Snow Lake Boat Launch

Small boat launch for non-motorized boats and boats with electric motors at Snow Lake near Dipping Vat Campground.

General Information

Year-round

Dawn to dusk

No pass required

Permits are required for commercial or organized uses.

Only electic motors and non-motorized boats are permitted on Snow Lake.

No fees are required for this site

Pets must be leashed in developed sites, including the boat launch and parking area.

Please contact the Gila National Forest Supervisors Office at 575-388-8201 for information about outfitters and guides who are authorized to operate on the forest.

Address: 5 Smokey Bear Circle, P.O. Box 170 Reserve, NM 87830
Phone: (575) 533-6232
Hours: Mon. - Fri. 8:00 am - 4:30 pm (Closed on federal holidays)

Getting There

Latitude / Longitude

Latitude: 33.4232254

Longitude: -108.49802399

Elevation

7,332 Feet

Directions

From Reserve, follow New Mexico Highway 435 south to Forest Road 141 for about 34 miles. Turn south onto Forest Road 28 for approximately 11 miles to Forest Road 142. Turn left onto Forest Road 142, following sign for Snow Lake and Dipping Vat Campground.

Travel Considerations

Although open year-round, road and weather conditions may limit access during the winter and spring seasons. Small boat launch for non-motorized boats and boats with electric motors at Snow Lake near Dipping Vat Campground.

Federal Highway Administration is planning to replace the South Fork Negrito Creek Bridge, adjacent to South Fork Campground in summer 2025. This project is likely to affect traffic en route to Ben Lilly Campground.

Forest Road 141 was paved at one time. Now it is paved, with many potholes. Slow down before entering corners, especially where there is gravel on the paved road surface. A resurfacing project is expected in 2026.

Alert, NM 159 eastbound and westbound from mile marker 4, 4 miles east of US 180 to mile marker 25, Willow Creek Campground.

NM 159 between milepost 3 to milepost 9.5 has STEEP GRADES AND NUMEROUS TIGHT TURNS. Trucks without a retarder break and/or longer that 45 feet in length are PROHIBITED on this section on NM 159, also required is to utilize a