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Best Dispersed Camping near Taos Ski Valley, NM

73 Reviews

Carson National Forest offers several free dispersed camping areas near Taos Ski Valley, with sites primarily located along river corridors and forest roads. Arroyo Seco provides riverside camping with some sites featuring basic amenities like toilets. Forest Road 5 offers multiple dispersed sites between Taos and Angel Fire with level spots suitable for tents and small RVs. The Rio Fernando de Taos area at the end of Forest Road 5 provides a cul-de-sac with camping opportunities near small ponds and creek access.

Road conditions vary seasonally, with many areas becoming muddy after rain or snow melt. A recent review noted, "The road can be a little bumpy, but there are numerous spots along the way. Decently sized, mostly flat areas to set up for the night." Higher elevation areas like Greenie Peak require 4x4 vehicles, while some locations in Rio Grande del Norte National Monument offer more accessible terrain. Most sites include established fire rings, though seasonal fire restrictions are common. Wildlife viewing opportunities abound, with campers reporting elk and deer sightings throughout the region.

Map showing campgrounds near Taos Ski Valley, New MexicoExplore the Map

Best Dispersed Sites Near Taos Ski Valley, New Mexico (32)

    1. Arroyo Seco Dispersed NF Camping

    8 Reviews
    Valdez, NM
    7 miles
    Website
    +1 (575) 758-6200

    "No amenities except some great river side places. Dispersed camping along the road (though it’s not a busy one, especially not at night so not noisy) right on the river."

    "I car-camped here just before Labor Day weekend and while it wasn’t the most private camping area, I was able to snag a spot along the river and had a nice time."

    2. Forest Road 5 - Dispersed campsite

    9 Reviews
    Angel Fire, NM
    13 miles
    Website

    "There are several sites along FR-5, though some might require high clearance or 4wd. "

    "No facilities. Crick 3x bigger now. Early May. So beautiful."

    3. Mallette Creek North

    3 Reviews
    Red River, NM
    10 miles

    "Even with a couple and a new born up the hill I never heard them from our campervan! Serene surroundings and even and beautiful place to camp during a thunderstorm!"

    "This is what we wanted to find with dispersed camping! Beautiful view! A couple of neighbors but never heard them. Not the easiest piece of ground to get the trailer leveled but we made it work."

    4. Rio Fernando de Taos - Forest Rd 5

    3 Reviews
    Angel Fire, NM
    12 miles
    Website

    "Just a handful of sites on this short road--one side of the road is fairly open but has the creek/river flowing nearby; the other side of the road is more in the forest and offers some shade and privacy"

    "Fairly accessible. We brought a pop up. Elk everywhere. We had a nice time"

    5. Rio Grande del Norte National Monument

    3 Reviews
    San Cristobal, NM
    13 miles
    Website

    "Rio Grande del Norte National Monument is BLM land so it is all dispersed camping. You will need to make sure you aren't on someone's property or nearby any roads. There are plenty of turn offs. "

    "This is the most remote BLM site I’ve ever been too. Right at the edge of the Gorge, it is primitive—only saw one bathroom about 2 miles back."

    6. Dispersed Camping Near Taos

    4 Reviews
    Arroyo Hondo, NM
    15 miles
    Website
    +1 (575) 758-8851

    "Dirt road but we did it with no problem with our 24ft trailer."

    "A good dispersed campground with a few spots. Don’t drive to the John dun bridge from Taos use the longer route instead. The switch back road is blocked off now."

    7. Cebolla Mesa

    1 Review
    San Cristobal, NM
    13 miles

    "Beware drive in can be muddy if raining 4wd recommended and AWD is fine too. Front or Rwd is doable but at your own risk. Bathroom Firepit Table There are only 4 available spots."

    8. Carson national forest

    1 Review
    San Cristobal, NM
    14 miles

    "We drove around Forest Trail 9 (FT9) until we found a great spot on the edge overlooking the Rio."

    9. Greenie Peak

    1 Review
    Red River, NM
    12 miles

    "Quick trip here overnight. lots of spots on the drive up to the peak, so don’t have to make it the whole way."

    10. Rio Grande Bridge Overlook

    1 Review
    Arroyo Hondo, NM
    14 miles

    "A little more secluded than the spots next door and a little farther away from the edge of the cliff but still beautiful."

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Recent Free Dispersed Camping Photos near Taos Ski Valley, NM

63 Photos of 32 Taos Ski Valley Campgrounds

Dispersed Camping Reviews near Taos Ski Valley, NM

73 Reviews of 32 Taos Ski Valley Campgrounds

  • Hayley K.The Dyrt PRO User
    Feb. 14, 2020

    Rio Grande del Norte National Monument

    Quiet beauty

    Rio Grande del Norte National Monument is BLM land so it is all dispersed camping. You will need to make sure you aren't on someone's property or nearby any roads. There are plenty of turn offs. 

