Black Canyon Campground - Lower
Open year-round for overnight camping, no reservations required. Stage 1 fire restrictions are in effect as of March 23, 2026, meaning campfires are only allowed in permanent fire structures at developed sites. FR 150 has road construction near Diamond Creek with temporary closures possible through early May 2026. Expect rough road conditions and potential flooding during high stream flows.
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
Black Canyon Campground - Lower sits at 6,734 feet elevation in a remote section of Gila National Forest, approximately 30 miles from the Wilderness Ranger District office. The campground occupies a scenic meadow adjacent to a stream, offering a secluded camping experience for those willing to navigate the challenging access road. Trail #94 begins at the rear of the campground, providing hiking opportunities into the surrounding wilderness. This is a primitive, no-fee campground with basic amenities including a newer vault toilet and three picnic tables. There is no potable water, and campers must pack out all trash. The 14-day stay limit applies, with a maximum of two vehicles per campsite. While there is room for campers and trailers, long trailers are not recommended due to the steep stream crossing required to access the lower campground. Access requires high-clearance 4WD vehicles via Forest Road 150, which can be very rough, especially through Rocky Canyon. The area experienced flooding damage following the 2022 Black Fire and subsequent monsoon seasons, and potential for flooding exists during periods of high stream flows. The last services available are in Mimbres at La Tienda.
Directions
From Mimbres, take Highway 35 to Forest Road 150 at milepost 15. Turn north (right) and travel 26 miles over improved dirt and rock road to Black Canyon Campground. Turn left and travel 0.5 mile over a steep stream crossing to reach the lower campground. High-clearance 4WD recommended.
Amenities
| Water | No |
| Fires Allowed | Yes |
| Toilets | Yes |
| Dump Station | No |
| Wifi | No |
| Pets Allowed | Yes |
| Showers | No |
| Electric Hookups | — |
| Water Hookups | — |
| Sewer Hookups | — |
| Camp Store | No |
| Price | $0 |
Vehicle
| Max RV Length | — |
| Max Trailer Length | — |
| Big Rig Friendly | No |
| Pull Through Sites | — |
Contact
| Phone | +1 (575) 536-2250 |
Cell Service
| AT&T | None |
| Verizon | None |
| T-Mobile | None |
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