Guides/Overland routes/New Mexico
Overland route78 midifficulty: moderate

North Star Mesa Road (Forest Road 150)

RegionNew MexicoAgencyU.S. Forest ServiceLast verified—
North Star Mesa Road (Forest Road 150) — overland route near Mimbres, New Mexico, New Mexico
Samat Jain from New York City, USA — CC BY-SA 2.0 (Wikimedia Commons)
Trail vitals6 facts
Length
78mi
Technical difficulty
Moderate
Direction
Point to point
Vehicle
High-clearance 4WD recommended. The grade is graded forest road for most of its length but includes muddy clay sections, narrow shelf segments, and seasonal creek crossings.
Best months
May, Jun, Sep, Oct
Cell coverage
None on the central segment. Service returns near Mimbres and SR-59.
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North Star Mesa Road, Forest Road 150, is the 78-mile dirt road that runs north across the heart of Gila National Forest from SR-35 near Mimbres to SR-59 east of Beaverhead. The route is the longest unbroken USFS dirt road in New Mexico and skirts the eastern boundary of the Gila Wilderness, with the Black Range to the east and the Aldo Leopold Wilderness immediately south. The road links Lower Black Canyon, Black Canyon, and Beaverhead campgrounds and serves as the eastern half of the standard Gila high-country loop.

The surface is graded forest road for most of its length. There are no technical obstacles, but the road's length, isolation, and seasonal weather make it a serious commitment. Heavy clay sections turn impassable when wet; the Gila monsoon (July-August) routinely closes the road for days. Snow closes most of it from December into April. The May-June and September-October windows are the practical season.

Hazards

Read before you go

  • Mud after rain. The clay sections become impassable when wet. Wait for the surface to dry.
  • Winter snow. The road closes from late December through April most years.
  • Monsoon damage. July and August thunderstorms wash out crossings. Check for closures.
  • No services. No fuel, no certain water, and no cell service on the central segment.
  • Cattle on the road. Open-range grazing through the Diamond Bar and Beaverhead allotments. Drive at moderate speed.

Location

78 mi · Overland route

Approx. location 33.275, -107.875

Current conditions

Live weather

Trail facts

5 fields
AgencyU.S. Forest Service
Nearest townMimbres, New Mexico
Websitewww.fs.usda.gov/gila
ClosedDec, Jan, Feb, Mar, Jul, Aug
Approx. location33.275, -107.875

Getting there

Directions

From Mimbres / SR-35 (southern entry). From SR-35 between Lake Roberts and Mimbres, turn north onto Forest Road 150. The pavement ends within a quarter-mile.

From Truth or Consequences (northern entry). Take I-25 to SR-181 (exit 79) and continue west on SR-52, then SR-59 to the Beaverhead area. Forest Road 150 leaves SR-59 heading south toward Beaverhead Work Center.

Photos

1 photo

Photos · 1

Field notes

Getting Oriented

FR 150 runs north-south along the eastern flank of the Gila Wilderness on Gila NF's Wilderness and Black Range Ranger Districts. The southern entry is at SR-35 north of Mimbres; the northern entry is at SR-59 west of Truth or Consequences. The road's central feature is Beaverhead Work Center, the USFS interior administrative outpost where FR 159 (Bursum Road) leaves to the west toward Mogollon.

Trail Overview

Seventy-eight miles point-to-point. The southern segment from Mimbres climbs through pinyon-juniper to the ponderosa flats around Lower Black Canyon Campground. The middle section runs through Black Canyon Campground, Diamond Bar country, and Beaverhead, crossing the Continental Divide. The northern descent drops to SR-59 east of Beaverhead. The grade is graded throughout but narrow in places and washboarded under heavy use. Most drivers split the route across two days with a stop at Black Canyon or Beaverhead.

Points of Interest

  • Lower Black Canyon Campground. USFS-developed campground at the southern end of the wilderness boundary.
  • Black Canyon Campground. Mid-route USFS-developed campground with a creek and rainbow trout fishing.
  • Aldo Leopold Wilderness. Designated wilderness south of Beaverhead, named for the conservationist who championed the original Gila wilderness designation.
  • Beaverhead Work Center. USFS interior outpost where FR 159 (Bursum Road) leaves westbound; junction of the standard Gila loop.
  • Continental Divide Trail. Crosses FR 150 north of Beaverhead; a popular trail-angel resupply point.
  • Diamond Bar Cattle Allotment. Long-running grazing allotment along the road, with cattle on the road in summer.

Where to Camp

Lower Black Canyon, Black Canyon, and Beaverhead Campgrounds (USFS-developed) sit along the route. All have vault toilets and primitive sites; none have potable water. Dispersed camping is allowed on Gila NF land off the main road with the standard 14-day stay limit, and the high meadows along the central segment offer easy primitive sites. The Diamond Bar and Aldo Leopold backcountry hold many more options for self-sufficient drivers.

Tips for a Safe and Enjoyable Trip

  • Treat the route as a two-day commitment minimum. There is no safe way to rush 78 miles of forest road with no services.
  • Avoid the road in wet weather. The clay sections become impassable for hours.
  • Check Gila NF road status before going. Snow closes the route from late December into April; monsoon damage closes it intermittently in July and August.
  • Carry extra fuel. The road's length plus the side trips put most drivers near the limit of a 20-gallon tank.
  • The Wilderness Ranger District (575-536-2250) and Black Range Ranger District (575-894-6677) handle current conditions.
  • Combine with FR 159 (Bursum Road) for the 200-mile Gila high-country loop.

Frequently asked

Common questions

How difficult is North Star Mesa Road (Forest Road 150)?
North Star Mesa Road (Forest Road 150) is rated moderate. The route runs 78 miles.
What kind of vehicle do you need for North Star Mesa Road (Forest Road 150)?
High-clearance 4WD recommended. The grade is graded forest road for most of its length but includes muddy clay sections, narrow shelf segments, and seasonal creek crossings.
When is the best time to visit North Star Mesa Road (Forest Road 150)?
The best months are May, Jun, Sep, Oct. Avoid Dec, Jan, Feb, Mar, Jul, Aug.
Is there cell service at North Star Mesa Road (Forest Road 150)?
None on the central segment. Service returns near Mimbres and SR-59.