Water Canyon Campground

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.

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 & TMobile). No water so bring your own.

Please practice LNT.

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.