Best Campgrounds near Cochiti Lake, NM

Pretty rough getting here as neighbors are sabotaging the road making it narrow using loose gravel & boulders on turns. There is now a locked gate on Palomino to keep non-locals out! 😏 once there we so enjoyed the views, sunsets, city lights & stars! 9 wild horses came to visit too!

Due to a major construction project this spring thru fall, "Camp May Road, which will be closed to all traffic Monday through Thursday starting later in April 2025. ... 

Monday through Thursday closures are planned through the end of the calendar year. 

Camping at Camp May will be limited to Friday and Saturday nights on a first-come, first-served basis. Reservations will not be available. Campers must extinguish campfires, pack up belongings and leave the area no later than Sunday evening. The entrance/exit to Camp May will be closed and locked after Sunday night."  From the LA County announcement:  

https://www.losalamosnm.us/News-articles/Collaboration-will-improve-regional-fire-protection

Also note, Los Alamos County and Santa Fe National Forest are in Stage I fire restrictions (no campfires) starting May 4, 2025.

Due to overuse, trash, and abuse, SFNF has closed this area to dispersed camping.

Could not get to camping area because the road was so bad.

Follow the directions in the app to avoid the private roads. It’s pretty easy to find. The road in is a little rocky but there is plenty of space and is a nice area.

Very convenient location for traveling through Albuquerque. Beautiful views, good pricing, everything you need around you. On the water and has kayak/paddle launch. Brewery infront you can walk to

The road up to the camping area is decent. There are big ruts headed into the camping area that are impassible to low clearance vehicles but nice spots otherwise.

I actually stayed here for a night -though inadvertently. When I drove in the next night to stay, I noticed that there was a sign up that said "no overnight camping". That being said, I did stay one night and didn't get approached by anyone.

Luckily, there is a large plot of land to the right that is also BLM land that you can stay on. Unfortunately though, several of those sites did have trash on them. And flies. And broken glass. Kinda sketchy. But there were several sites that were fine. Some parts of the road were questionable for cars to drive on, but there's enough road and pullouts where the roads were ok enough to drive on.

Took a minute to find. Not a soul out here on a Wednesday. Very windy, forget using a tent. Not far from town yet remote and quiet.

I didn’t see this but didn’t read all reviews. As you drive down the road the BLM land is clearly identified by the 14 day camping limit signs. You will come to a fence with a cattle guard and when you cross that you are now in National Forest, NO CAMPING on the National Forest side (ask me how I know ;)

Great place to camp if visiting Rio Rancho, Bernalillo and the surrounding area. Super nice camp sites, more than enough room for our 39’ trailer and inexpensive. You are next to the Rio Grande and in walking distance of the Pueblo Kuaua which is cool

We absolutely loved our stay at Ojo Caliente. The entire staff is helpful and kind, especially Danny on the grounds and Annie at the restaurant. We wanted spot 17 but it was booked so we got spot 11, which had some privacy as well. As others have mentioned, the hookups are on the opposite side but they will lend you extensions if you need. All spots have picnic tables. The spots further from sitting have most privacy and are still only a 5 minute walk to entrance (I timed it from our site). The best part is that you get early access to the pools, you'll have them nearly to yourselves 7:30-10am and 20% off admission. Also there is free yoga at 9 or 10:40 for guests and all the instructors were fantastic. The onsite restaurant was good, although we wished they had more than 5 bar seats. Would definitely stay again, so many amenities for the same price as a state park!

This campground is a beast little spot. We were in a water/electric site. No dull hook. Up sites. They are sloped a bit, and the water was on the opposite side of our camper, but we made it work. The spots are large and have a shaded cover in every site. We would stay here again!!

Great location, lots to do nearby. This area was very accessible, in good condition, and tons of available spots, plenty of space between other campers. Felt pretty safe overall.

currently closed so we couldn’t stay. it looks like 50% or more of the trees have been cut down and stacked, perhaps thinning the forest.

Almost made to cell tower and end of road. Road got extremely rough towards end. Turned down 192 and found a spot about 1/4 miles in. 4 bars Verizon .

Nice place to stay. Very responsibly priced. Easy check in. Will definitely be back when passing through.

A bit of a rough drive to the dispersed sites further in, but worth it! Nice, quiet, and saw lots of elk during our stay.