Strong cellular reception from most providers. Forest Information. 13.3 mi. Although this isnt a typical dispersed campsite, it provides great access to the surrounding wilderness while also being easy to access for a variety or rigs. Call the Questa Ranger District for more information: (575) 586-0520, Get Directions to Cebolla Mesa Campground. American Springs Dispersed Camping, Santa Fe National Forest in Los Alamos is rated 10.0 of 10 at RV LIFE Campground Reviews. Youll be able to choose a site with enough privacy but not too much isolation, though you could certainly go deeper. Dont forget to check out nearby Cat Walk Recreation Area for a short yet scenic daytime hike. Ten units, picnic tables, and fire rings are included. Pecos, NM Camping: A Guide To National Forest Sites Last Updated on June 13, 2022 by Ted Mosby. Located just southeast of Albuquerque, West Mesa Road dispersed camping is another gem. The U.S. National Forest Campground Guide - National, consolidates the nine Regional Guides. Get 20% here. Take your orientation skills and discover what a southwest landscape looked like when buffalo roamed the area. Here are the seven principles of Leave No Trace camping: You can read more about the seven principles of Leave No Trace camping here. There are approximately 10 campsites set up adjacent to a small lake here where free camping is permitted. From here, youll also be able to access hiking trails up into the mountains of southern New Mexico. 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. The access road gets rough and slick, especially after rains. Its also a really tranquil spot. on official, secure websites. Highly recommended! Erik, Google review, Read Also: Camping World Near San Antonio, Home Articles Camping Near Santa Fe | The Santa Fe National Forest. Heres a quick list of the free campsites I dive into below: Or, browse these free campsites on our New Mexico dispersed camping map to find one near you. A quick drive into Santa Fe. However, there is no disposal station. During the summer, the landscape is blanketed in vibrant wildflowers. The cell service is excellent, and there are numerous breathtaking views. Just be aware, the mosquitos can be pretty bad here. Yeti Tundra 45 Cooler - The ultimate camping cooler. I use these in conjunction with a free, open source topo like Caltopo or Gaia GPS. Make New Mexico an affordable wintertime boondocking homebase by investing in this annual pass. C. Anderson 6. Locals from adjacent settlements use it largely for picnicking, but it also serves those who stay overnight before starting a horseback or backpack trip into the Pecos. Holy Ghost Group Area. Just make sure youre not on private land (its well-marked) before setting up camp. In addition, the New Mexico BLM lists these helpful rules for dispersed camping: Dispersed camping is permitted on public lands in New Mexico for no more than 14 days within any 28-day period. Use existing sites and fire rings when available. J. Lubchenco 2. 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. . 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. The views of the Milky Way are among the very best Ive experienced in the United States. Also Check: Soledad Canyon Rv & Camping Resort. Angel Peak is normally pretty mellow, but does become something of a local party spot on nicer weekends, especially around holidays. Nearby Forest Road 462 is rough but has excellent dispersed campsites if you can reach them. Call the Espanola Ranger District for more information: (505) 753-7331. 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. Dont take anything but the smallest trailer here (and it likely needs high-clearance itself). This is a popular destination, so plan to arrive early on summer weekends here. Finally, one of the best resources, specifically for national forest dispersed camping, is to utilize Motor Vehicle Use Maps or MVUMs for short. Golden Clear Creek R V Park. FREE Camping Near Santa Fe, NM Santa Fe National Forest, How I Found A Killer, Free RV Camping Spot in Santa Fe New Mexico, My Winnebago RV Gets a Name Free RV Camping Santa Fe, NM, Tent Camping Smoky Mountain National Park, Camping World In Asheville North Carolina, Ouachita National Forest Dispersed Camping Map, Tent Camping Near Garden Of The Gods Colorado, Next 2 miles = gravel road about 2.5 vehicles wide, Final 2 miles = gravel road about 1 vehicle wide. 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. There are no facilities at Dog Canyon, although you may be able to use the facilities at Oliver Lee. 9 Must See Dispersed Camping Near Santa Fe, New Mexico - CamperAdvise The nearby White Mountain Wilderness is another good place to look. The place seemed safe and remarkably tidy for a free camping area adjacent to a metropolis. Dispersed camping is generally limited to 14 days within any continuous 30 day period. My favorite are the dispersed campsites just off County Road C001 in the Capitan Gap area on the way to the Capitan Mountain trailhead. Campendium is an Amazon associate site and earns from qualifying purchases. "This is a pretty sprawling campground, with all kinds of sites (tent only, large sites with only 30 amp service, some sites with full hook up, others with just water & electric and a few water only.". This includes everything from where dispersed camping is allowed in New Mexico, to what to bring, and how to minimize your impact. The Management Unit has one dirt road through it and no developed trails for any specific users. 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. United States government. Dispersed camping is abundant throughout the Sandia Ranger District in Cibola National Forest near Albuquerque. These maps are published by the Forest Service and display the entire network of forest service roads in a given National Forest. The states social-distancing order limiting groups to five or fewer people is another rule to fall by the wayside. San Antonio Campground was completely rebuilt and reopened . It describes nearly 2,400 . There are 250 developed campsites with 54 electric sites, perfect for RV camping. United States. The Caja del Rio area is part of Santa Fe National Forest. Thats it! 10 LGBTQ+-Friendly Campgrounds Throughout the U.S. Video: 5 Amazing Places to Camp for Free in the Western U.S. 5 National Park Sites Where You Can Boondock (or Find Boondocking Closeby), Best Campgrounds Near 4 of Baja Californias National Parks, How to Visit Carlsbad Caverns National Park and Where to Camp, The Best RV Campgrounds for Stargazing Adventures, How to Visit Prescott National Forest by RV and Where to Camp, How to Visit Coconino National Forest by RV and Where to Camp, 5 Alternatives to Utahs Popular National Parks, 5 Mid-Atlantic State Parks Worthy of a Detour. This campground is less established than most, and it caters largely to individuals looking for somewhere to stay overnight before beginning a Pecos backpacking trip. 