Rio De Las Vacas Campground

A photo of facility RIO DE LAS VACAS CAMPGROUND with No Amenities Shown
Fee and Info Signs
Rio de las Vacas Campground Fee Deposit
Rio de las Vacas Campground Site 10
Rio de las Vacas Campground Site 15

Featured amenities

Parking Parking
River Access River Access

Available sites

15 total sites

About Rio De Las Vacas Campground

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.

Seasonal information

2026 (Current year)

2026 Season availability

Current season
Upcoming seasons
Past seasons
Closed periods
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Currently open - Sep 19 to Nov 16

Campground Amenities

Most popular amenities

Parking Parking
River Access River Access
Site Setup and Access

Site Setup and Access

  • Shaded Site
Parking and Transport

Parking and Transport

  • Parking
Water Access

Water Access

  • River Access
Missing information?

Rates, Sites & Availability

Select check-in and check-out dates to see real-time availability for each site.

15 Sites Available

Site
Price
⛺ 001, Loop: RIO DE LAS VACAS CAMPGROUND Tent
Paved · Pet Friendly · Campfire
⛺ 002, Loop: RIO DE LAS VACAS CAMPGROUND Tent
Paved · Pet Friendly · Campfire
⛺ 003, Loop: RIO DE LAS VACAS CAMPGROUND Tent
Paved · Pet Friendly · Campfire
🚐 004, Loop: RIO DE LAS VACAS CAMPGROUND RV
Pet Friendly · Paved · Driveway entry: Back-In
🚐 005, Loop: RIO DE LAS VACAS CAMPGROUND RV
Pet Friendly · Paved · Back-in Site
🚐 006, Loop: RIO DE LAS VACAS CAMPGROUND RV
Pet Friendly · Paved · Driveway entry: Pull-through
🚐 007, Loop: RIO DE LAS VACAS CAMPGROUND RV
Pet Friendly · Paved · Back-in Site
🚐 008, Loop: RIO DE LAS VACAS CAMPGROUND RV
Pet Friendly · Paved · Back-in Site
🚐 009, Loop: RIO DE LAS VACAS CAMPGROUND RV
Pet Friendly · Paved · Back-in Site
🚐 010, Loop: RIO DE LAS VACAS CAMPGROUND RV
Pet Friendly · Paved · Back-in Site
🚐 011, Loop: RIO DE LAS VACAS CAMPGROUND RV
Pet Friendly · Paved · Driveway entry: Back-In
🚐 012, Loop: RIO DE LAS VACAS CAMPGROUND RV
Pet Friendly · Paved · Back-in Site
⛺ 013, Loop: RIO DE LAS VACAS CAMPGROUND Tent
Paved · Pet Friendly · Campfire
⛺ 014, Loop: RIO DE LAS VACAS CAMPGROUND Tent
Paved · Pet Friendly · Campfire
🚐 015, Loop: RIO DE LAS VACAS CAMPGROUND RV
Pet Friendly · Paved · Back-in Site

Reviews (225)

What Guests Are Saying

Rio De Las Vacas Campground is praised for its beautiful setting, recent renovations, and well-maintained sites surrounded by pine trees, offering a peaceful and clean environment. Many visitors appreciated the hiking opportunities and the campground's proximity to Albuquerque. However, some guests experienced issues like bee infestations at specific sites, lack of a campground host, and noise from generators and animals. Overall, it remains a popular choice for families and campers seeking a serene outdoor experience.

Review Summary

4.6
225 reviews
5
78.7%
177
4
13.8%
31
3
2.7%
6
2
2.2%
5
1
2.7%
6

Jared B

Verified

June 29, 2021 • Stayed at: 001, Loop: RIO DE LAS VACAS CAMPGROUND

5

Location was great! Could hear the stream and water rising and falling. Very CLEAN all around, restrooms, no trash! Great for hiking and small animal viewing.

Sheri J

Verified

June 26, 2021 • Stayed at: 009, Loop: RIO DE LAS VACAS CAMPGROUND

4

This is a great place for families and Seniors. It is quite and clean and has lots of nature to explore. There is drinking water and volt toilets. Tents and small trailers work well in this area. No cell reception at these sites so it is a great place to unplug.

Sheri J

Verified

June 26, 2021 • Stayed at: 009, Loop: RIO DE LAS VACAS CAMPGROUND

4

This is a great place for families and Seniors. It is quite and clean and has lots of nature to explore. There is drinking water and volt toilets. Tents and small trailers work well in this area. No cell reception at these sites so it is a great place to unplug.

CHARLES V

Verified

May 26, 2021 • Stayed at: 009, Loop: RIO DE LAS VACAS CAMPGROUND

4

A beautiful campground in the Santa Fe National Forest. Easy access, nice sites. Only one water spigot, and it was a pump type that could not be hooked up to a hose. It took one of us to hold our container while the other person pumped. Come with a full fresh tank and empty black. There is no dump station. There weren't many campers there mid-week; we enjoyed the peace. The park host was very visible and very friendly.

