cochiti lake

Cochiti Lake campground has recently been totally upgraded. Many of the sites have covered tables and grills and they keep the bathrooms spotless. It has a very quiet vibe and the place has good energy. The people who work there are all super friendly and helpful. It's very close to the small reservoir (no wake lake) and there is a nice level easy hike on top of the damn that's about 4-5 miles round trip. There aren't any trees, so there isn't any shade, so in the summer you'll need to plan on running your A/C and staying under the shelter. There is a little general store mini mart type place right outside the park in downtown "Cochiti Lake". If you like to fly kites bring your kite! The winds up there can be pretty intense in the Spring and Summer. Dogs are allowed if they are on a leash. The grounds are very clean and they've recently improved the beach area with umbrellas and tables. The stars at night are INCREDIBLE and the park is right across the road from Kasha Katuwe Tent Rocks. An awesome natural rock formation that is a DO NOT MISS for sure. Bring a kite, bring your bathing suit, bring your dog, bring you hiking shoes, it's a great venue! Like I said, there are no trees and the campground is all paved where the RVs are so the sun can really heat things up. Pack your sunblock and be prepared for wicked winds in the Spring and Summer (enough to blow your awning off your vehicle) or strong enough to rip a tent out of the ground. Just be prepared for the sun and the wind and you'll be just fine. The star show at night makes it all worth it and the people of Cochiti are wonderful.

We were nervous about this park because of mixed reviews, but we were blown away by how gorgeous it is! We are in a travel trailer on site 53 overlooking the gorgeous lake with mountains and the bluest skies you've ever seen! The park is only a few years old and the sites are well designed and spacious! Highly, highly recommend this park! It is somewhat remote but we are here for R&R and enjoying being STILL! Restrooms and showers are convenient and clean!

If you are looking for a great campground with an amazing view of every star in the sky, this is it. BLM staff is so friendly recommending area attractions - Tent Rocks should not be missed! Mostly RV campers but pad for tents and the best news is HOT SHOWERS. Clean, well-maintained. Nice. Only $12 for a site with no hookups. Did I mention hot showers?

We camped here in our fifth wheel. Every Core of Engineers campground we have ever stayed at has been terrific. Cochiti campsites (for RV's and tents) are paved, level, and wide. There is also nice separation and vegetation between the sites. Even at $20 for electric and water hookups one could not beat the price. We, however, used our national senior pass and paid $10 per night. The campground is very clean with nice shower facilities. The park ranger routinely drives through the campground each afternoon and evening. Oh, yes, the site also has a picnic table with shade covering. Even the dogs were happy.

We camped overnight for two nights at the Cochiti Lake Campground facilities on a Friday and Saturday night in mid March 2014. The weather was cold and windy, but many of the campground facilities were open and available on a first-come, first-serve basis. Reservations for camping spots are not available until the last weekend in March.Buffalo Grove, is a full hook-up campground with electricity and water - our water faucet was out of order - covered picnic tables, large restroom facilities including a shower - although one shower was out of order - and a playground, and this campground was full each night, although we only stayed the first night in Buffalo Grove. Price was $20.00 per night per RV. Mostly larger RVs, fifth wheels, trailers and pop-ups occupied these sites.The second night we stayed at Ringtail Cat, a beautiful campground without water or electricity, and we had the entire campground to ourselves. We chose a nice camp site overlooking the lake. The restrooms with showers were not open at this campground, however. Price for this campground without hookups was $12.00 per night per RV.Pets are allowed on a leash, and Cochiti Lake itself was open for boaters and fishermen. This particular weekend was not very busy, but as the season picks up the area will become more crowded. Reservations are recommended for camp sites during the high season or you will probably not find a site.

I disagree with the earlier reviews that this is only for RV camping. My husband and I stayed here in August 2013 and there were several tent campers like ourselves there. There's a nice spot at each campsite for a tent. You can go online and pick a site with a view, ours was fantastic. We had a covered picnic table and plenty of room. The best sites are definitely along the lake edge, not on the inner loops. This campground definitely had one of the best facilities of any place we visited. There were even showers!! I would definitely recommend this campground to people wanting to hike in the Tent Rocks National Monument nearby.

Nice small resivore, good swimming with tables for picnics and bathrooms. Good camp sites and never overly busy. Fishing is fair with catfish, crappies, occasional northern pike and bass.

