Sapillo
 | An undeveloped campground amongst the ponderosa pines in the Gila
National Forest.
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Campground data:
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| | Controlling agency: | Gila National Forest; Wilderness Ranger District | | Official URL: | Forest service web page for Sapillo CG | | Region: | Southwest; Gila. North of Mimbres and south of Lake Roberts. | | CG elevation: | 6000ft; 1829m | | Campsite count: | 1. This is a dispersed camping area, so there is no specific campsite count. | | Visual density: | 0.00. It all depends on how many people are there and where they are parked. The area is an open ponderosa forest, so you are likely to see (and hear) other campers. | | Fee: | $0.00. | | Season: | All year. Snow affects whether or not you can get into the campground. | | Dogs: | Yes. on leash | | Horses: | Yes. | | Handicapped accessible: | Unknown. | | General tent notes: | Plenty of relatively flat areas. No tent pads. | | RV parking surface: | dirt | | RV pull-through spaces? | Yes. | | RV parking notes: | The campsites are pull-through only because there is no official place to park, so you can drive around the trees to get out again. | | Campground facilities: | vault toilet(s). | | Campground attractions: | wildlife (We saw wild turkeys nearby.). |
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When we visited it:
Waypoints:
| Waypoint | Type | Description |
| GSCG | Campground | Sapillo Campground |
Maps:
Geohack online map list
Paper maps:
| Map name | Cartographer | Year | Scale | Topo map? | Online access | Notes |
| Gila National Forest | US Forest Service | 1997 | 1:126720 | N | From the National Forest Store (purchase) | South half |
| Gila Wilderness | US Forest Service | 1984 | 1:63360 | Y | From the National Forest Store (purchase) | East half |
| Mogollon Mountains | BLM | 1987 | 1:100000 | Y | Public Lands Information Center (purchase) |
| Wildernesses of New Mexico | US Forest Service | 1981 | 1:1000000 | N | No online copies. | Base map with national forests, wilderness areas and highways. |
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Getting to the campground:
Take NM 35 north from Mimbres. At the sign, turn left. Follow the main
dirt road; there are several smaller side roads which you do not want.
At a Y, there is (or was when we were there) a sign with an arrow
pointing right. Take the right branch. The campground is only a little
farther.
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About the campground:
 | There is not much to this campground but the ponderosa pine forest.
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However, at least when we visited, this campground is one where you are
less likely to be bothered by any neighbors. However, the Forest
service says that the campground receives moderate use.
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Plants we saw around the campground:
Reader comments about this campground:
Add your comments about the Sapillo campground.
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Very nice unimproved campground...Close to lake Roberts..... On Mon Apr 17 06:30:44 2006 Steve from Las Cruces, NM said:
I was very disapointed. I was expecting this camp site to be undeveloped. Instead I found that the forest service has installed potties and trash cans. Our visit was inundated with ATVs and hikers who would invade our camp site. It was noisy and no privacy. There were over 100 campers, trailers and even a few bus size RVs who parked there. On Fri Mar 7 19:53:23 2008 lilj from Deming said:
It was really fun and my grand kids really liked it because they got to ride there four wheelers. Its a fun place to ride four wheelers and just relax well your kids have fun. On Mon Mar 31 13:38:35 2008 Norma from Somewhere said:
We love this campground --- its clean thanks to trash cans. We love that we can go ride the 4 wheelers, good clean fun for the entire familiy On Fri May 2 21:52:07 2008 Jacob from Deming said:
We loved it there because it was clean and we got to ride the four wheelers. If you go you will have fun and if any one wanna ride in a group email me at jacobperez72@yahoo.com On Sun Apr 5 11:39:58 2009 steve from las cruces said:
I hope nobody strings piano wire around the sites to dissuade ATV riders. On Sun May 16 15:20:45 2010 Ruben from Las Cruces NM said:
Wasmy firdt timr to this campsite I really enjoyed it because it was somewhat secluded at the time in which I went the campgrounds were clean and the portajohns were clean as well. Also it was in close proximity to lake Roberts making it an easy commute to the lake, I will definately be back!! On Sat Apr 16 14:08:53 2011 Disgruntled from The Road, USA said:
4-wheelers/ATV's? Thank God we were there before this was allowed. There is no need to come to a place like this to despoil it with what are, essentially, leaf-blowers. On Mon Jul 11 14:09:18 2011 mel from las cruces said:
Its GREAT if you have ATV's, a large group and dont mind the noise. Remember it is FREE! Find yourself a campsite that is a little further from the main circle and it is a little less noisy - On Tue Jul 12 14:20:23 2011 Anonymous from El Paso, Texas said:
I was first introduced to the Sapillo campground 22 years ago when I started dating my now husband. I was not used to NO available bathrooms & no showers. My husband introduced me to the woods and showed me how to rough it when camping. We have now been married 20 years and continue to camp at this campground. Our children have been out here since they were born and look forward to camping every year. For those who want more privacy at this campground, just go deeper in the woods. We also enjoy going to the Gila river to swim, which is approxiamtely a 45 minute drive from the campsite. It's great!! On Wed Feb 22 13:29:50 2012 QuadHeaven from las cruces said:
If you own quads and want a nice forest to camp and ride - this is your spot! Its free, has great 4-wheeler trails and you can park your trailer pretty easily. On Fri Mar 23 11:21:45 2012 mario from el paso tx said:
There is a camp for everybody. I personally like sapillo because atvs are allowed. If atvs or 4 wheelers bother you, please choose another camp. There is millions of achers in these park. You don't have to start an issue with atv riders. Since nobody bother the folks with the big rvs taking the best spots and staying longer that they are supposed to . I will defenetly go back with my kids and atvs as much as I can, is a great place to ride. On Tue Apr 3 20:21:41 2012 Anonymous from Deming n.m. said:
Has the water been turned on yet at Sapillo