Welcome to Ben Lilly Campground, your ideal destination for an authentic outdoor experience nestled in the heart of New Mexico's rugged landscapes. Located at Willow Creek Ranch in Glenwood, this charming campground offers a perfect blend of seclusion and accessibility, making it a haven for hiking and hunting enthusiasts.
Ben Lilly Campground is situated in the Gila Wilderness, offering breathtaking views of the surrounding mountains and valleys. The area's natural beauty provides a serene environment, ideal for those seeking an escape from urban life. With trails leading through dense forests and open meadows, visitors can immerse themselves in nature.
Campers have praised the campground for its natural ambiance, particularly noting the soothing sound of running water nearby. The secluded location ensures a peaceful retreat, though visitors are advised to stock up on supplies as nearby towns can be distant.
Ben Lilly Campground is more than just a stop; it's an experience that connects you with nature and offers a memorable retreat for outdoor adventurers.
Public restroom
Running water
Tent sites
Camping fee
Good for kids
On-site parking
Dogs allowed
This is a great place to camp if you're going to be hiking or hunting in the middle of the Gila Wilderness. Make sure to get gas and groceries before coming here because it's a LONG way into town. To the south, you'll see very few people, and some of the trails are pretty rough (not because of steep terrain so much as because of downed trees or fire damage). It can snow earlier here than you might think.
Great place to camp and relax. The running water is amazing to fall asleep to.
Amazing campground! The scenery around the campground is amazing with nice campsites along the creek.
I am just adding that if you don’t have a high clearance vehicle, this is not a recommended campground. Having never been there before, and having only read reviews here and on the forest service website, nothing is mentioned of the fact that after the 9-mile mark and the town of Mogollon, the road turns to rough dirt. Yea, you might make it up there in a conventional car, but that’s quite risky if it happens to rain and suddenly the dirt road turns to mud and nothing but a 4x4 will get you out. The designation FR or Forest Road can vary radically. I have driven forest roads in AZ, NM and UT that were easy to navigate in my Mazda 3 Sedan—flat washboard dirt roads easily drivable in all conditions. But the read to Ben Lilly is not that. Just FYI.
So I followed a path that Google Maps recommended and I was literally in fear of my life. The terrain was extremely rough, on the edge of a cliff which had no guard rails. Definitely not for the light hearted. Miraculously I made it through. However, at that point, I was so shaken that I made my way out as fast as I could. I just noticed that the park's website mentioned taking some other roads. Perhaps those roads are friendlier than the insane route that I took.