Cosmic Campground
Gila National Forest
Write a Review US-180 Glenwood, NM 575-539-2481 Official WebsiteGPS: 33.4807, -108.923
Overview of Cosmic Campground
Cosmic Campground is one of 14 International Dark Sky Sanctuaries in North America. As a courtesy to other campers who are here to enjoy the dark sky, please arrive and set up camp prior to dusk. It's discouraged to use bright lights and have campfires. Use red lights or a red filter over your headlamps/flightlights.
No parking, camping or campfires are allowed on the observation/telescope pads. No generator usage from 10 PM - 6 AM.
Last Price Paid: $0
Reported by As_Man on 7/23/2023
Longest RV Reported: 34 feet (Class A)
Reported by FloJo Fleetwood on 4/19/2021
Number of Sites 10
Pad Type gravel
Elevation 5,347 ft / 1,629 m
Max Stay 14
Tent Camping Yes
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Q&A - Ask the Community about Cosmic Campground
To ask questions of the owner or manager please contact the campground directly. 575-539-2481
Kristi asked on 4/3/2021
We are coming from a long distance. If we are not able to get one of the six spots for our RV ... is there another R...
EmEn asked on 10/6/2022
Is the road ok for a van with regular street tires after all this rain in the area?
Reviews of Cosmic Campground 18 people have reviewed this location.
Reviewed 7/23/2023
Nightly rate: | FREE! |
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Good view, not a soul around . Not far from the the Catwalk! 8mb download on Verizon.
As_Man would stay here again
This review is the opinion of a Campendium member and not of Campendium.com
Reviewed 11/22/2022
Nightly rate: | FREE! |
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Days stayed: | 1 |
We stayed in a flat spot just as you drive in on the dirt road that leads to the actual campground. It was well maintained, clean, safe and free. No AT&T service at all. If you stay here for the dark sky and quiet surroundings this a great place for that.
This review is the opinion of a Campendium member and not of Campendium.com
“One Of The Best”
Reviewed 11/16/2022
Nightly rate: | FREE! |
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Days stayed: | 4 |
Site Number: | 6 |
RV Length: | 31' (Travel Trailer) |
We stayed during a full moon. Easy access from the highway. Site level.
Bluebeard would stay here again
This review is the opinion of a Campendium member and not of Campendium.com
“Peaceful ”
Reviewed 11/15/2022
Nightly rate: | FREE! |
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Days stayed: | 1 |
RV Length: | 22' (Travel Trailer) |
Pit toilets, free boondocking, free cow sightings. Amazing stargazing
Trickster Mickster would stay here again
This review is the opinion of a Campendium member and not of Campendium.com
“Great Viewing Of The Universe”
Reviewed 9/27/2022
Nightly rate: | $6 |
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Days stayed: | 1 |
Site Number: | 6 |
RV Length: | 19' (Class B) |
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 sle... more
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.
SupBoy would stay here again
This review is the opinion of a Campendium member and not of Campendium.com
“Out of this World!”
Reviewed 12/22/2021
Nightly rate: | FREE! |
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Days stayed: | 1 |
Site Number: | 3 |
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 m... more
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.
Technomadia would stay here again
This review is the opinion of a Campendium member and not of Campendium.com
“Here on 5-22-21 Great”
Reviewed 10/21/2021
Nightly rate: | FREE! |
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Days stayed: | 1 |
Site Number: | 1 |
Get here before noon or you may half to stay by the road coming in. No way to express this place in words. Just make the trip it's worth it.
george would stay here again
This review is the opinion of a Campendium member and not of Campendium.com
“Stars, hiking, and rocks”
Reviewed 4/19/2021
Nightly rate: | FREE! |
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Days stayed: | 4 |
Site Number: | 4 |
RV Length: | 34' (Class A) |
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 t... more
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.
FloJo Fleetwood would stay here again
This review is the opinion of a Campendium member and not of Campendium.com
“Quiet with an endless amount of stars”
Reviewed 3/13/2021
Nightly rate: | FREE! |
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Days stayed: | 7 |
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... more
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.
Lifewithroad would stay here again
This review is the opinion of a Campendium member and not of Campendium.com
“Cosmic”
Reviewed 11/20/2020
Nightly rate: | FREE! |
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Days stayed: | 2 |
Site Number: | 5 |
RV Length: | 25' |
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 fil... more
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.
TheTravelingTaubs would stay here again
This review is the opinion of a Campendium member and not of Campendium.com
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Amenities
Hookups
- dry camping
Site Amenities
- fire ring
Facilities
- restrooms: vault
Pets
- pets
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