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Best Dispersed Camping near Window Rock, AZ

40 Reviews

Dispersed camping opportunities exist within a short drive of Window Rock, Arizona, primarily in the nearby national forest areas of New Mexico. Six Mile Canyon offers free primitive camping on public land with several established sites accessible via dirt and gravel roads. Turkey Springs provides another dispersed camping option in the region, with multiple sites situated among Ponderosa pines at elevations above 7,000 feet. Both areas feature basic backcountry camping with no amenities or services.

Access to Six Mile Canyon varies seasonally, with the gate typically closed from December through March. The dirt and gravel road can become rutted during wet weather, and multiple reviews warn against attempting access after rainfall due to deep mud. Turkey Springs Road (162) remains in good condition until it begins climbing uphill, where rutting becomes more significant. This area is also subject to seasonal closure from December 15 through March 31. Neither location provides drinking water, toilets, or trash service, requiring visitors to pack in all supplies and pack out all waste.

The primitive camping experience varies between the two areas. Six Mile Canyon provides relatively convenient access from Interstate 40, though highway noise can be noticeable at sites closer to the entrance. Several pull-offs with fire rings are available along the road. Turkey Springs offers a more secluded forest setting with numerous sites among tall pines and oak scrub. The higher elevation means cooler temperatures, especially at night. Cell service is available at both locations, with Turkey Springs reporting mixed T-Mobile coverage ranging from limited LTE to 5G. "The road to the dispersed sites is quite lopsided so I'd avoid it with a top heavy vehicle," noted one Six Mile Canyon visitor. Another camper at Turkey Springs mentioned that "the paved road is loud in the morning and evening with ranch/quarry traffic, but it is very quiet at night."

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Best Dispersed Sites Near Window Rock, Arizona (4)

    1. Six Mile Canyon - Dispersed Camping

    31 Reviews
    Jamestown, NM
    36 miles
    Website

    "No amenities but very close to Flying J! The dirt road was dry but you could tell after a rain it would be impassable."

    "We drove 3 miles down a dirt road before picking our spot. You could easily park anywhere but they have some spots with fire-pits, there are no hook ups or water so be prepared."

    2. Turkey Springs

    7 Reviews
    Fort Wingate, NM
    35 miles

    "Several sites off the smaller two track roads can support good size trailers with lots of flat open space.  A few sites in the trees right on the road could only support vans or tents.  "

    "I decided to stay at the nearby Quaking Aspen Campground (0.5 mile away) due to this dispersed camping area kinda being a mudpit after the rain 😂

    Would be awesome during a dry time!"

    3. Six Mile Canyon Road Dispersed Site

    3 Reviews
    Jamestown, NM
    37 miles
    Website

    "We got a site for 2 RVs that protected us from an impending windstorm. Sites not very level but managed to get the RVs level enough. Thoroughly enjoyed the area. Biked 6 miles up the road."

    "We did have to drive a couple miles to get away from other campers. Was perfectly fine after a day of cross country driving. Camped in a Jeep."

    4. Mobil Truck Stop I-40

    Be the first to review!
    Chambers, AZ
    39 miles
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Recent Free Dispersed Camping Photos near Window Rock, AZ

10 Photos of 4 Window Rock Campgrounds

Dispersed Camping Reviews near Window Rock, AZ

40 Reviews of 4 Window Rock Campgrounds

  • Brandon S.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 2, 2023

    Six Mile Canyon - Dispersed Camping

    Not sure what's better pilot gas station or this area

    This is just down the road from a pilot gas station so that aspect is nice.

    Very rough road would suggest 4*4 or clearance for bad weather access. I had an awd car and made it but I didn't go more than a few miles past the actual start of camping areas for fear of being washed out. Not a lot of space from a spot to camp and the road. Also not a lot of spaces that have been " broken in". Has free roaming cows as well.

    Again I would almost just stay at the gas station unless your vehicle is able to handle a rough road.

    Also I have T-Mobile and had a hell of a time with reception you get it but not consistent or strong at all 1-2 bars.

  • Meggy B.
    Apr. 22, 2023

    Six Mile Canyon - Dispersed Camping

    Quiet and private with awesome views!

    We arrived after dark and found it with ease. No amenities but very close to Flying J! The dirt road was dry but you could tell after a rain it would be impassable. We drove about 3 miles past the second gate and found a great little pull off and woke up to a beautiful sunrise. Highly recommend!

  • Mark M.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 7, 2021

    Six Mile Canyon - Dispersed Camping

    Close to I-40

    Be careful taking the road past the parking lot! There is a deep mud pit on the right that looks just like normal dirt. When going in stay to the left, and when leaving stay right

    GPS led me to the wrong location as I'm sure it did many - route yourself to Six Mile Canyon RD instead, it should take you to these coordinates:

    Lat: 35.439524 Lon: -108.545567

    You'll see the lot at first. I couldn't tell if there were campsites there or not (looked like they were at least walk ins, but it's so quiet I'm sure you could do whatever here).

    I took the road back. I was skeptic because it looked real beat up and I'm driving a Kia Forte, but it took me back to a campsite when I took a right at the fork. It only took about 3 min to get there, no idea how far back you need to go if you take the left at the fork.

    Overall they're quite sites tucked away. My site has a very primitive fire pit, not sure if it's like that at every site. It's also super buggy out here so make sure to bring spray!

    Saw a lot of people saying it's right off the highway, it's maybe about 5/10 minutes back once you get the right exit, so not bad at all if you need a night to just crash.

  • Bob & Ramona F.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 6, 2022

    Six Mile Canyon - Dispersed Camping

    "Iffy" to get to.....

