Santa Barbara Campground
Santa Barbara Campground is situated nicely on the edge of the Pecos Wilderness area and next to Rio Santa Barbara, a beautiful and healthy trout stream.
Some sites take reservations on Recreation.gov. Others are first-come, first-served.
More like this: first-come in New Mexico · reservable in New Mexico · big rigs in New Mexico · pets allowed in New Mexico · group sites in New Mexico
Check availability on Recreation.gov ↗
Site mix
| Standard, no hookups | 19 |
| group rv area nonelectric | 2 |
Site guide
Will my RV fit
The longest site here provides 65 feet of vehicle capacity. Most sites are shorter.
21 sites. Tap a filter to narrow the list; the map follows.
| Site | Type | Entry | Fits, ft | Surface | Shade | Water / sewer | Waterfront | People / vehicles | Fires | Accessible | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 001 | Standard | Back-in | 32 | Paved | Partial | No / – | 24 / 3 | Yes | Standard | ||
| 002 | Group Rv Area Nonelectric | Back-in | 32 | Paved | Partial | No / – | 32 / 4 | Yes | Standard | ||
| 003 | Standard | Back-in | 43 | Paved | Partial | Yes / – | 8 / 1 | Yes | Standard | ||
| 004 | Standard | Back-in | 38 | Paved | Partial | Yes / – | 8 / 1 | Yes | Standard | ||
| 005 | Standard | Pull-through | 40 | Paved | Partial | No / – | 8 / 1 | Yes | Standard | ||
| 006 | Standard | 25 | Paved | Partial | No / – | 8 / 1 | Yes | Standard | |||
| 007 | Standard | Back-in | 40 | Paved | Partial | Yes / – | 8 / 1 | Yes | Standard | ||
| 008 | Standard | Back-in | 40 | Paved | Partial | Yes / – | 8 / 1 | Yes | Standard | ||
| 009 | Standard | Back-in | 30 | Paved | Partial | No / – | 8 / 1 | Yes | Standard | ||
| 010 | Standard | Back-in | 65 | Paved | Partial | Yes / – | 8 / 1 | 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 2:00 PM, checkout 12:00 PM.
Amenities & rules
| Hookups | None |
| Max vehicle length | 65 ft |
| Equipment | RVs & trailers |
| Pets | Allowed |
| Campfires | Allowed, subject to restrictions |
| Tent pads | Yes |
| Accessibility | Sites 011, 012 are listed accessible |
The campground has 15 single sites, each containing a table and fire ring; two double sites, each containing two tables and a fire ring; one triple site containing three tables and a fire ring; and two quad sites containing four tables and a fire ring. Vault toilets, drinking water from faucets and trash removal are provided. There are no horse facilites within the campground.
Individual sites vary. Confirm on Recreation.gov or with the managing office.
Season & status
| Status | Closed for the season. Forest Service sites close for the season; check the official page for the reopening date. |
| Forest | Carson National Forest |
| Booking | A reservation fee will be added to the price. |
| Fees | Campsite (includes parking for one vehicle) $22/night. Double campsite $40/night. Triple campsite $60/night. Group campsite $70/night. Campsite for Senior or Access pass holders $11/night. Extra vehicle $11/night. Trailhead parking $7/day. Day use $11/day |
Weather by month
Getting there
From the junction with State Road 75, follow SR 73 1.4 miles to the Santa Barbara Road. Turn left onto the Santa Barbara Road. Then travel 6.2 miles to the campground. Santa Barbara Road becomes Forest System Road 116 when the pavement ends.
| Coordinates | 36.0891° N, 105.6101° W · Directions ↗ |
Fire nearby
- WildfireFrijoles
18 mi from the campground · 15,956 acres · 90% contained
- PrescribedStone Angel Fall Rx
41 mi from the campground
- PrescribedMartinez Fall Rx
49 mi from the campground
Distance is to the reported incident point, not the fire edge. Call the managing office before you drive.
