Best Dog-Friendly Camping near Magdalena, NM

The Box Recreation Area provides free dispersed camping near Magdalena with pet-friendly policies throughout its grounds. Located approximately 20 minutes off I-25 near Socorro, this BLM land welcomes dogs while offering vault toilets and designated fire rings in the main parking area. Both San Lorenzo Canyon and San Lorenzo Canyon Dispersed also permit pets with no restrictions, providing primitive camping options in scenic desert settings. Bear Trap Campground near Magdalena offers established free camping with pets allowed, picnic tables, and toilet facilities. Camping spots at The Box become more remote and private by continuing up the hill past the cattle guard, offering exceptional views and star gazing opportunities with limited cellular service.

Pet owners camping in San Lorenzo Canyon should note the challenging access routes, with Google Maps directions often leading to closed gates. The canyon features numerous pull-off camping spots with adequate distance between sites, though 4-wheel drive is recommended, especially for those towing trailers through sandy terrain. The area offers excellent hiking opportunities through slot canyons and around distinctive rock formations. For campers preferring more amenities, Escondida Lake Park & Campground provides pet-friendly full hookup sites at $18 per night with picnic tables, fire rings, and free firewood. The small fishing pond at Escondida allows quick access to fishing, though the campground lacks showers and sites are positioned relatively close together.

Best Dog-Friendly Sites Near Magdalena, New Mexico (21)

    1. The Box Recreation Area

    12 Reviews
    Socorro, NM
    15 miles
    Website
    +1 (575) 835-0412

    "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."

    "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!"

    2. Escondida Lake Park & Campground

    14 Reviews
    Lemitar, NM
    20 miles
    Website
    +1 (575) 418-7350

    $18 / night

    "I didn't stay but I did drive through to check it out for future stops. First impression was very clean!"

    "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."

    3. San Lorenzo Canyon

    6 Reviews
    Polvadera, NM
    17 miles
    Website
    +1 (575) 835-0412

    "Follow the coordinates to the exit. Make a left off to go over pass then make a right onto the frontage road."

    "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."

    4. San Lorenzo Canyon Dispersed

    2 Reviews
    Polvadera, NM
    17 miles

    "I saw very few people it will feel like you are not driving on the right place as the ‘road’ is eventually just a dry river bed, but keep going the course and you will find gorgeous sites to camp at."

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

    5. San Antonio Bosque Park

    12 Reviews
    Socorro, NM
    25 miles
    Website

    "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!"

    "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."

    7. San Antonio Riverine Park

    7 Reviews
    Socorro, NM
    25 miles
    Website
    +1 (575) 835-8927

    "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."

    "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!"

    8. Bear Trap Campground

    3 Reviews
    Magdalena, NM
    22 miles
    Website
    +1 (575) 854-3381

    "The drive up to the camp ground is rough and narrow with some hair-pin turns (and spectacular views!)"

    9. Chupadero Mountainview RV Park

    4 Reviews
    Socorro, NM
    26 miles
    Website
    +1 (575) 518-8264

    10. Bosque Birdwatchers RV Park

    4 Reviews
    Socorro, NM
    26 miles
    +1 (575) 517-6841
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Recent Dog-Friendly Camping Photos near Magdalena, NM

8 Photos of 21 Magdalena Campgrounds


Dog-Friendly Camping Reviews near Magdalena, NM

103 Reviews of 21 Magdalena Campgrounds


  • Berton M.The Dyrt PRO User
    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

  • Patrick B.
    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.

  • MThe Dyrt PRO User
    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. 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!

  • Rio J.
    Feb. 9, 2021

    La Vista RV Park

    Beautiful and Affordable NM Stop

    We stayed at La Vista for one night on our way through New Mexico heading to Utah. The owners are extremely friendly and were very helpful. They are a couple who own the park independently and you can tell the long term renters are happy there.

    We woke up to a gorgeous view of the nearby scenery and were just a half mile from a Loves to gas up and head out for another day of driving.

  • Kathryn R.
    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.

  • DThe Dyrt PRO User
    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.

  • Reuben
    Nov. 3, 2020

    Kiva RV Park & Horse Motel

    Humble but still pretty nice

    We live in Albuquerque, but wanted to spend a day hiking the Sevilleta National Wildlife Refuge. Kiva RV Park is just a 5 minute drive from the NWR, so we stayed there on a Friday night, so we could get up bright and early for our hiking the next day.

    The folks running the place were very friendly. Led us to our spot and made sure everything was okay for us. It's a fairly humble place...gravel roads and parking spots. No concrete to be seen. Each slot has a fairly wide planted area, but this is not patches of green lawn. They have mature native trees and shrubs that are well maintained. Plenty of big cottonwood trees provided shade. The place is clearly run on a low budget, but is well maintained and there is pride in the work here. When we visited, it appeared to be nearly full, and it felt like perhaps 50/50 mix between long-term residents and overnight(or nearly overnight) visitors. There is a large corral area for horses. We walked over to it but there were no horses there. There's a little dog park, a bathhouse and laundry. We didn't use any of those amenities, so I can't comment. I believe the laundry is listed as free.(This is not the case with the wifi, which was complex and had a fee.) I just used my hotspot from my Verizon service and because we had 4 bars, that worked just fine for streaming some Netflix that night.

    We really like the place. Lots of neighbors, but everyone was very friendly, and no late partying. A few kids. But really, it was all very pastoral and nice. We'd stay here again. 

