Quiet enough on a weeknight that, as Meghan B. puts it, she "didn't hear a single vehicle go by," Swingle Canyon is a dispersed camping area within Cibola National Forest, tucked into the hills outside Datil, New Mexico. A handful of sites cluster near the road entrance, with firepits at some spots. The road into the canyon gets rough quickly, and while two-wheel-drive vehicles can manage the first stretch near the entrance, pushing farther up the mountain requires more clearance and caution.
No water and no toilets are available here. Pack everything in and out. Cell service is described by multiple visitors as spotty but present, and at least one camper confirmed Starlink works from the open sky above the tree canopy. Crowds are consistently light, with reviewers rarely encountering more than two or three other groups on any given night.
The surrounding terrain gives campers views of trees and low mountain ridges, and wildlife sightings, including deer in the late afternoon, have been noted by visitors. Hikers can explore the area on foot directly from camp. The Datil Well Recreation Area Campground sits a few miles to the southeast for those who want developed facilities nearby, and Swingle Canyon Road Ridge Dispersed, Cibola NF offers another undeveloped option less than a mile away. Swingle Canyon works well as an overnight stop for travelers passing through the region who want a low-key pull-off under open skies.
RV Road Trip Guides
Map & DirectionsSwingle Canyon is located in New Mexico near Datil
Coordinates
34.18097258 N
107.8924989 W
Connectivity
T-MobileLTESome Coverage- VerizonLTESome CoverageVerified by 2 usersLast on 8/5/26
AT&TLTEGood CoverageVerified by 14 usersLast on 8/5/26
Connectivity
- T-MobileLTESome Coverage
- VerizonLTESome CoverageVerified by 2 usersLast on 8/5/26
- AT&TLTEGood CoverageVerified by 14 usersLast on 8/5/26
Access
- Drive-InPark next to your site
Site Types
- Tent Sites
- RV Sites
- Standard (Tent/RV)
- Dispersed
Features
For Campers
- Phone Service
- Alcohol
- Pets
- Fires
For Vehicles
- Big Rig Friendly
DISPERSED CAMPING
Enjoy dispersed camping on government land and leave no trace. Pack in and pack out. No (or limited) services at this camping area. Permit may be required.
PERMIT might be REQUIRED
We curate permit requirements across the US for our PRO members. Try PRO to see if Swingle Canyon needs a permit.
Drive Time
- 2 hrs 4 min from Albuquerque, NM
- 2 hrs 49 min from Santa Fe, NM
- 3 hrs 3 min from Las Cruces, NM
- 4 hrs 1 min from Farmington, NM
