Bear Canyon Lake

Bear Canyon Lake is an easy drive from many communities in Grant County, including Silver City, Hurley, Bayard and Santa Clara. It is a popular destination for fishing, picnics, bird watching and more.

The man-made lake is located off Highway 35 and is a great lunch stop for drivers taking the Trail of the Mountain Spirits Scenic Byway. Access to the lake is via a short gravel road which rises steeply as it leaves Highway 35. While it is easily passable by almost all vehicles, drivers with long trailers or heavy vehicles should investigate the road's condition before driving up to the lake.

The lake has a boat ramp and several fishing areas; the entire shoreline of the lake is easy to reach by foot. Largemouth, smallmounth and spotted bass are in the lake, and regular fishing reports on the lake are available from the New Mexico Game and Fish Department . Boating on the lake is restricted to electric motors or self-propelled craft, and the entire lake is a no-wake zone.

On the road up to the lake, look off to the left at a view that captures the essence of the Mimbres Valley: horses grazing in lush, irrigated fields, family farms, and plenty of rugged landscape. It's easy to see why this valley has been a desirable place to live for thousands of years.

Once back on Highway 35, look for the lake's spillway. When the lake is full, the spillway creates a beautiful —although small — waterfall. The resulting creek passes beneath Highway 35.

Lake Roberts

Lake Roberts is in north-east Grant County, near the intersection of New Mexico Highway 15 and Highway 35. It is close to the Gila Cliff Dwellings and the community of Lake Roberts.

Lake Roberts is a high-country jewel, nestled among mountains near the Gila Cliff Dwellings and impounding the cold, clear waters of springs feeding Sapillo Creek. With both boat ramps and campgrounds available, the lake is an ideal get-away for a few days or longer, and attracts a wide variety of birds, mammals and other wildlife. The Lake is also a great stop on a trip through the Mimbres Valley or while touring the Trail of the Mountain Spirits Scenic Byway.

The lake is maintained by the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish and is surrounded by national forest land. The small community of Lake Roberts offers a variety of lodging opportunities as well as charming restaurants and cafes.

Camping is permitted at two campgrounds adjoining the lake, Upper End and Mesa campgrounds. Both sites charge a nightly fee and are located on the northeast side of the lake. A grassy, tree-shaded group campground, Sapillo Campground, is less than three miles south of the lake on Highway 35. It offers undeveloped campgrounds under tall pines.

Bill Evans Lake

Bill Evans Lake is located in north-central Grant County. Take New Mexico Highway 180 to the community of Riverside. Look for a road sign identifying the paved road to the lake.

Bill Evans Lake is an interesting body of water: It's a lake 300 feet above the river that fills it. Water from the Gila River is pumped up a high mesa to where a sparkling lake is impounded.

The lake is suited to both trout and warmwater fish species, and is a great year-round place to watch birds and wildlife.

Bill Evans provides a great view of surrounding mountain ranges. The lake is surrounded by a gravel road, providing access to much of the shoreline. The gravel road can be uneven and may require a high ground clearance vehicle in some areas — but the lake is relatively small and all of the shoreline can be reached easily by foot.

The lake annually fills anglers' creels with crappie, channel catfish, bluegill and largemouth bass. Trout, although present throughout the year, are more active from October through May. Compared to other southwestern lakes, Bill Evans has relatively cool waters and largemouth bass grow slower than in warmer lakes. But big largemouth are still found in Bill Evans, including the state record 15-pound, 13-ounce largemouth caught in 1995. The lake is typically maintained at a level of 62 surface acres.

Camping is permitted at the lake, although there are no developed campsites. Boating is permitted on the lake, but only electric motors and self-propelled boats are allowed. All of the lake is a no-wake zone.