Supplies & services
| Outdoor gear | Taos Mountain Outfitters ↗ | 22.1 mi |
| RV sales & service | Seco Bubble ↗ | 29.6 mi |
Locations © OpenStreetMap contributors. Call ahead; hours change seasonally.
Explore
Video
Urban RV Park in a Great Location: Santa Barbara RV Park Review
Worth a stop
Trail access to Jicarita Peak, with close access to North Truchas Peak, Sipapu Ski Resort, the town of Vadito, and the town of Penasco are all nearby. All are within 8-15 miles from the campground. Most services are available in Taos, NM, 25 miles north of the campground or Espanola, NM, 45 miles southwest.
- 4.7 miRio Trampas Fishing ↗Fishing site
- 5.6 miFlechado Picnic Site ↗Day use
- 6.8 miTrampas Lakes Fishing ↗Fishing site
- 13.3 miBorrego Trailhead ↗Trailhead
Trails nearby
- under 0.1 miMiddle Fork Santa Barbara ↗13.1 mi trail · hiking, horse
- 0.2 miIndian Creek ↗4.4 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike · national_recreation_or_other
- 0.3 miJicarita Creek2 mi trail · hiking, horse
- 1.1 miCentennial ↗8.9 mi trail · hiking, horse
- 1.2 miBear Mountain3.4 mi trail · hiking, horse
- 2.2 miOsha Canyon ↗6 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike, motorcycle and 2 more
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
Pecos Wilderness begins about 3.1 miles away, and it is the closest of these.
- 3.1 miPecos Wilderness ↗Wilderness · Forest Service · 221,796 acres
- 9.7 miCarson National Forest ↗National Forest · Forest Service · 1,592,477 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
Historic landmarks nearby
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Natural features
Santa Barbara is located in a mixed forest of spruce, fir and aspen trees, which provide some shade throughout the day. At an altitude of 8,900 feet, temperatures can cool off during the summer nights.
Recreation
This is a great drop off point for hikers and horseback riders seeking close access to the Pecos Wilderness and Jicarita Peak.
Guidebooks for New Mexico
We earn a small commission if you buy through these links. It does not change what we list.
Titles come from Open Library's catalog, matched by subject heading or by title.
Reference
Questions people ask
Do I need a reservation at Santa Barbara Campground?
For some sites. Some sites take reservations on Recreation.gov. Others are first-come, first-served.
Source: Recreation.gov
How much does it cost to camp at Santa Barbara Campground?
Campsite (includes parking for one vehicle) $22/night. Double campsite $40/night. Triple campsite $60/night.
Source: Recreation.gov
What time is check-in at Santa Barbara Campground?
Check-in 2:00 PM, checkout 12:00 PM.
Source: Recreation.gov
Is Santa Barbara Campground open right now?
Closed for the season as of Oct 16, 2026.
Source: Forest Service status
How many sites does Santa Barbara Campground have?
21 sites, including 19 standard sites without power and 2 group rv area nonelectric.
Source: Recreation.gov
Will my RV fit at Santa Barbara Campground?
The longest site here provides 65 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
Does Santa Barbara Campground have hookups?
Yes, water hookups at some sites.
Source: Recreation.gov
Are pets allowed at Santa Barbara Campground?
Yes, pets are allowed at Santa Barbara Campground. Leash rules apply.
Source: Recreation.gov
Can I have a campfire at Santa Barbara 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
Are there accessible sites at Santa Barbara Campground?
Sites 011 and 012 are listed accessible on Recreation.gov. What that covers (a paved pad, an accessible table, a nearby accessible restroom) is on each site's booking page.
Source: Recreation.gov
What if Santa Barbara Campground is full?
The nearest public campgrounds are Agua Piedra Campground (5.5 mi, partly first-come), Borrego Mesa Campground (11.9 mi, first-come), and Iron Gate Campground (17.2 mi, first-come).
Source: Campgrounds nearby