Best Tent Camping near Datil, NM
Looking for the best options for tent camping near Datil? Find the best tent camping sites near Datil. Search nearby tent campgrounds or find top-rated spots from other campers.
Best Tent Sites Near Datil, New Mexico (9)
1. Bear Trap Campground
3 Reviews•6 Photos•90 SavesMagdalena, New Mexico- Pets
- Fires
- Phone Service
- Tents
- Group
- Picnic Table
2. Cibola National Forest Bear Trap Campground
1 Review•3 SavesWinston, New Mexico- Pets
- Fires
- Tents
- Equestrian
- Standard (Tent/RV)
- Picnic Table
3. El Caso I-IV Campground
1 Review•5 Photos•7 SavesQuemado, New MexicoThis are partially developed, shady campgrounds within hiking distance of the lake.The El Caso Campgounds are partially developed campgrounds located at the east end of Quemado Lake, approximately .25 miles east of the Pi__on CG. They are nestled in a valley stretching alongside an intermittent stream and are surrounded by ponderosa pine and cottonwood trees. The El Caso Campgrounds are popular with hunters, groups, and campers desiring a more primitive camping experience.
- Tents
- Group
- Standard (Tent/RV)
- Trash
- Firewood Available
- Toilets
4. Mujeres Valley Campground
3 Reviews•15 Photos•28 SavesQuemado, New MexicoThis property was obtained around 60+ years ago via the Homestead Act by a family who we have become very close friends with. Over the last 60 years it's only been used sparingly as grazing land for cattle. Since we've obtained the land we've been focused on learning it's history from those who have been here the longest while also being proud BIPOC owners of land in this area. We've also connected with the original people's of this land who were here during the time the land was colonized. We've found ceremonial and everyday pottery, crystals, and underground caves throughout the surrounding properties which we own.
Over the last 2 years we've learned about the Redwoods that have been wiped out of the area and that the mountain is eroding quickly. It has become our mission to plant indigenous plants and trees that are extinct from the area, reviving the plant like, reviving the mountain and doing what we can to encourage the water table to rise! Our plans for the 12 acres the campground occupies is to add an outdoor shower that can be used all year, installing solar powered water heaters & bathrooms as well as establishing a community meeting space and a greenhouse where we can host gardening classes and provide fresh fruits and veggies in this food desert! This land is sacred and we intend to continue treating it as such!
- Pets
- Fires
- Reservable
- ADA Access
- Tents
- Group
$15 - $25 / night
5. Piñon Campground
1 Review•3 Photos•9 SavesQuemado, New MexicoThis is a nice, quiet and clean campground nestled among pi__on and juniper trees.The camp sites are nestled among mature pi__on and juniper trees. It is tranquil and undiscovered with a few sites having a view of Quemado Lake. The campground is comprised of a family camping loop (east side)__and a group camping loop (west side).__The dump station is open and the fee is $5.
- Tents
- Toilets
6. Hughes Mill Campground
Be the first to review!•2 SavesMagdalena, New MexicoPopular campground at 8100' has 2 sites and dispersed camping with trailhead for hiking seven tough miles to Mt. Withington Lookout
- Tents
7. Springtime Campground
1 Review•4 SavesWinston, New Mexico6 campsites with Adirondack shelters provide access to Apache Kid Wilderness and San Mateo Peak Lookout by hiking or horseback.
- Pets
- Fires
- Tents
- Standard (Tent/RV)
- Tent Cabin
- Glamping
8. Valle Tio Vinces Camp
Be the first to review!•3 SavesQuemado, New MexicoValle Tio Vinces Campground is a partially developed campground on the Continental Divide National Scenic Trail. Although there is no water available it is still a nice resting spot for hikers and bike riders. There are also horse corrals for equestrians looking for a place to camp.
- Tents
9. El Caso Throwdown Campground
Be the first to review!Quemado, New MexicoThis is an equestrian camping area adjacent to Quemado Lake Recreation Area. El Caso Throwdown is a partially developed campground located just outside of Quemado Lake Recreation Area. It is primarily for equestrian use since horses may not be taken into the recreation area. Corrals and water are not provided. Cottonwoods and ponderosa pines provide shade throughout the campsite.
- Tents
Recent Tent Reviews near Datil, New Mexico
56 Reviews of 9 Datil Campgrounds
Brad P.
Traveler
El Caso
Great spring time camping.
There 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.
