Datil is the perfect place for adventurous campers and RVers. Datil is filled with the activities, sights, and experiences to make everyone in your crew a happy camper. You're sure to find the perfect spot for your New Mexico camping adventure.
Datil Well Recreation Area Campground includes one of 15 water wells along the old Magdalena Livestock Driveway. The old cattle trail was established in the 1800s and stretched 120 miles from Springerville, Arizona, to Magdalena, New Mexico. The area includes 3 miles of hiking trails in pinyon-juniper and ponderosa pine woodlands, with scenic views of the San Augustin Plains. The trail and vistas also offer an occasional glimpse of wildlife in a setting of quiet and solitude. You can close your eyes and almost hear the cattle lowing as they settle in for the night.Please leave a clean camp and respect the facilities and natural surroundings. Pack it in. Pack it out.
This campground is located at an elevation of 6,800 feet in the Magdalena Mountains.
The 640-acre Box Recreation Area is a highly scenic, rugged area which is very popular for technical rock climbing and bouldering. The five cliffs on either side of this box canyon provide popular rock climbing for even highly skilled technical climbers. Challenging climbing opportunities include the Waterfall Wall, Corner Block and the Fillet a Papillon Wall.
There is a developed parking area with a trailhead, kiosks, and restroom. Drinking water is not available.
Special Rules: Camping in designated sites only. No shooting of weapons. Remember, that climbing is a high-risk activity. For safety, climbers should not attempt climbs beyond their abilities.
Juniper Campground is Quemado Ranger District's most popular campground. It offers electric RV hookups (no water, no sewer), leveled tent sites, and easy lake access. This campground is a mix of first come, first served sites and reservable sites. For more information, you can visit our website: https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/gila/recarea/?recid=1964
Recreational opportunities include fishing and boating on Quemado Lake, hiking forest and lakeside trails, and RV and tent camping.____
Recreational opportunities include fishing and boating on Quemado Lake, hiking forest and lakeside trails, and RV and tent camping.____
Lake Access/ Forested / Unrestricted Night Sky Views
For facility specific information, please call (575) 773-4678.
El Caso I-3 Campgrounds El Caso 4 & 5 Campgrounds Pi__on Campground Quemado Lake and Day Use Area Boat Ramp at Quemado Lake__
Cancellation Policy: __A customer who cancels a reservation the day before or the day of arrival will pay a $10.00 service fee AND forfeit the first night's use fee (not to exceed the total paid for the original reservation). Cancellations for a one-night reservation will forfeit the entire amount paid and will not be subject to an additional service fee.
$15 / night
The 640-acre Box Recreation Area is a highly scenic, rugged area which is very popular for technical rock climbing and bouldering. The five cliffs on either side of this box canyon provide popular rock climbing for even highly skilled technical climbers. Challenging climbing opportunities include the Waterfall Wall, Corner Block and the Fillet a Papillon Wall.
There is a developed parking area with a trailhead, kiosks, and restroom. Drinking water is not available.
Special Rules: Camping in designated sites only. No shooting of weapons. Remember, that climbing is a high-risk activity. For safety, climbers should not attempt climbs beyond their abilities.
Guide
Easily found the dispersed sights from the app. Spent a very quiet night nestled back off the highway under the stars.
Ranger
Stayed 2 nights. No reservations, so had to take chances. Several spots open on a Friday. Most spots roomy and decent spacing. Clean toilets and water and only $5 per night; $2.50 with a Senior NPS Pass. 3 spots have electric hookups but all taken. Quiet (other than one morning before sunrise). There is a host site. PieTown down the road with excellent pies--If you go, eat at Pie-O-Neer (best option---great reviews and did not disappoint). Sign said they're open year round. Good proximity to VLA (Very Large Array).
One very good ADA accessible site with concrete walk straight to bathroom from ADA site.
Trailhead at one end of campground, with some good routes/options, Easy to moderate. We did pick ripe pinyon pine nuts that had fallen on ground (Oct. is pickin' season). They were very good eatin'.
One camper started generator up well before sunrise… :(
ALSO: Shout out to New Mexico Volunteers for the Outdoors (NMVFO) who did trail maintenance there a while back (per sign near trail) :) yay!
Scout
in Campground I love to play cricket with family its really fun. and much other games like lows adventures 3
Traveler
This was a lovely spot to overnight just about 20 minutes off I-25 near Socorro NM. Great views and incredible star gazing. This is an important rock climbing destination and there are several hiking trails if have more time than we did.
Traveler
Stayed here one night. Only saw one other person out here. It’s the middle of June, so I think all of the NOBO CDT hikers have come and gone. It’s close to the not-very-busy highway. Easily accessible when dry, almost certainly would require AWD/4WD if muddy.
Legend
El Casi CG in Rec Area: Past the lake with large campsites. This is the only campground open in the rec area during our April visit.
(Scale 1- bad, 5-Very good
(71 yr olds in 17’ trailer.)
