USDA Forest Service · New Mexico

Rio de Las Vacas Campground

USDA Forest Service · New Mexico, United States

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Sites
15
Hookups
15 no hookups
Season
May 8 to November 16
Max RV length
42 ft
Drinking water
Yes
Restrooms
Yes
Pets
Yes
Elevation
8,271 ft
Dark sky
Bortle class 1
Cell coverage
T-Mobile none · AT&T none · Verizon none (carriers' 4G LTE filings to the FCC, 2025-12; not measured here)
Access road
RIO LAS VACAS C.G. (NFSR 12H) · bituminous surface treatment · moderate degree of user comfort
Lake
Santa Fe National Forest
Nearest town
Cuba
Address
PO Box 130 , Cuba, NM, 87013
Phone
575-289-3264
Activities
Camping, Fishing, Hiking, Horseback Riding, Hunting

15 numbered sites are mapped one by one - open the site map to pick yours.

About

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.

Weather, month by month

MonthTypical highTypical lowColdest nightHottest dayYears with a night below 32°F
January35°20°2°50°11 of 11
February39°23°-3°53°11 of 11
March46°27°11°70°11 of 11
April58°34°20°70°9 of 11
May67°45°31°78°3 of 11
June78°53°44°88°0 of 11
July81°58°52°90°0 of 11
August78°56°50°85°0 of 11
September72°51°33°82°0 of 11
October61°40°27°71°4 of 10
November51°30°13°63°10 of 10
December40°24°6°52°10 of 10

Mid-month figures from 2016–2026 of daily weather at this spot (ERA5 reanalysis via Open-Meteo, CC BY 4.0), in °F. Typical is the median; coldest and hottest are the extremes seen.

Nearby campgrounds

All public campgrounds in New Mexico · Every state and province · Facts read from the operator 2026-02-25. Confirm fees, rules and current status with the operator before you go.