List for Baja and Mexico campgrounds?

OK, here it is, although it is pretty limited. BajaTallman2.Wordpress.com
Both were different trips. The first, in the big motorhome, we spent 6 weeks in Barriles and 4 weeks in Loreto. Enjoyed both immensely. The second trip was more of a solo trip in the Ranger. If you are driving solo from Quebec, I would take the truck and cross through Mexicali to San Felipe, over Coco's Corner. Save some time and traffic by not driving to and through Tecate and Ensenada. I could not have done Coco's or Cabo Pulmo/Arbolitos/Frailes with the motor home, and I had not been to San Felipe and the Bay of Gonzaga on the first trip. Well worth it.

We use and contribute to iOverlander POI lists, but you need to be aware that the info is usually provided by those driving normal fourwheeldrive vehicles and small truck campers so little point in rocking up in a 40' DP with toad and expect to find room to park - especially applies to any site without photos and good descriptions. Anything with no details is likely to be several years old and very unreliable.

The first trip is at Bajatallman.wordpress.com
and I will try to get a post of the second trip in the truck. Maybe tonight :)

Thanks for the info. briansue2.

Biansue2, I see that you have traveled quite far into Mexico and you did it with a Motorhome? How is the drive with the MH? Do you often have problems going places you want or finding a campsite?

We drive a 40' diesel pusher towing a Honda CR-V. There are very few campgrounds we can't find a way to get into. Some roads can be scary narrow but we have survived. We park in a central location and use the car to take day trips we would not be doing in an RV our size. We have had no problems towing the car but the tolls can sometimes be confusing and expensive. We now know how to avoid some of the higher tolls but take the toll roads when we want to get somewhere in a reasonable time frame - or when we know the other roads are worse than we care to drive. There are many towns you cannot drive through with a large vehicle but there are no usually ring roads (perifericos) peripheral roads - around them. Which is why you need a good GPS as printed maps will not be showing the detail you need to find your way.

I (as well as others on this forum) have driven in Mexico since before they had decent roads or accurate road maps - before GPS - before many modern RV parks (back then in converted van campers - not a motorhome). We have survived all of our trips intact. If we can't find an RV park we pay to park in a motel lot or stay in a Pemex - 24 hour security and lighting. We are not among those who park on deserted beaches - well past that part of our lives.

RV parks in Mexico are not quite what you might expect to find in the US - though some are nice - few have things like 50amp power - mostly park on grass - can get stuck in mud when it rains. Some parks are improving and some are closing. My advice is to take time to research and ask questions but do not hesitate to go - life is too short to waste worrying.

If you want beaches we thing the best are on the west coast further south than Mazatlan. We did not like Gulf Coast beaches. Caribbean side of Yucatan is great but hard to find a space. But we limit our beach time and spend much more time exploring the central areas visiting towns and colonial cities. We also like ancient ruins. There is so much to see and do I cannot begin to list it all. Many on this forum have blogs and their blogs could take you to other blogs - this is where you might learn where you want to go. Reading and research on the internet will tell you a lot. Then you narrow down what you want to see and do or whatever and plan the route. Then further research into your stops along your route. Having a motorhome with a car behind gives you access to many places you might otherwise miss. That is our theory anyway. Not all agree.

John & Angela wrote:

Kidoo wrote:
Great info John and Angela and great picture, merci beaucoup, très apprécié!

:)

I saw your blog, I was in the Airforce for 35 years, Bagotville for over 25! :)

coloradotallman wrote:
Once again, I have to recommend iOverlander.com as the place to look in the digital age. I have made two trips the length of the Baja, the first in a 38 foot diesal with tow car and the second in my Ford Ranger with a sleeping platform in the 7 foot bed. With the tow car, a Honda CR-V, I could access almost all the places I went to in the Ranger, although finding a campground for the Class A was far more limiting.

This is one I wonder about the Motorhome, I do not like the idea of pulling a toad behind, will I miss something? I could bring bikes with me, don't know if it would be of any help. I normally carry a 250cc scooter on the rack behind the MH but will this be too attractive to robbers?

It must have been quite different with the Ranger!

Once again, I have to recommend iOverlander.com as the place to look in the digital age. I have made two trips the length of the Baja, the first in a 38 foot diesal with tow car and the second in my Ford Ranger with a sleeping platform in the 7 foot bed. With the tow car, a Honda CR-V, I could access almost all the places I went to in the Ranger, although finding a campground for the Class A was far more limiting.

Kidoo wrote:
Great info John and Angela and great picture, merci beaucoup, très apprécié!

:)

Great info John and Angela and great picture, merci beaucoup, très apprécié!