Upper Scorpion Campground, Gila Hot Springs, NM

Wilderness Ranger District

Gila National Forest

Free Camping at Gila Cliff Dwellings National Monument

This is a developed campground offered for free by Gila National Forest. It's intended for tent camping only, but has a paved parking lot. Camping in your vehicle is still allowed, and is common for many campers here. Even though the parking lot is not large enough for RVs, it's still common to see RVs camped here.

Authority

Wilderness Ranger District logo

Wilderness Ranger District

Gila National Forest

District Office

Tel: (575) 536-2250

Official campground webpage

Particulars

GPS: 33.2305, -108.2609

Elevation: 5,702 feet

Reservations: First come, first served

Camping Fee: None

Permit: None

Max stay: 14 days in a 45-day period

Amenities: Picnic tables, fire rings, cooking grills, vault toilet, drinking water

Submitted by

Admin Staff

Admin Staff

Boondocker's Bible

Camping at Upper Scorpion Campground

There are 10 campsites located in this campground, but there is room for more tents along the west side. Upper Scorpion Campground is one of two “official” campgrounds, along with Lower Scorpion Campground, serving Gila Cliff Dwellings National Monument. If there is no room available at either of these, there is also Forks Campground and Grapevine Campground located 5.3 miles to the south.

This campground, along with Lower Scorpion Campground, offer walking-distance to the visitor center at Gila Cliff Dwellings National Monument. There are also trails located here, along with water activities along Gila River. It’s easy to spend a full two weeks here.

Campsites in this campground are located close together, with little to no amenities for kids to them occupied. It’s not a great place to bring kids because other campers will become annoyed with the noise and the footsteps trampling through their site.

Other Campsites Within 20 Miles Radius

Associated Documents

Gila National Forest Order 03-06-00-23-004, Occupancy rules, maximum camping limits, (eff: May 19, 2023, term: May 18, 2025)
Motor Vehicle Use Map, Black Range, Wilderness, & Silver City Ranger Districts, Page 2, Illustrates dispersed camping restrictions & OHV restrictions, (eff: January 1, 2023)
Motor Vehicle Use Map, Black Range, Wilderness, & Silver City Ranger Districts, Page 1, Illustrates dispersed camping restrictions & OHV restrictions, (eff: January 1, 2023)

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