Bureau of Land Management
Learn about camping and boondocking on BLM land
Hackberry Lake Campground North
This is a developed campground intended for OHV riders, but is also used by RVers visiting Carlsbad Caverns and the town of Carlsbad. There are 12 campsites here, each with a covered picnic table. Some of the sites have cooking grills, and a few have a trash can. There is also a vault toilet here.
Hackberry Lake Campground South
This is a developed campground offered by the Bureau of Land Management for free. The BLM officially designates this for "Overnight Use", but most people here stay here over a weekend. There are about 8 to 9 campsites here with picnic tables, fire rings, and a vault toilet.
Chosa Campground, Carlsbad, NM
This is a large open space created by the Bureau of Land Management specifically for RV camping. It's located about 30 minutes south of Carlsbad, NM, and about 20 minutes south of Carlsbad Caverns National Park Visitors Center. The only amenity is a trash dumpster.
Aden Hills OHV Area
This is a large, desert flat set aside by the Bureau of Land Management specifically for OHV use. Most of the camping is set up at a staging area close to the County Road. There is an old shade structure there with an information kiosk. You can also camp in other areas, but you'll be subject to OHV riders speeding by your camp.
Spring-on-the-Bluff, Gila Lower Box Canyon
This is a single campsite located at the top of a tall cliff, overlooking the Gila River, accessed by a dirt road. This one of three camping areas and river access sites identified by the Bureau of Land Management at Gila Lower Box Canyon. This campsite offers some of the best views of the Gila River and the surrounding riparian area.
Fisherman’s Point, Gila Lower Box Canyon
This is a popular fishing area along the Gila River going back several decades. Today, it's mostly a place to camp and photograph flowers and wildlife, though fishing is still permitted here with a license. There are no amenities, no trash cans, no nothing. There are a few places you can set up camp here.
Nichols Canyon, Gila Lower Box Canyon
Specifically identified by the Bureau of Land Management as designated camping area, Nichols Canyon is located along the east bank of the Gila River, about 10 miles east of Virden, NM. 4WD vehicles with high clearance is required to get here due to soft sand in numerous places.
Angel Peak Campground
This is a developed campground operated by the Bureau of Land Management through their Farmington Field Office. There are nine sites with picnic tables and fire rings. Most of these sites are large enough for full sized RVs. Access into the campground is from Highway 550, then take an unmarked dirt road heading east (Rd 7175) about six miles to the end.
Brown Springs Campground
This is a developed campground offered by the Bureau of Land Management for free. However, because it's part of the greater Glade Run Recreation Area, a camping permit is required, The good news is that the camping permit is free, and can filled out, photographed, and emailed to the BLM.
Dunes OHV Recreation Area
This small piece of BLM land was set aside specifically for OHV riding enthusiasts, but also accommodates vehicle campers. There are actually some covered picnic tables here, but are often spray-painted over with graffiti, and laden with trash. The entire area is fraught with litter, but it does offer a free camping area close to Farmington.
