Sante Fe National Forest BLM-Road 62 Dispersed, near Santa Fe, New Mexico, is a spacious area perfect for those looking to escape into nature without the fuss of amenities. With a variety of campsites scattered throughout, you can find a spot that suits your needs, whether you’re in a big rig or a tent.

This location is known for its open spaces and the freedom to camp almost anywhere you can drive. Visitors have noted that while there are no services, the vault toilet near the entrance is a handy feature. Many campers appreciate the quietness of the area, especially if you venture further down the road where you can find more secluded spots away from the busier sections.

The scenery here is quite striking, with beautiful sunrises and sunsets that make for great photo opportunities. Some campers have mentioned the occasional noise from nearby activities, but many found it to be a relaxing place to unwind. As one visitor put it, “It’s very relaxing being in the forest.” 

If you’re up for some exploration, you’re just a short drive from downtown Santa Fe, where you can enjoy local dining and attractions. Just remember to pack out what you pack in, as some reviews pointed out the presence of litter in certain areas. Whether you're stopping for a night or planning a longer stay, this location offers a straightforward camping experience surrounded by the beauty of New Mexico's wilderness.

Sante Fe National Forest BLM-Road 62 Dispersed

The Sangre de Cristo foothills offer some of the best camping opportunities near Santa Fe, NM. Get supplies in the city before venturing out to campsites. Surrounded by national forests and natural areas, Santa Fe has plenty of campgrounds to offer. Camping in the national forest by the badlands gives outdoor enthusiasts plenty of opportunities for adventure from hiking the trails to riding ATVs. Campers looking for stunning views of these New Mexico foothills and valley will want to make the drive up to Santa Fe Skies Park. It’s RV-friendly and campers won’t complain about the views no matter where their site is located.

Santa Fe

The Best Camping in Santa Fe | New Mexico Campgrounds

Stayed here one night. Dispersed large dirt and rock camping area with scattered junipers and other brush. There were a few rock fire pits that others have made but no one there had a fire going at the time we stayed there. It was quiet and if you're lucky you can find a secluded spot among the trees and bushes. There are 2 unisex pit toilets in the area but there is no water or garbage so pack in and out! 

  

Good cell reception with AT&amp;T and Verizon.

Flat and Free!

This place is awesome, easy to get to and free. There is lots of room and we have a lot of privacy. Close to town and everything you need. There is also a place to shoot guns if you got em. 

Sweet Spot 

Nice stopover on the way to Flagstaff

I arrived after dark on December 28th, and at first missed the turn off for the camping, but using the map here on the Dyrt, could see where I went wrong. 

Google gets you there, as soon as you cross the cattle stile into the park, take your first left which comes very quickly. Dispersed camping is on both sides of this road. If you go a little further, you’ll see the vault toilets on the right (I couldn’t find these until the morning). 

It was completely deserted, except for one RV (I am sleeping in my car). In the morning I discovered a car which looks like someone may be living in the park, but saw no signs of anyone. 

It is beautiful! I woke up to an inch of snow! One downside- it’s right next to a landfill. There was no smell, but I could hear all of the equipment in the morning. 

Easy to find, clean, safe (I’m a solo woman). I’d stay here again! 

Empty in winter!

We just stopped for the night. Like a previous review, the left turn is very immediate after the cattle grate. Seemed to be quite a few people stationed up in the area but plenty of space for everyone and we felt like we had privacy. 
Bathrooms were shortly after the left turn to the right. Fairly clean so that was nice. 
Woke up to a nice open view ☺️

Nice little spot

20 minutes from Santa Fe, super convenient, spread out enough, some good stars at night. Check our other reviews about the left turn. 

Great stop over

This place is super convenient to Santa Fe.  Easy to find and plenty of spots.  We opted not to camp in the “lot” where a lot of people set up.  We drove back the road a bit further for some privacy.  The area is very dusty.  Given the proximity to town there were some campsites that had a degree of homelessness to them.  However, we camped two nights with absolutely no issues.  If I needed a place to camp near Santa Fe, I’d camp here again.

