← CampSage🗺️ MapPro
🔔 Get an alert

Rio De Las Vacas Campground

Santa Fe National Forest

🏕️ CampgroundBandelier / Los AlamosNew Mexico⭐ 4.6 (116)
Rio De Las Vacas Campground
🟢 9 open windows right now — soonest Sun Aug 30–Wed Sep 2
Availability checked 4h ago · changes fast, verify before you drive
📈 CampSage caught 8 cancellations here in the last 7 days — set an alert below to catch the next one.
Book / check availability →🧭 Directions
💡 In short

Rio De Las Vacas Campground in New Mexico has 9 open booking windows on Recreation.gov right now, the soonest Sun Aug 30–Wed Sep 2. Reserve directly through the booking link above — cancellations go fast. To catch future openings the instant they appear, set a free CampSage cancellation alert.

📅 Open dates
Sun Aug 30 – Wed Sep 23 nightsbook these dates →👥 8 in a row, RIO DE LAS VACAS CAMPGROUND #008–RIO DE LAS VACAS CAMPGROUND #015 next to each othersites #001, #008, #009, #010, #011, #012, #013, #014, #015
Sun Aug 30 – Tue Sep 12 nightsbook these dates →opened 4h agosites #005
Tue Sep 1 – Fri Sep 43 nightsbook these dates →sites #004
Fri Sep 11 – Mon Sep 143 nights🗓 weekendbook these dates →👥 3 in a row, RIO DE LAS VACAS CAMPGROUND #008–RIO DE LAS VACAS CAMPGROUND #010 next to each othersites #008, #009, #010, #012, #013, #015
Mon Sep 7 – Thu Sep 103 nightsbook these dates →👥 RIO DE LAS VACAS CAMPGROUND #002 & RIO DE LAS VACAS CAMPGROUND #003 next to each othersites #002, #003, #007
Mon Sep 7 – Wed Sep 92 nightsbook these dates →opened 4h agosites #006
Fri Sep 18 – Mon Sep 213 nights🗓 weekendbook these dates →👥 RIO DE LAS VACAS CAMPGROUND #006 & RIO DE LAS VACAS CAMPGROUND #007 next to each othersites #002, #006, #007, #014
Fri Sep 25 – Mon Sep 283 nights🗓 weekendbook these dates →sites #001, #003, #005, #011

📷 What these sites look like

Photos of sites that are open right now, from recreation.gov. Angles vary by park — usually the site and its parking pad.

Campsite RIO DE LAS VACAS CAMPGROUND #001 — Site 1 in the shade of conifers.
Site RIO DE LAS VACAS CAMPGROUND #001 · Site 1 in the shade of conifers.Forest Service
Campsite RIO DE LAS VACAS CAMPGROUND #008 — Campsite 8 has a sunny meadow, picnic table, and a fire pit.
Site RIO DE LAS VACAS CAMPGROUND #008 · Campsite 8 has a sunny meadow, picnic table, and a fire pit.Forest Service
Campsite RIO DE LAS VACAS CAMPGROUND #009 — Campsite nine provides shade, a fire pit, and a  picnic tabl
Site RIO DE LAS VACAS CAMPGROUND #009 · Campsite nine provides shade, a fire pit, and a picnic tablJanice M Naylor
Campsite RIO DE LAS VACAS CAMPGROUND #010 — Campsite 10 has clear blue skies with a picnic table, fire p
Site RIO DE LAS VACAS CAMPGROUND #010 · Campsite 10 has clear blue skies with a picnic table, fire pForest Service
Campsite RIO DE LAS VACAS CAMPGROUND #011 — Campsite 11 is a double driveway site with two picnic tables
Site RIO DE LAS VACAS CAMPGROUND #011 · Campsite 11 is a double driveway site with two picnic tablesJanice M Naylor
Campsite RIO DE LAS VACAS CAMPGROUND #012 — Campsite 12 is sunny and has an open meadow behind its picni
Site RIO DE LAS VACAS CAMPGROUND #012 · Campsite 12 is sunny and has an open meadow behind its picniForest Service

🔭 Planning further ahead?

We watch the next 60 days closely — that's where cancellations show up. recreation.gov takes bookings out to about February 2027, so there may be 2+ night stays past our window.

📊 How often sites open up here

CampSage's scans caught 25 openings at Rio De Las Vacas Campground over the last 30 days, on 23 separate days, most of them for stays 2–15 days out and the openings typically covered 2–3 nights.

These are the openings our own scans saw — not a figure the booking system publishes. We re-check availability several times a day, so the real number can be higher.

