USDA Forest Service · New Mexico
McGaffey Campground
USDA Forest Service · New Mexico, United States
- Drinking water
- No
- Restrooms
- Yes
- Elevation
- 7,779 ft
- Dark sky
- Bortle class 1
- Cell coverage
- T-Mobile none · AT&T none · Verizon none (carriers' 4G LTE filings to the FCC, 2025-12; not measured here)
- Access road
- MCGAFFEY CG SPUR 1 (NFSR 154A) · crushed aggregate or gravel · suitable for passenger cars
- Lake
- Cibola National Forest and Grasslands
- Activities
- Camping
Season dates aren't confirmed for this campground yet - opening and closing dates haven't been verified. Check the operator's page or call ahead before you plan a trip.
Site map
The imagery of the campground. Press and hold the map to drop your own pins and notes; the operator publishes no site points here. Your ratings, notes, pins and photos are kept with the campground on your Saved list, the same list the camping map and the drive page keep.
Site map · loading…
About
This campground is situated in what was once the historic railroad logging and sawmill town of McGaffey. McGaffey Campground was built in 1937 and lies west of the Continental Divide in the Zuni Mountains, at an elevation of approximately 8,000 feet. It is the largest of the Mt. Taylor Ranger District campgrounds and has a volunteer host on site. Mature ponderosa pine trees provide scenic settings and shade, while small hills provide some privacy. Follow the road past the entrance, staying to the right to access the Oso and Page overnight sites.
Remember to pay attention to road conditions and your vehicle's abilities before driving off of the main road. Please be respectful of our historic heritage as you explore the area.
Weather, month by month
| Month | Typical high | Typical low | Coldest night | Hottest day | Years with a night below 32°F |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 37° | 22° | 2° | 52° | 11 of 11 |
| February | 43° | 25° | -4° | 60° | 11 of 11 |
| March | 50° | 29° | 9° | 74° | 9 of 11 |
| April | 62° | 37° | 17° | 75° | 8 of 11 |
| May | 70° | 46° | 31° | 83° | 2 of 11 |
| June | 83° | 58° | 44° | 93° | 0 of 11 |
| July | 86° | 62° | 54° | 94° | 0 of 11 |
| August | 81° | 57° | 52° | 89° | 0 of 11 |
| September | 75° | 54° | 37° | 84° | 0 of 11 |
| October | 65° | 42° | 28° | 75° | 3 of 10 |
| November | 56° | 33° | 19° | 66° | 9 of 10 |
| December | 45° | 26° | 6° | 57° | 10 of 10 |
Mid-month figures from 2016–2026 of daily weather at this spot (ERA5 reanalysis via Open-Meteo, CC BY 4.0), in °F. Typical is the median; coldest and hottest are the extremes seen.
Trails nearby
- Strawberry Canyon Trailhead · 0.4 mi as the crow flies
Strawberry Canyon 2.2 mi Hike · Drive there
All 311 trails in Cibola National Forest
Trailheads the Park Service and the Forest Service map, within 10 miles as the crow flies; each trail's page has its length, climbing and the Service's description.
Nearby campgrounds
- Quaking Aspen · USDA Forest Service · 3 mi
- Red Rock Park Main and West Campgrounds · City, County & Regional Parks · 12 mi · 121 sites
- Bluewater Lake State Park · New Mexico State Parks · 24 mi · 149 sites
- El Morro Campground · National Park Service · 25 mi · 9 sites
- Ojo Redondo · USDA Forest Service · 28 mi
All public campgrounds in New Mexico · Every state and province · Facts read from the operator 2026-02-25. Confirm fees, rules and current status with the operator before you go.