First Dry Camping on National Forest Service Land in New Mexico

While waiting around for the Balloon Fiesta we decided we wanted to try out boondocking/dry/dispersed/free camping so we went to the Forestry Service office near Sante Fe and talked to a ranger.  He gave us two huge maps and pointed out spots that allow free camping.  We told him it was our first time so he suggested one area to try.  To get there we drove on New Mexico state roads and then we turned on to Forest Service roads which are not paved.  It was a slow ride on a dirt/rock road until we got to a point where the truck couldn’t pull the trailer (with a full fresh water tank) up a steeper section of gravel road.  The tires kept spinning no matter what Al tried.  It was a single lane road and there was no place to turn around so our only option was to back up.  Luckily, we noticed two free camping spots about 1/8^th mile back so Al backed the trailer all the way and then pulled into a spot.  It ended up being a gorgeous spot and we were very happy with it.  

Our goal was to see if we could make it 5 nights with just the water we had in our fresh water tank and the generator and one lead acid battery to provide our electricity needs.  There was a state campground called Paliza Campground a short walk from our free spot so we were not completely alone and they had bathrooms if our tanks got full.
 

It was a little creepy the first night staying out in the woods alone.  I was lying in bed thinking if I needed to call 911 I wouldn't know what to tell them to find us.  But, it was so quiet and we slept like babies. One night we had some of the local cows walk through our site but that was pretty much it for wildlife.  We could hear some elk but didn't see them.  

When needed, we ran the generator to charge up the battery and our devices.  Since we were alone, we could run the generator any time we wanted.  Campgrounds have quiet hour rules with restrictions when you can run generators so we didn't have to worry about that.  At night we watched stuff we previously downloaded on to our iPads.  

The first time we left the trailer alone to run errands we were nervous that someone would drive away with it.  It is our home after all!  We took some precautions but still nothing is theft proof.  The more times we left the trailer alone and returned with no issues, the more we are relaxing about leaving it alone.  This Forest Service road didn’t get very many vehicles.  Most of the “traffic” was pickup trucks going in to the forest to get firewood. 

We did many hikes from our spot following Forest Service roads in many directions.  Being out here mostly alone I was nervous if we went off the roads.  When we did I would leave little trail markers with stones or sticks to mark our route so we could find our way back. 

Along the roads on our return hike we started picking up trash and managed to pick up quite a bit.  We ran in to a few guys on a quad who where bow and arrow hunting and asked if they had any plastic bags so we could carry all the trash we were finding.  They took our current load and freed us up to pick up more.  Next time we need to remember to bring trash bags with us on these hikes.  

It was just beautiful views from our hikes.

Back at our camp, Al found a good spot to set up his new hammock.  He set it up low to start and test it out.    

He was one happy camper!  

One day we returned to our site and there was another Imagine trailer parked across the street from us.  We intended to go over and talk to them but didn’t get there in time before they left.  They were only there for a weekend.  How funny to find a fellow Imagine trailer owner out enjoying this great location.  

We loved this spot, the weather was perfect, it was completely free, and, we made it the 5 days with no problems!