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Silver City Ranger District
Overview
The Silver City Ranger District is the southern-most district on the Gila National Forest. It comprises three areas, the Burro Mountain region, the area surrounding Silver City, and the portion just west from Emory Pass of the Black Range. These areas combine to form 406,768 acres of National Forest lands that support a diversity of uses including scientific research, mining, domestic livestock grazing, timber harvest, and a variety of recreation activities. Part of the district travels through the Trail of the Mountain Spirits Scenic Byway. Cherry Creek and McMillan Campgrounds are located along this byway on State Highway 15.
There are a multitude of recreation opportunities in this district. The Silver City Ranger District has a number of developed campgrounds and numerous undeveloped campgrounds and picnic areas. There are many trails which vary drastically in length and difficulty and accommodate hikers, backpackers, mountain bikers, and horseback riders. Several recreation sites make the Silver City Ranger District unique such as Little Walnut, Burro Mountains, Fort Bayard and the Gila River Bird Area.
Silver City, NM is a Continental Divide Trail Gateway Community and is home to events such as CDT Trail Days.
Area Description
Location
Silver City and the surrounding communities of Bayard, Santa Clara, Tyrone and Hurley are located in southwest New Mexico. Main access to Silver City is via Highway 180 north of Deming, NM or via Hwy 152 through the Black Range from I-25. The elevation is 5,900 feet above sea level. The population of Silver City is approximately 13,000 and Grant County is about 29,000. Silver City was recently selected as one of the healthiest places to live and retire. It placed in the top 1% of over 3,000 communities our size or larger. Downtown Silver City features many locally-owned shops and galleries. The community has two libraries and churches of all denominations. There are two newspapers, motels, radio stations, city and county offices and local retail businesses.
Climate and Current Conditions
Silver City boasts four gentle seasons. The average annual temperature is 54 degrees. May is the driest month of the year while July is the wettest. The annual average precipitation is 15.69 inches.
For current conditions call (575) 388-8201.
Cultural and Recreation Opportunities
Recreation facilities include baseball and soccer fields, all weather track, tennis courts, health and fitness clubs, an indoor and outdoor swimming pools, an 18-hole golf course, a bowling center and parks. Organized youth and adult sports activities are numerous. Trout fishing, hunting, hiking, horseback riding, bicycling and camping activities abound.
Other area recreation facilities and attractions are: Western New Mexico University (WNMU) Museum, City of Rocks State Park and Historic Pinos Altos.
Special annual events include the Wild Wild West Pro Rodeo, Tour of the Gila Bicycle Race, Annual Blues Festival, Christmas Lighted Parade, 4th of July Celebration, Weekend at the Galleries, Farmer’s Market, Grant County Fair, among others and several theatrical and musical presentations at the University Theatre.
Recreation
Check with the district for updated local driving conditions. Remember to keep a “weather emergency kit” in your car that should include matches, drinking water, blanket or sleeping bag, a small shovel, hand saw or axe, tow chain or strap, and energy bars.
Use caution when driving on the district, the area may be subject to sudden flash flooding or muddy, impassable roads. Be careful when parking vehicles and avoid parking over tall dry grass or weeds. Remember to bring drinking water, or be prepared to filter or treat all water from snowmelt, springs, rivers, or creeks. River levels can change rapidly during spring - watch for suddenly rising river or stream levels. Water can still be difficult to find in some areas - remember to bring drinking water if camping in remote areas. Be alert for lightning and approaching storms, especially in the afternoons during summer.
Please be considerate of all persons choosing to recreate on the forest. Remember to be Bear Aware and continue to watch for snakes. Rabies is also a fact of life in southwestern New Mexico. Make sure all pets (including horses) accompanying you have current vaccinations. Never encourage wild animals to approach you, your pets, or campsite. Never feed wild animals.
Medical
Silver City has a regional hospital, several medical clinics, ambulance service, an emergency care clinic, and physicians of all specialty areas, dentists and nursing homes.
Transportation
The nearest commercial airports are in El Paso, TX (3 hours), Tucson, AZ (3 hours) and Albuquerque, NM (4 hours). Grant County Airport also provides some services with Advanced Airlines. There is also a shuttle service for transportation to Las Cruces and El Paso and a local transportation service to all the surrounding communities.
Roads
Some roads remain closed after the Signal Fire. Caution is advised on some roads that may be rough or require high-clearance vehicles, especially Turkey Creek Road (FR 155), and also Sheep Corral Canyon Road (FR 282). Meadow Creek Road (FR 149) can be slick on the grade if there has been any moisture. When driving on forest roads, gear should include a shovel, chain or tow strap, and hand axe or saw. The New Mexico road advisory hotline can be accessed 24 hrs a day by dialing 511 (in-state), or 1-800-432-4269 (out-of-state), or by visiting the New Mexico Road Advisory website.
Contact Information
District Ranger: Elizabeth Toney
Address: 3005 E. Camino del Bosque, Silver City NM 88061
Phone: 575-388-8201
Main Fax: 575-388-8204
SCRD Fax: 575-388-8313
Directions: The Silver City Ranger District Office is one-quarter of a mile north of the intersection of US Hwy 180 and 32nd St Bypass in Silver City
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