    Not all was perfect. Aside from the less-than-friendly wifi: 1) The sewer hookup is just an open pipe. No threads. A little stinky when you take the cover off.  2) It is almost literally right next to the interstate. There's no denying those traffic noise is real. We slept with no issues, but if traffic noise doesn't act like white noise for you...you might want to look somewhere else. We're lucky; but I know this is a deal-breaker for some.

    They do offer a Good Sam discount of 10%, so with tax, we paid $34. Well worth it. Very nice stay.

  • Greg R.The Dyrt PRO User
    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.

  • Jorge G.The Dyrt PRO User
    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.


Guide to Magdalena

Dispersed camping in the Magdalena area sits at elevations around 6,500-8,500 feet, creating dramatic temperature variations between day and night. The high desert terrain offers primitive camping options with limited facilities but excellent access to hiking trails and wildlife viewing areas. Most dispersed sites near Magdalena require campers to pack out all waste and bring sufficient water supplies.

What to do

Rock climbing opportunities: The Box Recreation Area attracts climbers with numerous routes suitable for various skill levels. "Cool place... Camping definitely at your own risk, perfect for just a day trip," notes Nathan M., highlighting that while primitive, the area serves well for climbing excursions.

Stargazing sessions: The remote location and minimal light pollution make these campsites ideal for astronomy. At The Box Recreation Area, one camper shares it's "A great place to star gaze!" while another mentions the "Spectacular views and lots of wild life!"

Hiking through slot canyons: San Lorenzo Canyon offers distinctive geological formations for exploration. "Drive into an abrupt canyon with straight walls and side slots. Eventually you run out into a rock wall that can be traversed by scrambling around it," explains Dennis P., detailing the canyon's unique hiking options.

Bird watching excursions: Winter months bring migratory birds to nearby Bosque del Apache. "Great location, 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," reports Shari G.

What campers like

Privacy in remote areas: Continuing past main camping areas often rewards with secluded spots. "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!" suggests Nikki B.

Low-cost alternatives: Free camping options provide budget-friendly bases for outdoor activities. Bear Trap Campground near Magdalena offers basic amenities at no cost. "One of my favorite hidden gems! There are no frills here...just 4 camp sites and a pit toilet in an isolated setting," writes Kristine C.

Convenient overnight stops: Travelers appreciate accessible camping when passing through. "This was a lovely spot to overnight just about 20 minutes off I-25 near Socorro NM. Great views and incredible star gazing," Bradley K. remarks about his experience.

Scenic desert landscapes: The distinctive geology provides a unique camping backdrop. At San Lorenzo Canyon, campers enjoy "camping in the red Rock canyon" with "amazing views make it worth it," according to Randy T.

What you should know

Access challenges: Many sites require careful navigation and appropriate vehicles. Randy T. warns about San Lorenzo Canyon Dispersed: "DONT FOLLOW GOOGLE MAPS! You will end up at a closed gate with instructions on where you're supposed to go, wasting 30 mins in the process."

Limited facilities: Most dispersed camping areas have no water sources or restrooms. One visitor to The Box notes, "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)."

Weather considerations: Elevation changes create significant temperature variations. A Bear Trap Campground visitor advises, "At about 8500 ft MSL elevation, it is cool up there! August nights are very comfortable; by September, the nights are chilly."

Seasonal road conditions: Some access roads become impassable during wet weather. "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," cautions Dennis P. regarding the Bear Trap area.

Tips for camping with families

Choose sites with easy access: For family camping trips, select locations with minimal hiking required. "Flat areas with room for multiple vehicles and tents" at The Box make it suitable for groups with children, according to Frank P.

Bring sufficient water supplies: No potable water exists at most dispersed sites near Magdalena. For more amenities, Escondida Lake Park & Campground offers drinking water. "This is a state park campground that offers everything from basic tent sites to full hookups near a small pond for fishing," notes Jean C.

Prepare for basic conditions: Pack all essentials as services are limited. "No amenities here. Pack out your trash and your poo. No restrooms, water, or garbage service," explains Laura M. about primitive camping options.

Watch for natural hazards: Be alert for wildlife and flash flood risks. Julie F. reports finding "very little cell signal" in some areas, so emergency communications may be limited.

Tips from RVers

Size restrictions on forest roads: Large rigs should avoid narrow mountain access routes. At Bear Trap Campground, "the drive up to the camp ground is rough and narrow with some hair-pin turns (and spectacular views!), but it is passable... I would not recommend trying the road with an RV," advises Kristine C.

Leveling challenges: Many dispersed sites have uneven terrain requiring leveling blocks. San Antonio Bosque Park offers "sites are very flat" according to Alice C., making it more suitable for RVs than some alternatives.

Towing considerations: Sand and loose surfaces create challenges for trailers. Randy T. warns, "Don't attempt unless you have 4 wheel drive and/or sand mode if you plan to pull a heavy trailer" when describing San Lorenzo Canyon.

Limited turning space: Narrow access roads may lack turnaround areas for larger vehicles. "It was also very difficult to turn around. I ended up with a few scratches on the travel trailer," reports Kathryn R.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular dog-friendly campsite near Magdalena, NM?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dog-friendly campground near Magdalena, NM is The Box Recreation Area with a 4.3-star rating from 12 reviews.

What is the best site to find dog-friendly camping near Magdalena, NM?

TheDyrt.com has all 21 dog-friendly camping locations near Magdalena, NM, with real photos and reviews from campers.