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Camping

Free Camping Collection

Dispersed Camping

Santa Fe BLM Dispersed Campsite

Santa Fe BLM Dispersed Campsite, near Santa Fe, New Mexico, offers a unique camping experience for those looking to escape the hustle and bustle. This area is perfect for tent and RV camping, with plenty of space to find your own spot among the trees and bushes.

Visitors appreciate the peaceful atmosphere, especially at night when the stars come out and the coyotes serenade you. The site is free, which is a big draw, and many campers have noted the easy access to nearby trails and the city itself. As one camper mentioned, “It’s definitely the best free spot you’ll find so close to the city.”

While there are no amenities like drinking water or electric hookups, the presence of vault toilets is a plus for many. Campers have also enjoyed the fire pits scattered around, making it easy to gather around a warm fire after a day of exploring. Just be aware that the area can get a bit noisy in the mornings due to nearby activities.

For those who love the outdoors, this location is a great base for hiking and enjoying the stunning views of the surrounding mountains. Just keep an eye out for the occasional wildlife and remember to pack out what you pack in, as some reviewers have noted the presence of trash in certain areas. Whether you're a seasoned camper or just looking for a quick getaway, this spot has its charm and offers a taste of the wild just a stone's throw from Santa Fe.

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Location

Santa Fe BLM Dispersed Campsite is located in New Mexico

Detail location of campground

Coordinates

35.69341004 N
106.08916482 W

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Access

  • Drive-In
    Park next to your site
  • Walk-In
    Park in a lot, walk to your site.
  • Hike-In
    Backcountry sites.

Stay Connected

  • WiFi
    Good
  • Verizon
    Good
  • AT&T
    Available
  • T-Mobile
    Good

Site Types

  • Tent Sites
  • RV Sites
  • Standard (Tent/RV)
  • Dispersed
  • Group

Features

For Campers

  • ADA Access
  • Picnic Table
  • Phone Service
  • Toilets
  • Alcohol
  • Pets
  • Fires

For Vehicles

  • Pull-Through Sites
  • Big Rig Friendly

DISPERSED CAMPING

Enjoy dispersed camping on government land and leave no trace. Pack in and pack out. No (or limited) services at this camping area. Permit may be required.


PERMIT might be REQUIRED

We curate permit requirements across the US for our PRO members. Try PRO to see if Santa Fe BLM Dispersed Campsite needs a permit.


Reviews

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4.0

out of 5

21 Reviews

Reviewed Oct. 14, 2024

Partial closure and absolute dump

This place sufficed due to the need to have somewhere for the night, if we had the chance we’d have gone somewhere else. Massive piles of trash everywhere, sites strewn with people’s leftover garbage from camping there.

Due to its close proximity to the landfill, it was extremely loud during the morning from around 7am onwards.

There was a partial closure banning camping in a section of the landfill, which was incredibly difficult to figure out where we could camp, as the map is not clear at all,

Coyotes at night were really cool.

Overall disappointing but glad we managed somewhere to sleep for the night

Month of VisitOctober
Reviewed Aug. 17, 2024

Good in a pinch

Plenty of spots and easy to get to. The only catch is you will need to find a spot away from the multiple large piles of trash.

The surrounding area was pretty and sunset was great!

Month of VisitAugust
  • Review photo of Santa Fe BLM Dispersed Campsite by Cameron L., August 17, 2024
  • Review photo of Santa Fe BLM Dispersed Campsite by Cameron L., August 17, 2024
  • (4) View All
Reviewed May. 23, 2024

A safe place to sleep outside Santa Fe

It's a pretty nice and mostly flat area of land with dirt roads. Most vehicles can access the roads we went on. Pretty quiet and while we did have neighbors we were by no means packed in there like sardines.

Month of VisitMay
Reviewed May. 8, 2024

Tent camp Santa fe

I haven't camped yet.This is my 1st day here.And I just got the app so I'll have to come back and give her a few after i've finished my trip

SiteI have. N't stayed anywhere yet
Month of VisitMay
Reviewed Oct. 26, 2023

Great views, can be loud in the morning

We camped here for two nights while visiting Santa Fe and it is definitely the best free spot you’ll find so close to the city. There were quiet a few people out in RV’s and trailers, but there’s so much space that you can really park almost anywhere and still have a little bit of privacy with the trees/bushes. Apple/google maps will take you right to the road, and we hardly noticed the landfill until we heard trash trucks one morning. There are some fire pits already set up and plenty of wood around to have a little fire.

Month of VisitOctober
  • Review photo of Santa Fe BLM Dispersed Campsite by Jennifer H., October 26, 2023
  • Review photo of Santa Fe BLM Dispersed Campsite by Jennifer H., October 26, 2023
  • Review photo of Santa Fe BLM Dispersed Campsite by Jennifer H., October 26, 2023
  • (5) View All
Reviewed Apr. 29, 2023

I mean, it was free

The area is right next to a landfill which worried us at first but turned out not to be a problem, I imagine it gets worse in the warmer months. You can drive around and find some cool and private spots but there is trash seriously everywhere. We even found shot gun shells a little further out all over the ground. When you pull up to the area you can either turn right into the blm land or go straight past the signage into the National park area. I think it said El Camino Real. This is where the toilets and shelter is. The toilets were actually well kept. There were some nice people but I can imagine if you drive further out away from people it feels a little sketchier. It wasn’t the best, but it was definitely free.

