Coronado Campground

An older city owned campground with 27 sites. Right on the Rio Grande river. Set back from a fairly busy main road which definitely does contribute to noise. Water and electric sites with dump station.

Next to historic site and just down the road from a casino. Decent access to Albuquerque via I-25.

In theory there is a limit to how long one can stay, but there were definitely people living there. The park manager hinted that I could stay for more than 2 weeks if I wanted to.

For more details and additional photos, please see my blog post under the "blog posts" tab.

This park falls into 3 star territory for me though I would give it an extra 1/2 star if I could just for value (if using PassPort America). They accept PPA for up to 4 nights and give you the full 50% discount for it, making it only $11 a night so stay for those 4 nights.

It's not a huge park, but the spaces are pretty wide, you are definitely not right on top of your neighbor here. Each spot has a table and grill that are in a covered adobe shade cover.

The sites have 50A power and water and there is a dump station in the park if you have to dump before you hook up or as you leave.

They have a 2 week limit though it is obvious that they let people stay longer. It definitely feels a bit aged, but I always felt safe there.

It is right off a state highway, so there is some definite traffic noise.

You are rather close to the interstate, which makes for easy access to ABQ and it is close to most things you would need.

Good cell on both Verizon and AT&T.

[Actual stay was 11/09/16]

When we chose this campground, we were hoping on being close to Albuquerque, National Parks, and Interstate 25 which would take us to Colorado. This campground is highly priced for the sites, and services. From the moment we parked in our site the dusting began, it was so windy, we could not seat outside. Flying tumbleweeds everybwhere, under the RV, the car, and the picnic area. Our site was not visually appealing, the site was big, with a covered pavilion over the picnic table, and fire ring. We had electricity, and water, but no sewer, no Wi-Fi. The digital channels from Albuquerque were good, but we had the satellite antenna set up, and we had no issues. Some trees in the area, from our site we can see the Rio Grande, and Highway 550. The traffic noise was really bad, bathroom and bathhouse access only with a code, and the shower water is only available by pressing a button constantly. It only lasts about 40 seconds, and press again, and so, so, hot it was unbearable. The only plus from this site, lots of restaurants, gas stations, and stores.

Coronado Campground is owned by the City of Bernalillo, New Mexico, and abuts the Coronado Historic Site (you should go there). The park is mostly pull-throughs, and there are some 50A sites, but ours was 30A. Not an issue, as the weather was pretty agreeable. We wanted a place close to Albuquerque, so we could explore, but without the ABQ prices.

Note: If you're headed this way during the Abuquerque International Balloon Fiesta in August, the rates here, as well as the rates everywhere else will double. Facts of life.

Our site was level and easy to get into, and the sites here all have stucco ramadas for shade, each with picnic tables inside. The sites are pretty well spaced, and we never felt crowded.

One quirk, the water hookup was toward the front of the site, and on the wrong side. Again, we carry 100 feet of hose, so that wasn't all that uncomfortable, either.

There are plenty of places to eat nearby, as well as a casino, and all the necessary services. Our stay there was quiet and without incident. We arrived on a Saturday, and the campground host, Louise, was friendly, and had all kinds of recommendations about the area, where to eat, and what to do.

Again, nothing fancy, but a pretty good value along I-25.

The best things about this campground are the price – I don’t know if this was an off-season price or not – and the proximity to Albuquerque. There are also wonderful views of Sandia Mountain and the Rio Grande which flows right next to the campground. There was good wifi. We tried to use Passport America and were told it would not be accepted until after November 1st.

The park could use a serious upgrade. Sites are pull-through but worn out. The one bathroom was ok clean, but the men’s room was pretty worn out. My wife said the ladies was in better shape. The campground is right next to a busy street with traffic noise most of the night. There is no gate, so anyone can come and go at any time of day. All in all, a cheaper place near Albuquerque with the basics, but poorly kept.

When we arrived, the dry camping lot was already closed. But the camp host graciously allowed us to camp in a pull out near the back. And it Had SPECTACULAR views of the rio grande, and mountain in the distance. Bathrooms and showers were average. One neat thing is if you get a full hookup site, you also get a neat little pueblo style, covered annex with picnic table, right next to your pad. And its 20 minutes from Downtown sante fe.

Location is nice, next to a little river. View is pretty cool.

Tent camp sites are closed in fall/winter - stayed at RV site.

Tables (even with roof and walls for wind and sun protection) and fire ring on every site-

Bathrooms are pretty worn out, campground seemed to be pretty old and did not get any remodeling lately.

Campground was clean and cute. Camp host was very nice and helpful. Our site was a little uneven but workable. Bathrooms/showers could have been cleaner. WiFi was better than a lot of campgrounds we’ve been to. Coronado Ruins within walking distance and a pretty view of Rio Grande. I could hear a bit of street noise as it’s not located far from the main road. Not a deal breaker for us. Close to shops and restaurants. Perfect for passing through. Would stay here again.

Stayed here Apr. 9
We have mixed feelings about this place. It's OK but it could use a bit of renovations, like a lot of campgrounds. We stayed two nights in a spot with power and water and them moved (our fault) to another site with just power (cost was $20 per night). We actually liked the second spot better, partly because it had a nice view of the river and partly because it was farther away from all the construction going on in the lot next to the campground. We were told it's going to be a brew pub and shops and who knows what which may be very nice. Right now, however, it is a big noisy, dusty mess.
There is also bridge construction on the highway and so the entrance is rather well camouflaged, we went past it and ended up in the gas station... needed gas anyway! Then had a bit of a time getting turned around to take another shot at the campground.
The Coronado Ruins are interesting and only a short distance from the campground.

This is a small campground so reservations are advised. The listed price of an overnight stay was $25, but they charge $10 to make a reservation. It's a small campground, so I would recommend reservations. It was full the night I stayed there. The campground itself has asphalt pads, everything else is sand with covered picnic tables. The host was very nice and helpful. I thought the bathrooms were gross. Be warned the campground entrance is hard to find due to road construction of 550. The area was very pretty with the Rio Grande running along the boundary of the park and mountains across the way.