Cochiti Campground

Star4.22
458 reviews
82 DAM CREST RD, PENA BLANCA, NM, USA, 87041
StargazingSwimmingSummer Destination

Quick Facts

5,343 ft

Price

$15 - $20/night

Booking

Reservable

Sites

80 campsites

Season

Open from March 1 to...

Cell

Unknown

Pets

Very Pet Friendly

RV FriendlyElectricShowers

Opens U.S. Army Corps of Engineers site

Official Website
Get Directions

Real-Time Availability

Select a month, then check for open campsites

January 2026

Real-Time Availability

Select a month, then check for open campsites

January 2026
Cochiti Campground
$15.00 - $20.00 / night
Campsite Fees
Fees range from $15 for non-electric sites to $20 for sites with electric hookups during peak season. Additional reservation fees of $8-$9 apply...
Show more
Standard Site Fee$15.00
Hookup Site Fee$20.00
Premium Site Fee$0.00
Hike and Bike Site Fee$0.00
Group Site Fee$0.00
Food Storage Locker Fee$0.00

Get Notified When Available

We'll monitor this campground and alert you the moment sites become available.

Free with account · Checks every 2 minutes

150,000+ sites monitored · Email, SMS, or in-app notifications

Share this campground
Recreation Dot Gov
Provider
505-465-2557
Help improve this page
See something outdated or incorrect? Let us know!

What Campers Say

4.22

Satisfactory

Based on 458 reviews

243 Google reviews

Most mentioned

viewscleanlakestaff

Some mention

unlevelreservation

"User sentiment is mixed, giving the campground an average rating of 4.08/5. Positive aspects include scenic views, quiet environment, and clean facilities. Negative aspects often involve maintenance issues and unlevel sites."

Read all reviews

Campground Map

82 DAM CREST RD, PENA BLANCA, NM, USA, 87041

Cochiti Campground

82 DAM CREST RD, PENA BLANCA, NM, USA, 87041

Driving directionsFrom Albuquerque, New Mexico, take Interstate 25 north to exit 259. Turn west on State Route 22 and proceed through Pena Blanca to the park office and recreation area.
Accessible via paved roadways from Interstate 25 and State Route 22. Road conditions are suitable for all vehicle types year-round.
Nearby places
Albuquerque (40 miles, approximately 50 minutes), Santa Fe (35 miles, approximately 45 minutes), Los Alamos (45 miles, approximately 1 hour).
Nearby supplies
A gas station with limited food and necessities is available near the campground entrance. Major grocery stores are located in Santa Fe and Albuquerque.

Best Time to Camp at Cochiti Campground

Bask in the glory of high desert camping, where warm, sun-drenched days give way to refreshingly cool evenings. The region's signature low precipitation means you'll likely wake to crystal-clear skies and endless visibility—perfect for stargazing adventures and sunrise photography. Peak season brings ideal conditions for outdoor enthusiasts seeking that perfect balance of comfortable temperatures and pristine weather.

Summer(Jun-Aug)
4.0 / 5

Peak season for boating, swimming and paddling; warm days and busy activity but possible crowds.

Fall(Sep-Nov)
4.0 / 5

Milder temperatures and scenic views; tends to be quieter and pleasant for activities.

Best
Spring(Mar-May)
4.0 / 5

Open from March; good weather and access to boating, hiking and wildlife viewing in spring.

Winter(Dec-Feb)
Not recommended

Campground closed for reservations Dec–Feb; limited services and winter activities not noted.

Planning Tips
  • Peak Season: March 1 to November 30.. Book 2-3 months ahead.
  • Operating Season: Open from March 1 to November 30 for reservations. Closed during the off-season for reservations (December 1 to February 28).

About Cochiti Campground

Discover your perfect escape at Cochiti Campground, where four uniquely charming loops await your arrival. Whether you choose the fragrant Juniper loop, the wildlife-rich Elk Run, the playful Ringtail Cat, or the serene Buffalo Grove, you'll find yourself immersed in the natural beauty of the Cochiti Recreation Area. Modern conveniences blend seamlessly with the wilderness experience—enjoy electric and water hookups at select sites, pristine bathroom facilities, and breathtaking panoramic views of the shimmering Cochiti Lake stretching before you.
Cochiti Campground offers tent camping, RV camping with electric and water hookups, and non-electric sites. Loops are divided into Juniper (electric), Elk Run and Ringtail Cat (non-electric), and Buffalo Grove (electric and water).
Advertisement

Best Campsites

Curated by campers, for campers
Reveal picks

Reserving a campsite

Check-in
3:00 PM
Check-out
2:00 PM
Stay Limit
Maximum Consecutive Stay: 14 nights during a single visit.

