Dispersed camping options within Gila National Forest provide access to remote wilderness areas at elevations between 6,000-10,000 feet. The forest spans over 3.3 million acres across southwestern New Mexico, featuring diverse terrain from desert landscapes to alpine meadows. Weather patterns vary dramatically between seasons with temperature differences of 30 degrees between day and night common at higher elevations.
What to Do
Soak in natural hot springs: At Gila Hot Springs Campground, visitors have access to three natural hot pools. "The three pools are cute, clean and have a natural look to them. Clothing optional after dark, so if you are there with a young family keep that in mind," notes Kristen R. The springs maintain consistent temperatures year-round.
Explore archaeological sites: The Upper Scorpion Campground provides direct access to the Gila Cliff Dwellings. "I was able to walk right to the entrance of the cliff dwellings trail from this site in about 5 minutes," writes Monte W. The ancient structures are accessible via a one-mile loop trail with 180 feet of elevation gain.
Fishing opportunities: Snow Lake near Dipping Vat Campground offers trout fishing in a 90-acre mountain lake. Steve B. observed that "Snow Lake provides great fishing opportunities and the views from all over the surrounding Gila Wilderness were simply amazing."
What Campers Like
Quiet wilderness setting: Many dispersed camping areas along Route 15 offer exceptional privacy. One camper reports, "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. No-one but a masochist would drive along Route 15 at night (slow, steep, winding) and so there was zero car noise all night."
Star viewing conditions: The remote location creates exceptional night sky visibility. At Gila Hot Springs Ranch, Eugenie B. shares: "The best part is that there's no ceiling! That means as you sit in the hot tub you're privy to the unobstructed view of the Milky Way! Bring a pair of binoculars! We saw several shooting stars."
Wildlife encounters: The forest hosts diverse wildlife viewable from campsites. Brandon H. at Dipping Vat Campground "Heard Elk in the morning, wolves and bats at night. This is a great location to get away from the busy hustle of city life."
What You Should Know
Road conditions: Access roads to many sites require careful driving. For Meadow Creek Dispersed Camping, Sierra N. cautions, "This 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."
Limited connectivity: Cell service is essentially nonexistent throughout the forest. "There is no cell service here or pretty much anywhere in the forest. There is a general store up the road (closed Wednesdays) that will let you use WiFi to let loved ones know you're ok," explains Loura P. from Forks Campground.
Seasonal considerations: Weather patterns vary significantly by season and elevation. Elisa P. from Gila Hot Springs Campground warns, "Can get cold at night if you are in a tent, bring warm clothing." Temperature drops of 30+ degrees from day to night occur regularly.
Tips for Camping with Families
Consider clothing-optional policies: Some hot springs areas have specific policies after dark. At Gila Hot Springs, Jeff V. notes that over his 30+ years visiting, "The remote location keeps things chill" but families should be aware of the clothing-optional periods at night.
Look for educational opportunities: The cliff dwellings provide historical learning experiences. Anna R. from Upper Scorpion Campground suggests, "It is within walking distance of several trailheads in the national forest and the cliff dwellings, so that is super convenient."
Choose sites with access to water features: Kids enjoy the natural swimming areas. At Lower Scorpion Campground, Anna R. mentions, "Just a short hike from the visitor's center are a series of hot springs. The first spring is really just a trickle and can only be found by touch moving through the stream."
Tips from RVers
Check road restrictions: Many forest roads have tight turns and steep grades. About Gila Hot Springs Campground, Jeff V. advises, "Both main roads have windy, tight turns. It takes awhile to navigate the 30 or so miles of mountain twists, so go slow, and pull over for speedier folks and you should be fine."
Plan for boondocking: Most sites lack hookups. Grady D. from Forks Campground reports, "We spent three nights at the Forks campground with our 38 ft. 5th wheel toy hauler. I don't recommend towing something this big to this area, but it can be done safely - would definitely not do it if snow is forecast."
Arrive with full supplies: Services are limited in remote areas. Ryan G. from Meadow Creek Dispersed Camping advises, "Cool little spot. Well maintained but you're boondocking. Come in with water and power if you need it."
