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Best Dispersed Camping near Ruidoso, NM

74 Reviews

Lincoln National Forest surrounds Ruidoso, New Mexico, providing numerous dispersed camping opportunities in mountainous terrain. Upper Bonito Dispersed Recreation Area, located near Nogal, offers tent camping with basic toilet facilities along a creek. West Mesa Trailhead and Conservation Area provide free dispersed camping options on BLM land east of Ruidoso. Most camping areas in the region sit at elevations between 7,000-9,000 feet, creating a cooler mountain climate compared to lower desert areas. Cedar Creek Road and Middle Fork areas southwest of Ruidoso feature additional primitive camping spots where RVs and tents can find suitable clearings.

Road conditions vary significantly throughout the Lincoln National Forest and surrounding public lands. Many forest service roads require high-clearance vehicles, particularly after rain or snow. As one camper noted about Forest Road 568, "The road conditions aren't all that bad, so anyone can access it. You can tell where other people have been due to campfires." Winter camping requires preparation for cold temperatures, with overnight lows frequently dropping below freezing even in early fall. A camper at Lincoln National Forest reported, "We tent camped in mid-September off Forest Service Road 64. Over 9,400 feet and it got cold at night." Some dispersed areas like Upper Bonito "can get snowed in during winter months," according to visitor reviews.

Wildlife sightings enhance the camping experience throughout the region. Elk are commonly spotted in the forests surrounding Ruidoso, particularly in meadow areas at dawn and dusk. Campers frequently mention the peacefulness of the mountain settings, though some areas can become crowded during summer weekends. Upper Bonito Dispersed Recreation Area receives praise for having toilets when "a lot of dispersed camping areas don't have toilets," making it suitable for less experienced backcountry campers. The area serves as "a good base camp for some of the best hiking around Ruidoso," including Big Bonito Trail and Argentina Trail. Cell service varies widely, with better coverage on higher ridges and minimal to no service in canyons and valleys.

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Best Dispersed Sites Near Ruidoso, New Mexico (21)

    1. Upper Bonito Dispersed Recreation Area

    4 Reviews
    Nogal, NM
    11 miles
    Website
    +1 (575) 257-4095

    "A lot of dispersed camping areas don't have toilets, but this one does.

    Lots of first come first served campsites along the little creek. Not much privacy when it's busier (warmer months)."

    "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."

    2. West Mesa Trailhead BLM Dispersed

    2 Reviews
    Capitan, NM
    11 miles
    Website
    +1 (575) 244-4605

    "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."

    "Easy to find and not a rough drive. I saw several dirt pull offs surrounded by trees before parking. This was a very private remote area in the forest."

    3. Guebara Tank Camp

    1 Review
    Nogal, NM
    13 miles
    Website
    +1 (575) 257-4095

    "Not to many trees that are tall so u get cover but not complete seclusion but enof to where it’s enjoyable and u see the sky at nights so path ways are very down sloap if ur in a car know how to drive"

    4. End of Cedar Creek Road

    1 Review
    Ruidoso, NM
    6 miles
    Website
    +1 (575) 434-7200

    5. Forest Road 568 - Dispersed Camping

    17 Reviews
    Cloudcroft, NM
    30 miles
    Website
    +1 (575) 682-2551

    "You can get as far away from main roads as you need. There are infinite spots on this road. It’s quite long and the road conditions aren’t all that bad, so anyone can access it."

    "04/15/22 service road 568, Lincoln National Forest, NM

    Friday night/Good Friday

    I found this camp on a suggestion from a local waitress at Big Daddy’s."

    6. Middle Fork at Cedar Creek

    Be the first to review!
    Ruidoso, NM
    6 miles

    7. West Mesa Conservation Area

    Be the first to review!
    Capitan, NM
    11 miles
    Website
    +1 (575) 244-4605

    8. Forest Rd 568 Dispersed

    8 Reviews
    Cloudcroft, NM
    30 miles
    Website
    +1 (575) 682-2551

    "You can get as far away from main roads as you need. There are infinite spots on this road. It’s quite long and the road conditions aren’t all that bad, so anyone can access it."

    "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."

    9. Bluff Springs Dispersed Camping

    17 Reviews
    Sunspot, NM
    39 miles
    Website
    +1 (575) 682-7570

    "Dispersed camping along the bluff spring stream. A ton of campsites, and easy access to bluff spring and a trail complex. High clearance vehicle recommended, pretty packed in the summer months."

