Looking for the best Gila National Forest pet-friendly camping? Find the best information on pet-friendly campgrounds near Gila National Forest, including sites, reviews, and tips. Each pet-friendly campsite offers quick access to one or more of Gila National Forest's most popular destinations.
Gila Hot Springs Campground is a private business owned by Allen and Carla Campbell. It offers camping and natural hot spring pools beside the Gila River in southwest New Mexico. We are located 40 miles north of Silver City and about 4 miles from the Gila Cliff Dwellings National Monument. Our area is surrounded by the Gila Wilderness and the larger Gila National Forest.
PLEASE NOTE! We are NOT an RV campground. We have no hookups. Small self-contained RV ONLY.
The hot springs campground has three pools with natural rock perimeters and gravel bottoms. Each pool has its own personality and temperature so you are sure to find one that pleases you. The normal temperature of the pools is between 101º and 104ºF.
There are twelve camping areas spaced for privacy and are located around shade trees. Small self-contained campers and trailers are welcome (must be less than 20 feet long) but few sites can accommodate them. No hookups are available.
Toilet facilities (composting) and drinking water is available. We do not provide electricity or trash containers, and there are no bathing or shower facilities. The pools are NOT for bathing.
There are water faucets for cold and hot potable water next to the “dragon spout”, in the pool area. The hot spring water coming out of the dragon spout is 140ºF. Do not wash your dishes there, carry the water to your campsite.
$7 / night
Cosmic Campground is one of many sites on the Gila NF where night sky photography is at it's best. Late May - late October are the best times to see the Milky Way and get some premium photos.
Cosmic Campground International Dark Sky Sanctuary (CCIDSS) is the first International Dark Sky Sanctuary located on National Forest System lands and also in North America. It is also one of only 10 certified IDA Sanctuaries in the world. International Dark Sky Sanctuaries are lands possessing an exceptional or distinguished quality of starry nights. For more information on dark skies or the International Dark Sky Association -http://www.darksky.org/. The CCIDSS offers a 360-degree, unobstructed view of the night sky, and often hosts “star parties” in cooperation with the partner group “Friends of the Cosmic Campground.” This site is situated where there nearest significant source of artificial light is more than 40 miles away, and across the state line in Arizona. . Night vision is necessary to enjoy the night sky. If you look at white light from either your flashlight or your cell phone you will not be able to enjoy the wonders of the natural night sky for 20-30 minutes. In order to respect your fellow star gazers the Forest Service recommends: No parking on the observation/telescope pads No camp fires on observation pads Use a red filter over your flashlight lens Try to arrive before dark so that your headlights won’t distort your night vision Quiet times (no generator use) between 10:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m. CCIDSS is a primitive campground with minimal site amenities including an information kiosk, a pit toilet, and four concrete telescope/observation pads. Currently, there is very minimal shade available however, future planning developments intend to erect a shade pavilion as well as improve individual campsite amenities as funding comes available.
This is a nice shady campground under ponderosa pines. Sapillo is an undeveloped campground under ponderosa pine and is a favorite of group campers. For any large group, we recommend this large campground.
This is a fantastic place to get away from it all! Dipping Vat Campground is located adjacent to the west side of Snow Lake. Snow Lake is approximately 52 miles southeast of Reserve, New Mexico. The campground offers a variety of activities to the visitor, including fishing, overnight camping, and hiking. Dipping Vat Campground has a potable water system including a well with a pump. Snow Lake is stocked with trout three times a year, early spring, early summer, and late fall. If you wish to fish at Snow Lake you must have a New Mexico fishing license and more information is available at NM Department of Game and Fish
$5 / night
RV Park
Whether you are camping in a tent or full-size recreational vehicle, there is a place at the Gila Hot Springs ranch. Owned and operated by Becky Campbell, this facility is an AAA rated campground. We are committed to make sure that your camping experience is an enjoyable success. For further information contact us at gilahotspringsranch@gilanet.com or call 575-536-9314 (evenings).
Free Wi-Fi is available at Doc Campbell's Outpost.
Our sites have both hot and cold taps at all hookups. You have the option to enjoy the hot springs water in your own RV or use the RV Park restroom with showers. Be sure to enjoy the Natural Hotsprings Jacuzzi, too!
We also have a picnic pavilion with a grill. A fire ring is also available and is a great place for group activities. In addition, your children can romp and play in our playground. Horse corrals are also available.
Rates* Hookups: Overnight: $23 - $29 Weekly: $129 - $161 Monthly: $320
Overnight tenting: $5.75 per person. Tenting rates include use of showers. Natural Hotsprings Jacuzzi use: $4.60 per person Surcharge for a/c and electric heaters
$6 - $29 / night
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 campground is an ideal area to escape the summer heat.
