Best Dispersed Camping near Ruidoso Downs, NM
Looking for the best dispersed camping near Ruidoso Downs? Dispersed camping is the perfect way to get off the grid. You're sure to find the perfect dispersed campsite for your New Mexico excursion.
Best Dispersed Sites Near Ruidoso Downs, NM (22)
1. Forest Road 568 - Dispersed Camping
Cloudcroft, New Mexico14 Reviews•33 Photos•242 Saves- Pets
- Fires
- Phone Service
- Dispersed
- Market
- Firewood Available
2. Raptor Lake Dispersed / Holloman Lake
Holloman Air Force Base, New Mexico41 Reviews•90 Photos•339 Saves- Pets
- Fires
- Phone Service
- Dispersed
- Alcohol
3. Upper Bonito Dispersed Recreation Area
Nogal, New Mexico4 Reviews•26 Photos•76 SavesThe Upper Bonito Dispersed Recreation Area is located at the end of Forest Road 107 in Bonito Canyon. It is a popular dispersed camping site with access to the adjacent White Mountain Wilderness Area and its trails.
- Tents
- Group
- Equestrian
- Dispersed
- Toilets
- Alcohol
4. Bluff Springs Dispersed Camping
Sunspot, New Mexico14 Reviews•49 Photos•368 SavesPartially developed picnic and dispersed camping area nestled next to the waterfalls called Bluff Springs. A short trail exists just beyond the bridge that will take you up and over the waterfalls as well as another trail (Willie White Spur T112) that follows and old railroad grade to the east.
- Pets
- Fires
- RVs
- Tents
- Standard (Tent/RV)
- Dispersed
5. West Mesa Trailhead BLM Dispersed
Capitan, New Mexico2 Reviews•3 Photos•67 Saves- Pets
- Fires
- Phone Service
- Equestrian
- Dispersed
- Alcohol
6. Forest Rd 568 Dispersed
Cloudcroft, New Mexico6 Reviews•25 Photos•125 SavesThroughout the Lincoln National Forest you are allowed to do what is called 'dispersed camping'. This is a rustic experience where you are allowed to drive up to 300' off of an open public road onto USFS lands to park and camp. No permits are needed for such activity and no cost is associated with this camping experience. Be sure to bring what you need, especially water, and also pack out what you pack in.
- Pets
- Fires
- Phone Service
- ADA Access
- RVs
- Tents
7. Guebara Tank Camp
Nogal, New Mexico1 Review•3 Photos•17 SavesThroughout the Lincoln National Forest you are allowed to do what is called 'dispersed camping'. This is a rustic experience where you are allowed to drive up to 300' off of designated dirt Forest Service roads onto USFS lands to park and camp. Do not drive across creeks and no camping is allowed on private property or within city or village limits. The Motor Vehicle Use Map, available as a download from fs.usda.gov/Lincoln, will show detail on where camping is allowed in each district, as well as a listing of the roads allowing dispersed camping. This map is also available at the District offices, at no charge. No permits are needed for dispersed camping and no cost is associated with this camping experience. Be sure to bring what you need, especially water, and also pack out what you pack in. Leave No Trace principles should be followed for all camping experiences in the National Forest.
- Pets
- Fires
- Phone Service
- ADA Access
- RVs
- Tents
Recent Dispersed Reviews in Ruidoso Downs
102 Reviews of 22 Ruidoso Downs Campgrounds
- J
Jack
Scout
Raptor Lake Dispersed / Holloman Lake
Windy at night, but lots of room and views
The road is a bit lumpy getting in, so bigger rigs will have to take their time. But once you’re in, there’s good spacing so you’re not on top of everyone. Lake is very peaceful in the morning and evening, but wouldn’t swim in it.
K&S Adventures !.
Guide
Upper Bonito Dispersed Recreation Area
Night at Bonito Dispersed!
We had a great night drove through the entire area and off roads to find a nice quiet area we had our son and two big doggos and had plenty of space for them to roam. Lots of trails nearby and the lake of course!
