Sapillo Dispersed Camping Area, near Mimbres, New Mexico, is a fantastic location for those looking to escape into nature without breaking the bank. This free camping area offers a laid-back vibe with plenty of space to set up your tent or RV, surrounded by towering trees that provide ample shade.

Visitors rave about the peacefulness of the site, with many noting the absence of cell service, making it a perfect spot to disconnect. The area features pit toilets and trash disposal, so you can enjoy the great outdoors without leaving a mess behind. As one camper put it, “It’s a great place to boondock with a generator,” highlighting the flexibility this location offers for different camping styles.

If you’re up for some adventure, you’ll find easy access to nearby hiking trails and ATV routes, making it a popular choice for families and outdoor lovers alike. Plus, Lake Roberts is just a short drive away, offering fishing opportunities for those looking to cast a line. Just be aware that during peak seasons, the area can get lively with fellow campers and off-road vehicle enthusiasts, but that just adds to the fun atmosphere.

This is a nice shady campground under ponderosa pines. Sapillo is an undeveloped campground under ponderosa pine and is a favorite of group campers. For any large group, we recommend this large campground.

Sapillo Dispersed Camping Area

The Dyrt is here to help plan your best camping near Hanover. There are tons of hikes and other fun activities to partake in. Experience some of the most stunning views that New Mexico camping has to offer. Find the best campgrounds near Hanover, NM. Read reviews from campers like you and find your perfect campsite.

Hanover

The Best Camping Near Hanover, New Mexico

This camp ground is great. Shady with pines everywhere. Larger and abundant camp grounds. It also have atv trails. All around fun for the family. Its also between both lake roberts and bear damn. Plenty of fishing to enjoy

Family fun

One mile off the paved road, plenty of campsites. This campsite has five nice clean toilets. With hiking nearby

Sapillo Campground

Great spot for some free camping on your way to/from Gila Cliff Dwellings Natl Monument if coming from I-25.  BIG sites!!!  Could easily turn around my pickup and teardrop.  Fire pits with easy to scavenge fire wood. Multiple clean latrines.  No cell signal 🙌🙌🙌.  About a mile back from the pavement. 

Great spot!!

with our rv in the shop we've been getting some tent camping in. we were headed to another campground and had been on the road too long, sun dipping towards dusk, so we saw this turnout, easy to miss, and drove on in. lovely and spacious as others have said. not much litter. we picked up what little we saw. zero cell signal with verizon.

what we especially enjoyed was being able to furrow way back in our 4x4 to a secluded spot. halloween weekend and we could hear some revellers but enough distance made it a bit charming rather than annoying. so much open land for hiking and the cdt meanders through. 

leaving we lost our way and found a small group of campers even further back in. really wonderful. chilly nights and early mornings. secret gem.

lovely

Beautiful dispersed camp site both pull through and back in. We camped there in and only saw one other camper. Keep in mind zero cell service. 

Tucked away in the woods 

This is one of our favorite springtime camping spots. There aren’t any numbered sites, but there are makeshift campfires and flat areas all around. The site also has trash disposal and vault toilets. Lots of trees for shade and hammocks.

This spot is popular with large crowds and off road vehicle enthusiasts. Expect music until 10pm and the sound of engines. It’s a great place to boondock with a generator. 

Lots of easy trails to ride around on with our mini bikes. Plenty of space to set up camp with 2 families and a few smaller tents. 

Lake Roberts is just zip the road for fishing opportunities. 



Free and shaded

Sapillo Creek lies straddling the original branch of the CDT. This is a free, national forest dispersed campsite with a couple pit toilets and very few other amenities, no cell signal either. Easily accessible from NM-35 and near a couple of general stores in Lake Roberts (10 minute drive north) and Mimbres (15 minute drive south). 

  

Popular with the local crowd during peak camping/ATV season, so be mindful that there might be some related noise during the summer; but generally sees little use during winter and the shoulder seasons.

Photos of Sapillo Dispersed Camping Area

Real photos from real campers