Randy T.Traveler
San Lorenzo Canyon
Camp in the red Rock canyon
DONT 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!
- D
Daniel C.
Guide
Datil Well Recreation Area Campground
Very Nice and Newly Renovated
The 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.
Joseph W.
Ranger
Jackson Park Campground
Very basic free boondocking
This campsite in Pie Town New Mexico is just on the south side of the Hwy near the volunteer fire department. There are plenty of spots. I did notice a bathroom and a place for water but personally didn't check them as I was in need of nothing. I would definitely recommend this location for a quick overnight stay. There was also a playground across the road that the kidos could use to burn of some energy. Good cell service.
Patrick B.Guide
Water Canyon Campground
Can't beat the price (for now)
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.
- MMark M.Ranger
Datil Well Recreation Area Campground
Good trails straight outta campground
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!
- JJacqueline C.Traveler
Water Canyon Campground
A solid stop
Every year, we drive from Texas to Apache National Forest. Cibola is halfway. Every year, we make sure to stay the night at Water Canyon. First: the views. Secondly, the amenities. A level spot, with a fire ring, table and maintained vault toilets for $0. The most spacious spots are the first two, after that a six man tent is the largest tent you’ll fit on a level spot. We have never really explored further than our camp site, as our children are small and out number us. But for 12-36 hours, it is a beautiful stay that includes campfires, lizards and the occasional equestrian that lets our kids treat their horses. Treasured memories, unplugged and free.
- Shavit L.Guide
Juniper Campground (Quemado Lake) — Gila National Forest
No day use!
Beautiful campground with plenty of shade. Drive up spots for tents and full RV hookups. During hunting season gets full fast.
If you aren’t camping over night they don’t want you Day using the site :/
Jared F.Traveler
Narrows Camp Site
Not a camp site!!
This is just a picnic area, if you have a small tent you can make it work for just a night, one plus is you can hike the South Narrows trail!
Laura M.
LegendWater Canyon Campground
Free for 2 More Years!
We loved this place. Attempted at first to camp at The Box down the road but it was really crowded so we came here and what a great choice!
This is a FREE campground but plans are in the works to started charging in 2 years at $10/night. There are gravel tent and parking pads, picnic tables, fire rings, pit toilets and garbage.
When you first pull in there is a narrow opening to a rocky dirt road straight ahead and to the left is a day use picnic area. The sign at the beginning of the dirt road said trailers not advisable but one came down before we started up so we went for it. We have a 26 foot class C. Dirt road driving experience necessary. The road is quite narrow, rocky and has a couple washouts and tight turns but not impossible to navigate....use your best judgement!
There were only a couple of other campers and the views are very nice. Some sites are close together however. There are pit toilets and garbage at the beginning of the campground and at the end loop.
Great hiking area too! Further down the road where it says "no turn around" is a group site but the gate is locked and you'll need to contact National Forest Service if you want to use this area.
There is no drinking water or cell reception from AT&T or Verizon. Pets allowed on a leash. Also there are free roaming cattle we saw on the main road in but none in the campground though there was poop evidence that they've been around.
Along the dirt road hiking trails near the campground people have made other camping areas with rock fire pits. The roads to these areas are narrow and 4WD necessary.
- Glenda S.
ScoutDatil Well Recreation Area Campground
No funding no campers not much to see.
Good for a short staybut not in jan.Plenty of wind and snow then.No phone signal for 30 miles.
- VVerne B.Scout
Datil Well Recreation Area Campground
Good & quite
Yes not cell service. Nice hosts. Good stop for the night.
David R.GuideDatil Well Recreation Area Campground
Very well maintained and friendly hosts
This 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.
- AAniko S.Guide
Datil Well Recreation Area Campground
Quiet and spacious campground
Very 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.
Ann Marie A.TravelerDatil Well Recreation Area Campground
The best!
This 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!
Jorge G.GuideDatil Well Recreation Area Campground
Well kept gem in the Western New Mexico highlands
Well 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.
- AAmina B.Guide
Swingle Canyon
A perfect and quiet stay
Very 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.
- TTeresa A.Guide
Swingle Canyon
Overnight stay
Easily found the dispersed sights from the app. Spent a very quiet night nestled back off the highway under the stars.
- SScherry D.Traveler
Jackson Park Campground
Free boondocking campsite
Jackson 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.
Jim S.ScoutJackson Park Campground
Pit Town Jackson park
Great 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.
