Rio De Las Vacas Campground
Less than two hours from the city of Albuquerque, Rio de las Vacas Campground offers a cool oasis from the New Mexico heat. Visitors delight in the hiking and fishing opportunities available in the shade of the pine covered Jemez Mountains. A few of the campsites have the creek running along them, providing a soothing atmosphere for campers.
More like this: reservable in New Mexico · big rigs in New Mexico · pets allowed in New Mexico
Check availability on Recreation.gov ↗
Site mix
| Standard, no hookups | 15 |
Site guide
Will my RV fit
The longest site here provides 42 feet of vehicle capacity. Most sites are shorter.
15 sites. Tap a filter to narrow the list; the map follows.
| Site | Entry | Fits, ft | Surface | Shade | Waterfront | People / vehicles | Fires | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 001 | Back-in | 20 | Paved | Partial | Riverfront | 5 / 2 | Yes | Prime |
| 002 | Back-in | 23 | Paved | Partial | Riverfront | 5 / 1 | Yes | Prime |
| 003 | Back-in | 23 | Paved | Partial | Riverfront | 5 / 1 | Yes | Prime |
| 004 | Back-in | 60 | Paved | Partial | Riverfront | 5 / – | Yes | Prime |
| 005 | Back-in | 42 | Paved | Partial | 5 / 2 | Yes | Standard | |
| 006 | Pull-through | 27 | Paved | Partial | 5 / 2 | Yes | Standard | |
| 007 | Back-in | 37 | Paved | Partial | 5 / 2 | Yes | Standard | |
| 008 | Back-in | 42 | Paved | Partial | 5 / 2 | Yes | Standard | |
| 009 | Back-in | 32 | Paved | Partial | 5 / 2 | Yes | Standard | |
| 010 | Back-in | 37 | Paved | Partial | 5 / 2 | Yes | Standard |
Per-site records as published by the managing agency on Recreation.gov. Blank cells mean the agency listed nothing for that site. Check-in 1:00 PM, checkout 11:00 AM.
Amenities & rules
| Hookups | None |
| Max vehicle length | 42 ft |
| Equipment | RVs & trailers, Tents |
| Pets | Allowed |
| Campfires | Allowed, subject to restrictions |
| Tent pads | Yes |
There are 15 campsites on the campground. Most of the campsites at Rio De Las Vacas come with a paved RV pad, fire rings, picnic table, and tent pads. The campground itself has paved roads, trash bins, vault toilets and a host on site.
Individual sites vary. Confirm on Recreation.gov or with the managing office.
Season & status
| Status | Open |
| Season | May to November |
| Forest | Santa Fe National Forest |
| Booking | During the high season of use (May-Oct) camp sites are available for reservation through http://www.recreation.gov |
| Fees | $10 per night. |
Weather by month
Getting there
From Cuba, New Mexico, travel 11 miles east of Cuba on New Mexico State Highway 126. The campground is located approximately 11 miles from Cuba where lodging, restaurants, and gas stations are available. The campground is approximately a one and a half hour drive from Albuquerque.
| Nearest town | Cuba, New Mexico |
| Coordinates | 35.9967° N, 106.8075° W · Directions ↗ |
Fire nearby
- PrescribedGolondrino Rx
30 mi from the campground
- PrescribedMesa Juan Domingo Fall Rx
36 mi from the campground
- PrescribedStone Angel Fall Rx
40 mi from the campground
Distance is to the reported incident point, not the fire edge. Call the managing office before you drive.
Supplies & services
| Dump station | Juniper Campground Dump Station ↗ | 32.7 mi |
| RV sales & service | Land of Enchantment RV ↗ | 50.9 mi |
Locations © OpenStreetMap contributors. Call ahead; hours change seasonally.
Explore
Video
Rio de las Vacas Campground | Santa Fe National Forest - Full Review!
Worth a stop
The San Pedro Parks Wilderness, just north of the Rio de las Vacas Campground, offers easy and scenic day hikes. The minimal grade increases of the trails into the San Pedro Parks make this wilderness an ideal backpacking destination for beginners and experienced backpackers alike. Three main trailheads, the San Gregorio, Palomas and Los Pinos, are within driving distance of the campground.
