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Places to Camp near Cochiti Lake, NM

The Dyrt is here to help plan your best camping near Cochiti Lake. Cochiti Lake is an adventure-filled destination for those who love the outdoorsy camper lifestyle. But it's also great for those who prefer to spend time near the city, exploring and sightseeing. Ready to plan your adventure? Check out our campgrounds near Cochiti Lake and user-submitted reviews.

Best Camping Sites Near Cochiti Lake, NM (136)

  1. Camper-submitted photo from Cochiti Recreation Area

    1.

    Cochiti Recreation Area

    31 Reviews
    77 Photos
    221 Saves
    Cochiti Lake, New Mexico

    Overview

    Cochiti Recreation Area is located in Sandoval County, New Mexico, within the boundaries of the Pueblo de Cochiti Indian Reservation. The lake offers two public recreation areas: Cochiti on the west side of the lake and Tetilla Peak on the east side. Both sides offer spectacular scenic views of the water and surrounding mountains. The Cochiti Dam is one of the ten largest earth-fill dams in the United States, and also one of the largest in the world. The lake derives its name from the Indian Pueblo on the Cochiti Reservation.

    Recreation

    Our quiet lake is an ideal location for all paddle, wind surfing, and sailing craft. The lake is also a popular fishing spot for species such as bass, crappie, walleye, pike, catfish, sunfish and trout. Cochiti Recreation Area has a popular, family friendly, swim beach Day Use area for public enjoyment. It is a fee area, $5 per vehicle, but the cost is covered by the campsite fee for visitors staying in the campground. Additionally, the Cochiti picnic area has 21 covered picnic sites with a large group site that can be reserved by calling the main office. Cochiti Day Use Areas are open from April 15th to October 15th.

    Facilities

    The campground consists of four loops. Juniper Loop campsites have electric hookups and some have water. Elk Run and Ringtail Loops are non-electric and have community water spigots. All sites in Buffalo Grove Loop have water and electric hookups. The Cochiti boat ramp is open year-round and is accessible by a paved road. The ramp has four concrete lanes for loading and unloading.

    Natural Features

    Cochiti Lake sits at 5,343ft in elevation and is nestled in the foothills of the Jemez Mountains. Our high desert environment is dominated by juniper, pinon trees, and mixed grasslands. There are many opportunities for wildlife viewing. Four osprey nesting platforms have been erected around the lake to provide nesting sites, as well as viewing opportunities. On the east side of the lake, deer, coyote, river otters, rabbits, beavers, and the occasional bear are often sighted.

    Nearby Attractions

    Cochiti Lake is five miles from Tent Rocks National Monument, which has fascinating geological formations.

    • Pets
    • Electric Hookups
    • Phone Service
    • RVs
    • Tents
    • Standard (Tent/RV)

    $20 / night

  2. Camper-submitted photo from Sante Fe National Forest BLM-Road 62 Dispersed
  3. Camper-submitted photo from Juniper Family Campground — Bandelier National Monument

    3.

    Juniper Family Campground — Bandelier National Monument

    26 Reviews
    179 Photos
    297 Saves
    White Rock, New Mexico

    Overview

    Juniper Family Campground is the ideal place to camp on the Pajarito Plateau. Located just inside the main park entrance, the campground is a short drive from the Bandelier Visitor Center, the Frijoles Canyon Shuttle bus system (mid-May to mid-October), and the adjacent towns of Los Alamos and White Rock. Juniper Family Campground is the perfect "home base" to explore the Pajarito Plateau, Jemez Mountains, and all of north central New Mexico!____ Reservations. The campground is divided into 3 loops: Loop A campsites are available year-round as first-come, first serve only. Pay for first-come, first-serve campsites at the self-pay kiosk located at the Juniper Family Campground or in-person at the Bandelier Visitor Center during business hours.____ Loop B campsites are open year-round and are reservable up to 6 months in advance. Some sites may open on shorter booking windows (7 or 14 days in advance or the day of arrival).__ Loop C campsites are open seasonally, March 1 ___ October 31, and are reservable up to 6 months in advance. Some sites may open on shorter booking windows (7 or 14 days in advance).__ You may also book campsite reservations in loops B & C on the day of arrival (subject to availability). HOWEVER, cell service/data is not always reliable in the park and no public WiFi is available. The park highly recommends booking your reservation from the neighboring towns of Los Alamos and White Rock before heading to the park.____ Group campsites (in Loop A) are available by reservation only up to 12 months in advance until the day before arrival (subject to availability). Same day reservations are not available for group campsites.

