Black Canyon Campground - Lower
Open — Open year-round on a first-come, first-served basis. No advance reservations available. High-clearance 4x4 vehicles strongly recommended for access.
Fireworks, Explosives and Sparks Restrictions
To prevent fires and for public safety order 03-00-23-001 prohibits to 1) possess, discharge, or use any kind of firework or other pyrotechnic devices; 2) use explosives; or 3) operate an internal or external combustion engine without a spark arresting device in effective working order.
Motor Vehicle Order Road Restrictions
The purpose of this Order is for the protection of public health and safety and prohibits: Using any type of vehicle that does not comply with an applicable state law.Using a road for commercial hauling without a permit or written authorization.Operating a vehicle in violation of speed, load,…
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…
Hiring for seasonal positions: Feb. 20 - Mar. 3
We are encouraging anyone interested to apply to seasonal positions on the Gila National Forest. These positions will be recreation and visitor services support positions on all districts of the forest. Applicants can view open job announcements and submit applications through USAJOBS.gov.Forestry…
Vandalism on forest defers maintenance, decreases public safety
Resources diverted from recreation improvements and law enforcement to address damage from vandalismRepairing, restoring, and investigating vandalized sites takes Forest Service time and U.S. taxpayer money away from making other improvements on the 3.3 million acres of the Gila National Forest.…
Harmful algae detected in Quemado and Snow lakes
The New Mexico Environment Department is warning visitors to use caution at Quemado Lake, Snow Lake, and Hopewell Lake due to the formation of harmful algae blooms. Harmful algae blooms, or HABs, occur when certain types of algae grow excessively in water, posing potential health risks to people…
Gila National Forest to begin prescribed fires
Gila National Forest is planning prescribed fire operations this fall, pending all required approvals. We estimate this work to continue through the spring as weather conditions allow. We use prescribed fires to help reduce overgrown vegetation to help protect local communities, infrastructure and…
Gila National Forest Occupancy and Use Prohibitions
PROHIBITIONSPursuant to 16 U.S.C. § 551 and 36 C.F.R. § 261.50(a) the following is prohibited on the National Forest System (NFS) lands in the Gila National Forest (including those lands identified on the Gila National Forest Map as Apache National Forest, within the State of New Mexico)…
About
Black Canyon Campground - Lower offers a truly remote camping experience in the Gila National Forest, situated in a beautiful meadow setting alongside Black Canyon stream. Located approximately 30 miles from the Wilderness Ranger District office, this campground provides a peaceful escape with minimal visitation and limited maintenance presence. The campground is accessible via Forest Road 150, requiring an additional 0.5-mile drive across a steep stream crossing to reach the camping area. The district strongly recommends high-clearance 4x4 vehicles for this route. Upon arrival, campers will find a newer vault toilet and scattered campsites in the meadow, with enough space to accommodate small to medium-sized trailers for those equipped to navigate the access road. Lower Black Canyon Trail #94 begins at the rear of the campground, offering a 2.5-mile one-way hiking route that follows the drainage bottom west. The meadow setting and remote location provide excellent opportunities for wildlife viewing, including birds, deer, bear, and elk. The campground operates on a first-come, first-served basis with no reservation system.
Directions
From Silver City, take Highway 35 north to mile marker 15. Turn right onto Forest Road 150 and travel approximately 26 miles on improved dirt and rock road to Black Canyon Campground. Turn left and travel 0.5 miles over a steep stream crossing to reach the Lower Campground. High-clearance 4x4 vehicles strongly recommended.
Nearby Campgrounds
Amenities
| Water | No |
| Fires Allowed | Yes |
| Toilets | Yes |
| Dump Station | No |
| Wifi | No |
| Pets Allowed | — |
| 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 | — |
Cell Service
| AT&T | None |
| Verizon | None |
| T-Mobile | None |
Useful Links
| Black Canyon Campground - Lower | |
| View on Recreation.gov |
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