Canyon of the Ancients NM | Wild Camping

October 30th, 2023 by robyn.reuter

Other reviews are correct - just plug in the coordinates to google maps and it will bring you to the cattle guard. There are at least 9 sites here. You can make it in with 2 wheel drive and high clearance.

Also, I found and took care of the flip flops from the last poster.

October 23rd, 2023 by jabbondola

Beautiful view but I would recommend 4x4 and high clearance only for this road. We took our rwd ford transit van and we were worried about it the way there and back. Road is in the worst condition at start and end of path, just a bunch of jagged rocks. Once you’re on the road you’re committed to going all the way or backing out. Right around midnight we ended up leaving since it sounded like a critter was trying to get into our gray water tank. Not an easy road to make a quick get away in the dark.

We accidentally left two pairs of flip flops up there. Cant return due to road condition so please someone keep them or toss them so we leave no trace 🙏🏻

October 12th, 2022 by earthsguide

Beautiful spot with a view worth seeing.
Few campers here, number of spots so everyone spread out.
Million dollar sunsets with monument valley in the back drop 👍🏻👍🏻

April 10th, 2022 by jasonandsharon

The first quarter mile leading up to the top is a hot mess. Lots and lots of rocks. Be prepared to go slow and to have to dodge the big rocks in the road. But once you make it to the top, the view is incredible. Most spots have a stone fire ring. I wouldn’t go towards the left once at the top - those spots seem to be over grown and have lots of cow poop scattered throughout. The first two spots seem to be the best and to the right

April 10th, 2022 by celestialtravelers777

this spot is beautiful!! BUT there are some cons to consider.

the road here is quite bumpy especially right in the beginning there are quite a few sharp edged rocks that you have to drive thru. we have a 24ft rv and got in with not too many issues but still a lot on the transmission with all the shaking and maneuvering.
another issue is the internet, we have mint mobile and t mobile and we had VERY spotty signal and we were hoping to stay here for a week and do work but the signal is not good enough. we were both getting 2,3,4 bars and then it would cut out completely. so not stable for working remotely.

were here on april 10th, and it's extremely windy. the rv was rocking all night and it was hard to be outside with the winds. Definitely check windy.com for what the weather is like up here.

we ended up staying only one night and leaving jn rhe morning.

other than that, if you can catch this spot in perf condition it's very very beautiful with the overlook.

March 29th, 2022 by montechie

Multiple great spots overlooking the valley. Strong Verizon LTE. Road looks fine when dry for cars with a little clearance or careful driving. When wet 4wd recommended there are some ruts that could stick a car.

November 28th, 2021 by spencerontheroad

Take the left after the cattle guard as described— road is dry and bumpy on the first incline for 1/4 mile or so but only gets better from there. So long as it’s not wet, 2wd (with some clearance) is just fine! Absolutely stunning views, not a soul drove by all day yesterday or this morning.

August 23rd, 2021 by furthuronthefly

Google maps doesn't realize the BLM road you need to take exists so it wants you to keep going down Road N... Don't bother no campsites down there! As soon as you get to the area look left, if you see a rough looking road going slight uphill that's where you need to turn. Should be BLM camping signs as well.

Some rough patches in the road but nothing to terrible, if you're in 2wd with decent clearance you should be OK, just pick good lines in those spots. A few muddy spots as well but not deep. We are in 2wd Sprinter and made it just fine.

Arrived on a Monday on we are the only ones here. One other vehicle when we arrived but I think they were just here for the day.

Quiet. Amazing views. Peaceful. Clean. Nice firepits. A bit warm @ 86 but good shady spots at the sites. Lots of great campsites within 200ft of arrival.

June 25th, 2021 by R Thompson

Only one other camper here when I was there. Great view, no bugs, great cell service on Verizon. Road is a little bumpy but should be doable in most vehicles.

June 19th, 2021 by escapodwithdavidandjill

It was a hot June day, upper 90s, but not bad when the wind blows. A little buggy when the wind dies down but not too bad. There are a number of spots along the rim with fire pits and spectacular views. Well worth the time coming back the bumpy road to get here.

May 30th, 2021 by jg7xrad

Incredible site. The first few sites are the best within the first mile upon reaching the cliffs. You can keep looking down the road if you like but the road gets rougher with fewer developed sites. Very private, very beautiful.

May 19th, 2021 by hiking.miller

spectacular place, as described. dirt road on the left after you cross a cattle grate, as you enter the national monument. road is a bit bumpy and narrow in spots. we were able to squeeze in with our truck camper.

September 30th, 2020 by adventureinspogram

Quite possibly the single best camping spot I have ever visited. Breathtaking cliff-side camping. Plenty of spots. The last stretch of the road in was quite rough when we visited. Would be difficult with low clearance. Also note that Apple Maps doesn’t register the last mile or so as a road so it will only take you to the bottom of where the road gets rough. Was easy enough to navigate from there looking at satellite though. Please treat this place well. No toilets, no trash service.

August 6th, 2020 by courval33

Great spot with amazing views. There are several camp spots along the ridge. Pretty windy but to be expected give the exposed spot on the ridge.

June 11th, 2020 by thatchillaxdude

We're here now, and it's spectacular! We pulled in right at sunset, and immediately started jumping up-and-down because of the views and the fact that we had the entire place to ourselves. We picked out our fave spot, enjoyed the sunset, set up camp, and settled in as we were serenaded by crickets. We were greeted in the morning by more great views.

Note:
• What's more we have full bars and 4G LTE service with our WeBoost, so there's no need to run into Cortez to work.

• We navigated here with Google Maps and it brought through pastures farm lands, just like the others have said. We downloaded MapsMe and Google Maps offline map data before we arrived in the area, just in case there were mobile dead zones.

October 26th, 2019 by jeanne

Wow! Gorgeous view. Not kid safe with the steep drop off the edge but just beautiful. We arrived just before sunset and we’re blown away by the view and solitude. Room for a few campers, a couple of level spots.

May 18th, 2019 by rubyontheroad

Really beautiful views over a valley but you need to drive a ways after the initial pull offs to get here. A few others camping here but plenty of room to spread out.

June 2nd, 2018 by Andrew Pettit

Great spot. Secluded and quiet overlooking a huge canyon and valley. I was there on a weekend and still was only 2 other sites taken.

April 26th, 2018 by globusgo

Amazing view!!!
In BLM managed NM. Free.
Access via dirt road. High clearance 2WD is no problem (we have a VW vanagon).
...amazing view. Google maps gets you to the left turn onto BLM. See sign.
(It's 1 mile past the trailhead on the left.)