Best Dispersed Camping near Tijeras, NM
Dispersed camping in Cibola National Forest near Tijeras, New Mexico concentrates along Forest Service Road 542, where multiple established primitive sites feature fire rings but no other amenities. The road conditions require careful navigation, particularly beyond the paved section. A review noted, "The road is a little washed out once you get to the end of the paved road and make a left." While passenger vehicles can access the first few sites, higher clearance is recommended for spots further along the rutted dirt road.
Several campsites offer seclusion among trees with views of the surrounding terrain at approximately 7,500 feet elevation. Most sites accommodate tents, while some can fit small RVs or vans. Cell service is generally excellent due to a nearby tower on the mountain peak. As described in feedback on The Dyrt, "It's primitive camping—no water, no outhouse." Wildlife sightings include coyotes and snakes. The area provides convenient backcountry camping within easy reach of Albuquerque, with the Manzanita Recreation Zone offering additional dispersed camping options in the Sandia District.
