Quemado Ranger District
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.
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.
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.
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.
Contact the ranger district at 575-773-4678
General Information
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.
Popular attractions include fishing, boating, hunting, camping, horseback 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.
Passes & Permits
The Quemado Lake Recreation Area has two fee-for-service campgrounds. Daily fees are payable onsite via self-service fee envelopes. Select campsites can be reserved online at recreation.gov
Rentals & Guides
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.
Complexes
Quemado Lake is located 16 miles south of Quemado, New Mexico. It offers options for RV, tent, and group camping, bicycling, hiking, non-motorized boating, fishing, and options for horseback riding and camping with horses.
Juniper Campground is Quemado Ranger District's most popular campground. It offers full RV hookups, leveled tent sites, and easy lake access. Maximum RV size is 35'.
This is a nice, quiet and clean campground nestled among piñon and juniper trees.
Small boat launch located at the western end of Quemado Lake for non-motorized boats and boats with electric motors.
This are partially developed, shady campgrounds within hiking distance of the lake.
This is an equestrian camping area adjacent to Quemado Lake Recreation Area.
Trailhead located near El Caso Campground at Quemado Lake for Largo Canyon - Trail #14.
Recreation Sites
Armijo Springs Campground
Continental Divide - CDNST Trailhead
Cove Day Use Area
Dry Blue #61 Trailhead
El Caso I-IV Campground
El Caso V Campground
Head of the Ditch Campground
Juniper Campground
Largo #14 Trailhead
Piñon Campground