Railroad Canyon Campground

4.38

23 reviews

3005 E Camino del Bosque Silver City, NM 88061

Great Hiking

Quick Facts

7,039 ft

Price

Free

Booking

First-Come

Sites

3 campsites

Season

Year-round

Cell

Unknown

Pets

Very Pet Friendly

Opens Gila National Forest Supervisors Office site

Official Website

Get Directions

Quick Facts

7,039 ft

Price

Free

Booking

First-Come

Sites

3 campsites

Season

Year-round

Cell

Unknown

Pets

Very Pet Friendly

Opens Gila National Forest Supervisors Office site

Official Website

Get Directions

Railroad Canyon Campground

$0.00 - $0.00 / night

Campsite Fees

There is no fee for use.

Standard Site Fee$0.00

Hookup Site Fee$0.00

Premium Site Fee$0.00

Hike and Bike Site Fee$0.00

Group Site Fee$0.00

Food Storage Locker Fee$0.00

Get Notified When Available

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

Free with account · Checks every 2 minutes

150,000+ sites monitored · Email, SMS, or in-app notifications

Share this campground

USFS

Provider

575-388-8201

Help improve this page

See something outdated or incorrect? Let us know!

What Campers Say

4.38

Recommended

Based on 23 reviews

21 Google reviews

Most mentioned

cleanrestroomslocation

"User reviews are generally positive with an emphasis on the campground's proximity to trails and wilderness. Some users pointed out the lack of privacy between sites and the proximity to the road as drawbacks."

Read all reviews

Campground Map

3005 E Camino del Bosque Silver City, NM 88061

Railroad Canyon Campground

3005 E Camino del Bosque Silver City, NM 88061

Driving directionsCampground located on the north side of New Mexico Highway 35, between mileposts 25 and 26.

New Mexico Highway 152 between San Lorenzo and Kingston has steep grades and numerous tight turns. Trucks longer than 40 feet or without retarder brakes are prohibited. Alternate routes include New Mexico Highway 26 to US Highway 180 or US Highway 60 to New Mexico Highway 12 to US Highway 180. Permanent alert in place.

Nearby supplies

Mimbres has a store, gas station, and several restaurants. Silver City has all other amenities.

Best Time to Camp at Railroad Canyon Campground

The campground welcomes visitors throughout the year, each season painting the landscape in dramatically different hues. Late spring brings wildflower explosions and rushing creeks, while early fall transforms the surrounding aspens into rivers of gold. Summer offers warm days perfect for high-altitude hiking, though afternoon thunderstorms often roll through with dramatic flair. Winter adventurers find solitude and snow-dusted pines, though access requires preparation for mountain weather's mercurial moods.

Summer(Jun-Aug)

3.0 / 5

Open in summer but flash-flood warnings and wet conditions can be a drawback.

Fall(Sep-Nov)

4.0 / 5

Early fall offers pleasant weather and scenic colors; reviewers note fall vistas.

Best

Spring(Mar-May)

4.0 / 5

Late spring brings wildflower displays and rushing creeks — highlighted in the overview.

Winter(Dec-Feb)

3.0 / 5

Accessible year‑round but snowmelt can make conditions wet; winter visits reported.

Planning Tips

Operating Season: Year-round availability.
Current Alerts: Permanent alert for steep grades on New Mexico Highway 152 prohibiting certain trucks.

About Railroad Canyon Campground

Perched at the edge of the legendary Aldo Leopold Wilderness, Railroad Canyon Campground beckons adventurers seeking authentic backcountry experiences. This rustic outpost strips camping down to its essentials, trading modern amenities for something far more valuable: direct access to some of New Mexico's most pristine wilderness trails. From your tent, the morning sun illuminates a spider web of paths leading deep into untouched forests and mountain meadows, making this modest campground a cherished basecamp for those who measure wealth in trail miles rather than conveniences.

Railroad Canyon Campground primarily caters to primitive camping experiences. The campground serves as a trailhead for backcountry trips, with minimal amenities provided.

Weather and SeasonsThe campground welcomes visitors throughout the year, each season painting the landscape in dramatically different hues. Late spring brings wildflower explosions and rushing creeks, while early fall transforms the surrounding aspens into rivers of gold. Summer offers warm days perfect for high-altitude hiking, though afternoon thunderstorms often roll through with dramatic flair. Winter adventurers find solitude and snow-dusted pines, though access requires preparation for mountain weather's mercurial moods.

