Best Camping near Magdalena, NM

Whether you're a tent camper, an RVer, or just passing through, Magdalena, NM has a lot to offer. There's so much to see and do, from exhilarating hikes or bike rides to exploring the local dining and shopping. Get the dirt on all the best camping near Magdalena. Browse campgrounds by amenities, site types, and more.

Best Camping Sites Near Magdalena, NM (27)

    Camper-submitted photo from Water Canyon Campground
    Camper-submitted photo from Water Canyon Campground
    Camper-submitted photo from Water Canyon Campground
    Camper-submitted photo from Water Canyon Campground
    Camper-submitted photo from Water Canyon Campground
    Camper-submitted photo from Water Canyon Campground

    1. Water Canyon Campground

    11 Reviews
    47 Photos
    115 Saves

    This campground is located at an elevation of 6,800 feet in the Magdalena Mountains.

    • RVs
    • Tents
    • Group
    • Equestrian
    • Standard (Tent/RV)
    • Trash
    Camper-submitted photo from The Box Recreation Area
    Camper-submitted photo from The Box Recreation Area
    Camper-submitted photo from The Box Recreation Area
    Camper-submitted photo from The Box Recreation Area
    Camper-submitted photo from The Box Recreation Area
    Camper-submitted photo from The Box Recreation Area

    2. The Box Recreation Area

    10 Reviews
    27 Photos
    143 Saves

    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.

    • Pets
    • Fires
    • Electric Hookups
    • RVs
    • Tents
    • Group
    Camper-submitted photo from Escondida Lake Park & Campground
    Camper-submitted photo from Escondida Lake Park & Campground
    Camper-submitted photo from Escondida Lake Park & Campground
    Camper-submitted photo from Escondida Lake Park & Campground
    Camper-submitted photo from Escondida Lake Park & Campground
    Camper-submitted photo from Escondida Lake Park & Campground

    3. Escondida Lake Park & Campground

    12 Reviews
    44 Photos
    38 Saves
    • Pets
    • Fires
    • Electric Hookups
    • Phone Service
    • Reservable
    • RVs

    $18 / night

    Camper-submitted photo from San Lorenzo Canyon
    Camper-submitted photo from San Lorenzo Canyon
    Camper-submitted photo from San Lorenzo Canyon
    Camper-submitted photo from San Lorenzo Canyon
    Camper-submitted photo from San Lorenzo Canyon
    Camper-submitted photo from San Lorenzo Canyon

    4. San Lorenzo Canyon

    6 Reviews
    32 Photos
    110 Saves

    San Lorenzo Canyon is jointly managed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the Bureau of Land Management as a primitive recreation area. This scenic east-west canyon offers ample outdoor opportunities for hiking and primitive camping. Not only a destination for hikers, the Canyon offers outstanding opportunities for photographers. Millions of years of Earth’s history unfold in San Lorenzo Canyon, a picturesque area of sandstone cliffs, arches, and hoodoos. The cottonwoods indicate there may have been a reliable water source at one time in the area. The area has remnants of old ranches and homesteads; springs and tiny creeks are hidden in the canyon bottoms and washes. High clearance and/or 4-wheel drive vehicles are recommended. There are no restrooms or drinking water.

    • Pets
    • Fires
    • Tents
    • Standard (Tent/RV)
    • Dispersed
    • Alcohol
    Camper-submitted photo from San Antonio Bosque Park
    Camper-submitted photo from San Antonio Bosque Park
    Camper-submitted photo from San Antonio Bosque Park
    Camper-submitted photo from San Antonio Bosque Park
    Camper-submitted photo from San Antonio Bosque Park
    Camper-submitted photo from San Antonio Bosque Park

    5. San Antonio Bosque Park

    11 Reviews
    18 Photos
    98 Saves
    • Pets
    • Phone Service
    • ADA Access
    • RVs
    • Tents
    • Standard (Tent/RV)
    Camper-submitted photo from San Antonio Riverine Park
    Camper-submitted photo from San Antonio Riverine Park
    Camper-submitted photo from San Antonio Riverine Park
    Camper-submitted photo from San Antonio Riverine Park
    Camper-submitted photo from San Antonio Riverine Park
    Camper-submitted photo from San Antonio Riverine Park

    6. San Antonio Riverine Park

    7 Reviews
    22 Photos
    17 Saves

    San Antonio Park is the southernmost park and is adjacent to the Hwy 380 Bridge. This park has 5 tables, 5 grills and is located in a beautifully restored Bosque that is about 60 years old (it dates from the last major flood of the Rio Grande in the 1940’s). San Antonio Elementary School adopted the park in 2007 and uses the park as an outdoor classroom and community service project. The site is also maintained by citizens of San Antonio who use the park for evening strolls along the river. The cottonwood stand was restored by removing the salt cedar, burning the slash and then treating the re-sprouts with herbicide (a common method to control the re-sprouting of salt cedar roots).

