Searching for the perfect place to dispersed camp near White Sands? Dispersed camping means that no facilities or amenities are provided, so that you can truly disconnect and get back to nature. You're sure to find the perfect dispersed campsite for your New Mexico excursion.
Welcome to southwestern New Mexico, where public lands offer an amazing diversity of outdoor recreation opportunities. The BLM's Las Cruces District Office manages 5.4 million acres of public land and over 10 million acres of Federal mineral estate from the western side of the Guadalupe Mountains to the Arizona border, and from Sierra County and the southern edge of the Gila National Forest to the Mexican border. These public lands include majestic, scenic mountain ranges jutting from the desert floor, and towering over the surrounding desert. The confluence of the Chihuahuan desert, Rocky Mountains, great plains, Sonoran desert, and Sierra Madre make the area the most biologically and recreationally diverse region of New Mexico.
GuideGood spot to camp near white sands. Very busy- but most people seem to stick to the large lot near the entrance. If you follow the road around to the west side of the lake there are additional spots that are a bit more secluded.
The Air Force does regular flyovers throughout the day on weekdays. Very loud.
Guide
Yes, you can camp in the parking lot of the trailhead or around it if using a tent. There is a sign asking you not to block the day use parking spaces.
When you click "get directions" here on The Dyrt and use Google Maps, you will be taken to a different free/dispersed camping area a another mile or so down the road (I camped here) first come/first served. It is made up of pullouts along a rocky two track that roughly parallels the road
In reference to the above statement. Tent campers can use either area, the only stipulation is no vehicles or generators on the other side of the fence.
In reference to #2. If you are a large RV or 5th wheel, you probably won't fit and the rest of us will have a grand time watching you get out after you discover this fact for yourself. If you're lucky you'll get the single pull-through(ish) spot that is next to the cattle gaurd.
All of the above being said. This was a great place to establish a base camp for a few days while exploring the western parts of the Organ Mountains. The pullouts vary in size, from car and tent to pickup cab style RV. Most of the spaces were occupied by #vanlife types and my bright yellow teardrop stood out. Neighbors are close enough to wave at but not intrude.
ScoutLittle more than 3 miles from White Sands Natl. Park easily found rough road. Quite, didn't find to m8ch trash
GuideSuper easy to find. Empty when we arrived around 7 PM. Clean and never had any visitors. Great location from White Sands NP.
TravelerA big parking area For RV r's looking for a place to spend the night. No facilities at all. 3 miles from white sands National Park.
Traveler
This site was very convenient and close to town and not far from white sands national park. There were plenty of spots to choose from and fire pits already available! We loved waking up to the Mountain View’s
GuideMany great spots available and easily accessible by low clearance vehicles (we have a camper class B van). Very close (less than a mile?) to the state park, and about 30 minutes from white sands NM. Very quiet. Cell signal. Dog friendly.
GuideI thought this was a good little camp site for a day or two. The view is nice but the area is kind of a mess. You can’t swim in the water its sewage or something from the air force base and there are many signs saying no swimming. The best part about the site is it’s 5 minutes from white sands. The entrance is right off of us 70 you come in and cross a cattle gate and there is a bunch of signs saying no off road driving from the Air Force. Just go back there 100 yards. There is plenty of room and will most likely never fill up.
TravelerOk, so it's free on BLM land and there's quite a few places to put your camper. I'm sure you could pitch a tent as well. Most spots are reasonably level and the road in should be fine for most travel trailers, I wouldn't pull in a huge trailer but under 40' should be able to fund something that works.
There's a self appointed camp host most of the year, you'll know him when you meet him. He'll be the one in a thong. Yes. A thong. No, it's not a big deal. Talk to him, and you'll understand why, and you'll be fine with it. He's a great guy, and he made our stay better.
All in all, great little BLM spot. Watch out for all the bushes. They're basically midevil torture devices masquerading as bushes.
RangerPretty crowded on a Wednesday night in April. Had a little trouble finding a level spot far enough away from others but otherwise no complaints for this free camp spot, great sunset views!
Ranger
Gap Tank is located in the gap between Mt. Riley and the E. Potrillo Mountain ridge in the Desert Peaks National Monument on BLM land in the Chihuahuan Desert. Very few people out there. Very primitive. No campground. Little to no shade. I’ve camped here twice in my truck bed—once in 2017 when I climbed Mt. Riley and once in 2020. Close to Mexican border but I didn’t have any problems. Probably not conducive to RVs because difficult to pull off county road.
ScoutThis was my husband and I’s first experience boondocking and we were looking for a location close enough to the White Sands National park that wouldn’t be to far of a drive and this location was perfect. Clean, Quite and Beautiful. We enjoyed seeing all the rock trails that have been created from previous visitors.
TravelerThis is our first time on BLM land. We didn’t really know what to expect. We pull a 36’ fifth wheel and was a little apprehensive about coming to a place like this for fear of being too large. After getting through the gate though, there is plenty of room. We got a nice spot right on the lake. There are a few other campers but it’s not crowded. We have enough distance between us to let our dogs off leash. The only advice I have is if you’re pulling a trailer and approaching from Alamogordo you should make a wide right turn in from the travel lane. Turn on those flashers and slow down. When you see the gate. Make turn as wide as possible. I pulled off the highway first and had a hell of a time getting straight enough to get through gate. From direction of las cruces. You’re fine.
