The first International Dark Sky Sanctuary to be located on USFS lands means that youll be treated to some of the best stargazing in the world here, an experience not to be missed! Santa Fe Skies RV Park offers full-service Santa Fe campsites. Weve compiled our nine favorite dispersed campsites in New Mexico in the list below. Although there is occasional traffic noise, it becomes calmer as you get farther into the campgrounds. Picnic tables, fire pits, and small corrals suited for one or two horses are available at each location. Within Holy Ghost Canyon, the Santa Fe National Forests Holy Ghost Campground is located on the outskirts of the Pecos Wilderness. Heres how to track these down on your own: Dispersed camping is far from the only way to camp for free in New Mexico. It's located in an alpine meadow and provides easy access to the San Pedro Parks Wilderness through both Vega Redonda Trail #34 and Corralitos Trail #452. Pecos/Las Vegas RD, Santa Fe National Forest. One of our favorite things about dispersed camping is the lack of permits, reservations, and other requirements youll often find at developed campgrounds. The campground is in fire zone 112, so be sure to check fire restrictions before your visit. Fenton Lake State Park doesnt seem to be interesting from the outside. S F R A M A Riggs Lake Columbine Hospital Flat OP This is BLM land, so dispersed camping is permitted, just dont pitch your tent too close to the developed campground. It takes just a 15-minute drive from the city to get into the Santa Fe National Forest and find yourself in Black Canyon Campground. The book details over 25 trails and includes topographical maps, trail conditions and recommendations for mountain bike. Joe Skeen Campground is located in the El Malpais National Conservation Area, so there are a ton of things to see and do here. Dont take anything but the smallest trailer here (and it likely needs high-clearance itself). U S National Forest Campground Guide Intermountain Region Overview. New Mexico Dispersed Camping: The Complete Guide - TMBtent There are picnic tables and even a few shade structures at some of the sites, making this an amenity rich free campsite. This free primitive campground has 5 first-come, first-served campsites and offers the best views of the Rio Grande far below. In fact, Cosmic Campground is the first campground built for amateur astronomers. I am Ted Mosby from Cleveland, Ohio. Forest Service employees cant enforce the social-distancing orders, only advise groups on what the guidelines are. FS-88 Cuba, NM 505-438-5300 Official Website. Where is the best dispersed camping site near Santa Fe? The best way to do this is typically by reaching out directly to the relevant USFS Ranger District or BLM Office in the area youd like to camp to inquire on camping locations. Caja del Rio sits at a lower elevation compared to much of the . The combination of careless campers and a high fire danger in Northern New Mexicos forests have officials wary of whats to come this weekend and throughout the summer. Given that Santa Fe is only 15 minutes away, you should have no problem finding everything you need for your trip. This popular campground is open from May through October in the Santa Fe National Forest. Theres plenty of options to choose from whether you prefer to roughit hunkered down in a four-seasontent and cold-weathersleeping bag while snow piles up outside or keep cozy in your RV at one ofthe states many state park campgrounds that stay open year-round. Call the Farmington Field Office for more information: (505) 564-7600. Finally, one of the best resources, specifically for national forest dispersed camping, is to utilize Motor Vehicle Use Maps or MVUMs for short. Location: Based out of Durango, CO . Gaia GPS - Download offline maps for easy navigation! United States. Our final New Mexico dispersed campsite in this guide isnt actually a dispersed site. The Santa Fe National Forest, which borders the Village of Jemez Springs, has several campgrounds available for a night under the stars, and close enough to the Village where restaurants, hot springs soaks and even a hot shower at one of the lodging facilities await you. Located just southeast of Albuquerque, West Mesa Road dispersed camping is another gem. In addition to the basic pit toilet, there are four cosmic observation pads where you can set up your telescope or simply enjoy the night sky. Although you shouldnt expect solitude, camping here is a lot more private than you might expect from a BLM campground. In addition, the New Mexico Dispersed camping map below shows all of the campsite locations, with detailed descriptions following. Thats been a recurring issue that costs the U.S. taxpayers millions of dollars every year, McLarty said. 13.3 mi. Jemez Falls Campground (Santa Fe National Forest) Another well-located New Mexico campground, Jemez Falls Campground has 52 campsites perfect for tents and smaller RVs. New Mexico is home to some of the best camping in the UnitedStates, bar none. On the drive in to Cebolla Mesa campground, youll pass several spur roads and roadside pullouts that are suitable for dispersed camping. Be sure to let us know in the comments below if you have any questions and be sure to tell us about your trip! 191 6633 6608 693 Highpoint Ranch Rd. Campendium is an Amazon associate site and earns from qualifying purchases. New Mexico's top 10 national and state parks - the Guardian The first campsites appear just off Forest Road 24 near Headquarters Well. Santa Fe National Forest Campgrounds, Santa Fe: See traveler reviews, 2 candid photos, and great deals for Santa Fe National Forest Campgrounds, ranked #14 of 22 specialty lodging in Santa Fe and rated 4.5 of 5 at Tripadvisor. The Cottonwood Campground can be found in the San Juan River area below the dam, which is world-renowned for excellent trout fishing and boasts seven day-use areas and several hiking trails. Caja Del Rio dispersed camping is