New 39-site RiverView RV Park set to open along Animas River

After two years of grading, utility work and persistent drainage challenges, RiverView RV Park is poised to welcome travelers to a once-rough parcel on the Animas River. The family-run, 39-site park occupies about three to four acres just upriver from Riverside Park and the Riverwalk in Aztec, and owners expect a mix of long-term renters and visiting tourists when opening is planned between Jan. 15 and Jan. 30.

The project required heavy earthmoving early on. Co-owner Chuck Smith said the site "was a rough piece of property when we first started," and that they brought in a bulldozer for about six weeks to level the ground. Installing utilities proved another hurdle before the owners could prepare individual spaces for RV hookups and access.

A key hurdle was storm drainage. Former Public Works Director Ruben Salcido rerouted runoff away from the property's center to the west to address chronic pooling and erosion. Community Development Director Andrew DiCamillo described that change as a "permanent fix," and said a drainage design for remaining work is complete. City staff flagged that the final steps must begin before spring runoff to prevent renewed flooding risk.

Smith recounted a turning point in the process: "So we went back to the city and said sorry, that corridor is kind of closed." City officials later coordinated with interim public works staff to identify a secondary storm drain issue to the west of the property; completion of that work is now a precondition to full, safe operation through the runoff season.

The owners have promoted the park online, stating: "Discover tranquility at RiverView RV Park, a brand-new, locally owned 39-site RV destination in Aztec, New Mexico. Nestled near the serene Animas River, RiverView offers a quiet, scenic, and family-friendly atmosphere surrounded by breathtaking landscapes and world-class outdoor recreation," on riverviewrvpark4corners.com. The site adds, "Whether you’re visiting for a weekend adventure or an extended stay, you’ll enjoy clean surroundings, spacious sites, and the kind of hospitality that makes every guest feel like family."

For Aztec's downtown and riverfront businesses, the park represents incremental tourist capacity that could increase weekday foot traffic for cafes, outfitters and river-access services. Locally, RV tourism trends favor smaller, scenic communities offering easy access to walking trails and parks, and a 39-site facility may help extend stays beyond single-night through-traffic.

Our two cents? If you plan to host visiting family or market services to tourists, consider the park's mid-January opening and the spring runoff timetable; book space early and coordinate with city staff if you expect seasonal impacts. RiverView's arrival is a small but tangible boost for the Animas corridor — and for Aztec's downtown businesses looking for more visitors year-round.