Are you planning a dispersed camping trip to Winston? We've got you covered. Dispersed camping is an excellent way to get away from it all and to disconnect. From secluded to easily reachable, we offer dispersed campsites near Winston just for you.
The majority of campgrounds on the Gila National Forest are primitive and offer dispersed camping. You may camp outside of developed campgrounds anywhere on the Forest at no charge. The Gila National Forest implemented Travel Management and we recommend you stop in to one of our six ranger stations and pick up travel management maps so that you are aware where vehicles are and are not permitted.
Potable water, toilets, and other amenities are not generally available. If you choose to camp outside developed areas, be sure to bring adequate water or be prepared to purify any water source before drinking. No permits are required to camp in wilderness areas.
The Gila National Forest has a 14-day stay limit, in any 30 day period, on all camping. Areas designated as “Day Use Only” are limited to posted hours, no overnight use.
Desert Cove Campground is part of Elephant Butte Lake State Park in New Mexico. 16 campsites, open year round. RVs and trailers between 20 & 40 feet. Each site includes a fire pit, grill, picnic table, electric and water hookups. Amenities shower, dump station, restroom, flush toilets.
$14 / night
Scout
Road is a little rough but well worth it. No one camped near us. Was able to let the dogs roam without fear. Lots of wood in the area. A small creek along the road. Good hiking area. Will definitely go back.
ScoutFree camping (14 days) on the riverside! Amazing. Perfect for van life. Space for big rigs too but only a couple big turnaround spots so just be strategic about it.
Ranger
We drove all the way to the power line rd, made a right and then proceeded through multiple BLM gates that we had to open then close behind us. We ended up down in the reservoir valley, out of the wind. Phenomenal spot. Good verizon service.
Guide
A handful of sites located on the other side of Skates Canyon from Sapillo Campground. Close to great hiking around the CDT and fishing in Lake Roberts. Most of the sites sit on the shades of ponderosa and there's plenty of space for group camping.
This is as bare as it gets. No services, no cell signal, no trash disposal, not even a pit toilet. Some sites have rock rings for campfires but that's about it. Please recreate responsibly and leave no trace. Pack out whatever you pack in.
Quiet during the winter, but gets busy during the summer as evidenced by how well worn the dirt paths around the area are.
GuideThis is one of my fave spots yet.. drove to almost next cattle guard and ended up in the middle of a mountain range Fairy circle.
Didn’t see another person for 3 days. Sun rise and sets are AMAZING
GuideIt's quite, a lots of spots with rock firepits. Amazing sundown and sunrise. But too hot at daytime.
GuideThis trail requires 4x4 and high clearance. It is a bumpy road for all 3+ miles into the mountainside. But it is far worth the drive for the seclusion. There are plenty of spaces to camp before the creek. But we kept going for about 3 miles, hit a road gate, and started traveling into the valley. It will eventually open up and you will see meadow creek. Spots to the left and right of the fork, we settled at the bottom. No service in the valley. Extremely magical, and serene. Leave it better than you left it please! If you want a camp spot off the beaten path, this is it. Perfect for tent camping/car camping.
ScoutNot much in the immediate area, but a nice place to stop for the night.
TravelerHave stayed here twice.Easy access from I-25. Hardly anyone on-site. Go further down the road for more secluded spots. Great view of stars at night.
GuideBig pullouts down gravel road off I-25. Great place for a quick overnight. You can go all the way to the old camp grounds for the upper end of Elephant Butte reservoir, but you might struggle getting back up the hill with anything bigger than a teardrop.
GuideWe stayed for a night on a road trip and was just what we were looking for. Lots are spaced out, even, and easy to access. Others commented that the road had potholes but that wasn’t our experience (maybe further in that’s the case-we didn’t explore much). Excellent sunrise and sunset views, no noise from interstate. No amenities but there were fire pits.
ScoutThis road is not maintained at all but is passable but has alot of potholes. There are a few spots right of hwy 25 and more down the road. The spots are very spread out and all a decent size. Half of them where occupied so we drove in further then would have liked with our class A. If your looking for a quick stop though it's great and better then the rest stops around.
GuideWe were hoping to stay at the Gila Hot Springs campground, but it was full. Although the hot springs were oh so tempting, we're glad it turned out that way. First, FREE! Second, fabulous views, stars, and amazing quiet.
All along Route 15 in the mountains to the south of Gila Hot Springs are numerous pull-offs, pull-outs, and pull-throughs where you can camp overnight. I wouldn't recommend a long stay, but we found a little road off up a gentle embankment with a killer view. There were many others we would have gladly stayed at too. We are pulling a 17-ft travel trailer but some of the spots are wide and broad and would fit a much larger rig.
No-one but a masochist would drive along Route 15 at night (slow, steep, winding) and so there was zero car noise all night. This would be true for any of the pullouts, so even though you're close to the road, there aren't any cars so it doesn't matter much. No cell service, but there isn't cell service anywhere in the area, even in Gila Hot Springs.
We drove to the cliff dwellings in the morning, took a leisurely 20-30 minutes.
ScoutVast desert with mountains in distance. Flat pull out 1 mile from I25.
ScoutWas looking for a quick campsite off the highway and this worked perfect.
GuideStayed here one night on my way back to CO. Several pull offs with already made fire pits. Could see the stars like crazy! Can’t hear interstate traffic. Spots close to the water too.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular dispersed campsite near Winston, NM?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dispersed campground near Winston, NM is Monticello Road Dispersed Camping with a 4.1-star rating from 11 reviews.
What is the best site to find dispersed camping near Winston, NM?
TheDyrt.com has all 15 dispersed camping locations near Winston, NM, with real photos and reviews from campers.
