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

Water Canyon Campground

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.  

The Box Recreation Area

Escondida Lake Park & Campground

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.

San Lorenzo Canyon

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).

San Antonio Riverine Park

San Antonio Bosque Park

Chupadero Mountainview RV Park

Accessibility is not guaranteed, always scout ahead before driving down dirt roads. Learn more: https://www.campendium.com/camping/boondocking-101/

Bear Trap Campground

Plateau Hame de Colquhoun

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.

Datil Well Recreation Area Campground

La Vista RV Park

National Forest

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 &amp; TMobile). No water so bring your own. 

Please practice LNT. 

Beautiful Canyon, simple free camping

Nice basic campground, several vault toilets that are clean.  Road access is pretty rough and it is easy to miss the campground turnoff!  We missed it the first time.  The campground is up a hill on a side road across from the Water Canyon Campground sign.  Sites are pretty basic, not all area level but they do have tables and fire pits.  I wouldn't take a camping trailer up that road, it is very bumpy.  

We only stayed for a day but it was quiet.  Lots of hiking trails there which is the only reason we would return.

Free campground

Beautiful views, established campsite, bathrooms, amazing stars at night. Highly recommend!

Water Canyon Campground

Save more with PRO

About This Campground

Access

Stay Connected

Site Types

Features

For Campers

For Vehicles

Reviews

2022 Explorer Giveaway