ElevationAt 7,039 feet above sea level, Railroad Canyon exists in that sweet spot where the desert's heat surrenders to mountain coolness. This elevation gifts campers with crisp mornings that demand an extra layer and afternoon temperatures that rarely become oppressive. The thin air reminds lowlanders to pace themselves, while the elevation provides natural air conditioning that makes summer camping a joy rather than an endurance test.

Natural Features and SceneryA modest creek whispers through the campground, its flow ebbing and surging with the seasons, providing a gentle soundtrack to wilderness nights. The surrounding Black Range Mountains rise like ancient sentinels, their forested slopes hiding elk, deer, and the occasional black bear. Ponderosa pines tower overhead, their vanilla-scented bark and whispering needles creating natural cathedral spaces between campsites.

Geological RegionThe Black Range Mountains cradle this campground in layers of volcanic history and ecological diversity. These peaks form the western boundary of the Aldo Leopold Wilderness, where the father of modern conservation once walked and wrote. The rugged terrain tells stories of ancient eruptions and patient erosion, creating a landscape of hidden canyons, sudden meadows, and panoramic ridgelines that reward those willing to explore beyond the campground's boundaries.

Best Campsites

Curated by campers, for campers

Reveal picks

Reserving a campsite

Check-in

Available for overnight use.

Stay Limit

Stay limit is 14 days.

Groups

No group sites are available.

Tents

Tents are allowed

RV vehicles

RV vehicles are not allowed

Primitive

Primitive camping is allowed

Reservable

Reservations are not allowed

Site layoutVery limited site availability with only three spaces included.

Walk-in AvailabilityFirst-come-first-served as reservations not permitted.

AccessibilityNo specific accessibility features beyond vault toilets (wheelchair accessible) are noted.

Site SizeNo specific details on the size of sites are provided.

PrivacyMixed privacy levels. Some reviews note very little privacy between sites and proximity to the road.

Total Campsites3 campsites

Recommended SitesReviews suggest proximity to trails is the best feature of the sites.

Amenities available

Fire rings

Food storage lockers

Picnic tables

Vault toilets

Activities you can enjoy

Activities at Railroad Canyon Campground center around connecting with nature. Hiking is a major draw with access to nearby trails like Gallinas Canyon. Wildlife viewing is another highlight as the campground is near the Aldo Leopold Wilderness.

Hiking"One of the closest hikes to Las Cruces that can be an overnighter or longer if you like" reflects the hiking opportunities. Trails like Gallinas Canyon are popular options accessible from the campground.

Wildlife viewingWildlife viewing is noted as an activity. Cattle grazing nearby was mentioned by a user as a specific instance of animal activity.

Winter Activities

Water Sports

Policies & Safety

Hazards & AlertsFlash flood zone along the stream and limited parking options are noted hazards.

Active AlertsPermanent alert for steep grades on New Mexico Highway 152 prohibiting certain trucks.

No Potable WaterThis campground does not have potable water on-site. Bring all the water you need for drinking, cooking, and cleaning.

Food Storage RequiredBear-proof trash bins available; no dedicated food lockers mentioned.

Weather at Railroad Canyon Campground

Reviews

4.4

23 reviews

Recommended

Railroad Canyon Campground is recommended, placing it in the top 40% of campgrounds based on reviews

User reviews are generally positive with an emphasis on the campground's proximity to trails and wilderness. Some users pointed out the lack of privacy between sites and the proximity to the road as drawbacks.

Review Summaries

Based on 23 reviews

What Campers Love

Highlights include the campground’s scenic location near trails, cleanliness of restrooms, and the availability of picnic tables and fire pits. Users also appreciated its remote and...

Based on 23 reviews

Common Concerns

The most common concerns are limited privacy between sites and proximity to roads. Some mentioned that vault toilets could benefit from more frequent cleaning.

Based on 23 reviews

Pro Tips & Recommendations

Bring sufficient water as potable water is not available on-site. Be prepared for foot traffic as the campground serves as a trailhead. Flash floods may occur near the stream.

Based on 23 reviews

Seasonal Insights

Reviews do not indicate strong seasonal trends, but flash flood warnings suggest potential summer challenges.

Based on 23 reviews

Camper Quotes

"Great little campground tucked around a curve in the road. Only 3 spaces available." "Towards the end of the trail, we saw cattle roaming around." "Too close to the road, very little privacy between...

Based on 23 reviews

Site-Specific Reviews

Specific sites were not identified by number, but users highlighted the limited number of sites (three) and noted features like picnic tables and grills.

Based on 23 reviews