Okay board, I am wrapping up my retirement camping trip and have just completed nearly 61 days on the road with the family.We hit up Rocky Mountain NP, Dinosaur NM, Lassen NP, Redwoods NP, Big Sur area, Yosemite NP, Sequoia NP, Grand Canyon NP, Zion NP, and Bryce NP. We are on our way to Arches NP and Mesa Verde NP and will be headed back east to Fayetteville NC on 19 Oct. We don't need to be back "home" until 26 October and that got me thinking...I have some EXTRA time!What other national park (or monument or attraction) would the board recommend as a quick one or two night stay along the way back to NC? I was thinking of taking I-40 back through New Mexico, Texas, Arkansas, and Tennessee. I am willing to "divert" about 120 miles north or south. My daughters and I prefer to hike and see wildlife as opposed to city attractions, but the idea of hitting up places like Roswell is something we might go for...BTW--I have a 40+ page trip report to post when I get back home to stable wifi if anyone is interested. This trip turned into both my retirement trip AND shakedown cruise. Lots happened and many, many memories.

Carlsbad Caverns isn't too far south of Roswell. Definitely recommend the lower cave tour. Brantley Lake SP is a nice Park or Dog Canyon in Guadalupe Mountain NP if you want something more remote.Palo Duro State Park is just off 40 near Amarillo and is a favorite stop of ours. Lighthouse trail is a good hike.

Crossville, TN. Cumberland MT. State Park., Fall Creek Falls ST. PK. Sgt. Alvin York home and museum. Homestead TowersGood private RV PK is Spring Lake.

You missed Meteor Crater, Petrified Forest and Painted Desert in Northern Arizona east of Holbrook. All along I-40. Close by are Four Corners, where you can put your body in four states at the same time, and Canyon de Chelly.You don't say how old your daughters are, but you can stand on the corner in Winslow Az, (Eagles fame) and see the wigwam motel of CARS fame in downtown Holbrook. If you ask they'll let you tour one of the wigwams. In NM, White Sands Missle Range is awesome! Carlsbad Caverns, is good, too..stay at the CC RV Park...it's nicer than the one closest to the entrance. They have a pet facility at the cavern entrance so you don't have to leave them in the coach. If going to Roswell, be sure to see the zoo there..it's free and worth the trip. We stayed at Bottomless Lakes State Park...camping at the water's edge....have a safe trip....Dennis

Chief (ret), one place that seems to be rarely visited is Black Mesa in the NW corner of the Oklahoma Panhandle: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Black_Mesa_(Oklahoma) I grew up in No Man's Land and didn't really appriciate it when I was younger.PSM ;)

On the way down to 40, you might consider spending a few days in northern New Mexico. Santa Fe and Taos are both loaded with atmosphere, interesting plazas, great food, museums - linked by the "High Road" with old mission churches.Around Albuquerque, you could visit Bandelier and Petroglyph National Monuments for some hiking. And even though the Balloon Fiesta is over, you could book a balloon ride over Albuquerque as a grand finale of your trip.

Southern recomendations near I-40 (NM, TX, OK, AR or TN)

rexlion
Explorer
Oct 14, 2014
In Arkansas, stop at Petit Jean State Park. Nice camping under the evergreens, high scenic overlooks, a waterfall, unusual rock formations, a cave, good hiking trails, and historical significance.
RamblinManGA
Explorer
Oct 14, 2014
Hi from AZ. . . Many good suggestions, & I 2nd the National Cowboy Museum & the OKC National Memorial in OK. The Cadillac Ranch Ranch is a quick stop photo op. We also have a string of our favorite restaurants from NM to TN if you're interested. (no chain or fast food) PM me & I'll share, be careful out there, Craig
Executive45
Explorer III
Oct 14, 2014
Balmorhea SP is off I-10, as is the observatory...but if you're in that area, both are worth the trip....Dennis
coolmom42
Explorer II
Oct 14, 2014
NCWriter wrote:
On the way down to 40, you might consider spending a few days in northern New Mexico. Santa Fe and Taos are both loaded with atmosphere, interesting plazas, great food, museums - linked by the "High Road" with old mission churches.

Around Albuquerque, you could visit Bandelier and Petroglyph National Monuments for some hiking. And even though the Balloon Fiesta is over, you could book a balloon ride over Albuquerque as a grand finale of your trip.

This is what I would do.

There are lots of great destinations along I-40 in Tennessee and NC, but you are close enough you can do them easily, later. Do the southwest attractions while you are there.
BB_TX
Nomad
Oct 14, 2014
In addition to all above, the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum and the Oklahoma City National Memorial & Museum, both in OKC, are definitely worth a visit.
djsamuel
Nomad
Oct 14, 2014
Probably stating the obvious, and you've probably been there, but still suggetsing a stop in Townsend, TN to Smoky Mountains National Park and the fall leaves. Plenty of hiking around the Cades Cove area to fill a couple of days.
TyroneandGladys
Explorer
Oct 14, 2014
Palo Duro State Park south of Amarillo TX. Camp down in the second largest canyon in the US.
patperry2766
Explorer II
Oct 14, 2014
Cadillac Ranch...Amarillo Texas

Big Texan Steakhouse..Amarillo Texas

Palo Duro State Park,..Canyon Texas. (Camp)

Lake Catherine SP, Lake Ouachita SP..near Hot Springs AR (camping)

Blue Hole...Santa Rosa NM (swimming hole camping nearby)

McDonald observatory in Davis Mountains, Ft Davis Texas..looks like they're having several star watching parties this month

10/31-11/1 Terlingua Texas 48th annual chili cook off. This is the granddaddy of ALL chili cook offs

Balmorhea SP. Texas. camping and swimming. Not too far from McDonald observatory (45miles)
and Terlingua (145 mi) so you could use as a base camp. Has a 1.75 acre spring fed pool that is 72-76 deg year around
NCWriter
Explorer
Oct 14, 2014
On the way down to 40, you might consider spending a few days in northern New Mexico. Santa Fe and Taos are both loaded with atmosphere, interesting plazas, great food, museums - linked by the "High Road" with old mission churches.

Around Albuquerque, you could visit Bandelier and Petroglyph National Monuments for some hiking. And even though the Balloon Fiesta is over, you could book a balloon ride over Albuquerque as a grand finale of your trip.
LenSatic
Explorer
Oct 14, 2014
Chief (ret), one place that seems to be rarely visited is Black Mesa in the NW corner of the Oklahoma Panhandle: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Black_Mesa_(Oklahoma) I grew up in No Man's Land and didn't really appriciate it when I was younger.

PSM ;)