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Established Camping

Apache Creek Campground

Apache Creek Campground, near Apache Creek, New Mexico, is a straightforward and inviting place for campers looking to unwind in nature. With spacious sites surrounded by Ponderosa pines and deciduous trees, it’s a great spot for those who appreciate a bit of peace and quiet.

This campground is all about simplicity, featuring vault toilets and a clean environment. Visitors have noted that the sites are well-separated, allowing for a sense of privacy while still being part of a community. One camper mentioned, “All sites are pretty nice,” which speaks to the overall quality of the camping experience here.

For outdoor lovers, the nearby national forest offers fantastic hiking trails, making it an ideal base for exploration. Plus, there’s a small store just a short drive away where you can grab essentials like water and ice. As one reviewer put it, “The hiking in the national forest was fabulous,” highlighting the area’s natural beauty.

While there are no hookups or showers, the campground’s charm lies in its rustic feel and the opportunity for stargazing at night. Campers have enjoyed gathering around campfires, soaking in the cool evening air, and taking in the serene surroundings. Whether you’re stopping for a night or planning a longer stay, Apache Creek Campground offers a refreshing escape into the great outdoors.

Description

US Forest Service

Gila National Forest

This is not dispersed camping - it's primitive camping. Please stay in the already established camp spots.

This is a nice quiet undeveloped campground amongst ponderosa pines and abundant wildlife.Apache Creek Campground is in the northwest region of the forest. There are plenty of trees to provide shade and this is a very clean campground.

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Location

Apache Creek Campground is located in New Mexico

Detail location of campground

Directions

Apache Creek Campground is located approximately 12 miles northeast of Reserve on the south side of New Mexico Highway 12. Just past mile marker 19, turn south onto Forest Road 94 (Cox Canyon Rd.). Apache Creek Campground is located on the right side of the road.

Coordinates

33.828528 N
108.627974 W

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Access

  • Drive-In
    Park next to your site

Stay Connected

  • WiFi
    Good
  • Verizon
    Poor
  • AT&T
    Unknown
  • T-Mobile
    Unknown

Site Types

  • Tent Sites
  • RV Sites
  • Standard (Tent/RV)
  • Group

Features

For Campers

  • ADA Access
  • Toilets
  • Alcohol

FREE established camping

Enjoy camping on government land. Limited or no services at this camping area.

Contact

General Info

Drive Time


Reviews

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5.0

out of 5

9 Reviews

Reviewed Apr. 27, 2025

Ponderosa Pines!!!!

I am on my 16 state trip for 6 months for my Outdoors Unsupervised channnel (the camp video comes out July 17th, 2025 on YT) The Apache Creek Campground is the best free campsite I been to and I visited 9 states so far. Very beautiful Campground and spaced out terrific. There is a small bathroom to boot. Fire rings at every campsite as well as picnic tables and tree trunks cut in half for tables/seatin' areas. Very scenic and as the title states ... TREEEES!!!! I hiked a trail nearby and relavl Ed arpund the fire at nighst and in the mornings. Nights were average if 55 and mornin' were around 30-40. Very quite and tranquil. Winds kick up a bit from 9AM til 8PM 12-15mph average and a lil dusty in April the locals in Reserve 11 miles away told me.
I drove there for a food challenge for my other channel Da Garbage Disposal at Smokey's Cafe and it was really good authentic Mexican food where I had the combination plate. (video comes out May 14th on YT).
They have a grocery store with fresh meat a butcher is generous with the portions as well as an automatic ice/water machine next to Smokey's cafe.
I definitely recommend Apache Creek Campgroind as a must stop if you are passing by the area.

Month of VisitApril
  • Review photo of Apache Creek Campground by Outdoors U., April 27, 2025
  • Review photo of Apache Creek Campground by Outdoors U., April 27, 2025
  • Review photo of Apache Creek Campground by Outdoors U., April 27, 2025
  • (6) View All
Reviewed Apr. 27, 2025

New Mexico Doess Have Trees!!!!

On my 16 syate 6 month trip .for my Outdoors Unsupervised channel. (This video comes out July 17th, 2025. Amazed how beautiful the big Pondersa Pines are. There are picnic tables, tree trunks cut in half for tables, fire rings & some sites had gazebos. Sites are spaced out. Nights & mornings perfect for a fire. I hiked a trail nearby as well. 11 miles into the town of Reserve there is a butcher, geocery store, cafes and automated ice/water machine

Month of VisitApril
  • Review photo of Apache Creek Campground by Brandon Da Garbage Disposal C., April 27, 2025
  • Review photo of Apache Creek Campground by Brandon Da Garbage Disposal C., April 27, 2025
  • Review photo of Apache Creek Campground by Brandon Da Garbage Disposal C., April 27, 2025
  • (7) View All
Reviewed Apr. 18, 2025

Trees and quiet

Free. Tall trees. Campsites very spread out. Wildlife and petroglyphs hike nearby.

Sitedispersed
Month of VisitApril
  • Review photo of Apache Creek Campground by Renee T., April 18, 2025
  • Review photo of Apache Creek Campground by Renee T., April 18, 2025
  • Review photo of Apache Creek Campground by Renee T., April 18, 2025
  • (10) View All
Reviewed Dec. 31, 2024

Perfect secluded free stopover

Lovely 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.

Month of VisitDecember
  • Review photo of Apache Creek Campground by Jorge G., December 31, 2024
  • Review photo of Apache Creek Campground by Jorge G., December 31, 2024
  • Review photo of Apache Creek Campground by Jorge G., December 31, 2024
  • (5) View All
Reviewed Jun. 15, 2024

Perfect for a Stopover

Apache 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.

SiteDruve Theough
Month of VisitMay
  • Review photo of Apache Creek Campground by Roger W., June 15, 2024
  • Review photo of Apache Creek Campground by Roger W., June 15, 2024
  • Review photo of Apache Creek Campground by Roger W., June 15, 2024
  • (9) View All
Reviewed Apr. 28, 2022

great spot

This is a basic free campground, with dispersed camping, no hookups and a vault toilet.  We were there in april and during the week at it to ourselves.  Is was rather full on the weekend but still quiet.  The hiking in the national forest was fabulous and this was a good base to get to hikes from.   There is a small store in Apache Creek about 5 minutes from the campground that sold water, ice, and other essentials.  Nice clean place to camp.

Reviewed Apr. 18, 2021

Super clean

Spent the last three days enjoying Apache Creek campground. Large camping sites clean campgrounds and restroom Was able to have campfires
Cool in morning snd evening but plenty of wood around to collect.

No water or electricity.

Siteunknown
Month of VisitApril
  • Review photo of Apache Creek Campground by Karen  N., April 18, 2021
  • Review photo of Apache Creek Campground by Karen  N., April 18, 2021
  • Review photo of Apache Creek Campground by Karen  N., April 18, 2021
  • (6) View All
Reviewed May. 24, 2020

Fun weekend!

Campgrounds were well separated, well kept. Excellent stargazing available, as well as lots of hikes to pick from nearby! We ran into a thru-hiker doing the CDT when we were there last May (if you’re reading this, hi Pacer!)

  • Review photo of Apache Creek Campground by Laura S., May 24, 2020
  • Review photo of Apache Creek Campground by Laura S., May 24, 2020
  • Review photo of Apache Creek Campground by Laura S., May 24, 2020

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Does Apache Creek Campground have wifi?

    No, according to campers on TheDyrt.com, Apache Creek Campground does not have wifi.

  • Is there cell phone reception at Apache Creek Campground?

    According to campers on TheDyrt.com, Verizon signal is poor, AT&T is unknown, and T-Mobile is unknown.