Rio Rancho immerses campers in the natural beauty and national history of the desert.
Rio Rancho sits in the Albuquerque Basin west of the Rio Grande. It’s a hot spot for summer treks and winter cross-country skiing. Nearby plateaus and rises tempt campers to climb and hike parts of Santa Fe Trail or fish in Pecos River at Pecos National Historical Park. Then go glamping in yurts at Hyde Memorial State Park among ponderosa pine forests. Sevilleta National Wildlife Refuge sits an hour south of Rio Rancho and offers immersion into nature with local wildlife on dispersed campsites throughout the area. Whether staying in town or venturing out into the wilderness, camping near Rio Rancho won’t disappoint.
Hyde Memorial State Park was New Mexico’s first established state park. It surrounds a ponderosa pine mountain forest amid the desert. Summer hiking and birding as well as winter snowshoeing and cross-country skiing bring campers to the park year-round. Besides campsites with paved parking pads and electrical hookups, Hyde Memorial has on-site glamping yurts with multiple single beds and heaters. The yurts book up fast, and can only be reserved 24 hours in advance.
Encompassing a large area of historically significant sites, Pecos National Historic Park has plenty of outdoor recreation for campers. There aren’t any campgrounds in the park itself, but nearby private campsites offer full hookups or cabin rentals so hikers can get started early. Part of the Santa Fe Trail, a large part of America’s expansion west, runs through Pecos National Historic Park. Many of the trails run by historical features like Pecos Pueblo and 1717 Spanish mission church too. Anglers will enjoy Pecos River where brown trout, rainbow trout, and Rio Grande Cutthroats swim. Fishing times must be reserved online before visiting.
Dispersed and primitive campsites are available year-round for those wanting to explore Sevilleta National Wildlife Refuge. Four unique biomes converge in the park: piñon-juniper woodlands, Colorado Plateau shrub-steppe lands, Chihuahuan desert, and Great Plains grasslands all meet here. Grab a pair of binoculars at the visitor center to see pronghorn antelope, coyote, horned lizards, and thousands of birds while camping in the refuge. Then, hike along Mesa View Trail and Nature Loop to see local plantlife up close.
The arid desert climate in Rio Rancho allows campers to visit year-round. Spring and summer are very popular times to camp. Summers are hot and very dry, with highs usually staying between 76°F and 98°F. Winters see average highs of 58°F and lows of 29°F. Snowfall can occur in the area, but it tends to melt fast. Winter sport enthusiasts can find more snow near Hyde Memorial State Park though.