Best Dispersed Camping in New Mexico

From the vast Chihuahuan Desert to the Sangre de Cristo Mountains, New Mexico has a wealth of opportunities to get outside and explore. For outdoor adventurers, there’s skiing in Taos, whitewater rafting on the Rio Grande, and plenty of hiking, from the Southern Rockies to dusty desert canyons. That’s what makes camping in New Mexico such a varied and fulfilling experience.

Carlsbad Caverns provides ample opportunities to hike, explore, learn about desert wildlife, even appreciate a few thousand Mexican free-tail bats take flight. They swarm out of the cave every night at dust for an audience that often numbers in the hundreds. It’s a perfect excuse to stick around the park after dark and do some camping in New Mexico.

Of course, the only camping available within Carlsbad Caverns National Park is backcountry camping, so come prepared to Leave No Trace. Keep in mind that the desert landscape is often dry, so fire bans, even some backcountry cooking bans, are frequently in effect in the drier months. On the upside, backcountry camping permits are free and you can grab one at the visitor center when you arrive.

Visit White Sands National Monument for an unmatched, natural experience. Acres upon acres of white gypsum dunes stretch into the distance, offering hours of diversion, be it hiking across the dunes or sledding down them. If you forgot your sled, don’t worry, you can pick one up in the gift shop. Just be sure to enjoy these activities early in the morning or late in the evening during the summer months; it gets hot in the desert during midday!

As for camping in White Sands, it’s backcountry camping or nothing and sites require a short hike through the dunes. You’ll be camping on the gypsum, surrounded by shifting white hills, dark night skies up above, and no other campers in sight. It’s definitely a unique experience. Permits are $3.00 per person and can be picked up at the visitor center.

Wherever your adventures take you in the Land of Enchantment, get out there and let The Dyrt help you locate the best camping in New Mexico.

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Best Dispersed Sites in New Mexico (166)

    1. Chosa Campground

    55 Reviews
    Carlsbad Caverns, NM
    Website
    +1 (575) 234-5972

    "Found this spacious location, was not very busy (only two other campers), spacious and quiet. Beautiful view of Carlsbad range. This is a BLM managed site with no utilities except trash bins."

    "Nice open spot right off the highway. Drive up the paved road and it’s on your left. Gravel has been laid down so it’s nice and firm for campers/RVs. Also has a garbage can there."

    2. Sante Fe National Forest BLM-Road 62 Dispersed

    42 Reviews
    Santa Fe, NM

    "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."

    "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."

    3. Top of New Mexico - Dispersed Site

    37 Reviews
    Placitas, NM
    Website
    +1 (505) 761-8700

    "Great little find for a quick place to car camp while driving through Albuquerque without going too far out of the way."

    "When you first arrive to the end of the road and the beginning of the public land - you have the option to go left, straight, or right."

    4. Mile 10 - Dispersed Camping

    33 Reviews
    Whites City, NM
    Website

    "We pulled in close to midnight without an issue locating the fire rings to set up camp. We were camping in a truck bed tent and it was great."

    "Very easy to find right off the highway! There is no turn off if you are headed west. You'll have to make a Uturn about a mile up the highway."

    5. Sierra Vista

    30 Reviews
    Organ, NM

    "BLM managed area . Drive to the trailhead has about four areas set up for camping. Plus room for more at the cul-de-sac at the end."

    "The “roped” is BLM area in nice enough, pull outs, but not much room to maneuver. Big rigs beware- we were able to just turn around as there were quite a few vehicles."

    6. Six Mile Canyon - Dispersed Camping

    30 Reviews
    Jamestown, NM
    Website

    "No amenities but very close to Flying J! The dirt road was dry but you could tell after a rain it would be impassable."

    "We drove 3 miles down a dirt road before picking our spot. You could easily park anywhere but they have some spots with fire-pits, there are no hook ups or water so be prepared."

    7. Dispersed Camping off FS 542

    26 Reviews
    Tijeras, NM
    Website
    +1 (505) 346-3900

    "This dispersed camping is a great spot to stop. There are multiple site identified with lot signs and fire rings. Some of the spots are Easier to access than others."

    "No facilities. Dry camping only. The sights are not well defined but there's enough clearings between the trees to make do."

    8. Carlsbad BLM Land Dispersed

    24 Reviews
    Whites City, NM
    Website
    +1 (575) 234-5972

    "If you have high clearance (4wd not needed but high clearance is) the sites farther in are amazing! The first three sites were fine but nothing really special."

    "Great spot right off the highway. Only 25 minutes from Carlsbad NM, and 20 minutes from the NP.

    The road is a bit rough and may need a higher clearance the further you drive in."

    9. Santa Fe BLM Dispersed Campsite

    26 Reviews
    Santa Fe, NM

    "As you drive down the road the BLM land is clearly identified by the 14 day camping limit signs."

    "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."

    10. Haystack Mountain OHV Area

    17 Reviews
    Roswell, NM
    Website
    +1 (575) 627-0272

    $5 / night

    "This is a great place not far outside of Roswell. Great overnight parking/car camping place. Stayed by myself at the best spot available."

    "This place was quiet and peaceful, even with dirt bikes and ATVs on the trails! When I arrived there was one camper. I stayed for 3 days (over Easter weekend)."

