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Established Camping

Overlook Campground

7 Reviews

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CAMPER SUMMARY PRESENTED BY

Overlook Campground, near Santa Fe, New Mexico, is a charming spot that offers stunning views of Santa Cruz Lake and the surrounding mountains. With a handful of sites, it’s perfect for those looking to escape the hustle and bustle while enjoying the great outdoors.

This campground is all about simplicity, featuring picnic tables and fire rings at each site, making it easy to gather around for meals or evening campfires. Visitors have noted the lack of water and electricity, so come prepared with your own supplies. One camper mentioned, “I can’t remember when I’ve seen a better view for less than $10 per night,” highlighting the affordability of this scenic location.

For outdoor activities, the area is great for hiking, biking, and fishing, though access to the lake for boating is a bit of a trek. The nearby North Lake Campground offers water access, but you’ll need a pass to get in. If you’re up for a little adventure, the trails leading down to the lake are worth exploring.

While some sites offer more privacy than others, the overall vibe is peaceful, making it a solid choice for a quiet getaway. Just keep in mind that the road in can be a bit rough, so take it slow if you’re towing anything. Whether you’re pitching a tent or parking your RV, Overlook Campground is a fantastic spot to soak in the beauty of New Mexico.

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Location

Overlook Campground is located in New Mexico

Coordinates

35.96465219 N
105.91854718 W

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Connectivity

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T-Mobile5G
Excellent Coverage
VerizonLTE
Some Coverage
AT&T5G
Excellent Coverage

Detours Nearby

LOCAL FAVORITES PRESENTED BY

Mesa Top Camping

55 min away

Santa Fe Treehouse Camp

56 min away

Drive Time

Presented by

29 min from Santa Fe
1 hr 18 min from Albuquerque
3 hrs 7 min from Farmington
3 hrs 50 min from Pueblo

Connectivity

Presented by

T-Mobile is introducing T-Satellite to extend coverage in the outdoorsLearn More

T-Mobile5G
Excellent Coverage
VerizonLTE
Some Coverage
AT&T5G
Excellent Coverage

Access

Drive-In
Park next to your site

Site Types

Tent Sites
RV Sites
Standard (Tent/RV)
Group

Features

For Campers

ADA Access
Picnic Table
Phone Service
Toilets
Alcohol
Pets
Fires

For Vehicles

Pull-Through Sites

Contact

General Info

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Meghan B.

Legend

Reviewed Mar. 20, 2025

Could not stay

Pulled up and gate was closed and locked, despite nothing online saying it's currently closed. Unfortunate because it looks like a beautiful area.

Month of VisitMarch

Matthew D.

Scout

Reviewed Jun. 22, 2024

Nice small campground of 12 sites

Some sites sit high above, and view Santa Cruz Lake, others don't have the lake view. No water or electricity, one little vault toilet. Some sites have more privacy than others. Over all a nice little campground about a 15 or 20 minute drive to the lake, where no wake boating and fishing happen. No swimming due to potentially dangerous currents.

I think there is some cell service due to the camp's high and unobstructed location.

Site5

Month of VisitJune

Shari G.

Legend

Reviewed Jun. 1, 2024

Quiet with Incredible Views!

I can’t remember when I’ve seen a better view for less than$10 per night. New Mexico, in general, has some of the least expensive camping in the contiguous 48 states. The road in is a little rough in spots, but a pretty short drive along dirt from the pavement.

Backing up the rig to the overview of the lake is something else. Just waiting for the sun to set over the Nacimiento Mountain range is worth the price of admission…what a show! With just a few trees the campground is great for solar power, while still providing shade for cooling off. We also had no problem connecting with Starlink to get some work done and had some LTE in the campground.

Each campsite has a picnic table with shade structure, and a fire ring. The vault toilet was clean and well supplied, but there is no fresh drinking water. Come prepared, because the nearest town (Espanola) with food and water is about 20 minutes or so away.

The area is good for hiking, biking, paddling and getting your fishing grove on, but there’s no easy access to take boats down to the water from the campsite. There is an excellent trail leading down for everyone to enjoy. But the boat launch is on the north end of the lake, in the aptly North Lake Campground. We stayed here for a couple of days in late fall and temperatures were just lovely!

Month of VisitNovember

(11) View All

Jonathan K.

