Gila National Forest to Pie Town New Mexico

Trekkar wrote:
If you're already that far south, the Gila Cliff Dwelling Monument is roughly 75 miles away at the end of 15. Nice area to explore.

75 miles and two hours to get there.

If you're already that far south, the Gila Cliff Dwelling Monument is roughly 75 miles away at the end of 15. Nice area to explore.

Mid July is the season for monsoon rains in this part of the country. In between rains it will get hot. Be ready for both.

Another interesting (to me) spot on that route is Fort Bayard Nat. Cemetery https://www.cem.va.gov/cems/nchp/ftbayard.asp and Historic District https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fort_Bayard_Historic_District . Not to be confused with the town of Bayard which is on 180 before Santa Clara the town nearest Fort Bayard.

The Chino open pit mine is also close by if you have not seen one before they are impressive. "The Chino mine, an open-pit porphyry copper mine, is 15 miles east of Silver City near the village of Hanover in southwestern New Mexico. An overlook of the pit, complete with educational displays, is located on the south side of New Mexico Highway 152 east of Hanover."

Always neat when you got some time on your hands and just wander around somewhere hehe...

I got off of I40 in NM one time looking for some of the old RT-66 off-shoots and ran into a town sign that said YAH-TA-HEY.

Being a John Wayne follower I had to go see this town. In John wayne's movies that was about all of the Indian talk he would say...

YAH-TA-HEY turned out to be small town of 400-500 populations but I can say now I have been there...

Back in the day used to run the APACHE TRAIL runs from Apache Junction up to I40 and East alot. All kinds of OFF-TRAIL camping back in those area... Kinda all started after you went through Payson. Love waking up to see the morning sun light up all the Red Rock canyons...

This was all in the TONTO NATL FOREST in AZ... Don't think we made it into NM and the GILA NATL FOREST areas for any camping. Did get to visit the Very Large Arrays just off US60 that was interesting. We were NAVY DOD Contractors so got a first class visit. We were in NAVY Vehicles and run across another Navy Vehicle along the way so followed him in their complex haha... Used to run US60 from Socorro NM to the Phoenix areas in my working days... First time I ever saw black rattle snakes was in that area. Guess eating the volcano ash small rocks from that area changed their natural color haha...

Bringing back old memories..

Roy Ken

Thanks for this information. In the last 3 weeks the folks on this forum have mentioned 3 interesting locations in the general area we will be visiting. Cedar Break, the Grand Canyon Caverns and The City of Rocks. Add these to the other places discussed here and to me that is what makes this forum so important when planning a trip. I never would have found spots like these on my own. Again Thanks. We know the weather is going to be hot, but if it gets to unbearable we have an escape plan ready..

I have gone both ways and think 12 is a little flatter, but both have good scenery, depending on what you call scenery. In July it will likely be all brown. Drive time is about the same at RV speeds and Quemado is a nice coolish camp ground in July while the options on 12 are fewer.

City of Rocks is interesting and may take 2 hours at most to drive over, visit the visitor center, drive the loop, take some pictures, and get back to 180. In July you may be the only visitors there. They have some W/E camp sites if you wanted to spend the night there.

I would take RT 36 at Apache Creek up to Quemado, then 60 to Pie Town. I believe if you take 12 you have to go to Datil and come back west on 60 to get to Pie Town. Coming up 36 is pretty scenic, Quemado lake is a nice place to stop and visit, they also have a campground there with W/E and a dump as well as some dry camping areas too. We'll be at Datil Well campground around the 14th of July for a family reunion and usually run all over the area visiting homesteads and stuff, always stop in Quemado at Grovers grocery for an ice cream bar or snacks. Enjoy your trip!