    Recreation

    Bandelier is home to over 70 miles (113 km) of hiking trails most of which are located within federally designated wilderness. Two trails are accessible directly from Juniper Family Campground. The Frey Trail follows the historic route into Frijoles Canyon and descends down the canyon wall to the Visitor Center and the Main Loop Trail. The Tyuonyi Overlook Trail leaves the amphitheater parking area for a 3/4-mile (1.2 km) hike across the open mesa top to an overlook providing breathtaking views of Frijoles Canyon and of Tyounyi, an ancestral Pueblo village. The Bandelier Visitor Center houses museum exhibits, park film, information and ranger programs, Western National Parks Association sales outlet, and more. Entrance to Frijoles Canyon and the Visitor Center is by shuttle bus only (or by hiking) from mid-May to mid-October. These areas are accesibile by private vehicle outside the shuttle bus period.______ Many other opportunities for recreation and exploring the history and culture of the area are nearby, such as Valles Caldera National Preserve, Manhattan Project National Historical Park, Los Alamos museums, the Jemez District of the Santa Fe National Forest, US Department of Energy public recreation trails, and others around Los Alamos County.____ Rock climbing is prohibited within Bandelier National Monument, however many popular climbs are within a short drive up Route 4 into the Jemez Mountains.

    Facilities

    Juniper Family Campground has 3 camping loops. There is an RV dump station on the road into the campground, however water at the dump station is completely turned off from mid-October to mid-April (campers will not be able to fill water tanks or dump). During the summer months, interpretive programs may be offered during the day at the Visitor Center and in the evening at the campground amphitheater (check with the Visitor Center for program schedule).______ Each loop offers its own comfort station with restrooms and running water and centrally located water spigots with potable water. No hookups are available at any campsites. Shade is limited in most campsites. During the summer months a camp host is present in the campground.____ Individual Campsites Each individual campsite has a paved parking pull in or pull through parking spot. Driveways/pull through size vary by site, many can accommodate larger RVs/trailers. Picnic tables, fire rings with grills, and food lockers are provided at each campsite. There are three camping loops with individual campsites: Group Campsites Group campsites Each group campsite is for tent camping only and has ample space for multiple tents. Only one (1) RV or trailer is permitted per site. Each site can accommodate 10 to 20 campers. Group campsites have picnic tables, fire rings with grills and food lockers.______ Transportation The Frijoles Canyon Shuttle system (mid-May to mid-October) includes a stop at the Amphitheater parking area located in the Juniper Family Campground. You may ride the shuttle free of charge with service into Frijoles Canyon with a stop at the Visitor Center. Private vehicle traffic into Frijoles Canyon is prohibited while the shuttle is in service.__

    Natural Features

    Bandelier National Monument protects over 33,000 acres (13355 ha) of rugged, beautiful canyon and mesa country which features evidence of human presence going back over 11,000 years. Petroglyphs, dwellings carved into the soft rock cliffs, and standing masonry walls pay tribute to the early days of a culture that still survives in the surrounding communities.____ Bandelier National Monument sits at the southern end of the Pajarito (Spanish for little bird) Plateau. The plateau was formed by two eruptions 1.6 and 1.4 million years ago. Home to the Bandelier Wilderness, Bandelier ranges from 5340 ft (1628 m) at the Rio Grande River to the south and 10,199 ft (3109 m) at the summit of Cerro Grande to the north, almost a mile of elevation change in just under 12 miles (19 km). This elevation gradient creates a unique diversity of habitats specific to Northern New Mexico. The diversity of habitats and quick access to water supported a relatively large population of Ancestral Pueblo people. Currently, Pi__on-Juniper woodlands dominate in the southern parts of the park transitioning through ponderosa pine savannahs and forests, finally reaching mixed conifer forests at the highest elevation. Scattered throughout the park are desert grasslands, montane meadows, and riparian areas in the canyon bottoms. Over 70 miles (113 km) of trails at Bandelier climb in and out of deep canyons and cross large flat mesas, showcasing the entire spectrum of volcanic geology and ecosystems found within the park. The park is home to over 55 species of mammals including mule deer, Abert's squirrels, mountain lions, black bears, and 16 species of bats. Reptiles and amphibians of all shapes and sizes can be seen. Birds such as Steller's jays, canyon towhees and mountain chickadees stay year-round, whereas turkey vultures, western tanagers, and black-headed grosbeaks are summer residents.