YCC Trick Tank (Silver City area)

Little Bear Tank (Silver City area)

Lion Tank (Silver City area)

Fossil Tank (Silver City area)

Fleming Canyon Tank (Silver City area)

McComas Tank (Silver City area)

Other Area Lakes in New Mexico

Ackin Tank (Maverick Mountain area)
Adobe Spring (Mangas Springs area)
Agua Alto Tank (Circle Mesa area)
Alexander Tank (Crookson Peak area)
Alexander Tank (Moon Ranch area)
Apache Creek Trick Tank (Crookson Peak area)
Arvin Tanks (Werney Hill area)
B and P Tank (Allie Canyon area)
Back of Pasture Tank (Wilson Mountain area)
Back Tank (Werney Hill area)
Baker Tank (The Saltys area)
Bald Knoll Tank (Bullard Peak area)
Ball Park Tank (Mule Creek area)
Ball Tank (Big Lue Mountains area)
Bar Six Tank (Bullard Peak area)
Barney Kerr Tank (Mangas Springs area)
Barney Tank (Steeple Rock area)
Bastard Basin Tank (Mule Creek area)
Bear Canyon Reservoir (Hendricks Peak area)
Bear Tank (Big Lue Mountains area)
Bee Tank (Harden Cienega area)
Beth Tank (San Lorenzo area)
Biddle Tank (Copperas Peak area)
Big Laddie Tank (C Bar Ranch area)
Big Pasture Tank (Wilson Mountain area)
Big Tank (C Bar Ranch area)
Big Timber Tank (North Star Mesa area)
Bill Evans Lake (Mangas Springs area)
Bircher Tank (Crookson Peak area)
Black Canyon Tank (Middle Mesa area)
Black Hawk Tank (Bullard Peak area)
Black Mountain Tank (Applegate Mountain area)
Blacktail Tank (C Bar Ranch area)
Blue Stone Tank (Mangas Springs area)
Boiling Tank (Mule Creek area)
Bone Tank (Mangas Springs area)
Bootleg Tank (Eagle Eye Peak area)
Boundary Tank (Mangas Springs area)
Boundary Tank (Moon Ranch area)
Boundary Tank (North Star Mesa area)
Bradberry Tank (Mule Creek area)
Brock Tank (Harden Cienega area)
Brockman Dirt Tank (Muir Ranch area)
Brockman Tank (Brockman area)
Brown Tank (Werney Hill area)
Brunner Tank (San Lorenzo area)
Brushy Basin Tank (Allie Canyon area)
Brushy Mountain Tank (Crookson Peak area)
Brushy Tank (Hachita area)
Brushy Tank (Hat Top Mountain area)
Buck Tank (Redrock area)
Bucket Tank (North Star Mesa area)
Buckhorn Tank (Crookson Peak area)
Buckhorn Tank (Wilson Mountain area)
Burnt Tank (Antelope Ridge area)
Burro Cienga Tank (C Bar Ranch area)
Burtcher Tank (Crookson Peak area)
C C Tank (Hachita area)
Cabin Tank (Antelope Ridge area)
Cactus Flat Tanks (Moon Ranch area)
Cake Canyon Tank (Mangas Springs area)
California Tank (Harden Cienega area)
Cameron Tank (Fort Bayard area)
Camp Creek Tank (Wind Mountain area)
Canyon Tank (Antelope Ridge area)
Canyon Tank (North Star Mesa area)
Cattle Guard Tank (Mule Creek area)
CCC Tank (Antelope Ridge area)
CCC Tank (Redrock area)
Chapel Tanks (Moon Ranch area)
China Tank (Redrock area)
Clark Tank (Antelope Ridge area)
Clark Tanks (Whitehorse Mountain area)
Clay Bank Tank (Moon Ranch area)
Clear Tank (North Star Mesa area)
Coal Creek Tank (Big Lue Mountains area)
Codey Tank (Reading Mountain area)
Condon Tank (Moon Ranch area)
Continental Divide Tank (Separ NE area)
Continental Tank (Allie Canyon area)
Cooley Tank (Reading Mountain area)
Coon Den Tank (Werney Hill area)
Cooper Tank (Muir Ranch area)
Copeland Tank (Burro Peak area)
Copperas Tank (Gila Hot Springs area)
Corner Tank (Bullard Peak area)
Corner Tank (Harden Cienega area)
Corner Tank (Mule Creek area)
Corral Canyon Tank (Gila Hot Springs area)
Corral CanyonTank (Maverick Mountain area)
