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Gila Hot Springs Ranch accommodates horses in the Gila National Forest, offering full hookups for RVs and tent camping areas alongside equestrian facilities. The ranch features horses that occasionally roam through the campground, creating an authentic western atmosphere for visitors. Campsites include water hookups, electric service, sewer connections, and picnic tables. The property sits at the end of a steep grade drive with switchbacks, requiring careful navigation for horse trailers. Restrooms provide flush toilets with heated floors and hot water. The natural setting includes views of grazing deer at sunset and sheep that can be seen with their lambs during spring months.
Trail access from Gila Hot Springs Ranch connects riders to numerous backcountry routes throughout the Gila National Forest. Guests can arrange guided pack trips on horseback to explore remote wilderness areas, with options available for riders of all experience levels. The ranch's location approximately 4 miles from the Gila Cliff Dwellings National Monument provides a convenient base for combining cultural exploration with horseback adventures. Natural hot springs located a short walk from the campground offer three separate soaking areas where riders can relax after trail excursions. The mountain setting delivers spectacular sunrise and sunset views that cast beautiful hues on surrounding rock formations. Winter mornings can drop into the 30s, requiring appropriate layering for early rides, though temperatures warm quickly during daylight hours.
"Short walk to lake. Very well kept. Saw several deer and caught a few fish. Definitely worth the drive from Albuquerque"
"This is a great spot to launch your boat into the lake. The launch has bathrooms and even a fish washing station!
Be sure to check out the tree covered in lures next to the launch."
"This is a campground right next to the dispersed camp. It looked like only tents were in this part of the park."
"When you turn off Highway 61, you go through a gate. There are multiple pull-outs along the road. Great views, desert terrain. I have good cell service, and my home fi hot spot is working great."
"There are plenty of nice spots to camp along North Star Road, north of Mimbres, NM."
"There is a short walk to the natural hot springs down by the river which is really rustic and relaxing."
"Must be prepared for a very steep grade drive with switchbacks. Beautiful scenery with sheep and horses."
from $6 - $29 / night
Check Availability"Close to the water from camping sites....Grills tables and shade area...."
"My favorite part about caballo lake is floating down from elephant butte to caballo lake in a giant floaty."
"Nice area to visit with the lake and dam close by."
"Nice level Lake view spot. Easy access to site and dump station. Fire pit and shade over picnic table."
ScoutTried to camp here and drove in late. There’s two entrances to this area per Google Maps. Both entrances had gates that both said New Mexico State Park Boundary Line. Ended up having to find a hotel because there’s not many other places to camp in this area other than in the parks. Maybe try to look when it is brighter outside for a different entrance.
GuideThere are plenty of nice spots to camp along North Star Road, north of Mimbres, NM. You'll find dispersed campsites with fire-rings all along the edges of the road and on spur forest roads sprouting from it. North Star Road is usually well maintained and most vehicles should make it to at least North Star Mesa.
Nothing in terms of services and amenities, but nice hiking nearby. Very clear skies at night.
As always, please follow LNT principles when dispersed camping.
TravelerWe pulled right into our campsite with hot and cold water at our site. I believe they pull it from the natural hot springs that run beneath the mountain. What a treat! Even if you're not glam camping with a fancy RV it's perfect! How many times have you had to wash your dishes in cold water st a campground.
I pull a 37ft gooseneck horse trailer that is now used for camping. No amenities but next best thing to camping in a tent.
There is a short walk to the natural hot springs down by the river which is really rustic and relaxing. Especially after climbing the step to the cave/cliff dwellings which are approximately 4 mi further up the road.
The restrooms are flush toilets, hot water and a heated floor. Super clean! You can pay a small fee to utilize the "hot tub" which is more modern but 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 and we blown away by the majesty of the heavens which were out "ceiling"!
You can get out of the hot tub, go directly into the restroom/shower. There's a code to enter the two shower/hot tub complex. Great because it keeps unexpected/uninvited guests from entering.
