Official websites use .gov
A .gov
website belongs to an official government organization in the
United States.
Secure .gov websites use HTTPS
A lock
(
) or https:// means you've safely
connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only
on official, secure websites.
Quemado Ranger District
Overview
The Quemado Ranger District is the northernmost district on the Gila National Forest. It is actually the part of the Apache National Forest that is located in New Mexico and that is administered by the Gila NF. Elevations range from 6,600 feet to 9,700 feet in the 603,382 acres managed by the Quemado Ranger District. The area covered by the district includes grassland, piñon-juniper woodland, ponderosa pine, and mixed conifer with aspen and fir. There are also riparian areas with cottonwood, willow, and other riparian vegetation.
Popular attractions include fishing, boating, hunting, camping, horse back riding, rock hounding, birding, hiking, recreational vehicle use (no off-road), and wildlife viewing. Quemado Lake Recreation Area provides fishing, RV camping, and tent camping opportunities. Portions of the Continental Divide National Scenic Trail are located on the east side of the district while the San Francisco Warm Springs grace the west end. NM State Highway 32 between Quemado and Apache Creek offers a scenic drive and changing colors in the fall.
Area Description
Location
Quemado is located in northern Catron County, 33 miles east of the Arizona border on US 60, at an elevation of 6,900 feet. The population of the Quemado area is approximately 750.
Quemado serves the area with a post office, one cafe, one motel, two churches, two gas stations, a small general merchandise/grocery store, one convenience store, one laundromat, two real estate offices. Pie Town (22 miles east) has three churches and two restaurants. The nearest full service communities are Springerville, Arizona (50 miles west), Grants, New Mexico (75 miles north), and Socorro, New Mexico (110 miles east).
Climate and Current Conditions
The climate is mild and dry with warm days and cool nights in the summer. Rainfall averages 11 inches. Monsoon showers usually occur in July and August but do not last long. There are usually over 300 sunny days a year with four seasons tempered by the high altitude. The average maximum temperature in July is 85°F, while the average minimum temperature in January is 13°F.
For current conditions call (575) 773-4678.
Visitors are asked to always practice fire safety and make sure campfires are cold to the touch before leaving campsites.
Roads: Please check with the district office on road conditions in the forest prior to driving. The road into the Quemado Lake Recreation area is paved and gravel.
Cultural and Recreation Opportunities
The district and surrounding area offers numerous outdoor recreation opportunities. Visitors take advantage of the abundant game population of deer, pronghorn, javelina, bear, mountain lion, wild turkeys, and world-class elk hunting. Quemado is about a three-hour drive from Albuquerque, which offers a variety of shopping, recreational, and cultural opportunities.
Medical
There is a medical center in Reserve (50 miles away), which also provides a clinic twice a week in Quemado. Hospitals and pharmacies are in Springerville, Silver City (150 miles away), and Socorro.
Transportation
The nearest commercial airport access is in Albuquerque, New Mexico, 175 miles from Quemado. A small airport is located in Springerville, Arizona which is for private planes only. Boutique Air in Show Low, Arizona (about 2-1/2 hour drive) has flights to/from Phoenix and Albuquerque.
Contact Information
District Ranger: Randall Chavez
Address: #3 Lyle Loop, P.O. Box 159, Quemado, New Mexico, 87829
Phone: 575-773-4678
Fax: 575-773-4114
Directions: 0.1 miles north of the intersection of US Highway 60 and NM State Highway 36.
View office hours