    • Pets
    • Phone Service
    • RVs
    • Tents
    • Standard (Tent/RV)
    • Picnic Table
    Camper-submitted photo from Chupadero Mountainview RV Park
    Camper-submitted photo from Chupadero Mountainview RV Park

    7. Chupadero Mountainview RV Park

    4 Reviews
    2 Photos
    14 Saves
    • Pets
    • Fires
    • Electric Hookups
    • Phone Service
    • Reservable
    • ADA Access
    Camper-submitted photo from Bear Trap Campground
    Camper-submitted photo from Bear Trap Campground
    Camper-submitted photo from Bear Trap Campground
    Camper-submitted photo from Bear Trap Campground
    Camper-submitted photo from Bear Trap Campground
    Camper-submitted photo from Bear Trap Campground

    8. Bear Trap Campground

    3 Reviews
    6 Photos
    89 Saves
    • Pets
    • Fires
    • Phone Service
    • Tents
    • Group
    • Picnic Table
    Camper-submitted photo from Datil Well Recreation Area Campground
    Camper-submitted photo from Datil Well Recreation Area Campground
    Camper-submitted photo from Datil Well Recreation Area Campground
    Camper-submitted photo from Datil Well Recreation Area Campground
    Camper-submitted photo from Datil Well Recreation Area Campground
    Camper-submitted photo from Datil Well Recreation Area Campground

    9. Datil Well Recreation Area Campground

    8 Reviews
    20 Photos
    42 Saves

    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.

    • Phone Service
    • ADA Access
    • RVs
    • Tents
    • Group
    • Standard (Tent/RV)
    • No image available

      10. Kiva RV Park & Horse Motel

      4 Reviews
      14 Saves
      • Pets
      • Fires
      • Electric Hookups
      • Phone Service
      • Reservable
      • ADA Access
    Showing results 1-10 of 27 campgrounds

    Pet-friendly camping near Magdalena

    Recent Reviews In Magdalena

    80 Reviews of 27 Magdalena Campgrounds


    • UThe Dyrt PRO User
      Camper-submitted photo from Datil Well Recreation Area Campground
      Oct. 17, 2024

      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. Very nice nice trail in campground. Quiet. PieTown down the road with excellent pies--If you go, eat at Pie-O-Neer (best option---great reviews and did not disappoint). Does have host. Supposedly open year round. Good proximity to VLA (Very Large Array).

      One very good ADA accessible 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…  :(

    • Shari  G.The Dyrt PRO User
      Camper-submitted photo from San Antonio Riverine Park
      Jul. 6, 2024

      San Antonio Riverine Park

      Beautiful, Free, Quiet Camping near Bosque Del Apache

      Bosque Del Apache National Wildlife Refuge is a bird nerd’s paradise during the winter.  Snow Geese, Sandhill Cranes, and thousands of others congregate in this wetland wonderland. Here, the Rio Grande pauses on its long winding path to the Gulf of Mexico and allows these waterfowl and other migratory birds a place of rest and safety during their bi-annual migration. It’s an amazing place, but it does not allow camping within the park. 

      Just a few miles to the north of the visitor’s center, in the quaint hamlet of San Antonio, lies Riverine Park. Slightly difficult to find in the dark and with a steep entrance, the few campsite spots offer visitors a great place close to the National Wildlife Refuge for the night within striking distance of the dawn patrol show (when the flocks take off for the day). Dawn and dusk are something to behold, so get your cameras ready! 

      The campsites themselves are loosely defined, but a few actually have developed campfire pits and picnic tables. There are no toilets here, but there are lovely facilities in the park itself.  There’s not much room for a trailer longer than 20 feet, but feel free to give it a looksee before committing to the downhill entry point– which is short and steep.  With big cottonwood trees scattered throughout the area, we got some solar charging with our rooftop panels, but needed to move our portable solar panel around to collect a bit more.  Starlink worked well though!

      In addition to birdwatching there are numerous, unlabeled trails and access roads all along the river bank and the canal for walking, or biking. The opportunities can also be found within the wildlife refuge as well.  Nearby services can be found in San Antonio, Socorro, or Truth or Consequences, NM, with the latter being the biggest town within an hour’s drive.

