Desert camping around San Ysidro, New Mexico offers access to diverse landscapes ranging from dry plains to mountain foothills. The region typically experiences less than 10 inches of annual rainfall with temperature variations of 30-40 degrees between day and night in desert areas. Cellular coverage varies dramatically by provider, with Verizon generally performing better than other carriers at higher elevations near trailheads.
What to do
Hiking the Sierra Vista Trail: Access this trail system from Sierra Vista dispersed camping area, which provides direct trail access. "I got up the top trail fine in my f-150, it is kinda sketchy though so be careful, but the views up top are great, spaced out a lot better," notes one camper about the higher elevation spots.
Stargazing in darker locations: The clearest skies are found at the dispersed sites along Baylor Canyon Road where light pollution is minimal. "Sunset is breathtaking!! I don't recommend arriving here after dark whatsoever. Stars are surprisingly visible too- there's a lot of light pollution from Las Cruces down below, but it didn't seem to have much effect on star gazing while I was there," reports a visitor.
Mountain biking access: Aguirre Spring Recreation Area and Campground offers great mountain bike trails with technical sections. "This was a very enjoyable camping location, stayed here for a couple days, myself and my girlfriend enjoyed the hiking trail, the mountains and scenery that nature offers," mentions a recent visitor.
What campers like
Privacy between sites: Many campers appreciate the spacing at Sierra Vista - Back Side Dispersed camping areas. "Quite a few spots with fire rings (maybe 10) not too far from the road. The views are gorgeous, yet it's close to the city and amenities. Luckily we got here early, since it really filled up around sunset," notes one reviewer who appreciated both the privacy and convenience.
Wildlife viewing opportunities: The desert landscape supports diverse wildlife. "Heard coyote's howling pretty nearby around 1:30am, and in the area again at 3am-ish. There was also lots of scat around, pretty large piles, thinking it's cow as there's several cattle ranches very close by," reports a camper at Baylor Canyon area.
Seasonal weather variations: Winter camping offers milder temperatures. A camper at Leasburg Dam State Park Campground noted: "Leasburg State Park is an awesome place to camp with stunning mesas and clean sites. The Campground is close to the Rio Grande where we played. The Visitor's Center is charming with a book exchange library."
What you should know
Cell service details: Most dispersed sites have usable cell coverage. At Sierra Vista, one camper reported: "Verizon had full bars but was still a little slow for some reason," while another noted, "AT&T and Sprint: 2 bars LTE." This information helps remote workers plan accordingly.
Road condition specifics: Baylor Canyon Rd Spur, BLM has challenging access. "The road is pretty rocky, take it slow and you'll be good though. 4wd not needed, I managed fine in a 2wd Escape, wouldn't attempt going too far in with low clearance as some rocks are pretty big," advises a recent visitor.
Water availability limitations: No water sources exist at dispersed sites. Plan on carrying 1-2 gallons per person per day. "We brought our own 5 gal of water and were fine for 3 nights," mentioned a camper at Aguirre Spring Campground.
Tips for camping with families
Wind protection strategies: Desert winds can be intense, especially in afternoons. "Super crazy windy in the afternoons," warns a camper from the Sierra Vista area. Position tents behind natural windbreaks or vehicles when possible.
Accessibility rankings: For families with young children, established campgrounds offer more amenities. "Each site has a (mostly) level concrete pad to park your rig on, be it trailer, van or tent. We had water, electricity, fire pit and an Adobe structure covering the picnic table," reports a visitor at Leasburg Dam State Park.
Bathroom facilities: Expect basic facilities at established sites. "The toilets were clean and mens toilets all had soft-close lids. I am told womens do not," notes a visitor to Aguirre Spring Recreation Area, providing practical information for families.
Tips from RVers
Size limitations for dispersed sites: Las Cruces KOA offers more accommodations for larger rigs compared to dispersed options. "We picked a site with a little gas grill. The sites are super clean and well-spaced, and we loved the views overlooking the city and mountains—especially at night with the lights," shares one RV camper.
Hookup availability: Most dispersed sites have no services. "I stayed because I was getting up early to hike, so it was very convenient. Not a ton of noise, except the occasional car driving by the road or someone getting in and out of their vehicle," reported a camper at Baylor Pass West Trailhead.
Leveling challenges: Many dispersed sites require leveling blocks. "Most sites are uneven and short. BLM recommends nothing more than 23' long," cautions an Aguirre Spring camper, important information for those with larger trailers or motorhomes.