    "This is a quiet area tucked away in Lincoln National Forest. It's not too far from Cloudcroft, NM so it's easy to resupply on water, snack, etc."

    10. Dog Canyon

    17 Reviews
    Sunspot, NM
    48 miles
    Website
    +1 (575) 525-4300

    "Main dirt road is fine, even for larger rigs. Side road that runs north/south may give you issues.

    Plenty of obvious campsites, many of which are level."

    "The turn off from the paved road is difficult to spot and the unpaved road is rough. High ground clearance recommended."

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Recent Free Dispersed Camping Photos near Ruidoso, NM

46 Photos of 21 Ruidoso Campgrounds

Dispersed Camping Reviews near Ruidoso, NM

74 Reviews of 21 Ruidoso Campgrounds

  • Jacob W.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 6, 2022

    Lincoln NF - Forest Service Road 64 - Dispersed Camping

    Awesome dispersed camping

    We tent camped in mid September 2022 in the Lincoln National Forest south of Cloudcroft, NM off Forest Service Road 64. Over 9,400’ and it got cold at night. Saw one elk and heard more bugling. Plenty of wood to make a fire. Nice forest. We stayed at a spot on a meadow about 4-5 dispersed sites south of Sunspot Highway. Good times.

  • Mitchell M.
    Dec. 11, 2021

    Forest Road 568 - Dispersed Camping

    Great Stay

    Needed a last resort spot to sleep and decided on finding a spot here. Visited in last day in November, so it was a bit cold at night. Since it was so late in the year I ran across 0 other people, and at night it was absolutely silent. You can get as far away from main roads as you need. There are infinite spots on this road. It’s quite long and the road conditions aren’t all that bad, so anyone can access it. You can tell where other people have been due to campfires. But if you visit anytime in the year I’m sure you’re able to find a spot, as they can extend up to 200ft back into the woods and have lots of area. About 5 min drive to main road and 8 minutes to cloudcroft. There was no trash, and also no amenities. I highly recommend this spot if you need somewhere free to stay extended or even one night if you’re visiting Lincoln. Coordinates are accurate

  • Mitchell M.
    Dec. 11, 2021

    Forest Rd 568 Dispersed

    Excellent Stay

    Needed a last resort spot to sleep and decided on finding a spot here. Visited in last day in November, so it was a bit cold at night. Since it was so late in the year I ran across 0 other people, and at night it was absolutely silent. You can get as far away from main roads as you need. There are infinite spots on this road. It’s quite long and the road conditions aren’t all that bad, so anyone can access it. You can tell where other people have been due to campfires. But if you visit anytime in the year I’m sure you’re able to find a spot, as they can extend up to 200ft back into the woods and have lots of area. About 5 min drive to main road and 8 minutes to cloudcroft. There was no trash, and also no amenities. I highly recommend this spot if you need somewhere free to stay extended or even one night if you’re visiting Lincoln. Coordinates are accurate

  • Abraham The Dyrt PRO User
    Jan. 1, 2021

    Bluff Springs Dispersed Camping

    Lots of options

    Dispersed camping along the bluff spring stream. A ton of campsites, and easy access to bluff spring and a trail complex. High clearance vehicle recommended, pretty packed in the summer months.

  • Mark G.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jan. 21, 2024

    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.

  • JThe Dyrt PRO User
    Jun. 12, 2019

    Bluff Springs Dispersed Camping

    Lovely little spot in the Lincoln NF

    This is a little pull-off area in a very populated National Forest. It can get pretty crowded so hiking in is important. The car-camping and RV camping is right on the road.

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

    Bluff Springs Dispersed Camping

    Potentially good

    Bluff Springs is nestled in a pretty forested valley with a creek and falls in Lincoln National Forest about 10 miles south of Cloudcroft off Sunspot highway on Upper Peñasco Road. There’s a gravel parking lot with bathrooms but no campground. We tent camped Sat, Aug. 1, 2020, arriving about 2pm. There were many people camping and it was difficult to find a spot along the road with dispersed camping sites. We had to camp in thicker grass among cow dung because the mowed sites were taken. Still, life outside is better, right? It stormed much of the day and night but Sunday morning dawned clear and we took a short 1-mile hike from the Bluff Springs trailhead to the Willie White trailhead. There are longer hikes too. There were some camping trailers but no big RVs. Upper Peñasco Road is narrow in parts. A decent place.