part of the Santa Fe National Forest overseen by the U.S. Forest Service. You can access these sites from either direction, although RVs and trailers should arrive via Highway 217 from the east for the smoothest approach. The bathrooms are nice, but the one in black bear loop is the nicest. The hiker would not have survived for that long if he hadn't known some survival basics, such as prioritizing his liquid intake by situating himself by a nearby stream and relying on his filtering . RVs and trailers should stick to the first couple pullouts rather than attempting to drive up to the plateau. Mesa De Cuba Dispersed Camping in Santa Fe National Forest, Cuba New Mexico. This free camping spot is close to the La Cueva Trail if youre of the mind to get a little hike in during your stay. The campsites here are close enough to Bonito Lake as well as some great hiking and ATV trails in the national forest. There are twenty- seven developed campgrounds of which fourteen met the selection criteria. Fort Stanton-Snowy River Cave National Conservation Area, Columbine-Hondo Wilderness Area and Wheeler Peak Wilderness Area, New Mexico State Parks Annual Camping Pass, my favorite apps and websites to find dispersed campsites. The diversity of New Mexicos landscape is reflected in a wide range of recreational opportunities and camping experiences one can find in the state. The natural area is a beautiful combination of desert scrub and low-elevation pinion-juniper and oak woodlands. The Land of Enchantment has a huge range of campingopportunities from primitive tent camping to amenities-filled RV camping tofree remote camping and so much more. (505) 438-5300, https://www.fs.usda.gov/activity/santafe/recreation/camping-cabins. With diverse terrain , an abundance of wildlife, and unimaginablyclear views of the Milky Way at night, its not crazy to think that New Mexicowas made for camping. According to users, the road condition is broken down as such: The initial four sites are accessible to lower clearance vehicles, but youll need a 44 vehicle with higher clearance if you want to camp further back. This is a large area of dispersed camping. It typically doesnt get very busy here. ) or https:// means you've safely The best campsites are within about a half mile in either direction from Juan Tomas Trailhead (GPS coordinates: 35.034879, -106.320276). When searching for a good campsite ourselves, we prefer to use acombination of several online apps/websitesalong with publically available USFS/BLM maps. This year, looking at usage to this point and where we normally are, its much higher. G. Snyder 7. This is a popular destination, so plan to arrive early on summer weekends here. Along with the lack of shade, both wind and dust can be issues depending on the time of year. Use them to help plan your next dispersed camping trip. Forestry, Nature, Outdoor, Recreation. This free campground features 10 campsites that all have picnic tables, a fire grill, and plenty of space for your tent. You can always find a toilet at the extreme west end of the parking area. Its something of a tight turn off Highway 70 through the entrance gate, especially in a big rig. New Mexico is undoubtedly one of the best states for wintercamping. Santa Fe National Forest dispersed camping help : r/NewMexico Navajo Lake State Park is made up of three recreation areas, including the well-developed Pine River area, which features a visitor center with interpretive exhibits, several campgrounds, a day-use area, and a full-service marina. Also on the west side of the Organ Mountains, the Dripping Springs dispersed camping area is located about 10 miles east of town. Get 20% here. The access roads arent terribly rough if you have high-clearance, but 4WD is certainly helpful. To make finding free campsites in New Mexico even easier, Ive rounded up 9 of my personal favorites to share with you below. In our estimation, the best way to experience these unique landscapes is to spend a night out under the stars and New Mexico offers some incredible free, dispersed camping to make that happen. Please know that you will be required to bring your own water. Many campers have ignored the Leave No Trace principles, strewing refuse around their campsites and leaving piles of trash at day-use areas that have remained open, despite ever-present signs that ask people to pack out their garbage. Whether gathering of families or gathering pinon nuts and firewood, the forest is a "querencia" - a special place. However, theres a ton of room to spread out, so youre sure to find something quiet and peaceful, especially if youre willing to brave the rough roads. You never know how far the camping spaces stretch, but there are always over 100, with roughly a quarter of them taken at any given moment. But, if you live in the state and go camping regularly, its definitely worth thinking about. The landscapes are otherworldly and not overrun with visitors, making this a classic New Mexico destination. Rio ChamaCampgroundPart of the Santa Fe National Forest in the northern partof the state, this free New Mexico campground has 9 total campsites and can accommodateRVs up to 20. . Aldo Leopold Presentations Presentations 1. Primitive camping is allowed almost anywhere on the Santa Fe National Forest unless otherwise posted. Rancheros de Santa Fe Campground There was a problem saving your notification. The campsites themselves are quite spacious but theres not a whole lot of privacy in between them. We hope youve found all you need to plan for an amazing dispersed camping vacation near Santa Fe, New Mexico, and were confident youll find the right spot for your next adventure! What really makes West Mesa one of the best free campsites in New Mexico, however, is easy access to nearby mountain biking and hiking trails. The Tres Piedras dispersed camping area is located approximately 30 minutes northwest of Taos and just inside Carson National Forest. The campsites are scattered around a large dirt expanse near the lake. Not only is camping here free for up to two weeks, but the campground is very clean and well-maintained. 