    • Laura M.The Dyrt PRO User
      Camper-submitted photo from San Antonio Riverine Park
      Jul. 2, 2024

      San Antonio Riverine Park

      Free and easy

      We stayed here a few years ago and it was the same sad, uncared for park then as it is now. The grass is overgrown and the fire pits are broken, but it’s free, and right off the main road so it makes for a great place to stop for the night. Would definitely not recommend this place as a destination for a camping trip. 

      There are maybe 7 or 8 sites here, and a skoolie and a car camper were here when we arrived late afternoon, and a truck camper pulled in after us. The road down into the campground is steep and raggedy, but we did ok (i.e. didn’t scrape) in our 26ft class c. 

      Good cell service. You can hear road noise but it’s not too bad, it’s not too busy of a road. There are walking paths where you can walk to the river. Mosquitoes / other bugs not bad when we were there in early December. No trash bins and no bathrooms. Please pack out your waste! Park is pretty clean and free from trash, which is so nice to see.

    • s
      Camper-submitted photo from Escondida Lake Park & Campground
      Jul. 1, 2024

      Escondida Lake Park & Campground

      Nice little spot

      First night (Friday) was great. Quiet. Saturday was quiet as well. Not much to catch at the lake. 3pm someone rolls up next to us. Definitely in the wrong spot and he would have known that if he was aware of the “back in” policy. Gave the lake caretaker a call, no answer. No big deal they were quiet. Until 10pm. Loud music. Karaoke with children screaming into the mic with the already loud sound system. Tried calling the caretaker, no answer mailbox full. Didn’t want to bother the police department so decided to wait and see if one of the kids woke up and then I’d call, figuring then I’d be super late. The music stopped suddenly my guess is around 12-2am. I guessing someone called the police or got a hold of the caretaker. Will stay again, however the campsite needs to be checked on by the county imo. If this were to happen again, I’d call non-emergency PD to deal with it.

    • A
      Camper-submitted photo from Swingle Canyon
      Apr. 28, 2024

      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.

    • L
      Camper-submitted photo from San Antonio Riverine Park
      Apr. 21, 2024

      San Antonio Riverine Park

      Very Easy Access from Paved Road

      Really a pretty cool spot that can be warmer than Albuquerque, and especially warmer than Santa Fe. 100% no fire, even smoking banned they claim. May help keep numbers low. Only person I saw appeared to be road construction exploring where the road went (think they were working on Rio grande bridge maybe). Lots and lots of space in the big trees by the river, but if you look in there at night with a flash light you may notice a lot of spider eyes shining back at you. I actually parked right by river, probably not exactly correct spot probably (would be very tight fit with trailer). No spider eyes. Plenty of room for car/truck to turn around. Probably stayed 3 nights total. The turn offs from the braised berm down to camp areas can be steep looking, just choose your angle wisely. The roads seem to loop back up to berm after winding through trees, some tighter areas to maneuver around for sure. I doubt anyone would give you trouble sleeping on the unpaved road itself opposite side of trees either. Very little traffic. Weekends may have some local traffic non overnight traffic too, fishing, skeet shooting, etc. Based on debris around river, and the most traffic I saw was on Sunday (2 -3 trucks at once rather than 1/48hours.

      I’d crash here again for the price.

    • Jorge G.
      Camper-submitted photo from Datil Well Recreation Area Campground
      Nov. 27, 2023

      Datil 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.

    • DThe Dyrt PRO User
      Camper-submitted photo from San Antonio Bosque Park
      Sep. 28, 2023

      San Antonio Bosque Park

      Decent Sites, Bad Experience

      Stopped here since I was tired and couldn’t make it to the Box area. The sites are nice enough etc. Woke up to the sound of birdshot raining in around me. I confronted the hunters saying they ought to mind their aim because there’s a campground. They responded with “it’s duck season”.

      After returning to my site it rained in yet again and it seemed intentional. I am a hunter and can say that is entirely unacceptable. I should’ve called the police on them in hindsight but instead I decided to leave immediately so I could get on with my day.

      It’s idiots like that which give hunters a bad rap.

    • DThe Dyrt PRO User
      Camper-submitted photo from Datil Well Recreation Area Campground
      Sep. 28, 2023

      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.

    • Dennis P.
      Camper-submitted photo from Bear Trap Campground
      Jul. 27, 2023

      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.

    • Justin R.The Dyrt PRO User
      Camper-submitted photo from Bianca Ranch Road - BLM dispersed
      Jun. 24, 2023

      Bianca Ranch Road - BLM dispersed

      Not great for camping

      Only did about 10 minutes of driving around. Several small spots a couple feet off the main road. Nothing that would support 30'+ trailers. It's open desert with low shrub. Seems to be a popular ATV road so expect lots of dust and noise. I would only camp here if I had an ATV with me.

