QUEMADO LAKE - EL CASO CG #5
Open — Open year-round for camping. El Caso V is not affected by the current Quemado Lake closure due to harmful algal bloom. Limited to 14 consecutive days per stay.
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 devic
Motor Vehicle Order Road Restrictions
The purpose of this Order is for the protection of public health and safety and prohibits:
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 s
Small Business Timber Sale 5-year Recomputation
Under provisions of the Small Business Timber Sale Program, Forest Service and Small Business Administration (SBA) policies provide for recomputation of the small business share of National Forest timber sale offerings every five years.
Quemado Lake Closure
Quemado Lake and nearby recreation areas are closed due to harmful algal blooms. See full alert for more information.
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.
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.
About
El Caso V (Five) Campground is a partially developed, free campground located just outside the Quemado Lake Recreation Area on Forest Road 13 in the Gila National Forest. This campground is primarily designated for equestrian use, as horses are prohibited within the nearby Quemado Lake Recreation Area. The campground provides vault toilets and shaded sites under mature cottonwoods and ponderosa pines, though corrals and water are not available. Situated approximately 1.5 miles east of Quemado Lake along Forest Road 13, El Caso V serves as a convenient base for horseback riding and is also popular with hunters, especially when the developed Juniper and Piñon Campgrounds close seasonally. The campground operates as pack-it-in/pack-it-out, and campers must be self-sufficient with water and supplies. The campground is located in a remote area of Catron County, accessible via New Mexico Highway 32 and Highway 103. OHV/ATV use is prohibited within the campground, though ATVs are generally allowed on the forest with proper licensing. A 14-day stay limit applies to all Gila National Forest campgrounds, and pets must be leashed.
Directions
From Quemado, NM, go south on New Mexico Highway 32 for 14.2 miles to the Quemado Lake/New Mexico Highway 103 sign. Turn east on New Mexico Highway 103 for 4 miles to Forest Road 13. Continue east past the lake approximately 1.5 miles. The campground is on the right (north side of Forest Road 13).
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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