    This isn't a "get away" more like a stopover spot. I stopped here on my way back North to Colorado to see the bridge over the Rio Grande and so I wasn't so high up in elevation that I would freeze. 

    But if you can find a quiet place it is a beautiful dispersed spot where there is civilization nearby and toilets at local businesses  and picnic areas that you can use. See map on review. 

    Be careful roaming at night. The drop into the river is quite deep so offroading isn't just ill advised for keeping the flora and fauna safe…but you as well. 

    There are picnic ares around the monument too, just not established camping spots.

  • Jason L.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 24, 2019

    Home Mountain Reservoir SWA - Dispersed Campsites

    Beautiful mountain lake

    Only a few miles from Ft. Garland, Mountain Home Reservoir is another Colorado State Wildlife Area, but no signs saying an SWA permit is needed to camp there so not sure if you need one or not, we have it so we forgot to check. We have also bought land to build on three miles from the lake, we love this area.

    There are two sides to camp on, one side has toilets, vault style, but it's more crowded on that side and less room to camp. The other side takes a little drive, but is much more open and has the mountains behind you and the lake in front of you. It gets busy on weekends, but weekdays are pretty quiet.

    The water is cold, but you could swim in August if you really want to, not too cold at all. Boats are allowed, and there boat ramps on both sides of the lake from what we could see, didn't inspect the ramps, but know one works because there was a pontoon boat on the lake one day.

    The weather changes by the minute it seems, and storms move over the area pretty quickly. If you don't like the weather wait five minutes, it'll change, and I'm not exaggerating. Still mostly nice weather, and normally sunny.

    This is a beautiful camping area, again this is a no hook up area so pack in what you need and leave no trace. Try to camp near one of the already made fire pits, makes it easier on you and they discourage building new fire pits. If you don't want a fire then you can camp anywhere you aren't blocking a road.

    Truly beautiful place to camp, you can stay 14 days in a 45 day period. RV dump and fill stations are nearby in Ft.Garland, and it's only about thirty minutes to Great Sand Dunes National Park, and Zapata Falls. Smith Reservoir is also nearby and that's another SWA we reviewed, check that one out.

  • Jennifer H.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 12, 2023

    Carson NF - Forest Service Road 578 - Dispersed Camping

    Cold and quiet with good views

    There are a bunch of different roads you can turn off to camp on if you’re driving from Taos to Durango. We mapped Forest Road 578 and it took us to a dirt road with a lot of flat spots you can camp on. We spent the night there and it was very quiet and peaceful. If you keep going to Durango you’ll get to Carson National Forest, which is not too far from the coordinates on The Dyrt. That’s where more people are camping, you can pull off right before the 64H road marker. You’ll keep passing camping spots as you drive to Durango so you can really go almost anywhere!

  • MThe Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 30, 2024

    Forest Service 439

    Rough

    I pull a small trailer and the road in was rough. I was concerned about being able to turn around. When I got to the spot where there are six or eight camping spots, finding one suitable for a trailer was difficult, but I did it. This is more suitable to car camping.

    There is an open area that would be good for group camping. There are three or more RVs that appear to be permanent  features. That was strange. Looked like fishing camps. I didn't want to drive the steep road down to this area.

    Personally, I wish I had stopped a the forest service campsites up hill from this location, but if you are in a car and want to tent camp here, I don't see a problem,

  • Jacob W.The Dyrt PRO User
    Apr. 21, 2022

    Carson NF - Forest Service Road 578 - Dispersed Camping

    Primitive dispersed camping

    I tent-camped off of Carson NF Forest Service Road 578 in mid April 2022. FS 578 is south of Tres Piedras about 5 miles on the west side of Hwy 285. There are several dirt road turn offs but FS 578 is clearly marked with a brown NFS sign (see photo) and has no gate but there is a cattle guard/grate. Here is a NFS road use map that shows dispersed camping along FS 578 and many other NFS roads: https://www.fs.fed.us/r3/gis/mvum/Carson/CarsonTresPiedrasCanjilonElRito.pdf (see also screenshot). My Tacoma had no problem on the dirt road, which has ruts and might be tough for an RV. There were few clearings suitable for dispersed camping but I found a nice spot with a small fire circle in a small clearing on the south side of the road just past a fork in the road. I carried two black boulders over to serve as a table and chair. I didn’t see anyone else camping or driving by. The forest is a nice mix of sage, juniper, and pine trees. I saw two elk across a swath of sage. I could see the snow capped peaks of the Sangre de Cristo range on the eastern horizon when I walked farther up the road. It got cold at night, like 27 F. It was a nice waypoint on my trip between Gunnison CO and El Paso TX but it didn’t look like many people camped there. I had intended to drive to Taos the next day on Hwy 64, but didn’t.

