4.0023 reviewsPrice
Free
Booking
First-Come
Sites
3 campsites
Season
Year-round
Cell
Unknown
Pets
Very Pet Friendly
Price
Free
Booking
First-Come
Sites
3 campsites
Season
Year-round
Cell
Unknown
Pets
Very Pet Friendly
We'll monitor this campground and alert you the moment sites become available.
Free to start · paid plans add 2-min scans
256,000+ sites monitored · Email alerts to start; SMS and in-app with an account
Learn more about alerts →Railroad Canyon Campground
3005 E Camino del Bosque Silver City, NM 88061
Hikers staging a Gallinas Canyon overnight or multi-day push into the Aldo Leopold Wilderness. Spring is the sweet spot: wildflowers, active wildlife, and temps in the 50s-70s during the day. Free, first-come, and the bear lockers mean you can leave gear at camp.
Three sites crammed near the road with thin spacing between them kills this for anyone wanting solitude. No potable water on-site is a hard logistical fact, not a minor inconvenience. RVs are out entirely, and NM-152 permanently bans vehicles over 40 feet anyway.
Reference information about Railroad Canyon Campground sourced from official USFS records and forestcamping.com. View official recreation.gov page →
<p>Railroad Canyon is the gateway to the Aldo Leopold Wilderness.</p><p>Railroad Canyon Campground is a great place to spend the night before beginning your trip into the Aldo Leopold Wilderness. Situated in the Black Range Mountains, the campground is a popular portal for backcountry trips. Amenities are few and the camping is lean, however, nature seekers will appreciate the myriad of trails accessible from this campground.</p>
The elevation is 7,400 ft. The campground is a single loop with sites on an uphill and downhill side. The downhill side has sites with some shade from mature Ponderosa pine, juniper and Gambel oaks. The uphill sites lack shade, but are dotted with juniper and Gambel oaks. The uphill sites also feature stone walls for table and grille area. A deep sink is located at the bathroom for dishwashing.
Open May 15 through September 15
Some parking aprons are paved and others are gravel. An RV waste station is available for a fee at the Lavaland Campground (private), south of Cibola National Forest 97 Ever wonder where campground names come from? Fourth of July was once the community’s gathering place for Independence Day celebrations. Sometimes it is that simple. Interstate 40 just off Exit 85.
In Grants, NM, at intersection of State Rt. 122 (Santa Fe Ave.) and First St., take First St. north and go 0.9 miles to Roosevelt Ave. (State Rt. 547). Turn right onto Rt. 547 and go 0.4 miles to Lobo Canyon. Turn left, staying on Rt. 547, and go 9.7 miles to campground sign. Turn right at sign into campground.
Compare with similar sites, watch availability, and build a packing list — Camp Sage handles all of it.
Spring offers the best balance of trail access and scenery, with daytime highs between 50–70°F and nights dropping into the 20s–30s from late April through June. Snowmelt feeds the creek and triggers wildflower blooms across meadows and canyon openings. Wildlife is active on lower trails. Mud and lingering snow at higher elevations can make some routes difficult. Summer brings warm days and afternoon thunderstorms. Fall turns the aspens gold. Winter is quiet and requires preparation for mountain conditions.
Described as the best balance of trail access and scenery; snowmelt feeds creek and wildflowers likely.
Railroad Canyon Campground offers minimal amenities as it is geared towards nature seekers and backcountry hikers. Restrooms are present, but potable water is not available. Three picnic tables are available at the site. There are no showers, electric hookups, or trash and recycling facilities beyond the trash bins noted by some reviewers. The facility is described as lean in amenities, matching its role as a gateway to wilderness areas.
Researching this campground? Ask anything — other campers and our team will weigh in. No visit required.
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.
Rate Railroad Canyon Campground
Been here? Tap a star to start. Takes about a minute.
Sign-in required only if you want your name on it.
Be the first to review this campground
Every adventure creates another. Share what you learned so the next camper feels a little more prepared heading out.
