santa fe national forest dispersed camping santa fe national forest dispersed camping

Pet Friendly . White Sands National Park offers miles of trails, boardwalk viewing areas, and ten primitive camping sites. Within Holy Ghost Canyon, the Santa Fe National Forests Holy Ghost Campground is located on the outskirts of the Pecos Wilderness. Santa Fe Fire Road is an excellent trail for beginning off-roaders with its smooth surface and several spurs to explore. With more people seeking dispersed sites since the ordered closure of campgrounds in late March, campers have been venturing deeper along Forest Service roads than in years past. Restrooms:Vault toiletWater:NoCrowds:ModerateMap. ) or https:// means you've safely The Upper Bonito Recreation Area is a great designated dispersed camping area near the White Mountain Wilderness in Lincoln National Forest. These regions usually do not have any amenities, though you may occasionally come across a toilet building or a picnic table and grill. You have permission to edit this article. Developed campgrounds offer amenities ranging from electrical hookups for RV or trailer camping, to only a toilet. Heron Lake State Park Campground is located in Rio Arriba County in northern New Mexico and is the perfect place to kayak, sail, windsurf, fish, and explore hiking trails around the lake's perimeter. respect the fire conditions warnings and practice no-trace camping principles. Located just southeast of Albuquerque, West Mesa Road dispersed camping is another gem. There is something special about the combination of desert, mountains, and some of the most rugged wilderness in the US that gives New Mexico a certain allure that cant be denied. 11 Forest Lane Get 20% here. mdahlseid@sfnewmexican.com, Coco Rae hopes trail guide will help encourage others to explore Valles Caldera, Newly elected Santa Fe County magistrate arrested on DWI charge, Santa Fe Bite has new owners, but old owners remain on board, Bodybuilder, SFPD bicycle officer often patrolled the Plaza, Another troubled Espaola complex teeters, Longtime weatherman forecasts a new life outside TV, Accused judge removed from bench in wake of DWI charge, Bipartisan criticism after Lujan Grisham intervenes in Medicaid procurement process, Predictions: Horsemen go all the way; Demons upset everyone, Magistrate pleads not guilty to DWI; attorney says Khalsa weighing resignation. I own a Forest River Berkshire XLT Diesel 45A Class A Motorhome. Tres Piedras couldnt be easier to get to, simply take Highway 64 west (if coming from Taos area) until you pass the Tres Piedras Ranger Station. Your account has been registered, and you are now logged in. Call the Farmington Field Office for more information: (505) 564-7600. 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. Also Check: Soledad Canyon Rv & Camping Resort. If youre looking for an incredible free campsite with stunning views of Angel Peak and the badlands, look now further than the BLM managed Angel Peak Scenic Area. Rancheros de Santa Fe Campground Most of the states cities and towns have easy access to the outdoors, whether it be the Pecos Wilderness outside of Santa Fe, Cibola National Forest outside of Albuquerque, or the Organ Mountains near Las Cruces. In terms of location, this site is about 35 minutes south of the Sierra Vista free campsite. The place seemed safe and remarkably tidy for a free camping area adjacent to a metropolis. Sort By. San Antonio Campground is adjacent to the San Antonio River, tucked into a forest of ponderosa pine at 7,600 feet above sea level. It was the 4th of July holiday weekend, and the Jemez area was packed! Here are 30 of the best places to go camping in New Mexico. Theres minimal shade here. A unique option for free camping in eastern New Mexico where public lands are more sparse is the Bosque Redondo Park near Fort Sumner and Sumner Lake State Park. Expect plenty of peace and quiet, despite some daytime OHV use. The Santa Fe National Forest, the Cibola National Forest, and the Gila National Forest are some of the best places to find dispersed campgrounds in New Mexico. Resumidero Camping Area. It is best to check current regulations with the relevant USFS or BLM office, but you should plan on adhering to the following asoutlined by the USFS: Always be sure to check for current New Mexico fire regulations by visiting the New Mexico Fire Information website before setting out. The access roads arent terribly rough if you have high-clearance, but 4WD is certainly helpful. Posted 11:06:55 PM. Dont forget to check out our other state specific dispersed camping guides: document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); 1. God willing, there will still be significant snow coverage above 9,000' feet in March. Do keep in mind that there is not water source (this is the desert after all) so youll want to come prepared with all that youll need for your trip. Within Holy Ghost Canyon, the Santa Fe National Forest's Holy Ghost Campground is located on the outskirts of the Pecos Wilderness. INSET: A pile of trash from a dispersed campsite is collected in a tarp in the Jemez Mountains. The closer to the lake you get, the rougher the road gets, but all vehicles should be fine, unless it just rained. There is an otherworldly aura to camping here, so please be respectful, Leave No Trace, and enjoy this wonderful place in our public lands. Santa Fe National Forest Headquarters These maps are published by the Forest Service and display the entire network of forest service roads in a given National Forest. The Aspen Basin Campground is situated next to the Santa Fe Ski Basins huge parking lot. Currently, the Vaulted toilet is not in use. 5. Although the parking lot is windswept, you will conveniently find a silent area. . There is also an equestrian campground just down the road where you can fill up with water and dump your tanks. Just make sure youre not on private land (its