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Best Dispersed Camping near Taos, NM

52 Reviews

The Carson National Forest and Bureau of Land Management territories surrounding Taos, New Mexico feature predominantly dispersed camping options along forest service roads and near water features. Rio Grande del Norte National Monument offers primitive sites with dramatic gorge views, while Forest Road areas like FR-5, FR-438, and FR-578 provide accessible camping for tent and small RV users. Arroyo Seco Dispersed camping areas north of town offer riverside sites with minimal amenities but scenic mountain backdrops. Most locations maintain free access with standard 14-day stay limits, though site quality and privacy vary considerably across the region.

Road conditions present significant challenges for many camping areas, particularly after rain or snowmelt. As one camper noted, "Long, bumpy one-lane dirt road... Lots of ruts and washouts. Not good for trailers. Best for high clearance or 4x4." Many forest roads lack turnaround areas for larger vehicles, with several reviewers reporting difficulty maneuvering trailers. Weather patterns fluctuate dramatically with elevation changes, with spring snowmelt causing flooding at lower sites and nighttime temperatures dropping below freezing even in April. Cell service remains sporadic throughout the region, with better connectivity reported at Tres Piedras Camp and areas closer to highways. Fire restrictions commonly apply during summer months, with complete bans during peak fire season.

Riverside camping receives consistently positive reviews, particularly along Forest Road 438 where campers report "sites having river access" with opportunities for fishing. Wildlife sightings enhance the experience, with one visitor noting, "The animals are really coming out though—lots of birds and frogs chirping, ducks were swimming in the ponds, and we even had some elk pass through our camp!" The Rio Grande Gorge area offers what one camper called "the most remote BLM site I've ever been to," with dramatic views but challenging access. Visitors frequently mention the contrast between daytime and nighttime temperatures, with one noting "nights get nice and chill versus hot day temps for good sleep." Trash management remains problematic in some areas, with several reviewers mentioning the need to clean up after previous campers.

Map showing campgrounds near Taos, New MexicoExplore the Map

Best Dispersed Sites Near Taos, New Mexico (29)

    1. Arroyo Seco Dispersed NF Camping

    8 Reviews
    Valdez, NM
    10 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. "

    "Its a bit of a drive from Taos on US 64 as the roads are twisty and you can't go fast. Much easier drive from Eagle's Nest. Multiple sites, we picked one on the left side of the road and aways a bit."

    3. Dispersed Camping Near Taos

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

    "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."

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

    4. Forest Road 438 Dispersed

    2 Reviews
    Ranchos de Taos, NM
    9 miles

    "Numerous spots along the forest road and some are tucked off the road a bit. The spot we found about a 1/2 mile or so past the bridge has a little fire ring and right next to the little creek."

    "Stumbled on this location by chance when another location nearby was closed. Long forest road with approximately 8-10 dispersed campsites along the road."

    5. Forest Service 439

    2 Reviews
    Vadito, NM
    10 miles

    "A little stream is near by-- a little shallow and a little mucky on the bottom, but really refreshing. The stars are incredible, also some beautiful views of the mountains from the lower section."

    6. Rio Fernando de Taos - Forest Rd 5

    3 Reviews
    Angel Fire, NM
    14 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"

    "Highway 64 between Taos and Angel Fire > Turn onto Forest Rd 5 and go to end

    Solid road, no issue with 25ft travel trailer."

    7. Rio Grande Bridge Overlook

    1 Review
    Arroyo Hondo, NM
    13 miles

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

    8. Rio Grande del Norte National Monument

    3 Reviews
    San Cristobal, NM
    19 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."

    9. Rio Grande Gorge BLM

    1 Review
    Carson, NM
    8 miles
    Website
    +1 (575) 758-8851

    10. Cebolla Mesa

    1 Review
    San Cristobal, NM
    18 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."

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Recent Free Dispersed Camping Photos near Taos, NM

45 Photos of 29 Taos Campgrounds

Dispersed Camping Reviews near Taos, NM

52 Reviews of 29 Taos Campgrounds

  • 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!

  • Stephanie D.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 12, 2025

    Forest Road 102 Dispersed

    Borrego Trail-Long, bumpy road

    Long, bumpy one-lane dirt road. 2-5mph the whole way. No shoulder. No way to back up or turn around. Lots of ruts and washouts. Only a couple of turn-arounds way up the mountain. Not good for trailers. Best for high clearance or 4x4. Several walk in campsites if you have a small vehicle. If you make it to the top, there’s a handful of nice campsites that you can drive into. We made it, but it was rough! 56 minutes to drive 3.4 miles.