    • Ann Marie A.The Dyrt PRO User
      Camper-submitted photo from Datil Well Recreation Area Campground
      Jun. 3, 2023

      Datil 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!

    • Sam
      Camper-submitted photo from Escondida Lake Park & Campground
      May. 30, 2023

      Escondida Lake Park & Campground

      Harrassed and felt unsafe

      Stopped here as an in between on a road trip. We arrived just after dark and there was only one other truck with someone else tent canping on the other side of the camping area. We set up our tent and a little while later the people in the truck packed up and left. The site is near busy road and train tracks so it was pretty noisy but we went to sleep thinking everything was alright.

      Right around 3am a van with a search light came through revving its engine with a man (who sounded drunk) screaming security, to wake up and come out with our hands up. We stayed in the tent and after a few mins of this he drove away, although we could see him go to the other side of the park and could still hear him yelling. This freaked us out but we hoped it was just a one time thing and decided to stay until the sun rose. About an hour later a different truck, also with a search light, came through. This one just quietly circled around and promptly left but it was freaky nonetheless. We decided to pack up and leave even though it was 4am and while we were getting everything back in our vehicle another car came through and circled the lot as well. We got out as soon as we could because it felt very unsafe with the harassment and the amount of vehicles coming through for seemingly no reason.

      Aside from these occurrences the campground was okay. The bathrooms were gross with overflowing trash and the noisiness were not ideal.

      We stayed here because we didn't see any safe BLM camping nearby so we decided to spend a few dollars for an established area but were very disappointed by the harassment and fear we experienced. Would not recommend staying here

    • AThe Dyrt PRO User
      Camper-submitted photo from Datil Well Recreation Area Campground
      May. 13, 2023

      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.

    • BThe Dyrt PRO User
      Camper-submitted photo from San Antonio Riverine Park
      Apr. 25, 2023

      San Antonio Riverine Park

      Not worth bringing an RV here

      Like the other two reviews noted, the maintenance has long been let go. One little dirt road runs on top of a long berm with the Rio Grande on the right to the east. There is another road that runs parallel and is at a lower level and right on the canal. The road by the canal has a sign that says the road is not maintained. The upper road doesn't have any signs because it's not maintained at all. There seem to be some clearings below the upper dirt road closer to the Rio Grande. I drove down 180 far enough to cross the Rio Grande. It looks like it was really full. This made me think the clearings on the riverbank could flood. Very disappointing so far but at least I haven't seen any other campers. I'll be gone in the morning

    • April N.
      Camper-submitted photo from The Box Recreation Area
      Apr. 25, 2023

      The Box Recreation Area

      Just fine

      Stopped 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.

    • Kathryn R.
      Camper-submitted photo from San Antonio Riverine Park
      Apr. 3, 2023

      San Antonio Riverine Park

      Overgrown and alot of dead tree branches

      I would not recommend anyone with an rv or travel trailer to use this site. I was hopeful from the one picture that there would be some nice green trees which is hard to find in New Mexico. I arrived there's a steep decline to go into the park. There are a few big pot holes to be weary of. Most of the area looks to be overgrown and most of the trees look dead. I didn't see any budding in early spring and no signs of greenery. It was also very difficult to turn around. I ended up with a few scratches on the travel trailer.

    • JThe Dyrt PRO User
      Camper-submitted photo from Kiva RV Park & Horse Motel
      Mar. 4, 2023

      Kiva RV Park & Horse Motel

      Horse Motel

      Park is very nice. Spots are accessible and park is clean. Stables for horses with exercise area. A little bit noisy from interstate but not to bad.

    • Patrick B.
      Camper-submitted photo from Water Canyon Campground
      Oct. 16, 2022

      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.

    • Berton M.
      Camper-submitted photo from Escondida Lake Park & Campground
      Oct. 11, 2022

      Escondida Lake Park & Campground

      Simple Campground Next to Train Tracks

      This is a basic campground located about a mile from I-25. The campground has the basics but that's it. It's a good place to stop while traveling thru New Mexico. There's a baseball field and a small lake adjacent to the campground. The trains do blow their whistle in this area. 

      Cell Coverage: Good

    • Susan M.The Dyrt PRO User
      Camper-submitted photo from Chupadero Mountainview RV Park
      Oct. 9, 2022

      Chupadero Mountainview RV Park

      Mostly quiet, small campground

      This little campground has 8 FHU & 2 water/elec sites. No “frills”, just fairly level sites, great rates & a friendly owner. A train track runs a 1/4 mile or so from the front of the campground, and 3-4 trains do go by at odd hours., so don’t stay here if you don’t like trains.

