Best Tent Camping near Silver City, NM

Public lands surrounding Silver City, New Mexico offer diverse tent camping options within the Gila National Forest. Railroad Canyon Campground, located near Hanover, provides walk-in tent sites with a small creek running behind each of the three to four campsites. Lower Scorpion Campground features tent-only camping with walk-in sites surrounding a small parking area, making it particularly suitable for tent campers seeking separation from RVs. Rocky Canyon Campground, accessible from April to November, offers primitive tent camping along the Continental Divide Trail, while Pine Flats Campground provides additional tent-specific sites within the forest system.

Most tent campgrounds in the Silver City region feature basic amenities with varying levels of accessibility. Forest service roads leading to primitive tent camping areas often require high-clearance vehicles, particularly at Rocky Canyon where 4-wheel drive is recommended. Vault toilets are common at established sites, though drinking water is limited or unavailable at most locations. Campers should bring sufficient water supplies and prepare for significant temperature variations, with nighttime temperatures dropping considerably even during summer months. Fire restrictions are common throughout summer in the Gila region, with fires permitted only in designated metal fire rings when allowed.

Tent campers frequently report the natural water features as highlights of the area's camping experience. According to reviews, Railroad Canyon offers "large trees and flat camping spots" with a creek that provides both scenery and ambient sound. One visitor noted that Lower Scorpion Campground is "a beautiful place if you are tenting it," with designated spots around installed fire pits. The backcountry tent camping areas provide exceptional wildlife viewing opportunities, particularly for birders. At Black Canyon Campground, temperature swings of 30 degrees between day and night are common, creating ideal tent camping conditions with cool sleeping temperatures even during summer months. Walk-in tent sites throughout the region offer greater privacy and natural immersion than drive-up locations.

Best Tent Sites Near Silver City, New Mexico (15)

    1. Silver City KOA

    9 Reviews
    Arenas Valley, NM
    4 miles
    Website
    +1 (575) 388-3351

    "The Silver City KOA is a wonderful place to stay! The staff are friendly and go above and beyond to make you feel welcome."

    "Nice weather."

    2. Lake Roberts

    4 Reviews
    Hanover, NM
    19 miles
    Website

    "It’s a few minutes from the lake but it’s nice and open.. 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."

    "Short walk to lake. Very well kept. Saw several deer and caught a few fish. Definitely worth the drive from Albuquerque"

    3. Railroad Canyon Campground

    7 Reviews
    Mimbres, NM
    27 miles
    Website
    +1 (575) 388-8201

    "This campground is a “little” more hidden from the road than other nearby campgrounds."

    "This campground is a “little” more hidden from the road than other nearby campgrounds."

    4. Pine Flats Campground

    Be the first to review!
    Hanover, NM
    14 miles
    Website
    +1 (505) 346-2650

    5. Rocky Canyon Campground

    2 Reviews
    Mimbres, NM
    27 miles
    Website
    +1 (575) 536-2250

    "Definitely tents only Recommend that you have 4wheel drive, motorcycle or atv. Right on the continental divide trail. Very quiet"

    "Was going to camp here on 4/15/2021, but there was what appeared to be from signage, a controlled burn going on at the entrance to Forest Road 150."

    6. Black Canyon Campground - Lower

    4 Reviews
    Mimbres, NM
    31 miles
    Website

    "It is cool at night, even in August, due to the elevation. We were so cozy in our wool socks and sleeping bags in a tent. It even hailed on us hard one day."

    "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."

    7. Lower Scorpion Campground

    5 Reviews
    Gila, NM
    32 miles
    Website

    "I was able to set up a tent on the creek and dig down in the sand to find the hot water and then covered myself to get the geothermal properties."

    "There are designated spots around installed fire pits with grills. There is one bathroom that is handicap assessable. I don’t believe there’s water or electricity here."

    8. Kingston Campground

    3 Reviews
    Hillsboro, NM
    34 miles
    Website

    "This campground is right off the highway, but not too much traffic. The small creek bed has nice water depending on the time of year. Too hot in the summer. Gets cold I."

    "I walked through Kingstown and which is a friendly, adorable town. It is just up the road from their provided campground."

    9. Gila Lower Box Canyon

    2 Reviews
    Duncan, AZ
    34 miles
    Website
    +1 (575) 525-4300

    "This is primitive camping at one of New Mexico's truest oases.  Why? Because in 1990, cattle were prohibited from grazing this stretch of the Gila River. 

    The result?"

