Ribera is an ideal place for camping adventures of all kinds. Discover secluded campsites where you can reconnect with nature. Or maybe you like to bring your family and friends along. Either way, there are Ribera campgrounds just for you. Find the best campgrounds near Ribera, NM. Read helpful reviews and tips to find the perfect camping option for you and your crew.
$15 - $30 / night
"A little off the beaten path but was worth it. Each campsite had a picnic area some even had shelters over them! The lower campground was right next to the river (very high when we were there)."
"The drive to this park takes us back in time through the tiny town of Villanueva. Once through the gates I was amazed at the fast flowing Pecos River right next to the tree shaded sites. A gem."
$45 - $75 / night
"It is off the highway but nice and secluded. Pretty location and outside of Las Vegas, NM. It isn’t a five star because the sites are pretty close together"
"4/5/2021 Right off the highway. One of the nicer KOA's we have stayed at in the Southwest."
"It is located in the foothills so it is not out in the hot windy flatlands or the cool woods. It is close to but not in or near SantaFe."
"Stayed here for a week with the family close to Santa Fe and Pecos national forest. Managers very friendly and can be quite entertaining if you hang around for a bit."
$20 / night
"They also close the main bathroom/shower, there are port-o-lets outside next to them."
"This state park has nice views of the lake and mountains. The sun sets with a blaze in the sky. We stayed in the electric campground."
"Just a short drive to the outskirts of Santa Fe in mountain country we found our campground, Rancheros de Santa Fe."
"If you have a big rig or tow a car, you can drive around the loop instead of trying to make the turn to go back out by the front of the office."
$71 - $91 / night
"This campground will be rated as a Basecamp — grounds that offer a comfortable home base that you’re happy to return to after a day of exploring the surrounding area."
"There is art scattered around the property as well as along the walking paths. The sunsets are amazing all within just 5 to 10 minutes from town."
$8 / night
"Very well maintained campground that is remote enough to get away but close to town in case you need something. Weather was great and the surrounding trails were beautiful!"
"The road up from Montezuma/Las Vegas is very winding and sometimes close to one lane, but we had no problems when there was oncoming traffic."
$25 - $300 / night
"I fell in love with New Mexico's wilderness many years ago with it's sparse dry landscape and sagebrush, and the wide open starry skies at night."
"A bonus is that they are situated far enough away from Santa Fe to have quiet starry nights yet close enough to enjoy all that Santa Fe has to offer."
"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. "
"Wide open space to pick your spot next to a Juniper or two.
Hardly anyone here, just the coyotes howling. Appreciated access to a pit toilet."
RangerStopped on my way thru NM. Bathroom/shower facilities are great! Most sites have a covered picnic table and grill. There is a playground for kids and dumping station. It’s about a 7 mile drive from Int 40.
TravelerGreat camp sites with beautiful views! Had such a wonderful Labor Day weekend. Game warden was nice and respectful. Shout out to Debra who works for the campground. She was super helpful. Unable to follow hiking trail completely- I believe it's grown up.
3G phone service with Verizon, was able to make phone calls only.
TravelerEverything is online now did realize that the fishing was bad but still a great place to go and relax
GuideStopped for the night on our way through NM. Short drive off hwy 40. Arrived after hours and all the sites at the Juniper camp were open (Sunday in August). We chose J11. Nice view of the lake. There is a bit of trash around the site though 😕 Used the envelope at the pay station to pay. Have cash and a pen handy. The sites at Juniper could not be reserved online. They were “walk in” only.
GuideWe stayed here just a few nights when we first started our journey. It's a nice little park, and we LOVED the hiking trails in the back! The bathrooms and laundry room were very clean and well kept. The pool and "game room" were also nice. The area we stayed in was clearly for people just staying a few days. One thing I appreciated was the use of hedges to hide the neighboring sewer and hookups. Sites are close, so this helps. It is pretty tight in there, so maneuvering can be challenging if you have a bigger rig. But overall it was a nice place to stay.
GuideIt's an older campground, quite small but a very welcome overnight stop. I guess my biggest complaint is dirt/dusty driveway. The site is very long and very level and plenty acceptable in width. No septic at my site(#1), but they doo have a pull up dump station. Our 50amp service had very good voltage at 117.9vac with both our a/c units running on high. Only reason for 4 stars was dusty driveway. Oh, o e more thing, the office staff was awesome, very friendly and helpful.
