Is Black Canyon Campground - Upper first-come first-served or reservation?

Black Canyon Campground - Upper operates on a first-come, first-served basis. Arrive early, especially on weekends and holidays, to secure a spot.

What is the best time to visit Black Canyon Campground - Upper?

Black Canyon Campground - Upper is open Seasonality not explicitly stated.. The best time to visit depends on your preferences—summer offers the warmest weather and most activities, while spring and fall provide fewer crowds and milder temperatures. Check current conditions before your trip.

Are there showers at Black Canyon Campground - Upper?

Black Canyon Campground - Upper does not have shower facilities. Plan accordingly—nearby alternatives may include day-use areas or towns.

Are dogs allowed at Black Canyon Campground - Upper?

Pets are not allowed at Black Canyon Campground - Upper. This policy helps protect local wildlife and other campers. Consider nearby pet-friendly campgrounds if traveling with animals.

What activities can I do at Black Canyon Campground - Upper?

Popular activities at Black Canyon Campground - Upper include Biking, Wildlife Viewing. The surrounding area offers plenty of outdoor recreation opportunities for all skill levels.

Black Canyon Campground - Upper

5 reviews

Featured in:Primitive Camping New Mexico

Quick Facts

6,762 ft

Price

Varies

Booking

Walk-in Only

Sites

Varies

Season

Seasonality not expl...

Cell

Unknown

Pets

Check Policy

Book Online Official Website

Get Directions

Quick Facts

6,762 ft

Price

Varies

Booking

Walk-in Only

Sites

Varies

Season

Seasonality not expl...

Cell

Unknown

Pets

Check Policy

Book Online Official Website

Get Directions

Black Canyon Campground - Upper

No fees available

Campsite Fees

No campsite fee categories listed.

Get Notified When Available

We'll monitor this campground and alert you the moment sites become available.

Free to start · paid plans add 2-min scans

263,000+ sites monitored · Email alerts to start; SMS and in-app with an account

Learn more about alerts →

Share this campground

Recreation Dot Gov

Provider

I manage this campground

Ask Camp Sage about Black Canyon Campground - Upper

Availability, what to pack, similar spots — ask anything and get an instant answer.

Campground Map

Black Canyon Campground - Upper

33.1853, -108.0307

Nearby places

Mimbres, NM - 40 miles

Weather at Black Canyon Campground - Upper

Best Time to Camp at Black Canyon Campground - Upper

Best season: fall. Fall offers the best combination of comfortable weather, dramatic color, and solitude — daytime highs are often in the mid-50s to low-70s°F with crisp nights around 25–40°F. Late September through October brings peak color on aspens and mixed hardwoods, lower bug activity, and the liveliest stream flows for ambiance without summer thunderstorm risk. Trails and the Forest Road 150 are usually still passable before winter snows, and crowds remain light compared with lower-elevation New Mexico hot‑ Peak months: October, September, May, June Avoid: December, January, February

Best

Fall(Sep-Nov)

4.0 / 5

Fall identified as best season; aspens peak late Sept–Oct with dramatic color and solitude.

Planning Tips

Operating Season: Seasonality not explicitly stated.

About Black Canyon Campground - Upper

Black Canyon Campground - Upper sits in the mid-elevation forest of Gila National Forest near Mimbres, New Mexico. This primitive, stream-side site is managed by the Forest Service and attracts visitors seeking quiet and fall foliage, with aspens and hardwoods peaking in late September through October. Access requires navigating rough Forest Road 15, making it better suited to high-clearance vehicles.

The campground provides primitive camping opportunities in a remote forest area. This environment is suitable for campers looking for a rugged experience.

Weather and SeasonsBest season: fall. Fall offers the best combination of comfortable weather, dramatic color, and solitude — daytime highs are often in the mid-50s to low-70s°F with crisp nights around 25–40°F. Late September through October brings peak color on aspens and mixed hardwoods, lower bug activity, and the liveliest stream flows for ambiance without summer thunderstorm risk. Trails and the Forest Road 150 are usually still passable before winter snows, and crowds remain light compared with lower-elevation New Mexico hot‑ Peak months: October, September, May, June Avoid: December, January, February

Elevation6762 ft above sea level

Natural Features and SceneryThe campground occupies a narrow canyon carved by a small stream that flows through conifers and mixed hardwoods. The rugged terrain shows exposed rock and dense forest cover. In late September through October, aspens and hardwoods turn gold and red against the evergreens. The stream creates pools and runs that stay lively through fall, fed by monsoon moisture before winter freezes take hold.

Best Campsites

Curated by campers, for campers

Reveal picks

Reserving a campsite

Stay Limit

Stay limit not specified.

Amenities available

Black Canyon Campground - Upper offers a remote camping experience in a less-visited area of the Gila National Forest. The campground is accessible via Forest Road 150, where the forest recommends high-clearance 4x4 vehicles. It is the first camping area visible from the entrance road. The site is generally known for its quiet and secluded nature, as highlighted in user reviews.

I manage this campground

Things to do at Black Canyon Campground - Upper

Activities at the campground are not explicitly detailed in the source material. However, its remote and less-visited nature suggests opportunities for solitude and nature immersion.

Wildlife viewing3.0/5

Conifer/mixed hardwood forest and stream imply wildlife, but no sightings documented.

Biking2.0/5

Access via rough Forest Road 15 and primitive conditions make biking difficult.

Signature experiences

Photography3.5/5Fall aspens against evergreens, canyon and stream pools provide good photo subjects.

Not sure what to pack?Our complete camping packing checklist

Trip Planning Tools

Set an AlertGet notified when sites open up Check WeatherHistorical weather data Gear for This TripMatched gear recommendations Packing ListCustomizable checklist

Questions & answers

Researching this campground? Ask anything — other campers and our team will weigh in. No visit required.

Tips from campers

Short heads-ups about the road in, gear quirks, timing, and more. You don't have to have been here to share what you know.

Reviews

Rate Black Canyon Campground - Upper

Been here? Tap a star to start. Takes about a minute.

Sign-in required only if you want your name on it.

From Booking Sources

0.0

5 reviews

Limited Reviews

Black Canyon Campground - Upper has limited reviews, placing it in the bottom % of campgrounds based on reviews

The campground has an overall sentiment rating of 2.0. Reviews suggest mixed experiences, with some appreciating its quiet and remote setting, while others noted challenges with accessibility.

Review Summaries

Based on 5 reviews