Corral Tank (Big Lue Mountains area)
Corral Tank (Copperas Peak area)
Cottonwood Tank (Allie Canyon area)
Cottonwood Tank (Applegate Mountain area)
Cottonwood Tank (Bullard Peak area)
Cottonwood Tank (Wilson Mountain area)
Coyote Tank (Brockman area)
Coyote Tank (Steeple Rock area)
Crash Landing Tank (Little Turkey Park area)
Dale Tank (Hendricks Peak area)
Dan Neal Tank (Crookson Peak area)
Dave Tank (Harden Cienega area)
Davis Tank (Hendricks Peak area)
Dead Buck Tank (Harden Cienega area)
Deadman Tank (Shelley Peak area)
Deer Tank (Hat Top Mountain area)
Dickerson Tank (Applegate Mountain area)
Dirt Tank (The Saltys area)
Distill Tank (Harden Cienega area)
Ditch Tank (Harden Cienega area)
Ditch Tank (Wilson Mountain area)
Dons Tank (Ninetysix Ranch area)
Double Tanks (Redrock area)
Drew Tank (Redrock area)
Drift Fence Tank (Wilson Mountain area)
Dripping Spring Tank (Bullard Peak area)
Dry Lake Tank (Copperas Peak area)
Dry Lake Tank (Middle Mesa area)
Dry Section Tank (Applegate Mountain area)
Dry Tank (Maverick Mountain area)
Dud Tank (Circle Mesa area)
Duncan Tank (Harden Cienega area)
Dutchman Tank (Hendricks Peak area)
Dwyer Reservoir (Dwyer area)
E T Tank (Hay Mesa area)
East Tank (Coyote Peak area)
East Tank (Hat Top Mountain area)
East Tank (Hendricks Peak area)
East Tank (Wilson Mountain area)
East Walnut Tank (Mule Creek area)
East Wilkinson Tank (Mule Creek area)
Eighteen Tank (Santa Rita Mine area)
Elk Pasture Tank (Allie Canyon area)
ET Tank Number Two (North Star Mesa area)
Farm Tank (Applegate Mountain area)
Fence Line Tank (Mangas Springs area)
Fence Tank (Eagle Eye Peak area)
Fence Tank (Wilson Mountain area)
First Tank (Hachita area)
Fish Pond Tank (Applegate Mountain area)
Flat Tank (Santa Rita Mine area)
Fork Stock Tank (North Star Mesa area)
Forrest Tank (Crookson Peak area)
Fort Bayard Reservoir (Fort Bayard area)
Fossil Tank (Silver City area)
Foster Tank (Applegate Mountain area)
Gatlin Tank (Hendricks Peak area)
George Clark Tank (Buckhorn area)
Georgetown Tank (Santa Rita Mine area)
Geronimo Water Tank (Crookson Peak area)
Getaway Tank (Maverick Mountain area)
Gila Flat Tank (Copperas Peak area)
Gila Flat Tank Number Two (Copperas Peak area)
Glaze Reservoir (C Bar Ranch area)
Glaze Tank (Ninetysix Ranch area)
Gold Hill Tank (C Bar Ranch area)
Gold Lake (White Signal area)
Goose Lake (Granny Mountain area)
Gooseman Tank (Allie Canyon area)
Government Tank (Separ NE area)
Grassy Flat Tank (Mangas Springs area)
Gravel Tank (North Star Mesa area)
Gunn Tank (C Bar Ranch area)
Hade Spring Tank (Harden Cienega area)
Hade Springs Tank (Harden Cienega area)
Hardluck Tank (Mule Creek area)
Hay Mesa Tank (Hay Mesa area)
Hay Number Two Tank (Hay Mesa area)
Hay Tank (Hay Mesa area)
Haynie Tank (Moon Ranch area)
Heifer Tank (North Star Mesa area)
Hells Hole Tank (Brushy Mountain area)
Hines Tank (Moon Ranch area)
Hog Canyon Tank (Santa Rita Mine area)
Hogback Tank (Cow Springs Mountain area)
Homestead Tank (Muir Ranch area)
Hookedy Tank (C Bar Ranch area)
Horse Lake (Buckhorn area)
Horse Lake Tank (Buckhorn area)
Horse Mountain Tank (Granny Mountain area)
Horse Pasture Tank (Applegate Mountain area)
Horse Pasture Tank (Middle Mesa area)
Horse Tank (Hendricks Peak area)
Horseshoe Tank (Antelope Ridge area)
Hot Springs Well (Maverick Mountain area)
Hub Tank (North Star Mesa area)
