Dispersed

Hughes Mill Campground

Dispersed camping — conditions change

Fire restrictions, road washouts, and seasonal closures are common on public lands. Confirm current rules with the managing agency (BLM/USFS field office) before traveling. Practice Leave No Trace.

Directions

Pricing

Check official pricing

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Dispersed Area Free USFS · Dispersed Camping Area

What is dispersed camping?

Dispersed camping is primitive camping on public land outside of developed campgrounds. There are no facilities — no toilets (usually), no water, no trash service, no marked sites. You may camp anywhere within the area, usually for free, subject to the agency's rules below. Pack everything out, follow Leave No Trace, and check current conditions with the land manager before you go.

Mixed dispersed + 2 sites at 8,100 ft on Magdalena RD. Trailhead for Mt. Withington Lookout (7 mi). Vault toilet, no water.

Fire restrictions change daily. We don't publish a static fire-allowed claim — check the current order before any campfire, stove, or smoking.

Current fire orders ↗

Previously disturbed sites only
Camp ONLY in established / previously used spots. Pioneering new sites is prohibited under the management plan and subject to citation.
Pack out human waste
WAG bag (or equivalent pack-out kit) is required. Burying is not allowed in this area.
USFS Motor Vehicle Use Map required
You must use the Forest Service Motor Vehicle Use Map for this district to identify which roads allow camping. Off-MVUM driving and camping is illegal.

Managing agency: USFS · Magdalena Ranger District (Cibola NF)
Designation: Dispersed Camping Area
Max stay: 14 days per location
Road access: Graded dirt
Distance from water (LNT): 100+ ft
Vehicle notes: 26 miles southwest of Magdalena via US 60 & FR 549

Facilities

✓ Vault toilet present (1 location)
→Potable water: Potable water is not available at this site.

Seasonal notes: Elevation 8,100 ft. Access road conditions vary seasonally.

Resources & official references

Fire restrictions (live)

Cibola NF — alerts and current fire orders ↗
Live alerts feed for the forest. Check before any campfire or stove use.

Official agency page

USFS — Hughes Mill Campground ↗
Official rec-area page from the managing agency.

Field office / ranger district

USFS Cibola National Forest ↗
Forest landing page — alerts, contact, current orders.

Leave No Trace

Leave No Trace — 7 Principles ↗
Pack everything out, camp on durable surfaces, respect wildlife, etc.

Official sources & verification

Managed by Dispersed/Primitive

Verify before you go

Source of truth

Agency source page
The page our published rules and notes are derived from.

Verify by phone or mail

Address:Magdalena, NM

About

Per the agency page: "Popular campground at 8100' has 2 sites and dispersed camping with trailhead for hiking seven tough miles to Mt. Withington Lookout." Located 26 miles southwest of Magdalena on the Cibola NF Magdalena Ranger District. Vault toilet on site; no potable water. The site combines two developed sites with surrounding dispersed camping. Forest-wide USFS stay limit applies: camping for more than 14 days, whether or not consecutive, within any 45-day period is prohibited. Camp at least 100 feet from streams and lakes.