Water Canyon Campground
Cibola National Forest and Grasslands
Within the Magdalena Mountains is a beautiful campground with twelve campsites and an additional group campsite tucked away at 6,800 ft elevation. These campsites are a mix of first-come first-served and reservation sites. There are several vault toilets as well as a picnic table, a fire ring, and a grill at each campsite. The group campsite offers an additional shelter structure and large fire pit. The area is great for birding and has access to several trails nearby.
Need to Know
During First Come First Serve season of October through March, the campground may close periodically due to unsafe weather conditions. While the campground may be open year-round, these weather conditions may dictate when the campground is accessible and the gate opened. Please call the ranger station ahead of time at 575.854.2281 to see if the gate is open during this time period.
There is no water at this campground.
Nearby Attractions
Forest Road 39, which is the spur that leads to the group campsite, can be followed as the North Fork Trail and hiked. Below the campground is the Water Canyon Picnic Area and access to more trails including the Mesa Trail.
Recreation
Birding, hiking, and biking are popular activities in and around the Water Canyon Recreation Area. The campsites are also great locations for star-gazing.
Contact Information
Phone Number
For campground inquiries, please call: 575-854-2281
Rental Options
Learn more about gear rental options for your trip
Driving Directions
From highway 60, turn onto Water Canyon Road and follow it until it's end. You will pass the picnic area on the left and will continue uphill towards the campground. The group campsite is further along the gravel road after passing the entrance to the campground on the right. The group campsite will also be on the right.
Available Campsites
- Site 10, Loop Camping, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 11, Loop Camping, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 1, Loop Camping, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 3, Loop Camping, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 9, Loop Camping, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 6, Loop Camping, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 8, Loop Camping, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site Group Site, Loop Camping, Type Group Standard Nonelectric
- Site 7, Loop Camping, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 5, Loop Camping, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 12, Loop Camping, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site Standard S&P, Loop S&P, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 2, Loop Camping, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 4, Loop Camping, Type Standard Nonelectric
