New Mexico / Catron County

Datil Well Recreation Area Campground

Open — Open year-round, first-come, first-served. The visitor center is open Thursday through Monday from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Accessible campsite 18 requires advance reservation by calling the Socorro Field Office.

About

Datil Well Recreation Area Campground includes one of 15 water wells along the old Magdalena Livestock Driveway, a historic cattle trail established in the 1800s that stretched 120 miles from Springerville, Arizona, to Magdalena, New Mexico. The Bureau of Land Management maintains 22 individual campsites on a gravel loop road, with sites accommodating small RVs under 25 feet and camper vans. Three sites offer 30/50-amp electrical hookups for $15 per night, while standard tent and car camping sites cost $5 per night. A group shelter with six tables under two shade structures is available by reservation for $30 per night. The visitor center operates Thursday through Monday from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., serving as a mini museum with artifacts, documents, and photographs showcasing Datil's history as a major watering hole for ranchers. The recreation area includes 5 miles of total trails: two main loops totaling 3 miles through pinyon-juniper and ponderosa pine woodlands, plus a 2-mile round-trip trail to a backcountry campsite that requires a permit. Hikers enjoy scenic views of the San Augustin Plains and occasional wildlife sightings including bats, blue jays, red-tailed hawks, and rock squirrels. The area's remote location and minimal light pollution make it excellent for stargazing, with several campsites featuring circular concrete rings specifically designed for telescopes.

Directions

The Datil Well Recreation Area Campground is off of US 60. Go 1 mile west of Datil on US 60 or south on NM 12, then turn onto Datil Well Loop and travel for a quarter mile to get to Datil Well Campground.

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