Ingersoll Tank (Hay Mesa area)
Ira Canyon Tank (Mangas Springs area)
Jack Steel Tank (Goat Camp Spring area)
Jarrell Tank Number 1 (Soldiers Farewell Hill area)
Jeep Tank (Wilson Mountain area)
Jeffers Tank (Big Lue Mountains area)
Jerky Park Pasture Tank (Crookson Peak area)
Jerky Park Tank (Crookson Peak area)
Joes Tank (Antelope Ridge area)
Johnson Tank (Mule Creek area)
Jonnie Tank (Werney Hill area)
Jonnie Tanks (Werney Hill area)
Jordon Tank (Copperas Peak area)
JT Tank (Hendricks Peak area)
Juan Mesa Tank (Hendricks Peak area)
Juan Mesa Tank Number Two (Hendricks Peak area)
Jug Tank (Moon Ranch area)
Juniper Spring Tank (C Bar Ranch area)
Juniper Tank (Crookson Peak area)
Juniper Tank (Hendricks Peak area)
Juniper Tank (Mangas Springs area)
Juniper Tank (Mule Creek area)
Juniper Water Well (Maverick Mountain area)
Kellogg Tank (Middle Mesa area)
Kelly Mesa Tank (Hendricks Peak area)
Kelly Ridge Tank (Hendricks Peak area)
Kelly Tank (Bullard Peak area)
Kelly Tank (Hay Mesa area)
Knight Canyon Tank (Burro Peak area)
KWR Tank (Middle Mesa area)
Lake Roberts (Copperas Peak area)
Lake Superior Tank (Hendricks Peak area)
Lewis Tank (Applegate Mountain area)
Lincoln Tank (Hay Mesa area)
Line Tank (Antelope Ridge area)
Little Laddie Tank (C Bar Ranch area)
Little Rough Tank (Bullard Peak area)
Little Tank (C Bar Ranch area)
Little Tank (Copperas Peak area)
Little Tank (Ninetysix Ranch area)
Live Oak Tank (Eagle Eye Peak area)
Locked Horns Tank (Little Turkey Park area)
Loco Tank (North Star Mesa area)
Lollipop Tank (Wilson Mountain area)
Lonesome Tank (C Bar Ranch area)
Lost Tank (Moon Ranch area)
Lower Blue Tank (Crookson Peak area)
Lower Elk Tank (Allie Canyon area)
Lower Goat Canyon Tank (Bear Mountain area)
Lower Pasture Tank (Wilson Mountain area)
Lower Slate Creek Tank (Brushy Mountain area)
Malapi Tank (Applegate Mountain area)
Mallet Pond (Bear Mountain area)
Malpais Tank (Applegate Mountain area)
Malpais Tank (Crookson Peak area)
Mangas Lake (Mangas Springs area)
Mantoya Tank (Santa Rita Mine area)
Marsa Tank (Cliff area)
Maverick Tank (North Star Mesa area)
Mayo Tank (Applegate Mountain area)
McCoy Tank (Allie Canyon area)
McDonald Tank (Mule Creek area)
McKenna Mesa Tank (North Star Mesa area)
Meason Tank (Bonner Canyon area)
Meason Trap Tank (Middle Mesa area)
Medina Tank (Dorsey Ranch area)
Meerschaum Tank (Copperas Peak area)
Mesa Tank (Allie Canyon area)
Mesa Tank (Applegate Mountain area)
Mesa Tank (Nichols Canyon area)
Middle Bear Tank (Bullard Peak area)
Middle Mesa Tank (Middle Mesa area)
Middle Mesa Tank Number Two (Middle Mesa area)
Middle Tank (Hachita area)
Middle Tank (Hay Mesa area)
Middle Tank (Hendricks Peak area)
Middle Tank (Werney Hill area)
Middle Tank (Willow Draw area)
Midway Tank (The Saltys area)
Mikes Tank (Dorsey Ranch area)
Mimbres Lake (Victorio Park area)
Mine Tank (C Bar Ranch area)
Mitchell Tank (Allie Canyon area)
Monument Tank (Granny Mountain area)
Moore Tank (Reading Mountain area)
Morrell Tank (Werney Hill area)
Mount Owens Tank (Mule Creek area)
Mud Flat Tank (Antelope Ridge area)
Mud Spring Tank (Applegate Mountain area)
Mulberry Tank (Bullard Peak area)
Mule Creek Tank (Harden Cienega area)
Murray Tank (The Saltys area)
New Coyote Tank (Coyote Peak area)
Nicholi Tank (Hendricks Peak area)
No Name Tank (Copperas Peak area)
No Name Tank (Twin Sisters area)