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Dispersed Camping Reviews in New Mexico

701 Reviews of 166 New Mexico Campgrounds


  • Niels W.The Dyrt PRO User
    Mar. 16, 2025

    Gallinas Site

    Boondocking

    National forest, public land, dispersed camping. Pit toilet, bear proof trash cans. Easy pull off hwy 54 onto good gravel road.

  • Tim W.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 24, 2023

    Whirlpool Dispersed Camping Area

    Will go again

    We got there on a Friday and had our pick of sites. We picked one right on the river. No electricity. No water. No picnic tables. No trash receptacle. Vault toilets. Camp spaces are spread out. Some of the roads on the campground had deep ruts and pools of mud water but not all. You can see every star on a clear night. The road to the campground is about 6 miles of curvy dirt and gravel single lane. But a woman managed it in a Jaguar so not too bad just go slow. Rustic and relaxing.

  • Dan G.
    Aug. 6, 2021

    Sante Fe National Forest BLM-Road 62 Dispersed

    Santa Fe BLM

    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.

  • Jorge G.The Dyrt PRO User
    Mar. 4, 2024

    Comfort Well Dispersed Camping

    Low-key dispersed sites

    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.

  • muj V.
    Oct. 7, 2021

    Sante Fe National Forest BLM-Road 62 Dispersed

    Great area close to Santa Fe

    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.

  • Laura M.The Dyrt PRO User
    Nov. 21, 2020

    Baylor Pass West Trailhead Dispersed

    Camp in a Parking Lot=FREE

    First off this is a parking lot but you are able to camp here for free. There were trailers, RVs and even car camping in this BLM area. There are other spots along the way such as Sierra Vista Trailhead and Baylor Canyon Road as well as multiple pullouts along the Dripping Springs Road.

    You're basically at the foot of the Organ Mountains and the view is awesome, even the city lights in the distance were nice. 

    There are no amenities here. Cell reception good with AT&T and Verizon.

    Nice place to stay if you plan on hiking the Organ Mountains or heading the next 40 miles to White Sands National Monument.

  • Jennifer H.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 9, 2023

    Cow Creek Dispersed Camping Area

    Beautiful fall colors

    There are a few tent spots and car camping spots, and it’s right along a creek where you can fly fish. It was a longer drive out there than expected, but there’s a sign that lets you know your in the National forest and out of peoples private property. You probably want 4WD because the road was rough, but definitely worth it with the fall colors! We loved this spot!

  • Kevin C.The Dyrt PRO User
    Mar. 29, 2023

    Pajarito Springs (Dispersed)

    Worked for our needs

    We were just looking for a place to crash in our SUV before going to Bandelier National Monument in the morning and continuing on our road trip. Showed up at midnight and grabbed the first flat spot to park. Convenient and free is always nice. 20 min from the visitors center. There was a “No Campfires” sign at the entrance despite what this listing states.

  • Jeff V.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 27, 2025

    Mills Canyon Dispersed

    Not just dispersed, but 2 free Forest Service campgrounds!

    This canyon is a too little known gem tucked away in a corner of the state too few travel, as the near ghost town of Roy demonstrates.  for those wondering why I'd part with secrecy and reveal a local treasure, that's why: we've far too few tourists, unlike Barcelona. 

    Back to the canyon, the key attractions are the river, often a rippling stream, and sometimes mere puddles, but still, water in a dry land, and the ruins of a thriving orchard and stagecoach stop, complete with an impressive hotel.  The hotel is the largest ruin, abandoned after a flood destroyed the business more than a century ago.  There are other stone buildings scattered about for those motivated to hike around the valley. 

    The canyon remains hidden until you reach the rim and peer down (an excellent method for spotting ruins), and the first Forest Service campground is there, and best for those with larger trailers or lower clearances.

    The second Forest Service campground is by the river, complete with picnic tables, iron fire rings, and vault toilets.  Both are free as of this writing.

    I've never seen any explicit regulations beyond the obvious (don't do damage that gets us all a bad name) and 4x4 paths exist to get one further up and down the canyon for dispersed camping. 

    I'd certainly camp away from large or loud groups if I needed, but neither campground gets a rowdy crowd, or, indeed, much of a crowd. 

    p.s.  If you read this far, I'll throw in some nearby treats: Charette Lake, Fort Union, Pecos National Monument and Sugarite State Park all offer insights into the history and natural beauty of this part of NM.


Guide to New Mexico

Discover the beauty of dispersed camping in New Mexico, where vast landscapes and serene environments await outdoor enthusiasts. With numerous options for free camping, you can enjoy the great outdoors without breaking the bank.

Top Activities While Free Camping in New Mexico

  • Experience stunning sunsets and spacious sites at Mile 10 - Dispersed Camping, perfect for those looking to unwind after a day of exploration.
  • Enjoy the proximity to both Guadalupe Mountains National Park and Carlsbad Caverns while staying at Chosa Campground, making it an ideal base for hiking and sightseeing.
  • Engage in wildlife watching and stargazing at Dog Canyon, where the quiet surroundings enhance your outdoor experience.

Top Attractions for Dispersed Campers

  • Visit the breathtaking White Sands National Park, just a short drive from Raptor Lake Dispersed / Holloman Lake, where you can explore unique gypsum sand dunes.
  • Discover the historical significance of the area while camping at Sierra Vista, which offers beautiful views and access to nearby attractions.
  • Explore the scenic trails and natural beauty surrounding Forest Road 568 - Dispersed Camping, perfect for hiking and enjoying the outdoors.

Tips for Free and Dispersed Camping in New Mexico