QUEMADO LAKE - EL CASO CG #4
Open year-round, first-come, first-served. No fees required. Harmful algal bloom advisories have affected Quemado Lake; check with Quemado Ranger District for current lake conditions before water contact activities. 14-day stay limit enforced.
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…
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.
Bear Fire Area/Road Closure
An area closure goes into effect at 6:00 a.m. Saturday, June 13 for all National Forest System lands east of Catron County Road A095 (Mangas Road), as well as all roads and trails within the area closure (see map).
About
El Caso CG #4 is part of the El Caso I-IV Campground complex, located approximately 0.25 miles east of Piñon Campground at the east end of Quemado Lake in the Gila National Forest. The campground occupies a shaded valley stretching alongside an intermittent stream, with ponderosa pine and cottonwood trees providing cover. This partially developed facility appeals to visitors seeking a rustic camping experience away from the more developed Juniper Campground. The campground is popular with hunters during season, groups, and horse campers, though no equestrian facilities are provided at this location. Amenities are basic: vault toilets and picnic tables are available, but campers must bring their own drinking water and pack out all trash. Fire rings are present at sites. OHV and ATV use is prohibited within the campground. Quemado Lake itself offers fishing opportunities, though visitors should be aware that harmful algal blooms have periodically affected the lake. The Quemado Ranger District monitors water conditions and issues advisories when necessary.
Directions
From Quemado, NM, travel south on NM Highway 32 for approximately 14 miles. Turn east on Highway 103 and continue for 4 miles to Forest Road 13. Continue past the lake to reach the El Caso campgrounds.
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 | — |
| Pull Through Sites | — |
Contact
| Phone | +1 (575) 773-4678 |
Cell Service
| AT&T | None |
| Verizon | None |
| T-Mobile | None |
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