Established Camping
Rio De Las Vacas Campground
About
National Forest
Santa Fe National Forest
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.
Access
- Drive-InPark next to your site
Stay Connected
- WiFiUnknown
- VerizonUnknown
- AT&TUnknown
- T-MobileUnknown
Site Types
- Tent Sites
- RV Sites
- Standard (Tent/RV)
Features
For Campers
- Trash
- Picnic Table
- Drinking Water
- Toilets
- Alcohol
- Pets
- Fires
Favorite Campground for Many
I was the campground host at this place for the summer of 2020, one month of 2021 and all summer of 2022. The campground has 15 sites. Sites 1 thru 11 can be reserved through recreation.gov the last four are first come/first serve. The fee is $10 per day. $5 per day with a Senior Life Time Pass. According to the web site the first four sites are for tents only but a short trailer can fit. There are two vault toilets and many people told me that the toilets were the cleanest they had encountered in their camping experiences. There is a water well across the road from site #6. The stream runs beside sites 1 thru 4. That stream is a river, Rio de las Vacas. Trout have been caught in it. A hiking trail can be accessed from site #4. Sites #4 & 5 are favorites for some campers because they are a little bit remote from the others. Some people came to the campground multiple times each summer. Each site has a paved parking area, a large picnic table and a fire ring. Sites #4 & 11 have two tables. Do not park vehicles off the asphalt. Firewood is not sold here but the grocery store in Cuba sells it. Nearby is Eureka Mine now abandoned and a mountain top view from Bluebird Mesa. San Pedro Peaks Wilderness is about four miles west on the campground. San Gregorio Lake is a one mile hike into the wilderness.
Jemez perfection
Spacious campground with big old pines with a beautiful creek flowing through. Access to good trails for day hiking. One of the best camping spots I’ve visited. Stayed on a Sunday night - was quiet and peaceful.
- (9) View All
Great Campground Close to ABQ.
Stayed 3 nights with grandkids. Great hiking and climbing for kids. Sights level and pit toilets clean.
Location
Rio De Las Vacas Campground is located in New Mexico
Directions
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.
Address
PO Box 130
Cuba, NM 87013
Coordinates
35.9966667 N
106.8075 W