Shari G.
LegendRaptor Lake Dispersed / Holloman Lake
Location + Free + Spectacular Sunsets = Great Option Near White Sands NP!
This whole valley is just… something! A disappearing and reappearing lake, ancient human and mastodon footprint fossils, the birthplace of nuclear reactions and aerospace exploration -- all this AND hills of white gypsum sand upon which you can sled year round? Not bad for the middle of New Mexico, between two mountain ranges.
However, camping nearby leaves something to be desired, even in the RV parks – which is never our thing. However, during a couple of visits we’ve spent the night at some BLM areas just a few miles to the east of the main entrance to the National Park. We’ve spent nights on either side of the highway, but the better boondocking area is on the north side of the highway here at Holloman Lake (not for swimming, read other reviews for details). You’re right on the border of the air force base, so expect a lot of activity nearby. In December, there were maybe 6-8 other RV's nearby, but lots of space to spread out. Road in was good (a little rough in spots) but overall pretty easy, even for our 67 year old camper. The sunsets are always spectacular, even better if it's a bit windy as the fine grains of gypsum sand are in the air, creating gorgeous color.
There’s nothing in the way of services at this place, just a good, quiet place to park for a few nights. But, the wide open range has everything you need for solar power and Starlink.
Outdoor activities outside of the park can be found up in the mountain ranges to the east of Alamogordo, or to the west in the mountains closer to Las Cruces.
Alamogordo is just 15- 20 minutes away where you can get anything you might need, food, groceries, gas, laundry etc. Oh, and go to the New Mexico History of Space Museum...super fun for kiddos of all ages!
Violeta A.Guide
Forest Rd 568 Dispersed
Large Rigs beware
This was a beautiful location, near the town of Cloudcroft. We enjoyed the cooler weather up in the mountains. It was peaceful and quite. There were not very many spaces available. We should have have just stayed in the first location we found though. We went to the end of the road to find out that there was no way to turn our 29 ft trailer. We had to go in reverse about 1/4 mile to find a place to turn around.
Julie F.Guide
Dog Canyon
Great spots, easy access, cell service
Many great spots available and easily accessible by low clearance vehicles (we have a camper class B van). Very close (less than a mile?) to the state park, and about 30 minutes from white sands NM. Very quiet. Cell signal. Dog friendly.
Brian and Janet S.Guide
Alamo Peak Rd
RV dispersed camping
We have a 30 foot motor home and were so glad to find a dispersed spot in the mountains we could fit!
Rim Trails and Alamo Peak Trails in walking distance. There were other campers nearby but it was quiet and beautiful.
No cell service except for a few bars down the road toward Alamo Peak.
Elk, hummingbirds, all tucked away in aspen grove. This is a special spot.
Mike B.GuideRaptor Lake Dispersed / Holloman Lake
Convenient to white sands
Super convenient (maybe 4 minutes) to White Sands National Park, the "lake" is reclaimed waste water from the nearby Air Force base and the whole area can kinda intermittently smell like stale farts. Fairly decent amount of flat space for RV's, but turning around might be tricky based on congestion.
MCScoutRaptor Lake Dispersed / Holloman Lake
Good spot for boondocking White Sands
Found the location on Google. During my time there the lake had a bit of a funk but not too bad. Some reviews said there wasn’t anything while they were there but alas I was not so lucky
No amenities, just an empty lot, but decent enough for a night while exploring white sands. Gravel access road is pretty good and my low clearance sedan had no trouble with it
- NNick F.Scout
Raptor Lake Dispersed / Holloman Lake
Decent spot
DO NOT go in the water. There is currently an ongoing lawsuit against the USAF due to the amount of PFAS in the water from firefighting foam. That being said, it’s a great little spot if you’re planning on hitting White Sands NP. Was fairly packed during my visit last month but I still found a spot. Very quiet and peaceful!
William C.GuideRaptor Lake Dispersed / Holloman Lake
Convenient but Noisy
Good spot to camp near white sands. Very busy- but most people seem to stick to the large lot near the entrance. If you follow the road around to the west side of the lake there are additional spots that are a bit more secluded.