  • 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.

  • 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
    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,

  • 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

Discover the beauty of dispersed camping near Taos, New Mexico, where you can immerse yourself in nature without the constraints of traditional campgrounds. With stunning landscapes and a variety of outdoor activities, this area is perfect for adventurers seeking a more rustic experience.

Tips for free and dispersed camping near Taos, New Mexico

  • Make sure to bring plenty of water, as many dispersed camping spots, like Carson NF - Forest Service Road 578, do not offer drinking water facilities.
  • Be prepared for varying road conditions; some areas, such as Forest Road 558, may require a vehicle with higher clearance due to ruts and rough terrain.
  • Always practice Leave No Trace principles to keep these beautiful areas pristine, especially in popular spots like Rio Grande del Norte National Monument.

Dispersed campers should check out BLM Orilla Verde Recreation Area

  • This area offers a mix of amenities, including drinking water and electric hookups, making it a convenient choice for those who still want a touch of comfort while enjoying nature at BLM Orilla Verde Recreation Area.
  • Located right next to the Rio Grande, this spot is perfect for fishing and enjoying riverside activities, providing a serene backdrop for your camping experience.
  • The camp host is known for being friendly and helpful, ensuring that your stay is enjoyable and stress-free.

Scenic views and activities at Rio Grande del Rancho Dispersed Campground

  • Nestled in a picturesque setting, Rio Grande del Rancho Dispersed Campground offers stunning views of the surrounding landscape, perfect for photography and relaxation.
  • The area is ideal for hiking and exploring, with trails that lead to breathtaking vistas and opportunities for wildlife spotting.
  • Enjoy the tranquility of the outdoors, as this dispersed site is known for its peaceful atmosphere, allowing you to unwind and connect with nature.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is free camping available in the Taos area?

Yes, free camping is widely available around Taos on public lands. Rio Grande del Norte National Monument offers free dispersed camping on BLM land with numerous turnoffs for overnight stays. Tres Piedras Dispersed Site is another free option where you can stay up to 14 days. These areas operate on a first-come, first-served basis with no reservations or fees required. When free camping, always practice Leave No Trace principles and be aware that these sites lack amenities like trash service or restrooms. Verify current regulations before your trip, as rules occasionally change, and respect seasonal closures that may be in place due to fire danger or wildlife management.

Where can I find dispersed camping near Taos, New Mexico?

The Taos area offers numerous dispersed camping options, primarily in Carson National Forest. Carson NF - Forest Service Road 578 - Dispersed Camping is located about 5 miles south of Tres Piedras on the west side of Highway 285, with clearly marked access and several flat spots suitable for camping. Another excellent option is Forest Road 5 - Dispersed campsite, which offers multiple sites, though some may require high clearance vehicles. Additional dispersed camping can be found along Forest Roads 102, 438, 439, and 558, all accessible from highways around Taos. Most sites allow a 14-day stay. Look for established pullouts with fire rings to minimize environmental impact.

What BLM land is available for camping around Taos?

The primary BLM camping area near Taos is Rio Grande del Norte National Monument, which offers extensive dispersed camping opportunities across its 242,500 acres. This monument features dramatic landscapes including the Rio Grande Gorge and allows camping on most public lands within its boundaries. Rio Grande Gorge BLM area provides both drive-in and walk-in access points for dispersed camping. When camping on BLM land, stay at least 900 feet from developed recreation sites, 300 feet from water sources, and away from private property. The standard 14-day stay limit applies. These areas provide stunning desert vistas and canyon views but require careful planning as they offer no amenities and limited access roads.

What amenities can I expect at dispersed camping sites near Taos?

Dispersed camping sites near Taos are truly primitive with minimal to no amenities. At Forest Service 439, you'll find rough roads and basic camping spots suitable primarily for tent camping or high-clearance vehicles, with no water, toilets, or trash service. Similarly, Forest Road 558 offers wide-open desert camping with no facilities. Most dispersed sites feature informal fire rings, but you'll need to bring everything else: water, food, toilet supplies, and garbage bags to pack out all waste. Cell service varies significantly by location, often being spotty or nonexistent. Some sites near creeks may offer a natural water source, but all water should be properly filtered or treated before use. Plan to be entirely self-sufficient.

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