Forum Discussion

CarnationSailor's avatar
Sep 25, 2013

Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta

I'm looking for advice from anyone who has stayed onsite at the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta's (AIBF) RV campground.

Note: I am making plans for 2014.

I was going to stay at an off-site rv park until I discovered that all four of Woodall's highly-rated parks are either right next to an interstate or a busy railroad track.

The AIBF's onsite campground offers many choices:

Standard - Dry camping for $30 per night.

Premium - 20-amp electric and "water provided" for $65 per night. (Anyone know what "water provided" means?)

(Standard and Premium are a short walk to the fields.)

VIP - Dry camping right next to the balloon fields plus entry passes for 2 adults for $85 per night. (Regular passes cost $8 per person per each of the 2 daily sessions, which works out to $32 per day for a couple.)

President's - $150 per night - 'nuff said!

Trying to decide if staying onsite would be best for us, and if it is, which type of site to reserve, so hearing of others experiences would be very helpful. One negative is that it is "rally style" parking, but on the other hand, a positive is that we would avoid the "nightmare" traffic jams getting to/from the events each day. (We are thinking of attending both the morning and evening sessions on the Saturday and Sunday of the opening weekend.)

So, wadda ya tink?

12 Replies

  • Website says reservations are closed for 2013. You do still have the option of no-res drive in standard (dry camping) RV parking, though, assuming space is available when you arrive.

    (Or maybe you are looking ahead to 2014. I think they open reservations a year out.)

    On edit : thanks for the clarification that you mean 2014. We're going this year and will be glad to give you some feedback afterward.
  • I'd highly recommend you stay at the balloon facility - a lot more fun and easier to see the balloons and all the excitement. You really don't want to fight the traffic if you're planning to attend a couple times a day.