Nice big spots under the trees. Some really magnificent old pines, very shady and peaceful.
One of the better spots I’ve found in western NM.
About 15 minutes from the town of Reserve for groceries, food, gas, etc. Super friendly folks in the local bar. Foods hit and miss.
Well-spaced sites with a clean vault toilet. No trash, so pack out what you take in. Quite full on a Wednesday though--looked like several campers who like to max out the 14-day stay limits.
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.
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
Free. Tall trees. Campsites very spread out. Wildlife and petroglyphs hike nearby.
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.
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.
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.
I arrived on a Sunday afternoon in mid May. There were a few campers, but less than half full. Temp was 69. Running water and pit toilets, very 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.
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!)