Super Convenient but dusty 

This is dispersed camping with mostly RVs, some vans, and a few tents and teepees. There are no hookups but near the entrance there is a building with two enclosed bathrooms. There is no trash collection so you must carry out everything you bring in. This is great free camping or just free overnight parking if you are self sufficient with your own water and solar power. There is lots of space but it seems like a lot of people just pull in and find spots near the front. We camped in August 2021 and days got up to 90 degrees. We hung out in SantaFe until about 8pm and it dropped to 80 and the breeze picked up. It is dry in the desert so 80 is very comfortable. Another nice thing about desert camping is there are some flies, and a few mosquitos but compared to the moist midwest we seem fine without having to use a lot of bug repellant. 
We will stay here again. 

Santa Fe BLM

Excellent campsite with a fire ring and a good view.

Very nice dispersed camping. Sites are somewhat crowded near the entrance. Very dispersed as you get further in.

One reviewer wrote it’s very dusty…IT’S THE DESERT! Yes, it is but this is the SW.  If this is an issue for you than this isn’t the spot.

Close to town, this is popular with RV, 5th wheels, air streams, campers with tents and there is plenty of room. Visitors are respectful of space and privacy, please honor this. This is a big parcel with tall brush and shrubs to shelter against the winds and for privacy.

The deeper one drives into this site the hillier it gets with great views of the mountains. I have a Honda CRV with FED and stuck to spots I can drive onto easily. It rained heavily for an hour but the earth was dry shortly afterward. There are deep wheel groves on some of the gravel/mud roads. Be careful as drop offs can damage your wheels or car. Easy to spot and avoid.

I have been here for three days &amp; nights, very windy at times and very cool at night (end of Sept). 

One can make friends or be social with other campers, easy to spot who is welcoming and helpful hose that prefer to be alone. 

Plenty of drive through sites for those hauling campers/5th wheels and adventure terrain with AWD/trucks. 

FYI this site is near a landfill, doesn’t smell (during my stay) and there are construction noises that echo through the canyon during the morning and day. Quiet at night. 

Beautiful spot. Enjoy! 

Great Campsite with solid cell service

For Dispersed Camping this is good.  We are a 45’ DP with 30’ trailer and found a place shortly after we came into the gates.  I had rained the day before but had no issues as ground soaked it up.   The area did a have several other campers all about a football field apart. Cell was 3-4 bars on ATT and Verizon.  If you look on google maps you will see it is close to the landfill but we experienced no issues from that.

Good Dispersed Camping Spot

My husband and I stayed here with our ‘84 pull behind trailer. We kept driving past where we could see a lot of people and found a more secluded spot down the road. I wouldn’t say it’s quiet during the day, there are ATVs and lots of gunshots at the impromptu shooting range down the little road, but the night is pretty quiet. 

We heard a couple huge packs of coyotes multiple times, lots of crows, a few jack rabbits, but nobody bugged us. 

There are old cow patties dried up everywhere, and because of that the flies are eager and ready to go if you provide them any other source of poo, so be wary to dig a hole and bury it or trek up to the pit toilet near the entrance. 

The sunsets were beautiful. Nights were pretty chilly, low to mid 40’s in the end of September. We did have one huge rain storm that made the road in almost impassible, and we have a 4x4 pickup. The mud sticks in the treads of the tires, making them super slick. Definitely passable on a normal dry day without a 4x4 though, especially if you stay closer to the entrance where most people are. 

Saw a bunch of trash, picked up what I could. Please leave it better than you found it and preserve this place! I saw a lot of very preventable trash, plastic bottles, cans with bullet holes, etc.

Excellent place to camp

It's a great area with flat sites and close proximity to Santa Fe. The dirt road is not too long and not bad at all. There were a bunch of campers there but it didnt feel crowded. There was a pit toilet, clean and maintained (had fully stocked TP).

Driving along the access road, seems like there are also camping spots before the gate, but within the gate is the Forest Service grounds.

Stars are amazing at night. We saw nearby hiking and mtb trails, though we didnt get to try them. Santa Fe is also a great city to visit while here. 