well-marked) before setting up camp. There are no amenities, but there's plenty of room to spread out. There are approximately 10 campsites set up adjacent to a small lake here where free camping is permitted. Visitors periodically turn the field into a shooting range, so you might hear gunshots nearby. Located in Arizonas Sonoran Desert, Quartzsite is a popular RVing destination, especially for th With more than 30 parks to choose from, Arizonas state park system is filled with diverse landsc Arkansas excellent state park system provides RVers and tent campers with well-maintained campgr Indiana RV Campgrounds: 7 Places to Camp, Hike, and Explore the Hoosier State. The quiet campground is located in a strand of ponderosa pine in the Santa Fe National Forest. J. Lubchenco 2. Historic Downtown Golden. Dispersed camping isnt allowed until youre about a mile in if you head to the left (high clearance is recommended, but 2wd will suffice). 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. Santa Fe, which is located in New Mexico, has to offer everything if you are looking for dispersed camping in New Mexico. This is true dispersed camping so you wont find any amenities here. See Also: Where to Go Dispersed Camping in Arizona. There are several horse corrals and an abundance of horseback riding (and hiking) trails nearby. BLM New Mexico. San Antonio Campground was completely rebuilt and reopened . Call the Glenwood Ranger District for more information: (575) 539-2481, Location: Near Carlsbad Caverns National Park. This graded forest road provides access to the Santa Fe National Forest for about half the year, or at least until the snow melts. 2. The national forest has portions to the east of Santa Fe, and across the Rio Grande, west of Santa Fe. American Springs Dispersed Camping, Santa Fe National Forest in Los Alamos is rated 10.0 of 10 at RV LIFE Campground Reviews. Looking to find more free, dispersed camping? High-clearance is all but a must and 4WD is extremely helpful, especially for the last several miles of road. Its also a great place for boondocking in RVs and trailers of all sizes. There are picnic tables and even a few shade structures at some of the sites, making this an amenity rich free campsite. A few of these cross into neighboring states, with Coronado National Forest being primarily located in adjacent Arizona. . 3. Youll enjoy the campgrounds modest environment. Get your space case on! With just 12 campsites (three with their own horse corrals) spread between two camping loops (upper and lower), youll never have too much company around. The map above leads to one of the more popular dispersed sites along Forest Service road 462DC1, but there are many additional sites in the surrounding area. My destination was a boondocking spot in the Santa Fe National Forest. Info:Bureau of Land Management Las Cruces District, 575-525-4300. There are a lot of campgrounds there, and if you have a high-clearance vehicle, youll have even more possibilities. A lot of mountain biking and hiking trails are located nearby if youre into those activities. Please do camp at an already established site in the area, as in recent year campers have been setting up further and further from the designated sites which degrades the wilderness. The Capitan Wilderness is part of Lincoln National Forest. There are sandstone cliffs, canyons, the La Ventana Natural Arch, the Chain of Craters Backcountry Byway, and the Cebolla and West Malpais Wilderness Areas. Related Post: Where to Go Dispersed Camping in Utah. 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. Whether gathering of families or gathering pinon nuts and firewood, the forest is a "querencia" - a special place. United States government. $0 - $200 avg/night. American Spring Dispersed Camping Volunteers have chipped in to help Hurleys small staff pick up garbage, but they cant keep up and its been accumulating in areas they havent had time to reach. 26.7 mi. Out of a handful of options in nearby Cibola National Forest, my favorite free campsites in the area are those along Juan Tomas Road south of Tijeras. Ok, now were on to the fun part! Off of NM-68, Co Rd 435 leads you into free BLM land camping. Two trails depart from the site: The six-mile Baylor Pass Trail climbs to a saddle with views of the Mesilla Valley, while the four-mile Pine Tree Trail forms a loop at the base of the mountains. Create a password that only you will remember. Want to know the essentials for your next camping trip? For just $225 for out-of-staters ($180 for residents and $100 for resident seniors), this pass allows you to camp at any of New Mexicos state parks for free for 12 months starting from the month of purchase. 5. 3. Unless otherwise noted, primitive camping is permitted practically everywhere in the Santa Fe National Forest. D. McCullough 6. There are several different options for camping here. Picnic tables, fire pits, and small corrals suited for one or two horses are available at each location. In addition to leaving smoldering campfires, campers have also left piles of trash. To aid in the effort, Hurley said Sandoval County law enforcement officials, who do have authority to enforce the emergency orders, have been making rounds through the forests. Around 45 minutes to the town of Carlsbad. I'm in New Mexico. . Camping near Santa Fe National Forest. Campgrounds. GPS Coordinates: 32.21013705590772, -106.61473041202322. Small and medium sized RVs and trailers (up to about 32 feet) will fit here. The site is quite populated, especially in the summer and during the fall aspen viewing days, due to the beautiful qualities and easy access from Santa Fe. Again managed by the BLM, Monticello Point Road is one of the best free campsites in New Mexico because of its convenience. The campground is rustic and underutilized, and it is far less developed than most. * I believe the USFS plans to require a nightly fee here ($10 to $12) in the near future. My favorite are the dispersed campsites just off County Road C001 in the Capitan Gap area on the way to the Capitan Mountain trailhead. There arent any facilities here so be sure to stock up on supplies before setting up camp. 13.3 mi. Mills Canyon Campground is another free campground thats well worth an overnight stop. Status: Seasonal, Full time, Non-Exempt . 