Cochiti Lake

A large campground with easy access to the lake and its associated watersports. If you enjoy the water, this is a good campground to visit.

Campground data:

Maps:

Online from topozone.com Online from terraserver-usa.com Satellite image from terraserver-usa.com USGS Topo Quad 1:24,000 Cochiti Dam USGS Topo Quad 1:100,000 Los Alamos USGS Topo Quad 1:250,000 Albuquerque

Getting to the campground:

From I-25, take the Cochiti Lake exit (NM 22) and follow the signs to the town of Cochiti Lake and the Pueblo de Cochiti golf course. Before you arrive at either of these, you will see the turnoff to the right into the recreation area.

The campground:

	This is an overview of the campground, taken from near where you first enter the recreation area. What you see here is the RV area with electricity; the non-electric campsites are behind the bushes on the right and extending off the right side of the picture.
Here you can see our truck in Site 47 in the non-electricity area. While this site does not have one, several sites had nice, level areas where tents could be placed. All of the non-electricity (B-loop) campsites have shelters like this. Only a few of the A-loop (electricity) sites have them.
	Here is a view of the playground in the picnic area, not far from the camping area. And, you can see Cochiti Lake in the background.
Of course, one of the primary reasons for camping here is the water. This photo was taken by Michael Wester. My thanks to him for his permission to use it.

Reader comments about this campground:

On Sun Jul 27 15:57:55 2003 Wanda from G.P.Texas said:
I have been staying here for 6 years in Oct. to go to the Balloon Fiesta in Albuquerque. It is a very nice place to stay. I camp in a tent; mornings are cold but it is pleasant the rest of the day. And so many stars to see !!

On Sat Jun 19 12:57:41 2004 JUDITH SCHMADER from RIO RANCHO N.M. said:
THIS IS THE WORST CAMPGROUND I HAVE EVER BEEN AT....MY REASONS ARE IT WAS BUILT IN THE EARLY 70S AND NO IMPROVEMENTS HAVE BEEN MADE TO IT SINCE....FOR EXAMPLE ELECTRIC CONNECTION BOXES ARE JUST TO FAR FROM YOUR RV WHEN EXPECTED TO STAY ON YOUR BLACKTOP PARKING AREA. MANY DO NOT REACH YOUR RV....WATER YOU NEED 75 TO 100FT HOSE WHO CARRIES ONE OF THESE AROUND??

THE RV SITES MOST OF THEM ARE ON A CLIFF SO WHEN YOU STEP OUT OF YOUR RV IT IS VERY DANGEROUS AND TREACHEROUS EXPECIALLY FOR ANYONE DISABLED. OF WHICH I SHALL BE FIRING A LETTER OFF TO THE DISABELITY BRANCH. PLUS A FEW OTHER LETTERS.

A SEWARGE PLANT IS ALREADY UNDER CONSTRUCTION THERE AND WIND WHEN BLOWS JUST RIGHT WELL NEED I EXPLAIN IS ONE!!

CAMPGROUND HOSTS WERE VERY UNATTENDATIVE IN THIS SITUTATION AND WHEN TELLING THEM I COULD NOT GET OUT OF RV EXCEPT FOR FALLING OFF A CLIFF....CAMPGROUND HOSTS TRIED BUT TO NO ADVAIL TO GET AHOLD OF A RANGER SO THEY SAID.

THIS WAS MY FIRST TRIP TO COCHITI AND SHALL BE MY LAST AND WOULD NOT RECOMMEND THIS CAMPGROUND TO ANYONE...IN ORDER FOR OUR ELECTRIC TO REACH WE PARKED ON GRAVEL AREA .....AND WERE TOLD WE COULD NOT DO THIS AND PARKING ON BLACKTOP AREA OUR ELECTRIC WOULD NOT REACH WITHOUT FALLING DOWN A CLIFF... WE THEN MOVED TO A GRAVEL AREA WITH OUT A CLIFF AND NO ELECTRIC.....

IT IS ON BMI LAND AND IS RUN BY THE ALBUQUERQUE DISTRICT CORPS OF ENGINEERS.....I SHALL AND WILL BE IN CONTACT FOR DISCRIMINATION AGAINST A DISABALED.

NOT LIVING FAR FROM HOME WE LEFT THE NEXT DAY. I DID NOT EXPECT A HANDICAP AREA BUT JUST ONE THAT A DISABLED PERSON COULD WALK IN AND OUT OF THE RV OF WHICH I COULD NOT ....BUT A CLIFF TO GET IN AND OUT OF RV....AND STILL HAVE ELECTRIC. WE MY HUSBAND AND MYSELF ARE NOT OLD PEOPLE BUT IT WAS JUST TO DANGEROUS A PLACE. THEY NEED TO IMPROVE THIS CAMPGROUND OR CLOSE IT DOWN.