    10. Gallinas - Lower

    Be the first to review!
    Mimbres, NM
    25 miles
    Website
    +1 (505) 388-8201
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Recent Tent Camping Photos near Silver City, NM

9 Photos of 15 Silver City Campgrounds


Tent Camping Reviews near Silver City, NM

245 Reviews of 15 Silver City Campgrounds


  • Monte W.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 4, 2023

    Upper Scorpion Campground

    Walking distance to Cliff dwellings

    Stayed here for a couple nights in the beginning of September 2023. Weather was upper 80’s during the day and mid 50’s during the night. This site is free and provides a vault toilet (which was clean), water, a fire ring and picnic table. There were about 6-8 sites. I lucked out and ended up getting the last one. The sites were pretty close together but spread out enough. I was able to walk right to the entrance of the cliff dwellings trail from this site in about 5 minutes. I could also walk across street and woods to the river, wasn’t much water though. From silver city on 15, it took me about 90 minutes to reach the campsite. It’s a paved road but gets pretty twisty in spots. I stocked up on food and everything I needed at wal mart in silver city. There was no cell service from silver city to the campground. There is a store, Docs, that will let you use their Wi-Fi. The store has a few things but nothing impressive. It was also difficult finding wood in the immediate area, so either bring wood or stock up along 15 when you’re in the pines. There is also no trash pickup anywhere in the area, so prepare to pack out all trash. The only downside of this site is being able to get a spot. There is also the lower scorpion campsite, plus a few others along the way. There are also plenty of dispersed sites along 15.

  • E
    Apr. 19, 2025

    McMillan Campground

    Fun campsite! For Free!

    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. Perfect place the camp. There are only 3 sites but they have picnic tables and fire pits. Plenty of space even for large groups. No cell phone service at all! For miles you won’t have service especially coming from Silver City so plan accordingly! The Park ranger came by to clean out the bathrooms. No place to dump trash and no water. During our time here the weather was unpredictable, which is probably expected deep in the mountain. We had a great time!! The only down side was that some random hikers parked at a site and were extremely loud at 8 in the morning however they were not campers.

  • Steve B.
    May. 28, 2019

    Dipping Vat Campground

    Loved It!

    I took my dad there for Labor Day weekend last year and was totally pleased with the campground. Extremely well kept and clean. Didn’t use the RV restroom at all. The restrooms at the grounds were very clean and only a short walk from every campsite. Drinking water to fill your camper was available in several locations. No hookups but that was ok. The country surrounding the grounds was absolutely beautiful! Snow Lake provides great fishing opportunities and the views from all over the surrounding Gila Wilderness were simply amazing.

    We met some folks from Silver City during our stay and became lifelong friends with them. We spent most of the weekend with them sharing meals and stories around the campfire! I will definitely be heading there again at least once a year!

  • David R.The Dyrt PRO User
    Mar. 1, 2023

    Upper Scorpion Campground

    Awesome Cliff Dwellings - not a Bad Site

    The Gila cliff dwellings are awesome. Well worth the 1.5 hour drive in from Silver City. The Upper Scorpion campground is really a parking lot with nearby tent sites. Campers park in the lot. With that said I was the only occupant of the campground. It was very quiet with a spectacular night sky. The Lower Scorpion campground is the same. The host was very friendly and helpful. No services except pit toilets.

  • Mark O.
    Apr. 17, 2021

    Railroad Canyon Campground

    Clean Quick Stop

    This is a solid little campground with 3 (maybe 4?) campsites and few amenities. This campground is a “little” more hidden from the road than other nearby campgrounds. Railroad Canyon Campground has many trails to access the wilderness from, and a small creek running behind each of the three campsites.

    The campground does have a toilet, fire pits, picnic tables, and trash service. Please clean up after yourself, and leave no trace.

  • RoadTripEddie V.
    Aug. 9, 2021

    Cherry Creek Campground

    One of my favorites

    Nice campground with about 10 sites. With concrete picnic tables, and a fire ring. Vault toilets, hiking trails, and with cell signal. No hookups. Curative camping at its finest

  • c
    Jan. 17, 2022

    Silver City RV Park

    Fun Easy Access to Silver City

    We originally reserved one night and stayed 4. 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. They have a clean little laundromat, clean bathrooms, and friendly helpful staff. And a small coffee shop. We’ll be back.

  • Jorge G.The Dyrt PRO User
    Mar. 4, 2024

    Comfort Well Dispersed Camping

    Low-key dispersed sites

    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.

  • Mark O.
    Apr. 17, 2021

    Railroad Canyon Campground

    Clean Quick Stop

    This is a solid little campground with 3 (maybe 4?) campsites and few amenities. This campground is a “little” more hidden from the road than other nearby campgrounds. Railroad Canyon Campground has many trails to access the wilderness from, and a small creek running behind each of the three campsites.

    The campground does have a toilet and trash service. Please clean up after yourself, and leave no trace.


