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Best Dispersed Camping near Roswell, NM

25 Reviews

Dispersed camping options near Roswell, New Mexico include several primitive sites on public lands. Haystack Mountain OHV Area, located about 20 minutes east of Roswell, features five well-maintained campsites with covered picnic areas, fire rings, and grills. This BLM-managed area charges $3-5 per night through an envelope payment system at the entrance. Alamo Road Camp and Alamo Road Dispersed, approximately 12 miles from Roswell, offer free camping with widely spaced sites suitable for various camping setups.

Road conditions vary significantly between locations. Haystack Mountain provides easy access directly off the highway with well-maintained roads. According to reviews, Alamo Road features primitive, potholed dirt roads that become muddy during rain. Several campers noted that while 4WD isn't required, driving slowly is necessary. No drinking water is available at any of these sites; campers must bring all water supplies. Cell service is generally excellent, with multiple carriers reporting strong signals due to nearby towers.

Weather conditions demand preparation. The Roswell area experiences significant temperature fluctuations, with summer highs in the 80s-90s and cooler nights. Wind is common and can be intense, particularly at exposed sites like Alamo Road Camp. Wildlife sightings include rattlesnakes, desert insects, and occasional cattle herds. Campers report that Haystack Mountain features exceptionally clean vault toilets, while the Alamo Road sites have no facilities whatsoever. Haystack Mountain offers designated OHV trails suitable for hiking and mountain biking. The spectacular desert sunsets are frequently mentioned as highlights of camping in this region, particularly from elevated viewpoints at Haystack Mountain.

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Best Dispersed Sites Near Roswell, New Mexico (4)

    1. Alamo Road Camp

    4 Reviews
    Roswell, NM
    11 miles

    "Down a bumpy and mostly dirt road. This area will get muddy for sure in a decent rain. Closest camper is probably a few football fields away."

    "Located directly across from Bottomless lake state park easy to get in. Flat wide open so wind can be tough. High winds warning for tonight up to 70mph gusts. Good cellar service with Verizon."

    2. Alamo Road Dispersed

    3 Reviews
    Roswell, NM
    11 miles
    Website
    +1 (575) 627-0272

    "The roads need graded but...BLM land and gov cuts. 🤷🏻‍♀️ As another reviewer said, it's sad that in some places there's a ton of garbage--too much for one person to pick up."

    3. Haystack Mountain OHV Area

    17 Reviews
    Roswell, NM
    24 miles
    Website
    +1 (575) 627-0272

    $5 / night

    "This is a great place not far outside of Roswell. Great overnight parking/car camping place. Stayed by myself at the best spot available."

    "This small campground about 20 minutes east of Roswell, NM was the perfect place for us to spend a few days relaxing and wandering the desert trails of this OHV area."

    4. Picacho Road Dispersed Camping

    1 Review
    Mayhill, NM
    49 miles
    Website
    +1 (505) 954-2000

    "It's a decent pull off from a random dirt road in New Mexico. You have to drop off into a slight ditch to get to the spot, about 3-4 inches I'd say."

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Recent Free Dispersed Camping Photos near Roswell, NM

30 Photos of 4 Roswell Campgrounds

Dispersed Camping Reviews near Roswell, NM

25 Reviews of 4 Roswell Campgrounds

  • Travis A.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jun. 15, 2025

    Haystack Mountain OHV Area

    Haystack Mountain-what mountains?

    Great rest stop if you are passing through. Its just off the highway. You can here the semi-trucks but its not a heavily traffic hwy. There are four pavilions, each with trash can, fire pit, and grill. Two clean pit toilets. The site is next to cell towers. I have att, showing 5g with full bars. Site #3 has the best view. No water source so bring plenty of water.

  • Janay` M.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 10, 2024

    Haystack Mountain OHV Area

    Beautiful overlook

    This is a great place not far outside of Roswell. Great overnight parking/car camping place. Stayed by myself at the best spot available. My company was a tarantula hawk wasp, very large blue dragonfly, some desert ants and an owl hooting down in the ravine. Melt. It was warm, of course but with the windows down and a little neck fan to encourage airflow, It was alright.

  • Shari G.The Dyrt PRO User
    Dec. 29, 2020

    Haystack Mountain OHV Area

    Quietest Place On Earth

    This small campground about 20 minutes east of Roswell, NM was the perfect place for us to spend a few days relaxing and wandering the desert trails of this OHV area. The campground only offers 5 large and well-kept campsites, on a first-come basis.  Even on the weekend, the area was extremely quiet.

    With the landscape falling away toward the west, the sunsets were simply amazing. The area offered miles and miles of OHV trails which were good for hiking and mountain biking as well.

    With a picnic table, grill, fire ring, and shelter, you cannot complain for $5 a night. The bathrooms were the cleanest pit-toilets we’ve ever seen and the area had extremely strong LTE (the tower was right there at the edge of the campground).   And, with our portable solar panel, we have always have all the electricity we could possibly need!  There is no water at this camping area, not even a nearby creek, so come prepared.  Roswell, offers all the amenities you could want, with full grocery stores, gas station and water/ ice kiosks. And, don't miss the Alien Museum!

  • DThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 28, 2023

    Haystack Mountain OHV Area

    Nice Views

    Only 4 camp sites but overnight camping in the parking lot is allowed. great views of the sunset but not a dark sky site as Roswell, New Mexico is visible to the southwest. Visited during the middle of the week so we were the only campers at the site. This is an OHV park so probably busy during weekends. The pit toilet was clean.