ALSO OUR CAMPGROUND HOSTS SAID THEY WERE UNHAPPY WITH THIS CAMPGROUND. MY QUESTION TO THEM WHY ARE THEY DOING IT THEN??

On Wed Jun 23 11:10:39 2004 Anonymous from Somewhere said:
do you have mushrooms out there?

On Fri Jun 25 09:47:54 2004 Anonymous from Albuquerque NM said:
Yes we have mushrooms but we have even more stupid New Yorkers living in Rio Rathole which I think may explain the SPECIAL COMMENTS ABOUT COCHITI LAKE.

Sorry I have no sympathy for people who think camping is driving a 30 foot RV into a parking lot and watching movies on their DVD while talking with friends on their cellphone and eating microwave popcorn.

On Sat Jun 26 11:53:45 2004 Anonymous from Australia said:
I love it! My dogs love it too.

On Sat Jun 26 11:54:53 2004 Anonymous from Somewhere said:
great place to sleep.

On Sun Jun 27 11:21:20 2004 Anonymous from Somewhere said:
I guess the anonymous from Albuq. thinks everyone drives a 30 ft rv and all who live in Rio Rancho are from NYC....

On Fri Oct 1 18:58:16 2004 Anonymous from Albuquerque NM said:
We camped accross the lake at the Tetilla Peak area. It was clean and quiet. We had a great site overlooking the lake. It was a very nice drive down to the park. We give it a thumbs up.

On Thu Feb 10 19:49:43 2005 Happy with Cochiti from Albuquerque NM said:
We stayed at Cochiti Lake for 3 days in September 04. It was a very pleasant experience and we thoroughly enjoyed our stay and cant wait to go back. The park attendants were extremely nice and very helpful. We drove across the lake to the other campground and it was barren. This would have been our choice by far.

On Wed Mar 2 15:29:44 2005 Great outdoors from Egipt said:
We enjoyed the campground a lot. Everything was very clean warm water for this time of the year. Isolated beautiful wild life but also with easy access to groceries and bigger towns. Our jeep was the best tool to explore the Jemez and the pictures we took up there showed the lake and the mountains around it. I WANT TO BUY A HOUSE HERE!!!

On Sun Mar 6 13:07:02 2005 Lily from San Luis Obispo CA said:
Thinking about camping here March 18th. Clothing suggestions? Weather conditions? Can you swim in the lake? I've never been to New Mexico before any cool hiking trails nearby? I would appreciate any advice and info!

On Mon Mar 7 09:47:43 2005 Webmaster from Albuquerque said:

Lily I'd love to respond personally but unfortunately you did not give me any contact information. Try the general suggestion form as one way of getting in contact.

Spring in NM is wind season but March may be early enough to avoid the wind. The weather can be anywhere from snowing to pleasantly warm so pack clothes that can be layered.

A beach is south of the boat ramp, and I have seen swimmers and windsurfers there.

As for your question about nearby hikes, check out the hikes section of ExploreNM.com.

On Thu May 5 06:00:34 2005 Environmental Planner from NM said:
Well, it seems a lot of complaints are thrown at us. First of all, this is a primitive campsite, it is for camping, i.e. tents, or campers, or lay on the grounders. It is not a hotel. Camping requires some effort, unless you are just lazy. By the way, to the person who complained about having to carry a 75'-100' hose to hook up her trailer so she could drink, they are about $9.99 at WalMart and will fit in a WalMart sack, tough I know. For those who are handicap, I understand your situation, but, it is not discrimination. Discrimination is purposely withholding an opportunity due to race, religion, color, sex. No one is purposely withholding anything from you.

Either you want to camp, or hang out in a trailer. Make your choice. If you expect a roll out ramp and red carpet, go somewhere else. You can't please everyone, especially the middle age crowd who has nothing better to do than complain about every damn thing on earth and write letters saying someone is withholding something from them.

We do have free tissue, you need to use it.

On Thu May 12 16:17:02 2005 Robert from La Mesa, California said:
Cochiti Lake is truely a beautiful area and a super spot to camp. Motorhomes and all. We travel a lot by Motorhome and havent had any problems at Cochiti Lake. I was sorry so hear some bash the lake so badly but on the other hand glad to see all the positives. I understand some peoples expectations are unrealistic. But go with the flow and youll enjoy life more and certainly be happier. We want to live at Cochiti Lake some day too. And are planning on it.

