Datil Well Campground

Nice little campground with about 20 sites, about half of which are pull through. Very well cared for and great dark skies. 4 stars because there were only THREE electric sites (not several) that we could see, and the camp host was not exactly welcoming when we asked about getting change to make the payment with.

Small, immaculate BLM campground located on the pinyon pine and juniper slopes of Mt. Datil. Sites are small to medium-sized. Lots of pull-through. Most have a picnic table on a concrete platform; some have shade roofs. A couple of the sites have electricity. The vault toilets are the cleanest I’ve ever seen in my life! Nice short hiking trail. Convenient to the Very Large Array. We’re staying 3 nights and wish we could stay longer.

This is a lovely and well cared for BLM campground. $5 a night is as good as free, and only $2.50 with access pass. I was here for peace and quiet during the new years holiday and there was hardly anyone here. Most were one nighters, but I stayed a week. Scenery is fantastic, hiking trails right from the campground. They’re not lengthy, but there a good bit of up and down so you’ll get a bit of a workout. I did see a cat print on the soft sand of the trail amongst many others prints (human, dog, deer). Best guess is that it was a lynx as the camp hosts (been there four years!) told me they’ve spotted a big one crossing 60 not too long ago. But, I’m sure there are some transient cougars in the area. I always hike with bear spray, so be aware and don’t let your dogs run loose. The campground has nice private sites, some have a Ramada and some have more natural shade from trees. Fire-ring, picnic table, spotless pit toilets. Very quiet except during the Piñon pine nut season when people come to collect pine nuts. According to the hosts, one day saw over a thousand people in and out of the campground. No AT&T service anywhere but there is Wi-Fi at the little museum/hut at the entryway to the campground. The last night there was a cacophony of dogs for some reason. Not in the campground but outside the boundaries, maybe a ranch. I’m not sure if they were hunting or what but it went on all evening and into the night. Water was off when I was there due to temps. The hosts are super nice folks with a stellar blue heeler!!

Sites are all back and brand new. Bathrooms were clean and water was on. Price was cheap cheap for such new camping sites. Used pull thru site 14 with my 23’ camper but could hold much longer camper as well. Stayed for just one night on way to Sedona. Would recommend and use again.

Great little campground with some great hiking trails. We arrived early enough on a Friday to get the last of 3 electric spots—low was 20 degrees the night we stayed. Elk in the area, so be careful if leaving before sunrise. Dark sky area which was really neat. Hosts were friendly.

Camped here one night April 2; maybe a half dozen other campers. Large, spacious, private sites with ramada, table and fire ring. Three of the sites actually had new power pedestals installed, but it was not turned on yet; and the water in the campground was not turned on yet either due to some delay in parts arriving. The camp hosts were staying at a nearby RV Park due their utilities still being off too, but were keeping the place clean and tidy. Nice hiking trails with good views and decent Verizon signal at the higher points.

Have camped here several times with our 25’ trailer. No water, power or dump station but still one of our favorite campgrounds. Sites are sheltered and private, campground is generally quiet, and there is a good nature/hiking trail with a couple of loops that can be combined into a 3+ miles hike with views. Currently looks like improvements are being made with gravel being added to level and enlarge some of the sites. A little messy right now but changes look good.

A correction to my prior post. Campground now back in full operation with very nice hostess. Glad to see it back. Heard an elk bugling during the night

Excellent BLM campground. Roads well maintained, numbered campsites, put style restrooms but clean and open. Seems to fill up fast in the evening. Will stay here again if in the area.

Pretty nice campground out in the sticks, BUT, the BLM has pretty much abandoned it. Water is turned off and restrooms need a little help.