You don’t have to travel far from home to enjoy camping. There are several camping options within a one-hour drive from the center of Albuquerque.
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If you are new to camping, trying out a campground close to home provides a quick escape just in case things don’t go as smoothly as expected. A campground close to home allows campers of all levels to spend less time in the car and more time camping, making these sites ideal for weekend camping getaways. Here is a list of six campsites you can find in Albuquerque’s backyard.
Isleta Lakes and RV Park (15 minutes)
Getting There: Surprise! If you live in Albuquerque, you are practically already there. This RV park is located in the beautiful Rio Grande Bosque. Take I-25 south to Exit 215, and turn right onto Isleta Lakes Rd.
Amenities: This RV park has 50 and 30-amp full-service RV sites equipped with private grills, Direct TV, and Wifi. No tent or car camping is allowed.
Cost: Starting at $50 per night.
What to Do: This campground is located on two lakes where you can fish with a tribal permit. The lakes are stocked with Rainbow Trout and Channel Catfish. There are picnic facilities and a park store where you can buy bait, tackle, and refreshments. The RV park is next to the Isleta Resort and Casino, which has a championship golf course, spa, and other amenities and entertainment. A shuttle service to and from the casino is provided. The beautiful Isleta Pueblo is located half a mile away from the RV Park.
When to Visit: The campground and fishing area are open year-round.
How to Reserve: Call 505.244.8102.
Website: click here
Albuquerque North/Bernalillo KOA Journey (20 minutes)
Getting There: The Albuquerque North/Bernalillo KOA journey is only a 20-minute drive on I-25 North from downtown Albuquerque.
Amenities: This KOA campground has camping cabins that sleep up to six people, making it a great spot for beginners who don’t have a lot of equipment. They also have tent sites with gravel tent pads, electricity, water, and 50 and 30-amp RV sites. They are pet-friendly and have flushing toilets and showers, a pool, a yard game area, and a playground. Campfires are only allowed in above-ground pits that have a cover (bring your own).
Cost: Fees for this campground range from around $40 per night for tent sites to $68 for RV sites and $80 per night for a cabin rental.
What to Do: This KOA is adjacent to Kaktus Brewery where you can enjoy craft beer and food!
When to Visit: This is a year-round campground, but it does fill up during Balloon Fiesta, so book early if you would like to visit at that time.
How to Reserve: Reserve on the website.
Website: click here
Turquoise Trail Campground and RV Park, Cedar Crest (30 minutes)
Getting There: This campground is another very-close-to-home and very-easy-to-get-to option. Take 1-40 west from Albuquerque and take exit 175 at Tijeras to go north along the beautiful Turquoise Trail National Scenic Byway to Cedar Crest. To add a bit of extra fun to the drive, take exit 170 for NM-333 E/US Rt 66 to experience the Musical Highway!
Amenities: This campground has RV sites for small to large motor homes with full hookup services. Cabins with beds and electricity are also available, and the large studio cabin includes a full bathroom and kitchenette. There are 20 primitive campsites that have tent pads and picnic tables. There is a bathroom and shower facility on site. This campground is pet-friendly, has Wifi, and has propane grills and fire pits available for rent.
Cost: Tent sites are $25 per night, RV sites range from $43-$51 per night, small cabins are $60 per night, and large cabins that have a private bathroom and kitchenette are $115 per night based on two-person occupancy. Additional adults are $5, and additional children are $3.
What to Do: This campground provides easy access to the many trails in the Cibola National Forest as well as the Sandia Peak Ski Area. Next door is Cedar Crest Country Cottage and Stables which offers horseback riding and trail rides. The fun and popular Tinkertown Museum is just three miles away.
When to Visit: This is a year-round campground.
How to Reserve: Call or e-mail to check availability at the Turquoise Trail Campground and RV Park 505.281.2005 or email [email protected].
Website: click here
Manzanita Recreation Zone Dispersed Camping (about 30 minutes)
This camping option is for experienced campers with advanced skills and equipment. Pack in, pack out, bury human waste, and be prepared to follow the principles of “Leave No Trace.” While this type of camping is not for new campers, it does offer a truly unique experience to go completely off-grid and connect with nature.
