Quemado Lake - El Caso Cg #1
Open year-round on a first-come, first-served basis with no fees. A harmful algal bloom advisory remains in effect for Quemado Lake; contact with lake water should be avoided. The campground itself is accessible and operational.
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
El Caso Campground #1 is part of the El Caso I-IV Campground complex, located approximately 0.25 miles east of Piñon Campground at Quemado Lake in the Gila National Forest. At 7,700 feet elevation, the campground sits in a peaceful valley alongside an intermittent stream, shaded by mature ponderosa pines and cottonwoods. This partially developed campground caters to those seeking a more primitive camping experience within hiking distance of Quemado Lake. Facilities are limited to vault toilets, picnic tables, and fire rings. Campers must bring their own drinking water and pack out all trash. Horse camping is permitted but there are no equestrian facilities. The area is popular with hunters during fall seasons and serves as a base for exploring the surrounding forest. The nearby Largo Trail #14 provides access to backcountry hiking. A 14-day stay limit applies to all Gila National Forest campgrounds, and ATV use is prohibited throughout the Quemado Lake Recreation Area.
Directions
From Quemado, NM, travel south on Highway 32 for approximately 14 miles. Turn east on Highway 103 and continue 4 miles. Follow Forest Road 13 past the lake to the campground.
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) 773-4678 |
Cell Service
| AT&T | None |
| Verizon | None |
| T-Mobile | None |
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