Cottonwood Canyon
Open year-round, first-come first-served with no reservations. Stage 1 fire restrictions are in effect through September 30, 2026; campfires are permitted only in provided fire structures. No fee required. 14-day stay limit applies.
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
Due to active firefighting operations and fire danger associated with the Sacaton Fire, an area closure goes into effect for public health and safety at 8:00 a.m. Wednesday, July 1 for all National Forest System lands, roads, and trails within the Gila Wilderness around Sacaton Mountain (see full…
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
Cottonwood Campground is a small, primitive campground nestled in the Gila National Forest of southwestern New Mexico. Located on the west side of US Highway 180 between mileposts 23 and 24, approximately 20 miles north of Glenwood, this quiet campground sits at an elevation of 5,816 feet. The campground is free and operates year-round on a first-come, first-served basis with no reservations accepted. Amenities are basic but functional: vault toilets are available, and each site has a picnic table. Potable water is not provided, so campers must bring an adequate supply. Parking is limited to two vehicles per site, and a 14-day stay limit applies. OHVs, ATVs, hunting, shooting, and stock animals are prohibited within the campground. The campground provides a good base for exploring the surrounding Gila National Forest, which encompasses over 3.3 million acres of rugged mountain terrain, wilderness areas, and diverse ecosystems. Pets are welcome but must be kept on a leash at all times.
Directions
Located 20 miles north of Glenwood on US Highway 180, on the west side of the highway between mileposts 23 and 24.
Amenities
| Water | No |
| Fires Allowed | Yes |
| Toilets | Yes |
| Dump Station | — |
| 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 | — |
| Pull Through Sites | — |
Contact
| Phone | +1 (575) 539-2481 |
Cell Service
| AT&T | None |
| Verizon | None |
| T-Mobile | None |
Useful Links
| USFS Cottonwood Campground | |
| Gila NF Fire Restrictions |
Photos
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