Cerrillos Hills State Park Visitor Center - Cerrillos
00 reviewPO Box 460, Cerrillos, New Mexico, 87010, United States
Cerrillos Hills State Park Visitor Center - Cerrillos
$15.00 - $275.00 / night
Campsite Fees
Standard Site Fee$0.00
Hookup Site Fee$0.00
Premium Site Fee$0.00
Hike and Bike Site Fee$0.00
Group Site Fee$125.00
Food Storage Locker Fee$0.00
Meeting Room: $30 during park open hours, $60 after hours. Entire Entrance Building: $125 during park open hours, $275 after hours. A $15 Special Use Permit fee may also be required under certain conditions.
About this campground
Step into the heart of the historic Cerrillos village, where your camping adventure begins in a spacious, level meadow adjacent to the Cerrillos Hills State Park Visitor Center. This unique campground offers an inviting blend of wide-open spaces perfect for group gatherings and thoughtfully placed shaded picnic areas where stories of the Old West come alive under ancient cottonwoods.
The Cerrillos Hills State Park Visitor Center offers a group-use camping site in an open, level space in the center of the village. The campground has limited facilities and is suited for organized events rather than individual camping.
Historical SignificanceImmerse yourself in the rich tapestry of New Mexico's mining heritage at the on-site Visitor Center, where a fascinating museum showcases glittering ore samples that once drove fortune-seekers to these hills. Interactive historical panels transport you back to the boom days when Cerrillos buzzed with prospectors, revealing tales of turquoise, gold, and silver that shaped this enchanting region.
Weather and SeasonsExperience the high desert's dramatic seasonal tapestry, where crisp winter mornings occasionally dust the landscape with delicate snow, creating a serene wonderland. Summer brings warm, sun-drenched days ideal for exploration, while spring and fall emerge as the crown jewels of camping season—offering crystalline skies, comfortable temperatures, and that perfect dry mountain air that makes every sunrise and sunset spectacular.
ElevationPerched at high desert elevation, where the air carries a refreshing crispness and the sky stretches endlessly blue.
Natural Features and ScenerySurrounded by the rolling contours of the Cerrillos Hills, this campground serves as your gateway to a landscape where history and nature intertwine. Hiking trails beckon from your doorstep, winding through terrain that tells stories in every rock formation and vista. The dramatic hills frame expansive views across open spaces where wildflowers dance in spring breezes and golden hour light transforms the landscape into a photographer's dream.
Geological RegionDiscover a geological wonderland where the earth's treasures lie just beneath the surface. The Cerrillos Hills showcase millions of years of geological drama, from ancient volcanic activity to the mineral-rich deposits that created one of North America's oldest mining districts. The Visitor Center serves as your portal to understanding this remarkable landscape, where turquoise veins, lead deposits, and precious metals tell the story of our planet's incredible forces.
Campsite details
AccessibilityThe space includes ADA-accessible parking for two vans, ensuring some level of compliance with accessibility standards.
Sites SizeSite is approximately 40 x 60 feet.
Sites PrivacyThe site is a large, open level space in the heart of the village, providing little to no seclusion.
Total Campsites1 campsites
Recommended CampsitesNot applicable; single group-use site available.
Best CampsitesThe Plaza is the only designated group-use site and appears to be the primary camping area.
Reserving a campsite
Stay Limit
No specific stay limit details provided.
Guests Allowed Per Site
50 people maximum capacity for events in the Visitor Center.
Groups
The group site, named 'Plaza,' allows for a maximum of 150 people and includes access to the Visitor Center during open hours. The site is approximately 40 x 60 feet in size and offers tree-shaded picnic tables adjacent to the space.
Tents
Tents are not allowed
RV vehicles
RV vehicles are not allowed
Primitive
Primitive are not allowed
Reservable
Reservations are allowed
Site layoutOne single large group-use site (Plaza), with a large adjacent level area of 40x60 feet and shaded picnic tables.
Open and Closed SeasonNo seasonal information provided, open hours of Visitor Center implied.
Reservation PlatformsReservations likely handled directly with the Superintendent or Visitor Center via provided contact details.
Walk-in AvailabilityNo walk-up or first-come-first-served availability information provided.
Cancellation PolicyNo specific cancellation policy details provided.
Accomodation available
GroupGroup campsites are offered for larger parties such as families, schools, or organizations. These sites provide space and facilities to accommodate multiple people camping together.
