Best Campgrounds near Rio Rancho, NM

I often camp by Diablo Canyon, which has wonderful sunsets and decent off trail hiking.  There's even a cave for those who know where to find it. 

I've also camped down by the river for the access to water for splashing about and cooking, but the area is popular with Mexican families and sometimes attracts a party crowd.

There are plenty of more remote spots off the main gravel road that would be even quieter.  The terrain is juniper and oak, with cottonwoods by the river. 

Temperatures run hot in the summer and freezing in winter, although it is the best choice for winter camping near Santa Fe.   Summers the wife and I most often drive up Artist Road and camp at Big Tesuque or the skiiiway at the top, but we did choose Buckman this summer when thunderstorms pounded the mountains. 

It does take time to drive the gravel road, and there's not much for ordinary folks around Las Campanas, the wealthy housing division between the camping and town.  You might get to Airport Road and Cerrillos under an hour, but getting to the Plaza will take longer. 

Cell service is spotty.

This is such a mixed review. We stayed here the weekend of July 26. We arrived Friday night and found a beautiful campsite on the right side of the entrance with a beautiful view of the canyon below. Watching the sunset over the ridge is breathtaking. We enjoyed our time until Saturday evening right about 8:30 where we were watching the sunset from the ridge. We heard one gunshot, followed by 6 gunshots and the sound of bullets whizzing past us. We immediately ducked behind the car. We had not heard any gunshots the whole day and did not see any hunting areas nearby. Where the sound of the bullets and gunshots were from it felt like someone was shooting directly at our campsite from beside us or in the canyon. We made it to the car and got out to the Hw 4 to flag someone down given that we had no cell service. A man stopped and told us that unfortunately that’s pretty common in the area and it was probably just some drunk assholes and it was not malicious. We were so shaken we could not stay there that night and packed up as quickly as we could. I enjoyed the beauty of this area but would not stay here again after this experience.

It’s bitter sweet - out camping in what was a devastating fire so hot i see burnt stumps but also witnessing the forrest coming back and healing. No longer charred and black, but shrubs have moved in and groves of Aspen are crawling back up and some pines survived to prove shade on some of the turnoffs. Definitely recommend clearance 4wd. It was muddy and rocky after some rains. Spots closer to road are available to cars but i drove back until i didn’t want to cross a mud pit and found a grove of trees to call home while I explore. The speed test of reported on here was starlink, no mobile device.

Pros. went on the 3rd, 4th and 5th of July. Absolute solitude. saw someone else the afternoon of the forth, off in the distance, but it was empty and the view was fantastic. you will pass some logging that has happened at some point, but go beyond that. the view from the ridge is incredible. Cons. if it has rained the access is washed out and mud holes and ruts and mud will require a 4x4. access to the spots we were at were up a short steep ridge, again glad for the 4x4. ground clearance is a must. do not pull to the right, short road that will take you to the bottom of the restroom overlook off the main road. went to the left at first and did not find any good spots but had fun in the mud, the best spots are to the center, on the right hand side. you cant see them from the trial, you only see small trails going up. my opinion is just past the logging then to your right. perfect trees to camp and hang your hammock. cant wait to go back. Also, its going to get colder than you think at night. bring a fleece or warm jacket at the least.