Established Camping
Cochiti Recreation Area
Cochiti Recreation Area, near Pena Blanca, New Mexico, is a solid choice for campers looking to enjoy the great outdoors with some stunning views. This campground offers a mix of tent and RV sites, many of which come with electric and water hookups, making it convenient for those who want a little comfort while they’re out in nature.
The campground is well laid out with paved driveways and concrete pads, ensuring a smooth setup for your rig. Visitors have noted that the sites in the Ringtail Cat loop offer the best views, especially if you snag one of the spots overlooking Cochiti Lake. The area is known for its beautiful sunrises and sunsets, making it a perfect backdrop for your camping experience.
For those who enjoy a bit of adventure, there’s a boat ramp nearby, and the campground is a great base for exploring local attractions like Bandelier National Monument and the scenic landscapes of the Santa Fe area. Campers have appreciated the clean facilities, including flush toilets and hot showers, which add to the overall comfort of the stay. As one visitor mentioned, “The views at every single spot are amazing,” so you’re in for a treat no matter where you pitch your tent or park your RV.
Description
US Army Corps of Engineers
Cochiti Lake
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.
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.
Location
Cochiti Recreation Area is located in New Mexico
Directions
From Albuquerque, New Mexico, take Interstate 25 north to exit 259. Turn west on State Route 22 and proceed through Pena Blanca to the park office and recreation area.
Address
82 DAM CREST RD
Pena blanca, NM 87041
Coordinates
35.6416667 N
106.325 W
Access
- Drive-InPark next to your site
- Walk-InPark in a lot, walk to your site.
- Boat-InSites accessible by watercraft.
Stay Connected
- WiFiGood
- VerizonGood
- AT&TFair
- T-MobileGood
Site Types
- Tent Sites
- RV Sites
- Standard (Tent/RV)
Features
For Campers
- Market
- Trash
- Picnic Table
- Phone Service
- Reservable
- WiFi
- Drinking Water
- Electric Hookups
- Toilets
- Pets
For Vehicles
- Sanitary Dump
- Water Hookups
- Pull-Through Sites
- 50 Amp Hookups
- Big Rig Friendly