Can you reserve a site at Rio De Las Vacas Campground?

Yes, Rio De Las Vacas Campground is reservable through Recreation.gov.

What is the maximum RV length at Rio De Las Vacas Campground?

42 ft. That is the longest vehicle the sites here are recorded as taking; individual sites may be shorter.

Are pets allowed at Rio De Las Vacas Campground?

Yes, pets are allowed at Rio De Las Vacas Campground.

Are campfires allowed at Rio De Las Vacas Campground?

Campfires are allowed at Rio De Las Vacas Campground. Check for a current fire restriction before you go.

Rio De Las Vacas Campground, New Mexico — 15 sites, fees and cancellation alerts

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.

The facts

Season: May – November — USDA Forest Service, Aug 24, 2026
15 bookable sites
Vehicles up to 42 ft
Up to 5 people per site
Loops: RIO DE LAS VACAS CAMPGROUND

Site types

15 Standard Nonelectric

Amenities

Campfires allowed
Picnic tables
Grills
Shade
Pets allowed

Not recorded upstream: electric hookups, water hookups, sewer hookups, fire pits.

Book on Recreation.gov

15 campsites at Rio De Las Vacas Campground

Check-in 1:00 PM · Check-out 11:00 AM

Site	Loop	Type	Entry	Surface	Grade	Water	Max rig	People
001	RIO DE LAS VACAS CAMPGROUND	Standard Nonelectric	Back In	Paved	Slight	Riverfront	18 ft	5	🐾
002	RIO DE LAS VACAS CAMPGROUND	Standard Nonelectric	Back In	Paved	Slight	Riverfront	20 ft	5	🐾
003	RIO DE LAS VACAS CAMPGROUND	Standard Nonelectric	Back In	Paved	Slight	Riverfront	20 ft	5	🐾
004	RIO DE LAS VACAS CAMPGROUND	Standard Nonelectric	Back In	Paved	Slight	Riverfront	—	5	🐾
005	RIO DE LAS VACAS CAMPGROUND	Standard Nonelectric	Back In	Paved	Slight	—	42 ft	5	🐾
006	RIO DE LAS VACAS CAMPGROUND	Standard Nonelectric	Pull Through	Paved	Slight	—	27 ft	5	🐾
007	RIO DE LAS VACAS CAMPGROUND	Standard Nonelectric	Back In	Paved	Slight	—	37 ft	5	🐾
008	RIO DE LAS VACAS CAMPGROUND	Standard Nonelectric	Back In	Paved	Slight	—	42 ft	5	🐾
009	RIO DE LAS VACAS CAMPGROUND	Standard Nonelectric	Back In	Paved	Slight	—	32 ft	5	🐾
010	RIO DE LAS VACAS CAMPGROUND	Standard Nonelectric	Back In	Paved	Slight	—	37 ft	5	🐾
011	RIO DE LAS VACAS CAMPGROUND	Standard Nonelectric	Back In	Paved	Slight	—	32 ft	5	🐾
012	RIO DE LAS VACAS CAMPGROUND	Standard Nonelectric	Back In	Paved	Slight	—	37 ft	5	🐾
013	RIO DE LAS VACAS CAMPGROUND	Standard Nonelectric	Back In	Paved	Slight	—	22 ft	5	🐾
014	RIO DE LAS VACAS CAMPGROUND	Standard Nonelectric	Back In	Paved	Slight	—	22 ft	5	🐾
015	RIO DE LAS VACAS CAMPGROUND	Standard Nonelectric	Back In	Paved	Slight	—	37 ft	5	🐾

Getting there

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.

35.99667, -106.80750 · 35°59'48.0"N 106°48'27.0"W

Directions (Google Maps) · Directions (Apple Maps)

Typical weather

	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
High °F	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
Low °F	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
Precip in	2.5	2.2	2.3	1.8	1.2	0.7	2.9	2.9	2.0	1.9	1.9	2.4

1991–2020 averages from the nearest NOAA station, 1.3 mi away — not measured at the facility itself, and elevation can make a real difference over that distance.

Map

Common questions about Rio De Las Vacas Campground

Can you reserve a site at Rio De Las Vacas Campground?: Yes, Rio De Las Vacas Campground is reservable through Recreation.gov.
How many campsites does Rio De Las Vacas Campground have?: 15 sites.
What is the maximum RV length at Rio De Las Vacas Campground?: 42 ft. That is the longest vehicle the sites here are recorded as taking; individual sites may be shorter.
Are pets allowed at Rio De Las Vacas Campground?: Yes, pets are allowed at Rio De Las Vacas Campground.
Are campfires allowed at Rio De Las Vacas Campground?: Campfires are allowed at Rio De Las Vacas Campground. Check for a current fire restriction before you go.

Also listed by

Rio De Las Vacas Campground also appears in other federal recreation data. Facts below are matched by name and location, not confirmed by Rio De Las Vacas Campground's operator.

USDA Forest Service — data as of Aug 24, 2026

$10 per night.

USDA Forest Service's own page

Camping near Rio De Las Vacas Campground

Clear Creek Campground (NM) 0.8 mi · Campground · we watch it
Clear Creek Group Campground (NM) 1.1 mi · Campground · we watch it
San Antonio Campground 11.8 mi · Campground · we watch it
Redondo Campground 13.8 mi · Campground · we watch it
Penas Negras #32 4.8 mi · Facility
Seven Springs Picnic Site 8.1 mi · Facility
Rio Puerco Campground 8.5 mi · Campground
Resumidero Camping Area 8.8 mi · Campground
Coyote Canyon Camping Area 11.2 mi · Campground
La Cueva Picnic Site 13.2 mi · Facility
San Diego Canyon Overlook Overlook Site 13.8 mi · Facility
Dark Canyon Fishing Site 14 mi · Facility

Contact

Phone 575-289-3264
Book Recreation.gov

Recreation.gov last updated this record on 2026-02-25.

Rio De Las Vacas Campground