Vaca Camp campground
Vaca Camp
One quirky fact about Vaca Camp is that it is named after a nearby mountain called Vaca Mountain, which was named after a Spanish explorer who mistook bison for cows. The best time to visit Vaca Camp is during the fall season, which runs from September to November. During this time, the weather is pleasant, with average temperatures ranging from 40°F to 70°F. However, visitors should be prepared for chilly nights as temperatures can drop down to freezing. Overall, Vaca Camp is an excellent destination for campers looking to immerse themselves in the beauty of New Mexico's rugged wilderness.
What's on-site at Vaca Camp
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 Vaca Camp, with reservations status.
| Campground | Reservations | Toilets | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| Harlan Camp | ✗ | ✗ | → |
| Deer Lake Camp | ✗ | ✗ | → |
| Lost Gap Camp | ✗ | ✗ | → |
| Martinez Springs Camp | ✗ | ✗ | → |
| Slate Hill Heck Camp | ✗ | ✗ | → |
Nearby streamflow
USGS streamgauges within reach of Vaca Camp -- pulled live from the National Water Information System.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Cimarron River Near Cimarron | 12 cfs | → |
| Ponil Creek Near Cimarron | 0 cfs | → |
| Rayado Creek Near Cimarron | 2 cfs | → |
| Cimarron River Below Eagle Nest Dam | 19 cfs | → |
| Vermejo River Near Dawson | 2 cfs | → |
| Eagle Tail Ditch Nr Maxwell | · | → |
Nearby snow depths
NRCS SNOTEL stations within reach of Vaca Camp -- relevant when planning a shoulder-season or alpine trip.
| SNOTEL station | Snowpack | 24h Snowfall | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tolby | 0.0 in | 0.0 in | → |
| Nohrsc Tolby | 0.0 in | 0.0 in | → |
| Eagle Nest | 0.0 in | 0.0 in | → |
| Nohrsc Palo Snotel | 1.0 in | 0.0 in | → |
| Palo | 0.0 in | -1.0 in | → |
| Nohrsc Shuree Snotel | 0.0 in | -158.0 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
- Cimarron Canyon State Park
- Eagle Nest Lake State Park
- Vietnam Veterans' Memorial State Park
- Ski Area
- Maxwell National Wildlife Refuge
- Wilderness Wheeler Peak
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 Vaca Camp as a favorite, set a custom threshold (precipitation, snowpack, freezing temperatures), and the iOS app will push the moment conditions cross.
About Vaca Camp
Can I make reservations at Vaca Camp?
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 Vaca Camp?
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 Vaca Camp.