Looking for the best dispersed camping near Buckhorn? Find everything from dispersed backcountry camping to boondocking with The Dyrt. Whether you're looking for a quiet location in the trees or wide open spaces, The Dyrt makes it easy to find the perfect dispersed campsite.
The majority of campgrounds on the Gila National Forest are primitive and offer dispersed camping. You may camp outside of developed campgrounds anywhere on the Forest at no charge. The Gila National Forest implemented Travel Management and we recommend you stop in to one of our six ranger stations and pick up travel management maps so that you are aware where vehicles are and are not permitted. Potable water, toilets, and other amenities are not generally available. If you choose to camp outside developed areas, be sure to bring adequate water or be prepared to purify any water source before drinking. No permits are required to camp in wilderness areas. The Gila National Forest has a 14-day stay limit, in any 30 day period, on all camping. Areas designated as “Day Use Only” are limited to posted hours, no overnight use.
The majority of campgrounds on the Gila National Forest are primitive and offer dispersed camping. You may camp outside of developed campgrounds anywhere on the Forest at no charge. The Gila National Forest implemented Travel Management and we recommend you stop in to one of our six ranger stations and pick up travel management maps so that you are aware where vehicles are and are not permitted.
Potable water, toilets, and other amenities are not generally available. If you choose to camp outside developed areas, be sure to bring adequate water or be prepared to purify any water source before drinking. No permits are required to camp in wilderness areas.
The Gila National Forest has a 14-day stay limit, in any 30 day period, on all camping. Areas designated as “Day Use Only” are limited to posted hours, no overnight use.
The majority of campgrounds on the Gila National Forest are primitive and offer dispersed camping. You may camp outside of developed campgrounds anywhere on the Forest at no charge. The Gila National Forest implemented Travel Management and we recommend you stop in to one of our six ranger stations and pick up travel management maps so that you are aware where vehicles are and are not permitted. Potable water, toilets, and other amenities are not generally available. If you choose to camp outside developed areas, be sure to bring adequate water or be prepared to purify any water source before drinking. No permits are required to camp in wilderness areas. The Gila National Forest has a 14-day stay limit, in any 30 day period, on all camping. Areas designated as “Day Use Only” are limited to posted hours, no overnight use.
This rockhound area makes a great day adventure for rock collectors. The principal attraction for rock collectors here is fire agate. Fire agate is a relatively new gemstone, only identified and formally recognized in the 1930s. It has the color play of precious opal with gem quality reds, greens, and blues. The desert regions of Arizona, southern California, and central Mexico are the only areas of the world where fire agate is known to occur. Although its origin is unknown, it is always associated with volcanic deposits. The site is open for digging by the public without fees or permits. Camping throughout the area is allowed for up to two weeks.
Scout
Road is a little rough but well worth it. No one camped near us. Was able to let the dogs roam without fear. Lots of wood in the area. A small creek along the road. Good hiking area. Will definitely go back.
Guide
We came in after dark, but the roads were clear and it was easy to set up. Quiet.
Guide
A handful of sites located on the other side of Skates Canyon from Sapillo Campground. Close to great hiking around the CDT and fishing in Lake Roberts. Most of the sites sit on the shades of ponderosa and there's plenty of space for group camping.
This is as bare as it gets. No services, no cell signal, no trash disposal, not even a pit toilet. Some sites have rock rings for campfires but that's about it. Please recreate responsibly and leave no trace. Pack out whatever you pack in.
Quiet during the winter, but gets busy during the summer as evidenced by how well worn the dirt paths around the area are.
Guide
Great place I came upon while on I-10. Thirty minutes for the interstate. The hiking was good. The place was a little busy, but not bad. Heard some cows but never seen them. Clean place. No services. Cell signal was good.
Travelera place like from some safari movie, beautiful sunset, you can see a herd of cows. plenty of room for everyone and an easy route
GuideThis trail requires 4x4 and high clearance. It is a bumpy road for all 3+ miles into the mountainside. But it is far worth the drive for the seclusion. There are plenty of spaces to camp before the creek. But we kept going for about 3 miles, hit a road gate, and started traveling into the valley. It will eventually open up and you will see meadow creek. Spots to the left and right of the fork, we settled at the bottom. No service in the valley. Extremely magical, and serene. Leave it better than you left it please! If you want a camp spot off the beaten path, this is it. Perfect for tent camping/car camping.
Guide
Right off the road, 4 campsites. The last one is a little more open and we will def be coming back. Pretty stars, and 2 bars of service for Verizon. Please remember to clean up after yourself! Unfortunately there was a lot of old glass, among other trash. Also be careful on the road, it’s 30, but people fly down it not thinking of others on the road. It is a tight squeeze to get a truck back there, Tacoma, but we got tucked in just fine. Also there’s a woodsy sign leading into the forest! Cool to see an iconic owl!
Scout
A number of flat cleared areas not far off of hwy90. We cleaned up the beer cans, bottles, and trash left from other before us. We plan on being here for several more days. 30ft class A with toad.
LegendFantastic spot. Was not busy and cows were all around minding there own business. Entry road was very good. Good cell service also. Town right up the road.
Scout4-5 dispersed spots on road 4242d before reaching the summit on bear mountain road (where the coordinates take you to). A narrow, rocky road with some low-hanging trees. Our sprinter made it but it was tight. The best spot was where the road dead-ends. Lots of shelter but not a ton of sunlight.
TravelerThere’s several campsites around the trail head. I found a great secluded spot along a rough back road area, my express van with chunky tires was able to clear the bumps in the roadway. Cell service is excellent for Verizon even wandering around the trails back here.
