The Cochiti Recreation boat ramp is open year round and is accessed by a paved road. The ramp has four loading/unloading concrete lanes. The Cochiti boat ramp area consists of paved and gravel parking lots, a boat rigging area, and a courtesy dock. Wind-warning light systems are located on hilltops near the boat ramps.  When the wind-warning lights are flashing, it is best to get to shelter or off of the lake. 

There is a $5 day-use fee for access into the Cochiti Lake Recreation Area (which includes the boat ramp, picnic loop, and swim beach). Or an annual pass can be purchased for $40 at the Park Office. The fee can be paid onsite using the new fee machine located on the Cochiti side.

Boaters are required to register their vessels with New Mexico's Vehicle Department according to the size and type.

Cochiti Lake is a NO-WAKE lake.

All camping at Cochiti Lake is by reservation only. First-come, first-served sites are no longer available. Our aim is to provide a more user-friendly recreation experience and we hope this change aides you in your planning efforts.

The campgrounds are open for the 2025 recreation season.

To make reservations, please visit www.recreation.gov or call 1-877-444-6777 to speak to a reservation specialist.

As of January 2025, prices are as follows:

• $15 for camp sites without utility hookups
• $20 for camp sites with electrical and water hookups

Juniper Loop has 34 individual campsites, 32 sites have electric hook-ups (50/30/15 amp). All include a concrete table and grill. Currently 7 sites have shade shelters. All sites on the inside of the loop have water spigots. This campground has one sanitary dump station and two large waterborne restrooms, both with showers.

The Buffalo Grove Loop offers RV camping in 7 pull-thru and 9 back-in sites. All sites have 50-amp electrical and water hook-ups. Additionally each site have a shade shelter, picnic table, grill, solar light and a tent pad. The loop shares a shower house and waterborne restrooms with Elk Run Loop.

Elk Run Loop is a non-electrical camping loop. It has 14 back-in and 2 pull-thru sites. All sites have shade shelters, a picnic table, grill, solar light and a tent pad. There are several water spigots located throughout the loop. The area features a shower house, waterborne restrooms and dump station.

Ringtail Cat Loop is a non-electrical camping loop. It has 14 sites. All sites have shade shelters, picnic table, grill, lantern post and a tent pad. There are several water spigots located throughout the loop. The area features a shower house, waterborne restrooms and dump station.

Apache Plume Loop (aka Loop C): This section of the Cochiti recreation area is normally closed. It is a group camping area. The area is available for large groups by reservation only through the project office. Call the project office at 505-465-0307 to make reservations.

This area has 22 campsites, each with a shelter, concrete table and grill. There are three roadside water spigots. The loop has two vault restrooms. Campers may use the facilities in the adjacent loops. None of the campsites have electrical, water or sewer hook-ups.

Chamisa Picnic Loop has 20 picnic spaces, each with a shelter, concrete table and grill. There are no electric hook-ups. The loop also has a group picnic site available by reservation through the project office (call 505-465-0307 for reservations). Water spigots are scattered throughout the loop. Vault toilets are located within the loop and the waterborne restroom/shower building is just up the hill from the loop.

The Day Use area hours are 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. daily in April. In May, the hours will expand to 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. daily. There is a $5.00 fee per vehicle. If you plan to play on anything that floats -- kayaks, paddle boards, or giant flamingo floaties -- remember to bring your life jacket!

Quarry Area has a very rough 1/4-mile shoreline and is used mostly by fishermen. Access to this area is via a 1/4-mile bladed gravel road.

Currently this area is closed due to gate damage. This area, which lies west of the lake, is comprised of about two acres. Operation is on a day-use basis. Facilities available in this area include a circular concrete overlook, a concrete sidewalk leading to the Overlook and a large, paved parking lot. Access is by paved road. Hours: 8:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m. daily.

Please wear your life jacket! Don’t have one? We’ll gladly loan you a life jacket! Stop by the water safety trailer or call the project office at 505-465-0307.

The designated Cochiti Swim Beach Area lies south of the Cochiti Boat Ramp and is accessible by the gravel road at the four-way stop.

The shoreline within the beach area is closed to fishermen, windsurfers, pets, and boaters. 

The swim beach opens daily for the recreation season on April 15 and closes at the end of the season on Oct. 15.  

Daily Hours:

• April: 8:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.
• May through July: 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.
• August-September: 8:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.

There is a $5.00 fee per vehicle. This fee is covered by the campsite fee for visitors staying in the campground. Please note that charcoal is NOT allowed in the designated swim beach area.

Hours are 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m., Monday - Friday. 

The Tetilla Recreation boat ramp will open for the recreation season on April 15 and close for the season on Oct. 15.

There is a $5 day-use fee payable via the honor vault or the new credit card fee machine. Both are located at the 4-way stop prior to going down to the boat ramp. 

The Tetilla Peak Campground will open for the season on April 15. It closes for the season on Oct. 15.

• Reservations are required and can be made through www.recreation.gov
• As a reminder, alcohol and fires are NOT allowed in the Tetilla Peak Recreation Area.

Cholla Campground (aka Loop A) is comprised of nine acres. Facilities in this campground include 34 individual campsites, each with an electric and water hook-up, a concrete table, and a grill. All electric campsites have shelters. Water spigots are located throughout the campground. The entrance road is paved. This campground has one sanitary dump station and a large water borne restroom/shower building.

Coyote Campground (aka Loop B): A partially paved road extends throughout this area. There are 10 camping spaces, each with a table and grill. There are no electric hook-ups. Water spigots are scattered throughout the loop. The restroom/shower building is centrally located for easy access.

The Santa Cruz Day Use Area, including the Pinon Picnic Area and Santa Cruz Road, will open for the recreation season on April 15 and close for the season on Oct. 15.

• There is a $5 day-use fee payable via the honor vault or the new credit card fee machine. Both are located at the 4-way stop prior to going down to the boat ramp.

This area, which lies east of the lake, is comprised of about two acres. The Overlook will open for the recreation season on April 15 and close for the season on Oct. 15.

Santa Cruz Road is a rough, gravel road off of the boat ramp that leads into more remote fishing and windsurfing areas. The road will open for the recreation season on April 15 and close for the season on Oct. 15.

• Hours for the Santa Cruz Road are 7:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. daily.
• There is a $5 day-use fee payable via the honor vault or the new credit card fee machine. Both are located at the 4-way stop prior to going down to the boat ramp.