
    Sep. 2, 2024

    Top of New Mexico - Dispersed Site

    Stunning Space for Small Vehicles

    Everything about this place is gorgeous. The 360 views from the top are incredible. I didn’t go down into the valley to see what was available but a man came through and mentioned there were options there too.

    On the top of the ridge you’re a little limited for spots but it wasn’t busy enough to cause me an issue. My closest neighbor was a few hundred yards away just like I like it.

    I car camp in a small SUV and the road is definitely not as well worn in as others. You’re also pretty close to the sides of the mountain on a winding rock path so larger or trailered vehicles are probably not ideal.

    The wild horses are active. I saw them in the neighborhood coming through and they came through camp a few times in the evening/night. Dog didn’t love it but they gave us about 30ft of space and didn’t bother much.

    Love this spot but definitely keep size and safety in mind.

  • Clay L.The Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Top of New Mexico - Dispersed Site
    Jul. 15, 2024

    Top of New Mexico - Dispersed Site

    Superb

    From the moment we arrived, we were struck by the sheer beauty of the surroundings. The panoramic views of the mountains and valleys are simply stunning, making every moment a perfect photo opportunity. The site is well-maintained, with plenty of flat areas for tents and parking. And at this place i also wish to try Chicken Strips

  • mThe Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Dispersed Camping off FS 542
    Jun. 21, 2024

    Dispersed Camping off FS 542

    Roads are a little rough

    Nice place to stop. I was the only one there. There’s a couple spots when you first get in, and then there’s more further up but the roads get worse. There were coyotes around.

  • Maya T.The Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Top of New Mexico - Dispersed Site
    Jun. 20, 2024

    Top of New Mexico - Dispersed Site

    Hidden Gem

    Didn't camp here but came to enjoy the beautiful sunset. Drove a short distance from Albuquerque through Placitas, saw so many horses! This is an open space that overlooks the tail of Albuquerque, and the vistas beyond. I came for the sunset but would definitely stay if I was car camping. Wouldn't necessarily set up a tent for me, but some are braver than others!

  • Mallory W.The Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Top of New Mexico - Dispersed Site
    Jun. 10, 2024

    Top of New Mexico - Dispersed Site

    beautiful

    The road to drive up is through a neighborhood and is 2 miles of windy road it was a little hard to maneuver with my 32’ trailer I just had to go slow nothing crazy. I was the only one around and the view was great, it was a little windy but it didn’t shake the trailer or anything. The only reason I’m giving 4 stars and not 5 is because or the rebar I found sticking out of the ground. At first I thought it was random but then I found 2 other pieces sticking straight out of the ground and they were in there deep

  • Tyler C.The Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Top of New Mexico - Dispersed Site
    Jun. 5, 2024

    Top of New Mexico - Dispersed Site

    Worth it

    I had some trouble finding the entrance, you have to get in from the southeast side of the neighborhood, @ Llano el Norte street, but other than that I’ve spoiled myself with finding such a great campsite so early on in my trip. Definitely windy.

  • tres H.The Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Dispersed Camping off FS 542
    May. 11, 2024

    Dispersed Camping off FS 542

    Busy

    Arrived around 9pm on a Friday night it was busy and pretty tough to find an open spot. It’s a nice area and stayed quiet all night. Road is rough would not go with a low clearance car

  • S H.The Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Top of New Mexico - Dispersed Site
    May. 8, 2024

    Top of New Mexico - Dispersed Site

    huge mesa dispersed camping at top of windy road

    Really easy to get to, up this lil windy residential road, go slow, that opens up into a huge public land past an open gate. Lots of paths from cars, just follow anyone you'd like and then pull over beside any ol bush. Don't run over any cactus.

    Stayed for two nights and the sunsets were awesome. During the day it was very very windy but not too hot. Saw some wild horses the first morning but when I got too close one of them starting running toward me and I said hell no. Classic dispersed desert camping but with good service and close to Albuquerque.

  • LThe Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Dispersed Camping off FS 542
    Apr. 21, 2024

    Dispersed Camping off FS 542

    Just enough trees for privacy, slightly steep ramp

    Can make it up to camp with 2 wheel drive low clearance. Maybe some minor scraping as you leave/arrive over a bit of a rough ramp lip. Turn left at top of main entrance ramp to avoid worst road section which goes up to peak. Enough site separation I didn’t really hear others except when they were walking by on the road. Road makes a nice hike to the peak. There are large camp sites short walks from the road too, probably awesome for families with big tents, wouldn’t even see the road where passers by walk from some of those sites.

