Riana Campground

Our concern for not having sufficient AT&T service down at Site 33 PEUR was for naught as it was even better than on the top of the hill at our previous Site A2. Although we no longer had the water or electrical hookup we did have a beautiful view, privacy, and at least a consistent three bars for our streaming and internet needs. I cleaned the solar panels on the roof and that helped us maintain enough juice to run the coffee pot, microwave, and television. With our Senior Lifetime Pass we paid $6 per night.

Our day trips had been mostly covered in the first two days at Riana so we were able to enjoy our wonderful new cedar tree-surround campsite a bit more. Long hikes the first day out at Ghost Ranch and a top-rate New York style pizza at Mamacita’s in Abiquiu balanced our recreation and put a cherry on some much-needed relaxation. I also played the hell out of my guitar, and even received a compliment from a passing camper.

The campground’s proximity to Ghost Ranch, the scenic drive to Taos and back, and the charming little town of Abiquiu all make this well-maintained Army Corps park a five-star destination. Santa Fe is only about fifty-five miles south which is also a very-doable day trip if desired. The camp hosts are wonderful, but still run a tight ship. The bathrooms and campsites are kept clean and every camper is expected to follow the posted rules. Though my daily therapeutic bike riding in this campground was limited for a rider such as myself, there was plenty of uphill nature hiking available at Ghost Ranch. A couple days ago I broke down and purchased a gnarly new hiking stick in Abiquiu to further aid my sore and crippled knees. The main museum at Ghost Ranch is certainly recommended as a must-see destination as the history of the ranch and its specific surrounding area is so rich in story and importance. The museum is a first-class cultural experience which comes included in the $5 Conservation donation requested for day use of the facilities, which also includes an unheated pool that Beverly happily engaged in swimming laps.

The next day we took Bob the dog on the Ghost Ranch crowd-favorite Chimney Rock hiking trail early in the morning before any others arrived. Astounding views and nobody on the trail with us. So many pictures and none of them can possibly do the sights we saw justice. Nature is by far our greatest artist. We also drove out Hwy 84 another six miles or so to Echo Amphitheater which is another nature-made rock wonder.

After our busy morning we left Bob at the camper and went back into Abiquiu one last time to visit with Marta at Mamacitas Pizza. We both sampled her burger-boast that claims it kicks the ass of Bode’s General Merchandise store and cafe’s own famous burger, the decades-old must-stop institution for all tourists. Marta makes a very good pizza, but nobody can beat my own Weber burger, so why even try? Afterwards we drove out to the white sandstone cliffs of Plaza Blanca, a privately-owned natural wonder with breathtaking views.

Unpredicted afternoon and overnight rains in the area eventually ran us out of Riana Campground early due to not getting sufficient charge to our solar system and preventing us from having a more splendid time enjoying another leisurely morning before hitting the road again.

We called the camp hosts directly to make a last minute change to our original reservation. I needed to confirm whether or not AT&T service was sufficient. Camp host Harry informed me that it was spotty up there and goes in and out. We decided to take a chance anyway. It worked out and we were able to secure two nights with electric and water in order to be able to leave Bob the dog in the A/C camper so we could spend a few hours alone nearby in both Abiquiu and Ghost Ranch. We also managed a day trip to Taos before settling in to another move to a pre-reserved weekend non-electric site in another section of the Riana campground. This site, A2 PEDE, was a handicap site right next to the restrooms/showers, which was not only convenient, but also quiet. With our Senior Lifetime Pass we paid $8 per night. The roads are quite hilly here and for me not conducive to bicycling. But the views are astounding. Of the other electric sites, #1 is definitely the best for privacy and views. Georgia O’Keeffe’s Black Mesa is right out your window, and this site did become available due to a late cancellation, but I was too tired to take advantage of it. However, all in all a very good experience. The camp hosts were right next door in #8 and they were fantastic. AT&T service was a reliable two bars if not three. Very little buffering of our DirectTV Now news while viewing. We even managed to finish watching, with no interruptions, Martin Scorsese’s Bob Dylan documentary covering his infamous concert tour called The Rolling Thunder Revue.

We stayed here in early June and it was fantastic. The view from the campground, especially at sunset are as good as they come.

The campground is very nice. We stayed in the Pede campground which gave us water and electricity. Sites 1, 3 and 5 I would say are the preferred sites, but beautiful views all around. The sites were clean and for the most part spacious.

There is a nice bathhouse in the campground also which was clean and gives you a solid alternative for showering.

All in all a wonderful site and the COE did another wonderful job with Rianna

Echo the other reviews. Views to die for. We are camped in the “puerco loop”. Tents mostly. Small RV no problem as long as you can level your unit. Quite. Amazing. Recharge the batteries. Flush toilets and hot showers available. Pit toilets that are clean spread out for convenience. Campground did fill up tonight so they opened an overflow area. So it would seem you can pretty much count on space at the inn.

We did enjoy camping here we had a nice site, big level and a view of the lake from a distance. The best site is #1 with water & electric there is a dump station

Kayaking is good on this lake, fishing was great. The water level was down 20 feet or more so we kayaked through some brush/bushes that had been underwater a long time & found 12 Lures & 2 bobbers. The water was cold there is a swim beach & a few areas you can get wet. The hosts were great gave us some good tips.

There is a NO alcohol policy at this campground & they mean it. There was 2 older guys camping in a Travel Trailer they had been fishing all day, very quiet folks & they had a beer in a coozie sitting in front of their trailer when the park ranger stopped, made them pour out all there beers. They had a case & a half in their cooler we heard each can pop open & drain. Then the ranger asked if there was any more in the camper & guess what? The guys went in & grabbed another 12 pack, pop & poured, bagged all cans & the ranger left. I could see if they were loud & out of control but they were not. Put your drink in a cup & don't show any bottles or cans.

Close by is the Famous Ghost Ranch (Georgia O'Keeffe) and there's a Paleontology museum there it was interesting. Great day trip (suggest don't eat there it was expensive & not much to offer. The Echo Amphitheater is close by and in the other direction Brodes grocery is a cool store they sell gas too. It's a fun place to walk through.

El Farlito's is a must the best Mexican food you will ever eat. They don't serve alcohol but you can bring your own. There isn't anything around El Frito's but a tower made of strange metals (Mars Polar Landing tower).

There are a lot of locals that come on weekends it's pretty quiet during the week.

This campground is well maintained and has fairly level spots for your camper. I do recommend using site 13 if you have trailer longer than 30 feet. I tried getting into 11 with a 42’ and it was too much of a hassle.

Fire pits and BBQ grills located at each site is a nice feature and they all have a covered picnic table, although there’s not much shade with them as small as they are.

Would stay like to have stayed longer but the fishing sucked...so moved on.