North Cooper Tank (Muir Ranch area)
North Drew Tank (Muir Ranch area)
North Side Tank (Harden Cienega area)
North Star Tank (North Star Mesa area)
North Sycamore Mesa Tank (Cliff area)
North Tank (Hay Mesa area)
North Water Tank (Hendricks Peak area)
Oak Canyon Tank (Werney Hill area)
Oak Tank (Bullard Peak area)
Oak Tank (Gold Hill area)
Old Big Tank (Crookson Peak area)
Old Number Two Tank (Crookson Peak area)
Old SI Tank (Harden Cienega area)
Old Tank (Crookson Peak area)
Oscar Tank (Allie Canyon area)
Oscar Tank (Santa Rita Mine area)
Ott Tank (Hendricks Peak area)
Pale Tank (Hendricks Peak area)
Panther Tank (Granny Mountain area)
Park Tank (Wilson Mountain area)
Park Tank Number Two (Wilson Mountain area)
Parra Tank (Dwyer area)
Partnership Tank (Big Lue Mountains area)
Pasture Tank (Mule Creek area)
Pasture Tank (Wilson Mountain area)
Pasture Tank Number 1 (Harden Cienega area)
Pasture Tank Number 2 (Harden Cienega area)
Pasture Tank Number One (Harden Cienega area)
Pasture Tank Number Two (Harden Cienega area)
Pence Tank (Hendricks Peak area)
Peterson Tank (Gold Hill area)
Pig Tank (Mangas Springs area)
Pine Tank (Antelope Ridge area)
Pine Tank (Harden Cienega area)
Pinyon Tank (Big Lue Mountains area)
Pipe Tank (Rice Ranch area)
Pipeline Tank (Rice Ranch area)
Pit Tank (Hay Mesa area)
Pit Tank (Hendricks Peak area)
Pitts Pasture Tank (Antelope Ridge area)
Point Tank (Granny Mountain area)
Polecat Tank (Moon Ranch area)
Porcupine Tank (Applegate Mountain area)
Pothole Tank (Big Lue Mountains area)
Pothole Tank (Hendricks Peak area)
Powderhorn Tank (Hay Mesa area)
Prong Tank (Harden Cienega area)
Puddles Tank (Hat Top Mountain area)
Purple Heart Tank (Mangas Springs area)
Quartzite Tank (Reading Mountain area)
Quien Sabe Tank (Crookson Peak area)
Racetrack Tank (Mule Creek area)
Rally Tank (Crookson Peak area)
Ranch Tank (Moon Ranch area)
Ray Gun Tank (Werney Hill area)
Rays Tank (Hendricks Peak area)
Red Kelly Tank (Crookson Peak area)
Redrock Tank (Wind Mountain area)
Richardson Tank (Bullard Peak area)
Ridge Tank Number Two (Hendricks Peak area)
Rimrock Tank (Harden Cienega area)
Rincon Tank (Ninetysix Ranch area)
Road Tank (Werney Hill area)
Roadside Tank (Mule Creek area)
Robertson Tank (Antelope Ridge area)
Rock Bottom Tank (Big Lue Mountains area)
Rock House Tank (Applegate Mountain area)
Rock Tank (Maverick Mountain area)
Rock Tank (Wilson Mountain area)
Rocky Tank (Harden Cienega area)
Rosencrans Tank (Hendricks Peak area)
Rough Canyon Tank (Bullard Peak area)
Rough Canyon Tank (Crookson Peak area)
Round Mountain Tank (Harden Cienega area)
Round Mountain Tank (Mule Creek area)
Sacaton South Tank (Rice Ranch area)
Saddle Tank (Harden Cienega area)
Saddle Tank (North Star Mesa area)
Sandrock Tank (Moon Ranch area)
Sandy Canyon Tank (Cliff area)
Sappington Tank (Separ NE area)
Schoens Lake (Taylor area)
School Canyon Tank (Harden Cienega area)
Scorpion Tank (Moon Ranch area)
Second Tank (Hachita area)
Section Three Tank (Wilson Mountain area)
Seep Canyon Tank (Eagle Eye Peak area)
Seep Tank (C Bar Ranch area)
Seep Tank (Copperas Peak area)
Seneca Tanks (Whitehorse Mountain area)
Seventyfour Mountain Tank (Shelley Peak area)
Sheeley Tank (Applegate Mountain area)
Sherman Tank (Bullard Peak area)
Shingle Tank (Allie Canyon area)
SI Flat Tank (Harden Cienega area)
