Planning a dispersed camping trip near Magdalena? Dispersed camping gets you off the grid so you can disconnect from the hecticness of everyday life. You're sure to find the perfect dispersed campsite for your New Mexico camping adventure.
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.
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.
Guide
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.
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
Traveler
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.
TravelerOnly 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.
TravelerEasy 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.
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.
GuideThis really is just a legal place to overnight when visiting the wildlife refuge. Perfect for that.
LegendFree 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.
TravelerThey 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.
TravelerThere 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.
GuideOne 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.
Traveler~5 sites with picnic tables + more areas farther back. Room for trailers, schoolies, RV’s, etc.
Access is from a short gravel road off a paved road. Turn right down the first hill. There are potentially more areas further down, but the road gets sandier and I did not see any official markings.
It is right near the Rio Grande (but admittedly not a very spectacular portion). The foliage in late fall is a lovely pale yellow and orange.
Some sites are right near a busy road highway, but noise would probably only be an issue in a tent. There were people coming and going at all hours of the day.
15 minutes from a Socorro, which has a Walmart and a water/ice stand to fill jugs for 25 cents a a gallon.
Not the prettiest views here or best accommodations, but the ease of access is appreciated. Great place to stay if you need a break from the road or just somewhere to stop overnight. Would definitely stay again.
+Near Civilization +East to access +Shade
-No water -No bathroom
GuideThere 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.
GuideJust 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.
TravelerJust a little gravel parking lot but just the height and the views and all the caves that is so beautiful and so peaceful
GuideI 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)
TravelerNice 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.
TravelerWe just arrived at this free campground. Concrete picnic tables and fire rings provided. We are surrounded by what looks to me like oak trees, but I have yet to confirm that. It reminds me of my home state of Minnesota!
We are near the Rio Grande Bosque, and are looking forward to our ventures observing the migratory birds of the area.

GuideDrove down the night before in order to go climbing the next day. Found a decent spot in a dry wash to put up the tent for the night. It worked and allowed quick access to the crag in the morning. Does start to get busy with climbers fairly early (8am or so). Would be perfect for somebody with a camper-van or teardrop.
TravelerCool 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.
Guide10-15 down 60 west of Socorro you'll find "the box" climbing area. This is on BLM land, and there is no trash pick-up or other managed facilities here, so camping is at your own discretion and you MUST leave the area as you found it (or better). There is a vault toilet at the main parking lot as you drive in, and if you drive further up the road there is a small pull-off with a couple of simple fire-pits where you will likely find a couple other climbers camping. Please be responsible about your food, trash and making a fire. There is loads of good climbing in the area and it's a great place to set up camp for a few days, but don't ruin that privilege for everyone by mistreating the area. Follow pack-in, pack-out, LNT and common sense rules.
LegendFinding this little park on the banks of the Rio Grande just outside of town in the dark would have been unlikely without the very specific directions given to us at Bosque Del Apache National Wildlife Refuge Visitor’s Center. “From the blinking light go east for 0.7 miles and turn left on the dirt road between the canal and the river.” Sure enough, there it is.
This small campground has about 5 sites, with picnic tables, but offers no other services—no water, fire rings or even toilets. But as the directions say, it’s close to town and it’s FREE. So, on a day where we spent most of the afternoon and watched the sunset while in the National Wildlife Refuge, this campsite served us well. We even planned to get up before sunrise to watch the birds take to the sky from their night-time roosting areas, so we weren’t there long.
The wildlife refuge is a birder’s paradise during the late fall and winter. Species of Sand Hill Cranes, Snow Geese, Canada Geese, and a multitude of ducks winter here feeding on grain grown in nearby fields and roosting overnight in the shallow wetlands. The numbers of birds are overwhelming, and awe-inspiring. But when we learned that the Sand Hill Cranes have been making this journey for nearly 10 million years, we were simply blown away.
There are plenty of opportunities for other recreation in the area, road cycling, mountain biking, hiking and motor-sports. As we pulled out of the campground, we noticed a beach buggy cruising by which looked as cool as it was retro – total ‘70s style. There are other free, “dry camps” in the area, BLM land, etc. as well as a few other RV parks offering shorter or longer stays.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular dispersed campsite near Magdalena, NM?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dispersed campground near Magdalena, NM is The Box Recreation Area with a 4.3-star rating from 10 reviews.
What is the best site to find dispersed camping near Magdalena, NM?
TheDyrt.com has all 9 dispersed camping locations near Magdalena, NM, with real photos and reviews from campers.
