The Absolute Best Camping Near Albuquerque

Suppose you are visiting Albuquerque for the International Balloon Festival or want to spend time exploring the Old Town Albuquerque with its historic adobe buildings. In that case, there are some amazing campgrounds for you to stay at during your time in Albuquerque, New Mexico. There are modern resort-like campgrounds and primitive tent-only sites to experience desert life at its best. Read on to find out about the absolute best camping near Albuquerque.

1) Albuquerque KOA Journey

On the eastern edge of town is the resort-like Albuquerque KOA with a swimming pool, indoor hot tub, sauna, and mini-golf, all right at the campground. Although it is so close to the city, you will feel like you are camping in nature with spectacular views of the Sandia Mountains. Spend the day exploring the Albuquerque Zoo (including some rare endangered animals like Asian Elephants, Malayan Tigers, and Sumatran Orangutans) or the downtown Old Town area for some shops and restaurants. Then head back to the campground for a pool dip before cooking dinner over your campfire. You can see why this is one of the absolute best places to camp near Albuquerque!

2) Isleta Lakes RV Park

Although much of New Mexico is desert, there are water oasis in some areas like Isleta Lakes, which is just south of downtown Albuquerque. Built around the lake is the Isleta Lakes RV Park and Casino. You can’t go wrong for a mix of casino fun and fine dining, as well as a beautiful RV campground right next to the lake. There are two lakes with a trail that loops around them, great for hiking, biking, or just walking the dog. Isleta Lakes is one of the few places near Albuquerque where you can find excellent fishing, with the lakes stocked with Rainbow Trout in the winter and Channel Catfish in the summer.

The campground has 50 sites for RV’s with full hookups, Direct TV, and free Wi-Fi. While the campground has basic amenities like showers, laundry, and a convenience store, there is also a shuttle to the nearby casino. There is an 18-hole golf course across the street and shopping and restaurants nearby. So much to see and do all in one location!

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3) Cochiti Lake Campground

Another one of the few lakes in Albuquerque is Cochiti Lake on the Rio Grande, just north of downtown. The lake is on the Pueblo de Cochiti Indian Reservation and is open to the public, but you need to make reservations. There is a large sandy swimming beach and a boat ramp for launching your sailboat, windsurf board, or kayaks/canoes/paddle boards.

The Cochiti Campground is on the west side of the lake and has four loops with sites for RV’s and tents. Some of the “Ringtail Cat Loop” sites have lake views! Review the amenities for each loop, with some having water and electricity, others no hookups, and a community water spigot. All sites have a picnic table and grill, but campfires are not allowed. Keep your eye out for one of the ospreys in the park, with four nesting poles built to keep them in the area. There are also beavers, river otters, coyotes, and deer.

4) Turquoise Trail Campground

Near Sandia Peak and the Travertine Falls is a smaller campground for RV’s and tents. They also have a few cabins available for rent. The sites are shaded and have a grassy area with a picnic table and grill. The tent sites are set apart from the RV sites for privacy but are also close to restrooms, hot showers, and a dishwashing station.

You can take a day trip to Sandia Peak, where you can take a hike along the mountains’ trails, or take the famous Sandia Tramway all the way to the top for some amazing views. Get a feel for what it might be like to be an eagle or hawk from the view at the top. For an easier hike, head over to Travertine Falls park, where you can hike the 1.1 mile round trip trail to the waterfall and cave. Another one of the absolute best places to camp near Albuquerque!

5) Coronado Campground

North of downtown on the western banks of the Rio Grande is the Coronado Campground. This campground has a definite New Mexico flare with adobe-like shelters and traditional Native American paintings. It is an “urban campground” with a golf course, restaurants, and shops nearby. You can even walk to the Bosque Brewing Co.

The campground has 23 RV sites, some overlooking the river and a separate tent camping area. The sites do not offer full hookups, but water and electricity are available at the main shelters. There is access to the river for kayaks and canoes (no motorized boats), so you can take a nice float down the river or try fishing. You will likely see Great Blue herons or bald eagles while you peacefully float down the Rio Grande. A way to get away from it all, right near downtown Albuquerque!

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