Dispersed Camping in Colfax County, New Mexico
Showing 115 locations in Colfax County.
American Creek Camp
A scenic backcountry camping area along American Creek that is strictly private and reserved for registered youth groups.
American Creek Cow Camp
A historic trail camp located on private property within Philmont Scout Ranch, accessible only to registered backcountry hiking expeditions.
Anasazi Camp
A quiet backcountry trail camp located in the canyon country of the private Philmont Scout Ranch. This wilderness camp is designated for registered Boy Scouts of America program participants on official treks and is not accessible to the general public.
Aspen Springs Camp
A private hike-in backcountry scout camp nestled in the pine forests of Philmont Scout Ranch.
Baldy Mountain Trail Camps
A cluster of historic backcountry trail camps situated around Baldy Mountain on the private property of Philmont Scout Ranch. These wilderness campsites are reserved exclusively for registered youth and adult participants on scheduled treks. General public access, overnight parking, and dispersed camping are strictly prohibited.
Bear Creek Camp
A scenic backcountry backpacking camp nestled along Bear Creek within Philmont Scout Ranch. Consists of multiple designated hike-in sites situated in a pristine forest.
Bear Wallow & Rio Chiquito Dispersed Camping
A scenic dispersed camping corridor situated within the Carson National Forest near Angel Fire. Bear Wallow and the adjacent Rio Chiquito forest roads offer several primitive pullouts nestled among the pines. The dirt roads are composed of native materials, which can become slick during wet periods, but otherwise provide straightforward access to quiet forest sites.
Beatty Lakes Backcountry Camp
A quiet backcountry camping area located near Beatty Lakes in the scenic Valle Vidal unit of Carson National Forest. This is a hike-in or horseback access site offering serene high-country meadows and ponderosa pine surroundings. No vehicle access is permitted directly to the lakeside.
Beatty Lakes Low Impact Camp
A designated low-impact backcountry camp situated south of Beatty Lakes in the Valle Vidal unit of Carson National Forest. Ideal for backpackers seeking solitude in a pristine wilderness environment.
Bent Camp
Bent is a backcountry trail camp located within the private property of Philmont Scout Ranch, restricted to registered scouting groups.
Black Jack Campground
A scenic developed campground nestled along the Cimarron River in Cimarron Canyon State Park, offering gravel spurs beneath tall ponderosa pines.
Black Mountain Camp
Located within the private Philmont Scout Ranch backcountry, this historic-themed staff camp is accessible only to registered scout participants on scheduled treks.
Buck Creek Camp
A quiet backcountry trail camp located along Buck Creek inside the boundaries of Philmont Scout Ranch.
Campos Heck Camp
A backcountry trail camp on private scout ranch land. Restricted to registered trek participants.
Capulin Volcano National Monument
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Carson National Forest near Angel Fire, NM
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Chase Canyon Camp
A backcountry trail camp on private scout ranch land. Restricted to registered trek participants.
Chase Ranch Camping
A rustic camping area located near the historic Chase Ranch and Chase Trailhead, accessible via a rough four-wheel-drive road.
Cibola National Forest near Springer, NM
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Cimarron Campground
Cimarron Campground is located in the scenic Valle Vidal area within the Carson National Forest. Tucked among spruce, aspen, and fir trees, this developed campground features 36 overnight campsites, including equestrian sites and horse corrals. Visitors can enjoy trout fishing in Comanche Creek and Shuree Ponds, as well as horseback riding in the surrounding wilderness. An on-site host is typically present.
Cimarroncito
An official backcountry camp on private scout ranch land, serving as a hub for rock climbing and hiking programs.
Clear Creek Camp
A remote backcountry trail camp situated near Clear Creek. This site is located within the private boundaries of the Philmont Scout Ranch and is strictly restricted to registered scout crews with active trek permits.
Colin Neblett SWA - Green Mountain Road
Rough mountain road climbing up Green Mountain within the Colin Neblett State Wildlife Area, just outside Cimarron Canyon State Park. Provides primitive pull-off sites with panoramic views of Eagle Nest Lake.
Comanche Creek Camp
A serene, primitive camping area situated alongside Comanche Creek in the pristine Valle Vidal unit of Carson National Forest.
Comanche Peak Camp
A backcountry trail camp located near the summit of Comanche Peak. This is a strictly controlled hike-in campsite reserved exclusively for registered scout groups on scheduled treks.
Cook Canyon Camp
Cook Canyon Camp is a rugged trail camp situated in the northern backcountry of the private Philmont Scout Ranch.