Getting There: Take I-40 East out of Albuquerque to exit 175 for Tijeras. Continue on NM-337 to the Manzanita Mountains Recreation Zone. This map outlines camping areas for dispersed camping as well as car camping. Dispersed camping is allowed throughout the Manzanita Mountains except at trailheads, and car camping is permitted up to 40 feet from designated centerlines in seven areas. Keep your campsite small and look for sites with no vegetation and existing fire rings.
Amenities: There are no amenities on this site and very limited cell service. Leashed pets are allowed.
Cost: Free. Visitors to Cibola National Forest and Grasslands must display a valid pass at day-use fee sites, but if you’re sticking to a dispersed camping site, you do not need a pass.
What to Do: There are many excellent trails throughout the area, including crest trails which offer a breathtaking view of Albuquerque.
When to Visit: Dispersed camping is open, weather permitting. Come prepared for the elements! Dispersed camping is limited to 14 days.
How to Reserve: No reservations are required. Dispersed camping is first-come, first-served, just be mindful of other campers.
Website: click here
Cochiti Campground (50 minutes)
Getting There: Take I-25 north to Exit 259, just before La Bajada Hill. Enjoy a view of the Cochiti Dam on your way to the campground.
Amenities: This campground allows tents and RVs and has four loops. Buffalo Grove Loop campsites have electricity and water. Juniper Loop campsites have electric hookups and some have water. Elk Run and Ringtail Loops are non-electric and have community water spigots. This campground is pet-friendly and has showers, grills/fire rings, picnic tables, and grills. No alcohol is allowed at this campground.
Cost: Standard, non-electric campsites are $12 per night, and standard, electric campsites are $20 per night. You must reserve Friday and Saturday together as a part of the same reservation.
What to Do: Cochiti Lake is a no-wake lake popular for fishing and swimming. It is a great spot for paddle boarding and windsurfing. The picnic area has 21 covered picnic sites and a large group site that can be reserved by calling the main office. The Cochiti Lake recreation area fee is covered by the camping reservation. The day-use area is open from April 15th to October 15th, but the Cochiti boat ramp is open year round.
Cochit Lake is five miles from Tent Rocks National Monument, an incredible area with cone-like geologic formations managed by the Bureau of Land Management and Pueblo de Cochiti. Trails at the monument include the Cave Loop Trail, an easy 1.2-mile long trail, the Veterans Memorial Trail, a 1-mile wheelchair-accessible loop, and a 1.5-mile Canyon Trail which takes you up into a narrow canyon with a 630-foot climb to the top of the mesa with incredible views of the tent rocks.
At the time of this writing, the site is closed to visitors. For more information on a reopening plan visit their website.
When to Visit: This campground is open from March 1st through November 30th.
How to Reserve: Book through recreation.gov. Booking opens on May 22nd at 8:00 am MDT. Sites on Buffalo Grove Loop on weekends can fill up quickly.
Website: click here
Santa Fe KOA Journey (1 hour)
Getting There: The last and final campground on this list is a full one-hour drive from the center of Albuquerque. Take I-25 North from Albuquerque to Exit 294 to Sleeping Dog Rd. Take Old Las Vegas Highway to the campground.
Amenities: This campground has several pull-through 20/30 and 50/30 amps sites, including sites with pet areas. They also have cabins and tent sites. There are many onsite amenities, including flushing restrooms and showers, Wifi, and a laundry room.
Cost: RV sites average $100 or more, cabins average $86 for a camping cabin or $186 for a deluxe cabin with a bathroom, and $50 for a tent site.
What to Do: This campground provides a great space for all types of campers. It would be a great spot for new campers looking for a quick and easy weekend getaway at a luxury campground. There are many different community areas at this campground, making it an ideal place to camp with friends. A community game room, playground, putting green, basketball hoop, and horseshoes provide ample entertainment right at the site. This campground is also close to the City of Santa Fe, making it an ideal launching site for a fun day trip.
When to Visit: Open year-round.
How to Reserve: Reserve on the website.
Website: click here
Happy Camping!
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