SI Mountain Tank (Harden Cienega area)
Silver Dale Tank (Wind Mountain area)
Skates Tank (North Star Mesa area)
Skates Tank Number One (North Star Mesa area)
Skates Tank Number Two (North Star Mesa area)
Slack Sawmill Tank (Twin Sisters area)
Slash Tank (Allie Canyon area)
Slow Tank (North Star Mesa area)
Smith Mountain Tank (Mule Creek area)
Snow Creek Tank (Reading Mountain area)
South Brushy Tank (Little Turkey Park area)
South Drew Tank (Muir Ranch area)
South End Tank (Antelope Ridge area)
South Fork Tank (Mule Creek area)
South Number 1 Tank (Hat Top Mountain area)
South Side Tank (Harden Cienega area)
South Sycamore Mesa Tank (Cliff area)
South Tank (Hachita area)
Sparaque Tank (Mule Creek area)
Spring Canyon Tank (Bullard Peak area)
Spring Canyon Tank (Copperas Peak area)
Spring Tank (Hay Mesa area)
Squaw Creek Ridge Tank (Middle Mesa area)
Stateline Tank (Harden Cienega area)
Steep Hollow Tank (Applegate Mountain area)
Steer Pasture Tank (Mule Creek area)
Steer Tank (Allie Canyon area)
Stitzel Tank (Hendricks Peak area)
Summer Resort Tank (Applegate Mountain area)
Sycamore Tank (Applegate Mountain area)
Sycamore Tank (Little Turkey Park area)
T-Eleven Tank (Allie Canyon area)
Tadpole Lake (Reading Mountain area)
Tadpole Tank (Antelope Ridge area)
Tank Number One (Burro Peak area)
Taylor Tank (Dorsey Ranch area)
Telephone Tank (Allie Canyon area)
Tennessee Tank (Big Lue Mountains area)
Terry Tank Number Three (North Star Mesa area)
The Dry Lakes (Canyon Hill area)
Thirtytwo Tank (Copperas Peak area)
Thompson Tank (Applegate Mountain area)
Thompson Tank (Hay Mesa area)
Thompson Tank Number Twenty (Hay Mesa area)
Three Pine Tank (Twin Sisters area)
Tinsley Tank (Applegate Mountain area)
Top Water Tank (Maverick Mountain area)
Trail Canyon Tank (Hendricks Peak area)
Trail Canyon Tanks (Bullard Peak area)
Trail Tank (Crookson Peak area)
Trail Tank (Mule Creek area)
Trail Tank (Rice Ranch area)
Trap Tank (Bullard Peak area)
Trap Tank (Granny Mountain area)
Trap Tank (Hendricks Peak area)
Turkey Basin Tank (Wilson Mountain area)
Turkey Cienega Tank (North Star Mesa area)
Turkey Tank (Little Turkey Park area)
Turner Tank (Brushy Mountain area)
Turquoise Tank (Wind Mountain area)
Twin Calf Tank (Maverick Mountain area)
Tyrone Tank (Redrock area)
Unknown Tank (Allie Canyon area)
Upper Corral Canyon Tank (Middle Mesa area)
Upper Drift Fence Tank (Wilson Mountain area)
Upper Goat Canyon Tank (Bear Mountain area)
Upton Cabin Well (Maverick Mountain area)
Upton Tank (Maverick Mountain area)
Vista Tank (Brockman area)
Walker Tank (C Bar Ranch area)
Walker Tank (Walker Canyon area)
Wamels Pond (Victorio Ranch area)
Ward Tank (Harden Cienega area)
Water Canyon Tank (Hendricks Peak area)
Water Development Tank (Wilson Mountain area)
Watson Well (Maverick Mountain area)
Wayne Tank (North Star Mesa area)
West Masonary Tank (Wilson Mountain area)
West Tank (Crookson Peak area)
West Tank (Hat Top Mountain area)
West Tank (Rice Ranch area)
White Rock Tank (Werney Hill area)
Whitetail Tank (C Bar Ranch area)
Whitewater Reservoir (Hurley East area)
Whitewater Tank (Wind Mountain area)
Wild Antelope Tank (Harden Cienega area)
Wilkinson Tank (Mule Creek area)
Willis Dickerson Tank (Applegate Mountain area)
Willmeth Tank (Antelope Ridge area)
Winchester Tank (Big Lue Mountains area)
Wire Corral Tank (Applegate Mountain area)