    contact_info

    This location is unstaffed. To speak with our main office for general information, please call: (505) 672-3861.

    Nearby Attractions

    The town of Los Alamos has shopping, museums, amenities, a movie theater, ice rink, ski hill, and is home to Manhattan Project National Historic Site.____ Nearby Department of Energy and US Forest Service lands provide trails which accommodate pets.__ Valles Caldera National Preserve is 16 miles (26 km) west of Bandelier.____ Jemez Historic Site is 37 miles (60 km) west.__ Pecos National Historical Park is 70 miles (113 km) southeast.____ Santa Fe, 40 miles (64 km) south of the park, is home to the New Mexico state capitol, museums, historic districts, art galleries, food, accomodations, and more.__

    • Pets
    • Fires
    • Phone Service
    • RVs
    • Tents
    • Group

    $50 / night

  4. Camper-submitted photo from Santa Fe Skies RV Park

    4.

    Santa Fe Skies RV Park

    30 Reviews
    91 Photos
    110 Saves
    Santa Fe, New Mexico

    Santa Fe Skies RV Park is family built, owned and operated. It sits on 17 acres overlooking the beautiful mountains of Santa Fe, New Mexico. We are "Big Rig friendly". Fifty five sites are pull-thrus designed to accommodate large motor coaches and travel trailer rigs. All sites are equipped with 20/30/50 amp electrical service. Water and Sewer are available at all pull-thru and almost all back-in sites. We are "pet friendly". Free Wifi is available.

    The RV Park is within a short driving distance to two major shopping malls (one an outlet mall), several restaurants, a large supermarket and other local businesses. We are located just off the scenic Turquoise Trail, which includes the historic Villages of Cerrillos and the artist center of Madrid. It is only a short distance from the 17th Century Spanish Colonial Living History Museum, El Rancho de Las Golondrinas, which was the last overnight stop for travelers coming to Santa Fe on the El Camino Real from Mexico.

    The city of Santa Fe is located at the base of the Sangre de Cristo mountains at an altitude of 7,000 ft. above sea level. (That is 1,500 ft. higher than Denver, Colorado.) Since the Santa Fe Skies RV Park sits on a ridge just outside of town, you get a panoramic view of the entire Santa Fe area! Not only can you see the historic Sangre de Cristo Mountains, where the sunset makes the mountains shine with a red glow in the evening (hence the name "Sangre de Cristo" or "Blood of Christ"), you can also see the Jemez Mountains to the west, and in the south and southwest the Cerrillos Hills, the Ortiz Mountains and the Sandia Peak at the base of which lies the city of Albuquerque.

    • Pets
    • Electric Hookups
    • Phone Service
    • Reservable
    • ADA Access
    • RVs

    $71 - $91 / night

  5. Camper-submitted photo from Jemez Falls Campground

    5.

    Jemez Falls Campground

    26 Reviews
    65 Photos
    371 Saves
    Jemez Springs, New Mexico

    Overview

    Jemez Falls Campground is located in a stunning Ponderosa Pine and forest meadow environment. The campground elevation is 7,880 feet above sea level. Come prepared for warm days and cool nights.__ The Cerro Pelado Area closure prohibits members of the public from entering Trail 137 from access points South of the East Fork Trailhead. Entry is allowed North from the East Fork Trailhead to Las Conchas Trailhead. Please remember that this campground is special. Help keep it clean and beautiful by using the trash dumpsters. Campground has 52 camp sites with picnic table and fire ring. Paved access which allows trailers and RV's up to 40 feet.__ For the 2022 Season of Use, loop 4 sites are non-generator use areas. Loops 1-3 may use generators from 6:00 AM to 10:00 PM. There is paved access from the highway and paved internal roads to individual campsites. There are no RV hook-ups. Drinking water is provided from spigots conveniently located throughout the campground. Vault toilets provide basic sanitation needs. A campground host is on duty.__

    Recreation

    Overnight camping, fishing, and hiking are main attractions. Other recreational activities include outdoor photography and nature viewing. The campground is within the heart of the Jemez National Recreation Area.

