Car-camping Paradise

 The Gila National Forest is nearly 3 million acres of mountains, desert, rivers and lakes, and some great camping opportunities, especially if your "camping" is more out of necessity than recreation. My first experience with the Gila came just days before the outbreak of COVID-19 and subsequent lockdown of the state of New Mexico (resulting in the closure of Elephant Butte Lake SP and my loss of two nights' stay). Fortunately for me (and others in a similar situation), the National Forests remained open...for the most part.

Lower Gallinas campground, closed since 2014 due to floods

Nestled in the middle of the Gila is Silver City, a mining town of about 10,000, home to the Gila NF regional office and Western NMU, and a good home base for extended stays in the area. An easy hour's drive north of Interstate 10 in the southwest section of the state, Silver (as the locals call it) is surrounded by ample camping opportunities, two nearby lakes, and many sites of historical significance. SH15 leads north to the "tall pines" and the small village of Piños Altos; beyond lie campgrounds (both improved and dispersed), trailheads, hot springs and cabins, Lake Roberts (and SH35; paid campgrounds and small store are located here), the Gila River, and the Cliff Dwellings. US180 cuts the town in two; within an hour or so west are Bill Evans Lake, Bighorn, Cosmic (a designated "dark sky" campground), and Cottonwood (in Apache NF) sites. Head east to SH152 and the Black Range, or SH35 and Lake Roberts, both having improved campgrounds. (The campsites south of Silver on US90 include dispersed sites at the Continental Divide trailhead, and a few others down a rather sandy road. Having experienced sandy roads before, I didn't stay there.) Provisions can be had within an hour's drive from most campgrounds; none of these have electric, and no water except what can be drawn from a creek when they aren't dry.

 

Iron Creek campground

All the improved campgrounds I stayed in had two things in common: they were all easily accessible by any normal passenger car, and they were all free. Most had pit toilets, bear-proof trash cans, steel fire rings, and tables in decent condition; others, not so much, but not so bad as to be avoided. During the Early Times of the pandemic, I had them all to myself, but they started filling again after the first year. Empty or full, they were always well-maintained.

The dispersed sites had, at most, a stone fire ring constructed by the previous occupants. Accessibility varied in degrees of difficulty and was dependent on how badly I wanted in. Some had excellent protection from the wind but limited view; others had wondrous vistas but constant exposure to the elements. The most secluded offered nothing more than that, seclusion...and a marvelous view.

High above the tall pines

The Gila, as with other National Forest/Bureau of Land Management (BLM) land, has a 14-day limit per month on camping within each specific area. Meaning, you can stay 14 days in the Gila, then you must relocate outside the Forest for 30 days. They know you're there, too...the same maintenance guy services both the campgrounds on SH15 and SH152. It's a different guy at Bighorn, but a short drive further west on US180 takes you to the Apache NF and Cottonwood campground for another 14 days. (Continue west, then head south on US191 for tons of more campsites in the Apache-Sitgreaves NF, next door in AZ. That's another story yet to come.) And, like other NF/BLM land, when searching for a dispersed campsite, don't create your own...use a preexisting one. 

Dispersed site overlooking Cosmic Campground

The Gila has much to offer the car-camper in need of a safe overnight (or longer) roost, who prefers a relaxing outdoor environment over the mostly-popular Walmart parking lot (I haven't stayed at the Silver Wally, so no experience there). Staying near the highway or venturing off into the deep woods (minding the "High Clearance Vehicles Only" signs, of course), it would be hard not to find a site, even in peak season (late spring-early summer). Note: It does get wet during the monsoons, too. Very wet.

 

from 9/1/2021, entrance to Cherry Creek campground

(This is a simple guide aimed at assisting those who, for whatever reason, are in need of a safe, scenic overnight place to car camp, free and always open except in areas subject to heavy snowfall. All distances to campgrounds are measured from the Silver City Walmart, where you'll most likely be getting supplies. Easy in, easy out from US180, overnight parking OK.)