    Not able to access this site of ours trained in the last week. It's a 1 lane road to get to site. Just before the "T" there is an area when all the water goes thru. This is a sandy/dirt crossing and would be fine if no water. There had been some in the area and while it wasn't raining that day, there was 12"+ deep of mud to cross. Can't imagine the challenge of our was dry upon arriving and trained overnight! Take caution and watch the weather reports before attempting. We had to back up about 1/2 mile as there was no place to turn around.

  • A
    May. 11, 2021

    Six Mile Canyon - Dispersed Camping

    Perfect spot for a few days of camping no no

    We are doing a trip across the country, looking for cheap to free campsite and this one wast perfect. Right off the Interstate, the sign can be easily missed so keep an eye out. We drove 3 miles down a dirt road before picking our spot. You could easily park anywhere but they have some spots with fire-pits, there are no hook ups or water so be prepared.

  • Ruby D.
    Sep. 2, 2021

    Six Mile Canyon - Dispersed Camping

    Good Enough

    While driving cross country, my friend and I were just looking for a place to camp for the night, relatively hassle free. We put “Six Mile rd” into our GPS and it took us to one of those dirt roads that runs right along the highway. We made the mistake of going in the dark, and we got lost and wound up in a residential neighborhood because we were convinced there was no way the campsites were out the highway rd. The road also said rd work, no access ahead, so we thought we couldn’t even get to it. When we made it, it was hard to tell if there were any campsites, as we didn’t see anyone else camping. We went up a steep hill and there was a huge washout and our car almost fell down nearly 10 feet. In the end, we just pulled off the road and parked for the night. The highway was visible and super loud all night long. My tip, DONT TRY TO FIND IT IN THE DARK!

  • mThe Dyrt PRO User
    Jun. 22, 2024

    Six Mile Canyon - Dispersed Camping

    Watch out for rain

    I’m actually stuck here as I’m writing this because the rain washed out the road, and everything is so muddy. I was tired and the weather app said only a 50% chance of rain for an hour, but boy was that wrong. A nice spot besides that, close to the highway but far enough away to not have much noise. I would avoid it in the future without something 4x4 though.

  • MThe Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 16, 2021

    Six Mile Canyon - Dispersed Camping

    Good spot away from the Interstate

    Nice sites for an overnight stop over away from the noise and traffic of the interstate.

    A little difficult to find but once we did we had a very peaceful night under a star filled sky. 

    Keep free camping alive by keeping campsites litter free.

    A little clean up goes along way.

  • Timothy N.The Dyrt PRO User
    Apr. 26, 2025

    Turkey Springs

    Great dispersed camping

    Lots of options for sites on both sides of 162 before it starts going uphill.  Several sites off the smaller two track roads can support good size trailers with lots of flat open space.  A few sites in the trees right on the road could only support vans or tents.   Pics of all the major sites included

    The main road 162 was in great condition until it starts going uphill, then it was rutted out.  Only a couple spots beyond this point.  Road is closed from Dec 15 through March 31.

    TMobile access was mixed.  Sometimes limited LTE, sometimes 5G.

    The paved road is loud in the morning and evening with ranch\quarry traffic, but it is very quiet at night.

    It is above 7k, so it does get colder at night than the local forecast for Gallup.

Guide to Window Rock

Discover the beauty of dispersed camping near Window Rock, Arizona, where you can immerse yourself in nature without the constraints of traditional campgrounds. This area offers a variety of spots that cater to different camping styles, from tent camping to RV setups.

Tips for free and dispersed camping near Window Rock, Arizona

Dispersed campers should check out Six Mile Canyon Road Dispersed Site

  • This location offers several spots where you can find solitude, making it a great choice for those looking to escape the crowds, as noted by visitors who enjoyed the peaceful surroundings at Six Mile Canyon Road Dispersed Site.

Beautiful views in the canyon for dispersed campers

  • If you're after stunning scenery, Turkey Springs provides breathtaking views, although finding the exact spot can be a bit tricky, adding to the adventure of your camping experience.

Frequently Asked Questions

What amenities are available at Window Rock dispersed camping?

Window Rock dispersed camping offers no formal amenities as it's a true dispersed camping experience. Six Mile Canyon - Dispersed Camping provides primitive camping with no water, toilets, or trash services. The nearby Flying J truck stop offers access to facilities when needed. Some established pullouts and cleared areas exist for setting up camp, with both open spaces and spots tucked among trees. Turkey Springs dispersed area similarly offers various site options with flat open spaces that can accommodate different camping setups, but no formal facilities.

Where is Window Rock dispersed camping located?

Window Rock dispersed camping is accessible via Six Mile Canyon Road. It's conveniently located just off Interstate 40, near a Pilot/Flying J gas station, making it easy to find during cross-country travel. The entrance sign can be easily missed, so watch carefully. When navigating, it's best to search for 'Six Mile Canyon Road' rather than Window Rock specifically, as GPS sometimes leads to incorrect locations. The dispersed area stretches several miles down a dirt road with various pullouts and camping spots available at different distances from the highway.

Are permits required for dispersed camping at Window Rock?

No permits are required for dispersed camping at Window Rock. Six Mile Canyon Road Dispersed Site operates under standard dispersed camping rules for public lands, which typically allow stays up to 14 days. While free to use, visitors should practice Leave No Trace principles. Campers consistently mention keeping the area clean and litter-free to help preserve free camping opportunities. Remember that weather conditions can significantly impact accessibility, so check road conditions before visiting, especially after rain events.

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