Cosmic Campground

Lucky to score 1 of 6 RV sites. There are sites on dirt roads branching off before camp and further out; note many are not level and sticky clay mud following an afternoon thunderstorm. Bathrooms were clean and stocked. Sites very level. 4 parties tenting in center. Most folks good about dark skies, using red lamps. Bring a pad and sleeping bag and lie under the stars! It was super amazing view of the stars, planets and Milky Way. Good T mobile LTE service 2-3 bars.

Glad we took the chance there would be a spot for us, this is an amazing experience! Officially designated a dark sky location, this is star gazing you don't get often.

Based on the reviews of needing to arrive early to snag one of the few campsites, we made a hurried morning here. We arrived around 1pm mid-week, and were sure we missed our chance. But alas, there were only 2 RVs in the campground - plenty of room, and no need for worry. It stayed that way too.

There were also several spots leading into the campground that were clearly boondocking spots, and if you take the road behind the campground (beyond the telescope pads), there's several boondocking areas beyond. And once you learn that this location regularly hosts 100s for star gazing parties - there's plenty of room for everyone if you don't need to be mere feet from the pit toilets.

We thoroughly enjoyed our stay here, and were treated to a completely clear sky. Words just can't do it justice.

At the time of our stay in late October 2021, it was still free. However there were signs posted that several campgrounds in the Gila National Forest (including this one) were going fee based in 2022.

Verizon gets decent signal here, we were able to stream and work remotely.

This was a really fun experience. Beautiful sunsets and skies. Tons of hiking and rockhounding in the area, mostly agate and chalcedony. If you follow the washes and natural paths created by local cows, they’ll take you several miles, all the way to the San Francisco River. We heard coyotes in the distance every night. Cleaning crews tended to the bathroom every day. Really a top notch campground, and it’s free!

We arrived at noon and got the second to last RV spot. One thing we noticed was multiple tent campers and compact cars parked in the RV spots even though there is a separate area for tent/ small vehicle camping. There are boondocking spots around the campground, and we saw the same RV’s cruising through the campground every morning, waiting for a spot to open up. We recommend that strategy if all the spots are taken and you’re planning to stay in the area more than one night.

We absolutely loved this campground. There are 6 spots for RVs. The tent spots you have to park in a space then walk to set up your tent if you’re into that. There are so many cool places around the area to check out and hike to. Catwalk Recreation Area is awesome, Mineral Creek Trail, and check out the town of Mogollon. All very close to the campground, within 20 minutes driving. There are some dispersed spots down the road over the cattle guard past the campground (once you enter the campground) and even on the dirt road that leads you to the campground. Would probably need a high clearance rig for the dispersed after the cattle guard (our class C has like 12” clearance, if that, so we would scrape the pot holes). Would absolutely come back! The stars were incredible!
No problems with T-mobile cell service or Verizon MiFi which we use for work.

How cool to just happen upon the world’s first International Dark Sky Sanctuary Campground! We saw it as we were driving back and doubled back. We were so glad we did!

It is small and it fills up fast. We rolled in at 1:30 pm and got the last RV site (I think there were 6) on the Wednesday we arrived. The tent camping eventually filled up the first night we were there (11/11/2020). The sites are close enough to hear your neighbor cough but everyone was respectful and kept the lights, etc., to a minimum.

We tilted our lawn chairs back and took in the cosmos on an exceptionally clear night. We could see Mars very clearly using only binoculars. We also could see Saturns’ rings and Jupiter was very bright. We were using the SkyView app and could even see satellites cruising by in the cosmos. We were on the verge of the start of the Leonides so we saw a few meteors streaking across the night sky. We were also fortunate in our timing as the moon didn’t rise until 4 am so that further aided our night sky viewing.

As far as facilities go, there are telescope pads if you have a telescope. There are also pit toilets. There are no trash cans so come prepared to pack in/pack out.

There are literally hundreds of boondocking opportunities in the area so if you don’t get to camp here, never fear. There are many more options in the area. And there really are no lights around for miles.

Was coming down from Petrified Forest NP on Oct 22, 2020. Stayed here for 3 nights. Get there between 12 and 2 because by 4-5 the 6 RV pad will likely be full. But coming down the gravel road to the fenced and cattle guarded camping area there are a number of places ideal for dispersed camping which is not too much different from CG other than fact the dispersed is more dusty. Also, there is a cattle guard going out the back side and there are dispersed camping locations down the gravel/dusty road (but don’t take big RV bus, just tents and small trailers). There is some website that the “sky-watchers” use to see about organized events. Most on weekends. You won’t get a site then. I liked the area for the back country hiking. Did about 7 miles, round trip one day and 5miles the next. Did see reasonably fresh bear tracks, so take bear spray or carry firearm.

While it's true there are 6 graveled campsites suitable for travel Trailers or tents (sites 1 - 6), there are also another 4 campsites that are tents only, with dedicated parking. Tent sites are not numbered, however all have gravel paths to each site (about 30 feet from parking to each site). Each site includes concrete picnic table, and fire ring. Pit toilets. No Water, No trash service, pack it in, pack it out. Campground is well maintained, clean, and peaceful. Cell service update: Verizon is 3 bars, data no problem, T-Mobile is 3 bars, data no problem. Forest service drives through campground at least once a day. There are dispersed campsites suitable for tents or various lenghts of travel trailers all around, however advise getting out and walking the area prior.

We have a 39' fifth wheel and had no trouble finding a spot. It seems like they have added more back-in spots than what it shows on the satellite image. The main campground is a loop so you just circle around and back in, it's super easy.

We stayed in late February and there were an average of 3-4 other campers while we were here, but the sites are spaced far enough apart that you don't feel crowded. Especially when you look up!

At night the sky is covered in stars from horizon to horizon. If you have never been far away from a city it's hard to believe until you're out here looking around.

Bring supplies, there isn't much around except for a small town about 20 minutes away.

There are fire rings made of rocks at most spots and a pair of vault toilets. I didn't see any trash so the people who stay have taken responsibility and the place seems really clean and well cared for.

We had amazing Verizon service but no AT&T at all (we lost it shortly before entering Gila National Park so it's not just this location, there is no AT&T around here as of February 2020).

It's very quiet and peaceful here and a very unique place!