Datil Well Recreation Area Campground

About

Datil Well Recreation Area Campground preserves one of 15 historic water wells along the old Magdalena Livestock Driveway, a cattle trail established in the 1800s that stretched 120 miles from Springerville, Arizona, to Magdalena, New Mexico. The campground is managed by the BLM Socorro Field Office and sits in a quiet setting of pinyon-juniper and ponderosa pine woodlands with occasional wildlife sightings. The campground features 21 individual sites with shade shelters, concrete pads, picnic tables, fire rings, and grills. Three sites offer electrical hookups. Amenities include three accessible double-vault toilets, four potable water hydrants, dumpsters, and a small visitor center open Thursday through Monday. A group shelter with six tables under two shade shelters is available by reservation. Three trail loops totaling 5 miles provide hiking opportunities, including a 2-mile round-trip to a backcountry campsite available by permit. The trails offer scenic views of the San Augustin Plains and glimpses of local wildlife. The nearest services for food, gas, and supplies are in Magdalena, approximately 37 miles east.

Directions

From Datil, go 1 mile west on US 60, then south on NM 12. The campground entrance is immediately visible off the highway.