    Facilities

    The campground contains 51 overnight tent and RV/trailer campsites. For the 2021 Season of Use loops 3 and 4 sites are non-generator use areas.There is paved access from the highway and paved internal roads to individual campsites. There are no RV hook-ups at the campground. Drinking water is provided from spigots conveniently located throughout the campground. Vault toilets provide basic sanitation needs. A campground host is on duty during the summer camping season.

    Natural Features

    The East Fork Jemez Wild and Scenic River runs close to the campground. The campground is situated on rolling terrain shaded by pines and sunny in open meadows.

    Nearby Attractions

    Jemez Falls, the largest waterfall in the Jemez Mountains, is a half mile hike from the campground. The Valles Caldera National Preserve and Bandelier National Monument are within short driving distance along the Jemez Mountain Trail National Scenic Byway.

    Charges & Cancellations

    • Pets
    • Fires
    • Phone Service
    • RVs
    • Tents
    • Group

    $10 / night

  6. Camper-submitted photo from Santa Fe BLM
  7. Camper-submitted photo from Santa Fe KOA

    7.

    Santa Fe KOA

    26 Reviews
    43 Photos
    63 Saves
    Glorieta, New Mexico

    Ah, this campground is a desert oasis at the end of a busy day. The patio is a delightful resting spot in the shade, where you can watch hummingbirds whiz by. This is your home base as, day by day, you visit the Santa Fe Plaza, San Miguel Mission, Palace of the Governors, Loretto Chapel or Canyon Road, where you'll find many galleries and artists to observe. Summer brings an abundance of festivals to enjoy. And don't forget the wonderful local cuisine! Many restaurants are small family-run establishments, and the recipes handed down through the ages keep getting better. Relax at the campground and plan your next day's activities. Will it be the Rio Grande Gorge or a day touring Native American ruins? Whatever you decide, it will enrich your life. Max pull thru: 65 feet. Your hosts: Larry and Phyllis Pasekoff.

    • Pets
    • Fires
    • Electric Hookups
    • Phone Service
    • Reservable
    • ADA Access
  8. Camper-submitted photo from Vista Linda Campground

    8.

    Vista Linda Campground

    15 Reviews
    63 Photos
    295 Saves
    Jemez Springs, New Mexico

    This popular campground is open year round. The campground is located in the scenic San Diego Canyon, with spectacular red rock canyon and mesa views. Come prepared for warm days and cool nights during the summer months and cold winter temperatures. The Jemez River, adjacent to the campground, offers excellent fishing opportunities (valid State fishing license required) and wildlife viewing. Fishing is best during the Winter months. Uses: Overnight camping, hiking and fishing. Facilities: The campground has 13 units with grills. Amenities include drinking water, paved access and vault toilets. No hook-ups or dump station available. Tents, RV's and trailers up to 40 feet and pull through capability. Special Instructions: Cutting live vegetation is strictly prohibited. Charcoal only in pedestral cooking grills.

    • Pets
    • Fires
    • Electric Hookups
    • ADA Access
    • RVs
    • Tents

    $10 / night

  9. Camper-submitted photo from Rancheros de Santa Fe

    9.

    Rancheros de Santa Fe

    23 Reviews
    57 Photos
    110 Saves
    Eldorado at Santa Fe, New Mexico

    Quiet, wooded camping only minutes from Old Town Santa Fe. Rancheros de Santa Fe is known to visitors from all over the world for its scenic, natural setting. Located on Historic Route 66, adjacent to the Santa Fe Trail, Rancheros de Santa Fe offers a beautiful destination for your visit.

    • Pets
    • Fires
    • Electric Hookups
    • Phone Service
    • Reservable
    • RVs
  10. Camper-submitted photo from Dispersed on 4 - Fenton Lake State Park
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