Guide

Reviewed Oct. 7, 2023

BLM campground

Nice views, but no water, fires allowed, but no wood collecting? and cow pies everywhere. They don't say you can't burn them though. Aspens are turning on the mountains, see the pic s, it's Oct. 6.

SiteLots of good sites

Month of VisitOctober

(4) View All

PJ M.

Guide

Reviewed Jul. 5, 2023

Good Option North of Santa Fe

Dirt road leading up to campground was totally drivable but heavily washboarded at the beginning, so be advised if you're towing. Plenty of room for my 25ft travel trailer and larger rigs should be okay as well.

No water, power, or dump station, but there are individual garbage containers at each site. As others have said, you can get water at the North Lake campground, but there's a pass you'll need to buy to get in. I think it was $20 bucks for a year, and gets you access to a few other recreation areas further north.

Seems like a lot of people come to the campground for day use just to hang and look out at the lake. If you're staying long term, I'd avoid the overlook sites as there will be noise and traffic right there.

I stayed at one of the sites around the back which looks out at the mountains - not a bad view.

$9 per day when I was there.

Site9

Month of VisitMay

AdventurousMagpie

Traveler

Reviewed May. 20, 2022

BLM standard with a view

Your basic BLM campground with picnic tables and privies. $9/night self registration. No water at overlook, but there is water available from spigots at the nearby North Lake Campground (currently day-use only), if you get there before 8pm. The road in is winding and rough gravel but likely possible in a 2WD vehicle if it hasn't rained. Some mesquite for shade and privacy, and each campsite has an open roof over the tables. View of Santa Cruz lake is fantastic. No water, no trash, extremely extremely windy when I was there.

Site2

Month of VisitMay

Amelia C.

Traveler

Reviewed Oct. 15, 2021

A little pricey

The view is cool if nothing else. Sites are accommodating for tents and rigs up to 30 or so feet. Trash cans are available, which is nice, as well as fire pits and picnic tables. There is a toilet available, however it's pretty gross. I know out-houses are not always nice but this one is probably the worst I've experienced in the year that we have been living on the road.

Site3

Month of VisitOctober

Frequently Asked Questions

What amenities are available at Overlook Campground?

Overlook Campground offers basic amenities including picnic tables, fire pits, and individual garbage containers at each site. There's a vault toilet available, though it's quite rustic. The campground does not have water, electricity, or dump stations. While wood fires are permitted, there's no wood collecting allowed on site. Water is sometimes available from spigots at the nearby North Lake Campground before 8pm. The standout feature is the exceptional views, particularly from sites positioned above Santa Cruz Lake.

Is there free camping available near Santa Fe at Overlook Campground?

Overlook Campground is not free but very affordable at $9 per night with self-registration. This is a BLM campground that offers great value considering the spectacular views it provides. New Mexico generally has some of the least expensive camping in the contiguous 48 states, making this an economical option for those visiting the Santa Fe area. For truly free camping, you may need to look at other BLM or National Forest dispersed camping areas in the region.

Can RVs stay at Overlook Campground?

Yes, RVs can stay at Overlook Campground. The sites can accommodate rigs up to about 30 feet in length, and there are reports of 25-foot travel trailers fitting comfortably. Larger RVs should also be able to find suitable spots. The dirt road leading to the campground is navigable for RVs but can be rough and washboarded in sections, so drive cautiously, especially when towing. The sites are designed for backing up to take advantage of the views, which works well for RVs wanting to enjoy the scenic overlook.

How far is Overlook Campground from Chimayo, NM?

Overlook Campground is located relatively close to Chimayo, NM. While exact distance isn't specified, the campground's position near Santa Cruz Lake puts it within a reasonable driving distance from Chimayo. The route involves some paved roads followed by a short dirt road section to reach the campground. This makes Overlook Campground a convenient option for visitors exploring the historic village of Chimayo and wanting to experience the natural beauty of northern New Mexico. For precise directions and travel time, check with the BLM office that manages the campground.

Is Santa Cruz Lake good for camping and what activities are available?

Santa Cruz Lake offers excellent camping opportunities with stunning views. The lake is approximately 15-20 minutes from Overlook Campground and supports various activities including no-wake boating and fishing. The surrounding area features beautiful scenery with mountains and aspens that display vibrant colors in the fall. While camping directly at the lake may be limited, the Overlook Campground provides a scenic vantage point above the water. The peaceful setting makes it ideal for outdoor enthusiasts looking for a serene New Mexico camping experience.

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