We parked at site #08 close to the restrooms. There are hookups for more luxurious RVs.
We ran out of propane and were easily accommodated with a fire ring and wood for a small fee. Well worth it! Mornings were in the 30's. It warms up quickly so layering worked for us.
The camp host were very accommodating and friendly.
I loved watching them round up their herd of horses that roam freely through the campground from time to time.
At sunset we watched deer in the pasture grazing happily. Then watched them hop right over the fence one by one! How fun is that!
Sunrise and sunsets there cast the most beautiful hues on the rock formations surrounding the area.
While walking down to the natural hot springs we were delighted to see sheep who had given birth to a couple sets of black & white faced twins! Too cute for words...
Bring a lunch as there are picnic tables next to the creek. Great after soaking in the three separate soaking areas.
I was told you could arrange pack trips on horses and explore any of the back country areas. This is love to return and take advantage of! As amazing as it is on foot and in the car it Hass to be mine blowing on the back of a horse! I was also told that they do trail rides for those less experienced riders.

GuideQuiet 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.
GuideThis site is just a relatively short turn-off road with a loop for turning around and a small, non-dedicated area for pitching a tent as far as I could tell. If you have a camper/RV/van, then it should work fine, but it’s not the best for tent camping. I made it work, but wasn’t super excited about it. Also, there was a bit of trash left behind when I was there, but it wasn’t necessarily a dump.
Getting to this spot was convenient since it is right off a paved road. There was a bit of car noise here and there, but it wasn’t bad. I heard coyotes singing nearby (from multiple directions) in the evening, but didn’t actually see any wildlife.
In all, it was alright. Not horrible, not great, just sufficient.
GuideVery clean park. Concrete roads and gravel sites. Very nice shower/laundry facility. Sites are a little close upfront and the road noise can be a bit of an issue. Good cell service with Verizon and AT&T. Nice area to visit with the lake and dam close by.
LegendThis is a campground right next to the dispersed camp. It looked like only tents were in this part of the park. When we were here there was some guys with DNR and they were cutting back all of the dead trees from a fire. The wood they cut was all around in stacks for campers to use while camping. The sites are clean and spread out with level spots for your tent. They have fire rings and tables. Pit toilets and garbage is also on site. The night sky is incredible and you can see the Milky Way. There is no cell service here. The road in is graveled but it is nice and no car or suv would have trouble navigating. There is a hiking trail head near the back of the campground. It is peaceful and relaxing here!
GuideStayed here July 12-14,2019. There were quite a few sites available late Friday afternoon. Short walk to lake. Very well kept. Saw several deer and caught a few fish. Definitely worth the drive from Albuquerque
LegendNice level Lake view spot. Easy access to site and dump station. Fire pit and shade over picnic table.
Equestrian camping near Mimbres, New Mexico offers access to the diverse terrain of the Gila National Forest at elevations ranging from 6,000 to 7,500 feet. The area experiences typical high desert climate patterns with summer daytime temperatures reaching the 90s and winter nights often dropping below freezing. Vehicle access to many dispersed camping areas requires high-clearance vehicles, especially during spring runoff when forest roads can develop significant washboarding and occasional mud patches.
Paddle on Lake Roberts: The 72-acre lake provides opportunities for kayaking, canoeing, and stand-up paddleboarding. "This lake is great for paddle boarding, relaxing and taking in the views," notes Eva G. about Lake Roberts.
Fish for trout: Lake Roberts and nearby streams contain rainbow and brown trout. "Saw several deer and caught a few fish. Definitely worth the drive from Albuquerque," reports Karen N. about her July visit to Lake Roberts.
Soak in natural hot springs: Multiple natural hot spring soaking areas exist in the region. "There is a short walk to the natural hot springs down by the river which is really rustic and relaxing. Especially after climbing the steps to the cave/cliff dwellings," explains a visitor to Gila Hot Springs Ranch.