GuideOff Chisholm trail , previous coordinates are for CDT NO VEHICLE TRAFFIC. Great sites, I think I had the best one. First on right just before Cattlemans road. Met Pat she has the grazing rights here. She was very apologetic about the trash the last campers left. I just said well some are scum and showed her the two trash bags full and the 4x6 platform I cut up so it's manageable. Will burn the wood and haul the rest off. Only saw her cattle one afternoon. I'm a country boy so seeing cow poop is not a big deal. She said a bear was just shot yesterday a few miles north of here. Be vigilant. #leavenotrace
GuideStaying at the first site on the right. 14 days. Love it, plenty of shade and also sun for solar recharge. No utilities and sites not marked but they are abvious. Peace and quiet. I'm getting 3 bars on AT&T which is pretty good I think. Streamed a movie last night with no issues. Previous campers left trash, so my two dogs and I cleaned it up. Cut up a 4x6 platform they left. Will burn the wood and haul off the frame to a dumpster in Silver City where I'll restock at walmart. Met Pat this morning- she has the grazing rights through here. She apologized for mess from previous camper's. Told her and showed her it's taken care of and Thanked her for stopping by to say Hi. Will definitely stay here again!
TravelerIf coming from the east your gps might try to take you via White Water Rd -DONT! Instead take the 90 unless you want to spend an hour driving over bone jarring washboard roads
TravelerEasy to find, no rough roads, clean and quiet campsite. There were about 10 other campers when I was here. Would definitely stay here again
TravelerGate locked
GuideThis is a Gila National Forest Access Road just west of the Continental Divide on highway 90. It has multiple fairly level and easily accessible boondocking sites. It's far enough from the highway to be quiet. The only real drawback is the Cattle droppings here and there. We spent the night, so can't comment on other activities in the area, but there are roads and trails leading out of the location and into the Forest.
TravelerStopped here to spend the night in July because it was cooler (~7500 ft elevation), free, quiet and beautiful. It's just a place to camp in the National Forest. No amenities.
Guide
So if you are into rocks this really is a great place to check out. Be prepared as the drive in is difficult and long. Larger RVs are not recommended as the road has many steep washouts and ruts. The main dirt road leading into the area has bad washboard bumps. There is also an active cattle ranch in the area so be careful with any pets. You’ll find a logbook on the way in. Once there you’ll find plenty of places to park but don’t count on it being level. There are also lots of sharp rocks so watch your tires. There are no facilities here. The views are amazing especially at night. The wind never did stop. You got to really like rocks!
Guide
We searched for fire agates but decided against camping here because the road is a bit sketchy. The only spot big enough has a large bump that would likely tip my travel trailer farther than is safe.
TravelerNice little quiet spot. Occasional farm animals may roam through. Lots of hiking trails and washes to walk around. Easy to get to. Lots of quartz rock. Enjoyed my stay very much.
GuideWe were hoping to stay at the Gila Hot Springs campground, but it was full. Although the hot springs were oh so tempting, we're glad it turned out that way. First, FREE! Second, fabulous views, stars, and amazing quiet.
All along Route 15 in the mountains to the south of Gila Hot Springs are numerous pull-offs, pull-outs, and pull-throughs where you can camp overnight. I wouldn't recommend a long stay, but we found a little road off up a gentle embankment with a killer view. There were many others we would have gladly stayed at too. We are pulling a 17-ft travel trailer but some of the spots are wide and broad and would fit a much larger rig.
No-one but a masochist would drive along Route 15 at night (slow, steep, winding) and so there was zero car noise all night. This would be true for any of the pullouts, so even though you're close to the road, there aren't any cars so it doesn't matter much. No cell service, but there isn't cell service anywhere in the area, even in Gila Hot Springs.
We drove to the cliff dwellings in the morning, took a leisurely 20-30 minutes.
LegendMillions of years ago, volcanic activity in the Southwest create lava rocks and fire agate. Inside the Rockhound area you can walk and collect fire agates right off the surface of the ground. It is the desert equivalent of searching for sea shells at the beach. It makes a fun day trip for families and rock enthusiasts. If rocks aren’t your thing, bring an ATV, 4x4, or dirt bike and enjoy miles of trails and dirt roads.
The Rockhound area can be accessed from the Black Hills Scenic Byway or the main access road. We had no issues finding it using Google Maps. We did take a 4x4 on this trip, but it isn’t necessary. Any vehicle that can handle a few miles of primitive/gravel road should be fine.
If you’re adventurous enough, spend the night in one of the dispersed camping sites. Just be prepared. There are no facilities or water available. The site only has a sign, a log book and a small trash can. The area is very rocky and I don’t recommend tent camping, but it would be feasible with some raking. There were 3 other groups camping while we were there and they were all sleeping in some type of camping vehicle. There aren’t any trees, so we experienced lots of high wind gusts. As a precaution, We took our awning down in the middle of the night, but our roof top tent was fine. Although this area is remote, you can see the lights from Safford,AZ at night. We didn’t have a fire, but they are permitted (as long as there isn’t a fire ban in effect). Some of the sites had camper-made fire rings/pits dug into the ground and surrounded by rocks.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular dispersed campsite near Buckhorn, NM?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dispersed campground near Buckhorn, NM is Bear Mountain with a 4.7-star rating from 3 reviews.
What is the best site to find dispersed camping near Buckhorn, NM?
TheDyrt.com has all 18 dispersed camping locations near Buckhorn, NM, with real photos and reviews from campers.
