Whether you're a tent camper, an RVer, or just passing through, Placitas, NM has a lot to offer. Enjoy the scenic camping, fun activities, and sights and sounds of Placitas. You're sure to find the perfect spot for your New Mexico camping adventure.
Welcome to Albuquerque KOA. We have a beautiful campground nestled close to the Sandia Mountains. Whether you are looking for a big rig friendly 80 foot RV sites, cabins , or just tent camping, we are your Albuquerque campground . We have a swimming pool, indoor hot tub, mini golf, playground, horseshoes and a huge park for your pets. We are definitely pet friendly . We are here to help you relax and take care of all your camping needs. There's plenty to do during your camping stay with us. Our KOA is conveniently located near attractions such as the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta , the world's longest aerial Tramway , and we are the closest campground to Expo New Mexico Fairgrounds. The campground is also conveniently located near a variety of restaurants, the aquarium, zoo, multiple museums and the fascinating Old Town shopping district.
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.
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.
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.
Cochiti Lake is five miles from Tent Rocks National Monument, which has fascinating geological formations.
$20 / night
Coronado Campground is conveniently located on Highway 550, just west of Bernalillo along the Rio Grande. A visit to Coronado Campground offers more than a place to set up camp or enjoy a picnic. Relax and take in an unobstructed view of the beautiful Sandia mountains to the east. Experience the quiet mystique of the Rio Grande as it flows gently through the valley below. Enjoy New Mexico's spectacular sunrises, and witness the Sandia's' reflecting light from the setting sun. Tour the adjacent Coronado Historic Site with its Native American artifacts and partially restored adobe patio ruins. All this and more awaits those who stop at Coronado campground, located only 15 miles north of Albuquerque on the Rio Grande in Bernalillo.
Now open to 100% occupancy! NM Safe Certified
Bathroom facilities are limited to only campgrounds guests - limited to a two (2) guest occupancy at any given time. Masks are no longer required at this time for service in the office. Guests who do not adhere to social distancing practices can and will be asked to vacate immediately. Please respect other guests in these unprecedented times. We will continue to practice health safety and sanitize offices and bathrooms accordingly.
$18 - $40 / night
From the KOA website: The campground features a shaded pool (a rarity in the desert) just steps from your Kamping Kabin, tent site or RV pull thru. It's a terrific gathering spot for groups and families with an outdoor covered pavillion, WiFi , playground, volleyball, horseshoes, 2 dog parks, a book exchange, and video rental along with a great gift shop boasting Native American crafts, snacks, drinks, RV supplies and everyday essentials. Catch the new Rail Runner Express in Bernalillo only a mile away (within walking distance) for train excursions to explore downtown Albuquerque, Santa Fe and Belen. The campground also offers easy access to the attractions of New Mexico's two largest cities, as well as to ancient Indian ruins (in Bernalillo), ghost towns, pueblos and all the beauty of the Southwest. Just head West on 550 to highway 4 to the Jemez village where you can swim in the soda damn, soak in the natural hot spring pots and enjoy some of the most beautiful scenery New Mexico has to offer. Step through our secret passage way to the Kaktus brewery where you can enjoy live music, food, and great beer! We are the closest KOA to the World Famous International Hot Air Balloon Fiesta just 9 miles away. Every October the skies are filled with every color, size and shape of balloons. An amazing spectacle youll want to see. No car, thats okay. We have a free shuttle that will take you to the Santa Ana Casino where you can enjoy a fun filled evening of dining, bowling (kid friendly with arcade) and entertainment just minutes away. They will always pick you up for an exhilarating round of world famous golf. Feel like staying in, Pizza Hut and Dominos will always deliver to your campsite. On the weekends, for your enjoyment, free G/PG rated movies are shown in the grassy outdoor covered pavillion where you can purchase snacks and popcorn to add to your viewing pleasure. Our employees number one goal is to make your camping experience carefree and memorable so that you will choose our campground as the place to stay in 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.
