The hills and mountains around Silver City, New Mexico, give campers several different places to stay. Silver City KOA sits a few miles from town with full hookups that work well for RVs. Gila Hot Springs Campground stands out because campers can soak in natural mineral waters after a day of hiking. Lower Scorpion Campground keeps things basic with fewer amenities for people who want a more natural setting. Most sites have decent roads leading to them, though you might need a vehicle with higher clearance to reach certain spots. The campgrounds differ quite a bit - some have drinking water and flush toilets while others are pretty bare-bones. Since wildlife roams throughout the area, you'll need to store food properly to keep animals away from your campsite. Weather changes quickly here with hot days and cool nights, so bring layers. Hiking paths spread out in all directions from most camping areas. Many campers make time to visit the Gila Cliff Dwellings to see ancient homes built into the cliffs. Tent campers and RV owners both have good options around Silver City.
"The Silver City KOA is a wonderful place to stay! The staff are friendly and go above and beyond to make you feel welcome."
"Close to town and a ton of hiking! Super clean!! Would definitely stay here again."
"This modest little park (fairly priced) is next door to a market, 4 blocks from Silver City’s wonderful old town, and 7 blocks from a great dog park."
"Great location for exploring Silver City, NM. Sites are small, but great, friendly people. Not for big rigs."
$15 - $30 / night
"Last week I visited Faywood, New Mexico which is located about halfway in between Silver City and Deming, and I came across a unique terrain with structures of Boulder rocks that are “formed of volcanic"
"The drive out here is a long stretch of flat barren Chihuahuan desert, and then as you go over a hill in the distance you see literally what looks like a "city of rocks", enormous weathered volcanic rocks"
"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!"
"The woman behind the counter was so accomodating and the spot we got for 2 nights was huge and very private. The showers were large and clean as well as the rest of the park."
"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."
"Great place and close to sights, yet nestled in a lovely spot."
"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!"
"Beautiful location in the tall pines. Sites were well spaced but little privacy, and close to the road which was not busy at all. Picnic table and fire ring at each site."
"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."
$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!"
"After not finding a campsite at the other near one called Cherry Creek. We ended up at McMillan campsite. Super close to the restroom but not close enough where it is unsanitary."
"Lots of trees, two outhouses, a good few tables and designated campfire circles, all around nice if but a little muddy depending on the time of year"
"There are hiking trails close by and tons of ATV trails for the off road enthusiast. It is cooler here so it was a nice respite from the heat of the desert."
"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."
GuideVarious dry camping dirt sites dispersed amoung the rocks. Most are well spaced. Many will require leveling blocks. Many on west side have both vast desert and rock views. Showers available at visitor's center.
TravelerEasy access thru BLM Gate just north of City of Rocks State Park. Decent road for 25' RV with at least 6 level spots to park or camp. Cell was spotty except at top of hill. Very private no other campers.
LegendBeautiful location in the tall pines. Sites were well spaced but little privacy, and close to the road which was not busy at all. Picnic table and fire ring at each site. Clean well-maintained vault toilets. We were there in the winter and there had been some rain and snow melt, and the creek was running over the road, but still crossable even in our Transit van. The sites themselves are a little small with lots of trees and you can see where many larger campers and RVs seem to have had a tree encounter. The drive up from Silver City was stunning.
LegendThree soaking pools fed by natural hot springs make this an amazing experience, especially in the middle of winter. Temperature in the pools is adjusted for maximum comfort depending on the time of year. Bathing suits are apparently optional after dark! No food or booze allowed in the springs, which keeps things pacific and relaxing. Several camping sites right down on the Gila River, with picnic tables, and fire rings. Fill up your water tank with fresh spring water. Composting toilet. No dumpster available. $12 per person per night with unlimited time in the pools. If you have a big rig or want full hookup, go to Becky's Gila Springs RV ranch, just across the street. Good gravel road, although it is a bit steep and narrow as you turn off the highway. Firewood available for sale. Great place to stay if you want to visit the cliff Dwellings, which are only 15 minutes away. Be sure to make reservations ahead of time to ensure a spot.
LegendTall pines, heavily wooded sites which make maneuvering any larger vehicle challenging. Vault toilets. Picnic table and fire ring at each site. Fording the creek that floods the road periodically is the same problem that Cherry Creek has!
RangerThere is no power, water or sewer nor is there a dumpster. The “host” is very helpful. There is drinking water on site and a composting toilet setup. The scenery and the Hot Springs make it truly special.