The Gila National Forest

The Gila National Forest is big: It includes more than 500,000 acres of rugged land, dominates the landscape of our county and extends west all the way to the border with Arizona. Hundreds of recreational activities and popular spots exist within the forest.

To get your bearings, consult the Forest web site above, or spend a few minutes with the rangers. The Silver City District Office is at 3005 E. Camino del Bosque in Silver City, half a mile north of the intersection of US 180 and 32nd St Bypass.

Popular theory says that the word Gila was derived from a Spanish contraction of Hah-quah-sa-eel, a Yuma Indian word meaning "running water which is salty". The naming of the Gila National Forest is indicative of its interesting history and beauty. The Forest, tucked away in southwestern New Mexico, is a paradise for those seeking solitude and escape from modern society's busy lifestyle.

Every National Forest offers its own unique beauty. The Gila's beauty is in its diversity of rugged mountains, deep canyons, meadows, and semi-desert country. Elevations range from 4,200 to 10,900 feet and cover four of the six life zones. Flora and fauna are diverse. Ocotillo and cactus are found in the lower elevations, and juniper, pine, aspen, and spruce-fir forests are plentiful in the high mountains. Wildlife such as the black bear, mountain lion, elk, deer, antelope, bighorn sheep, and wild turkey inhabit the Forest while the bald eagle, peregrine falcon, and the red-tailed hawk soar in the wind.

The Gila National Forest boasts a rich history of the Mogollon and Apache Indians, Spaniards, Mexicans, ranchers, prospectors and miners. Apache Chiefs Mangas Coloradas, Geronimo, and Victorio, Aldo Leopold: conservationist, ecologist and author of the Sand County Almanac, and renowned lion hunter Ben Lilly are but a few of the personalities from the past that have left their mark in the Gila. Place names like Raw Meat Canyon, Tepee Canyon and Grave Canyon tell the tales of the past.

Silver City Boston Hill's Trail

With names like "Adonis Pits," "Luck Separation Mill" and the "King Bolt Pit," sites on Silver City's rugged Boston Hill immediately recall the Town's historic era of hard-rock mining for copper, silver and other precious metals. Today, however, these destinations have been transformed into hiking destinations for one of the Town's large greenbreaks, the Boston Hill Open Space Trail System.

Part of the Town's Trails and Open Spaces initiative, the Boston Hill, San Vicente Creek and other trail areas keep important parts of Silver City's natural environment and historic areas available to hikers and other visitors. So while Grant County offers visitors more than 3.5 million acres of wild land in which to roam, there's a considerable chunk of it to explore within sight of a great meal, warm bed and hot shower.

The Boston Hill area of Silver City is south of historic downtown, and includes the La Capilla Heritage Park and more than half a dozen former mining sites. Boston Hill, which gives the area its name, offers a fantastic view of the county from an elevation of 6,380 feet above sea level. But within a few hundred yards of its summit, plunging ravines and winding trails give the Boston Hill area a worlds-away feel, with mule deer, rabbits and javelina common trail users. Less often, you can spot coatimundi and foxes living within the Town's borders, safe within the Boston Hill system.

Trailheads are available on Cooper Street, Cheyenne Street, Spring Street and Market Street. The trails range from level ground to moderately rugged inclines. Many of the trails intersect, offering a range of paths through the area, and the hill's ravines and secluded valleys are terrific spots for a "remote" picnic just a few hundred yards from Silver City's heart. A historic narrow-guage railroad bed crosses the trail area along much of its southern third, entering the trails area near the Market Street trailhead and exiting it near the Cooper Street trailhead after a winding course of about two miles.

The Catwalk National Scenic Trail

The Catwalk National Scenic Trail area is approximately 5 miles from Glenwood, at the end of NM Highway 174, also known as the Catwalk Road.

Note: Two low-water crossings provide access to the recreation area on Highway 174. Never attempt to cross these when water is present.