  • LThe Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Manzanita Rec Zone Dispersed Camping - Sandia District
    Apr. 21, 2024

    Manzanita Rec Zone Dispersed Camping - Sandia District

    Roughish road, nice quiet spots

    I like it. A bit less traveled than other nearby campground. Road almost more accessible to this camp ground for low clearance. Might scrape a bit going up final ramp to Cedro peak one, but not terribly either. Some local traffic passes through regularly, including an Amazon delivery van a day. To be honest I didn’t make it all the way in to the pin shown on the dyrt, had no issues anyway. Not even a ranger visit.

  • T&A Adventures *.The Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Cibola NP
    Apr. 2, 2024

    Cibola NP

    Quick Overnight

    We came here planning on staying at Coyote Trailhead that was listed. Turns out you can't overnight park at the actual trailheads. And to get to the dispersed camping you have to have a jeep or similar rock climbing type vehicle & not towing anything. Crazy steep rock face in the middle of the road near the trailhead. So we turned around, saw this spot and no one was there. We spent the night, boondocking. No one bothered us.

  • DThe Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Top of New Mexico - Dispersed Site
    Mar. 25, 2024

    Top of New Mexico - Dispersed Site

    Great dispersed spot

    Your on top of a mesa like area so it may be a little windy, it was when we went. Stayed for 1 night. It was very clean and no one else was around other than a few walkers in the morning.

  • Taylor M.The Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Top of New Mexico - Dispersed Site
    Dec. 29, 2023

    Top of New Mexico - Dispersed Site

    Spirit Film Set

    Pulled in right before sunset and only saw 2 other cars in the area. Watched a rainbow form over the Sandia Mtns and a herd of wild horses ran right through our campsite! Best night of my life!!

  • dThe Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Top of New Mexico - Dispersed Site
    Dec. 9, 2023

    Top of New Mexico - Dispersed Site

    Great spot

    This is a gem of a spot. You drive through a residential area of really nice hi purses and horses. It’s opens up with a spectacular view and some wide open spots to watch the sun go down. It is windy though but worth it.

  • Teresa T.The Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Dispersed Camping off FS 542
    Nov. 4, 2023

    Dispersed Camping off FS 542

    You can always find a spot back here

    Pulled in early of Friday and after dinner, went to bed. By the time I woke in the morning, the place was full of people. Didn't hear any come and everyone left reasonable space from others. Road in is rough and the tiny camper I have has very little clearance so glad I got here in the light to navigate. Pretty views. No services but great place to stop is passing through.

  • Austin C.The Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Dispersed Camping off FS 542
    Oct. 28, 2023

    Dispersed Camping off FS 542

    Quiet stay!

    While there were other campers nearby, it was quiet and a peaceful stay. It was a full moon and the campsite had that perfect desert backdrop that you’d expect. There was a nearby cell tower so the cell service was really good too. It is definitely a place we plan to come back to camp.

  • CThe Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Dispersed Camping off FS 542
    Oct. 19, 2023

    Dispersed Camping off FS 542

    Quiet and easy to find

    A good place to stay either one night or more. No facilities. Dry camping only. The sights are not well defined but there's enough clearings between the trees to make do. Cell service is wonderful because it's basically right below a giant cell tower on the mountain top. The road is mostly good till you get to the actual camping area. About 2-3 mph should get most rigs and cars over the ruts and rocks. I don't recommend coming in past sunset. You really want to see the oopsies on the road! Overall a nice free place to set up camp.

  • Elise A.The Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Dispersed Camping off FS 542
    Oct. 15, 2023

    Dispersed Camping off FS 542

    Worth the Bumps

    A beautiful tucked away spot in the Sandi mountains. The road into the area is unkept and filled with potholes, ruts, and divots. Yes most vehicles there are SUVs and Cross overs but I did see a few sedan who made it in. Take your time and you’ll be fine.

    we went in mid October and many of the sites were taken but we still found a site. Many of the sites have fire rings ours did not but we were still able to make an open fire pit.

    Very cold at night, so bring layers and appreciate bedding.



Frequently Asked Questions

  • Which is the most popular dispersed campsite near Ponderosa, NM?

    According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dispersed campground near Ponderosa, NM is Dispersed Camping off FS 542 with a 4.3-star rating from 23 reviews.

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

    TheDyrt.com has all 9 dispersed camping locations near Ponderosa, NM, with real photos and reviews from campers.