CHARLES V

Verified

May 26, 2021 • Stayed at: 009, Loop: RIO DE LAS VACAS CAMPGROUND

4

A beautiful campground in the Santa Fe National Forest. Easy access, nice sites. Only one water spigot, and it was a pump type that could not be hooked up to a hose. It took one of us to hold our container while the other person pumped. Come with a full fresh tank and empty black. There is no dump station. There weren't many campers there mid-week; we enjoyed the peace. The park host was very visible and very friendly.

RANDY L

Verified

May 24, 2021 • Stayed at: 011, Loop: RIO DE LAS VACAS CAMPGROUND

5

Great camp host

RANDY L

Verified

May 24, 2021 • Stayed at: 011, Loop: RIO DE LAS VACAS CAMPGROUND

5

Great camp host

Michele K

Verified

January 4, 2021 • Stayed at: 003, Loop: RIO DE LAS VACAS CAMPGROUND

5

We loved this campground. We had originally wanted site #4 because it was further away from its neighboring sites but that one turned out to have less shade than site #3. Site #3 also had the best access to the little creek for the kids to play in. Picnic table at site #3 was in the sun at midday but it was perfect the rest of the time and tent was kept well shaded most of the day. The camp host was very friendly and knowledgeable about local activities. The drive the San Gregorio lake trailhead was short and a very nice hike. The restrooms were kept very clean. We have already made reservations for the same site for this coming summer.

Michele K

Verified

January 4, 2021 • Stayed at: 003, Loop: RIO DE LAS VACAS CAMPGROUND

5

We loved this campground. We had originally wanted site #4 because it was further away from its neighboring sites but that one turned out to have less shade than site #3. Site #3 also had the best access to the little creek for the kids to play in. Picnic table at site #3 was in the sun at midday but it was perfect the rest of the time and tent was kept well shaded most of the day. The camp host was very friendly and knowledgeable about local activities. The drive the San Gregorio lake trailhead was short and a very nice hike. The restrooms were kept very clean. We have already made reservations for the same site for this coming summer.

Wayne Q

Verified

December 23, 2020 • Stayed at: 005, Loop: RIO DE LAS VACAS CAMPGROUND

5

Beautiful... will return - bring your family.

Location & Directions for Rio De Las Vacas Campground

Po Box 130, Cuba, NM 87013 United States

Elevation: 2,521 ft

Getting There

<p>From Cuba, New Mexico, travel 11 mi east of Cuba on New Mexico State Highway 126.</p>
<p>The campground is located approximately 11 mi from Cuba where lodging, restaurants, and gas stations are available.</p>
<p>The campground is approximately...

Nearest town

Cuba, NM - 12 mi

About 18 min to downtown

Highway access

The campground is accessible via New Mexico State Highway 126, which connects to Cuba approximately 11 miles to the west.

Policies & Rules

Arrival & departure

Check in time

1PM

Check out time

11AM

Cancellation policy

  • Reservation fees are non-refundable. For campsites, cabins, lookouts, yurts, group sites, and similar stays, we charge a reservation service fee of $8.
  • Standard cancellations usually have a $10 cancellation fee. Customers can generally cancel before the check-in date online.
  • Late cancellation rules differ by stay type.
    • Individual campsites: cancelling after 12:00am local time the day before arrival usually means a $10 cancellation fee plus forfeiting the first night's fee.
    • Cabins, lookouts, and yurts: cancelling less than 14 days before arrival usually means a $10 cancellation fee plus forfeiting the first night's fee.
    • One-night reservations: a late cancellation usually forfeits the full amount paid, up to the total original reservation cost.
  • Modifications are allowed before the cut-off window, but fees depend on the change. Changing to dates completely outside the original reservation dates may trigger a $10 change fee. Extending or shortening a stay that still includes original dates usually has no change fee, though refunds may depend on timing and facility rules. Switching to the same type of campsite for the same dates usually has no change fee, but price differences are charged or refunded.
  • Early departures may or may not be refunded. At certain facilities, partial refunds may be possible if staff can mark the site available for other visitors. No refund is given for a night if the early departure is requested after that day's check-out time.
  • Security deposits are separate. Security deposits may be refunded to the original payment method if the facility is left in acceptable condition, as determined by the property.

Vehicles & parking

  • Online reservations allow for a maximum of two vehicles, including the tow vehicle or RV and one additional vehicle.

Site types & loops

  • ATVs and OHVs are prohibited in the campground; consult Santa Fe National Forest regulations for open trails.

Fires & fuel

  • Fire restrictions may apply; contact the Cuba Ranger Station for details.

Site capacity

  • Check driveway details to ensure your vehicle fits the selected site before reserving.

Safety & rules

  • Quiet hours prohibit amplified music.

Nearby Campgrounds

Nearby destinations


Last updated: October 23, 2026

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Explore Cuba, NM

Population: 462

Nearby city: Rio Rancho, NM

Approx. 51 mi away (straight-line distance)

Elevation: 6,909 ft

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Managed by the USDA Forest Service