Vista Linda Campground

Star4.21
122 reviews
Vista Linda Campground

Quick Facts

Price

Varies

Booking

First-Come

Sites

13 campsites

Season

Year-round

Cell

Unknown

Pets

Not Allowed

Opens Jemez Ranger District Office site

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Vista Linda Campground
No fees available
Campsite Fees
Standard Site Fee$0.00
Hookup Site Fee$0.00
Premium Site Fee$0.00
Hike and Bike Site Fee$0.00
Group Site Fee$0.00
Food Storage Locker Fee$0.00
Total Campsite Fees$0.00

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Recreation Dot Gov
Provider
575-829-3535

What Campers Say

4.21

Satisfactory

Based on 122 reviews

111 Google reviews

Most mentioned

viewspeacefulcleanfriendly

"Reviews are overwhelmingly positive, consistently praising Vista Linda as a beautiful, peaceful, and very clean campground with excellent river and mountain scenery. Campers highlight great value for the low nightly fee, easy access to fishing and hiking, and friendly, attentive camp hosts. Many describe it as ideal for short getaways, overnights, and family trips."

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About Vista Linda Campground

Tucked into a scenic basin along San Diego Canyon, Vista Linda Campground offers an intimate first-come, first-served escape in the heart of Jemez National Recreation Area. With the Jemez River flowing nearby and towering redrock mesas framing cottonwood groves, this small campground delivers the perfect blend of convenience and natural beauty—complete with modern amenities and some of the darkest skies in New Mexico.
A developed, first-come/first-served campground in the Jemez National Recreation Area with thirteen sites and basic amenities (potable water, vault toilets).
Natural Features and SceneryImagine waking to the gentle rustle of cottonwood leaves and the distant murmur of the Jemez River, all while surrounded by the dramatic amphitheater of San Diego Canyon's redrock and sandstone mesas. The vibrant cottonwood bosque creates a ribbon of green that contrasts beautifully with the rust-colored cliffs, while the river offers peaceful fishing spots just steps from your campsite. When night falls, the canyon walls seem to cradle the sky, revealing a spectacular celestial show that makes Vista Linda a stargazer's dream—far from city lights, the Milky Way stretches overhead in breathtaking clarity.
Geological RegionNestled within San Diego Canyon in the Jemez National Recreation Area, Vista Linda sits amid ancient redrock and sandstone mesas that tell millions of years of geological history. These layered formations, sculpted by time and the elements, create a stunning natural backdrop that shifts in color throughout the day—from soft morning pinks to deep amber at sunset.
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Campsite details

Sites SizeThirteen sites throughout the campground.
Sites PrivacySites with shade features are available; not all sites provide shade.
Total Campsites13 campsites
Recommended CampsitesEach campsite includes a picnic table, fire ring, and charcoal pedestal; some sites include shade features but not all—choose accordingly on arrival.

Best Campsites

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Reserving a campsite

Tents
Tents are not allowed
RV vehicles
RV vehicles are not allowed
Primitive
Primitive are not allowed
Reservable
Reservations are not allowed

Site layoutThirteen sites dispersed throughout the campground; each site has a picnic table, fire ring, and charcoal pedestal; some sites have shade features.
Walk-in AvailabilityFirst come, first serve (sites are not reservable).

Amenities available

Potable water
Fire rings
Picnic tables
Vault toilets

Activities you can enjoy

Vista Linda offers access to a variety of Jemez National Recreation Area activities including scenic driving, day-use picnic areas, fishing along the Jemez River, and trail access. The site is noted for good stargazing on cloudless nights.
Hiking
The campground is a short drive from multiple access points to Trail 137 and other trails in the Jemez National Recreation Area.
Fishing
The Jemez River runs parallel to the campground and provides ample fishing access for campers.
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Campground rules

  • Pets are not allowed
  • Each campsite is equipped with a fire ring and a charcoal pedestal (specific fire restrictions or seasonal bans not provided).

Hazards


Weather at Vista Linda Campground

44
°F
Dec 11
Thursday
Clear sky
Precipitation: 0%
Humidity: 51%
Wind: 8.1 mph
Clear sky

Weather History
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Good to know

Proximity to water featuresThe Jemez River runs parallel to the campground and provides ample fishing access.

Campground Map

Vista Linda Campground
Brief drive from developed day-use sites on the NM-4 corridor; short drive to multiple access points to Trail 137.
Nearby places
Jemez Springs (adjacent/south of campground)
Los Alamos (nearby)
Santa Fe (approximately a two-hour drive)

Reviews from booking and map sources

4.2
122 reviews
Satisfactory
Satisfactory
Vista Linda Campground is satisfactory, placing it in the bottom 60% of campgrounds based on reviews
Reviews are overwhelmingly positive, consistently praising Vista Linda as a beautiful, peaceful, and very clean campground with excellent river and mountain scenery. Campers highlight great value for the low nightly fee, easy access to fishing and hiking, and friendly, attentive camp hosts. Many describe it as ideal for short getaways, overnights, and family trips.
Review Summaries
Based on 122 reviews

What Campers Love

Campers love the spectacular views of the Jemez River, surrounding canyon, and mountains, plus the peaceful atmosphere and great stargazing. Easy access to the river/creek for fishing and relaxing is...
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Based on 122 reviews

Common Concerns

The main recurring limitation is lack of hookups: no water or electric hook-ups and no dump station, with water only seasonally available. Some mention that the pit/vault toilets can be unpleasant or...
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Based on 122 reviews

Pro Tips & Recommendations

Multiple reviewers advise arriving with full water tanks and understanding there are no hookups or dump station, just seasonal potable water spigots. Bring cash (preferably bills, not coins) for the...
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Based on 122 reviews

Camper Quotes

"Spectacular views along the Jemez River made this a memorable visit. Fishing from your campsite is hard to beat." "Always clean. Great access to the creek. Very laid back and quiet. Great views of...
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Based on 122 reviews

Site-Specific Reviews

Several reviewers note that some campsites have covered picnic tables/canopies that provide good rain and sun protection, while others have little to no shade. One reviewer points out that every site...
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Based on 122 reviews

Accessibility Features

One RV camper with a 33 ft bumper-pull trailer reports “super clean easy access” pulling into the campground, suggesting decent access and maneuverability for mid-sized RVs. Toilets are vault/pit...
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Based on 122 reviews

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Last updated December 10, 2025
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