San Antonio Riverine Park, near Bosque Del Apache, New Mexico, is a free camping spot that offers a unique experience for those looking to connect with nature. It’s a bit rough around the edges, but it’s close to the stunning wildlife refuge, making it a prime location for birdwatching, especially during migration seasons.

The area features a few campsites with picnic tables and some fire pits, although fires aren’t allowed. Visitors have noted that the sites are loosely defined and can be tricky to navigate, especially with larger vehicles, but the surrounding cottonwood trees provide a nice backdrop and some shade. As one camper mentioned, “Dawn and dusk are something to behold, so get your cameras ready!”

For those who enjoy exploring, there are trails along the riverbank and access roads for walking or biking. While amenities are minimal—no toilets or trash bins—campers appreciate the peaceful atmosphere and the chance to unplug. Just remember to pack out what you bring in! If you’re looking for a quiet spot to rest your head after a day of adventure, this location might just fit the bill.

San Antonio Park is the southernmost park and is adjacent to the Hwy 380 Bridge. This park has 5 tables, 5 grills and is located in a beautifully restored Bosque that is about 60 years old (it dates from the last major flood of the Rio Grande in the 1940’s). San Antonio Elementary School adopted the park in 2007 and uses the park as an outdoor classroom and community service project. The site is also maintained by citizens of San Antonio who use the park for evening strolls along the river. The cottonwood stand was restored by removing the salt cedar, burning the slash and then treating the re-sprouts with herbicide (a common method to control the re-sprouting of salt cedar roots).

San Antonio Riverine Park

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Pulled off the road just to sleep. Picnic tables and fire rings but no fires allowed at this time. Pleasant breezy cottonwood grove. Would stay again on my way thru. 

Good spot for the night

I would not recommend anyone with an rv or travel trailer to use this site. I was hopeful from the one picture that there would be some nice green trees which is hard to find in New Mexico. I arrived there's a steep decline to go into the park. There are a few big pot holes to be weary of. Most of the area looks to be overgrown and most of the trees look dead. I didn't see any budding in early spring and no signs of greenery. It was also very difficult to turn around. I ended up with a few scratches on the travel trailer. 

Overgrown and alot of dead tree branches 

Like the other two reviews noted, the maintenance has long been let go. One little dirt road runs on top of a long berm with the Rio Grande on the right to the east. There is another road that runs parallel and is at a lower level and right on the canal. The road by the canal has a sign that says the road is not maintained. The upper road doesn't have any signs because it's not maintained at all. There seem to be some clearings below the upper dirt road closer to the Rio Grande. I drove down 180 far enough to cross the Rio Grande. It looks like it was really full. This made me think the clearings on the riverbank could flood. Very disappointing so far but at least I haven't seen any other campers. I'll be gone in the morning

Not worth bringing an RV here

Very tall weeds and lots of mosquitos.  It is well protected from wind.  It's free and a good place to crash overnight.

It's free

Really a pretty cool spot that can be warmer than Albuquerque, and especially warmer than Santa Fe. 100% no fire, even smoking banned they claim. May help keep numbers low. Only person I saw appeared to be road construction exploring where the road went (think they were working on Rio grande bridge maybe).
Lots and lots of space in the big trees by the river, but if you look in there at night with a flash light you may notice a lot of spider eyes shining back at you. 
I actually parked right by river, probably not exactly correct spot probably (would be very tight fit with trailer). No spider eyes. Plenty of room for car/truck to turn around. Probably stayed 3 nights total. 
The turn offs from the braised berm down to camp areas can be steep looking, just choose your angle wisely. The roads seem to loop back up to berm after winding through trees, some tighter areas to maneuver around for sure. 
I doubt anyone would give you trouble sleeping on the unpaved road itself opposite side of trees either. Very little traffic. 
Weekends may have some local traffic non overnight traffic too, fishing, skeet shooting, etc. Based on debris around river, and the most traffic I saw was on Sunday (2 -3 trucks at once rather than 1/48hours. 

I’d crash here again for the price. 

 Very Easy Access from Paved Road

We stayed here a few years ago and it was the same sad, uncared for park then as it is now. The grass is overgrown and the fire pits are broken, but it’s free, and right off the main road so it makes for a great place to stop for the night. Would definitely not recommend this place as a destination for a camping trip. 

  

There are maybe 7 or 8 sites here, and a skoolie and a car camper were here when we arrived late afternoon, and a truck camper pulled in after us. The road down into the campground is steep and raggedy, but we did ok (i.e. didn’t scrape) in our 26ft class c. 

  

Good cell service. You can hear road noise but it’s not too bad, it’s not too busy of a road. There are walking paths where you can walk to the river. Mosquitoes / other bugs not bad when we were there in early December. No trash bins and no bathrooms. Please pack out your waste! Park is pretty clean and free from trash, which is so nice to see.

Free and easy

Bosque Del Apache National Wildlife Refuge is a bird nerd’s paradise during the winter.  Snow Geese, Sandhill Cranes, and thousands of others congregate in this wetland wonderland. Here, the Rio Grande pauses on its long winding path to the Gulf of Mexico and allows these waterfowl and other migratory birds a place of rest and safety during their bi-annual migration. It’s an amazing place, but it does not allow camping within the park. 

  

Just a few miles to the north of the visitor’s center, in the quaint hamlet of San Antonio, lies Riverine Park. Slightly difficult to find in the dark and with a steep entrance, the few campsite spots offer visitors a great place close to the National Wildlife Refuge for the night within striking distance of the dawn patrol show (when the flocks take off for the day). Dawn and dusk are something to behold, so get your cameras ready! 

  

The campsites themselves are loosely defined, but a few actually have developed campfire pits and picnic tables. There are no toilets here, but there are lovely facilities in the park itself.  There’s not much room for a trailer longer than 20 feet, but feel free to give it a looksee before committing to the downhill entry point– which is short and steep.  With big cottonwood trees scattered throughout the area, we got some solar charging with our rooftop panels, but needed to move our portable solar panel around to collect a bit more.  Starlink worked well though!

  

In addition to birdwatching there are numerous, unlabeled trails and access roads all along the river bank and the canal for walking, or biking. The opportunities can also be found within the wildlife refuge as well.  Nearby services can be found in San Antonio, Socorro, or Truth or Consequences, NM, with the latter being the biggest town within an hour’s drive.

Photos of San Antonio Riverine Park

Real photos from real campers