County Line Road Dispersed
Dispersed camping is permitted along this dirt forest road within the Cibola National Forest. The road is composed of native dirt material and is open year-round to all vehicles.
Coyote Howl Camp
A backcountry trail camp on private scout ranch land. Restricted to registered trek participants.
Crooked Creek Camp
A staff-operated backcountry camp at Philmont Scout Ranch, representing a homestead setting with gorgeous mountain views.
Dean Heck Camp
Dean Heck Camp is a backcountry trail camp located within the private boundaries of the Philmont Scout Ranch, accessible exclusively to registered scout crews on official treks.
Divide Camp
A remote backcountry camp situated along the ridge trails. Restricted private property belonging to Philmont Scout Ranch, accessible only to registered participants on official treks.
Eagle Nest Lake State Park Campground
This developed state park campground offers paved access and designated campsites right along the scenic shores of Eagle Nest Lake.
Ewells Park Camp
A backcountry trail camp located on the private lands of Philmont Scout Ranch, accessible only to registered scout crews on official treks.
Fish Camp
A historic backcountry camp situated at the confluence of the Rayado and Agua Fria creeks within Philmont Scout Ranch, famous as Waite Phillips' former fishing retreat.
Forest Road 76 Dispersed (Carson National Forest)
A scenic dispersed camping corridor situated along Forest Road 76 (Quemado Road) and its connecting spurs in Carson National Forest. The area features numerous dirt pulloffs with established fire rings, offering ample spacing, mixed pine forests, and access to local trails.
Forest Road 76 Dispersed Camping
Scenic dispersed camping corridor located along Forest Road 76 in Carson National Forest. The road features multiple pull-offs and clearings set amidst the pine forest, offering stunning mountain views to the east and southeast. While some flat spots exist, the access road is rough, rutted, and requires careful navigation, particularly for low-clearance vehicles or during wet weather.
Forest Road Unit 101 Dispersed
A scenic dispersed camping corridor situated along Forest Road Unit 101 within the Kiowa National Grasslands, administered by the Cibola National Forest. The route offers roadside pull-outs among vast prairie landscapes and quiet rolling grasslands.
Forest Spur (Cibola National Forest)
A remote forest spur road offering dispersed camping opportunities in the Cibola National Forest system. The terrain features open rolling plains and typical prairie landscapes near the Kiowa National Grasslands.
Forest Spur Dispersed
A quiet Forest Service spur road in Carson National Forest offering dispersed camping options along a native-material dirt road. Located in the mountains of northern New Mexico, it provides basic forest camping within reach of nearby towns.
Forest Spur
A scenic National Forest spur road located near Angel Fire in the Carson National Forest, offering access to seasonal dispersed camping on native dirt surfaces.
Garcia Cow Camp
A remote backcountry camp on the western side of Philmont Scout Ranch, offering a scenic meadow setting and a quiet wilderness environment.
Greenwood Canyon Camp
A quiet, primitive camping area situated within the scenic wooded canyon of the Carson National Forest near Angel Fire.
Heck Meadow Camp
Heck Meadow is a backcountry trail camp located within the private Philmont Scout Ranch, accessible only to registered scouting participants on official treks.
Hells Fire Canyon Camp
A backcountry trail camp on private scout ranch land. Restricted to registered trek participants.
House Canyon Camp
A secluded wilderness trail camp in the northern canyon system of the private Philmont Scout Ranch. This site provides basic backcountry cleared areas reserved strictly for authorized scouting treks.
Indian Writings Camp
A historic, staffed backcountry camp located along the canyon walls of the private Philmont Scout Ranch. Famous for nearby petroglyphs, this location is strictly limited to authorized scouting groups on scheduled wilderness treks.
Iris Park Campground
A remote camping area located along Ring To Beatty Road in the scenic Valle Vidal unit of Carson National Forest.
KOA Raton
A developed private campground offering pull-through sites with electrical hookups, premium tent sites, hot showers, clean restrooms, and an on-site dog run. Ideal for large rigs needing hookups and convenient road access near local services.
La Jara Canyon (FR 5) Dispersed Camping
An expansive forest corridor along Forest Road 5 (La Jara Canyon) in the Carson National Forest. Grassy, flat sites are nestled amongst deep pine and aspen trees, many running parallel to a seasonal creek. The main dirt road is well-graded and easily navigated, though individual campsite spurs can have steep entrance drops, mud, or deep ruts. Free-roaming cattle graze the surrounding meadows.