This campground provides a nice view of Lake Roberts. If you are looking for a lakeside retreat within easy driving distance of historic Silver City, then come and enjoy the beauty of the Gila National Forest at this campground. Mesa Campground is nestled in the juniper and pinon trees on the mesa above Lake Roberts. The campground has sites along the bluff with great views of the lake below. Migrating birds in the campground and waterfowl on the lake make this a great place to go birding.
$10 - $15 / night
This is a fairly small campground and is popular with horse riders and hunters.
Legend
I chose to stay in town this visit but these spots are much nicer and there are trails and things to see very close.
Legend
I think the campground is very nice and convenient to downtown. Full hookups, clean bathrooms and for the summer, nice shade. A lot of local tenants but it was quiet and well cared for with just a few spots coming and foing.
Legend
As the photos show, I'm not sure this is open. Nice long and private spots if it were open.
Legend
This is the most exposed of the campgrounds to the road. Nice and close to get to a picnic table but I'd stay at one of the others before staying here.
Legend
Of the handful of formal places to camp, this is very small but very nice. Trees, a decent hike on a maintained trail. Only a few spots to take but cute if you get one.
Traveler
Arrived just after dark. Kept my headlights off as I drove in as I didn't want to disturb others. I saw a small pull off for a spot, and I took it. In the morning, I discovered I hadn't gone all the way to the actual campground. Lots of places for people and almost no one here on a lovely Friday evening in November. Easy access for my 25' RV. Highly recommend. We were able to see the milky way (faint), satellites, and 3 shooting stars, all in about an hour.
RangerMan, free pulled pork BBQ every Sat. evening garnered this place the 5th star! :)
Stayed 4/23- 4/30. Nice RV park just outside of Silver City with large spaces and junipers between the spaces. We were in #16 which was huge. Full hookups, laundry. Only one bath with a shower. Naturalized pet relief area with some desert vegetation. Dirt road to the place from Kirkland. No playground so saw no kids staying there. Seemed like mature, respectful RVers. Some folks were extended stay, seemed like any long term residents were in a different area; overall nice, neat, quiet, and tidy. John keeps things in good order.
BTW, in Silver City for Tour of the Gila, cool to see the stage races.
Food aside: Heated up some frozen Bertolli pasta dinner and then: nothing on Sat. night because, free BBQ!! Donations appreciated.
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.
Legend
Cottonwood Campground: (Scale 1- bad, 5-Very good
(71 yr olds in 17’ trailer.)
Overall Rating: Not an appealing campground except as a stop over.
Security: no
Usage during visit: light
Site Privacy: no
Pad surface: Dirt
Reservations: No
Outside Road Noise: This cg is right off the highway. Some sites back up towards the highway.
Through Traffic in campground: No
Setting: Under tree canopy.
Solar: solar looks to be pretty good in most sites.
Insects: Did not seem to be a problem during our brief April visit.
Host: No
Sites: Near highway. Site 1 backs up towards the highway.
LegendInternational cosmic campground: Beautiful scenery. Beautiful views. No water availability. Concrete pads for telescopes. (Scale 1- bad, 5-Very good
(71 yr olds in 17’ trailer.)
Overall Rating: 3 for camp site layout 5 for dispersed sites
Security: No
Usage during visit: very full during weekday
Site Privacy: No
Site Spacing: close
Pad surface: Gravel
Outside Road Noise: far from highway , no highway noise problem
Through Traffic in campground: No
Electric Hookup: No
Sewer Hookup: No
Dump Station: no
Potable Water Available: i did not see available water.
Generators: yes
Bathroom: Pit toilet
Showers: no
Pull Throughs: All are back in.
Solar: Good in sites
Insects: not an issue during our Spril visit
Sites: sites in the campground are tight. Some dispersed camping nearby looks pretty nice. Some are close enough to use the bathroom.
Legend
Bighorn, NM: great for stopover., As it is right off the highway (Scale 1- bad, 5-Very good
(71 yr olds in 17’ trailer.)
Overall Rating: 3 perfect for a stop over Security: no Usage during visit: light Site Privacy: no Site Spacing: OK Pad surface: dirt Outside Road Noise: some highway noise Through Traffic in campground: no Electric Hookup: no Sewer Hookup: no, Dump Station: no, Potable Water Available: no Generators: allowed Bathroom: pit toilet Showers: no Setting: parallel with creek, just off the highway. Solar: great Insects: none during our visit in April. Host: no Sites: along the creek bed, just off the highway.
RangerI stayed here for CDT Days. Great location walking distance to everything. There’s a grocery store around the corner. Super quiet. Woke up to the birds chirping away. Priced fairly and would stay here again.
