Salem is an ideal place for camping adventures of all kinds. There's so much to see and do, from exhilarating hikes or bike rides to exploring the local dining and shopping. Search nearby campsites and find top-rated spots from other campers.
"BLM managed area . Drive to the trailhead has about four areas set up for camping. Plus room for more at the cul-de-sac at the end."
"This site has 6 solitary spots away from other campers and 1 large spot for 5 or 6 campers. The large spot can get kind of crowded so get there early if you want a spot away from other campers."
"Free camping (14 days) on the riverside! Amazing. Perfect for van life. Space for big rigs too but only a couple big turnaround spots so just be strategic about it."
"Most are flat. Some are shaded. We use solar for charging and had plenty of sunshine!"
"Great place to rest for the night before attempting any hikes in Organ Desert Mountains National Monument. "
"The sites are off a single dirt road with pull offs for the sites. There are about 10 or 12 sites as you follow the road. More if your neighbors are friendly."
"If you keep going down the road a bit farther, turn left onto a BLM dirt road (this camping area is listed on iOverlander app). There are a handful of dispersed sites just off the road."
"You can car camp in the lot or hike out and tent camp. Beautiful view and generally quiet, albeit windy. Very easy to access from the road with my 2WD car."
"Was looking for a quick campsite off the highway and this worked perfect."
"Lots are spaced out, even, and easy to access. Others commented that the road had potholes but that wasn’t our experience (maybe further in that’s the case-we didn’t explore much)."
"Safe. Beautiful view. No complaints."
"I spoke to the security guard and he said that the rest area is very safe. He said that he is mostly here to ensure that semi trucks do not park across car spots."
"Coming in off of Dripping Springs Rd, you pass a large flat parking area with small sites you can pull off into, and this area is easy for any rig to access."
"Sierra Vista’s Back Side Dispersed camping offers a pristine, serene outdoor experience."
"I would definitely try to get spots here before Sierra Vista or Baylor Pass trailhead as you don’t have to deal with the traffic trying to get to the parking area to hike."
LegendFirst off this is a parking lot but you are able to camp here for free. There were trailers, RVs and even car camping in this BLM area. There are other spots along the way such as Sierra Vista Trailhead and Baylor Canyon Road as well as multiple pullouts along the Dripping Springs Road.
You're basically at the foot of the Organ Mountains and the view is awesome, even the city lights in the distance were nice.
There are no amenities here. Cell reception good with AT&T and Verizon.
Nice place to stay if you plan on hiking the Organ Mountains or heading the next 40 miles to White Sands National Monument.
GuideGreat place to rest for the night before attempting any hikes in Organ Desert Mountains National Monument. I had a little trouble with the road driving a low clearance 2WD Ford Fusion, but was able to navigate to a fire ring about 2 spots in where I made camp for the night. Tent camped although the ground is quite hard for spikes and spot can be very windy in the afternoon but views were worth it.
LegendComing in off of Dripping Springs Rd, you pass a large flat parking area with small sites you can pull off into, and this area is easy for any rig to access. But if you keep going all the way to the trail head and turn left, you can access more dispersed and remote camp sites just around the bend. You will need a high clearance 4x4 to get to these sites, or you can park in one of the sites in the beginning lot and hike in. There are several large flat spots that are great for camping. There are small rock fire rings and hiking trails throughout. Good Verizon and AT&T reception.
ScoutFree camping (14 days) on the riverside! Amazing. Perfect for van life. Space for big rigs too but only a couple big turnaround spots so just be strategic about it.
LegendFirst off, views of the mountains are great! The sites are off a single dirt road with pull offs for the sites. There are about 10 or 12 sites as you follow the road. More if your neighbors are friendly. You shouldn't a need 4x4 unless it rains, but some there are some larger rocks that might scrape if you don't have a high clearance. You could potentially maneuver around them.
I saw some trailers up the road, however it does get narrow at points, so a large RV might have some issues. I'd say these site are more tent, car, and campervan friendly.
There are no services, pack in pack out. Verizon service was good.
RangerConveniently located to town. Easy to get to. Would recommend high clearance vehicles, but manageable for others. Spectacular views of the organ mountains and plentiful hiking opportunities. Great spot to boondock. We had great service for work and virtual classes.
LegendI would definitely try to get spots here before Sierra Vista or Baylor Pass trailhead as you don’t have to deal with the traffic trying to get to the parking area to hike. The road is a bit rocky and the middle section has some bigger rocks protruding but if you can get camping spots in the first four sites from either side your gold, have high clearance then no troubles at all. Able to get our 39’ toy hauler into this location without any issues.
LegendThis area is about 20 minutes west of Las Cruces. It's directly off the highway and is a gravel/dirt area. There aren't really any sites, more just areas to pull a vehicle through. Large enough for any kind of camper (RV, Trailers, ect). You could also tent camp if you wanted.
This area was nice to stop for the night because I was getting tired. Lots of highway noise, and the area is a bit trashy. For a stop to rest and eat, it worked perfectly. There is a gas station nearby, but the area is dispersed, so there are no services. Verizon service was good.
If you want a free site that you can spend a few days at, there are some great dispersed campgrounds on the east side of Las Cruces. They have hiking trails nearby at the Orange Mountains.
GuideI don't know how to add a campground so I'll just review from here. This spot would be fine for a night if you get in late or plan to do the hike at the TH then camp. But you're literally camping in a parking lot. If you keep going down the road a bit farther, turn left onto a BLM dirt road (this camping area is listed on iOverlander app). There are a handful of dispersed sites just off the road. More private and space than the TH parking and close access to a TH that takes you up the Organ Needle. 2wd OK for access to most sites
Discover the beauty of dispersed camping near Salem, New Mexico, where you can immerse yourself in nature without the constraints of traditional campgrounds. With a variety of options available, you can find the perfect spot to unwind and explore the stunning landscapes.
Frequently Asked Questions
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dispersed campground near Salem, NM is Sierra Vista with a 4.7-star rating from 30 reviews.
TheDyrt.com has all 16 dispersed camping locations near Salem, NM, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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