Amenities available
Potable water
Picnic tables
Flush toilets
Activities you can enjoy
The Cerrillos Hills State Park Visitor Center is primarily a group-use space with limited recreational activities described. Visitor Center features include an activity room and a museum-style exhibit area with historical information and ore samples.
Cultural and Educational Programs
The Visitor Center features a small museum exhibit with historical panels and ore samples, described by a user as a '10-15 minute' experience.Winter Activities
No information provided about winter-specific activities.Water Sports
Not applicable as there are no water bodies or water-based activities mentioned.Campground rules
- Pets are not allowed
- Open fires are prohibited. Only portable propane grills are allowed.
- Quiet hours are No designated quiet hours mentioned.
Hazards
General hazardsNo specific hazards mentioned. Visitors hiking trails near mines are advised to use maps to prevent getting lost.
Weather forecast
70
°F
Aug 26
Tuesday
Overcast
Precipitation: 0%
Very strong wind, outdoor activities may be affected
Humidity: 51%
Moderately humid conditions
Wind: 21.4 mph
Very strong wind, outdoor activities may be affected
Overcast
7-Day Forecast
Access to 7-day forecasts tailored to each campground—covering temperature, precipitation, wind, and sky conditions.
Daily & Hourly Insights
View hourly forecasts with expected weather patterns throughout the day.
Temperature Trends
Visualize how temperatures shift over the month to help pick the most comfortable days for your trip.
Precipitation Trends
Plan around rain or snow with monthly visualizations of expected precipitation patterns.
Weather Summaries
Assess conditions with visuals for easier decision-making on when and where to camp.
Weather data powered by Open-Meteo
Emergency Services
Emergency services are likely based in Santa Fe, approximately 16 miles away. No specific hospitals or police stations were listed in the information.
Good to know
Peak season datesNo explicit peak season details provided.
Trash and recyclingGuests are responsible for cleaning up after their event, including grounds and facilities. No specific recycling or trash facilities are mentioned.
Proximity to water featuresNo water features nearby; no mention of lakes, rivers, or streams.
Common complaintsLimited hours for the Visitor Center as noted by a user review.
HostLady at the Visitor Center is noted as being very kind and helpful in user review.
Campground Map
PO Box 460, Cerrillos, New Mexico, 87010, United States
Driving directionsApproximately 16 miles south of Santa Fe just off of State Highway 14. Turn onto County Road 57 to enter the village. Visitor Center is the first building on the right after the stop sign.
Good accessibility from major roads. Located approximately 16 miles south of Santa Fe via State Highway 14, with a turn onto County Road 57 into the village. Roads appear to be paved and navigable.Nearby places
Santa Fe is located approximately 16 miles (about 20-25 minutes by car) north of Cerrillos.
Nearby supplies
Santa Fe, 16 miles away, is the closest location for groceries, camping supplies, fuel, and other essentials.
Camper Reviews
0.0
0 reviews
Cerrillos Hills State Park Visitor Center - Cerrillos has limited reviews, placing it in the bottom % of campgrounds based on reviews
Users appreciate the helpfulness of the staff and the availability of a small museum exhibit that offers some insight into local history. Visitors also noted the value of free maps for exploring the park trails.
Review Summaries
What Campers Love
Staff were 'very nice' and helpful. The small museum was a highlight for visitors, especially families. Free maps of the park were noted as extremely useful for navigating the trails.
Common Concerns
No specific complaints were noted in user reviews, but limited availability of activities and facilities may be inferred as potential drawbacks.
Pro Tips & Recommendations
Visitors highly recommend stopping at the Visitor Center as it is a short detour and offers helpful maps for exploring the park. One user noted that the Visitor Center's operating hours on Google...
Show more
Seasonal Insights
No specific trends by season were noted in the user reviews.
Camper Quotes
'The lady there was very nice and answered all our questions.' 'There is a small museum (one room) with some history info panels, as well as some ore samples.' 'Free maps of the park, which was...
Show more
Site-Specific Reviews
The site-specific 'Plaza' is noted to accommodate up to 150 people and is described as a large, open, and level space. However, privacy is minimal due to its location in the village.
Accessibility Features
The site includes two ADA-accessible van parking spots, suggesting some accessibility features.
Pet-Friendly Features
Pets are not allowed at this campground.
Last updated August 10, 2025