    • Greg R.
      Camper-submitted photo from Kiva RV Park & Horse Motel
      Sep. 14, 2022

      Kiva RV Park & Horse Motel

      Hot weather, but great customer service.

      Nice area, clean, shade trees and the management works with you no matter what. Little noise from I25 but very pet friendly. Will be back.

    • David R.The Dyrt PRO User
      Camper-submitted photo from Datil Well Recreation Area Campground
      Sep. 3, 2022

      Datil 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.

    • I
      Camper-submitted photo from Water Canyon Campground
      Jun. 19, 2022

      Water Canyon Campground

      Beautiful Canyon, simple free camping

      Beautiful 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.



    Guide to Magdalena

    Camping near Magdalena, New Mexico, offers a mix of beautiful landscapes and unique experiences. Whether you're looking for a quiet spot to unwind or an adventurous getaway, this area has something for everyone.

    What to do:

    • Explore the outdoors: The Water Canyon Campground is a great spot for hiking. One camper mentioned, "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."
    • Birdwatching: If you're into birdwatching, the San Antonio Riverine Park is close to the Bosque Del Apache National Wildlife Refuge. A reviewer noted, "It's an amazing place, but it does not allow camping within the park."
    • Rock climbing: The Box Recreation Area is a popular destination for rock climbers. One visitor said, "This was a lovely spot to overnight just about 20 minutes off I-25 near Socorro NM. Great views and incredible star gazing."

    What campers like:

    • Peaceful surroundings: Campers appreciate the tranquility at places like Escondida Lake Park & Campground. One review stated, "First night (Friday) was great. Quiet."
    • Affordability: Many enjoy the free camping options, such as at Water Canyon Campground. A camper mentioned, "You don't often find free developed camping at the end of a paved road in New Mexico."
    • Scenic views: The San Lorenzo Canyon offers stunning landscapes. A visitor shared, "Simply gorgeous area."

    What you should know:

    • Limited amenities: Many campgrounds, like San Antonio Bosque Park, lack basic facilities. A reviewer pointed out, "No toilets here, but there are lovely facilities in the park itself."
    • Noise from trains: If you're sensitive to noise, be aware that some campgrounds, such as Chupadero Mountainview RV Park, are near train tracks. One camper noted, "A train track runs a 1/4 mile or so from the front of the campground."
    • Wildlife encounters: Campers should be cautious of wildlife, especially at places like San Antonio Riverine Park. A visitor mentioned, "If you look in there at night with a flashlight you may notice a lot of spider eyes shining back at you."

    Tips for camping with families:

    • Choose family-friendly spots: Look for campgrounds with amenities like picnic tables and fire pits, such as Datil Well Recreation Area Campground. A reviewer said, "The sites are pretty far from each other, and almost all have a ramada."
    • Plan for activities: Make sure to have activities planned, especially at places like The Box Recreation Area. One camper noted, "There are several hiking trails with beautiful views!"
    • Pack snacks and drinks: Keep everyone happy with snacks and drinks, especially since some campgrounds, like Water Canyon Campground, don’t have markets nearby.

    Tips from RVers:

    • Check road conditions: Some campgrounds, like San Lorenzo Canyon, have rough access roads. A reviewer advised, "Don't attempt unless you have 4 wheel drive and/or sand mode if you plan to pull a heavy trailer."
    • Be mindful of space: Campgrounds like Kiva RV Park & Horse Motel can get crowded. One visitor mentioned, "It's a fairly humble place...gravel roads and parking spots."
    • Plan for noise: If you're sensitive to sounds, consider campgrounds away from highways or train tracks, as noted by a camper at Chupadero Mountainview RV Park, "There's no denying those traffic noise is real."

    Camping near Magdalena, New Mexico, has its quirks, but with the right preparation, it can be a fantastic experience!

    Frequently Asked Questions

    • What camping is available near Magdalena, NM?

      According to TheDyrt.com, Magdalena, NM offers a wide range of camping options, with 27 campgrounds and RV parks near Magdalena, NM and 9 free dispersed camping spots.

    • Which is the most popular campground near Magdalena, NM?

      According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Magdalena, NM is Water Canyon Campground with a 4.4-star rating from 11 reviews.

    • Where can I find free dispersed camping near Magdalena, NM?

      According to TheDyrt.com, there are 9 free dispersed camping spots near Magdalena, NM.

    • What parks are near Magdalena, NM?

      According to TheDyrt.com, there are 9 parks near Magdalena, NM that allow camping, notably Cibola National Forest and National Grasslands and Gila National Forest.