Willow Creek Campground

Campground closure

Site Temporarily Closed

Ben Lilly and Willow Creek Campground Closure

The Gila National Forest is issuing a temporary closure order for the Ben Lilly Campground and the Willow Creek Campground, in effect from 6 a.m. on July 21, 2026 through January 1, 2027 (or until rescinded). This order serves to protect public health and safety as monsoonal flood events have become hazardous in this area.

This closure order was extended on October 1, due to continued flooding impacts to the Willow Creek area.

PROHIBITIONS
Pursuant to 16 U.S.C. § 551 and 36 C.F.R. § 261.50(a) and (b), the following are prohibited on the National Forest System (NFS) lands in the Reserve Ranger District, Gila National Forest, described below and shown on the attached map incorporated into this Order as Exhibit A (the “Described Areas/Roads”):
1. Going into or being upon the Described Area 36 C.F.R. § 261.53(e)

EXEMPTIONS
Pursuant to 36 C.F.R. § 261.50(e), the following persons are exempt from this Order:

Persons with Forest Service Permit No. FS-7700-48 (Permit for Use of Roads, Trails, or Areas Restricted by Regulation or Order), specifically exempting them from this Order or a written determination by a Forest Service authorized officer that a permit is not required under 36 C.F.R. § 251.50(e)(1) or (2).
Any Federal, State, or Local Officer, or member of an organized rescue or firefighting resource in the performance of an official duty.

DESCRIBED AREAS/ROADS
1. Willow Creek Campground.
2. National Forest System Road (NFSR) 508 occurring within Willow Creek Campground.
3. Ben Lilly Campground.
4. National Forest System Road (NFSR) 635 occurring within Ben Lilly Campground.

PURPOSE
The purpose of this Order is to protect public health and safety in the Willow Creek and Ben Lilly Campgrounds from potentially elevated post-fire flooding risks in Willow Creek due to the Hummingbird and Sacaton Wildfires.

IMPLEMENTATION
1. This Order shall be in effect from July 21, 2026 at 6:00 AM through October 16, 2026 at 6:00 AM, unless rescinded.
2. A map identifying the Described Area/Roads is attached and made part of this Order as Exhibit A. For a digital version of this Order and Exhibit A, go to https://www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/gila/alerts-notices.
3. Unless otherwise expressly defined in this Order, the terms used in this Order are defined by the regulations of the Secretary of Agriculture, 36 C.F.R. Chapter II, Parts 200-299. If there are terms in this Order that are not expressly defined in the Order or 36 C.F.R. Chapter II, Parts 200-299, their meaning shall be determined by their plain language definitions.
4. A violation of the above prohibitions is punishable as a Class B misdemeanor by a fine of not more than $5,000 for individuals and $10,000 for organizations, or by imprisonment for not more than six months, or both. 16 U.S.C. § 551; 18 U.S.C. §§ 3559, 3571, and 3581.
5. Contact the Reserve Ranger District in Reserve, NM at (575) 533-6231, and the Gila National Forest Supervisor’s Office in Silver City, NM at (575) 388-8201 for more information about this Order.
6. This Order supersedes any previous Orders prohibiting the same or similar acts on the same Described Area/Roads.

Signed and issued on July 20, 2026.

Camille Howes
Forest Supervisor
Gila National Forest

Willow Creek Campground provides a quiet, peaceful area in the pines.

Willow Creek is located approximately 55 miles from the town of Reserve. Willow Creek is a very beautiful campground nestled in the canyon under tall pines. The camp sites run along both sides of the stream.

Fees

There is no fee ($0.00) for this campground.

Rules

There is a 14 day stay limit. ATV/OHVs are prohibited in the campground. Hunting is prohibited in the campground. Saddle, pack, and draft animals prohibited in the campground.

Directions

From Reserve, follow New Mexico Highway 435 south to Forest Road 141 for about 34 miles. Turn south onto Forest Road 28 and follow it to its end at Willow Creek Campground. Alternately, Follow New Mexico Highway 159 from US Highway 180 north of Alma to Willow Creek.

Stay Limit

There is a 14 day stay limit. ATV/OHVs are prohibited in the campground. Hunting is prohibited in the campground. Saddle, pack, and draft animals prohibited in the campground.