Cochiti Campground

$15.00–$20.00/night

82 DAM CREST RD
PENA BLANCA, NM 87041

Notice

No individual sewer hook ups. Communal dump stations only: located in Cochiti Campground entrance, Juniper Loop and Tetilla Campground entrance.

Oct 22, 2026 – Oct 23, 2027

Overview

Cochiti Recreation Area is located in Sandoval County, New Mexico, within the boundaries of the Pueblo de Cochiti Indian Reservation. The lake offers two public recreation areas: Cochiti on the west side of the lake and Tetilla Peak on the east side. Both sides offer spectacular scenic views of the water and surrounding mountains. The Cochiti Dam is one of the ten largest earth-fill dams in the United States, and also one of the largest in the world. The lake derives its name from the Indian Pueblo on the Cochiti Reservation.

Recreation

Our quiet lake is an ideal location for all paddle, wind surfing, and sailing craft. The lake is also a popular fishing spot for species such as bass, crappie, walleye, pike, catfish, sunfish and trout. Cochiti Recreation Area has a popular, family friendly, swim beach Day Use area for public enjoyment. It is a fee area, $5 per vehicle, but the cost is covered by the campsite fee for visitors staying in the campground. Additionally, the Cochiti picnic area has 21 covered picnic sites with a large group site that can be reserved by calling the main office. Cochiti Day Use Areas are open from April 15th to October 15th.

Facilities

The campground consists of four loops. Juniper Loop campsites have electric hookups and some have water. Elk Run and Ringtail Loops are non-electric and have community water spigots. All sites in Buffalo Grove Loop have water and electric hookups. The Cochiti boat ramp is open year-round and is accessible by a paved road. The ramp has four concrete lanes for loading and unloading.

Natural Features

Cochiti Lake sits at 5,343ft in elevation and is nestled in the foothills of the Jemez Mountains. Our high desert environment is dominated by juniper, pinon trees, and mixed grasslands. There are many opportunities for wildlife viewing. Four osprey nesting platforms have been erected around the lake to provide nesting sites, as well as viewing opportunities. On the east side of the lake, deer, coyote, river otters, rabbits, beavers, and the occasional bear are often sighted.

Nearby Attractions

Cochiti Lake is five miles from Tent Rocks National Monument, which has fascinating geological formations.

Camp site features

Across 80 camp sites:

Electric hookups: 48 of 80 sites
Water hookups: 34 of 80 sites
Picnic table: 46 of 80 sites
Pets allowed: all 80 sites
ADA accessible: 11 of 80 sites
Longest RV: 50 ft
Largest party: 7 people
Power up to 50 amps
Equipment: RV, Tent, Trailer

Directions

From 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.

Stay Limit

Check in from 3 PM, check out by 2 PM.

Reviews

763 reviews

5 stars

441

4 stars

185

3 stars

2 stars

1 stars

Russell S

Loop:Ringtail Cat

Site:

Reviewed 8 days ago

We stayed at the campground only one night because of its convenient location to nearby Tent Rocks National Monument. Didn't do too much other than shower and hunker down in the van for a very stormy night. The campground is well maintained and easy to navigate. The ability to take a hot shower was a bonus after 4 days on the road

Mary K

Loop:Buffalo Grove

Site:

Reviewed 9 days ago

Easy to find. Beautiful view.

Drukell T

Loop:Buffalo Grove

Site:

Reviewed 9 days ago

The water stained our white clothes due to its iron content. We forgot to use our filter.

Melissa M

Loop:Ringtail Cat

Site:

Reviewed 11 days ago

This is a great campground with beautiful views of the lake. This campground provides showers/toilet facilities. I really enjoyed the area, but would recommend some attention to cleaning the grounds.

Debbie P

Loop:Buffalo Grove

Site:

Reviewed 14 days ago

This has been the best view of all of our travels. The NM mountains are beautiful and this campground gives you a nice chance to just sit and look at them. The campground is beautiful and peaceful. There is a large gravel area outside your paved campsite. There is a covered concrete pad with a very nice picnic table overlooking the mountains. Actually, our campsite had two. I only have two complaints: 1 -- the shower was horrible; it was semi-clean, but the water temperature was lukewarm and the sprayer was a fan of water that couldn't be adjusted (there was no choice as to whether our hair was getting wet or not). My husband wasn't a fan of the men's shower either. 2 -- we were there for three nights, and we never saw anyone on duty. Other than that, this place was great. I would absolutely return. Next time we will have one of those little pull behind tanks that you can dump, and the shower won't be an issue. We also enjoyed the visitor center. There is a nice exhibit about the river that we enjoyed. If you plan to stay at the lake and not drive back down to any of the towns, make sure to bring all of your supplies. We did not see a grocery store nearby.

Gwyneth S

Loop:Ringtail Cat

Site:

Reviewed 15 days ago

Beautiful place and beautiful campsites! I think the sites are the nicest I’ve seen in NM! I stayed in the no hookups area overlooking the lake. The reason for 4 instead of 5 stars is the poorly attended condition of the comfort station along with the trash scattered EVERYWHERE near the dumpsters. Including very numerous alcohol containers! No alcohol allowed?? REALLY??

Availability

See the Camp Sites section below to find detailed booking availability.

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