- JJohn B.Traveler
Jackson Park Campground
Quiet-ish and convenient
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.
Dennis P.Scout
Bear Trap Campground
Burned!
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.
- KKristine C.Scout
Bear Trap Campground
One of my favorite hidden back-country gems
One of my favorite hidden gems! There are no frills here...just 4 camp sites and a pit toilet in an isolated setting. No water. Pack in-pack out. The drive up to the camp ground is rough and narrow with some hair-pin turns (and spectacular views!), but it is passable (we have an old Honda CRV AWD and pull a small trailer)...just don't plan on getting there fast. I would not recommend trying the road with an RV. The camp sites are spacious, mostly flat, and provide a lovely view of the mountainside. At about 8500 ft MSL elevation, it is cool up there! August nights are very comfortable; by September, the nights are chilly. There are plenty of hiking trails and old forest-service roads to explore and even a near-by geocache (if you do that).
Odyssey A.GuideBear Trap Campground
Great little spot
We stopped here after the Hot Air Ballon Fiesta. Didn’t think we’d find anything but glad we were wring lovely colors here with fall!
Dennis P.GuideCibola National Forest Bear Trap Campground
The drive up is worth it.
We truck camped, but saw other people make it in their AWD SUV. Don't even think of bringing an RV of any size unless it's a cab-over that you don't mind scratching up. Once there you find cement tables spaced far enough apart for average camping privacy. Birding is good as there is a stream nearby. Good place for summer camping to escape the heat, but watch for precipitation that may make the road impassable for some time. It's a long way up there.
Mario M.Traveler
El Caso I-IV Campground
Winter wonder land
Pulled into Quemado lake area around 730pm. Beautiful, peaceful, you could hear the birds from across the lake. Minutes later, myself and my dog were in the campground. Several spots to choose from. There was snow on the ground since it had snowed recently. We pulled into a pull thru spot. There were two other units camping in the area. It was peaceful, quiet, spacious, and an amazing trail that lead from the grounds to the lake. Highly recommend the area and look forward to coming back to this spot to kayak in the summer!!!
- SSantinoTraveler
El Caso
El Caso 2…Don’t mind if I do!
Love this site. We end up here a few times a year. This was a special occasion to celebrate life and enjoy family. It was spring break and we drove through a blizzard to find ourselves under clear skies at Quemado Lake. El Caso camp ground is a few miles into the canyon. The camp sites are spread out well, and the roads and trails are solid. The weather caught up to us and we had about four to five inches of snow fall on us overnight. It was beautiful. The slash-pit had plenty of wood to burn, and we were the only fools in the snow and on the lake. It was perfect.
Guide to Datil
Tent camping near Datil, New Mexico, offers a unique opportunity to immerse yourself in the stunning natural beauty of the region. With a variety of campgrounds to choose from, outdoor enthusiasts can find the perfect spot to set up their tents and enjoy the great outdoors.
Tips for tent camping near Datil
- Bear Trap Campground provides a rustic experience with spacious sites and a pit toilet, making it a great choice for those looking to escape into nature.
- Cibola National Forest Bear Trap Campground is accessible by both driving and hiking, but be prepared for rough roads that may require a capable vehicle.
- Springtime Campground features Adirondack shelters and shaded sites, perfect for those who want a bit of comfort while enjoying the wilderness.
Some prices for tent camping range from $0 to $12
- Bear Trap Campground is free to camp, allowing you to enjoy the beauty of the area without breaking the bank.
- Piñon Campground charges around $12 per night, offering clean restrooms and a friendly host for a budget-friendly stay.
- El Caso I-IV Campground is another affordable option, providing a peaceful atmosphere and access to nearby trails.
Local attractions and activities
- At Hughes Mill Campground, you can explore nearby hiking trails and enjoy the tranquility of the forest, making it a hidden gem for outdoor lovers.
- Mujeres Valley Campground is well-reviewed for its scenic beauty and opportunities for birdwatching, perfect for nature enthusiasts.
- The drive to Cibola National Forest Bear Trap Campground rewards you with breathtaking views, making the journey just as enjoyable as the destination.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular tent campsite near Datil, NM?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Datil, NM is Bear Trap Campground with a 3.7-star rating from 3 reviews.
What is the best site to find tent camping near Datil, NM?
TheDyrt.com has all 9 tent camping locations near Datil, NM, with real photos and reviews from campers.
Keep Exploring