USDA Forest Service · New Mexico
Rio de Las Vacas Campground
USDA Forest Service · New Mexico, United States
- 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 - the site map below shows each with its facts and pictures.
Site map
15 numbered sites are mapped one by one on the imagery, with the operator's own facts and pictures for each site where it publishes them. Tap a site to rate it, keep a note and add your own photos; press and hold the map for a pin of your own. Your ratings, notes, pins and photos are kept with the campground on your Saved list, the same list the camping map and the drive page keep.
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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
| Month | Typical high | Typical low | Coldest night | Hottest day | Years with a night below 32°F |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 35° | 20° | 2° | 50° | 11 of 11 |
| February | 39° | 23° | -3° | 53° | 11 of 11 |
| March | 46° | 27° | 11° | 70° | 11 of 11 |
| April | 58° | 34° | 20° | 70° | 9 of 11 |
| May | 67° | 45° | 31° | 78° | 3 of 11 |
| June | 78° | 53° | 44° | 88° | 0 of 11 |
| July | 81° | 58° | 52° | 90° | 0 of 11 |
| August | 78° | 56° | 50° | 85° | 0 of 11 |
| September | 72° | 51° | 33° | 82° | 0 of 11 |
| October | 61° | 40° | 27° | 71° | 4 of 10 |
| November | 51° | 30° | 13° | 63° | 10 of 10 |
| December | 40° | 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.
Trails nearby
- Vacas Trail/San Gregorio Lake Trailhead #51 · 3.1 mi as the crow flies
Continental Divide Nat Scenic 44 mi Hike · Drive there - Palomas Trailhead · 3.3 mi as the crow flies
Palomas 3.6 mi Hike · Drive there
All 227 trails in Santa Fe National Forest
Trailheads the Park Service and the Forest Service map, within 10 miles as the crow flies; each trail's page has its length, climbing and the Service's description.
Nearby campgrounds
- Clear Creek Group Campground (NM) · USDA Forest Service · 1 mi · 1 sites
- Clear Creek Campground (Nm) · USDA Forest Service · 1 mi · 12 sites
- Sandoval County RV Campground · City, County & Regional Parks · 9 mi
- Fenton Lake State Park · New Mexico State Parks · 9 mi · 32 sites
- San Antonio Campground · USDA Forest Service · 12 mi · 30 sites
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.