Whether you're a tent camper, an RVer, or just passing through, Abiquiu Lake, NM has a lot to offer. There's so much to see and do, from exhilarating hikes or bike rides to exploring the local dining and shopping. At The Dyrt, campers like you share their favorite spots, plus tips and photos. No matter where you're headed in Abiquiu Lake, you'll find the best spot for you and your camping crew.
$10 - $80 / night
"Awesome view of Abiquiu Lake with amazing sunsets nightly. Hot showers, clean pit toilets, BBQs, tent pads, picnic tables & friendly camp hosts. Senior Passes work here for half price discount."
"General: 54-site campground in four loops; the Pedernal Loop has water and electric hookups, the Chama and Puerco Loops do not and there is a walk-in tent site loop."
"Recommend arriving not too late to see if you can get a good spot, we didn’t have shade so had to go find a nice shady bench away from our site for eating lunch / relaxing after our hike."
"All in all we got three meals for our family of 4 and a nights stay while we hiked around trails on the property for less than $100 all in, and the food (upscale summer camp type) was very good."
"Rio Chama RV park in Chama, New Mexico, is at the intersection of the Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad and the upper Rio Chama. A nice place to stay May 1 thru mid October."
"It's an easy dirt road drive down the river and you will pass many dispersed site and a couple of defined camping grounds."
"Seems a given, since it’s close to the river! I found a site right next to the Rio and even though it was muddy, I still appreciated being able to get in to cool down a bit."
"One down side being close to the river is the bugs, literally thousands of them can make it unpleasant. Outside of that the spot on the river is fantastic for viewing pleasure."
$20 / night
"Small campground next to U.S. Highway 84. There are 9 campsites with 3 small pull-throughs. I have seen large RVs in the day use area, not sure if this is tolerated. No services. "
"Hour outside of santa fe."
"there’s a fire ban, so it makes it hard to stay warm at night, but the stars are amazing. it’s quiet. it’s lovely. there’s canyon walls for miles. it’s really amazing. some of these pics are from the nearby"
"I've stayed here twice now since being in New Mexico. This site is right on the water, overlooks the canyon, and is close to a hike to the right side of the canyon through a dried up riverbed."
$40 - $60 / night
"The camping area is more of a campground than an RV park, in a positive way. Many of the sites are shaded with mature trees."
"The spots further from sitting have most privacy and are still only a 5 minute walk to entrance (I timed it from our site)."
$225 / night
"We had no clue that this gem was close to us we went for a quick weekend camp we were right next to the creek with amazing views of the mountains."
"Seems to be a common problem, which is too bad because it is a pretty place and convenient to the large rock climbing area nearby."
"New Mexico is just beautiful and this park really brings that to life. Its a great place for fishing, camping, hiking and breath taking river veiws. Love every picture I took here."
"It's actually only 10 miles off the main road, & 6 miles after the pavement ends, but Google took us down the wrong path."
TravelerPrimitive campground with very clean vault toilet. Hiking nearby and walking distance to the Rio grande river.
GuidePretty rough road, my Subaru was fine but couldn’t get far. A bit busy, especially for late October. Totally fine place to camp but not my favorite.
GuideClosed for winter! Beautiful area, would recommend visiting anyways. Day area is stunning.
GuideThe campground is well maintained, sites are well spaced. Electric hookups eliminate need for generators and associated noise. $20/ night or $10 with senior parks pass. Beautiful surroundings. As soon as we pulled in, wife says “book 4 nights”.
ScoutPay site with vault toilets right on the river. 4 sites at this campground. Picnic tables at all sites. Fire ring and bbqs also. No internet ATT. Quiet so far. With access pass, $5 for 2 nights.
GuideMost sites level. Ryan, campground host was very helpful and professional. Sites well-spaced and relatively private. Trees and shade everywhere. Short hike to Jemez Falls. About 4 miles to Valle Calderas and a couple more to Bandalere.
Vault toilets very clean and convenient to most sites.
ScoutRight off hwy - beginning of has limited spots (25’ or less total length) as you start going up the road it gets way rutted / washboarded out - I would recommend 4x4 - some spots need high clearance. Cell service ATT - 1 / 2 bars at the bottom as you go up the road you get better service
TravelerThis campground has mix of gravel dirt on awesome peak overlooking Cochiti Lake! Most of the campsites have shelter ( a cover) and a picnic table. Will note that the bathroom/showers have no light until sundown, and it remains dark in there during the day.
GuideEasy to find pull off spots, lots of good trees. The road is closed Monday-Thursday due to being on lab property. Overall beautiful spot!
Camping near Abiquiu Lake, New Mexico, offers a unique blend of stunning landscapes and outdoor activities. Whether you're looking to hike, fish, or just relax by the water, there are plenty of campgrounds to choose from.
Camping near Abiquiu Lake, New Mexico, is a fantastic way to enjoy the great outdoors, with plenty of options for families and RVers alike.
Frequently Asked Questions
What amenities are available at Abiquiu Lake campgrounds?
Abiquiu Lake campgrounds offer a range of amenities for campers. The main campground features hot showers, clean pit toilets, BBQ grills, tent pads, and picnic tables with friendly camp hosts on site. The Pedernal Loop specifically provides water and electric hookups for those needing utilities. Sites are generally level, especially in the Pedernal loop, making them suitable for trailers and RVs. For those seeking alternative options with different amenities, Ghost Ranch near Abiquiu offers reservable sites with water and toilet facilities, while Echo Campground provides basic water and toilet amenities in a more rustic setting.
Where are the designated camping areas at Abiquiu Lake?
The primary designated camping area at Abiquiu Lake is Riana - Abiquiu Lake, which offers 54 sites organized in four loops: Pedernal Loop (with water and electric hookups), Chama Loop, Puerco Loop, and a walk-in tent site loop. There's also overflow camping available. For those seeking dispersed options near Abiquiu, Whirlpool Dispersed Camping Area provides more primitive camping with basic facilities. Both locations offer stunning views of the lake and surrounding landscape.
Is Abiquiu Lake part of a state park or another recreation area?
Abiquiu Lake is not part of a state park but rather a U.S. Army Corps of Engineers recreation area. The lake was created by the Abiquiu Dam on the Rio Chama and offers various recreational opportunities including camping, fishing, boating, and hiking. The surrounding region features additional recreational opportunities, with nearby Rio Chama Campground located at the intersection of the Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad and the upper Rio Chama. The area is also close to Carson National Forest lands, which offer additional camping options like Comales Campground, a small roadside campground with sites along a mountain stream.
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