Month of VisitApril
  • Review photo of Santa Fe BLM Dispersed Campsite by Ben R., April 29, 2023
  • Review photo of Santa Fe BLM Dispersed Campsite by Ben R., April 29, 2023
  • Review photo of Santa Fe BLM Dispersed Campsite by Ben R., April 29, 2023
Reviewed Sep. 3, 2022

it’s pretty alright!

in the nighttime it’s really good- quiet besides the coyotes and excellent for stargazing. however both times i’ve been here there’s been some guy just absolutely screaming and cursing at no one in particular. both times he’s left in the evening tho. the sites are a lil close together but having access to the vault toilets is a treat!

Month of VisitAugust
  • Review photo of Santa Fe BLM Dispersed Campsite by Ildiko F., September 3, 2022
  • Review photo of Santa Fe BLM Dispersed Campsite by Ildiko F., September 3, 2022
  • Review photo of Santa Fe BLM Dispersed Campsite by Ildiko F., September 3, 2022
  • (4) View All
Reviewed Aug. 26, 2022

Land of Disenchantment near trailhead

Next to a landfill, which is loud near the trailhead. Pit toilets are disgusting. Would rather dig a hole for that… long term campers mainly at the trailhead - RV, tent, and van. Plus loads of trash and abandoned RV’s.

However, I stayed here the 14 day limit and found some great spots that are secluded from the residents and flies. Other than the serenading coyotes, it’s very peaceful at night. Great views of the surrounding mountains and awesome sunsets. Conveniently located to Santa Fe. I don’t think I’ll stop here again unless it’s overnight.

Month of VisitAugust
Reviewed Jul. 2, 2022

Awesome

Very relaxing. Thanks for a great spot.

Month of VisitJuly
Reviewed Apr. 28, 2022

Quiet

Quiet

SiteNear toilet
Month of VisitApril
Reviewed Dec. 22, 2021

Easy Dispersed Camping

Easy to get to just outside of Santa Fe. It’s BLM dispersed so no facilities at all and a bit of a Nomadland vibe. Some folks were pistol shooting in an arroyo until dark. We were able to find a spot with adequate privacy but not isolated, although one could certainly go further in. A truck with just running lights came through during the night and a BLM LE officer came by in the morning. It was cold af in mid-Dec. I would stay here again.

Sitedispersed
Month of VisitDecember
  • Review photo of Santa Fe BLM Dispersed Campsite by Todd J., December 22, 2021
Reviewed Aug. 10, 2021

quiet and simple to find

Overall, this is a good spot to camp. It was simple to find, there was plenty of space for dispersed camping, and was a quiet place.

Month of VisitAugust
Reviewed Aug. 5, 2021

Cross Country w/ A Uhaul

I was towing a Uhaul cross country so needed some place close-ish to the free way and with an easily accessible road: this location had both. I used the google maps directions and they said to head north on foot, instead I drove straight along the dirt road and found the disbursed sites. There were a number of people around and a little bit of road noise in the distance. Happy and safe travels: Cheers 🍻

SiteDisbursed
Month of VisitAugust
  • Review photo of Santa Fe BLM Dispersed Campsite by Kyle , August 5, 2021
Reviewed Mar. 14, 2021

Multiple spots to choose

Not too far out of Santa Fe. There are multiple places for dispersed camping along the same road, including a few trailhead campgrounds like Diablo Canyon (rock climbing hot spot).

Reviewed Nov. 21, 2020

Just land

Located more in the desert, but an extremely bumpy dirt road can take you further in to other camping areas. Just make sure you have 4-wheel drive. Simple, basic site. Old historical “El Camino de Real” trail runs through the east side of the campground.

  • Review photo of Santa Fe BLM Dispersed Campsite by Megan  E., November 21, 2020
  • Review photo of Santa Fe BLM Dispersed Campsite by Megan  E., November 21, 2020
  • Review photo of Santa Fe BLM Dispersed Campsite by Megan  E., November 21, 2020
Reviewed Sep. 25, 2020

Very chill

Road in not too bad — chill spot to stay for the night on the way to somewhere else.

Reviewed Sep. 20, 2020

Not too far from the city

Close by, easy to find, plenty of space. Little trash left behind by some people. Overall, a great place for the night.

  • Review photo of Santa Fe BLM Dispersed Campsite by Chris , September 20, 2020
  • Review photo of Santa Fe BLM Dispersed Campsite by Chris , September 20, 2020
Reviewed Aug. 23, 2020

Meh

Just a square patch of land, but plenty of space. You’ll hear a bit of shooting from the gun range nearby, and maybe some ATVs. But overall peaceful, and nothing beats free. No amenities whatsoever.

Also, people have been dumping old large furniture items like couches and mattresses.

  • Review photo of Santa Fe BLM Dispersed Campsite by Chrischelle N., August 23, 2020
Reviewed May. 19, 2020

Easy Peasy Lemon Squeezie

I love the desert but not the dust this place is pretty cool, beautiful sunsets.

There is a lot of shooting going on after 5pm till dark at a nearby gun range.

i’m pretty sure that I am the only one going about towing a boat and am disappointed that someone dumped a mattress here

i’m pretty sure I can haul it out of here by throwing it on my boat

  • Review photo of Santa Fe BLM Dispersed Campsite by Mitch B., May 19, 2020
  • Review photo of Santa Fe BLM Dispersed Campsite by Mitch B., May 19, 2020

Frequently Asked Questions

  • What is the elevation of Santa Fe BLM Dispersed Campsite?

    Santa Fe BLM Dispersed Campsite is located at 6425 feet.

  • Are fires allowed at Santa Fe BLM Dispersed Campsite?

    Yes, according to campers on TheDyrt.com, fires are allowed at Santa Fe BLM Dispersed Campsite, although make sure to check current fire restrictions in the area.

  • Is there cell phone reception at Santa Fe BLM Dispersed Campsite?

    According to campers on TheDyrt.com, Verizon signal is good, AT&T is available, and T-Mobile is good.