Overall Rating: 4 for large sites. However, our site was trashy . Toilets are only moderately clean. Warnings are posted that no OHV allowed . A large group has camped at one end of the campground using Senegal sites. . Looks like it works out well. Price 2023: Free Security: None Usage during visit: 1/4 full Site Privacy: No Site Spacing: Large sites, well spaced. Pad surface: dirt SITE CLEANLINESS: most sites I noticed were trashy. We needed to pick up trash at our site upon arrival. Reservations: First come first serve Campground Noise: Quiet Outside Road Noise: Gravel access road along side of the campground. Some sites near this access road may get a little dusty, I suppose, during dryer times of the year Through Traffic in campground: no Electric Hookup: no Sewer Hookup: no Dump Station: At Pynon campground, which is not open until May. Charge for dog thing is going up for five dollars to $15 in. Potable Water Available: not at the campground. Generators: yes Bathroom: pit toilets. Not as clean as they should be. Supplied. Showers: no Pull Throughs: yes Cell Service (AT&T): no Setting: under scattered trees. Recent Weather: very cool nights Solar: yes Insects: no Host: no Rig Size: any size Sites: sites are not numbered
GuideVery close to the main road, few spots and some with firepits, we were only 3 cars staying for the night. Perfect for an immersive night in a beautiful forest, we saw a group of deers in the late afternoon. No toilet no water. Def recommend.
Traveler
I enjoy camping here very quiet and peaceful. No bathroom and water
GuideVery easy to get to, went up the hill past the cattle guard. Didn’t see anyone else in my 4 night camp. The sunsets and sunrises are amazing. Will def come back
GuideWell maintained little BLM campsite right on US-60. Remarkable night skies when clear. $5 a night gets you access to brand new, clean solar toilets, (they light up at night even with no power!) water during the warmer seasons (already off as of 11/25) and mostly decent phone signal if you care about that.
The Eagle Guest Ranch nearby has a gas sation, basic necessities, alcohol, and a cafe that serves all your standard diner fare. Beautifully polite people staffing the place. A highlight in the mostly barren stretch between Magdalena and Springerville.
The campground is attached to a fantastic 3.25 mile loop trail that takes you to three fantastic vistas and isn't hard at all.
Worth as a stop for a day, or a destination for a weekend trip. The Very Large Array is a stone's toss away; as well as further hiking opportunities in the Gila National Forest by way of NM-12, and the Cibola National Forest by way of the aforementioned US-60.
GuideThe sites were very nice and clean with some sites in the woods and others in the clearing. The sites in the clearing have concrete telescope pads. The pit toilets were like brand new with solar lighting. Big rigs would have trouble fitting into this campground.
Datil, Mew Mexico is a few minutes away and has a combined gas station, restaurant, and grocery store for your needs.
And, a few miles west on US 60 is Pie Town, New Mexico with two bakery's that sale fresh baked pies. But they sale out quickly.
ScoutAt first, I was quite hesitant to choose this place because I felt it was quite deserted and I was alone, but everything was fine and even wonderful, I will definitely come back here. I also camped here overnight and I had a great time here playing kick the buddy, you should come here too.
Scout
Th e area has been burned in the 2022 fires. The road was closed for a long time, and if it is open now, there will be floods in the burn scar. Check with the Forest Service for more info before you go. Mimbres Ranger District of the Gila National Forest.
TravelerThis is an awesome campground. Very spacious sites, lots of pull throughs with Ramadas, clean, yes, clean fire pits, scenery is beautiful, lots of trees for privacy but those that need solar can find sites as well, great trails with a gazebo, clean grounds (no glass), pristine bathrooms and trash facilities. The only down for me in a Class C is no dump site and as far as I can find, nothing within an hour';s drive at best. I guess I'll use the bathrooms in the park! 😏 I'll be here again for sure!
Scout
Armijo Springs is a quiet secluded free campground with a vault toilet (low maintenance due to its isolated location), picnic tables (5) and fire rings. No trash service so take it with you. We were here Memorial Day weekend 2023 and there was only one other quest that arrived on Saturday. There is a $5 dump and water station at Pinion campground near Quemado Lake about 15 miles (?) away. We stayed with a 17' trailer and Class B van. There is NO cell service and we had to move down the dead end road 100 yards to get a clear enough area for Starlink to partially work. Probably why few people stay here. Elk walk through camp occasionally and there is an actual spring w/ tank nearby. I don't think it runs in the drier months but it is flowing now. May/June 2023. The water could easily be filtered for personal use I think.
TravelerThere are 5 camping areas within this campground. We stayed in the 4th area and were the only campers. This area had two sites that could accommodate a travel trailer or motorhome. There are also two tent camping sites within this area. There is a toilet which was clean but not well stocked. Make sure to bring toilet paper. There is a dump and water station a mile away. 5.00 charge to dump. Quemado Lake is a short drive down the mountain. Several hiking trails in the area.