  • MThe Dyrt PRO User
    Jun. 4, 2025

    Forest Road 5 - Dispersed campsite

    Beautiful area!

    We stayed here for 2 days at the beginning of June 2025.  There are several sites along FR-5, though some might require high clearance or 4wd.  When we stayed, the ground was still quite damp - I would have stayed longer, but there were 3 days of rain in the forecast, and I felt there was a significant risk of getting stuck.

  • CThe Dyrt PRO User
    Jun. 30, 2023

    Forest Road 558

    Okay Dispersed Camp Spot

    Wide open dispersed desert camping. FS-558 runs for several miles south of HWY-285. We stayed closer to the highway which is safer without 4WD. Higher clearance is helpful due to ruts in the road. There's a fair amount of trash, but plenty of spots without. Bummer that locals use public land as their private dumping area. The nights were quiet, other than occasionally coyote calls, which add to the ambiance. We had a few thousand acres all to ourselves for four nights while climbing on nearby El Rito walls.

  • Ron G.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jun. 9, 2023

    Carson NF - Forest Service Road 578 - Dispersed Camping

    Tres Piedras area

    The location on Dyrt maps is wrong, forest service is NW of 285 & 64. Beautiful dispersed camping spots plentiful. Park ranger Melissa was the top notch. Couldn’t have been more helpful and friendly. Definitely stay there again.

  • jThe Dyrt PRO User
    Dec. 1, 2021

    Tres Piedras Dispersed Site

    Great spot for dispersed

    No hookups. Not many people. You can spend 14 days there. Make sure you practice LNT and take some time to enjoy nature.

Guide to Taos Ski Valley

Experience the beauty of nature with dispersed camping near Taos Ski Valley, New Mexico. This area offers a variety of stunning landscapes and outdoor activities, perfect for those looking to escape into the wilderness.

Dispersed campers should check out Arroyo Seco Dispersed NF Camping

  • Nestled along the Hondo Rio, Arroyo Seco Dispersed NF Camping provides numerous sites where you can enjoy the peaceful sounds of the river while surrounded by nature.
  • This spot is pet-friendly, making it an ideal choice for families who want to bring their furry friends along for the adventure.
  • With no permit required and free access, it's a budget-friendly option for those looking to enjoy the great outdoors without breaking the bank.

Top activities while free camping near Taos Ski Valley

Scenic attractions for dispersed campers

  • The picturesque landscapes at Forest Service 439 provide a perfect backdrop for photography and nature walks, with ample opportunities to spot local wildlife.
  • Enjoy the tranquility of the outdoors at Mallette Creek North, where you can unwind by a babbling brook and take in the serene surroundings.
  • The stunning views from Rio Fernando de Taos - Forest Rd 5 make it a great spot for stargazing, especially on clear nights when the sky is filled with stars.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the regulations for dispersed camping around Taos Ski Valley?

Dispersed camping around Taos Ski Valley follows standard National Forest and BLM regulations. At Rio Grande del Norte National Monument, camping is permitted on BLM land, but you must ensure you're not on private property or too close to roads. The Tres Piedras Dispersed Site allows stays up to 14 days and requires Leave No Trace practices. No hookups are available at dispersed sites. Most areas prohibit camping within 100-200 feet of water sources, and proper waste disposal is mandatory. Fire restrictions may apply seasonally, so check with the Carson National Forest office or local ranger stations before your trip.

Where can I find dispersed camping near Taos Ski Valley?

Several excellent dispersed camping options exist near Taos Ski Valley. Carson NF - Forest Service Road 578 - Dispersed Camping is located about 5 miles south of Tres Piedras on the west side of Highway 285. This area offers multiple flat spots suitable for camping with clear National Forest Service markings. Another option is Rio Fernando de Taos - Forest Rd 5, which features beautiful sites alongside a creek with just a handful of camping spots available. Both locations provide peaceful settings away from crowds while still being accessible from Taos.

When is the best season for dispersed camping near Taos Ski Valley?

Late spring through early fall (May-September) offers the best conditions for dispersed camping near Taos Ski Valley. Forest Road 5 - Dispersed campsite can be damp in early June, with potential rain making access challenging. Forest Service 439 has rough roads that are more navigable during dry summer months. Higher elevation sites may remain snow-covered until late May, while the monsoon season (July-August) brings afternoon thunderstorms. Fall provides spectacular foliage and fewer crowds. Winter camping is possible at lower elevations, but heavy snow makes many forest roads impassable without 4WD and winter gear.

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