- 8.1 miSeven Springs Picnic Site ↗Day use
- 13.2 miLa Cueva Picnic Site ↗Day use
- 14 miDark Canyon Fishing Site ↗Fishing site
- 14.2 miSpence Hot Spring Trailhead ↗Trailhead
- 14.3 miRincon Fishing Site ↗Fishing site
- 14.8 miBattleship Rock Trailhead ↗Trailhead
Trails nearby
- 1.1 miWindy1 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike, motorcycle and 2 more
- 2.7 miEureka East1 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike, motorcycle and 2 more
- 3.3 miPalomas3.6 mi trail · hiking, horse
- 3.6 miEureka Center0.4 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike, motorcycle and 2 more
- 3.9 miEureka West0.8 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike, motorcycle and 2 more
- 3.9 miDamian2.4 mi trail · hiking, horse
Trail and trailhead records are the Forest Service's. Distances are straight-line to the nearer trail end. Trail conditions are not tracked here.
Public land it sits in
This campground sits inside Santa Fe National Forest.
- inSanta Fe National Forest ↗National Forest · Forest Service · 1,681,851 acres
- 2.8 miSan Pedro Parks Wilderness ↗Wilderness · Forest Service · 41,305 acres
Each unit is published as a centre point and an acreage rather than a boundary, so this section stands it in for a circle of the same area. Whether a campground is inside, and how far it is from one it is outside, are both approximate.
Other campgrounds nearby
Natural features
The campground is located amid stunning ponderosa pines in close proximity to the Rio de las Vacas. The campground has a beautiful open meadow and scenic views of the surrounding Jemez Mountains. Fall brings migrating birds through the campground and the sounds of elk bugling to impress potential mates.
Recreation
Local streams and the San Gregorio reservoir provide fishing opportunities for anglers, and hikers will delight in the many hiking opportunities in the nearby San Pedro Parks Wilderness.
Guidebooks for New Mexico
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Titles come from Open Library's catalog, matched by subject heading or by title.
Reference
Questions people ask
Do I need a reservation at Rio De Las Vacas Campground?
Sites at Rio De Las Vacas Campground are reservable on Recreation.gov. During the high season of use (May-Oct) camp sites are available for reservation through http://www.recreation.gov Any walk-up sites are listed on the booking page.
Source: Recreation.gov
How much does it cost to camp at Rio De Las Vacas Campground?
$10 per night.
Source: Recreation.gov
What time is check-in at Rio De Las Vacas Campground?
Check-in 1:00 PM, checkout 11:00 AM.
Source: Recreation.gov
Is Rio De Las Vacas Campground open right now?
Open as of Oct 16, 2026. Season May to November.
Source: Forest Service status
How many sites does Rio De Las Vacas Campground have?
15 sites, including 15 standard sites without power.
Source: Recreation.gov
Will my RV fit at Rio De Las Vacas Campground?
The longest site here provides 42 feet of vehicle capacity. Most sites are shorter. The sidebar tool checks a trailer or motorhome length against every site.
Source: Will my RV fit
Are pets allowed at Rio De Las Vacas Campground?
Yes, pets are allowed at Rio De Las Vacas Campground. Leash rules apply.
Source: Recreation.gov
Can I have a campfire at Rio De Las Vacas Campground?
Fires are allowed in the provided rings under normal conditions. As of 2026-10-16, there are 3 active fires within 50 miles, so check current restrictions before you light one.
Source: Fire nearby
What is the nearest town to Rio De Las Vacas Campground?
Cuba, New Mexico. The San Pedro Parks Wilderness, just north of the Rio de las Vacas Campground, offers easy and scenic day hikes.
Source: Getting there
What if Rio De Las Vacas Campground is full?
The nearest public campgrounds are Clear Creek Campground (0.8 mi), Clear Creek Group Campground (1.1 mi), and Rio Puerco Campground (8.5 mi, first-come).
Source: Campgrounds nearby