Lake Dorothey State Wildlife Area
A scenic state wildlife area located on the New Mexico-Colorado border, offering serene backcountry walk-in camping near the lake. Access is strictly hike-in from the designated parking area, making it a peaceful haven for backpackers.
Lake Dorothey SWA State Park
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Little Twin Camp
A backcountry trail camp on private scout ranch land. Restricted to registered trek participants.
Lower Mesteno Access Corridor
A scenic dispersed camping corridor situated along the Lower Mesteno Access road in the Cibola National Forest. The native-surface dirt roads lead to spectacular canyon vistas. While the main route is accessible to most standard rigs in dry conditions, high-clearance vehicles are recommended for the rougher spurs, and the entire area becomes highly treacherous and muddy during wet weather.
Martinez Springs Camp
A secluded backcountry scout camp offering trail-side shelter for permitted hiking crews.
Maverick Campground
A developed state park campground situated along the scenic Cimarron River. It features 64 campsites equipped with picnic tables and fire rings, making it a convenient base for exploring nearby hiking trails and fishing ponds.
Maverick Motel Campground
A quiet and basic commercial camping area situated on a hilltop at the south end of Raton. Managed by the Maverick Motel, this spot provides designated overnight spaces with mountain views, fresh water, picnic tables, fire pits, and grills.
Maxwell National Wildlife Refuge Campground
Located within the Maxwell National Wildlife Refuge next to Lake 13, this primitive camping area offers lakeside views against a mountain backdrop. Managed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, it features a 5-night stay limit and basic amenities including vault toilets and picnic tables. It is an excellent spot for birdwatching and wildlife viewing, though visitors should prepare for heavy mosquito populations in the warmer months and a few miles of dirt road access.
McCrystal Campground
A remote, rustic developed campground situated in the rolling grasslands and ponderosa pines of the eastern Valle Vidal. This high-country campground serves as an excellent basecamp for hiking, fishing, and viewing the local elk herds.
McCrystal Creek Campground
A peaceful developed campground within the Valle Vidal unit, featuring spacious sites set under mature ponderosa pines.
Metcalf Station
Metcalf Station is an interpretive trail camp on Philmont Scout Ranch showcasing historical railway themes for registered participants.
Middle Mesteno Access Dispersed
A quiet dispersed camping corridor situated on public grasslands along Middle Mesteno Access road and its adjacent spurs. The terrain is flat with native dirt surfaces, making it a convenient stop for self-contained rigs looking for standard dispersed options near the canyon area.
Middle Ponil Camp
A remote backcountry trail camp located in the scenic Valle Vidal unit of the Carson National Forest.
Middle Ponil Road Dispersed
A quiet dispersed camping corridor along Middle Ponil Road within the Carson National Forest.
Mills Canyon Campground & Dispersed Area
A remote camping area nestled in a deep canyon within the Kiowa National Grasslands. It features a developed rim-level campground and a primitive canyon-floor campground with picnic tables, fire rings, and pit toilets, alongside nearby dispersed sites. Accessing the canyon floor requires navigating a steep, rocky, and winding descent that is highly challenging for low-clearance vehicles and completely unsuitable for trailers or large RVs.
Mills Canyon Campground
Located at the bottom of the scenic Canadian River canyon within Kiowa National Grasslands, Mills Canyon Campground offers a rugged and primitive developed camping experience. The descent into the canyon is via a steep, narrow dirt road that is not suitable for large RVs or trailers. Once inside, campers are treated to beautiful riparian scenery, historic stone ruins, and excellent peace and quiet.
Mills Canyon Rim Campground
A scenic developed campground situated on the rim of Mills Canyon within the Kiowa National Grasslands. This location features quiet, individual sites equipped with picnic tables and fire rings, making it an excellent base for taking in views of the canyon below. Big rigs are suited for this rim area but should avoid attempting the steep road down into the canyon.
Mills Canyon Road Dispersed
This scenic dirt route winds down into Mills Canyon within the Kiowa National Grasslands, offering peaceful dispersed camping opportunities. It features multiple quiet pullouts surrounded by rugged canyon scenery.
Mistletoe Camp
Mistletoe Camp is a backcountry trail camp located within the private boundaries of the Philmont Scout Ranch, restricted exclusively to registered participants on official treks.
Mt Phillips Camp
This is a secluded backcountry trail camp located near the summit of Mount Phillips, accessible only by hiking trails within the private Philmont Scout Ranch.
North Ponil Camp
A backcountry campsite located within the private boundaries of the Philmont Scout Ranch, strictly restricted to registered trek participants.
