Rio Costilla Park & Campground

I love this park. Incredibly beautiful! Privately owned by ranchers. Operated like a "fee-area national forest". In 2017 August, I did "dispersed camping" next to one of the alpine lakes. When I visited the office, the staff were fun to talk with -- good stories about the area. Overall, I had a great experience!

9 alpine lakes! Trout fishing in alpine streams. (I did not fish, but saw other people doing so.) Many picturesque viewpoints within the park. Latir Peak is 12700' (above tree line), an awesome hike. Base of mountain is about 7500', which means the summit view is from about 1 mile above the desert floor. You can take a 4WD registered vehicle to campsites at 11200', where there is lush greenery. An absolutely beautiful park!

Has a hunting season, when no regular camping is allowed (hunters only).

The wild animals grow big and healthy around there, including the Black bears and Cougars/mountain lions. (No brown/Grizzly bears.) Safest to hike in groups of 3 or more people, at least one of whom has good sight and hearing. Same if camping in a more remote spot.

While hiking and while camping in the more "remote" areas (like I did), keep you ears and eyes open and scanning at all times for predators. Seal the scent of your food & garbage, to prevent attracting bears. Use standard back-country protocol.

Some of the physically stronger predators in this area may view humans as weak enough to hunt as food... If you see a predator, then "make yourself big and scary". Do not run away or you will invoke predator instinct. Yell, bang pots, throw rocks & sticks, use 1 warning shot, air horn, etc. These types of predators will typically GIVE UP hunting a human if we "Make Big".

If you are actually charged (rare!!), then FIGHT BACK. Do not give up; do not play dead. Playing dead makes it easier to eat you. Extremely rare for these types of predators to be willing to fight an adult man. If you do not feel physically strong, then okay to bring your pistol, pepper spray, hatchet, 10 ounce hammer, or other weapon that you can "quickly" wield.

I was told that a man had been charged by a hungry Black Bear the week before I camped. Thankfully the guy had a pistol, knew how to use it, and saw the bear coming. He shot it dead. I don't know the details, but I wonder if it was literally "overkill" to shoot the bear, because I do not know whether he first tried scaring off the bear with a warning shot -- or if the guy even had enough time to do that.

Great fishing area, pretty country!

Some if the most beautiful scenery you will ever see. Its like walking around a Bob Ross painting. Making the drive to the lakes is worth the challenge.

Had an amazing experience camping here. The staff were very helpful. Breathtaking views and would recommend to everyone. Had a blast with my family.

Can't say enough good things about this place. Mostly geared towards anglers, so it's a pretty chill crowd. No ATVs (yay!), and folks are encouraged to keep noise to a minimum for the fishing folks. My kind of place!

Scenery is beyond compare.

Campsites are mostly far apart and not visible to each other, and there are plenty of portapotties that were all amazingly spotless and stinkless. Lots of grazing cattle, so if I HAD to complain about anything it would be the volume of cow patties all over the place, but it's hardly a "problem". Great place to bring the dogs, who had the BEST time.

So nice, I almost don't want to tell anyone about it! It's great; don't come! LOL

We try to go at least once a year to fish and climb latir peak. Some of the best views in the state.

Such a majestic place for fishing, camping and relaxing with friends and family 🤍

Incredible camping. They have great locations for reasonable prices. The deepest you can get into nature with a vehicle.

Absolutely beautiful campground. If your complaining about the $25 fee to enjoy this beautiful place that goes to supporting wages for a short summer season. Your a lame, old head and you don't deserve to be here, cheapo

Up next to the river and it's beautiful in Questa NM

Very beautiful, very clean pristine land. A lot of hard work is put in to maintaining the gorgeous vast mountains, lakes and streams. my boyfriend Ted Trujillo shared his lovely family inheritance land experience with me. Thanks babe Carol h

We rode our horses through Rio Costilla Park and followed the road along Latir Creek to the Latir Lakes this last weekend - we were impressed with the quality of the roads, the numerous campsites, the cleanliness of the area - we saw no trash, and all facilities were well maintained. And of course the scenery was just gorgeous, plenty of peace and quiet. Recommend for a day or a week!

Great place to get away from it all....will be back.

We spent our Anniversary at Rio Costilla Park and Campground. The place is wonderful and we plan to return when they open back up nex year. The views were breathtaking, the stars/milky way were awesome to photograph, and the Park is well maintained. Each site has their own porta potty 😃. Joaquin, Berlinda and Yolanda were so nice and pleasant to work with. My husband enjoyed fishing and the Big Horn Sheep was so cool to see.

Like to hunt, camp, fish, hike or just take in some awesome mountain scenery? Looking for a trophy bull elk, mule deer, Bear? Want to feel the tug of a cut throat or cut bow on the end of your line? The high mountain lakes and streams hold them in good qualities. How about spending some time with the family unwinding in the cool mountain air surrounded by the wonders of nature. Then this is somewhere you will not only enjoy but fall in love with. Nestled in the mountains of northern New Mexico.

Best place to camp and the view is excellent. Will need 4wheel drive if you go on into the mountains. Loved the trout fishing.

Beautiful place to camp, fish, and hike to Latir Lakes. Stunning views at the lakes..worth the 4 wheel drive drive to get to them!

So beautiful my babe brought me me here and it was breathtaking

I live in Santa Fe so I'm surrounded by mountains,rivers,lakes,and it does not take long to go to these beautiful places,but costilla (latier lakes) by far even if it's a 4 hr drive is by far the prettiest,the best scenery,and guess what... fish,fish,fish.in the lakes u can catch them by fly rod,bait,worms and salmon eggs.i can catch my limit (7) in 2 hrs,but I catch and release because it's so beautiful and I just have to soak it up.i just love this place and seeing why is believing.my wife tells me that I love this place more then I love her.you know what...
She's half right.check it out,and you will see why..🤣😎
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Beautiful Camground and Park, best place to camp!