  • 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

  • KThe Dyrt PRO User
    May. 3, 2023

    Upper Bonito Dispersed Recreation Area

    Secluded spot with bathrooms

    A lot of dispersed camping areas don't have toilets, but this one does.

    Lots of first come first served campsites along the little creek. Not much privacy when it's busier (warmer months).

    Good base camp for some of the best hiking around Ruidoso (Big Bonito Trail, Argentina Trail, etc.)

    Be prepared for lots of dust with the dirt road uphill from sites.

    In the summer there are horse riding camps set up to provide trail rides.

    Can get snowed in in the Winter months.

Guide to Ruidoso

Discover the beauty of dispersed camping near Ruidoso, New Mexico, where nature lovers can find serene spots away from the crowds. With a variety of locations offering unique experiences, this area is perfect for those seeking adventure and tranquility.

Dispersed campers should check out Upper Bonito Dispersed Recreation Area

  • This area offers a peaceful environment with plenty of space for families and pets to roam freely, making it ideal for a relaxing getaway. Check it out at Upper Bonito Dispersed Recreation Area.
  • With nearby trails and a lake, outdoor enthusiasts can enjoy hiking and fishing, providing a perfect blend of activities for all ages.
  • Although there are no amenities like drinking water or electric hookups, the natural beauty and quiet atmosphere make it a well-reviewed choice for dispersed camping.

Scenic hiking trails while free camping near Ruidoso

  • The West Mesa Trailhead BLM Dispersed area is a great base for exploring the surrounding trails, offering a mix of remote forest and stunning views.
  • Campers can enjoy the convenience of being close to Ruidoso, where interesting historical sites and attractions await exploration.
  • This location allows for both drive-in and walk-in access, making it easy to set up camp and hit the trails.

Wildlife watching at Guebara Tank Camp for dispersed campers

  • Located in Lincoln National Forest, Guebara Tank Camp provides a unique opportunity to spot local wildlife while enjoying the great outdoors.
  • The area is known for its beautiful landscapes and offers a variety of camping accommodations, including tent and RV options.
  • Although it lacks amenities like toilets and showers, the natural setting and potential for wildlife sightings make it a highly rated spot for those looking to immerse themselves in nature.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where can I find dispersed camping areas near Ruidoso, NM?

The Lincoln National Forest surrounding Ruidoso offers excellent dispersed camping opportunities. Bluff Springs Dispersed Camping is located about 10 miles south of Cloudcroft in a forested valley with a creek and falls. For more remote options, try Dry Canyon Near Hang Glider Launch, which offers amazing views but requires a 4x4 vehicle to navigate the steep, washed-out trail. Both areas follow standard dispersed camping rules: camp at least 100 feet from water sources, practice Leave No Trace principles, and stay in previously established sites. Most dispersed areas in the region have a 14-day stay limit. Look for pullouts along forest service roads throughout Lincoln National Forest, particularly south of Cloudcroft where elevations exceed 9,000 feet.

Is there free camping available in Ruidoso, New Mexico?

Yes, free camping is readily available near Ruidoso in Lincoln National Forest. Forest Road 568 - Dispersed Camping offers numerous free sites where you can get away from main roads for privacy and silence, especially during off-season months. Lincoln NF - Forest Service Road 64 - Dispersed Camping is another free option south of Cloudcroft at over 9,400 feet elevation, featuring meadow sites with ample firewood. These areas require self-sufficiency as they have no amenities or services. The standard 14-day stay limit applies to all dispersed camping in national forests. For the best experience, arrive with all supplies, practice Leave No Trace principles, and be prepared for potentially challenging road conditions, especially after rain or snow.

What facilities are available at Upper Bonito Dispersed Recreation Area?

Upper Bonito Dispersed Recreation Area offers more amenities than typical dispersed camping areas, most notably vault toilets—a rare find at dispersed sites. The area features multiple first-come, first-served campsites situated along a small creek. While there's no drinking water, trash service, or electrical hookups, the sites are well-established. This area serves as an excellent base camp for accessing some of Ruidoso's best hiking trails, including Big Bonito Trail and Argentina Trail. During warmer months, the campground can become busy with limited privacy between sites. The proximity to water makes it particularly appealing, but remember to follow standard dispersed camping protocols by staying at least 100 feet from the creek and packing out all trash. The area is primarily suitable for tent camping or smaller rigs.

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