NRA Whittington RV Campground
A developed facility near Raton offering both full-hookup RV sites and scenic primitive camping areas. The property features hot showers, clean restrooms, and frequent wildlife sightings set against a mountainous backdrop.
Ok Canyon Dispersed Area
Dispersed camping opportunities located along the Ok Canyon corridor within the Carson National Forest, near Palo Flechado Pass. The dirt road winds through a forested canyon setting, offering quiet and peaceful campsites suitable for a variety of rigs during the open season.
Osha Pass Dispersed Camping
Scenic dispersed camping corridor along Osha Pass in Carson National Forest. Native dirt and gravel road winding through pine forests, offering a quiet, rustic getaway near Angel Fire. Accessible to most vehicles in dry conditions, providing a natural boondocking experience within close proximity to local services.
Palisades Sill Picnic Area Parking
This paved parking area serves the scenic Palisades Sill day-use and picnic area within Cimarron Canyon State Park, where overnight parking and camping are strictly prohibited.
Philmont Scout Ranch - North Backcountry Camps
This zone encompasses multiple historic and program backcountry trail camps within the northern section of the private Philmont Scout Ranch. Access and overnight camping are strictly limited to registered Boy Scouts of America participants with pre-arranged trek permits.
Philmont Scout Ranch Backcountry Camps
A vast network of private backcountry trail camps located within the Philmont Scout Ranch. These sites are strictly reserved for registered wilderness hiking programs and are entirely closed to public vehicle camping.
Philmont Scout Ranch Backcountry
This area covers the backcountry trail camps and staff camps located within the private boundaries of the Philmont Scout Ranch. These wilderness sites and the surrounding mountain terrain are strictly reserved for registered participants of official scout programs. Access is restricted to private ranch roads and trail systems, with general public vehicle transit and overnight camping prohibited.
Philmont Scout Ranch Backcountry Trail Camps
A cluster of private backcountry trail camps located within the Philmont Scout Ranch wilderness. These remote camps are strictly reserved for registered participants on official scouting expeditions and are completely closed to public vehicle access.
Philmont Scout Ranch Private Backcountry
A vast network of backcountry trail camps located entirely within the private property of Philmont Scout Ranch. These backcountry sites are strictly reserved for registered participants of official scouting expeditions and are closed to the general public. There is no public vehicle access or public dispersed camping permitted anywhere within the ranch boundaries.
Philmont Scout Ranch Trail Camps (West)
A collection of backcountry trail camps located within the private boundaries of Philmont Scout Ranch, closed to the general public.
Philmont Training Center
The Philmont Training Center offers overnight accommodations to the public, including wall tents, cabins, and glamping options. Designated vehicle and RV hookups are extremely limited, though ample passenger vehicle parking is provided on-site.
Ponderosa Campground
A developed state park campground configured as a large gravel parking area with designated sites along the outer edge. The north side borders the creek while the south side looks out toward the canyon walls.
Ponil Campground
Ponil Campground is a restricted developed campsite situated near Cimarron, primarily serving participants of the Philmont Scout Ranch.
Pueblano Camp
This backcountry camp is located in the rugged mountains of the private Philmont Scout Ranch and is restricted strictly to registered participants on official treks.
Pueblano Ruins Camp
Pueblano Ruins Camp is a wilderness campsite located on the private Philmont Scout Ranch property and is restricted to registered program participants.
Quemado Forest Road Dispersed
A quiet dispersed camping corridor along the Quemado forest road within Carson National Forest. The route winds through pine forests near Angel Fire, offering several roadside pull-outs suitable for boondocking.
Raton Urban Overnight Parking
This zone covers informal overnight parking options within the city of Raton, including the Raton Visitor Center parking lot and the Bonahoon Park parking area. The visitor center allows overnight parking at your own risk, while the park parking area offers quiet street-level parking under trees, though both sites are close to local services.
Red Hills Camp
A mountain backcountry camp located along the trails of Philmont Scout Ranch near Mount Phillips. Hike-in access only; restricted to authorized scout expeditions.
Rich Cabins
Rich Cabins is a historic backcountry trail site on Philmont Scout Ranch, offering living history programs to registered scouts.
Ring Place Trailhead
A historic homestead site and trailhead located near McCrystal Campground. While vehicle camping is prohibited here, it serves as an educational stop and hiking trailhead.
