Cattlemen Trail boondocking site | Wild Camping

April 14th, 2024 by kevinbsport

I've already made an entry for this particular area. I'm returning to say that there are campsites all over this area. I rode my bike yesterday and saw plenty of sites on Knights Canyon, Mill Canyon, and C Bar Ranch roads. The road condition for all of these options are smooth, easy dirt leading to generally level sites, with a mix of sun and shade. Knights Canyon Road is a bit sandy but the other two are hard pack.

April 10th, 2024 by kevinbsport

Many great sites here, with a nice range of full sun, partial shade, and more shaded. There's also a large parking lot at the trailhead which will be full sun for sure. T-Mobile is at full strength. The gravel road in is short and buttery smooth. Pack it and pack it out!

There are campsites all over the area around the CDT. I rode my bike yesterday and saw plenty of sites on Knights Canyon, Mill Canyon, and C Bar Ranch roads. The road condition for all of these options are smooth, easy dirt leading to generally level sites, with a mix of sun and shade. Knights Canyon Road is sandy but the other two are hard pack.

March 30th, 2024 by Sleam

It’s been cleaned up with new parking area, more camping spots but still feels quiet and peaceful in the trees. Some highway traffic but fine. No fires allowed as it’s dry and windy. It’s called Cattlemen Trail after a sign here but I don’t know the history. Hiking trail here so some day parking.

January 31st, 2024 by stormreads

Big ole space with several fire pits. If you continue up the road there are a few spots several miles up but would be cautious, the road is decent but you will get to a place where you can not continue in anything but a serious 4wd.

January 18th, 2024 by funnyvaluable53

Very nice site with good roads. Newly improved. I would call this a partially developed camp site with no services. Cell phone service with T-Mobile is good.
It's quite windy here.

November 14th, 2023 by Bubbles

Great place. Improved road. Only one other camper. Had a small fire. USFS truck drive through in AM and PM.

November 14th, 2023 by Bubbles

Great spot. Cell coverage. Only 1 other camper in area. Road improved. USFS truck drive through in the AM &PM

March 18th, 2023 by skyefrench3

Spacious dirt parking lots for CD Trail as well as dirt pulloff spaces. Great for multi-day stays, space for bigger rigs, and beautiful trail access. Enough space to setup tents and let kiddos and pets run around.

October 6th, 2022 by jose

There's a gravel loop and a dirt road that goes off of it. The dirt road was narrow and started off with a sloping turn, so we did not try it. Off the gravel loop there are several sites, some open spaces and some between the trees. Great cell phone reception with Verizon. The "Continental Divide Trail" is accessible from here.

March 17th, 2022 by Sleam

Perfect, quiet and empty wild camping. Lots of places where you can pull in. Pack it in/out. Verizon works here. Be careful about campfires, could be banned. Lovely spot.

January 17th, 2022 by m.m.e.gonecamping

Pretty much as described by all the others. Cows are not a nuisance but their flies are a bit. No trouble getting our 22 ft C Class in and finding a level spot. watch for thorns. 4 bars ATT. Some day trippers taking the hikes but we were alone at night.

September 5th, 2021 by sistahazel

a great spot close to a nice drive down gold gulch Rd. to the end.

February 10th, 2021 by The Nomadic Experience

Bunch of pull outs along the road getting here, more people than I expected especially on a weekday but it was easy to find a spot.

July 24th, 2020 by samanthabennett888

Right off the highway but tucked away, can hear some highway noise. Probably about 4-5 spots, right at the Cattleman Trailhead (on the continental divide trail). Spots had fire rings and the dampness of forest worked well to contain our fire. Cows very present (flies a minor issue), heard them mooing throughout our time here. Would recommend.

March 21st, 2020 by blondie212a

great private good internet
green, serene, cattle very few, can't see another camper. just a nice quiet spo

February 24th, 2020 by Brennan

Nice and quiet place off the road with nice trail access. A bit hard to find a flat spot but managed. Perfect for dogs, lots of wildlife.

March 27th, 2018 by expeditionportal.com

Looks like there's maybe 10 informal sites here total. There's a loop at the end of the road for easy turn around for larger rigs as well. Quiet here but we're sharing with 6 other campers so far tonight. This is actually the trailhead for Jack's Peak which utilizes the Continental Divide Trail. Cattleman Trail ? Not sure where that came from ??

January 5th, 2018 by lyz.iversen

USFS trailhead camping with dispersed sites

June 25th, 2017 by Uphill Zen

About 20 miles south of Silver City, on the west side of the highway near the top of the Continental Divide, there's a turnoff to the left that takes you into this boondocking area. It's a gravel/dirt road that was in pretty good condition when I was there, and you don't need to drive far on it to find the boondocking sites.

I stayed here for a few nights in June 2017 It's quiet and secluded - only one other camper while I was there. You can find sun or shade, with spaces in between the trees. I had good T-Mobile cell service, so was able to get some online stuff done.

At 6400 ft elevation, it was a welcome breath of cool air compared to the lower elevations. There's also a trailhead for the Continental Divide Trail right here, so you could hike either direction on it however far you desire.

Cattle also use the Cattlemen Trial site (surprise)! There were some cows that wandered through my site in the morning one way, then back in the evening. They didn't bother me.

All in all a comfortable, safe, easy place to stay, with good hiking, and it's free!