Gila Lower Box Canyon Redrock NM Boondocking Location

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Gila Lower Box Canyon Redrock NM
Boondocking Location

Previous Reviews:

Gila Lower Box Canyon Redrock NM boondocking location: Gila Lower Box Canyon – Nichol’s Canyon is open all year. Free Dispersed camping in the Bureau of Land Management Las Cruces District. This campsite does not use a reservation system. First come, first served.

This is an excellent area to spend some time, as long as you don’t go too far with your GPS. This campsite is located on dirt roads in the middle of nowhere. If you want to avoid being harassed, this is the place to go. I was out there for two nights and only saw/heard one truck drive past my campsite. Outside of the natural sounds of the neighborhood, I only heard jets passing overhead.

However, I have a crucial caution. Don’t go as far as your GPS indicates. About 5 miles out on the gravel roads, you will come across a hill and notice a bright yellow cow guard. Just past it, on the left, is a lovely wide flat space. My GPS said that I still had 1.5 kilometers to go. DON’T GO PAST HERE!!!!

I followed my GPS directions past the Gila Lower Box Canyon Redrock NM boondocking location and nearly got stuck. Fortunately, I didn’t travel too far and was able to turn back, but it was almost a catastrophic scenario. If you travel past the beautiful flat region without a high clearance car and four-wheel drive, you’re going to be in a lot of pain. I even hiked about two miles up the road to see what was out there, but there was nothing that seemed like a campsite.

The roads getting to this location are pretty decent. There is some washboard and soft soil that causes you to swerve in a couple areas, but it’s not too bad overall. I believe that practically any car can get to the Gila Lower Box Canyon Redrock NM boondocking location. I was able to average 25 mph on the dirt roads.

About This Location

Looking for a quiet, out-of-the-way spot to camp in New Mexico? Gila Lower Box Canyon Redrock NM boondocking location gives you a shot at real boondocking. This place is all about seclusion—you get there by dirt roads, and you probably won’t see many other campers. There are a few fire rings and enough space to park, but heads up: the road’s rough and you’ll want a 4×4 if you have one.

This Gila Lower Box Canyon Redrock NM boondocking locationsits close to the Gila Wilderness, so you get beautiful surroundings and hiking trails, minus the crowds. It’s peaceful, wide open, and a great place to unplug. Still, you’re not so far from civilization that you can’t reach help if you need it.

Location And Access

You’ll find the Redrock Gila Lower Box Canyon boondocking spot in the southwest corner of New Mexico, not too far from the tiny town of Redrock. Most folks come in from U.S. 70 West, starting in Lordsburg.

Here’s the route: drive 1.5 miles west on U.S. 70, then turn north onto New Mexico State Road 464. Follow NM 464 for about 14 miles, then hang a left (west) onto a bladed county road that’ll take you to the canyon.

Plug these GPS coordinates into your phone or GPS: 32.63° N, 108.83° W. Past a yellow cattle guard, the road gets rough—definitely a job for a high-clearance or 4×4 vehicle.

It’s remote, so don’t expect much in the way of services. Honestly, it reminds me of places like Saguaro National Park or Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument—you’ve got to plan ahead and be ready for anything.

If you’re the sort who loves places like Canyon de Chelly National Monument, Sunset Crater, or Petrified Forest National Park, you’ll probably dig the solitude here. The quiet’s on par with the more remote corners of the Verde Valley.

No marked facilities, and the conditions are rugged. You’ll spot a few fire rings, but you need to bring everything else and, of course, follow the Leave No Trace principles.

Directions: How To Get There And What To Expect

To get to Gila Lower Box Canyon Redrock NM boondocking location, start on U.S. 70 West from Lordsburg. After about 1.5 miles, turn north on New Mexico Highway 464, and keep going for around 14 miles. Watch for a turn to the west onto a bladed county road—this road takes you straight to the canyon.

It’s about 20 miles north of Lordsburg, right up against the Gila Wilderness. The roads? Mostly unpaved, so take it slow, especially if your car isn’t made for the rough stuff. The drive takes you through some quiet desert and patches of forest.

Coming from Arizona? You might wind your way here via the Pinal Pioneer Parkway or maybe parts of historic Route 66 and Hualapai Mountain Road. Either way, you’ll end up on U.S. 70, and from there, you’re almost there.

Once you arrive, you’ll notice: it’s remote and wild. Don’t count on water, shade, or cell service. This is a spot for self-sufficient campers who like things off-grid.

There’s hiking, exploring the Gila National Forest, and a whole lot of peace and quiet. Bring all the supplies you need and, seriously, leave no trace—let’s keep this desert gem as pristine as possible.

Amenities And Activities

Here, you get free dispersed camping, no reservation required. There aren’t any restrooms, water, or picnic tables, so you’ll have to bring what you need to the Gila Lower Box Canyon Redrock NM boondocking location.

The terrain’s rugged but gorgeous. You can hike through rocky outcrops and desert washes, though most trails are informal—bring a map or GPS just in case you lose your bearings.

If you’re into scenic drives, you’ll find some dirt roads with cool desert views and old rock formations. The roads can get rough, and the weather can flip on you with little warning.

There’s some Old West history here, too. You might spot evidence of old ranching—livestock left the river canyon back in 1990. That historic vibe adds something special.

Do your part: respect the land and pack out your trash. This is a spot to soak up nature, hike, snap photos, or maybe just watch for wildlife.

Camping Regulations And Restrictions

You’re allowed free dispersed camping at Gila Lower Box Canyon Redrock NM boondocking location, and you don’t need a permit. Just follow the basic rules.

Campers can stay up to 14 days in any 30-day period. After that, you’ve got to move on to avoid overusing the area.

Stick to established or already-used campsites—don’t make new fire rings or mess with the natural features.

Open fires might be banned during dry spells, so always check for fire restrictions before you light anything.

Everything you pack in, pack out. Leave the site cleaner than you found it, if you can.

Bring a portable toilet or use Leave No Trace methods for human waste. (see below)

Keep it quiet, especially at night. The silence is part of the magic out here.

Only drive on roads or existing tracks—don’t crush plants or tear up soft ground.

If everyone does their part, this canyon will stay wild and beautiful for years to come.

Leave No Trace

When you camp or wander around Gila Lower Box Canyon Redrock NM boondocking location, protecting the area really matters. Pack out everything you bring—trash, food scraps, random wrappers—don’t leave a trace behind. It’s honestly the least we can do to keep the wilderness clean and give wildlife a break.

If you’re building a fire, stick to existing fire rings. No need to make new pits; the soil and plants have it hard enough. Double-check your fire’s out before you head off—nobody wants to be that person who started a wildfire.

Stick to the roads and campsites that are already there. Driving or camping off-trail? It just beats up the plants and the ground, and for what? Trust the signs and barriers—they’re there for a reason, usually to keep folks away from sensitive areas.

If you need to wash dishes, grab some biodegradable soap and do it at least 200 feet from water sources like the Gila River. It might seem like overkill, but it really does help keep the water clean for everyone and everything that needs it.

As for human waste—yeah, it’s not glamorous. Use a portable toilet if you’ve got one. If not, dig a hole (6-8 inches deep is about right) and bury it well away from water and trails.

Try to keep noise and lights down, especially after dark. Wildlife and other campers will appreciate it, even if they never say a word. Headlamps or dim lights beat blinding floodlights any day.

Honestly, it’s not rocket science. Just a few small habits can help keep Gila Lower Box Canyon Redrock NM boondocking location wild and beautiful for whoever stumbles in next.