  • SThe Dyrt PRO User
    Apr. 23, 2025

    Haystack Mountain OHV Area

    Peaceful spot

    Fantastic view! This place was quiet and peaceful, even with dirt bikes and ATVs on the trails! When I arrived there was one camper. I stayed for 3 days (over Easter weekend). The place filled up and some OHV showed up to play. Sun shelter over a picnic table and garbage can at each. No water, but pit toilets that were really clean.

  • Philip W.The Dyrt PRO User
    Apr. 9, 2025

    Alamo Road Camp

    Free camping outside Roswell

    Down a bumpy and mostly dirt road. This area will get muddy for sure in a decent rain. Closest camper is probably a few football fields away. There are areas pretty clear to be able to tent or car camp easily. This is about 12 miles outside Roswell.
    Temps this week look to be 80’s for hi, and 50-60 for lows. The road to camp is not labeled at all. The road is pretty primitive, with potholes along the entire length. You do not need four wheel drive, just drive slow. The dust here is very fine, and builds fast on surfaces. This time of year is pretty windy, as it seems most desert locales are at times. It sounds like a shooting range is just north of the camping area. As far as camps, just pull off in areas that look cleaned out/camped in and you can’t go wrong. I’ve seen bus campers and class A RV’s here, as well as fifth wheels camping. Just pick the camp site that suits your mode of camping. Some are big enough to pull thru class A, fifth wheels and not have to worry about backing. A herd of cows came near my camp last night as the sun was setting. Also had a visit from a ranger, so they do check camps a time or two a week. Good people.

  • E
    Apr. 6, 2024

    Picacho Road Dispersed Camping

    Decent Place to Stop, Nothing Special

    It's a decent pull off from a random dirt road in New Mexico. You have to drop off into a slight ditch to get to the spot, about 3-4 inches I'd say. We were fine in a truck camper but it's something to consider. There was a decent amount of local trees traffic on the road, but we were far enough away from the highway that we couldn't hear much of any road noise. Literally just a patch of somewhat level gravel

  • Brenna M.The Dyrt PRO User
    Nov. 1, 2023

    Haystack Mountain OHV Area

    Clean quiet and Ada accessible

    Follow the sign to a dirt road and there are several spots for large travel trailers and smaller spots for people who want to tent camp. Clean, host on site, and prices are posted at the entrance, just grab a slip from the box put your money in and place into the lock box. We stayed over 2 nights over halloween and it was quiet only one other camper there. It cost 5$ a night. Bathrooms were well kept and the roads where too.

  • Mario F.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jan. 26, 2023

    Haystack Mountain OHV Area

    Beautiful

    Beautiful views, nice sites but only 5 spaces. All spaces have personal picnic area under pavilion with grill and firepit. No hookups and no potable water or dump station. There are vault toilets on site. $3 a day for one person/ $5 a day for two people. There is a cash dropbox or you can scan a QR code on sign that is posted that takes you to the Recreation.gov site to pay. We stayed in our fifth wheel camper for a week. It snowed one night! About 22 mins from nearest Walmart in Roswell. FYI - Tractor Supply in Roswell has no propane refills. We went to Pico Propane. Great place to fill up. T-mobile service is excellent. Would definitely stay here again!

Guide to Roswell

Discover the beauty of dispersed camping near Roswell, New Mexico, where you can enjoy the great outdoors without the constraints of traditional campgrounds. With stunning landscapes and a variety of activities, this area is perfect for those seeking adventure and tranquility.

Tips for free and dispersed camping near Roswell, New Mexico

  • Make sure to bring trash bags to help keep the area clean, as some spots like Alamo Road Dispersed have reported litter from previous visitors.

Scenic views for dispersed campers

  • For breathtaking sunsets and a peaceful atmosphere, check out Haystack Mountain OHV Area, where you can enjoy the beauty of the New Mexico landscape.

Activities while free camping near Roswell

  • If you're looking to explore the outdoors, the Picacho Road Dispersed Camping area offers a great spot for hiking and enjoying the local flora and fauna.

Frequently Asked Questions

What amenities are available at dispersed camping sites around Roswell?

Dispersed camping sites around Roswell typically offer basic amenities. Picacho Road Dispersed Camping provides simple pull-off spots from a dirt road with no developed facilities. For slightly more amenities, Haystack Mountain OHV Area features four pavilions, each equipped with a trash can, fire pit, and grill. There are also two clean pit toilets on site. No hookups, potable water, or dump stations are available. Most dispersed camping in the area has good cell reception, with campers reporting full 5G bars on some carriers near cell towers. Remember to pack out all trash and bring your own water supply.

Where can I find free camping areas near Roswell, NM?

Haystack Mountain OHV Area is an excellent option located about 20 minutes east of Roswell. While not completely free, it's very affordable at just $3/day for one person or $5/day for two people. The area features 5 well-maintained campsites available on a first-come, first-served basis. Another option is Alamo Road Camp, located approximately 12 miles outside Roswell. This dispersed camping area offers more privacy with significant distance between camping spots. The area is accessible via a bumpy dirt road that may become muddy during rain, so plan accordingly.

Are there free RV parking options near Roswell, New Mexico?

While strictly free RV parking is limited near Roswell, there are affordable options. Alamo Road Dispersed offers RV-friendly spots about 12 miles from town, though the dirt access road can be bumpy and potentially muddy after rain. For a nominal fee ($3-5/day), Picacho Road Dispersed Camping accommodates RVs with enough clearance to navigate a slight ditch at the entrance. Both locations have no hookups or facilities, so come prepared to boondock. Overnight parking is also permitted in the parking lot at Haystack Mountain OHV Area if the designated campsites are full. Most areas have decent cell service for those working remotely.

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