CONCHAS LAKE, N.M., – The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers-managed South Side Campground at the lake is transitioning from a “first-come, first-serve” basis to the use of www.recreation.gov for all campground reservations. This change does not apply to the N.M. State Parks-managed campgrounds at the lake.
“This move is designed to make your camping experience smoother and more convenient,” said Justin Gibson, USACE lead park ranger at Conchas Lake. “Recreation.gov offers an easy-to-use, centralized platform where you can view site availability, plan ahead, and secure your spot anytime, from anywhere.”
The public can also call 1-877-444-6777 to speak to a reservation specialist with Recreation.gov, daily from 10:00 am to 12:00 am (EST) excluding Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day, and New Year’s Day.
Beginning March 30, 2026, the public will be able to see what dates are available for reservation on www.recreation.gov. April 15, 2026, is the first date available to reserve. If someone wants to reserve a campsite for dates between March 23 and April 14, 2026, they will need to contact the USACE-Conchas Lake project office at 575-868-2221 to reserve the campsite.
The Conchas Lake Southside Recreation Area Campground is open year-round. However, reservations can only be made up to six months in advance.
“We’re excited about this upgrade and look forward to continuing to provide you with great outdoor experiences at Conchas Lake,” said Gibson. “Stay tuned and get ready to book your next trip!”
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Release no. 26-007