Pacheco Canyon (FR 102) in NM -- Free Camping & Overnight Parking in New Mexico

A 7.2-mile stretch of dirt National Forest road in Santa Fe County, NM.

Santa Fe National Forest, Espanola Ranger District allows dispersed camping here -- 14-day limit in any 45 days. Camp at least 100 ft from water.

All 7.2 miles in are maintained only for high-clearance vehicles. 7 of the 7.2 miles in are dirt. Stretches run along a shelf with a drop of up to ~140 ft on the downhill side. Little level ground alongside -- few of the stretches measured have a flat spot to pull onto. Winds through 11 switchbacks. Dead-end road -- no mapped turnaround; expect to back out or unhitch. Cattle guards 0, 1.3, 1.3 and 6.9 miles in. Gates 0, 1.3, 4.2 and 7.2 miles in.

A well-travelled stretch -- travellers have camped along here. Aspen Peak stands 3,491 ft above the site, 4.8 miles east. Private here -- the nearest through road is 1.7 miles off. A pond lies 0.6 mi off. Night skies measure Bortle 3 -- a dark rural sky. The nearest town, Tesuque, is 3.5 mi off.