Water Canyon Campground

About

Water Canyon Campground is a rustic destination in the Magdalena Mountains of central New Mexico's Cibola National Forest. At 6,800 feet elevation, the campground provides a forested retreat with cooler temperatures during summer months. The 12 single sites and one group site each come equipped with a picnic table, fire ring, and grill, while vault toilets serve the campground. The area is popular for birding and offers access to several trails providing both lower and higher elevation hiking experiences. The final 500 feet of road to the campground is unpaved and may not be suitable for large RVs. Potable water is not available, so campers must bring an adequate supply. The campground operates on a mixed reservation and first-come, first-served basis. During the reservation season from mid-March through November, sites can be booked through Recreation.gov. From October through March, all sites revert to first-come, first-served, though the campground may close periodically during this time due to unsafe weather conditions.

Directions

From Highway 60 between Socorro and Magdalena, turn south onto Water Canyon Road (FR 235) and follow it to its end. The road passes the Water Canyon Picnic Area before reaching the campground uphill.