On Thu May 12 21:48:52 2005 Mark Fowler from Newbury Park,CA said:
I dont have a comment specifically. But we plan on staying at Tetilla Peak CG for 2 nights in October for the balloon fiesta and as a stayover while we travel to Tennessee. Has anyone stayed at Tetilla Peak? Can someone give me more info? Do I need 100 water hose My wife is semidisabled. That being said, we have NEVER expected anything more than what we have been told to expect from campgrounds. We particularly like the StateFederal CGs because we feel its our way of supporting the system, and to be honest, I would rather have it that way. For the most part every StateFederal CG we have stayed at in our deluxe super high dollar popup trailer have been nicer and maintained beyond our expectations.

On Fri May 27 14:50:29 2005 Susie from Moriarty, NM said:
Anyone who does not absolutely LOVE Cochiti Lake should not ever come back. I "discovered" the lake 4 years ago. My husband and I took our honeymoon there. It was so peaceful and quiet. We had a wonderful time. I hope that the negative people that have nothing good to say about the lake, will just stay away and leave us positive people to have all the fun....

On Wed Jul 27 16:18:11 2005 Marc from Albuquerque said:
Nice campground. Facilities were well maintained. Hot in July when we camped but the clouds came in in the afternoon to cool things off and a dip in the lake works too. If you go, do the Tent Rocks hike. Not too far from the campground and really cool if you have never done it.

The only thing I can knock Cochiti for is the fact that it may bee too close to the city. We had several campers around us playing loud music, using fowl language in the presents of childeren, and one couple even got into a fight that required the sheriff to come and regain order. Not a plesent camping experience.

Nice place, but I'll try to get further away from "it all" next time.

On Mon Oct 10 09:05:15 2005 Anonymous from Somewhere said:
Tetilla Peak area is just a wonderful area, quiet, the scenery is just one that cannot be caught in photos. Compared to the other side of the Lake it is the best you will have for relaxing. We have camped there over 14 times this summer and will til it closes end of Oct.

Also might add many improvements are being done there.

Our thanks go out to "Robin" for making our summer there very NICE!!!

Sincerely.
Judy & Bob & 2blackdogs

On Fri Mar 10 10:24:18 2006 Donna from Albuquerque, NM said:
I stayed at Cochiti Lake last weekend and loved it. Very quiet and peaceful. The site was level and the electric post was not too far. I did notice some of them were a bit of a distance from the sites but thats what extension cords are for. I will definitely stay there again and will recommend it to my friends.

On Wed Apr 5 21:40:54 2006 Whistles from NM said:
I plan on taking a trip there in the next few weekends so the kids can go fishing! I cannot believe the comment left by that lady. It is called camping..... I would hate to be stuck next to this woman at a campsite. Can't wait to visit this beautiful place!

On Thu Nov 2 05:40:17 2006 Sally from Albuquerque, NM said:
I spent several days at Cochiti Lake in early September, and liked it so much that I spent my weeklong vacation there later that month. The scenery is beautiful and the facilities were very nice. All the staff that I met were very friendly, and provided very useful information. I plan to return on a regular basis.

On Fri Jun 30 16:43:28 2006, the webmaster said:
Due to repeated attacks (i.e., attempts to add links about Viagra and online casinos) against this specific page, all comments are being manually screened. Go ahead and use the comment form. It will fail, but I will see the comment and get it up as soon as I can (dissertation writing permitting). When the attackers back off, I will re-allow direct addition of comments.

On Wed Mar 28 14:56:33 2007, Mark Jarzemba from Santa Fe, NM said:
We stayed a weekend at Conchiti Lake in late November of 06 and thought it was a really nice, clean place to stay with terrific scenery. We will be heading back for a weekend stay this weekend March 07. Great hiking, fishing and a nice waterfront are all available within a mile or two.

The only two improvements I would suggest keep in mind these are VERY minor points is that the RV sites do have sewer hookups but for most sites there is really no way to get the RV or drain hose to them they are uphill and relatively far from the parking site for the RV. No biggie, just seems like a waste to have them present without the ability to use them.

The second is that there are no fire pits which seems unusual since in most of the RV sites we saw there was very little vegetation, and the sites were mostly rocks. Theres nothing like a roaring fire to end the day with. They do have BBQ grills though.

On Thu May 17 14:40:11 2007, Brian from Rio Rancho, NM said:
I've never camped at Cochiti but can say that it is a favorite place for nearby desert dwelling triathletes to practice open water swimming. Because it is a nowake lake it is safe for that kind of thing, even outside the roped off swim area. The water is also nice, not like some of the recreation lakes that are heavily sued by power boats.

