USFS Headquarters Well Trailhead: Desert Camping Near Santa Fe, NM

27 reviews

Forest Rd 24, Santa Fe, NM 87507, USA

USFS Headquarters Well Trailhead Introduce

USFS Headquarters Well Trailhead, located on Forest Rd 24, Santa Fe, NM 87507, offers a unique desert camping experience within the Campgrounds & RV Parks category. This location provides free Bureau of Land Management (BLM) camping in a desert setting, offering spacious sites and easy access to Santa Fe.

Based on customer reviews, USFS Headquarters Well Trailhead provides:

Free BLM camping in a desert environment.
Spacious campsites, offering a sense of privacy.
Easy access to Santa Fe.
A generally safe camping environment, with no reported issues.
Adequate space for various vehicles, though lower cars may encounter ruts.

However, visitors should be aware of the following conditions:

Dry, dusty, and windy conditions, as expected in a desert environment.
Potential for some trash in the area.
Challenging driving conditions on the "frontage road" west of the trailhead, requiring good ground clearance.
Potential navigational challenges due to unmarked roads and a dead-end sign.

The location offers a rustic, free camping experience, ideal for those seeking a more rugged outdoor adventure. The spacious sites and proximity to Santa Fe make it a convenient option for travelers exploring the area. The reviews suggest a safe and generally positive experience, despite the desert conditions and potential navigational challenges.

For local users, USFS Headquarters Well Trailhead offers a convenient and free camping option near Santa Fe. The spacious sites and easy access to the city make it suitable for weekend getaways or longer stays. However, it is essential to be prepared for dry, dusty, and windy conditions and to exercise caution when navigating the surrounding roads. It is recommended to have a vehicle with good ground clearance and to follow the advice of other campers regarding road conditions and navigation. Always be mindful of leaving no trace.

Location

New Mexico Santa Fe County Santa Fe Forest Road 24

Customer Reviews

4.0

27 reviews

Marsh Jones (MNSwamp)

Nov 02, 2023

BLM camping in a desert setting. Lots of vehicles, but it never felt crowded. We were there twice this trip, a week apart. Both times it was dry, dusty and windy (as you'd expect). It's easy to get in, feels reasonably safe, no weird people encounters, no stray dogs or night critters. Easy enough access to Santa Fe. One tip - I'd avoid going west on the 'frontage road' when leaving unless you have good ground clearance. And if you do go that way, there's a dead end sign at the 'end'. Just follow all the other cars heading into the gravel operation, and it'll come out the other side of the wash :)

Shayla Fortune

May 23, 2024

A nice safe place to camp outside Santa Fe. Its a fairly flat area with dirt roads but most vehicles can access them. We had no issue in our Chevy Equinox- lower cars may have issues with ruts in road in some places. It was quiet all night and morning when we were there. While we had neighbors, we were by no means packed in there like sardines. There was a lot of dust and wind and some trash, otherwise it would be 5 stars.

Kelly B

Dec 17, 2022

Real decent spot to boondock for free outside Santa Fe! Vault toilets werent bad, and we had ATT cell service the whole time. Just be wary of the agressive stray dogs and people that roam around.

Rose Scott

Feb 18, 2025

Beautifully peaceful and quiet. I was completely alone my 1st night and then again 3 nights later.

Mini House Big Living

Mar 29, 2022

Verizon - download 58.9 mbps, upload 7.29 mbps AT&T - download 31.6 mbps, upload 2.31 mbps We were both able to be on webinars/video calls during the day. Plenty of spots and space! We went to the left (as previous reviewers suggested) and it was fine. 20 minutes into the city and FREE… can’t beat it!