Mineral Hill (FR 18) in NM -- Free Camping & Overnight Parking in New Mexico
Mineral Hill (FR 18) in NM
A 39.1-mile stretch of dirt National Forest road in San Miguel County, NM. The road serves Johnson Mesa.
Santa Fe National Forest, Pecos-Las Vegas Ranger District allows dispersed camping here -- 14-day limit in any 45 days.
25.6 of the 39.1 miles in are maintained only for high-clearance vehicles. 24.1 of the 39.1 miles in are dirt. Climbs 6,400 ft over 39.1 miles -- sustained grades near 12%, with pitches to 26%. Stretches run along a shelf with a drop of up to ~130 ft on the downhill side. Winds through 36 switchbacks. Dead-end road -- no mapped turnaround; expect to back out or unhitch.
Bear Mountain stands 722 ft above the site, 0.6 miles southwest. A well-travelled stretch -- travellers have camped along here. Private here -- the nearest through road is 1.0 miles off. Grindstone Spring lies 1.1 mi off. The nearest town, Las Vegas, is 15 mi off.
September normals 39–70°F, 2.4″ rain. Monthly averages, PRISM 1991–2020.
Set by Santa Fe National Forest, Pecos-Las Vegas Ranger District. Stage 1 and 2 orders change within days -- check the current order before you build a fire.
fs.usda.gov