2. Yet, I personally prefer staying at Parks Ranch Campground, a primitive BLM campground that allows free camping for up to 14 days. Here the Organs stunning panorama of needle-like spires rises just outside your tent. Choose wisely! Finding good dispersed camping near Albuquerque is surprisingly difficult. The Albuquerque resident has been making the trip to the Jemez to camp since he was a young child, and he said the trash issue has gotten progressively worse over time. Info:Bureau of Land Management Las Cruces District, 575-525-4300. You can cross reference the two and often see areas that have established campsites in Google Maps. The Resource Assistant (RA) will support both developed and dispersed recreation in an extremely engaged community focused on Sustainable Recreation with a focus on Dispersed Recreation opportunities like . Contests and special offers from The Santa Fe New Mexican and advertising partners. Pecos, NM Camping: A Guide To National Forest Sites The nearby White Mountain Wilderness is another good place to look. The breathtaking canyon view is spectacular, but owing to fallen trees, camping is inaccessible occasionally. Another BLM managed area, the Joe Skeen Campground is the creme de la creme if you are looking for a true campground. Find additional details ondispersed camping in National Forestsand on BLM land in New Mexico in the sections below: There are six National Forests and one National Grassland located in New Mexico that are managed by the USFS. Sante Fe National Forest BLM-Road 62 Dispersed 2023 Santa Fe National Forest Strike Team Member The crowds of holiday campers were making me wish I was somewhere else some place peaceful, quiet, and uncrowded. Choose from the following to find a site: The Santa Fe National Forest offers beautiful camping areas that range from low to high elevation, high desert to forested and primitive to developed. Its probably on par for what wed get for a big holiday weekend like Memorial Day weekend, but now its every weekend, said Leah Hurley, recreation staff officer for the Jemez and Cuba Ranger Districts. Job Description Position: SCC Four Corners - Santa Fe National Forest Recreation Management Strike Team Dates: May 29th - August 11th, 2023 Status: Seasonal, Full-time, Camping Program Location: Based out of Durango,CO; Project work will be in the Santa Fe National Forest, NM Stipend: $600 ($400/week living stipend + $200/week housing stipend) Ages: 18 - 30 Caja del Rio sits at a lower elevation compared to much of the surrounding National Forest so is a popular place to camp during the shoulder seasons. Nightly rate based on last price paid . The first stretch of campsites is great for boondocking in RVs and trailers. Stores and gas stations are merely a couple of minutes away. Dispersed camping isnt allowed until youre about a mile in if you head to the left (high clearance is recommended, but 2wd will suffice). There are no appropriate areas for dispersed camping along the course, and signs advise vehicles to stay on the road. There are just two or three marked campsites here. This includes everything from where dispersed camping is allowed in New Mexico, to what to bring, and how to minimize your impact. Ideally located near White Sands National Park, Lincoln National Forest, and Las Cruces, Dog Canyon is a great BLM dispersed camping area in New Mexico. 12 Best States for Dispersed Camping - Go Backpacking Long Campground - opens May 27; first come/first served; fee; no potable water In January, Los Alamos hiker Coco Rae published Hiking Trails in Valles Caldera National Preserve, the first comprehensive guide to the 20-year-old preserve's trail system. Use existing sites and fire rings when available. Looking to find more dispersed campsites? This is pretty much only for car camping and tent camping. . [Senate Hearing 106-887] [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office] S. Hrg. See 12 traveler reviews, 17 photos and blog posts New Mexico Free Camping Cuba Mesa De Cuba Dispersed Camping . However, there is no disposal station. CR435 BLM Camping - Velarde, New Mexico. It never got too full. There is lots of hiking, wildlife viewing, and photography opportunities. The Dyrt PRO is our favorite resource for planning your trip. Also, even in a non-roaring vehicle, the road is steep and washed out right now, so drive carefully. The Memorial Day weekend is the unofficial launch of the summer recreation season on the 1.6-million-acre Santa Fe National Forest . Santa Fe, NM 87501 505-983-7175. There are several designated dispersed sites located throughout the Manzanita Mountains that are interspersed in this excellent trail system. Call the Smokey Bear Ranger District for more information: (575) 257-4095. The campsites here are spacious and level, making them perfect for boondocking in RVs and . As such, please be prepared and always practice Leave No Trace camping. By Matt Dahlseid The Santa Fe National Forest, an easy drive from both Albuquerque or Santa Fe, New Mexico, offers a wide diversity of recreation . Only have a campfire if it is permitted, and always be sure it is completely extinguished. I use a snow depth tool to estimate the snow coverage in a given area leading up to my trip, but find this to be . These regions usually do not have any amenities, though you may occasionally encounter a toilet building or a picnic table and grill. website belongs to an official government organization in the Here are some of the best National Forest Campgrounds in New Mexico as experienced by Fred and Suzi Dow, authors and publishers of the U.S. National Forest Campground Guide website and eBooks. The most tranquil campsites are locate right on Bonito Creek, making for a wonderful camping experience. Beautiful views of the Rio Grande cutting its way through the canyon below.