Rio De Las Vacas Campground, Cuba, NM

Rio De Las Vacas Campground is located in the Cuba Ranger District of the Santa Fe National Forest (1 hr 19 min north of Rio Rancho, NM) with an elevation of 8,249 feet. There are a total of 15 campsites. The campground is normally open from mid May to mid November. Sites can accommodate RVs and trailers between 20 and 60 feet. All sites are currently reservable. There is a fee of $10.00 per night.
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Campsites Available Tonight, Sep 19, 2024 15 FF*

Campsites Available This Weekend, Sep 20, 2024 or Sep 21, 2024 15 FF*

Campsite Reviews (58)

4.8 out of 5

5 star
86%
4 star
10%
3 star
0%
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1 star
3%
@GeneW4862170 · Camped on Aug 18, 2024 at Campsite #9
Fantastic camp host (Joe). Would be nice to have running water
@StaciaS1574375 · Camped on Aug 3, 2024 at Campsite #2
This is my favorite campsite in New Mexico. Love to hang out by the river.
@StephenJ7333B2 · Camped on Jul 22, 2024 at Campsite #8
Beautiful campground. Our tent site #15 was excellent - close to toilet, flat tent pad, well shaded, gorgeous view of the forest and surrounding hills. Joe, the campground host, is outstanding. We will be back.
@LewisL7F926257 · Camped on Jul 7, 2024 at Campsite #4
beautiful well maintained campground
@BarbieG088B2DC · Camped on Jun 30, 2024 at Campsite #3
We loved this campground! Nice to have a river nearby. Large sites and clean toilets (vault toilets, but sooo clean!)
@ThomasS5574085 · Camped on Jun 18, 2024 at Campsite #2
Appreciate the cleanliness and attention given by the host Joe.
@DanielS7047089 · Camped on Jun 7, 2024 at Campsite #8
Very nice and quite camp ground, camp host was AWSOME!!
@DeleseD3DE842A · Camped on Aug 8, 2023 at Campsite #3
When we arrived at the campground, it was closed due to a fire in the area. The campground looked absolutely beautiful and clean!
@DebraK99593178 · Camped on Aug 7, 2023 at Campsite #9
CG closed due to a fire. Was reopened the day after we were told it was being evacuated, so we went elsewhere. Hence, we lost 4 days of camping there
@CharlesS661433 · Camped on Jul 25, 2023 at Campsite #5
Serene, quiet aand peaceful. Cool mountain air. Just what we were looking for.And the Humming Birds put on quite a show. I could watch them for hors, and we did!Excellent host, clean facilities and greenery everywhere!
@RyanH4459660 · Camped on Jul 23, 2023 at Campsite #8
Great campground. Quiet and convenient for San Pedro Parks Wilderness. Joe the camp host is aweseome!
@JamesP3218459 · Camped on Jul 21, 2023 at Campsite #1
Excellent Host.He tried help back parking and many things.
@Christine51679 · Camped on Jul 16, 2023 at Campsite #4
Great camp host!!
@ShelbyO04B12A4 · Camped on Jul 9, 2023 at Campsite #3
Very well maintained campground! Its quiet, gorgeous and peaceful. Joe was very helpful and knowledgeable about the area!
@SandraB1199192 · Camped on Jun 26, 2023 at Campsite #8
The caretaker is amazing! The whole area is extremely clean and the bathrooms as well. It is a beautiful spot
@FrancesGF82E71 · Camped on Jun 5, 2023 at Campsite #7
It was a great campground! Clean, quiet, and host was always making his rounds. However, it was crazy that the tables and fire pits are on the opposite side of the camper trailers. It was frustrating and our only complaint that they were not designed well for trailers. Perfect for tents that can set up anywhere.
@TimothyE3F0A7C · Camped on May 19, 2023 at Campsite #5
Our stay was amazing!! We stayed on site #5. This is probably the most private site. Large pull in. Fit my 26ft camper and truck with tons of room left over. This is probably the cleanest campground I’ve ever been to. The bathrooms were incredibly clean!! The camp host Joe takes great pride in making sure all the guests have a great experience. He makes sure the campground remains a family friendly place where everyone feels safe and welcome. Make sure and thank him for all he does for this campground. He’s an outstanding gentleman. The forest service is incredibly lucky to have a camp host like him!!
@WayneH9910250 · Camped on May 15, 2023 at Campsite #5
All facilities were in excellent shape! And the campground host was outstanding!
@JAMESS8693241 · Camped on May 13, 2023 at Campsite #11
Beautiful wooded area on a small river. Very helpful camp host, but no wood for sale. Not many big rig sites.
@LizG8052856 · Camped on May 12, 2023 at Campsite #6
The host is great! Site is clean and beautiful.
@DJS3187996 · Camped on Sep 9, 2022 at Campsite #7
This was my first experience in a campground, although I have been backpacking and hiking in the Santa Fe National Forest for more than 40 years. The grounds were tidy, and the vault toilets and bear proof trash cans were tended regularly. This was my wife's first camping in NM. And our 6 year old English Bulldog's first camping trip. We all had a great time even though it rained like crazy our 1st night. The site was full for both nights, but it remained relatively quiet with mostly sounds of the occasional dog or families laughing. Each site has a sturdy picnic table, and plenty of room for larger tents and/or pop up shades and parking for RVs. The steel firepits include an internal hinged grate as well as an exterior hinged grill. I suggest aluminum foil or grilling sheets, as the grills are weathered. There is little opportunity for wood foraging in the campground; it was picked clean in late Summer. Some wood can be found along the Hwy 126 etc. I suggest you bring your own or be prepared with and ax or saw. This site includes potable water - bring a funnel with a large mouth that fits your container. The Host, Bill, put one out for the guests, at the hand operated pump, but I can't say it will always be there. Speaking of the Host, Bill was friendly and helpful. We was happy to chat or leave folks on their own. From previous experience, there are usually fish in the Rio De Las Vacas; cutthroat trout for the most part. I did see people going to fish, but I did not see fish because our dog was excited to wade in the water. We did see a number of squirrels and lots of different birds. We had a great time in this campground and we will be back with family and friends. Highly recommended.
@DavidS3927304 · Camped on Sep 5, 2022 at Campsite #1
Campsite was clean and spacious. Camp host was friendly and accommodating. Very peaceful.
@EvitaH9422086 · Camped on Aug 27, 2022 at Campsite #8
I love this campground very clean and comfortable, comfortable getaway
@ADIELS7528278 · Camped on Aug 19, 2022 at Campsite #5
Lovely place, clean bathrooms. This area is one of my favorites to visit. Lots of forest roads to check out.
@RobertG6814422 · Camped on Aug 15, 2022 at Campsite #6
Beautiful setting along the river with plenty of tall pines providing shade. Only 15 camp sites, with most being too close for our taste. Fortunately, our site (#6) was one of the few with more space between us the next camp site. Others we would recommend would be #4 and #5. Number 15 was also spaced apart, but was close to the highway. Ben, the camp host, had plenty of recommendations of nearby sites and scenic drives. He also did a great job of keeping the campground and restrooms clean. The river provided an excellent opportunity to do some fly fishing.

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