RangerPros - Free camping, gorgeous sunsets. Plenty of available spots.
Cons - the lake is sewage from the Air Force base. It’s stinks here, badly.
We stayed here for one night. I think that’s all we could take. We got out of here as soon as we could. We love free camping as much as the next person, but we were kind of disgusted that we were sleeping next to a lake of pee and poo.
Stay here if you must, if you can find another campsite, do it.
Traveler
In the chill of November 2023, I found myself drawn to the desolate expanse of Dispersed Camping off Corralitos Rd on I-10, near Las Cruces, New Mexico. There, amidst the haunting shadows of dead horses scattered like forgotten relics, I lingered for a mere half-hour. This eerie spot, shrouded in mystery and decay, whispered secrets of forgotten tales amid the howling winds. A grim reminder of life's fragility, nestled just off the beaten path, where the line between the living and the dead blurs into obscurity.
Ranger
We tent camped in mid September 2022 in the Lincoln National Forest south of Cloudcroft, NM off Forest Service Road 64. Over 9,400’ and it got cold at night. Saw one elk and heard more bugling. Plenty of wood to make a fire. Nice forest. We stayed at a spot on a meadow about 4-5 dispersed sites south of Sunspot Highway. Good times.
Scout
Sierra Vista’s Back Side Dispersed camping offers a pristine, serene outdoor experience. Its remote location provides ample space and minimal distractions, ideal for those seeking solitude and natural beauty. Proper preparation is key—bring sufficient supplies and be ready for self-sufficiency to fully enjoy this hidden gem. rv park rio hondo
LegendFirst off this is a parking lot but you are able to camp here for free. There were trailers, RVs and even car camping in this BLM area. There are other spots along the way such as Sierra Vista Trailhead and Baylor Canyon Road as well as multiple pullouts along the Dripping Springs Road.
You're basically at the foot of the Organ Mountains and the view is awesome, even the city lights in the distance were nice.
There are no amenities here. Cell reception good with AT&T and Verizon.
Nice place to stay if you plan on hiking the Organ Mountains or heading the next 40 miles to White Sands National Monument.
LegendThis whole valley is just… something! A disappearing and reappearing lake, ancient human and mastodon footprint fossils, the birthplace of nuclear reactions and aerospace exploration -- all this AND hills of white gypsum sand upon which you can sled year round? Not bad for the middle of New Mexico, between two mountain ranges.
However, camping nearby leaves something to be desired, even in the RV parks – which is never our thing. However, during a couple of visits we’ve spent the night at some BLM areas just a few miles to the east of the main entrance to the National Park. We’ve spent nights on either side of the highway, but the better boondocking area is on the north side of the highway here at Holloman Lake (not for swimming, read other reviews for details). You’re right on the border of the air force base, so expect a lot of activity nearby. In December, there were maybe 6-8 other RV's nearby, but lots of space to spread out. Road in was good (a little rough in spots) but overall pretty easy, even for our 67 year old camper. The sunsets are always spectacular, even better if it's a bit windy as the fine grains of gypsum sand are in the air, creating gorgeous color.
There’s nothing in the way of services at this place, just a good, quiet place to park for a few nights. But, the wide open range has everything you need for solar power and Starlink.
Outdoor activities outside of the park can be found up in the mountain ranges to the east of Alamogordo, or to the west in the mountains closer to Las Cruces.
Alamogordo is just 15- 20 minutes away where you can get anything you might need, food, groceries, gas, laundry etc. Oh, and go to the New Mexico History of Space Museum...super fun for kiddos of all ages!
Ranger
Conveniently located to town. Easy to get to. Would recommend high clearance vehicles, but manageable for others. Spectacular views of the organ mountains and plentiful hiking opportunities. Great spot to boondock. We had great service for work and virtual classes.
LegendCampground is right off the highway. Easy to get all kinds of campers, Rvs, trailers, ect into the campsites. No services, pack in, pack out. Only a few sites right next the to water and all fairly flat. There are plenty of more sites off the water. Only a 5 minute drive to White Sands National Park and about a 20 minute drive to groceries and restaurants.
TravelerDecent site easy to find with easy access to white sands
Scoutnice view easy setup, white sands spots apparently still closed due to covid in 2022. tell that to my job! haha
GuideGreat views with easy access for our overnight stop before heading into White Sands NP the next morning. A few other campers out on this cold January evening but it was quiet.
GuideStayed here 04/26/23 for an overnight stop after visiting White Sands National Park. Great views of the lake and plenty of other vans/RVs around but everyone was very quiet and respectful
RangerWe stopped here on our way from las cruces to white sands. It’s very popular pullout spot for good reason- awesome views of the Organ Mountains! We pulled in late and easily found a spot, but cars here really are parked side by side. It’s a good spot for a nights rest.
GuideSuper convenient (maybe 4 minutes) to White Sands National Park, the "lake" is reclaimed waste water from the nearby Air Force base and the whole area can kinda intermittently smell like stale farts. Fairly decent amount of flat space for RV's, but turning around might be tricky based on congestion.
Discover the beauty of dispersed camping near White Sands, 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 solitude and scenic views.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular dispersed campsite near White Sands, NM?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dispersed campground near White Sands, NM is Sierra Vista with a 4.7-star rating from 28 reviews.
What is the best site to find dispersed camping near White Sands, NM?
TheDyrt.com has all 21 dispersed camping locations near White Sands, NM, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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