Big Burros National Forest was established by the U.S. Forest Service in southwestern New Mexico on February 6, 1907, with 156780acres. On June 18, 1908, Big Burros was combined with Gila National Forest and the name was discontinued.
The lands presently form an isolated section of Gila National Forest, encompassing the Big Burro Mountains to the west of Silver City, New Mexico in the Silver City Ranger District.