Great area close to Santa Fe

Nice spot west of Santa Fe. Not very far from town. Warmer than staying in the mountains to the east for sure.

Santa Fe BLM Dispersed

There are a ton of campsites here, and even more options if you have a high clearance vehicle. 

  

If you have a low clearance RV I recommend taking the first road to the left after crossing the cattle guard. That road leads around most of the camping area and you can avoid the side roads with the steep entrances. 

  

It is right next to a landfill which is interesting but there were no flies or smells in October. 

  

For a free camping area right next to a city the area felt safe and was surprisingly clean.

Huge Free Camping Area That Feels Safe Near Santa Fe

Lots of options and always a fair amount of campers. Mostly big rigs and vans. Can be quite dusty, but overall it’s great. Just 5 miles to town.

Best and only place in Santa Fe

This is a massive dispersed camping area. I’m not really sure how far in the camping spots go, but so far I’ve seen over 100, with about 1/4 of them taken right now. Many, but not all, are level spots. Roads vary depending on which spots your getting to. Great cell service. Great views. And minutes away from stores and gas stations.

Perfect dispersed camping spot

Lots of nomads but plenty of spots midweek, feels safe, 15min from town. 

Connectivity at night is slow, but faster during the day for some reason, even with our booster. Was able to get a signal on all major carriers. 

Great overnighter

Nice and quiet! LOTS of area to park and be isolated. Easy drive to Santa Fe

Great BLM land

Lots of room and privacy because of scrub. Good solar. But the wind and the passing vehicles blow up dust. 

Boondocking Dusty 

BLM land

Great views. Minutes outside of town. Someone else mentioned cel service slowing down at night. I   experienced  the same thing. Not a big deal if your not stuck inside but...

Dispersed camping on the edge of Santa Fe.  Easy access.  Some former homeless camps and trash scattered around.  Go further in for a more scenic vista on high ground.  

Santa Fe Overlook

Spacious sites, great cell reception and very close to town. Will definitely boondock here again!




Great boondocking experience

My first time dispersed camping was a success! Enough space for people to spread out, little trees help with privacy. Freezing here at night but it is winter! Beautiful views and just enough service for t-mobile! Couldn’t ask for more really! Just remember Leave No Trace as I did see some litter, nothing crazy tho. Awesome spot.

Great spot

Wide open space to pick your spot next to a Juniper or two. 

Hardly anyone here, just the coyotes howling. 
Appreciated access to a pit toilet. 

Great dispersed camping

Camped for one night and enjoyed some beautiful March weather (overnight low in the 50s). 

Very nice area - a fair number of people had their vans parked here - maybe one or two other tents. Fairly windy area so I appreciated the little bit of tree shelter (though maybe that was just the night). Pretty clean but still reduced our footprint by picking up some trash others left - it all helps! 

Car camping in March 2022

Arrived around 7:00 on Saturday and lots of campers but lots of room.  Everyone was quiet and almost everyone turned lights out so no light pollution from neighbors.  No TP at restroom, so go prepared.
Would stay here again.

Nice and quiet

This area truly makes you feel like you are in the wild west. Had a blast. The sunset was amazing. The only thing is some JERK pulled near me at 3am with his big loud engine running and his headlights pointed right at my tent...for about an hour. I was scared and angry. Nothing came of it, but seriously, some people have no decency.

First car camp with 3 pups

Great boondocking spot @15 mins from downtown Santa Fe.

Zero amenities but clean, huge open areas, and safe.

Your are behind a huge solid waste transfer station but you’d never know besides the huge hill. No smell or garbage anywhere.

Pros-

-HUGE open area
-WIFI is great (pull in and go to the left down by the cattle coral)
-Clean areas
-Safe
-Bathrooms (Didn’t Use)
-Tons of hiking 
-15mins tops to downtown Santa Fe
-Free

Cons-

-Windy
-Dusty
-No water
-No Dump Station 


We got water at the dog park up the road with our water bladder bag. Try to go during dusk as it is way less busy with fewer spectators watching and wondering what you’re doing, we had zero issues! 😊

It’s a great Free spot for a night or two weeks also surrounded by BLM land so you can’t really go wrong.

