Ponderosa (FR 10) in NM -- Free Camping & Overnight Parking in New Mexico
Ponderosa (FR 10) in NM
A 32.0-mile stretch of dirt National Forest road in Sandoval County, NM. The road serves Lower Vallecito Dam. The road is open seasonally, May 17 to February 29.
Santa Fe National Forest, Jemez Ranger District allows dispersed camping here -- 14-day limit in any 45 days.
16.2 of the 32 miles in are maintained only for high-clearance vehicles. 12.7 of the 32 miles in are dirt. Stretches run along a shelf with a drop of up to ~150 ft on the downhill side. Winds through 27 switchbacks. Dead-end road -- no mapped turnaround; expect to back out or unhitch. Cattle guards 1.2, 16.5, 24.2, 26.5 and 28.2 miles in. Gates 1.2, 14.3, 22.8 and 25 miles in.
A pond lies 0.1 mi off. Borrego Mesa stands 1,769 ft above the site, 2.7 miles northeast. Travellers have camped along here. The nearest town, Jemez Pueblo, is 6.1 mi off.
September normals 50–79°F, 1.6″ rain. Monthly averages, PRISM 1991–2020.
Set by Santa Fe National Forest, Jemez Ranger District. Stage 1 and 2 orders change within days -- check the current order before you build a fire.
fs.usda.gov