Charrette Lakes Campsite Wagon Mound NM Boondocking Location

Charrette Lakes Campsite
Wagon Mound NM Boondocking Location

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Charrette Lakes Campsite Wagon Mound NM boondocking location: Thirteen miles north of Wagon Mound, New Mexico, on dirt road marked 569 that begins in Colfax County and ends in Mora County, traveling west from a crossroads, with no signs save for the settlement of Colmor, which is east of the crossroads.

The lake is located atop the butte and features bathrooms, fishing, and camping. Almost no shade, but picnic tables and rudimentary fire pits. Signs at the entrance, no trash, no water, numerous acres of lake.

About This Location

p>Looking for a quiet boondocking spot in New Mexico? Charrette Lakes might just hit the mark.

The Charrette Lakes Campsite Wagon Mound NM boondocking location sits about 13-15 miles north of Wagon Mound, tucked away from highways and towns. You’ll find free, open camping along dirt roads near the lakes, with loads of space and hardly anyone nearby.

This area belongs to the Charrette Lakes Wildlife Area, a mix of open land and water. It’s peaceful—perfect for camping or just watching nature do its thing.

You won’t see many services out here. Bring everything you need, and be ready for primitive conditions.

Location And Access

Charrette Lakes Campsite Wagon Mound NM boondocking location sits in northern New Mexico, close to Wagon Mound. It’s about thirteen miles off Interstate 25, so it’s not exactly next door to anything.

You’ll get there via a dirt road, marked as 569. This road starts in Colfax County.

The lakes are part of the Charette Lakes Wildlife Area, which covers roughly 1,901 acres. Upper Charrette Lake stands out as one of the main water spots.

You’ll need to tackle some unpaved roads to get here. The dirt road can get rough, so I’d recommend a high-clearance vehicle.

There aren’t any major highways leading straight to the lakes. Plan for limited services and maybe a little adventure.

Camping here is free, and you probably won’t see many people. There aren’t any hookups or facilities—just you and the wild.

Important points:

• About 13 miles north of Wagon Mound, NM
• Off dirt road 569, starting in Colfax County
• Part of Charette Lakes Wildlife Area
• High-clearance vehicle recommended
• No facilities or services available

If you’re coming out here, get ready for real quiet and real remoteness. The access roads aren’t for every vehicle, and the area isn’t well marked, so navigation apps can save you some trouble.

Directions

To get to Charrette Lakes Campsite Wagon Mound NM boondocking location, start from Interstate 25 (I-25). Take the exit for State Road 569 (SR 569).

The road stretches about 13 miles through ranch land and some pretty rough terrain. Near the end, there’s a steep, twisty bit—just a heads up.

You’ll drive on dirt road 569, which starts in Colfax County and ends in Mora County.

Keep your vehicle on the main road and parking areas. They don’t allow motorized vehicles beyond those points.

Make sure your ride can handle dirt roads. Watch for ranch gates and signs—they’re easy to miss.

Since it’s remote, fuel up and stock up before you leave town. Cell service isn’t reliable out here.

Here’s a quick checklist for your trip:

Amenities And Activities

Charrette Lakes Campsite Wagon Mound NM boondocking location keeps it simple. You’ll find toilets and latrines, but there’s no drinking water, so bring what you need for cooking and drinking.

There are picnic tables and a few primitive fire spots. You can use these for meals or campfires—just remember the fire safety rules and pack out your trash.

Fishing is big here. The lakes offer a quiet, uncrowded place to cast a line.

You can launch a small boat from the boat ramp, but keep it modest and check lake conditions first.

There’s almost no shade, so sun hats or umbrellas are a must. The open space is great for stargazing at night.

You can hike or wander the prairie on foot. The shortgrass prairie habitat means you’ll see wildlife and lots of wide-open sky.

Camping Regulations And Restrictions

When you camp at Charrette Lakes Campsite Wagon Mound NM boondocking location, you need to follow a few important rules to protect the area and its wildlife. You can’t stay longer than 14 days within any 30-day period in one spot.

Set up your campsite at least 200 feet away from streams or water sources. This keeps water cleaner for both animals and people.

Stick to designated dispersed camping areas. Stay away from private land and respect local ranch properties you’ll see along the access road.

Open fires might be off-limits during dry spells. Double-check current fire regulations before you light a campfire.

Follow the Leave No Trace principles. Pack out all your trash and waste. Seriously, leave the place as clean as—or cleaner than—you found it.

Keep your vehicle on established roads and existing campsites. Don’t drive through vegetation or off-road; it just tears things up.

Charette Lakes sits in a pretty remote spot. There aren’t any services nearby, so bring everything you’ll need and be ready to rely on yourself.

New Mexico Helpful Information Links:

Bureau of Land Management
Recreation.Gov
National Park Service
New Mexico State Park Service
New Mexico Trust
New Mexico Fish and Game