This area is well big enough for any size rig, just stay to the right on the gravel road pass the cattle guard where the road is gravel and smoother for sure!

Enjoy! 😊


Great Boondocking Spot!

Lost signal while driving down the road to the spot but found a spot with service. Picked a secluded spot surrounded by trees with a fire pit. While the sun was up I heard gunshots and people would drive by but it quieted down after sundown. Saw a cop drive around as well. There were a few cars when I drove in but didn’t see any people from where I parked. Very nice and quiet.

Good spot

First off, I’m so disappointed with the state of the land. The trailhead was crowded and covered in trash. Complete filth no matter which direction you go, including abandoned RV’s. It’s right next to a landfill so the flies rule this land. ATV and gun activity all weekend. 

We stayed at a site a mile from the trailhead, minimal trash and lots of room to spread out.

Advantages: 15 minutes to town, beautiful sunrise/sunset, relatively quiet during the week. Great views of the surrounding area. 

Decent

it’s loud day and night due to being by airport and landfill. road is trash after getting to the second cattle guard. lots of shooting ranges, nearly unlimited campsites, dogs barking and trash scattered but still it’s very relaxing being in the forest 

for those who aren’t picky 

This is a large area with many campsites. Pretty much anywhere you can get your vehicle, you can camp. No services except for a vault toilet near the entrance. The roads are dirt. Main roads are good, side roads have a bit more ruts and divots. 

When you come into the dispersed area, there are a lot more people camped near the front, but if you continue down the road you can easily find a secluded spot. The spot was quiet for the most part, just a few dogs barking at night. 

Easiest spot near Santa Fe

Not a lot going on.  Good place to stop to sleep for free. Other than that idk what you would do.  If your in a tent, boring. 

Dry dry

There was a slight amount of trash at most sites.  Sad!

Stopped for morning rest

Overall I really liked this spot. However no one seems to keep their dogs on a leash despite the law being 6 foot leash at all times. They let their dogs roam thru everyone's campsites. 

Santa fe boondocking 

I drove in and was immediately stopped by park rangers. They told me they were letting people know they will be shutting this location down do to people not being decent. 
If it is still open, you’ll see a lot of trash. Certain sites looked better than others. Flat land with not a lot to do. 

A lot of trash 

Area is open. There’s some trash right as you come in, but there’s plenty of clean spots not too much further in. Decent spot, though also popular. 

Decent dispersed camping

I actually stayed here for a night -though inadvertently. When I drove in the next night to stay, I noticed that there was a sign up that said "no overnight camping". That being said, I did stay one night and didn't get approached by anyone.

  

Luckily, there is a large plot of land to the right that is also BLM land that you can stay on. Unfortunately though, several of those sites did have trash on them. And flies. And broken glass. Kinda sketchy. But there were several sites that were fine. Some parts of the road were questionable for cars to drive on, but there's enough road and pullouts where the roads were ok enough to drive on.

Campground was closed

We found it to be clean ,open flat ground to camp on . Spent a couple of days . Beautiful spot .

Nice views 

I often camp by Diablo Canyon, which has wonderful sunsets and decent off trail hiking.  There's even a cave for those who know where to find it.   

  

I've also camped down by the river for the access to water for splashing about and cooking, but the area is popular with Mexican families and sometimes attracts a party crowd.  

  

There are plenty of more remote spots off the main gravel road that would be even quieter.  The terrain is juniper and oak, with cottonwoods by the river. 

  

Temperatures run hot in the summer and freezing in winter, although it is the best choice for winter camping near Santa Fe.   Summers the wife and I most often drive up Artist Road and camp at Big Tesuque or the skiiiway at the top, but we did choose Buckman this summer when thunderstorms pounded the mountains.   

  

It does take time to drive the gravel road, and there's not much for ordinary folks around Las Campanas, the wealthy housing division between the camping and town.  You might get to Airport Road and Cerrillos under an hour, but getting to the Plaza will take longer.   

  

Cell service is spotty.

Photos of Sante Fe National Forest BLM-Road 62 Dispersed

Real photos from real campers