The Air Force does regular flyovers throughout the day on weekdays. Very loud.
Crista G.
TravelerRaptor Lake Dispersed / Holloman Lake
Busy but convenient and great sunset
Quite busy and noisy with people running their generators. No privacy. The redeeming factor is the sunset was spectacular over the lake!
- Crista G.Traveler
Dog Canyon
Beautiful, spacious, and quiet!
Stayed for 3 days and only saw a few cars pass by that whole time. Felt very private and had plenty of space. Lots of beautiful birds and some bats flying around at dusk! Tmobile service was pretty good, mostly had 5G but did lose 5g service a couple of times. Starting to get hot in April!
- EErin G.Guide
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
Rachel S.
RangerRaptor Lake Dispersed / Holloman Lake
Busy but great location for White Sands
Pretty crowded on a Wednesday night in April. Had a little trouble finding a level spot far enough away from others but otherwise no complaints for this free camp spot, great sunset views!
- FFrans H.Scout
Raptor Lake Dispersed / Holloman Lake
Windy.
Little more than 3 miles from White Sands Natl. Park easily found rough road. Quite, didn't find to m8ch trash
Twan M.RangerDog Canyon
Desert Solitude
Easy to access, plenty of spots along the main road and other spurs going off from it. Drove the whole way until it dead ends into State Park land (fenced) then turned around and went down a spur on the left to a great spot. Verizon service, starry skies.
- Twan M.Ranger
Bluff Springs Dispersed Camping
Private Pine Valley
Sunspot Hwy to Rio Peñasco Rd., past the pavement onto dirt road for about 2 miles before coming to the trailhead/bathrooms on your right. No overnight camping at the trailhead but overnight camping is allowed beyond that point, along the creek. Very quiet and private, a bit of snow was still down at the end of March, no other campers. Very windy, so campfires are allowed but need to be well controlled. Great spot all-around. There is NO Verizon service there or on the way in, pretty much since you pass Haynes Canyon on Sunspot.
Jess T.TravelerRaptor Lake Dispersed / Holloman Lake
Not Bad At All
Super close to white sands, sunset and sunrise were great. It was relatively busy but the sites are far enough away from each other that it still felt private. At night you can hear the sounds from the highway and see the lights from the base/city. Also as an FYI, not sure I saw this ahead of time, the lake is actually a wastewater treatment pond so steer clear from the actual water.
Jani L.TravelerRaptor Lake Dispersed / Holloman Lake
Perfect Spot, plenty of space
1990 Winnebago Chieftain towing a '95 Wrangler from LA > FL
Got here late last night driving from Albuquerque and since it's essentially just all dirt/shrub, you're able to park wherever you can (just don't block the worn in dirt roads obviously). Had about 30 other RVs, campervans, 5th wheels, tents and cars parked all around. Any type of camper is welcome and their space respected. Quiet, everyone was respectful of one another. Mostly families with young children and retirees. Woke up to a beautiful lake. A bit windy though, for anyone thinking of tent camping or has a tall vehicle.
- NNick B.Guide
Bailey Canyon
Great dispersed spot in the mountains
This was a good patch of dirt and trees up in the mountain with a good clearing to park the truck. Very much so dispersed camping with no amenities. The road up was a little muddy but over all smoother and easy. We picked a spot at the highest point along Bailey Canyon Rd. There were several other dispersed spot further down the road. Nobody in sight, no animal sightings either.
Mark G.Guide
Dry Canyon Near Hang Glider Launch
Great camping. Difficult terrain. Gun range at the bottom.
The camping is great and the views are amazing. However, the trail up to the camping spots is steep, washed out, and tight. Can be navigated with a stock 4x4 pick up. Also, there is a gun range at the bottom, so you'll hear gun shots til sundown. Also, a little highway noise is present in the distance.
