Dispersed

Johnson Mesa Campground

Tererro, NM

Dispersed camping — conditions change

Fire restrictions, road washouts, and seasonal closures are common on public lands. Confirm current rules with the managing agency (BLM/USFS field office) before traveling. Practice Leave No Trace.

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Pricing

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Dispersed Area Free · No reservation USFS · Dispersed Camping Area

What is dispersed camping?

Dispersed camping is primitive camping on public land outside of developed campgrounds. There are no facilities — no toilets (usually), no water, no trash service, no marked sites. You may camp anywhere within the area, usually for free, subject to the agency's rules below. Pack everything out, follow Leave No Trace, and check current conditions with the land manager before you go.

Free dispersed area on the Pecos-Las Vegas RD east of Las Vegas via NM 65 + FR 153. 14 days/45. No campfires per Santa Fe NF rule. 2 pit toilets, no water.

Fire restrictions change daily. We don't publish a static fire-allowed claim — check the current order before any campfire, stove, or smoking.

Current fire orders ↗

Previously disturbed sites only
Camp ONLY in established / previously used spots. Pioneering new sites is prohibited under the management plan and subject to citation.
Pack out human waste
WAG bag (or equivalent pack-out kit) is required. Burying is not allowed in this area.
USFS Motor Vehicle Use Map required
You must use the Forest Service Motor Vehicle Use Map for this district to identify which roads allow camping. Off-MVUM driving and camping is illegal.

Managing agency: USFS · Pecos-Las Vegas Ranger District (Santa Fe NF)
Designation: Dispersed Camping Area
Max stay: 14 days per location
Road access: Graded dirt
Distance from water (LNT): 100+ ft
Vehicle notes: Located east of Las Vegas on NM 65 and FR 153

Facilities

✓ Vault toilets present (2 locations)
→Potable water: Potable water is not available at this site.

Resources & official references

Fire restrictions (live)

Santa Fe NF — alerts and current fire orders ↗
Live alerts feed for the forest. Check before any campfire or stove use.

Official agency page

USFS — Johnson Mesa Campground ↗
Official rec-area page from the managing agency.

Field office / ranger district

USFS Santa Fe National Forest ↗
Forest landing page — alerts, contact, current orders.

Leave No Trace

Leave No Trace — 7 Principles ↗
Pack everything out, camp on durable surfaces, respect wildlife, etc.

Official sources & verification

Managed by Dispersed/Primitive

Verify before you go

Source of truth

Agency source page
The page our published rules and notes are derived from.

Verify by phone or mail

Address:Tererro, NM

About

Dispersed camping area on the Pecos-Las Vegas Ranger District of the Santa Fe National Forest, located east of Las Vegas on NM 65 and FR 153. Two pit toilets, picnic tables and grills on site; no potable water. Per the Santa Fe NF dispersed-camping page, campfires are prohibited at all dispersed camping sites — propane-powered fire rings allowed during Stage 1 and 2 fire restrictions only. Forest-wide stay limit: camping for more than 14 days, whether or not consecutive, within any 45-day period. Camp at least 100 feet from streams and lakes.