I've been going to Cochiti Lake beach for a few years now with my kids and friends and each time I go, I think...why don't I come here more often? The beach is generally well kept with several picnic tables (some covered with pavilions). There are bathrooms and when they are out of order there are porto-potties available. As you drive down there is a boat ramp on the left. On the right is the large beach with a roped off swimming area that stays shallow way out. Beyond the swimming area to the right are several buoys that create a lane for kayak and stand up paddle boarding. There is no lifeguard here although there are rangers that walk around and monitor the beach.It's best to go in June/July. If it's a very dry summer, the lake water will get too warm at the end of July and algae will form. It will turn your suit green.It's also best to go early in the day, unless you are sailing or windsurfing. The winds pick up at noon almost every day like clockwork. A shade tent will likely get blown away. I would recommend some camp chairs/beach chairs.I've been on the weekday when it's almost empty and it's like heaven in New Mexico in the cool clear lake water.

Cochiti Lake is a small lake conveniently located in between Albuquerque and Santa Fe, NM. As locals, we enjoy visiting Cochiti Lake in the shoulder and off seasons as it is quiet, not many people, and offers a nice place to hike, fish - a fishing license is required - walk our dog, or just hang out for a few hours. Dogs must be on a leash at all times and are not permitted at the beach area.Scuba diving is allowed for certified divers, but you must float a scuba dive buoy on the surface while you dive. Visibility is extremely poor and water is cold, but this is a good place to practice your skills in less than ideal conditions. One will rarely find a scuba diver here, except us.In the peak late spring and summer season, there is a beach area open for swimmers - this is closed during off season - complete with covered areas for shade and some picnic tables. Restrooms and picnic facilities are also available near the boat launch ramp. Restrooms are usually clean and well maintained year round.Cochiti Lake also features a nice RV park, with a newer section complete with some camp sites with electrical hookups. Fees vary from about $12.00 to $20.00 per night when we visited here, based on the amenities of the campsite. There is also a small playground for kids in this section, and roads are paved in the newer section of the RV park. Reservations are required during high season and still strongly recommended in low season.A small visitor center is open during high season, with friendly Forest Rangers and fairly-helpful staff. The visitor center gives you a nice overview of the lake and surrounding area, and you can hike a couple of easy trails from the visitor center to an overlook of the lake.

You have to desperate for a body of water to consider this a lake. Not much in the way of facilities or view, but if have have to swim or take the boat out, I guess this would do.

Just a good place to relax and not feel "commercial-ized." Spent a good day reading and painting while grandchildren explored the area. Water is a "special place" in New Mexico.

We used to go all the time to Cochiti since it was the closest lake to Albuquerque but windsurfing sucks there as the canyon walls and surrounding hills cause the wind to swirl in a circular fashion....we nicknamed it the toilet bowl due to the winds.

We first visited the lake about 20 years ago and after an unfortunate experience of our daughter being swept across the lake on her tube we never went back. about 2 years ago, we decided to try shore fishing, our daughters now full grown. What we found was a marvelous beach with shelters for picnicing and clean bathrooms. Coming from Mn and Calif, it could never live up to their standards as a beach but for our arid climate it is a treasure for our families. The whole beach area is guarded by a barrier so you can no longer be swept out to sea! They no longer allow people on floating devices unless you have a lifejacket on . This would have prevented our previous encounter with the lake since we didn't have sense enough to put a life jacket on our kids in those days. I recommend wearing shoes in the water because it is still a bit rocky but we have had some marvelous times swimming there. You must take the family and I hate to write this because it is still pretty much an unknown fun place to be and we'd love to be the few priviledged people there!. The rangers keep a close eye on everything. There is a separate area with tables and docks to sit and fish and not be disturbed by the swimmers. There is a nice docking area, unfortunately it is a no wake lake. We have taken both a boat and kayaks out on it and have found people jumping off the cliffs into the water. Looked like fun but probably not legal! The camp sites are new and with great views of the lake with full hookups. This summer we discovered the other side of the lake and it is equally as nice with camping areas and a boat launch, no beach but great areas to picnic and fish. It's convenient to both Abq and SF and the only drawback is the summer heat but you can just go jump in the water at the beach area and have a marvelous day. Oh yeah and no dogs allowed in the beach area, but we have seen them and ours playing in the water in other areas including riding proudly along in our kayaks.

...........wish I still lived there. Beautiful lake, wonderful folks! We miss Cochiti Lake. Robert Trent Jones Sr. designed golf course!!!!!

This lake is a no brainer lake, so if you're into such then you should enjoy! And, even if you're not into lakes, this one has some mighty nice camping areas!