GuideVery well maintained, nice campground. The sites are pretty far from each other, and almost all have a ramada. A few sites have electricity, but by the time we arrived these sites were already taken. There are water spigots all around the campground, but not at the sites. The restroom (chemical toilet) is clean and during the night is well lit. Reservation is not available, first come first serve, but approx. half of the sites were still available when we arrived, around 7 pm. The fee is $5/night, but if you have Golden Age passport, America The Beautiful Senior pass or similar, it's only $2.50/night.
ScoutGreat free camping. No problems getting our 31 foot trailer in there. We took the road going in on the right. Plenty of places to set up. It was dry with soft sand. I used 4wheel drive just as a precaution.
TravelerStopped at the first parking area and it was flat, empty and quiet. We didn’t travel up the road to the spot the other reviewers stayed but we enjoyed the easy drive in.
Guide
You don't often find free developed camping at the end of a paved road in New Mexico, but Water Canyon is one of those exceptions. It seems to be one of those spots that people don't take the time to get off the highway to explore -- on a weekday in July there was only one other campsite occupied.
There are about a dozen campsites, vault toilets, trash cans, a group campsite at the bottom of the hill and easy access to some great hiking trails, all about ten minutes outside of Socorro and an hour from Albuquerque.
While the campground is free for now, I did see some notices posted about the Forest Service taking public comment on levying a $10 per night fee per site.
GuideThis is one of the best maintained campgrounds I have stayed at in recent years. New tables and shelters. Some sites have electricity and some even have telescope pads. All have a great fire pit. The hosts were very helpful and friendly. The best part was the incredible night sky full of stars and the milky way. I had a very peaceful and restful night. I’ll be stopping here again.
Guide
This is a basic campground- has hookups on gravel but no trees, picnic tables near campsite tho they do have a nice bbq area available for people. Bathrooms are very basic and we’re not especially clean tho there was hot water. If you need hookups, this place is right on highway 60 so convenient.lots of stickers in the grass- beware if you have furry friends.
ScoutQuiet, only campers here on a Saturday. Tall trees, crisp fresh air. Would have stayed longer but needed to do research so need cell service. Got a little signal with a booster. If you need to disconnect this is the place.
TravelerBeautiful Canyon with a handful of free camping spots. Fire pits, picnic tables, and bathrooms (pretty clean for late June).
There’s a group camping section with a large gazebo and a number of picnic tables, but it was closed when we were here.
No cell reception (Verizon & TMobile). No water so bring your own.
Please practice LNT.
TravelerJackson Park is a free campground provided by Pie Town NM, just south of US 60. Elevation is 7,786'. I am here at the beginning of May and it's 80 degrees. No water, garbage or dumpsite available and a vault toilet has been trashed. Drive past the campground sign and you can find many places to camp. It's dusty and a little noise from the highway, other than that is private and quiet. Less than 5 minutes walking distance to eat pie. Pack it in and pack it out. Let's not lose this free campsite.
Pie Town is noted for pies. Check out the restaurants right on US 60.
TravelerDONT FOLLOW GOOGLE MAPS! You will end up at a closed gate with instructions on where you are supposed to go, wasting 30 mins in the process. We took a 20 ft Jayco Feather Micro travel trailer. Don't attempt unless you have 4 wheel drive and/or sand mode if you plan to pull a heavy trailer. Otherwise, most other vehicles out tent camping didn't seem to have too many problems. Camping pull off spots are numerous but beware the sand is even more treacherous. Try to pick a spot that won't require backing up maneuvers if you have a trailer. There are many campers but plenty of distance between you and the next camp site. Amazing views make it worth it. If you're trying to show off on your IG... this place is for you!
GuideNice basic campground, several vault toilets that are clean. Road access is pretty rough and it is easy to miss the campground turnoff! We missed it the first time. The campground is up a hill on a side road across from the Water Canyon Campground sign. Sites are pretty basic, not all area level but they do have tables and fire pits. I wouldn't take a camping trailer up that road, it is very bumpy.
We only stayed for a day but it was quiet. Lots of hiking trails there which is the only reason we would return.
Camping near Datil, New Mexico, offers a unique blend of stunning landscapes and peaceful retreats. Whether you're looking for a quiet spot to unwind or an adventurous getaway, this area has something for everyone.
Camping near Datil, New Mexico, offers a mix of adventure and relaxation, making it a great choice for your next outdoor getaway.
Frequently Asked Questions
What camping is available near Datil, NM?
According to TheDyrt.com, Datil, NM offers a wide range of camping options, with 27 campgrounds and RV parks near Datil, NM and 5 free dispersed camping spots.
Which is the most popular campground near Datil, NM?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Datil, NM is Datil Well Recreation Area Campground with a 4.6-star rating from 8 reviews.
Where can I find free dispersed camping near Datil, NM?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 5 free dispersed camping spots near Datil, NM.
What parks are near Datil, NM?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 8 parks near Datil, NM that allow camping, notably Gila National Forest and El Morro National Monument.
