Fishing enthusiasts and day hikers will find Rio De Las Vacas Campground positioned along the banks of its namesake river in Cuba, New Mexico. This Forest Service campground operates 15 sites from May through October, with 11 sites available through reservations and four offered first-come, first-served.
The Rio de las Vacas flows directly beside sites 1 through 4, where campers report catching trout. Each developed site includes paved parking, picnic tables, and fire rings, with sites 4 and 11 featuring double tables. Large pines provide overhead cover throughout the campground. Ben W. notes "the stream runs beside sites 1 thru 4. That stream is a river, Rio de las Vacas." A hiking trail begins at site 4, providing access to San Gregorio Lake one mile into the San Pedro Peaks Wilderness.
The campground accommodates RVs up to 42 feet, though reviewers mention the access road can be rough. Two vault toilets serve the area, consistently praised for cleanliness by visitors. Water is available from a well across from site 6. Firewood must be purchased in Cuba, as none is sold on-site. Sites 4 and 5 offer more separation from the main camping area. The $20 daily fee drops to $10 with a senior lifetime pass, making this an affordable base for exploring nearby Clear Creek Campground and the abandoned Eureka Mine.
Description
Overview
Less than two hours from the city of Albuquerque, Rio de las Vacas Campground offers a cool oasis from the New Mexico heat. Visitors delight in the hiking and fishing opportunities available in the shade of the pine covered Jemez Mountains. A few of the campsites have the creek running along them, providing a soothing atmosphere for campers.
Recreation
Local streams and the San Gregorio reservoir provide fishing opportunities for anglers, and hikers will delight in the many hiking opportunities in the nearby San Pedro Parks Wilderness.
Facilities
There are 15 campsites on the campground. Most of the campsites at Rio De Las Vacas come with a paved RV pad, fire rings, picnic table, and tent pads. The campground itself has paved roads, trash bins, vault toilets and a host on site.
Natural Features
The campground is located amid stunning ponderosa pines in close proximity to the Rio de las Vacas. The campground has a beautiful open meadow and scenic views of the surrounding Jemez Mountains. Fall brings migrating birds through the campground and the sounds of elk bugling to impress potential mates.
Nearby Attractions
The San Pedro Parks Wilderness, just north of the Rio de las Vacas Campground, offers easy and scenic day hikes. The minimal grade increases of the trails into the San Pedro Parks make this wilderness an ideal backpacking destination for beginners and experienced backpackers alike. Three main trailheads, the San Gregorio, Palomas and Los Pinos, are within driving distance of the campground.
RV Road Trip Guides
Location
Public CampgroundRio De Las Vacas Campground is located in New Mexico
Directions
From Cuba, New Mexico, travel 11 miles east of Cuba on New Mexico State Highway 126. The campground is located approximately 11 miles from Cuba where lodging, restaurants, and gas stations are available. The campground is approximately a one and a half hour drive from Albuquerque.
Address
PO Box 130
Cuba, NM 87013
Coordinates
35.9966667 N
106.8075 W
Connectivity
T-Mobile is introducing T-Satellite to extend coverage in the outdoors
T-MobileNo Coverage- VerizonNo Coverage
- AT&TNo Coverage
Connectivity
T-Mobile is introducing T-Satellite to extend coverage in the outdoors- T-MobileNo Coverage
- VerizonNo Coverage
- AT&TNo Coverage
Access
- Drive-InPark next to your site
Site Types
- Tent Sites
- RV Sites
- Standard (Tent/RV)
Features
For Campers
- Trash
- Picnic Table
- Reservable
- Drinking Water
- Toilets
- Alcohol
- Pets
- Fires
Drive Time
- 1 hr 36 min from Albuquerque, NM
- 1 hr 54 min from Santa Fe, NM
- 1 hr 58 min from Farmington, NM
- 5 hrs 14 min from Pueblo, CO