Amenities available

Showers
Potable water
Electricity hookups
Flush toilets
Dump station
Fire rings

Activities you can enjoy

A wide range of activities is available at Cochiti Campground, including hiking, fishing, paddling, biking, and wildlife viewing. The lake's swim beach is ideal for families during the day-use season (April 15th to October 15th). Wildlife such as deer, coyotes, and river otters are spotted near the eastern side of Cochiti Lake.
HikingUser reviews highlight proximity to Tent Rocks National Monument, which provides fascinating geological formations. "Nice trails" (User Review by Treasa H).
FishingFishing is permitted with species such as bass, crappie, walleye, pike, catfish, sunfish, and trout available. "Great views of the lake" (User Review by Mark S).
SwimmingThe swim beach is family-friendly and open from April 15th to October 15th. Note: Pets are not allowed at swimming areas as per one user review.
BikingNo specific trails are mentioned, but terrain allows for recreational biking.
BoatingBoating activities such as paddling, windsurfing, and sailing are supported. The paved road and concrete lanes make boat launching easy. "Kayaking on the reservoir was beautiful" (User Review by Laurie B).
Wildlife viewingWildlife viewing opportunities include deer, coyotes, river otters, rabbits, beavers, and occasional bears. "Beautiful views from almost any campsite" (User Review by Marjorie R).
Advertisement

Policies & Safety

Hazards & AlertsPotential hazards include wildlife encounters (bears, coyotes), high temperatures during summer, and uneven terrain that may require leveling RVs.

Weather at Cochiti Campground

Reviews

4.2
458 reviews
Satisfactory
Satisfactory
Cochiti Campground is satisfactory, placing it in the bottom 60% of campgrounds based on reviews
User sentiment is mixed, giving the campground an average rating of 4.08/5. Positive aspects include scenic views, quiet environment, and clean facilities. Negative aspects often involve maintenance issues and unlevel sites.
Review Summaries
Based on 458 reviews

What Campers Love

Positive user reviews emphasize cleanliness, tranquility, scenic views of the lake, and helpful staff: "Beautiful campground. Lots of room between sites." (User Review by Richard L).
Based on 458 reviews

Common Concerns

Complaints include maintenance issues like overflowing dumpsters, dirty showers, and closures of restrooms. "Renovated women’s shower has a hose attached to the shower head since the shower head was...
Show more
Based on 458 reviews

Pro Tips & Recommendations

Users recommend bringing a 100-foot hose for Juniper loop water spigots, checking water pressure before connecting, and visiting nearby attractions like Tent Rocks National Monument.
Based on 458 reviews

Seasonal Insights

Peak season (March 1 - November 30) sees higher activity but also maintenance concerns due to crowds. Off-season offers quieter stays with fewer visitors.
Based on 458 reviews

Camper Quotes

"Shower floors were very dirty" (User Review by James V); "Sites are huge" (User Review by Lewis P); "Bathrooms were clean" (User Review by Dennis L).
Based on 458 reviews

Site-Specific Reviews

Site-specific reviews highlight unlevel terrain at Buffalo Grove Loop ("Site was pretty nice" - User Review by James V); scenic views at Ringtail Cat Loop; clean sites at Elk Run Loop.
Based on 458 reviews

Accessibility Features

Accessibility features include handicap-equipped showers but fall short of formal standards. "Campground does not meet accessibility standards" (Authoritative Source).
Based on 458 reviews

Pet-Friendly Features

Pets are allowed at campsites but prohibited at swim beach areas. "While leashed pets are allowed at the campground, they are not allowed at the swimming beach" (User Review by Christopher M).
Based on 458 reviews

0
0 review
1
2
3
4
5

Add your voice to the Outdoorithm community

Been to Cochiti Campground? Your review helps fellow campers discover what makes this place special—and what to expect.


Last updated January 13, 2026
Advertisement

Nearby Campgrounds

Campgrounds you may also like

Popular campgrounds in New Mexico

Campgrounds
Cochiti Lake
Cochiti Campground