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Lake Valley Historic Townsite

The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is responsible for 1 in every 10 acres of land in the U.S.

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The Lake Valley Historic Townsite is the site of a New Mexico ghost town that was founded in 1878 as a silver mining village. The town itself once had over 4,000 residents, but after the mining operations shut down, all residents left, and the area was completely deserted. Today, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) owns the townsite and maintains the schoolhouse and chapel within the ghost town. The BLM also manages the Lake Valley Backcountry Byway, a 48-mile road that visitors can take to glimpse into New Mexico's past. 

What to See and Do

What to See and Do

Hiking and BikingHiking and Biking

Rabb Park Trail

The Rabb Park Trail is a lengthy trail used for hiking, biking, and horseback riding. This trail is moderately challenging because of its length and hilly terrain. 

Length: 16.8 miles

Intensity: Moderate

Middle Fork Gila River Trail

The Middle Fork Gila River Trail is an intense trail in New Mexico that takes multiple days to hike completely. If you take this trail, be prepared to backpack and camp overnight along the trail. 

Length: 29.3 miles

Intensity: Difficult

The Catwalk Trail

A loop trail in the Gila National Forest, the Catwalk Trail goes over the Whitewater Creek with frequent walking bridges. There are also restrooms and historical signs at the head of the trail. 

Length: 2 miles

Intensity: Easy

Site Touring

Perhaps the number-one reason that visitors come to the Lake Valley Historic Townsite is to see the town's remaining buildings and read about their historic significance. The BLM has restored the town's old schoolhouse and chapel, which visitors are permitted to observe from the inside and out, and it has placed interpretative signs around many of the sites in the town for visitors to read along their self-guided tours. Other buildings in the town have deteriorated, but the BLM has intervened to prevent any further deterioration so that visitors can tour the outsides of them and see what rural life was like in the American Southwest in the early 20th century.

Picnicking

Picnicking is permitted at the Lake Valley Historic Townsite though no designated picnic areas are set up. Consider bringing food and drinks that you can enjoy while walking around the town instead of while sitting if you'd like. There may be trash bins set up for you to use during your visit, but if they are full or unavailable, be sure to pack your trash up to take back out of the area with you; this will help keep the area clean and well-preserved for the wildlife that now live there.

Camping

Bureau of Land Management Camping

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If you'd like to stay at a Bureau of Land Management campgrounds but don't want to commit to the primitive experience, consider staying at a campground or RV park that isn't owned by the BLM but offers full hookups. You can find RV camping in a place like Riverside Campground, which has electric hookups and a playground, or you can check out Escondida Lake Campground, which has full hookups and lake fishing access. Both of these campgrounds have spots large enough for even motorhomes, and both have restrooms.

Free Camping Campground Icon

If you're looking for BLM camping, try staying at a BLM-owned campground near the Lake Valley Historic Townsite since no overnight stays are permitted at this site. Some close Bureau of Land Management free camping options include Iron Creek Campground, which has pit toilets, picnic tables, and fire rings, or Kingston Campground, which only includes two camping spots but is right along a running creek. Both of these campgrounds allow you to stay with your RV for free, but they are both primitive, meaning that there will be no hookups for you to use.

RV Rentals Near Lake Valley Historic Townsite Plan your next adventure

Planning Your Trip

Credit: Vanna Mae, @vannamaeart

Planning your Lake Valley Historic Townsite BLM trip

If you're going to visit the Lake Valley Historic Townsite and take the Backcountry Byway, be sure that your vehicle has enough gas to complete the 48-mile out-and-back road without pit stops as there will be no gas stations or other stores along the route. If you are just visiting the ghost town for the day, you won't need to pack much except your own food and drinks. There are some drinking fountains and restrooms at the site for you to use. 

If you're planning to camp at a nearby BLM-owned campground, remember that your camping experience will be primitive, meaning you will have to provide your own options for water and electricity. Some campgrounds may allow you to use a generator, but be courteous of others at the campground and consider avoiding using a loud generator for long periods of time. Before you head out on your trip, check out our blog for all you need to know about BLM camping.

Leave No Trace Leaf

When you visit the Lake Valley Historic Townsite, you'll be asked to follow the Leave No Trace Policy put in place by the Bureau of Land Management. This policy protects the site and the wildlife that live in it by asking visitors to respect the land as if it were their own home. You can follow this policy by picking up your trash and food, even if it is biodegradable, and taking anything you bring into the area back out with you. Keep any pets you bring with you on a leash and ensure that they do not disturb any wild animals if you encounter them.

Leave No Trace
Location

Lake Valley Historic Townsite Location

To reach the Lake Valley Historic Townsite from Nutt, New Mexico, take NM 26 to NM 27, then travel north for about 12 miles until you reach the entrance to the site. If you travel from Caballo Lake, take NM 152 South for 17 miles and then turn onto NM 27 South for 16 miles. You will then make a slight left onto County Road BO05 for 0.3 miles until you reach the site. 

Ready to visit Lake Valley Historic Townsite? An RV rental is a great way to experience your destination. Not only will you be close to all the action, but at the end of a long day exploring, you’ll have your RV to return to for the night where you’ll enjoy a full kitchen, bathroom, and nice soft bed. Not sure about renting an RV? Here’s a step-by-step guide to renting an RV with RVshare.

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