Little Walnut Group Picnic Sites
This is a day-use picnic area only; overnight camping is prohibited. Open 8:00 a.m. until sunset during spring, summer, and fall. Winter hours vary by weather. Group sites are reservable via Recreation.gov. No potable water available; visitors must bring their own.
Cannabis Possession Prohibited
Order 03-00-00-21-002 prohibits possessing, storing, or transporting a cannabis plant, any part of a cannabis plant, or any substance derived from a cannabis plant within the Southwestern Region National Forests in the State of New Mexico and the National Grasslands in the states of Texas and…
Sacaton Fire Closure
An area closure goes into effect at 8:00 a.m. Wednesday, July 1 for all National Forest System lands within the Gila Wilderness around Sacaton Mountain (see map below).
Black Range Ranger District network and phones down June 24, 2026
Computer network and phones are out of service at the Black Range Ranger District since about 2:00 p.m. Tuesday, June 23. The office is open for visitors, but without access to the network and point-of-sale system, we are unable to make any sales until the outage is resolved.
About
Located approximately 5 miles north of Silver City via Little Walnut Road, the Little Walnut Group Picnic Sites provide day-use facilities within the Gila National Forest's Silver City Ranger District. This is strictly a day-use area; overnight camping is prohibited. The Little Walnut West Group Area accommodates up to 50 people with parking for 10 vehicles and includes eight picnic tables, three pedestal grills, vault toilets, and trash receptacles. The Little Walnut East Group Area is larger, accommodating up to 75 people with parking for 15 vehicles, featuring 10 tables plus a serving table, four pedestal grills, vault toilets, and trash service. The sites offer views of Gomez Peak amid Ponderosa and pinyon-juniper woodland, with wildlife including deer, squirrels, and various bird species. The popular Gomez Peak/Little Walnut Trail System is accessible from here, making it a favored destination for group gatherings before or after hiking and mountain biking outings.
Directions
From Silver City, drive north on Little Walnut Road from US Highway 180 for approximately 5 miles.
Amenities
| Water | No |
| Fires Allowed | No |
| Toilets | Yes |
| Dump Station | No |
| Wifi | — |
| Pets Allowed | Yes |
| Showers | No |
| Electric Hookups | — |
| Water Hookups | — |
| Sewer Hookups | — |
| Camp Store | No |
| Price | $75 |
Vehicle
| Max RV Length | — |
| Max Trailer Length | — |
| Big Rig Friendly | — |
| Pull Through Sites | No |
Contact
| SM.FS.GilaForest@usda.gov | |
| Phone | +1 (575) 388-8201 |
Cell Service
| AT&T | Yes |
| Verizon | Yes |
| T-Mobile | Yes |
Availability
Photos
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