Best Dispersed Camping near Magdalena, NM

There are primitive camp spots down a rough dirt road right off the highway. Otherwise you are just setting up camp in the parking lot. Pretty quiet area and a vault restroom that’s door needs some TLC is available in the main parking area. Great spot if you want to get an early start on rock climbing.

They do here!

As others have stated, this place is quite fine for a night or two to recharge but nothing special about the location. No view etc but easily accessed.

What has not yet been noted is that there is a lot of fresh black bear scat throughout the campsite with higher concentrations the further you go back, past the five spots with fire rings. No sightings and a problem free night but do take into consideration.

Easily found the dispersed sights from the app. Spent a very quiet night nestled back off the highway under the stars.

I decided to stay here last minute and arrived after dark on Jan. 21st. It was easy to find- look for the drive just to the side of the canal (I turned left onto the dirt road after coming off I-25). There are 2 dirt roads - take the upper one to the right, and within a few hundred feet there is a steepish driveway to the right down to under the trees.

Tables and fire rings provided- although as another reviewer stated, there are posted fire restrictions.

Sites are very flat. There is a semi-busy road nearby but it feels secluded under the trees. One other camper set up when I got in- I was surprised to see anyone, but it was nice to know someone else was around too.

I’d definitely stay here again, even as a solo female traveler.

Lots of cell service (ATT)

Free campground, easy to get to from the town of San Antonio, NM. Not a place that I’d recommend as a destination, but a good spot to stop for a night. It’s right along the Rio Grande and close to the Bosque Del Apache refuge, where we went to see sandhill cranes the next morning.

Good cell service from all 3 major carriers. No amenities here. Pack out your trash and your poo. No restrooms, water, or garbage service. 

There are 6 sites, each with a picnic table and fire ring. Area is overgrown and not well maintained but you can clearly distinguish the sites. Not a bad spot for free. You can hear road noise from Hwy 380. 

2 other campers were here when we stayed here in mid November. Campers were not sketchy, they seemed like travelers, and we felt safe here.

Cool place. The spots with fire pits have been blocked off by private property signs. Camping definitely at your own risk, perfect for just a day trip.

Just a little gravel parking lot but just the height and the views and all the caves that is so beautiful and so peaceful

Just happened upon this stop on our way home from Sedona. Nice and quiet spot with some rock climbing that we didn't have time for, unfortunately. Fire pit and vault toilets available.

One of my favorite places I’ve stayed. Will definitely come back!

The bottom Box Canyon parking lot is great. It is just a large gravel parking lot, but the views are amazing! There is a bathroom at the bottom parking lot (the only bathroom)! Occasionally I got 1 bar of service.

Instead of turning left into the parking lot, continue up the hill to find something more remote. If you cross over the cattle guard to the left, there is a large dirt pull off with an amazing view and private! We were there almost a week and only saw one other person park up there. There is no service, but walking back down the road just a bit a could find a few bars.

Several hiking trails with beautiful views! A lot of great climbing also! Spectacular views and lots of wild life! A great place to star gaze!

The road is used by truckers from a quarry nearby, so that can be noisy during the morning/day but is quiet at night.

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.

Very 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

Not easy to find but gorgeous spot to hike many canyon trails. Zero cell service. Don't follow goggle to find.

Went in about 2 miles. Passed a few sites but cell signal got weak to non existent the further I got in. I have Verizon. Anyhow turned around and took the first site going in. 4 bars with Verizon.

Nice spot in the cottonwoods room for about 10 with good space in between. Concrete tables with fire pits although there's restrictions right now. It is right off the road and a little steep to get into.

Easy in and out with 23' trailer. Weeds are tall and mosquitos are plentiful. Great spot for an overnight but I would never spend more time than that.

There are 5 larger spots with picnic tables and fire pits. While here, several long travel trailers parked in the first 2 spots. Then there are several other spots down the dirt road suitable for vans or small campers. It’s fairly quiet how we you will hear road noise in the background all day and night.

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.

Right now, it is muddy, overgrown and we discovered only one site available that was covered in dog poo. Bad human. We cleaned it up and used site as a base for Bosque del Apache bird watching. Perfect location, but other than that, it's not a place I'd choose. Also bonus 5G T-Mobile. Oh Trains with horns every two hours.

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.