Datil Well

Campground

U.S. Department of the Interior

Bureau of Land Management

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¬«12

£¤60

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Datil

Rocky

Point

Overlook

Crosby

Canyon

Overlook

San Augustin

Overlook

![ Scenic Overlook

!= Visitor Center

!9 Group Campground

!0 Shelter

US Highway

State Highway

Datil Well Loop

Campground Loop

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! Trail

Datil Well Recreation

Area

Bureau of Land

Management

Private

State

US Forest Service

TRAIL MILEAGE

Total all trails : 3.42

Starting at Gazebo

Outer Loop : 2.63

North Loop : 2.21

South Loop : 1.64

No warranty is made by the

Bureau of Land Management as

to the accuracy, reliability, or

completeness of these data for

individual or aggregate use with

other data. Original data were

compiled from various sources

and may be updated without

notification. Ê

0 250 500 750 1,000

Feet

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£¤60

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§ ̈¦I 25

Albuquerque

Datil Socorro

Location Map

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Campground

Sites

Bureau of Land Management

Socorro Field Office

901 S. Highway 85

Socorro, NM 87801

575/835-0412

or

www.blm.gov/new-mexico
Welcome to Datil Well Campground!

The Datil Well Campground is located one mile west 

of Datil, New Mexico and is accessible from both 

Highway 60 and Highway 12. Built in June of 1968, 

and managed by the Bureau of Land Management, 

the campground provides a peaceful place for weary 

travelers or a destination to come, stay, play and 

enjoy the smell of the pines.

The water that feeds the campground is from one of 

the original wells drilled by the Civilian Conservation 

Corps (CCC) for the Magdalena Stock Driveway. 

Datil Well is a scenic area located at 7,400 feet 

elevation that borders the Cibola National Forest. 

The campground offers 22 single-family campsites 

as well as a group site for large gatherings. The 

Group Site has two covered pavilions, group-size fire 

ring, group-size cooking grill, prep table and a vault 

toilet. This site takes reservations.

Campground 

facilities 

include 

graveled 

sites for 

back-in’s and 

pull throughs 

and have picnic tables, 

upright cooking grills, 

fire rings and a short 

walking distance to vault 

toilets. Hydrants provide 

drinking water and a 

small visitor’s center 

offers WiFi when not out 

hiking, birding, observing 

wildlife, or star-gazing. 

All sites are on a first 

come basis and the 

entire campground is a 

fee site.

There are three 

miles of hiking trails 

winding through 

piñon-juniper and 

ponderosa pine 

woodlands, with 

scenic views of the 

San Augustin Plains 

and Crosby Canyon. 

Interpretive signs 

along the trail assist 

in tree-identification. 

The trail and vistas 

also offer an 

occasional glimpse of 

wildlife in a quiet and 

solitude setting.

Very Large Array

The Very Large Array 

(VLA), located 15 miles 

east of Datil, is a radio 

astronomy observatory 

located on the Plains of San 

Agustin between Datil and 

Magdalena. It comprises 

of 27 radio telescopes in a 

Y-shaped pattern, and each 

is 82 feet high and weighs 

230 tons. The VLA has been 

used by more astronomers 

and has been mentioned in 

more scientific papers than 

any other radio telescope 

in the world.

Weather Conditions

Temperatures, like most mountainous areas, vary 

greatly. During the summer, daytime highs in the 80s 

are normal, dropping to 50s in the evening. Summer 

rains (monsoons) occur in the area; however, use 

caution since lightning often accompanies the rain. 

The campground is open year round, with diminished 

amenities during the colder months. Snow 

accumulations 

of up to a 

foot of snow 

may be 

possible with 

temperatures 

in the 40s 

during the day 

to a low of zero 

at night.

Safety Rules

•The use of 

weapons is prohibited within and adjacent to the 

campground.

•Observe speed limits within the campground and 

keep all-wheeled vehicles on established roadways.

•Trails are for hiking. Motorized 

vehicles, horses, and mountain bikes 

are prohibited.

•Keep pets on a leash.

Other Important Information

•Any dead and down firewood found 

within the campgrounds can be 

collected and used.

•Use grills, fire rings, and trash cans 

provided at each camp site.

•Respect the quiet setting of the 

campground. Quiet hours are from 

10:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m.

•Camping limit is seven days.

Be courteous to other campers 

and enjoy your stay at 

Datil Well Campgound!

BLM/NM/GI-05-12-1220

The Datil Well Campground area 

has 3 miles of scenic hiking trails.

A bit of snow covers the ground at Crosby 

Canyon Overlook

Datil Well Campground

Collard lizards

Courtesy of Washington University

Radio telescopes use radio waves instead of 

light waves to make images of the sky.

Mule Deer

Pets must be keep on a leash.

Chipmonk