Teresa T.Legend
West Mesa Trailhead BLM Dispersed
All kinds of dispersed camping available
It was late November and cold so I stayed where I had electric service. But I rode my bike all over the place and there's dispersed camping everywhere. Good cell phone service. I plan on staying for a full week and working from here. Lots of things to see and do close Ruidoso is interesting Lincoln is interesting. Probably not the place to stay in high summer but otherwise really great location.
Courtney M.ScoutDog Canyon
Beautiful New Mexico Mountain Views
This was my husband and I’s first experience boondocking and we were looking for a location close enough to the White Sands National park that wouldn’t be to far of a drive and this location was perfect. Clean, Quite and Beautiful. We enjoyed seeing all the rock trails that have been created from previous visitors.
- JJoe Z.Traveler
Dog Canyon
Nice place to stay
Numerous sites with fire rings and clean. The turn off from the paved road is difficult to spot and the unpaved road is rough. High ground clearance recommended.
- NNoah K.Traveler
Lincoln NF - Forest Service Road 64 - Dispersed Camping
Beautiful Area
Beautiful area off Davis drive, so many areas to camp. Some are restricted to motor vehicles but just keep driving down the gravel road and you will find something. Lots of open meadows but also shaded areas with trees.
- HHailee S.Traveler
Bluff Springs Dispersed Camping
Super pretty, SUPER busy
We were here Labor Day weekend and it was so busy. Do not expect the have a quiet camp if you go on a holiday weekend. That is my only complaint though. It was beautiful, the stream was so pretty. The waterfall is so fun, and the natural spring was super convenient! It dropped into the 50’s at night but was low 80’s during the day! So bring blankets and jackets for night time!
- AAlex G.Traveler
Upper Bonito Dispersed Recreation Area
Good camping area, very peaceful
It’s a nice area to spend with another person and even with kids, restrooms are clean, there’s some privacy if you find s good spot, could be busy during the weekend, but it’s worth visiting
Guide to Ruidoso Downs
Discover the beauty of dispersed camping near Ruidoso Downs, New Mexico, where nature offers a serene escape from the hustle and bustle. With a variety of locations to choose from, outdoor enthusiasts can find the perfect spot to unwind and explore.
Top Activities While Free Camping Near Ruidoso Downs
- Enjoy hiking in the nearby trails, such as those accessible from Upper Bonito Dispersed Recreation Area, which offers plenty of space for both pets and families to roam.
- Experience the thrill of horseback riding during the summer months at Guebara Tank Camp, where equestrian camps provide guided trail rides through stunning landscapes.
- Take advantage of the peaceful surroundings at Forest Road 568 - Dispersed Camping, where wildlife sightings are common, making it a great spot for nature photography.
Tips for Free and Dispersed Camping Near Ruidoso Downs, New Mexico
- Arrive early to secure a good spot, especially on weekends, as areas like West Mesa Trailhead BLM Dispersed can get busy during peak times.
- Be prepared for limited amenities; for instance, Bailey Canyon offers no toilets or trash services, so plan to pack out what you bring in.
- Check road conditions before heading out, as some areas like End of Cedar Creek Road may have rough terrain that requires a vehicle with good clearance.
Dispersed Campers Should Check Out Upper Bonito Dispersed Recreation Area
- This location is well-reviewed for its spaciousness and proximity to trails, making it ideal for families and those with pets looking to explore the outdoors.
- While it lacks amenities like drinking water and electric hookups, the natural beauty and quiet atmosphere more than make up for it, as noted by visitors who enjoyed their time there.
- The area is also a great base for hiking adventures, with trails leading to some of the best scenic views around Ruidoso, ensuring an unforgettable camping experience.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular dispersed campsite near Ruidoso Downs, NM?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dispersed campground near Ruidoso Downs, NM is Forest Road 568 - Dispersed Camping with a 4.4-star rating from 14 reviews.
What is the best site to find dispersed camping near Ruidoso Downs, NM?
TheDyrt.com has all 22 dispersed camping locations near Ruidoso Downs, NM, with real photos and reviews from campers.