Black Canyon Campground - Upper
Open and available for overnight camping. Stage 1 fire restrictions are in effect across the Gila National Forest through September 30, 2026; campfires are permitted in designated fire rings. No potable water available on site.
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…
Quemado Lake Area/Trail Closure - Harmful Algal Blooms
The Gila National Forest has issued a public health and safety area closure of Quemado Lake due to a harmful algal bloom. The area closure will remain in effect until December 31, 2026 at 6 a.m., or until NMED advises that the lake is safe for public use.
Silver City Ranger District and Supervisor's Office Phones Down
Phones at the Silver City Ranger District and Supervisor's Office are down as of July 22, 2026. This alert will be removed once the phones are back in working order.
About
Upper Black Canyon Campground provides a remote and rugged camping experience deep within the Gila National Forest. Located along Forest Road 150 (North Star Road), the campground sits approximately 30 miles from the Wilderness Ranger District office and about 40 miles from Mimbres, NM. The upper campground is the first camping area encountered when arriving and is visible from the entrance road. This primitive, no-fee campground operates on a first-come, first-served basis with no reservations available. Facilities include a vault toilet and picnic tables with fire rings. Campers must bring their own water as no potable water is available, and must pack out all trash. The 14-day stay limit applies. Access requires careful vehicle selection. Forest Road 150 passes through Rocky Canyon with very rough sections, and a high-clearance 4WD vehicle is strongly recommended. RVs will find it very difficult to reach the campground. OHV/ATV use, hunting, shooting, and stock animals are prohibited within the campground. The area experienced flooding following the 2022 Black Fire.
Directions
From Mimbres, take Highway 35 to Forest Road 150 at milepost 15. Turn north (right) and travel approximately 26 miles on an improved dirt and rock road. Turn left into the upper campground. La Tienda in Mimbres is the last place to get gas before the campground. High-clearance 4WD vehicle 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 |
Photos
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