Cabin camping near Lindrith, New Mexico offers visitors access to northern New Mexico's Chama River Valley and surrounding high desert terrain. Located at elevations ranging from 6,000-7,500 feet, the area experiences dramatic seasonal temperature variations with summer highs in the 80s dropping to the 50s at night. Winter conditions can be harsh with significant snowfall limiting access to some cabin facilities between November and March.
What to do
Fishing access: Little Creel provides cabin accommodations within steps of the Rio Chama, where guests can fish directly from the property. "Rio Chama river runs right next to the park so you can fish or wade through the creek," notes one visitor to Little Creel.
Hiking opportunities: The red rock landscape surrounding cabins offers hiking trails suitable for varied skill levels. At Riana - Abiquiu Lake, "There are nice trails that you can hike or mountain bike. Some are near cliff edges and not for the beginners," according to one camper.
Historical exploration: Visit nearby museums and historical sites that showcase the area's cultural heritage. "Ghost Ranch has a great museum of paleontology, Dinosaurs and Indians. There is an echo theater close by neat little walk to it the sound carry's & echos," shares a visitor.
Train excursions: The Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad operates seasonally (May-October) near many cabin locations. "Chama is a nice little town that draws train riders from all over to ride The Cumbres and Toltec Scenic Railroad into Colorado," mentions an Andy O. review.
What campers like
River proximity: Many cabins offer direct access to water features. At Chama River RV Park & Cooper's El Vado Ranch, "the Chama river is beautiful with fishing on the property or a short walk to quality waters. Large property, fun to walk, hike and the Chama river is beautiful with fishing on the property."
Spacious camping areas: Cabin grounds typically offer room to spread out. "The spaces are Huge lots of room to roam. Full hookups 50/30amp. No wifi but very good Verizon and AT&T service," notes a camper about Twin Rivers RV Park & Campground.
Cultural workshops: Some properties offer educational programs. At Ghost Ranch, visitors can participate in art workshops and cultural programs inspired by Georgia O'Keeffe's legacy, with one visitor noting it as "an artist paradise. So many beautiful land formations and gorgeous sunsets."
Lakeside settings: Lake-adjacent cabins provide both scenery and recreation options. At Riana - Abiquiu Lake, "Great views of the lake in which you can swim (and boat). Not a lot of shade, unless you snuggle in with a Piñon tree."
What you should know
Seasonal operation: Verify cabin availability before planning trips, especially during shoulder seasons. "The campground is open April 15-Oct 15," notes one review about Riana - Abiquiu Lake.
Alcohol restrictions: Policies vary significantly between properties. At Stone House Lodge, alcohol is not permitted, while other properties like Elkhorn Lodge Chama allow alcohol consumption within cabin areas.
Limited connectivity: Cell service varies by location and carrier. Most cabin properties do not offer WiFi, though Twin Rivers RV Park notes "very good Verizon and AT&T service" despite no WiFi.
Temperature fluctuations: Pack for significant daily temperature changes. "No bugs and the temperature was reasonable in the 80s and cooled down to 60-55 at night. Pack rain gear if you're camping in July/Aug because the monsoon flows up with some pretty good t-storms."
Tips for camping with families
Meal planning options: Some properties offer comprehensive meal plans that can simplify family visits. At Ghost Ranch, "$16 per person per meal but $30 for three meals on a 'meal plan' when you book, and kids eat for free! 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."
Swimming locations: Look for cabins with water access for children during hot months. At Riana - Abiquiu Lake, visitors mention "Great views of the lake in which you can swim (and boat)," making it suitable for families seeking water recreation.
Activity variety: Choose cabins with multiple on-site activities. Ghost Ranch offers "swimming pool and horseback riding. Completely unplanned. It's probably important to know this is not a remote campsite because there's lots of amenities."
Weather preparedness: Summer monsoon season can bring afternoon thunderstorms. "Pack rain gear if you're camping in July/Aug because the monsoon flows up with some pretty good t-storms," advises one visitor to Little Creel.
Tips from RVers
Space selection: When staying at hybrid cabin/RV properties, ask about specific site features. At Little Creel, one RVer cautions: "We stayed in Space 20; which is supposed to have the creek behind it (so we paid more), but there's a bunch of electrical boxes there so you can't see it or access it and there's also a huge manhole sticking up in our space! So don't take Space 20."
Service facilities: Properties often provide additional services beyond lodging. "We had to have a couple tires replaced on our RV and not only were they able to fix us up with new tires at their Chevron Station, but she was able to find a space in their RV Park for a couple of nights," reports a Twin Rivers visitor.
Utility connections: Verify the type of hookups available if bringing an RV alongside cabin rentals. "Full hookups 50/30amp" are available at Twin Rivers, while other properties offer more limited connection options.