$71 - $91 / night
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! The campground is divided into 3 loops: Abert's Squirrel Loop (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. Black Bear Loop (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). Coyote Loop (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 Bandelier. 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.
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.
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.
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.
This location is unstaffed. To speak with our main office for general information, please call: (505) 672-3861.
$50 / night
Welcome to Albuquerque KOA. We have a beautiful campground nestled close to the Sandia Mountains. Whether you are looking for a big rig friendly 80 foot RV sites, cabins , or just tent camping, we are your Albuquerque campground . We have a swimming pool, indoor hot tub, mini golf, playground, horseshoes and a huge park for your pets. We are definitely pet friendly . We are here to help you relax and take care of all your camping needs. There's plenty to do during your camping stay with us. Our KOA is conveniently located near attractions such as the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta , the world's longest aerial Tramway , and we are the closest campground to Expo New Mexico Fairgrounds. The campground is also conveniently located near a variety of restaurants, the aquarium, zoo, multiple museums and the fascinating Old Town shopping district.
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.
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.
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.
Cochiti Lake is five miles from Tent Rocks National Monument, which has fascinating geological formations.
$20 / night
Coronado Campground is conveniently located on Highway 550, just west of Bernalillo along the Rio Grande. A visit to Coronado Campground offers more than a place to set up camp or enjoy a picnic. Relax and take in an unobstructed view of the beautiful Sandia mountains to the east. Experience the quiet mystique of the Rio Grande as it flows gently through the valley below. Enjoy New Mexico's spectacular sunrises, and witness the Sandia's' reflecting light from the setting sun. Tour the adjacent Coronado Historic Site with its Native American artifacts and partially restored adobe patio ruins. All this and more awaits those who stop at Coronado campground, located only 15 miles north of Albuquerque on the Rio Grande in Bernalillo.
Now open to 100% occupancy! NM Safe Certified
Bathroom facilities are limited to only campgrounds guests - limited to a two (2) guest occupancy at any given time. Masks are no longer required at this time for service in the office. Guests who do not adhere to social distancing practices can and will be asked to vacate immediately. Please respect other guests in these unprecedented times. We will continue to practice health safety and sanitize offices and bathrooms accordingly.
$18 - $40 / night
Guide
I will start with the only downside of this site: it is very active with hikers, families, dogs, and photographers. You can expect dozens upwards of a hundred faces a day hiking up here which can be extremely annoying and the car traffic can drive you nuts. That said, for the ease of access, for the beautiful trails, and for the clean amenities I think it is worth it. In the winter right before the ski area opens is your best bet for quiet camping. But in the summer, spring, fall, and during ski season you will have a lot of friendly faces. Again, not bad, but I know some folks are very interested in getting "away" from people while camping. To those I recommend this site for hiking and not staying. Highly recommend for folks who are less physically abled; I developed a heart condition which limits my abilities most days and the ease of access to these sites and close parking is great for someone who wants to be in touch with nature while enduring limiting conditions.
Scout
Stayed here 2 nights and had a great time. This campsite is in a great location to see the falls, and has a good layout. The pit toilets were clean, and well maintained. The camp hosts were very friendly and helpful when we had questions. I’ll definitely be back at some point!
Traveler
When you first arrive to the end of the road and the beginning of the public land - you have the option to go left, straight, or right. The left turn has one semi level campsite with a homemade fire ring but not as much on that left side. The straight route has the most options I found. I drove around for 15 minutes looking for the best spot but didn't see too many pre-cleared "camping spots" from previous travelers. Plenty of places to pull over to camp with a great view.
Incredible scenery, overlooking the valley and mountains in the West, with great sunsets. My first morning I was surrounded by a group of 5 cows grazing. They ended up laying 30 feet from the trailer all morning. Saw one other camper about a mile away.
