Head Of Ditch
Open — Open year-round, first-come, first-served. No reservations or fees. Pack in, pack out all trash. Campers must bring their own water.
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
Head of the Ditch Campground is a rustic, no-fee campground located approximately 1.5 miles west of historic Luna, New Mexico on US Highway 180 in the Gila National Forest. The campground sits in a scenic valley at an elevation of 7,187 feet, where the San Francisco River winds through creating a natural amphitheater setting. The site gets its name from its location at the head of the irrigation ditch that supplies water to Luna Valley. The campground offers a variety of camping options, from intimate sites nestled under protective pine boughs to spots in the expansive open meadow where the sky opens wide. The diverse forest creates a living tapestry with stately ponderosa pines reaching skyward while cottonwoods, oaks, and willows cluster near the water. Each of the campsites has a picnic table and fire pit, and vault toilets are provided. This is a pack-in, pack-out area with no trash service, and campers must bring their own water as potable water is not available. The campground is generally open year-round on a first-come, first-served basis with a 14-day stay limit and no reservation system. It fills up quickly during Luna Pioneer Days and Rodeo weekend, usually the third weekend of July. The area offers opportunities for mountain biking, wildlife viewing, and day hiking. A small store and restaurant are available in Luna, though the restaurant closes from November to spring. Pets must be leashed, and OHV/ATV use is prohibited within the campground.
Directions
From Luna, New Mexico, drive west on US Highway 180 for approximately 1.5 miles. The campground is marked with a blue campground sign on the left side of the road.
Nearby Campgrounds
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) 773-4678 |
Cell Service
| AT&T | None |
| Verizon | None |
| T-Mobile | None |
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