Whether you're an RVer or tent camper, Gila National Forest, NM is a great place to post up for the weekend—or longer. Discover secluded campsites where you can reconnect with nature. Or maybe you like to bring your family and friends along. Either way, there are Gila National Forest campgrounds just for you. Find the best campgrounds near Gila National Forest, NM. Read reviews from campers like you and find your perfect campsite.
$7 / night
"Twelve level spots, many right along the Gipa River, shaded by large Cottonwood trees. Each site has a picnic table and a fire ring. I loved it here!"
"Beautiful area with cliff dwellings nearby you can walk through and around. We love the Gila Hot Springs!"
"It’s close to downtown. There’s a grocery store within walking distance as well as a Dairy Queen and a Lottaburger. Very quiet. Hot showers. Full hookups. All for $35/night plus tax"
"Great location for exploring Silver City, NM. Sites are small, but great, friendly people. Not for big rigs."
$25 - $35 / night
"Nice Park just outside/south of the Gila National forest. Perfect spot if one wants to park and then drive into the Kila forest or cliff dwellings."
"Perfect location to leave our trailer and go out exploring!"
"Sites are long and spacious, level, gravel, wide with shrubbery and some fencing between, adding lots of privacy. Both easy back in and pull through sites."
"Nice RV park with many pull-through spaces. Had some restrictions due to the pandemic but had an enjoyable stay."
"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."
"Picnic tables in good shape. Some sites are very private. Owner appears to like to cook as he holds weekly barbecues! We did not get to participate but feel this is a really nice touch."
$6 - $29 / night
"Quiet ranch in the mountains of Gila National Forest. Must be prepared for a very steep grade drive with switchbacks. Beautiful scenery with sheep and horses."
"I pull a 37ft gooseneck horse trailer that is now used for camping. No amenities but next best thing to camping in a tent."
"Everything is clean, spacious, and peaceful with gorgeous views all around. They truly go above and beyond to make you feel welcome and at home."
"Beautiful campground in Santa Fe New Mexico. We came to stay one night to go to Meow Wolf and ended up staying 3 nights I liked it so much."
"This is an excellent campground that doesn’t seem to be overrun, probably due to its’ remote location. There are many birds in the area, and the sounds of a running stream is peaceful."
"Little fire rings randomly located throughout. Great spot for a night and we’re looking forward to going back. Super close to the Gila Cliff Dwellings."
"Short drive from Gila Cliff Dwellings. No running water, no cell service, no WiFi and they have vault toilets. If you need those amenities then this is not the campsite for you."
"Full hookups (30 amp) with water and sewer. Good cell coverage. Amazing Starlink speeds. Staff was awesome and they filled our propane for us."
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.
LegendMan, 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.
TravelerAbout 10 sites, most of them shaded with picnic tables and fire rings. Has garbage collection, and a vault toilet. Usually peaceful and quiet. Nice hiking trails throughout. No cell signal. Most spots are fairly flat with slight adjustment.
GuideStayed here with a couple of friends in late December of 2019. Great proximity to Gila National Forest, which is the primary reason we chose this campground. Obviously was very cold during December, but we were comfortable with an all-season tent & sleeping bags.
Camp hosts were super nice and gave us a lighter when we couldn’t find ours, which was a saving grace when it came to be dinner time. Picnic tables were great, especially when you’ve become used to primitive camping without such luxuries. Pit toilets were clean and accessible. Overall, nothing special but a great campground for the location and the helpfulness of the hosts.
LegendNice landscaping touches such as rock walls, trees, cactus, and lights. Picnic tables in good shape. Some sites are very private. Owner appears to like to cook as he holds weekly barbecues! We did not get to participate but feel this is a really nice touch.
Our site was a pull through but was too tight with other sites to actually pull our 33 ft trailer and truck through. We had to back out. Park navigation a bit tight for big rigs. Not impossible just a bit of a nail brighter. We would next time pick our site once we got there and had a look around as there are others that would have worked well.
TravelerNice Park just outside/south of the Gila National forest. Perfect spot if one wants to park and then drive into the Kila forest or cliff dwellings. Has clean showers and laundry, and a nice couple that runs the place. Just a few miles north of silver city. Nice drive to get supplies in town
GuideLovely area in western NM. Many spaces to set up and hunker down for a night or two. The general lack of amenities probably precludes a long term stay for most. Access to the rest of the forest and great hiking on a dirt road headed south. Lower elevation than other areas nearby so it stays snow free through the winter for the most part.
The general store nearby is also a nice plus. No T-Mobile cell service anywhere in the area though.
LegendApache Creek CG: Apache Creek store is right across the street. Up the road an eighth of a mile. Ice is available there.
(71 yr olds in 17’ trailer.)
Overall Rating: 5 for a one night stop over Security: no Usage during visit: light Site Spacing: Spread out campsites Pad surface: dirt Reservations: Looks to be first come first serve. Campground Noise: Quiet Outside Road Noise: no Through Traffic in campground: No Electric Hookup: no Sewer Hookup: no Dump Station: no Potable Water Available: I did not see any water spigots. Generators: allowed Bathroom: Vault toilet Showers: no Pull Throughs: yes Setting: in open Ponderosa Forest and deciduous trees. Solar: Sites look to have nice solar Rig Size: Large rigs Sites: All sites are pretty nice.
ScoutCampsites are just steps from fisherman’s trail along the SE shore of Lake Roberts reservoir on Hwy 35 in the Gila National Forest. Sites are well spaced out under a stand of ponderosa. Deer, turkeys and javelins are regular visitors; several hiking trails are nearby. Birdwatching along the shore or from the water in a canoe or kayak.
Explore the beauty of RV camping near Gila National Forest in New Mexico, where stunning landscapes and a variety of amenities await outdoor enthusiasts.
Frequently Asked Questions
What amenities are available at Gila National Forest RV campgrounds?
Amenities at Gila National Forest RV campgrounds vary widely. Manzanos RV Park offers full hookups, laundry facilities, shower access, and even hosts weekly barbecues. Just outside the forest, Mountain Spirits RV Park provides full hookups (30 amp) with water, sewer, good cell coverage, and staff who can assist with propane fills. Forest Service campgrounds like Iron Creek have more basic amenities including picnic tables, fire rings, vault toilets, and garbage collection. Most public campgrounds within the forest don't offer hookups or showers, but many have vault toilets and potable water seasonally. The Cosmic Campground lacks water but features concrete pads specifically designed for telescope setup, perfect for stargazing enthusiasts.
Do I need permits for RV camping in Gila National Forest?
For most developed RV campgrounds within Gila National Forest, no special permits are required beyond paying the standard camping fee at the self-pay station or to the campground host. Rose Valley RV Ranch and other private RV parks near the forest operate on a reservation system rather than permits. For dispersed camping with your RV in the forest, you typically don't need a permit, but you should follow the 14-day stay limit within a 30-day period. If planning to camp at Cosmic Campground - Dark Sky Sanctuary or other special areas, check with the local ranger district for any specific regulations. Always verify current requirements before your trip, as rules may change seasonally or annually.
Where are the best RV camping sites in Gila National Forest?
For RV camping in Gila National Forest, Continental Divide Park & Camp is an excellent option located just outside the forest's southern boundary with clean facilities and convenient access to the Cliff Dwellings. Inside the forest, Apache Creek Campground offers spacious sites for RVs with easy access to hiking trails and the convenience of a nearby store. Many campers also appreciate Upper End Campground for its beautiful location near Lake Roberts reservoir with sites under ponderosa pines and access to fishing. For those needing full hookups, several RV parks in Silver City serve as excellent base camps for day trips into the forest.
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