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. Theres a lot of room to spread out, so you should have at least a little privacy from your closest neighbor. Public Land RV Park Overnight RV Parking Dump Stations Price. Five national forests (and small sections of two others) plus a heck of lot of BLM land give you plenty of options for setting up camp without spending a single penny. The Cottonwood Campground features individual sites for RV or tent camping, full restrooms with flushing toilets and potable water, electricity, and cable hookups, and a dump station. Its located in Northeast New Mexico about an hour off I-25. The threat of a fire is the most pressing concern for Luke McLarty, fire battalion chief of the Jemez Ranger District. This is BLM land, so dispersed camping is permitted, just dont pitch your tent too close to the developed campground. This area is one of the most biologically and recreationally diverse regions for boondocking in New Mexico. You can always find a toilet at the extreme west end of the parking area. Each campsite is large and spacious (and most are wheelchair accessible). I strongly recommend visiting what we call The Jemez (pronounced HEY-mez) . During the summer, the landscape is blanketed in vibrant wildflowers. There is lots of hiking, wildlife viewing, and photography opportunities. Gordon Gulch Dispersed Area Nederland. The map linked above brings you to the largest camping area, although there are many more opportunities if you venture further in. Cebolla Mesa is part of Carson National Forest. However, we wouldnt recommend counting on it since those are technically reserved for paid campers. The views here are truly stunning and youll be treated to some incredible sunsets and sunrises at Dog Canyon. However, know that the dirt roads here often become incredibly muddy and rutted when it rains. Science. Although you may find your next campsite by simply utilizing the sources above, we also highly recommend referencing the excellent information available through public agencies maps and resources. 15.0 mi. Lots of people doing one night stays. Category Filters. Developed campgrounds offer amenities ranging from electrical hookups for RV or trailer camping, to only a toilet. Rising from deserts, meadows and grasslands, the mesas, canyons and peaks of the Santa Fe National Forest are a place for re-creation. The states social-distancing order limiting groups to five or fewer people is another rule to fall by the wayside. Spotlight. This free primitive campground has 5 first-come, first-served campsites and offers the best views of the Rio Grande far below. If youre looking for dispersed camping near Santa Fe, then the Caja should be high on your short list. Call the Smokey Bear Ranger District for more information: (575) 257-4095. C. Anderson 6. Its some of the best desert camping in the state. Parks Ranch Campground is managed by the Bureau of Land Management. The bathrooms are nice, but the one in black bear loop is the nicest. Not only is camping here free for up to two weeks, but the campground is very clean and well-maintained. Just 30 minutes away from White Sands National Park, Dog Canyon dispersed camping is another great area for any size rig. However, about an hour to the north and just to the west of I-25, youll find Springer Lake Wildlife Area and Maxwell National Wildlife Refuge. 3N47 Santa Fe Fire Road is in the 823,000-acre San Bernardino National Forest north of Lytle Creek . Plan your road trip to Caja Del Rio Dispersed Camping in NM with Roadtrippers. 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. on official, secure websites. It is a single room with Kitchenette, shower, bathroom, a queen size bed, and work space. The entirety of 435 is BLM land so you can tent or auto camp anywhere you like. Ive seen people stay here in RVs and trailers up to around 24 feet, but its probably better to find a different campsite, unless youre comfortable navigating rough roads. In addition, the New Mexico BLM lists these helpful rules for dispersed camping: The map below gives you a sense of where BLM managed land is located in New Mexico: There are many resources available to help you find dispersed camping areas in New Mexico, first and foremost of which is this guide! Its a great place to hunker down or a good jumping-off point if you want to explore some quirky New Mexico towns. Invalid password or account does not exist. During the May 8-10 weekend, McLarty said he and his team found 38 improperly extinguished campfires. The Santa Fe National Forest offers beautiful camping areas that range from low to high elevation, high desert to forested and primitive to developed. Mark Komadina Park Manager mark.komadina@emnrd.nm.gov. 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. Only minutes from Old Town Santa Fe, quiet, woodland camping. Luckily, it never seems to get very busy here, so chances are youll find a quiet space all to yourself. Forestry, Nature, Outdoor, Recreation. Santa Fe, NM 87508 The views here are truly stunning and youll be treated to some incredible sunsets and sunrises at Dog Canyon. The Rio Medio Trailhead, one of the primary trailheads within the Pecos Wilderness, lies adjacent to and south of the campground. You arent far from both Bloomfield and Farmington when camping here, which makes it fairly easy to stock up on everything you need before heading out. There is a lot of open space where stands of Ponderosa pine dot the grassy plains. In fact, Cosmic Campground is the first campground built for amateur astronomers.