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. The sites do have fire rings and theres a lot of space between sites, so you wont feel crowded next to other campers. Caja Del Rio Dispersed Camping is a National Forest in Santa Fe. Here are a few of the most important rules to follow: If youre new to primitive camping outside of developed campgrounds, I strongly recommend reading up on the 7 Leave No Trace principles before your trip. 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. 11 Forest Lane County Rd. Look elsewhere for boondocking in RVs and trailers. If you do decide to camp here be sure to explore the surrounding Angel Peak area. Caja Del Rio Dispersed Camping, Santa Fe | Roadtrippers In addition, with a little knowledge, some basic map reading skills, and some of the excellent resources available we think youll have no problem finding a perfect dispersed campsite for your next trip. Reasonably convenient to I-25 if youre driving from Santa Fe to Denver. Camping Near Santa Fe National Forest. Find a Free Campsite 16 Usc Chapter 1, Subchapter Cxxi: Jemez National Recreational Area I strongly recommend visiting what we call The Jemez (pronounced HEY-mez) . In addition, many individuals go to New Mexico in RVs to escape the severe northern winters. And, it does get quite hot in the summer. One of our favorite things about dispersed camping is the lack of permits, reservations, and other requirements youll often find at developed campgrounds. 7 Best Sites for Free Camping in New Mexico - Drivin' & Vibin' An injured man, notably an experienced hiker, spent 14 days stranded in Santa Fe National Forest before he was found by another hiker by a creek. She said her children dont have many opportunities to get outside amid the pandemic and she wanted to take them into the mountains to let them be kids again., It was amazing, Salazar said of a Thursday night spent at their dispersed site in a valley. Im not aware of any other free campsites in the immediate area. The best campsites are within about a half mile in either direction from Juan Tomas Trailhead (GPS coordinates: 35.034879, -106.320276). Located in the Sendia Ranger District of Cibola National Forest and just outside of Albuquerque youll find the Manzanita dispersed camping area. Holy Ghost Creek borders this dispersed camping area. Located just 45 minutes southeast of Farmington, this stunningly gorgeous slice of the state centers around towering Angel Peak and the surrounding badlands and canyons. This free primitive campground has 5 first-come, first-served campsites and offers the best views of the Rio Grande far below. Fee: $7 per night. Its such a health risk for everyone around, the recreationists and our staff.. Aguirre Spring Campground has the convenience of being close to the states second-largest city, yet its location on the east side of the mountains makes the site feel remote. Camping near Santa Fe National Forest. The map linked above brings you to the largest camping area, although there are many more opportunities if you venture further in. Read Book U S National Forest Campground Guide Intermountain Region Be very cautious driving here after heavy rains. Extremely beautiful desert scenery throughout the canyon. The staff is knowledgeable about the area and will help you arrange activities and tours to the local sites. Gordon Gulch Dispersed Area Nederland. Do not camp in areas near trailheads, picnic areas, or developed campgrounds. Located about 5 miles north of the town of Capitan, this expansive section of Lincoln National Forest isnt known only for its many recreational opportunities its also famous as the place where the real Smokey the Bear was found in 1950. Scuba Certification; Private Scuba Lessons; Scuba Refresher for Certified Divers; Try Scuba Diving; Enriched Air Diver (Nitrox) with a maximum RV limit of 36 feet. Santa Fe National Forest, New Mexico - Recreation.gov Grant Wingert felt lucky to find a spot along N.M. 126 on Friday afternoon as dispersed sites were filling up fast. There are also a handful of free developed campgrounds in the area, such as Cave Campground which is part of the Fort Stanton-Snowy River Cave National Conservation Area managed by the Bureau of Land Management. 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. Due to that close proximity to large cities in New Mexico and Texas, dont be surprised if you find several sites with big rigs and side-by-sides to explore rougher roads. Plan your road trip to Caja Del Rio Dispersed Camping in NM with Roadtrippers. The following free campsites are among the very best in New Mexico (in my opinion). Parks. Holy Ghost Group Area Like that delicious red or green chile, Resumidero Camping Area is a New Mexican favorite. . McLarty said these undeveloped sites have a higher accumulation of pine straw and other fuels built up, creating an even higher risk of fire. Title: Santa Fe National Forest (SFNF) Outdoor Recreation Management, Crew LeaderDates: March 27See this and similar jobs on LinkedIn. Stay informed of the latest local news by receiving emails as soon as news is posted online. The views here are truly stunning and youll be treated to some incredible sunsets and sunrises at Dog Canyon. Picnic tables, fire pits, and small corrals suited for one or two horses are available at each location. Hi. To be safe, I recommend AWD/4WD and high-clearance if you plan to venture up to the top of the Caja Del Rio Plateau. To make finding free campsites in New Mexico even easier, Ive rounded up 9 of my personal favorites to share with you below. There are sandstone cliffs, canyons, the La Ventana Natural Arch, the Chain of Craters Backcountry Byway, and the Cebolla and West Malpais Wilderness Areas. New Mexico's first State Park is set in the Sangre de Cristo Mountains pine forest, along Little Tesuque Creek.