Balloon festival

The Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta is one of the RVer's absolutely 'must do's'.

Done it twice. First time with a large owners group. Second time, simply showing up. No reservation. Stayed at the huge dry camping area with the landing field in the middle.

First weekend, first time, 2007, was full. By Monday there were lots of spaces. Second time, 2009, we arrived no reservation, Sunday afternoon first weekend. Again the dry camping area. Loads of space available & it only got to be more as the week went by.

JMO, but being a short distance from the launch field is better.


You need to be back abit to appreciate how many & how big this event is.

I've crewed for local balloon friends for over 15 years and we all made a trip to NM about 15 years ago. It is an amazing sight and one you have to see to get the emended feel. Volunteering as crew as some noted is a great way to get a fun perspective, one you won't forget.

We made the trip over from Phx AZ a few years ago and stayed in the VIP West dry camp area. It was a great time. Right next to the launch field, and every morning the balloons would lift off and head out directly over our 5'r by 30 to 50 feet. Well worth the trip and daily RV site $'s.
So much to do and see at the park and surrounding Albuquerque, and everyone around us was there to have a good time.
But like said before, better sign up soon, as many days are getting filled fast.

We liked the "VIP" dry camping section right next to the launch field and Balloon Museum for the convenience of just a short walk. Includes passes to the launch field for your entire stay.

If I remember correctly, the Balloon Fiesta asks that small groups arrive together if they want spaces together.

Enjoy! A great RVing experience.

Made my reservation already. You need to make yours. The presidential sites are full as are the Water and Electric. The dry camping probably have an opening still but they were full when I was there on weekends. We came in a couple days before too.

On-site in dry camping! Worth just being there! Space will most likely NOT be an issue - only if you are trying to get in to one of their premium areas (W/E). But reserving early would be a good idea. One word of caution - there are these seeds from some type of weed that grows there - known as "goat heads" - given the 2 horns on them. SHARP! Think I still have some impaled in my soles from 2010!!! Almost guaranteed flat tire if you pedal a bike there! Minor inconvenience for being at the festival - but watch out for pets' paws... ST

X 2 - 2 gypsies

Here's the Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta site:

Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta

We went this past October with a group of 30 and stayed from opening day to the day after closing. We all volunteered for various crews - can sign up once you're there. It was a blast to help in launching the balloons and we also got a free ride for our efforts. We stayed on the Fiesta grounds in the dry camping area. The free shuttle bus stopped by our RVs and we were on the grounds in 10 minutes.

I would highly recommend staying on the grounds rather than a local RV park. The traffic coming into the Fiesta is a nightmare.

There are several rv parks in the area plus rv camping on the grounds of the balloon flights. But whatever you do, you better be making reservations right now but then, due to popularity, it may be too late.

Albuquerque New Mexico.