ScoutThe campground is closed, even though the gate is opened. Looked like there’s been a fire in the area and then probably flooding which would explain all the sandbags around the locked bathrooms.
TravelerI 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.
ScoutBased on the reviews I thought this place would be a cool oasis up in the trees. Alas, it's not. There's a loop with 14 total sites. Unfortunately, at least half the sites in the inner ring are unusable because of road runoff making it tough to get to them, and we have a Toyota Tacoma. As a result, they do not get used and are, therefore, overgrown with New Mexico ground cover, which is not comparable to soft grass. That immediately bumps it down to about 10 sites. When we arrived, there was one site available that we could access. It was behind the main trailhead parking area and completely shaded. All in all, not bad, just not our ideal choice since it's right there close to any and all foot traffic. Luckily, as we walked the rest of the loop to see if there was anything else, a couple was just finishing packing up so we were able to snag their spot (#13), which we felt was the best one. Score!
Now, let's talk the road to get there. Absolutely do not try to take a camper of any size to this campground unless it's a legit overland type tear or squaredrop, ideally with an articulating hitch. People are not kidding when they say that's not a good idea. We had our Tacoma in 4L and I'm honestly not sure how some 2WD vehicles make it. There are many spots where the incline is pretty good, a number of deep crevices as a result of water runoff, many sections that are absolutely one lane only, and at least 6 spots where there was a small pond of standing water to drive through. Were any of the ponds show stoppers, no, but the water in one dip came up past the bottom of our doors. All in all, the road is no joke. Yes, I get this is a forest road, but the road snakes through multiple pieces of residential property (albeit they are probably summer homes but we saw people at almost every house when we drove past), and there's a hiking trailhead at the campground, so I expected it to be not THAT bad. In my book, it's not officially 'offroading' but it's worse than other forest service roads we've been on. Oh, and the couple residents we passed driving in their vehicles (you can tell by looking at them they are not campers or hikers) made it abundantly clear they weren't happy with us being on their road. All in all, nice campground with great trailheads but there are too many other beautiful places to hike and camp in NM for us to want to go back.
Camping near Ribera, New Mexico, offers a mix of beautiful landscapes and unique experiences. Whether you're looking for a peaceful retreat or a base for exploring local attractions, there are several campgrounds to choose from.
Camping near Ribera, New Mexico, offers a variety of experiences for everyone. Whether you're hiking, fishing, or just enjoying the scenery, there's something for every camper.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where can I find camping near Ribera, NM?
Ribera is perfectly positioned to access some of New Mexico's best camping areas. Mora Recreation Area Campground — Pecos Canyon State Park offers beautiful riverside camping along the Mora River, which flows into the Pecos River. Holy Ghost Campground in the Pecos National Forest is another excellent option, offering a peaceful setting and serving as a backup when other sites are booked. Nearby, Villanueva State Park Campground provides drive-in camping with reservable sites and toilet facilities. Most campgrounds in this region are within a short drive of Ribera, making it an ideal base for exploring the northern New Mexico wilderness.
What outdoor activities are available in Ribera, NM?
The Ribera area offers abundant outdoor recreation opportunities. Fishing is exceptional in this region, particularly along the Pecos River near Iron Gate Campground, which serves as a starting point for backpacking adventures. Hiking trails abound throughout the surrounding mountains, with Field Tract Campground providing access to beautiful trails outside Santa Fe. The area features stunning landscapes perfect for photography, especially during sunset at places like Rocky Point Campground. Water activities are available at several nearby lakes, and wildlife viewing opportunities are plentiful throughout the region's diverse ecosystems.
What are the best seasons for camping in Ribera, NM?
Late spring through early fall offers the most reliable camping weather in Ribera. Summer brings afternoon rain showers that help cool the otherwise warm days, especially at higher elevations near Jack's Creek Campground. Be aware that winter camping can be challenging, as noted at Hyde Memorial State Park Campground, which receives snow and is in a known ski area. July temperatures are surprisingly comfortable at higher elevations, with pleasant days and cool nights. Fall brings spectacular foliage and fewer crowds, making September-October an excellent time to visit. Check local conditions before planning winter camping, as many sites may be inaccessible or closed during the colder months.
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