Hiking, wildlife watching, and access to the Rio Grande corridor give this free dispersed area outside Santa Fe its appeal as more than just a quick overnight stop. The terrain is juniper and oak scrub, with cottonwoods marking the river below, and open sightlines toward the surrounding mountains from the higher ground deeper into the site. Days run hot in summer and nights drop sharply, with end-of-September lows reported in the low-to-mid 40s. Coyotes, jackrabbits, and crows are regular visitors after dark.
The camping area is large. Most visitors pull in near the entrance, which means driving further down the main gravel road yields noticeably more room and privacy. Caja Del Rio Dispersed Camping sits just to the east and shares the same general terrain for campers who want additional spread. The site sits adjacent to a solid waste transfer station, but multiple reviewers across different seasons note no detectable smell. Construction noise from that direction does carry through the canyon during morning hours.
Road conditions are a genuine variable here. The main gravel road past the cattle guard is manageable for most rigs on dry days, and one reviewer confirmed it works for low-clearance vehicles when staying on the primary route. After heavy rain, however, the dirt roads can become slick enough to challenge even 4x4 trucks. Trash near the entrance and trailhead is a recurring complaint, though campers who push further in consistently report cleaner conditions. Two vault toilets sit near the entrance. No water is on-site, but reviewers have sourced it from a nearby dog park up the road.
Esperanza R. describes it as "zero amenities but clean, huge open areas, and safe," which tracks with the general consensus across 43 reviews. ATVs and an informal shooting range operate nearby during the day, so daytime noise is part of the experience on weekends. Cell coverage is reported as solid for AT&T and Verizon users near the entrance, though it gets spottier further in. Campers exploring dispersed areas near Santa Fe National Forest will find this one of the more accessible options given its proximity to town. Bring all your own water, pack out everything, and plan to arrive on a dry day if you're hauling a larger rig.
Fee Info
Free
Reservation Info
None
RV Road Trip Guides
Map & DirectionsSante Fe National Forest BLM-Road 62 Dispersed is located in New Mexico near Santa Fe
Coordinates
35.68909068 N
106.0938834 W
Connectivity
- T-Mobile5GExcellent CoverageVerified by 28 usersLast on 8/5/26
- Verizon5GExcellent CoverageVerified by 59 usersLast on 8/5/26
- AT&TLTESome CoverageVerified by 9 usersLast on 8/5/26
Connectivity
- T-Mobile5GExcellent CoverageVerified by 28 usersLast on 8/5/26
- Verizon5GExcellent CoverageVerified by 59 usersLast on 8/5/26
- AT&TLTESome CoverageVerified by 9 usersLast on 8/5/26
Access
- Drive-InPark next to your site
- Walk-InPark in a lot, walk to your site.
Site Types
- Dispersed
Features
For Campers
- 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 Sante Fe National Forest BLM-Road 62 Dispersed needs a permit.
Drive Time
- 7 min from Santa Fe, NM
- 54 min from Albuquerque, NM
- 3 hrs 11 min from Farmington, NM
- 4 hrs 2 min from Pueblo, CO









































