Tuesday, May 30, 2023
HomeCampingGila National Forest Camping Guide

Gila National Forest Camping Guide


If you’re looking for a nature getaway that satisfies every member of the family or friend group, camping at Gila National Forest in New Mexico is the place for you! With a varied and beautiful landscape, a myriad of activity opportunities, diverse wildlife, and more, you’ll want to come camping at Gila National Forest every year.

Keep reading to learn everything you should know about this great destination in our Gila National Forest Camping Guide!

gila national forest camping

What to Expect at Gila National Forest

Landscape, Flora, and Fauna

One of the best things about Gila National Forest is its varied natural landscape. You can expect beautiful mountains with aspen and Douglas fir trees, semi-arid lowlands with oak and cactus, as well as canyons, flowered meadows, and semi-desert regions.

If you’re looking to camp in an isolated, wild area, this is the place for you. In fact, did you know that Gila National Forest is one of the least developed National Forests in the American Southwest?

Wildlife

As far as wildlife goes, at Gila National Forest, you can expect to spot wild turkey, antelope, deer, elk, bighorn sheep, and even mountain lions and black bears.

Any birdwatchers out there? Camping at Gila National Forest also includes the opportunity to spot peregrine falcons, red-tailed hawks, and bald eagles. Bring your binoculars!


Camping at Gila National Forest

Now, for the real reason you’re reading this post: Gila National Forest Camping! At Gila National Forest, there are a myriad of camping opportunities available to you. That means whatever sort of camping experience you’re looking for, this place probably has a perfect campground for you.

Campground Camping

Let’s start with traditional campground camping. Gila National Forest has over 40 campgrounds available to visitors, and you can find the exact list on their website. You can only camp for up to fourteen days, and you should know that many of them are a first-come, first-serve situation!

Dispersed Camping

Are you looking for an even more rustic Gila National Forest camping experience? If so, then this national forest has great options for you, too, with dispersed camping available anywhere and for free. The National Forest Service, however, suggests visitors pick up a travel management map before diving into their dispersed camping experience to understand where vehicles are allowed in the forest.

Remember that in dispersed camping, you’ll probably find yourself far away from amenities like toilets and potable water. This activity is not for the faint of heart! So be sure you bring your own water, or have a reliable way of purifying it, before you set off into the wild.

Just like in campground camping, stays are limited to fourteen days in a 30-day period. Check out their website for a list of dispersed camping areas.

Group Camping

Excited for some Gila National Forest camping with a big group of friends or maybe the whole family? Some of the larger campgrounds offer facilities and amenities that facilitate group camping, like grills, picnic tables, and covered areas.

RV Camping

Maybe you’re not into the whole sleeping-on-the-floor sort of camping, and not all camping at Gila National Forest has to be rustic! In fact, some of the larger campgrounds have spaces and amenities for RVs, depending on the size of your vehicle.


Things To Do When Camping At Gila National Forest

gila national forest camping

Depending on how long your Gila National Forest camping trip is, you’ll probably have some time on your hands to explore the many things to do there besides camping.

Activities

  • Water: the water activities available when camping at Gila National Forest include rafting, motorized and non-motorized boating, as well as swimming (in hot springs, too!) when the weather allows! Plus, where there’s water, there’s fish, so you can even enjoy some fishing activities!
  • Wheels: from mountain biking to road cycling, Gila National Forest has plenty of options for you if you love this two-wheeled sport. In fact, the Tour of the Gila takes place in this national forest! Take advantage of its 1,927 miles of rails and roads.
  • Hunting: hunting is permitted at Gila National Forest during specific times of the year, including for big game hunting. If you’re interested in this activity, check out the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish for information on licenses, permits, and more.
  • Horses: Gila National Forest’s lack of restrictions on horseback riding make this national forest a haven for equestrians. Take advantage of both horse riding and horse camping at this beautiful nature destination!
  • Driving: though you might not think of cars when you think of nature, a great way to experience Gila National Forest if you’re too tired to go by foot is by driving through their scenic byways, including Geronimo National Scenic Byway and Trail of the Mountain Spirits Scenic Byway.
  • Miscellaneous: other fun activities you can engage in on your Gila National Forest camping trip include hiking, exploring interpretive sites and trails, and even picnicking!

Special Areas

Here are some special areas that you’ll enjoy visiting during your Gila National Forest camping trip. Keep them in mind as you build the perfect itinerary and activities list!

Wilderness Areas

At Gila National Forest, you can explore three different remote wilderness areas: Aldo Leopold Wilderness, Blue Range Wilderness, and Gila Wilderness. The last of that list, Gila Wilderness, is the world’s first designated wilderness! Together, the three wilderness areas make up 792,584 acres of roadless land. One rule reigns supreme here: leave no trace!

Catwalk Recreation Area

The Catwalk at Gila National Forest is a half-mile-long bridge system near the Gila Wilderness. This unique destination is accessible to all visitors and exists in a historical area that dates back to 1983 and a small town named Graham!

Quemado Lake Recreation Area

At Quemado Lake Recreation Area, you can enjoy exciting activities such as biking, camping (including cabin camping and horse camping!), fishing, hiking, horseback riding, and a myriad of fun water activities.

Gila Cliff Dwellings National Monument

The Gila Cliff Dwellings National Monument includes campsites, an interpretive trail, an educational and visitor’s center, the Gila Cliff Dwellings Trailhead Museum, and the Gila Cliff Dwellings themselves, where the Mogollon people lived in the late 1200s.

Explore fantastic nature while also learning about a centuries-old culture!

Cosmic Campground International Dark Sky Sanctuary

This sanctuary is one of 14 International Dark Sky Sanctuaries worldwide: protected regions with especially brilliant starry nights, with spectacular stargazing opportunities. The Cosmic Campground International Dark Sky Sanctuary was the first in North America!

At this sanctuary, you can enjoy a 360-degree view of the night sky and even participate in “star parties.” It’s a great destination for your Gila National Forest camping adventure!

gila national forest camping

Camp at Gila National Forest!

We hope this post has inspired you to make Gila National Forest camping your next adventure trip. Whether you’re looking for some solo time, a family escapade, or a friend’s trip, Gila National Forest has something for everyone!

Check out our national park camping page to find camping guides for more wonderful nature destinations across the nation!





Source link

RELATED ARTICLES

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here

Most Popular

Recent Comments