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 devic
Motor Vehicle Order Road Restrictions
The purpose of this Order is for the protection of public health and safety and prohibits:
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 s
Small Business Timber Sale 5-year Recomputation
Under provisions of the Small Business Timber Sale Program, Forest Service and Small Business Administration (SBA) policies provide for recomputation of the small business share of National Forest timber sale offerings every five years.
Quemado Lake Closure
Quemado Lake and nearby recreation areas are closed due to harmful algal blooms. See full alert for more information.
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.
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.
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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