In addition, there are great areas to both run and bike in the immediate vicinity. We have done swims followed by runs and swims followed by bikes...its just an all around great training ground.

On Mon May 21 10:43:50 2007 Cara from Las Cruces, NM said:
I just had to smile and add my own comment about the negative shouted comment at the top because as soon as I read it I knew this must be a great place to tent camp. If RVs don't like it, then it will likely be a more quiet pleasant place to be! We are coming next week and am looking forward to it.

Thanks everyone else for the great advice on where to set up.

On Tue Jun 12 10:09:49 2007 Annita from Rio Rancho, NM said:
We love it there, it is a great place for a day trip to go swimming with the grandkids or to spend the weekend. This is our favorite place to spend Father's Day each year.

On Mon Jun 18 21:06:47 2007 gary from abq nm said:
I have been sailing boats at cochiti for about 30 years. I often stay overnight in my boat. It is a place of beautiful mornings and light breezes, quite, with beautiful sunsets following usual afternoon t-storms passing off the Jemez mountains to the west. it is a great place to swim, walk run bike sail or just kick back and enjoy. There are sometimes deer, always beavers, many different waterfowl at different times of the year, coyotes, and latley turtles and garter snakes have moved in. It is pretty well policed and family friendly. also, one can make a small profit by selling garden hose there. (chortle).

On Thu Jun 28 14:28:10 2007 Anonymous from Albuquerque, NM said:
I haven't heard any comments about the swimming at the lake. Would it be a good place to swim and play in the water, or is it more of just a fishing lake?

On Sat Jul 14 20:57:08 2007 gary from abq nm said:
Cochiti lake is an excellent place to swim. There is a roped off area just for swimming and wading at the SW corner of the dam, with a very gradual dropoff and the army corps has added a few truck-loads of sand for a sandy beach. On the East side (tetilla peak) if you follow the dirt road that turns to the left at the bottom of the boat ramp, you will find several coves and some sandy (narrow) beaches with good swimming etc. There are some shady trees and very green areas of grass and willows along the water's edge. The road winds itself around these coves and forks off here and there and one can find some very private areas. The water is near 80 deg. July and August. They close the area at nightfall but there is overnight camping up towards the top of the boat ramp.

On Mon Jul 16 10:39:26 2007 Pattie from Somewhere said:
Great informational site for someone like me, who's not yet been to Cochiti.

What about fishing license requirements? Will my NM resident license be valid, or do I need "Tribal" license?

On Thu Jul 19 16:44:24 2007 gary from Somewhere said:
You just need a NM fishing--no tribal is needed.

On Sun Aug 26 14:59:22 2007 John from Corrales, NM said:
I had a great time taking various members of my family fishing over the last three weekends. I had just bought an old, small boat recently, and this is the perfect lake to have a nice quiet day of fishing and swimming. I haven't camped here, but from what I could see of the facilities, if you need more than what is offered, you don't know how to camp. Will be coming back again and again. I have perfected catching white bass, and need to learn how to catch whatever else is in there.☺

On Tue Aug 28 14:40:10 2007 Eileen from Salem KY said:
hi everyone; we're planning on moving to the abq area in a year or two. we were wondering if it's permissible to allow dogs to swim in the lake. in all likelihood if we visited it would be after the summer season. our dogs love to swim and retrieve.

thanks

eileen

On Sat Oct 13 09:08:15 2007 Gary from Somewhere said:
hi Eileen--yep, dogs can swim in the lake. a lot of people bring down their dogs, especially on the east side as their are numerous coves and points to swim and throw sticks off of for the dogs to fetch. We were just there yesterday sailing with 2 of our dogs with us. The chiuaya sp. stays out of the water but the rat terrier loves to fetch the sticks.

On Sun Jun 15 11:21:55 2008 Mike from Rio Rancho,NM said:
I'm not from NYC, but the great state of Florida. A co-worker suggested I go up to Cochiti, and thats just what I'm going to do. It sounds like a real nice place, I hope there are no complainers like that poor woman at the top of the page. Got plenty of those in Florida.

On Tue Jul 1 18:07:33 2008 Brandy from Belen, NM said:
My family and I were thinking about going the Lake during the 4th of July weekend. I was wondering are you allowed to camp with tents next to the water or do you have to be on one of the designated spots for tents? Also are you allowed to bring your own fire pits for late night fires?

On Wed Jul 2 18:37:40 2008 Anonymous from Los Lunas NM said:
Our family went on June 27-29 and it was our first time. It was very nice,clean, and very friendly people. I would definatly recommend going to someone who asks where's a good place to go camping. The kids really enjoyed the swimming area and watching the boat docking.

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