Upper Gallinas Campground

Free camping in Gila National Forest comes without a reservation requirement at Upper Gallinas, a drive-in campground in the Gallinas Canyon area near Hanover, New Mexico. The site sits alongside a stream, and reviewers note the ground is solid enough for RVs up to 24 feet. Amenities are basic: vault toilets and trash service are on-site, but there is no water hookup or electrical service.

Of the four campgrounds clustered in this corridor, Upper Gallinas is the most exposed to the road. That proximity makes it easy to pull in quickly, with picnic tables close at hand, but campers who prioritize separation from passing traffic may prefer one of the alternatives nearby. Lower Gallinas Campground sits about 1.2 miles to the southwest, and Railroad Canyon Campground is roughly 0.7 miles to the northeast.

The stream running through the area draws attention from reviewers, who mention watching wildlife in and around the water. Multiple sites are available, and past visitors have found the campground uncrowded, sometimes entirely to themselves on weekday stays. Pets are permitted, campfires are allowed, and the site is ADA accessible. One seasonal note: Todd J. reported all four campgrounds in this group were closed in December 2021, so campers planning a winter visit should confirm current status with the US Forest Service before making the trip.

Iron Creek Campground, about 1.4 miles northeast, gives campers another no-fee option in the same stretch of forest if Upper Gallinas is occupied or the road exposure is a drawback.