Traveler
Not many spots. Had to squeeze in between a couple people. I’d say there are about 20-25 spots in total if you don’t mind being a little close. What amazing 360 views of the sky. You feel like you are in a globe.
TravelerGreat place and close to sights, yet nestled in a lovely spot.
GuideThis camp ground is conveniently located to Old Town Silver City.
The staff is friendly, the site was clean and level. The bathrooms and showers were clean as well. They were very fairly priced. I booked for one night but may well stay for two.
They have a nice laundry facility. It was a quiet enjoyable stay! I would come back again.
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
We liked Rose Valley Ranch and would stay again. We didn’t talk to a soul our entire 3 day stay. We kind of felt isolated which isn’t a bad thing necessarily if you’re not looking for that sort of thing. The sites are huge and feel very private, offering a little fenced in, personal yard at most sites. The bathrooms were very clean and also private feeling. There is only one dumpster and it was very far from our site. Walking around will also involve walking through dirt areas to reach your destination. All in all though it’s a nice, private, roomy park that puts you right near Silver City’s local shops!
Guide
Sapillo Creek lies straddling the original branch of the CDT. This is a free, national forest dispersed campsite with a couple pit toilets and very few other amenities, no cell signal either. Easily accessible from NM-35 and near a couple of general stores in Lake Roberts (10 minute drive north) and Mimbres (15 minute drive south).
Popular with the local crowd during peak camping/ATV season, so be mindful that there might be some related noise during the summer; but generally sees little use during winter and the shoulder seasons.
RangerStay for two days to allow us to visit Gila lift Dwellings. Full hookups (30 amp) with water and sewer. Good cell coverage. Amazing Starlink speeds. Staff was awesome and they filled our propane for us.
LegendWe enjoyed how small this campsite is and we were the only people there during our visit.
I gave it 3 stars because it’s right next to the road, but also next to the water.
It has large trees and flat camping spots. It even has a vault toilet.
Legend
We stayed at Mesa Campground during a tour of the Gila National Forest with friends.
The lake views aren’t great, but you can easily walk down to the shore.
The trash bins and running water are really nice amenities. Our site had a table and grill and we were able to fit our truck with a rooftop tent and a truck with a small pull behind, but we were really close to each other.
We’ve also caught and ate trout from Lake Roberts.
LegendThis is one of our favorite springtime camping spots. There aren’t any numbered sites, but there are makeshift campfires and flat areas all around. The site also has trash disposal and vault toilets. Lots of trees for shade and hammocks.
This spot is popular with large crowds and off road vehicle enthusiasts. Expect music until 10pm and the sound of engines. It’s a great place to boondock with a generator.
Lots of easy trails to ride around on with our mini bikes. Plenty of space to set up camp with 2 families and a few smaller tents.
Lake Roberts is just zip the road for fishing opportunities.
Ranger
We tent camped at Cherry Creek campground in late July 2023. We arrived about 4pm on a Saturday and there were like 2 sites available. First come, first serve, no fee, but a ranger told me that could change soon. Lots of nice tall pines. The creek was dry. Very scenic valley. There’s a short, informal trail at the north end of the campground past the bathroom. The trail goes about 0.25 miles out; so 0.5 mile round trip. A nice evening or morning stroll or both. But…there was a big group next to us that partied loud and late—with a generator that lit up their site, and ours. Oh well! At least they were enjoying the outdoors like we were, I think.
GuideBeautiful dispersed camp site both pull through and back in. We camped there in and only saw one other camper. Keep in mind zero cell service.
Scout
The campground itself is nice enough, but the owners are downright rude and creepy. The owner, Allen, often drinks and then peruses the campground to leer at women in the pools and make innapropriate and offensive conversation. On one occasion, myself and my girlfriends were soaking, and he wouldn't leave us alone, so we just left. Not a very relaxing way to spend a vacation!
ScoutLower Gallinas is a beautiful 2 Mile hike Barricaded at 152 it should be reopened ASAP
Guide
The staff are top notch! Young energetic and as helpful as can be. Friendly service, the facilities are very clean.
Explore the beauty of Gila National Forest while enjoying the company of your furry friends at various pet-friendly campgrounds. These spots offer a mix of amenities and activities that cater to both you and your pets.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular dog-friendly campsite near Gila National Forest?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dog-friendly campground near Gila National Forest is Gila Hot Springs Campground with a 4.6-star rating from 11 reviews.
What is the best site to find dog-friendly camping near Gila National Forest?
TheDyrt.com has all 31 dog-friendly camping locations near Gila National Forest, with real photos and reviews from campers.