Astronomically observe: The remote location offers exceptional dark sky viewing. "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," shares one camper about nighttime viewing.
Privacy between sites: Despite being established campgrounds, many locations offer good separation. "Both times we've gone it's had quite a few people but beyond being able to hear them we weren't running into each other," says Jessica M. about her experience at Lake Roberts.
Wildlife viewing opportunities: The region supports diverse wildlife that frequently visits camping areas. "At sunset we watched deer in the pasture grazing happily. Then watched them hop right over the fence one by one!" reports a visitor to Gila Hot Springs Ranch.
Natural water features: Streams and lakes enhance the camping experience across the region. "This was my first experience in a boat, and the lake was a perfect place to learn. Had such an amazing experience with my family," writes Irving C. about Lake Roberts Picnic Area.
Free dispersed options: Public lands offer no-cost camping alternatives. "There are plenty of nice spots to camp along North Star Road, north of Mimbres, NM. You'll find dispersed campsites with fire-rings all along the edges of the road and on spur forest roads sprouting from it," explains Jorge G. about North Star Mesa Dispersed Camping.
Road conditions vary significantly: Access to some sites requires careful driving. "North Star Road is usually well maintained and most vehicles should make it to at least North Star Mesa," notes Jorge G., though conditions can change seasonally.
Generator noise can impact experience: Some campgrounds permit generator use which affects noise levels. "Only drawback was one time people were running generators which were pretty loud, but we'd still go back!" mentions Jessica M. about Lake Roberts.
Temperature fluctuations: Be prepared for significant day-to-night temperature changes. "Mornings were in the 30's. It warms up quickly so layering worked for us," advises one visitor about temperature management.
Limited services at dispersed sites: Most dispersed camping lacks basic amenities. "Nothing in terms of services and amenities, but nice hiking nearby. Very clear skies at night," explains Jorge G. about North Star Mesa camping.
Consider established campgrounds for amenities: Facilities make family camping more comfortable. "The restrooms are flush toilets, hot water and a heated floor. Super clean!" reports a visitor to Gila Hot Springs Ranch.
Pack water for dispersed sites: No drinking water exists at most remote locations. "This is open BLM land. When you turn off Highway 61, you go through a gate. There are multiple pull-outs along the road," explains Michael D. about BLM Near City of Rocks, where no water is available.
Plan for daytime activities: Recreational opportunities enhance family experiences. "We pulled right into our campsite with hot and cold water at our site. I believe they pull it from the natural hot springs that run beneath the mountain. What a treat!" shares one camper about the convenience of Gila Hot Springs Ranch for families.
Check fire restrictions: Regulations vary by location and season. "We ran out of propane and were easily accommodated with a fire ring and wood for a small fee. Well worth it!" notes a visitor regarding adaptations needed during their stay.
Scout steep access roads first: Some ranch and forest road approaches present challenges. "Must be prepared for a very steep grade drive with switchbacks," warns Ellyn F. about accessing Elephant Butte Lake RV Resort.
Size limitations apply: Larger rigs face access restrictions at some locations. "Maneuvering our 24ft sprinter was doable on the property but larger vehicles not advised," cautions Linda C. about Gila Hot Springs Ranch.
Consider full-hookup options for extended stays: Several resorts offer complete services. "Sites are a little close upfront and the road noise can be a bit of an issue. Good cell service with Verizon and AT&T," reports SMCadventures4u about Elephant Butte Lake RV Resort.
Watch for wildlife on approach roads: Animals frequently cross rural roads. "Quiet ranch in the mountains of Gila National Forest. Beautiful scenery with sheep and horses," observes Ellyn F. about the driving conditions near equestrian camping facilities.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular equestrian campsite near Mimbres, NM?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular equestrian campground near Mimbres, NM is Lake Roberts with a 4.6-star rating from 5 reviews.
What is the best site to find equestrian camping near Mimbres, NM?
TheDyrt.com has all 9 equestrian camping locations near Mimbres, NM, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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