The gravel roads are really tight for my 27" trailer, manageable but did rub on a couple of trees and shrubs on the drive in. Don't necessarily need a 4WD unless there is bad weather, but a few spots where ground clearance of a regular truck or SUV is important. Pretty isolated from supplies, which is the charm, but come prepared.
Great Starlink location and pretty good cell service (3/4 bars)
GuideDon’t arrive when it’s dark. Not much going on, no fire rings, no wild horses to wake up to. Maybe it was too cold for the horses. No fire rings I saw nonetheless.
Scout
Area is open. There’s some trash right as you come in, but there’s plenty of clean spots not too much further in. Decent spot, though also popular.
Guide
There was a decent amount of snow but the road was easy enough to navigate. I came in from Las Alamos and went in about 7-8 miles. The site I found was amazing. There was a site available right as you pulled in and about 3-4 more half developed sites (fire rings) within a quarter mile walk in. It looks like there’s a bit of an OHV trail leading up the mountain, halfway. From there if you want to reach a peak you do have to bushwhack a bit. This was easily by top 10 dispersed campsites I’ve even been to and will definitely be coming back. Little to no service, roughly an hour 45 minutes from Albuquerque stayed 2 nights.
Guide
This place is about 20-30 minutes outside of Las Alamos. If you go through Santa Fe, you do have to go through a military checkpoint. There was a decent amount of snow, so I didn’t go very far in. I saw plenty of 4x4 trucks making it further than I did. The site was nice, but there was broken glass nearby so be careful. Made a couple of fires, and had a good time. From my site you could see the town below but thankfully it did not impede my view of the stars. I had full service too which was nice.
TravelerMostly residential area until you get to the open space. I didn't make it to the actual coordinates as I took a wrong turn near the end, but there is a ton of open space out here. Easy to get to in 25' RV. Recommend.
TravelerAfter a long drive I found this site to be posted and closed. I’m a newbie so I could be incorrect but check USFS closures.
https://www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/santafe/alerts-notices/?aid=88339
TravelerThis is my second time camping here and it is a perfect hidden gem for campervanning. Road gets a little sketchy at the end but you don’t have to go all the way to the coordinates. Beautiful sunrise and sunset. Wild horses in the area. And, you can clearly see the Milky Way. No light pollution except the beautiful view of the city far away.
ScoutWe spent one night here in our class c while on our trip to Miami and yeah the road is to be taken slow but it was worth it! There is a tiny art gallery on the side of the road!! Check it out!
Guide
Campground is nestled in a bug group of dense pines and only a 15-20 minute drive from Los Alamos. Quite a few hiking trails in the areas to explore the high desert mesas and escape the heat of Albuquerque.
Guide
Solid RV-focused campground. Half under trees and half in the open. Two bathhouses, laundry, and a dog park make this a nice, safe place to spend a couple of days.
Traveler
The place was clean. Our issues were two.
Traveler
We paid $75 for one night and the WiFi was weak and we had no cell service. The place was lovely and the bathrooms were clean and easy to use. It’s located 12 miles out of the city. There is a grocery store near by with a good selection of food and alcohol.
Scout
Drove in very very late at night and was helped in through staff member. Told us everything we needed to know…great 24 hour service.
Scout
Road is easily traversed but would be more comfortable in a truck/suv. Some rough rutted areas after rains when I went. There are plenty of spots to pull of to along the side of the road. Designated areas with fire pits are bit difficult/narrow to get to if you are towing anything.
ScoutTop of New Mexico" near Albuquerque is a fantastic camping spot if you love open spaces and beautiful desert views. The sunsets here are breathtaking, and you might even spot wild horses roaming around. There's plenty of space for tents or RVs, and it's quiet and well-maintained, making it a perfect place to relax and enjoy nature. It can get a little windy, but that just adds to the experience. The road to get there winds through some houses, but once you arrive, you're surrounded by pure nature. also the food is so good, there are many food brands like subway menu who offers quality fast food services.