LegendThe drive out here is a long stretch of flat barren Chihuahuan desert, and then as you go over a hill in the distance you see literally what looks like a "city of rocks", enormous weathered volcanic rocks sticking out of the ground. The non-electric campsites here are scattered around the rocks, screened from one another, although not from the road by these enormous rocks. The full hookup campsites are more conventional, with gravel pads. Each site has a picnic table and a fire ring with a grill, and a trash can. The visitor center has flush toilets, water and hot showers. Several vault toilets scattered around the campground, and a common potable water source. We were here in the winter time so we appreciated the fact that our site (12- Corona australius) had full morning and afternoon sun. Deming and Silver City groceries and gas, each about 30 miles away. T-Mobile service was fair. There were several sites available to reserve day of. Don't forget to hike to the top of Tabletop Mountain.
GuideI stayed in two spots. One in the main area on North side in site of Windmill. Second on in the Pegasus area on the far East side. Both were incredible. Vault toilets were very clean. Campsites had tables, garbage cans, and fire rings. Found out that if you sit behind the rocks there was no cell service. But step out and phone work well.
TravelerVery quiet. Lovely sunrise and sunset. Downside is there is quite a bit of garbage. Can’t go 10 feet without tin cans or glass at your feet. Got down to 19 degrees
Dispersed camping areas near Silver City, New Mexico typically sit at elevations between 5,800 and 7,500 feet, creating notable temperature variations between day and night. The region's terrain shifts from pinyon-juniper woodland to ponderosa forest as you move into higher elevations. Most campsites around Silver City require high-clearance vehicles for access, especially after heavy rain or snow.
Explore ancient ruins: The Gila Cliff Dwellings National Monument provides access to prehistoric Mogollon cliff dwellings. One camper at Silver City KOA noted: "Close to town and a ton of hiking! Super clean!! Would definitely stay here again." The monument is about 44 miles north of Silver City with a $10 per person entrance fee.
Take advantage of local trails: The area offers extensive hiking options ranging from desert paths to mountain trails. A visitor at Continental Divide Park & Camp mentioned: "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."
Soak in natural hot springs: Several natural hot springs are located within driving distance of Silver City. Many are accessible year-round. A guest at Cherry Creek Campground explained: "Beautiful drive. The campground had nice spacing, great environment and the views are nice."
Stargazing opportunities: The minimal light pollution creates excellent night sky viewing conditions. A camper at City of Rocks State Park Campground shared: "Each site is named after a constellation you can see in the sky at night from the campground. And during the day you can see for miles and miles, it's just so beautiful, call me, and serene!"
Spacious, private campsites: Many campsites around Silver City offer good separation between sites. According to a reviewer at Rose Valley RV Ranch: "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."
Diverse wildlife: The region supports various animal species. A visitor to City of Rocks State Park Campground noted: "At City of Rocks you will find a wonderful opportunity to view the native wildlife of NM. Noteworthy: the stars, the trails, and opportunity for climbing and jumping on rocks."
Weather considerations: Conditions can change rapidly, requiring preparation. A reviewer at Sapillo Dispersed Camping Area advised: "Chilly nights and early mornings. Secret gem."
Road conditions: Some access roads require high-clearance vehicles. A visitor to Cattlemen Trail warned: "If 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."
Cell coverage: Service varies widely across the region. A camper at Sapillo Dispersed Camping Area reported: "Zero cell signal with verizon," while someone at Cattlemen Trail mentioned: "Cell service is excellent for Verizon even wandering around the trails back here."
Choose sites with natural play features: Some locations provide natural areas for exploration. A visitor to City of Rocks State Park Campground shared: "Our grandsons loved this place. You can spend hours exploring all the rocks."
Consider accessibility needs: Not all campsites are suitable for families with young children. At Bear Mountain, a camper noted: "It is a tight squeeze to get a truck back there, Tacoma, but we got tucked in just fine."
Prepare for temperature swings: The elevation causes significant temperature differences between day and night. Pack appropriate clothing layers, especially in spring and fall when daily temperature ranges can exceed 30°F.
Check site dimensions carefully: Many sites have specific limitations. A Rose Valley RV Ranch visitor advised: "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."
Be selective with hookup options: Amenities vary significantly between locations. A camper at Silver City RV Park explained: "Very small and tight park. It was basically cheap and cheerful. Used the laundry which wasn't exciting but it did the job. You can walk to the old town from here."
Consider seasonal timing: Summer afternoons can be hot, while winter nights get cold. A visitor at Silver City KOA reported: "I've been hitting KOAs across the SW and this is maybe the nicest one I've stayed at so far. Excellent customer service, clean sites, bathrooms and a nice area."
Frequently Asked Questions
What camping is available near Silver City, NM?
According to TheDyrt.com, Silver City, NM offers a wide range of camping options, with 80 campgrounds and RV parks near Silver City, NM and 19 free dispersed camping spots.
Which is the most popular campground near Silver City, NM?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Silver City, NM is Silver City KOA with a 5-star rating from 9 reviews.
Where can I find free dispersed camping near Silver City, NM?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 19 free dispersed camping spots near Silver City, NM.
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