Rio De Las Vacas Campground

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.

Operator

National Forest

Camping types

RV, Tent

Reservations

Reservable online

Phone

575-289-3264

Amenities

Location

Nearby adventures

Outdoor things to do around Rio De Las Vacas Campground, shown on the map above. Distances are straight-line from the campground, so driving or walking will be longer; trail details are approximate. Confirm access and conditions with the land manager.

Hikes and trailheads

• San Gregorio Lake TrailheadTrailhead · 3.1 mi from campShow on map
• Northwest Rim TrailHike · 9-10 Hours · 11.5 mi from camp

  At 18.6 miles round-trip, the Northwest Rim Trail is ideal for trail runners. National Park Service

  Show on map
• CDT - New Mexico SectionHike · 797.0 mi long · Long-distance trail · 7.7 mi from campShow on map
• San Antonio Mountain TrailHike · 5-6 Hours · 11.7 mi from camp

  The San Antonio Mountain Trail is a strenuous, 11-mile round-trip hike that climbs to the summit of San Antonio Mountain. National Park Service

  Show on map
• Take a Self-Guided Geology Tour of Sulphur SpringsHike · 1-2 Hours · 12.3 mi from camp

  This self-guided geology tour in the National Park Service smartphone app leads hikers to Sulphur Springs, a unique geothermal area at Valles Caldera National Preserve. National Park Service

  Show on map
• Hike to Sulphur SpringsHike · 30-60 Minutes · 12.3 mi from camp

  Sulphur Springs—a site bubbling with geothermal activity—is accessed via a 1-mile (1.6-km) round-trip hike on the Sulphur Creek Trail. National Park Service

  Show on map

Mountain biking

• Great Divide Mountain Bike RouteBike ride · 2,766.5 mi long · Long-distance trail · 1.7 mi from camp

  A long distance touring route from Banff, Alberta to Antelope Wells, New Mexico. OpenStreetMap

  Show on map
• Bike the Alamo Canyon to Valle Seco LassoBike ride · 4-6 Hours · 14.3 mi from camp

  The Alamo Canyon to Valle Seco Lasso is a 13.5-mile bike route through the western portion of Valles Caldera National Preserve. National Park Service

  Show on map
• Bike the Redondo Foothills LoopBike ride · 2-3 Hours · 18.3 mi from camp

  The Redondo Foothills Loop is a moderately strenuous, 9.5-mile bike route beginning in the Cabin District. National Park Service

  Show on map
• Bike the Valle Grande LoopBike ride · 3-5 Hours · 19.8 mi from camp

  This bike route loops around Valle Grande, providing spectacular views along the entire route. National Park Service

  Show on map

Scenic sights

• Deer MountainPeak · 9,275 ft · 1.4 mi from campShow on map
• Blue Bird MesaPeak · 9,291 ft · 2.0 mi from campShow on map
• San Antonio Hot SpringHot spring · 10.0 mi from campShow on map
• Spence Hot SpringHot spring · 14.2 mi from campShow on map
• Hot Springs CaveCave · 15.7 mi from campShow on map

Climbing and snow sports

• Ski the Cerro La Jara LoopSkiing and snowshoeing · 1-2 Hours · 20.1 mi from camp

  This 1.5-mile (2.4 km) ski loop circles Cerro La Jara, the smallest volcanic dome in the park, which formed about 500,000 years ago when lava oozed up and onto the caldera floor. National Park Service

  Show on map

Trail and sight data: OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL) and National Park Service.

Reviews

Data sources

• Recreation.gov (RIDB) — Public domain (U.S. Government work)
• OpenStreetMap — ODbL 1.0 — © OpenStreetMap contributors

Listing details come from the sources above and may be out of date. Confirm fees, dates and closures with the operator before you travel.