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Rio de las Vacas Campground in New Mexico
Hard to BookNational Forest

Rio de las Vacas Campground

Santa Fe National Forest, New Mexico

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As of October 2026, Rio de las Vacas Campground is a campground in Santa Fe National Forest, New Mexico with 15 campsites. Rio de las Vacas Campground is booked through Recreation.gov.

  • PermitSnag checks Rio de las Vacas Campground for availability and tells alert holders when a site opens up.
  • Rio de las Vacas Campground is located at 35.9967° N, 106.8075° W.
people allowed on each site
5

Rio de las Vacas Campground reservations and next available dates

October 2026

open, tap to book on Recreation.govsold outin your alert

Campsites at Rio de las Vacas Campground

  • Standard 15

What an RV fits

  • 27 ft1 site
  • 32 ft2 sites
  • 37 ft4 sites
  • 42 ft2 sites

Amenities

  • restrooms

At a glance: Setting: Mountain · Access: Paved road.

Things to do: fishing, hiking, wildlife, photography.

All sites at Rio de las Vacas Campground, as listed by Recreation.gov

Every site is in the RIO DE LAS VACAS CAMPGROUND loop.

SiteTypeSleepsMax RV
001Standard5-
002Standard5-
003Standard5-
004Standard5-
005Standard542 ft
006Standard527 ft
007Standard537 ft
008Standard542 ft
009Standard532 ft
010Standard537 ft
011Standard532 ft
012Standard537 ft
013Standard5-
014Standard5-
015Standard537 ft

About Rio de las Vacas Campground

Overview

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.

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.

Facilities

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.

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.

Nearby Attractions

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.

Rules and notices at Rio de las Vacas Campground

Recreation.gov does not date these notices. We last read them on September 30, 2026. Check Rio de las Vacas Campground on Recreation.gov

Notices from Recreation.gov

Online reservations are payment for two vehicles MAXIMUM; that includes the tow vehicle or RV and one additional vehicle.

ATVs and OHVs are not allowed in the campground. Visitors should be aware of the Santa Fe National Forest's Travel Management Regulations which detail what roads and trails are open to motorized use. Copies of Travel Management maps are available at district offices as well as on the Santa Fe National Forest's website.

Fire restrictions may be in effect. If you are unsure please contact the Cuba Ranger Station at 575-829-3264.

Check out is at 11:00 AM, Check in time is 1:00 PM.

Before making a reservation, check the driveway details section to ensure your vehicle equipment will fit on the selected site.

Quiet Hours are from 10:00 PM - 7:00 AM.

Rio de las Vacas Campground FAQ

How hard is it to get a campsite at Rio de las Vacas Campground?

Rio de las Vacas Campground is rated "Hard to Book" based on historical demand. This campground is popular and often books out weeks in advance. Your best strategy is to monitor cancellations.

How do I find last-minute availability at Rio de las Vacas Campground?

Cancellations happen frequently at Rio de las Vacas Campground, especially 1-2 weeks before check-in dates. PermitSnag monitors availability 24/7 and sends instant alerts when sites open up due to cancellations. This is often the best way to snag popular campsites.

How many campsites does Rio de las Vacas Campground have?

Rio de las Vacas Campground has 15 campsites.

More campgrounds in Santa Fe National Forest

Same forest, same drive. Set an alert on any of them alongside this one.

All 14 Santa Fe National Forest campgrounds

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