Open

Open year-round, first-come-first-served, no fee. Stage 1 fire restrictions are in effect on Gila National Forest through September 30, 2026. No potable water available. 14-day stay limit.

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…

Romero Creek bridge replacement and traffic closure north of Luna (FR 220)

June 1 - November 5The Gila National Forest will close approximately 1.5 miles of Forest Road (FR) 220 north of Luna while a contractor for the Federal Highway Administration removes and replaces a bridge over Romero Creek, just east of Romero Lake. FR 220 will be closed near the Romero Creek…

Potentially Dangerous Animal Encounters

Spring usually coincides with increased animal activity, and this year is no exception. Over the past couple of months, we have received reports of possibly rabid and aggressive animals near popular recreation areas:In early April, we received multiple reports over one weekend of suspected rabid…

Hummingbird Fire Forest Closure and Updates

Hummingbird Fire Emergency Closure for Public Health and SafetyGlenwood, Reserve, and Wilderness Ranger DistrictsAs of June 1, the closure order for the Hummingbird Fire has been lifted. All trails previously closed under the order are now open. Hummingbird Fire updates are posted on Facebook,…

Suspected rabid animals reported near Cliff Dwellings

We recently received several reports of suspected rabid animals near the Gila Cliff Dwellings. DO NOT APPROACH ANY ANIMAL EXHIBITING STRANGE BEHAVIOR.If you encounter any animal that seems sick or is acting strangely, call the New Mexico Department of Wildlife (Las Cruces Office) at 575-532-2100…

Stage 1 Fire Restrictions Begin March 23, 2026

The Gila National Forest will enact Stage 1 Restrictions on March 23. This decision is based on several factors, including: long term severe drought in the Gila region, increased tree mortality across the forest due to drought and insects, and forecasted weather patterns which indicate higher…

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

Gwynn Tank Campground sits in the Reserve Ranger District of the Gila National Forest at the edge of a ponderosa pine meadow. The campground takes its name from the adjacent Gwynn Tank pond, which New Mexico Game and Fish has historically stocked for recreational fishing. The flat terrain and open setting make it a straightforward spot for tent camping or small RVs. Facilities are primitive but functional: each site has a picnic table, and a vault toilet serves the campground. No potable water is available, so campers must bring their own supply. There is no fee, and sites are first-come-first-served with a 14-day stay limit. The campground enforces several restrictions: OHVs and ATVs are prohibited within the campground, and saddle, pack, and draft animals are not allowed. Pets are welcome but must remain leashed. Each site is limited to two vehicles.

Directions

From Reserve, drive south on State Highway 435 for 5 miles to Forest Road 141. Continue on FR 141 for 27.8 miles to the campground on the north side of the road. Note: FR 141 was once paved but now has many potholes; a resurfacing project is expected in 2026.

Amenities

Water No
Fires Allowed
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
Pull Through Sites

Contact

Phone +1 (575) 533-6232

Cell Service

AT&T None
Verizon None
T-Mobile None

Photos

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