Rio Chiquito campground
Rio Chiquito
Reservations are not accepted at Rio Chiquito camping area, and sites are available on a first-come, first-served basis. It is advisable to arrive early, especially during peak seasons, to secure a camping spot. The best time of year to visit Rio Chiquito is during the spring and fall when the weather is pleasant and temperatures are more moderate. Summers tend to be hot and dry, while winters can be cold and snowy.
While camping at Rio Chiquito, visitors can explore the stunning natural beauty of the surrounding area. The campground is situated near the Santa Fe National Forest, offering opportunities for hiking, fishing, and wildlife viewing. However, campers should be cautious of bears and other wildlife in the area and follow proper food storage and safety precautions. Overall, Rio Chiquito camping area provides a serene and picturesque location for outdoor enthusiasts to enjoy the beauty of New Mexico's landscape.
What's on-site at Rio Chiquito
Key facilities Snoflo tracks for this campground. Confirm with the operator before booking -- amenities can change seasonally.
Plan your trip down to the hour
Same weather feed Snoflo's iOS app uses -- updated continuously from NOAA / yr.no.
Next 5 days, hour by hour
Temperature line with weather symbols on top, snow + rain accumulation as columns, humidity as a dotted line.
5-day forecast table
Every 3 hours, broken out across temperature, snow, rain, humidity, and wind. Each cell is colour-coded relative to the column min/max so trends jump out at a glance.
| Time | Condition | Temp (°F) | Snow (in) | Rain (in) | Humidity (%) | Wind (mps) | Wind dir |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Loading detailed forecast… | |||||||
15-day temperature & precipitation
Daily temperatures, snow, and rain projected over the next two weeks. Hover any point for the full breakdown.
Other campgrounds in the area
Snoflo-tracked campsites within driving distance of Rio Chiquito, with reservations status.
| Campground | Reservations | Toilets | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| Capulin Campground | ✗ | ✗ | → |
| La Sombra | ✗ | ✓ | → |
| Capulin | ✗ | ✓ | → |
| La Sombra Campground | ✗ | ✗ | → |
| Las Petacas | ✗ | ✓ | → |
Nearby streamflow
USGS streamgauges within reach of Rio Chiquito -- pulled live from the National Water Information System.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Rio Grande Del Rancho Near Talpa | 3 cfs | → |
| Rio Pueblo De Taos Near Taos | 7 cfs | → |
| Rio Pueblo Nr Penasco | 7 cfs | → |
| Rio Lucero Near Arroyo Seco | 11 cfs | → |
| Rio Pueblo De Taos Below Los Cordovas | 13 cfs | → |
| Rio Hondo Near Valdez | 26 cfs | → |
Nearby snow depths
NRCS SNOTEL stations within reach of Rio Chiquito -- relevant when planning a shoulder-season or alpine trip.
| SNOTEL station | Snowpack | 24h Snowfall | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nohrsc Palo Snotel | 0.0 in | 0.0 in | → |
| Palo | 0.0 in | 0.0 in | → |
| Gallegos Peak | 0.0 in | 0.0 in | → |
| Nohrsc Gallegos Peak | 0.0 in | 0.0 in | → |
| Tres Ritos | 1.0 in | 0.0 in | → |
| Nohrsc Tres Ritos | 1.0 in | 0.0 in | → |
Plan a longer trip
The closest parks, lakes, boat launches, and paddle runs so a camping night can grow into a full weekend.
Parks
- Ski Area
- Vietnam Veterans' Memorial State Park
- Red Willow State Park
- Filemon Sanchez Fairground - Park
- Fred Baca Park
- Coyote Creek State Park
Boat launches
- Marina Way Eagle Nest
- Taos Junction Bridge Taos County
- Taos Junction Bridge Boat Takeout
- Taos Junction Bridge Boat Launch
- Nm 570 Taos County
- Lone Juniper Boat Takeout
Fishing spots
- Rio Fernando Fishing
- Rito De La Olla Fishing
- Rio Chiquito Fishing
- Rio Trampas Fishing
- Trampas Lakes Fishing
- Columbine Creek Fishing
Points of interest
Paddle runs
- Headwaters To Confluence With Rio Grande Del Rancho
- Headwaters To Confluence With Rito De La Olla
- Confluence With Rito De La Olla To Nf Boundary
- Headwaters To Confluence With Rio Pueblo
- (La Cueva, Flechado, Gallegos, Tio Maes, La Presa) To Osha Diversion
- Confluence With Rio Angostura To Osha Diversion
Camping essentials & Leave No Trace
- Pack it in, pack it out
- Take all trash, food scraps, and gear back with you to keep campsites clean and protect wildlife.
- Respect wildlife
- Observe animals from a distance, store food securely, and never feed wildlife to maintain natural behavior and safety.
- Know before you go
- Check weather, fire restrictions, trail conditions, and permit requirements to ensure a safe and well-planned trip.
- Minimize campfire impact
- Use established fire rings, keep fires small, fully extinguish them, or opt for a camp stove when fires are restricted.
- Leave what you find
- Preserve natural and cultural features by avoiding removal of plants, rocks, artifacts, or other elements of the environment.
Set push alerts in the Snoflo app
Save Rio Chiquito as a favorite, set a custom threshold (precipitation, snowpack, freezing temperatures), and the iOS app will push the moment conditions cross.
About Rio Chiquito
Can I make reservations at Rio Chiquito?
This campground does not appear to accept reservations -- it's typically first-come, first-served. Arrive early on summer weekends.
How fresh is the weather data on this page?
The hourly forecast updates throughout the day from the NOAA / yr.no public feeds. Streamflow data is pulled live from USGS streamgauges and snowpack from the NRCS SNOTEL network.
What's the best time of year to visit?
Use the 15-day temperature & precipitation outlook on this page to plan -- pick a window with comfortable temperatures and low precipitation. For longer trips, the 5-day hourly meteogram shows snow + rain accumulation hour-by-hour.
How do I get to Rio Chiquito?
Tap Directions in the hero above to open driving directions in Google Maps, or Open in map to center the Snoflo interactive map on the campground.
Can I get alerts when conditions change?
Yes -- alerts are managed through the Snoflo iOS app. Favorite this campground, set a threshold (temperature, snowpack, precipitation), and you'll get a push the moment it crosses.
Other campgrounds near here
Snoflo-tracked campgrounds within driving distance of Rio Chiquito.