Introduction:
This is a beautiful Army Corps of Engineers campground on Cochiti Lake.
Click here to read about our criteria for campground reviews.
The Basics:
Overall Rating: 4.1/5
Price per night / Discounts: $20 / None
Campground website: Cochiti Campground
Our Site #: 51
Privacy Rating (how spacious and private do the sites feel):
5/5: We were in the new and improved Buffalo Grove loop which offered well spaced and offset sites around an outer loop with decently spaced pull through sites in the middle. Sites are a mix of pull off sites and back in sites. We checked out some of the older loops and while they clearly need improvements (grading and paving, etc), the sites were still well spaced.
Location Rating (accessibility to points of interest or to major highways):
3.5/5: The campground is located between Albuquerque and Santa Fe, just west of the highway. It was about a 25-30 minute drive to Santa Fe. It was a nice stop for us between the two cities as it gave us a quiet place to relax, but it is a bit out there. However, if you want to visit Kasha-Katuwe Tent Rocks Monument, it's an excellent place to set up. It only took about 10 minutes to drive to the front entrance of the Monument from the campground.
Site Quality and Big Rig Accessibility Rating (utilities and accessibility of campground hook ups):
4/5: Site quality was excellent, except for the fact it was quite sloped in the back. We had to use a number of levelers under our back tire, but at least the pad was cement which made it a bit easier. We noticed the vast majority of the sites in the Buffalo Grove loop were pretty sloped, which is surprising since it's obviously pretty new. Otherwise, the sites are water and electric, both of which were strong and reliable (In fact, water pressure was quite high, so be careful if you don't have a regulator.) There is a dump station at the entrance.
Technology and Customer Service Rating (online resources, reservations, and staff):
4/5: In season (starting April 1), you can book your site on Recreation.gov. Prior to that, the campground is FCFS. There was never anyone at the gate when we were there. They have a self pay system, so once we had our site, we just filled out the paperwork, dropped a check in the envelope (it's cash or check only for self-pay), and were on our way. We saw rangers a handful of times during our stay, but mostly, it was quiet and low key.
Internet Availability Rating (Verizon coverage or campground wifi):
4/5: No wifi here, but AT&T worked well.
Summary:
We thoroughly enjoyed our stay at this COE campground. While our site wasn't level, it was beautiful, spacious, and private. We had a wonderful view of the water, lots of space and privacy, and a nice picnic table where we sat out day after day enjoying meals outside. While Buffalo Grove loop is the newest and nicest of the loops, many of the sites are unlevel. The other, older, loops are in need of repaving, but even with that, they are pretty nice. One drawback of this campground is there weren't a ton of trails to walk the dog on, and dogs are not allowed at Tent Rocks Monument. We just didn't have many good options for getting him exercise. Otherwise, as a place to relax between Albuquerque and Santa Fe, it was an ideal stop.
