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Established Camping

Black Canyon Campground - Lower

Black Canyon Campground - Lower, near Gila National Forest, is a peaceful retreat that offers a unique camping experience surrounded by nature. With its remote location, it’s a great escape from the hustle and bustle, allowing you to enjoy the soothing sounds of a nearby stream and the chirping of local birds.

This campground is perfect for tent and RV camping, though you won’t find electric hookups or showers here. Visitors have praised the cleanliness of the facilities, including the pit toilets, which are surprisingly well-maintained. One camper noted, “The camp hosts were absolutely wonderful,” highlighting the friendly atmosphere you can expect during your stay.

The nights can get quite cool, so be prepared for a significant drop in temperature after sunset. Many campers have enjoyed cozying up in their sleeping bags, even mentioning the occasional hailstorm that adds to the adventure. If you’re looking to explore, the Gila National Forest offers stunning scenery and plenty of opportunities for hiking and wildlife watching. Just remember, campfires are only allowed in designated metal fire pits, so plan accordingly.

Description

National Forest

Gila National Forest

This is a beautiful remote camping area. Trail #94 begins at the rear of the campground.Located in a remote area of forest__approximately 30 miles from the Wilderness Ranger District office. This campground is accessible from FR 150, and driving approximately .5 miles from the road, across the stream. You will enter an area with a newer vault toilet__and a beautiful meadow next to the stream.Please be advised - the district recommends high-clearance 4x4 vehicles on FR 150.

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Location

Black Canyon Campground - Lower is located in New Mexico

Detail location of campground

Directions

The campground is located 30 miles from Wilderness Ranger District office. Take Hwy 35 to MM15 to FR150.Turn right & travel 26 miles over a improved dirt & rock road to Black Canyon Campground. Turn left\_\_and travel .5 miles, over a steep stream crossing to the Lower Campground.

Coordinates

33.18415 N
108.0339584 W

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Access

  • Drive-In
    Park next to your site

Stay Connected

  • WiFi
    Unknown
  • Verizon
    Unknown
  • AT&T
    Unknown
  • T-Mobile
    Available

Site Types

  • Tent Sites
  • Standard (Tent/RV)

Features

For Campers

  • Trash
  • Firewood Available
  • Drinking Water
  • Toilets
  • Alcohol

FREE established camping

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

Contact

General Info


Reviews

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4 Reviews

Reviewed May. 31, 2021

Beautiful Remote Campground

This is an excellent campground that doesn’t seem to be overrun, probably due to its’ remote location. There are many birds in the area, and the sounds of a running stream is peaceful. Nights here are cool. You can plan for at least a 30 degree delta between daytime high and nighttime low. The Gila can at times be plagued with wildfires, as it was during our visit on 5/28/21. Visibility was okay, and it didn’t seem unhealthy to be there. 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.

Month of VisitMay
  • Review photo of Black Canyon Campground - Lower by Mark O., May 31, 2021
  • Review photo of Black Canyon Campground - Lower by Mark O., May 31, 2021
  • Review photo of Black Canyon Campground - Lower by Mark O., May 31, 2021
  • (10) View All
Reviewed Jun. 11, 2018

Gorgeous campground 10 minutes from the Plaza

We visited Black Canyon last August on our way to Colorado and stayed two nights. What a lovely and well maintained place. camp hosts were absolutely wonderful. campers were clean, quiet and respectful. Bathrooms were just pit toilets, but man... they were CLEAN! 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. I liked this place so much we booked it again this summer, but were disappointed to see it closed for the month due to wild fires nearby and extreme drought. We get it, but are super bummed. This place is just gorgeous.

  • Review photo of Black Canyon Campground - Lower by Tracy C., June 11, 2018
  • Review photo of Black Canyon Campground - Lower by Tracy C., June 11, 2018
Reviewed May. 28, 2018

Santa Fe National Forest

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. Would be 5 stars but the water spigot only worked intermittently, and it was difficult to get a site due to online reservations, some of which weren't even used but sites were still considered occupied due to reservation. I dislike National Park Campgrounds utilizing online reservations, it makes it hard for those of us who wish to ramble aimlessly.

The birds are abundant here. I wore a red winter hat and had at least 10 hummingbirds buzz my head in one day. I could hear their wings and feel the breeze from them they came so close. Tons of shade here, and nice cool days with chilly nights in May. We had a night of sleet after a rainstorm with hail but the next two days were gorgeous. Conveniently located to Santa Fe amenities. I highly recommend this campground. Pit toilets were minimally smelly and relatively clean.

Site25, across from the bathroom and beautiful for tent campers.
Month of VisitMay
  • Review photo of Black Canyon Campground - Lower by Court M., May 28, 2018