ScoutAlbuquerque KOA Journey is a great spot for a camping trip, offering clean facilities, kid-friendly amenities, and easy access to nearby attractions. After a day of exploring, treat yourself to Dutch Bros Coffee for a refreshing pick-me-up. Their diverse Dutch Bros menu with prices offers everything from cold brews to blended drinks. For dinner, head over to Cheddar’s Scratch Kitchen. Their Cheddar's menu features hearty, home-cooked meals like ribs, steaks, and gluten-free options, perfect for satisfying any craving after a long day outdoors.
ScoutAlbuquerque is a fantastic destination for camping enthusiasts. With a wide variety of hiking trails and outdoor activities, there’s something for everyone to enjoy. The numerous campgrounds offer various amenities and site types, making it easy to find the perfect spot for your needs. Plus, the stunning scenery ranging from the Sandia Mountains to the Rio Grande provides a breathtaking backdrop for your adventures. If you are looking for an exciting camping experience, Albuquerque is definitely worth a visit wnjoy Cheddars Food at your adventure.
Traveler
Unwisely, we decided to go here in a large RV. DON’T!
Scout
Run down park, not very well maintained at all. The pictures used on their website are very misleading. Their "Recreation Hall" was disgusting. Dirty carpets, paint cans in the sink, just filthy dirty! The bathrooms were very clean at the bath house. The dog park was disgusting with the trash can there overflowing. Very disappointed and will not be staying at this dump again!
Ranger
Stayed in #21. Sites 13 and 30 a!so good but avoid campsites downwind of toilets. No water while we were there. Very nice & helpful host. Several 1st come/1st serve sites but seems to fill up fast. Bathrooms cleanish & well used. Several convenient to back of campground. Trees. Good spot for screen tent.
Guide
This place sufficed due to the need to have somewhere for the night, if we had the chance we’d have gone somewhere else. Massive piles of trash everywhere, sites strewn with people’s leftover garbage from camping there.
Due to its close proximity to the landfill, it was extremely loud during the morning from around 7am onwards.
There was a partial closure banning camping in a section of the landfill, which was incredibly difficult to figure out where we could camp, as the map is not clear at all,
Coyotes at night were really cool.
Overall disappointing but glad we managed somewhere to sleep for the night
Ranger
Well appointed RV park for trailer/RV. Little close to I-40 but sound is not that bad. Picnic table, shade trees, pool, hot tub. Even accept mailing ahead(like Amazon)
Very friendly staff. Great for the balloon fiesta
Guide
Excellent location and views, just need some lo g term resident clean up or eviction at entrance. We stayed for one night. Great set up and next to a brewery/restaurant in wish we would have visited. Clean bathrooms and nice sites.
Legend
If you’re lucky enough to score an RV spot, you’ll love being so close to the balloon fiesta! Wake up to hundreds of balloons right over your rig and walk to the fiesta to enjoy the festivities! VIP west includes 2 tickets into the park for every session. Dry camping only, rally style. Be prepared for generator noise and smells… quiet hours are limited to 10pm-4am
Camping near Placitas, New Mexico, offers a mix of beautiful landscapes and family-friendly activities. Whether you're looking for a cozy spot to pitch a tent or a comfortable RV park, there are plenty of options to explore.
Camping near Placitas, New Mexico, has something for everyone, from families to solo adventurers. Whether you prefer established campgrounds or dispersed sites, you'll find a spot that suits your needs.
Frequently Asked Questions
What camping is available near Placitas, NM?
According to TheDyrt.com, Placitas, NM offers a wide range of camping options, with 113 campgrounds and RV parks near Placitas, NM and 30 free dispersed camping spots.
Which is the most popular campground near Placitas, NM?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Placitas, NM is Albuquerque KOA Journey with a 3.9-star rating from 45 reviews.
Where can I find free dispersed camping near Placitas, NM?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 30 free dispersed camping spots near Placitas, NM.
What parks are near Placitas, NM?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 7 parks near Placitas, NM that allow camping, notably Cibola National Forest and Grasslands and Cochiti Lake.
