Hiking trails fan out from Iron Creek Campground into the surrounding Gila National Forest, making it a functional base for day trips to nearby destinations like the Gila Cliff Dwellings National Monument. The campground sits close to a creek, and the highway running alongside it generates minimal traffic noise, according to at least one recent visitor. No cell signal reaches the sites, so plan accordingly.
The campground holds around ten sites, most of them shaded with picnic tables and fire rings. Sites are generally flat, with minor grade adjustments on some. Amenities are minimal but functional: a vault toilet and trash collection are both on-site. Camping is free. No pets are allowed.
"Clean, quiet campground not far from Emory Pass," notes Crista G., and that description holds across multiple visits. The area clusters with similar free dispersed options, including Railroad Canyon Campground to the west and Upper Gallinas Campground to the southwest, though at least one reviewer noted all four local campgrounds were closed in December 2021, so confirming current status with the US Forest Service before a winter visit is worth the call. Iron Creek works best for hikers, overnight travelers passing through, and anyone who wants a no-cost base camp with basic infrastructure and low crowds.
Description
Iron Creek Campground is easily accessible for campers and provides good facilitiesLocated__in the Black Range Mountains off NM State Highway 152, starting at San Lorenzo and ending in Hillsboro. This__is a mountain road with beautiful scenic sites at every curve. Watch for rocks on the road.
RV Road Trip Guides
Map & DirectionsIron Creek Campground is located in New Mexico near Mimbres
Directions
The campground is located east of Silver City in the Black Range Mountains on the south side of New Mexico Highway 152, between mile markers 28 and 29.
Coordinates
32.909735 N
107.803618 W
Connectivity
T-MobileNo Coverage- VerizonNo Coverage
- AT&TNo Coverage
Connectivity
- T-MobileNo Coverage
- VerizonNo Coverage
- AT&TNo Coverage
Access
- Drive-InPark next to your site
- Walk-InPark in a lot, walk to your site.
- Boat-InSites accessible by watercraft.
Site Types
- Tent Sites
- RV Sites
- Standard (Tent/RV)
- Dispersed
- Group
- Tent Cabin
Features
For Campers
- Trash
- Toilets
- Alcohol
FREE established camping
Enjoy camping on government land. Limited or no services at this camping area.
Drive Time
- 1 hr 45 min from Las Cruces, NM
- 2 hrs 21 min from El Paso, TX
- 2 hrs 59 min from Albuquerque, NM
- 3 hrs 30 min from Sierra Vista, AZ