🏕️ About this campground

💵 $20/nightStandard Nonelectric🎒 backcountry🎒 car camping🎒 fishing🎒 hiking🎒 horseback riding

Ratings

4.6★★★★★113 ratings
5★87
4★17
3★4
2★2
1★3
Star ratings from recreation.gov (they don't publish written review text). Read & leave reviews on recreation.gov ↗

📶 Cell coverage camper-reported

T-Mobile0.2/4
Verizon0.1/4
AT&T0.0/4
Sprint retired0.0/4

💡 Insider tips from campers

❓ Rio De Las Vacas Campground FAQ

How do I reserve a campsite at Rio De Las Vacas Campground?

Rio De Las Vacas Campground in New Mexico takes campsite reservations through Recreation.gov. On this page, use the “Book / check availability” button to open the live booking page, see which dates are free, and reserve your site.

How much does it cost to camp at Rio De Las Vacas Campground?

Campsite fees at Rio De Las Vacas Campground run about $20/night, as listed by Recreation.gov. Exact rates vary by site type, number of campers, and season.

How can I get a spot at Rio De Las Vacas Campground when it's fully booked?

Popular campgrounds like Rio De Las Vacas Campground often fill months ahead, but campers cancel every day and those sites reopen for booking. CampSage checks availability for you and sends a free email the instant a cancellation opens — set an alert on this page and you can grab the spot before anyone else.

How often do campsites open up at Rio De Las Vacas Campground?

CampSage's scans caught 25 openings at Rio De Las Vacas Campground over the last 30 days, on 23 separate days, most of them for stays 2–15 days out and the openings typically covered 2–3 nights. These are the openings our own scans saw — not a figure the booking system publishes. We re-check availability several times a day, so the real number can be higher.

Is Rio De Las Vacas Campground a good campground?

Rio De Las Vacas Campground holds an average rating of 4.6/5 from 116 camper ratings on Recreation.gov. The full star breakdown is shown above.

Is there cell service at Rio De Las Vacas Campground?

Of the carriers campers have reported on at Rio De Las Vacas Campground, T-Mobile rates highest at 0.2 out of 5 from 28 reports. See the carrier-by-carrier breakdown above — service can still vary by campsite, terrain, and weather.

Where is Rio De Las Vacas Campground located?

Rio De Las Vacas Campground is located in Bandelier / Los Alamos, New Mexico. Tap “Directions” above for driving directions, or see nearby campgrounds lower on this page.

🔔 Get a free opening alert
We'll email you when a site opens at Rio De Las Vacas Campground.
🎯 Only these dates (optional): to
🌙 Minimum stay (Pro):
Skip the 1-night midweek openings — only hear about stays worth the drive.
👥 Group size (Pro):
Camping with a group? Only hear about openings with that many sites NEXT TO EACH OTHER on the same dates — consecutive numbers in one loop, not just that many free somewhere in the park.
🚫 Skip site types (Pro):


Works where the booking system publishes per-site types (rec.gov campgrounds).
Free email alerts · instant push in the iOS app · unsubscribe anytime

📡 Follow these cancellations

Subscribe in your calendar or RSS reader to get openings here automatically.

📆 iCal feed  ·  📡 RSS feed

Running a camping/RV blog? Embed this widget free →

A live cancellation widget for Rio De Las Vacas Campground that updates itself — free, no account, no API key. The snippet includes a one-line credit under the widget; leaving it in is what keeps this free for everyone, and it tells your readers what they are looking at. Preview it.

Explore

Camping in Santa Fe National ForestEvery campground it managesCampgrounds near Bandelier / Los AlamosNearby areas🌲 National Forest campingSimilar campgrounds

Campgrounds near Rio De Las Vacas Campground · all New Mexico campgrounds →

Clear Creek Campground (Nm)less than a mile away · Bandelier / Los AlamosClear Creek Group Campground (NM)1 mi away · Bandelier / Los AlamosSan Antonio Campground12 mi away · Santa Fe NF / PecosRedondo Campground14 mi away · Santa Fe NF / PecosJemez Falls (Nm) Picnic Area17 mi away · Santa Fe NF / PecosJemez Falls Campground17 mi away · Santa Fe NF / PecosVista Linda Campground20 mi away · Santa Fe NF / PecosPaliza23 mi away · Santa Fe NF / PecosPaliza Group Campground23 mi away · Santa Fe NF / PecosRiana - Abiquiu Lake27 mi away · Santa Fe NF / Pecos
🎒 Gear up for your trip
affiliate
All open campsites · Map · Most-wanted · ✉️ Contact
CampSage is an independent service and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by recreation.gov, ReserveCalifornia, ReserveAmerica, GoingToCamp, UseDirect, Parks Canada, or any park agency. All trademarks are the property of their respective owners. · Terms · API