Santa Barbara Campground
Carson National Forest — fishing, hiking
Location: Vadito, NM, NM
Price: From $30 per night
Price range: $30–$80 per night
Rating: 4.3 out of 5 (75 reviews)
Season: May through October
Santa Barbara Campground is situated nicely on the edge of the Pecos Wilderness area and next to Rio Santa Barbara, a beautiful and healthy trout stream.Santa Barbara is located in a mixed forest of spruce, fir and aspen trees, which provide some shade throughout the day. At an altitude of 8,900 feet, temperatures can cool off during the summer nights.Trail access to Jicarita Peak, with close access to North Truchas Peak, Sipapu Ski Resort, the town of Vadito, and the town of Penasco are all nea
Cell coverage (FCC estimate): none signal. Actual signal may vary in remote areas.
Amenities: Fire Rings, Picnic Tables, Vault Toilets, Drinking Water, Fishing
Availability alerts: Set a free cancellation alert at camperwatch.org/campground/santa-barbara-campground to be notified when sites open up.
Santa Barbara Campground sits on the edge of the Pecos Wilderness next to Rio Santa Barbara, a healthy trout stream. Google reviewers consistently praise it as a beautiful, peaceful campground nestled in mountain peaks with excellent access to hiking and fishing.
Wildlife alert: Bobcat, Yellow-bellied Marmot, Golden-mantled Ground Squirrel, American Pika, American Beaver, Clark's Nutcracker, and Western Terrestrial Garter Snake documented in the area.
Insider tips for Santa Barbara Campground: Book early — this is a federal campground with high demand Call ahead if planning to park multiple RVs at a single site, as some sites like Triple Occupancy allow dual driveways Site 001 and others offer direct views/sounds of the Santa Barbara River
Skip Santa Barbara Campground if: You need RV hookups — no hookups available at most sites; only suitable for self-contained RVs. You plan to camp outside May-October — seasonal operations only.
Best time to visit Santa Barbara Campground: May-October — Campground operates seasonally from May through October only.
Nearby campgrounds: Agua Piedra Campground (Vadito, NM), Amole Canyon Group Shelter (Penasco, NM), Rio Bravo Group Shelter (Taos, NM), Jacks Creek Group Area (Pecos, NM).
Cell Phone Coverage at Santa Barbara Campground
Cell signal at Santa Barbara Campground (Vadito, NM): none overall signal based on FCC broadband data.
Coverage data source: FCC Broadband Data Collection (BDC). Actual signal may vary due to terrain, tree cover, and distance from towers. Camper reports are more reliable than coverage maps in remote areas.
Santa Barbara Campground is situated nicely on the edge of the Pecos Wilderness area and next to Rio Santa Barbara, a beautiful and healthy trout stream.Santa Barbara is located in a mixed forest of spruce, fir and aspen trees, which provide some shade throughout the day. At an altitude of 8,900 feet, temperatures can cool off during the summer nights.Trail access to Jicarita Peak, with close access to North Truchas Peak, Sipapu Ski Resort, the town of Vadito, and the town of Penasco are all nearby. All are within 8-15 miles from the campground.
Verified facts
RIDB / Recreation.gov official databaseAmenities
RIDB /facilities /campsites · owner-verifiedStraight talk
CamperWatch intel · curated from camper reportsKnown issues, each with the workaround. Read before you book.
Insider tips & when to go
CamperWatch intel · hand-curated entryBook early
this is a federal campground with high demand
Call ahead if planning to park multiple RVs at a single site, as some sites like Triple Occupancy allow dual driveways
Site 001 and others offer direct views/sounds of the Santa Barbara River
Campground operates seasonally from May through October only
Things to do nearby
RIDB /activities /recareas + intelConditions today
LiveCell signal
FCC BDC · quarterly datasetFCC maps are theoretical — camper reports confirm signal.
Wildlife nearby
iNaturalist · research-grade · 8 kmLocation
Leaflet · OpenStreetMap tiles
Getting there →
From the junction with State Road 75, follow SR 73 1.4 miles to the Santa Barbara Road. Turn left onto the Santa Barbara Road. Then travel 6.2 miles to the campground. Santa Barbara Road becomes Forest System Road 116 when the pavement ends.
Campground entrance
Google Maps APICommunity
#community · posts, photos & Q&A · AI-moderated (Claude Vision)Pro tips
- Book on recreation.gov exactly 6 months ahead at 10am ET — Carson National Forest fills fast in peak season.
- Check current road conditions at Carson National Forest before arrival — seasonal closures common.
Frequently asked questions
RIDB facts + intel · FAQPage schema, speakableHow much does Santa Barbara Campground cost per night?+
What season is Santa Barbara Campground open?+
Does Santa Barbara Campground have hookups?+
What is the maximum RV length at Santa Barbara Campground?+
How do I make reservations at Santa Barbara Campground?+
What is the cell service like at Santa Barbara Campground?+
What season is Santa Barbara Campground open, and what are check-in times?+
Official resources
●Data sources on this page
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