Vanderwagen is an unincorporated community and census-designated place (CDP) in McKinley County, New Mexico, United States.

[3] Vanderwagen is in southwestern McKinley County along New Mexico State Road 602, 17.5 miles (28.2 km) south of Gallup.

[1] The community is drained by Nelson Wash, a west-flowing tributary of Whitewater Arroyo, which continues west to join the Puerco River near Allentown, Arizona.

Vanderwagen was first listed as a census-designated place prior to the 2020 census.

[7] The Bureau of Indian Affairs operates a K-8 school, Chi Chil'tah Community School, which has a Vanderwagen address but is in Chi Chil Tah.