Glenwood is about an hour north of Silver City on Highway 180; the drive winds through the high desert of Grant and Catron Counties and includes a number of spectacular views. Close to Glenwood, bands of mountain bighorn sheep may sometimes be seen on the cliffs over the highway.

The Catwalk National Scenic Trail offers a fascinating glimpse into the geologic and historic foundations of Grant County. The result of cataclysmic volcanic actions, the area now offers a beautiful picnic spot next to Whitewater Creek, a challenging one-mile trail along the historic 1890's mining waterway, and a sense of place that creates images of an earlier time.

The name for the area, The Catwalk, refers to the original plank-board walkway placed atop the steel pipe used to bring water to the ore processing plant, ruins of which can still be seen near the parking area. Although most of the pipe is now gone, much of the current all-access trail follows this original route, winding right through the center of the creek canyon perched safely a dozen feet above the creek. Keep an eye out for trout cruising in the waters below.

The first portion of the trail is relatively easy and leads to hidden pools and splashing waterfalls — magical spots in our high desert environment. Beyond the developed trail, more rigorous trails lead into the Gila Wilderness. Consult with the Forest Service before venturing beyond the Catwalk trail area.

The Catwalk Recreation Area is a day-use area and is open from sunrise to sunset. A parking fee of $3.00 per vehicle is paid at a self-pay station in the parking lot.

City of Rocks State Park

To get to City of Rocks State Park, take US Highway 180 south 25 minutes from Silver City, then go northeast on NM Highway 61 4 miles to the park access road.

Formed of volcanic ash 30 million years ago and sculpted by wind and water into rows of monolithic blocks, City of Rocks State Park takes its name from these incredible rock formations. Cactus gardens and hiking trails add to this unique destination.

The rock formations at the park are so unique that they are only known to exist in just six other places in the world. Imaginative visitors may see the rock formations as a small city, complete with houses, chimneys, courtyards, and streets.

Until 1200 A.D., Mimbres Indian roamed this area and left arrowheads and pottery shards as evidence of their culture. Spanish conquistadors also spent time in the area, carving crosses into the rocks. Visitors today can see a sampling of southwestern plant and animal. The park's desert botanical garden is home to cow's tongue and bunny ear cacti, Yucca, and towering Century plants. Deer, antelope, javelinas, and jackrabbits are frequently seen in the area, along with over 35 species of birds, ranging from Golden Eagles to finches.

The park's hours are 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. and the park manager can be reached at 505-536-2800.

Gila Cliff Dwellings

Gila Cliff Dwellings National Monument offers a glimpse of the homes and lives of the people of the Mogollon culture who lived in the Gila Wilderness from the 1280s through the early 1300s. The surroundings probably look today very much like they did when the cliff dwellings were inhabited. It is surrounded by the Gila National Forest and lies at the edge of the Gila Wilderness, the nation's first designated wilderness area. This designation means that the wilderness character of the area will not be altered by the intrusion of roads or other evidence of human presence.

From Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day, the Cliff Dwellings are open from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (enter by 5:00 p.m. and exit by 6:00 p.m.), and the Visitor Center is open from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. The rest of the year, the Cliff Dwellings are open 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., and the Visitor Center is open 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

The Cliff Dwellings, trailhead Contact Station, are open every day of the year, which includes Thanksgiving, Christmas & New Year's Day. The Gila Visitor Center is open on Christmas Day. On New Year's Day, the Gila Visitor Center is closed, but the Contact Station and the Cliff Dwellings are open with the normally scheduled tours offered.

Summer guided tours of the Cliff Dwellings are offered daily at 1:00 p.m. During Winter operations, a single tour is offered at noon. Please note that the tours start at the Cliff Dwellings and it takes about a half hour to walk up to them from the trailhead. A self-guided tour is available at all times and an accompanying booklet is available at the the trailhead Contact Station.

Where is it?

Take State Highway 15 north from Silver City through historic Pinos Altos and into the Gila National Forest. Although the distance from Silver City is only 44 miles, the travel time is approximately two hours due to twisting and winding mountain terrain.

An alternative route from Silver City is along NM State Highway 35 and goes through the beautiful Mimbres Valley. Even though it is 25 miles longer than Highway 15, it is less winding, wider, more level, and easier to travel; therefore it takes about the same amount of time as State Highway 15. If your vehicle, travel trailer, or RV is over 20 feet in length, you should take Highway 35. For information call (575) 536-9461