El Rito
Its sites are first-come, first-served (no reservations), and camping is free. El Rito is a National Forest campground near Rio Arriba, New Mexico.
First-come, first-served
- National Forest
- Managed by
El Rito sits inside Carson National Forest. Its dispersed-camping rule, ranger offices, and boundary are on publiclandsdb.com.
Getting a site
- Managed by
- National Forest
- Reservations
- None, first-come
- Fee
- Free
Source: apps.fs.usda.gov, accessed 2026-09-30
What's there
- ✓ Toilets
On site: Toilets.
Access and cell service
- Elevation
- 7,592 ft
36.4017, -106.2536 in Rio Arriba. Open in OpenStreetMap. Map © OpenStreetMap contributors.
Common questions
Do you need a reservation at El Rito?
No. El Rito is first-come, first-served: there is no reservation system, so arrive early to claim an open site.
How much does it cost to camp at El Rito?
Camping at El Rito is free.
Who manages El Rito?
El Rito is managed by the U.S. Forest Service.
Around El Rito
Hot springs and swimming nearby
Nearest to El Rito, in straight-line miles: Abiquiu Lake (swimming hole, 15 miles), and Black Rock Hot Springs (hot spring, 29 miles). Each has its own page on swimholesmap.com.
El Rito Campground--Group Shelter - Sites
- 1
- Season
- 05-22 to 10-31
- Fee
- Site: $75 per night
- Sites
- Not on record
- Season
- Not on record
- Fee
- Single Site: $10 per night
- Sites
- Not on record
- Season
- Not on record
- Fee
- Single Site: $10 per night
More campgrounds: camping near Rio Arriba and campgrounds in Rio Arriba.
Sources
- apps.fs.usda.gov (all fields), accessed 2026-09-30
- epqs.nationalmap.gov (elevationFt), accessed 2026-10-01