Guide to Silver City

Tent camping opportunities near Silver City, New Mexico extend beyond the Gila National Forest into diverse terrain at elevations between 6,000-8,000 feet. The region experiences dramatic temperature swings, with summer days reaching 90°F while nights can drop below 50°F even in July. Campgrounds in this area typically close seasonally from November through March due to colder conditions, though some lower-elevation sites remain accessible year-round.

What to do

Fishing at stocked lakes: Lake Roberts offers excellent fishing opportunities for recreational anglers. As one visitor noted, "This lake is great for paddle boarding, relaxing and taking in the views." The lake is regularly stocked and provides a peaceful setting for both beginners and experienced fishers.

Bird watching at riparian zones: Gila Lower Box Canyon provides exceptional birding opportunities in a protected riparian environment. According to one camper, it's "one of the lushest, most verdant riparian environments left in the desert southwest" where you can "sit on the edge of the cliffs, 20-30 feet above the tops of the cottonwoods and watch all the bird activity below."

Hiking the Continental Divide Trail: Rocky Canyon Campground offers direct access to the Continental Divide Trail. "Right on the continental divide trail. Very quiet," notes one reviewer. The rough access road limits traffic, creating a more secluded hiking experience for serious backpackers.

What campers like

Small, secluded campgrounds: Kingston Campground offers a quieter alternative to larger forest service sites. One camper described it as having "only a couple of camp spots" with a "small creek bed has nice water depending on the time of year." The limited number of sites creates a more intimate camping experience.

Walk-in tent sites: Lower Scorpion Campground features tent-specific walk-in sites that provide greater separation from vehicles. A visitor explained the layout: "The campground is a small parking lot surrounded by walk-in campsites. If you are tenting it, a beautiful place!" Another added there are "designated spots around installed fire pits with grills."

Natural water features: Many tent campers appreciate the streams running through or near campgrounds. At Black Canyon Campground, campers enjoy "the sounds of a running stream" which creates a "peaceful" atmosphere according to reviewers. The sound of flowing water adds a natural soundtrack to the camping experience.

What you should know

Fire restrictions: Fire bans are frequently implemented throughout summer months, particularly during drought conditions. One camper at Black Canyon Campground - Lower noted, "No campfires are currently permitted except for in designated metal fire pits maintained by the forest service. Just a guess, but this is probably the norm throughout the summer in the Gila."

Road conditions: Forest service roads leading to remote campgrounds often require high-clearance vehicles. A camper at Rocky Canyon Campground warned the access "gets pretty rough. Definitely tents only. Recommend that you have 4wheel drive, motorcycle or atv."

Temperature fluctuations: Plan for significant day-to-night temperature changes when tent camping. One visitor to Black Canyon observed, "Nights here are cool. You can plan for at least a 30 degree delta between daytime high and nighttime low."

Tips for camping with families

Best beginner-friendly water activities: Lake Roberts provides gentle water experiences suitable for children. One visitor shared, "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."

Wildlife viewing opportunities: Children often enjoy observing the diverse wildlife in the Gila region. At Gila Lower Box Canyon, families can "watch bands of coatimundis grazing through the bosque" according to one camper. Always supervise children closely as the same reviewer cautioned to "Watch out for rattlesnakes and Gila monsters during the warmer months though."

Consider cooler seasons: Summer heat can be challenging for families with young children, while shoulder seasons offer more comfortable temperatures. A Kingston Campground visitor advised it "gets cold in the winter, but it is a nice place when the weather is too cold to go further up the mountains to other campgrounds in the Gila."

Tips from RVers

KOA option for full amenities: Silver City KOA provides the most comprehensive facilities for RVers seeking hookups near Silver City. A recent visitor remarked, "Very friendly staff and owner. I've steered clear of KOA before but will check them out after this visit. Very quiet stay and spots were very nice."

Limited RV access at forest sites: Most forest service campgrounds have restrictions for larger vehicles. One visitor to Lower Scorpion Campground explained why: "We didn't actually stay there but leaving this review to explain why RVs and camper vans are discouraged. The campground is a small parking lot surrounded by walk-in campsites."

Consider camper cabins for convenience: The KOA offers cabin options that provide comfort without needing an RV. A guest reported, "KOA Kabin was better than I expected. Wi-Fi password available. TV in cabin, heated, toilet and shower. Great place to stay whether just passing through, or staying awhile."

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular tent campsite near Silver City, NM?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Silver City, NM is Silver City KOA with a 5-star rating from 9 reviews.

What is the best site to find tent camping near Silver City, NM?

TheDyrt.com has all 15 tent camping locations near Silver City, NM, with real photos and reviews from campers.