Ring To Beatty Road Dispersed
A quiet dispersed camping corridor situated along the Ring To Beatty road within Carson National Forest. The native dirt road offers several wooded pull-offs for self-contained campers seeking a peaceful forest experience.
Salado Creek Road Dispersed
Dispersed camping corridor along Salado Creek Road and its forest spurs within Cibola National Forest. The area offers quiet, dispersed sites set among light pine and juniper trees, suitable for self-contained rigs looking for peaceful forest boondocking.
Saladon Camp
A remote backcountry trail camp situated on private ranch lands, restricted exclusively to authorized scouting treks.
Seally Canyon Trailhead
A remote trailhead and parking area providing access to the hiking trails of Seally Canyon in the eastern section of the Valle Vidal.
Sioux Camp
Sioux Camp is a designated trail camp nestled along the canyon trails of the private Philmont Scout Ranch.
Slate Hill Heck Low Impact Camp
A remote backcountry camp located within the Philmont Scout Ranch property near Cimarron Canyon, strictly reserved for registered participants.
Soda Pocket Campground - Site 3
A designated campsite located along Soda Pocket Road within Sugarite Canyon State Park, offering a scenic and quiet wooded setting near Little Horse Mesa.
Springer Public Parking
A paved public parking area located just off the highway near Springer, offering a basic option for a quick rest stop.
Sugarite Canyon State Park - Lake Alice Campground
An established developed campground situated within Sugarite Canyon State Park, offering nicely spaced campsites near Lake Alice and Chicorica Creek. The campground features electric hookups and water at several sites, with well-maintained facilities. Surrounded by beautiful forest scenery, it offers a peaceful stay near fishing lakes.
Tolby Campground
A scenic developed campground situated along the Tolby Creek trout stream in Cimarron Canyon State Park. Features shaded sites with fire rings, picnic tables, and vault toilets. Ideal for creek fishing and hiking the nearby Tolby Trail.
Tolby Headwaters Campground
A remote, rustic camping area situated near the headwaters of Tolby Creek within the scenic Carson National Forest.
Tooth Ridge Camp
Tooth Ridge Camp is a historic backcountry trail camp located on the Philmont Scout Ranch, offering spectacular wilderness camping near the iconic Tooth of Time peak for registered trek participants.
Touch-Me-Not Creek Camp
A seasonal backcountry trail camp situated on private scout ranch property, requiring pre-arranged trek permits for access.
Unit 107 Dispersed Camping
A dirt access road located within the Cibola National Forest, offering dispersed camping opportunities on native material terrain. It is suitable for all vehicle classes looking for a quiet forest setting.
Upper Greenwood Low Impact Camp
This is a low-impact trail camp located within the private boundaries of the Philmont Scout Ranch.
Upper Pot Creek Road Dispersed
A seasonal dirt forest road corridor winding through Carson National Forest, providing dispersed camping sites in a serene, wooded environment near Angel Fire.
Ute Park Pass
A remote trail camp located along the high-elevation routes of Philmont Scout Ranch.
Valle Vidal Road Dispersed
A scenic dirt corridor passing through the beautiful Valle Vidal section of the Carson National Forest, offering quiet roadside pull-offs. The road is a well-graded dirt and gravel route suitable for most vehicles in dry conditions, providing an excellent base for exploring the surrounding wilderness.
Volcano Road Pullout
A spacious gravel and dirt pull-off located along Volcano Road, situated just outside the entrance of Capulin Volcano National Monument. This roadside area offers level parking with panoramic views of the surrounding volcanic landscape. It serves as a highly convenient staging point for early morning visits to the monument, though it lacks any amenities or shade.
Webster Parks Camp
A wilderness hike-in campsite situated in the grassy meadows and ponderosa pine stands of the private ranch.
Whiteman Vega Camp
A designated group campground located in the scenic and remote Valle Vidal section of the Carson National Forest.
Wild Horse Camp
This is a backcountry trail camp located within the private Philmont Scout Ranch, strictly restricted to registered scout treks with no public vehicle access.
Wild Horse Park Camp
This wilderness backpacking site is situated in the high-country of Philmont Scout Ranch and is restricted to permitted hiking groups.
Willow Springs RV Park
A well-maintained commercial RV park located just off Interstate 25 in Raton. It offers full-hookup sites, gravel pads, mature shade trees, and a dedicated tent camping area. On-site facilities include clean restrooms, hot showers, and laundry, making it a convenient overnight stop for travelers.
Zastrow Camp
Zastrow Camp is a staffed campsite located on the private Philmont Scout Ranch, requiring pre-arranged permits and scout registration.