Albuquerque During Balloon Fest

[charming]

We are planning to end the western most part of our fall trip in Albuquerque in time to attend the Balloon Fest. We were hoping to be more casual in our reservations, but I dawned on me today that the Balloon Fest is probably a lot like Harley Week in Myrtle Beach and we better make reservations as of yesterday.

Anyone attending in the past?

[ependydad]

turtle58 wrote:
We have been to the festival for the last 3 years. The mornings are cool and the days are warm. If you are worried about your dogs they will be ok as we travel with 2 ourselves, just leave some windows open. As for your tanks they have a pump out service (don't know the coast) if you need them. Downtown is busy but not as busy as around the field. This is a must see and you will not be disappointed if the weather cooperates.

Pump outs and water delivery are both $25, if I recall correctly.

The bigger issue, for me, was figuring out electrical concerns. I bought a small generator for recharing my batteries during the day.

[turtle58]

We have been to the festival for the last 3 years. The mornings are cool and the days are warm. If you are worried about your dogs they will be ok as we travel with 2 ourselves, just leave some windows open. As for your tanks they have a pump out service (don't know the coast) if you need them. Downtown is busy but not as busy as around the field. This is a must see and you will not be disappointed if the weather cooperates.

[PenMan]

charming wrote:
Thanks for all the wonderful info. We are now leaning strongly to staying on site. Very concerned about boon docking for 3 full nights.

I'm also wondering about how crowded is it around Albuquerque during the Festival? I'm thinking we'll just enjoy a few days of the festival and then visit Albuquerque and surrounding areas next year when we head west again.

It gets very crowded during the fiesta. It almost doubles the city's population over the ten day period. I'm not sure how they know how many people are visiting but it runs around 700,000 visitors. That's about what our population is last time I checked.

[2gypsies1]

You didn't say exactly what RV you have but from your profile you probably have a 30' motorhome with 2 greyhounds. Will you be bringing the dogs with you? If so, it would probably not be a good idea to dry camp because you could have hot days and you'd probably be away from the RV hours at a time to watch the balloons.

If not bringing the dogs you could surely dry camp for 3 days. Come in with empty holding tanks and full water and you shouldn't have any problem.

Staying onsite is just so much easier than fighting the traffic.

You asked about siteseeing Albuquerque itself.... if you go away from the Balloon grounds you'll just have the normal big city congestion which we don't enjoy but perhaps you wouldn't mind.

[charming]

Thanks for all the wonderful info. We are now leaning strongly to staying on site. Very concerned about boon docking for 3 full nights.

I'm also wondering about how crowded is it around Albuquerque during the Festival? I'm thinking we'll just enjoy a few days of the festival and then visit Albuquerque and surrounding areas next year when we head west again.

[Veebyes]

We attended, for the third time, last year. For the second time no reservations. No problems in the dry camping area. As always there is a trick to the method.

The busy weekend will be the first weekend. Not sure if I would try that without reservations. Sunday, after the flights, people start to leave. From noon onwards they take checkins. Monday even more leave. By Tuesday the departure rate seems to slow some & you are left with people who are there for the duration.

Last year we arrived at about 1:00P & drove right up to the checkin hut. No line. We got a spot in the third row back from Alameda Ave. Perfect. We had balloons directly overhead by 7:15 each morning. A landing field was literally less than a minute walk away. Thursday,when the air currents were really light & the CG had thinned out even more we had on land right next to us.

JMO but the best area by far is the dry camping area. No question, the worst is any CG offsite where you have to get up extra early & shuttle or otherwise deal with traffic, which is horrendous, & parking, which means a long walk to the launch field. In the dry camping area you can sit in your own chair outside your own unit with fresh inexpensive coffee close at hand or climb ontop for for an even better view.

Sorry, but those who don't know pay the price & suffer the inconvenience of being offsite. The dry camping area has a constant stream of comp shuttle buses to the launch field or you can do the 3/4 mile walk.

[2gypsies1]

Staying on the festival grounds is the very best way to experience it. They have hookups and dry camping. We dry camped for the whole festival time - two weekends and all days inbetween plus an extra day tacked on to each end. The balloons fly according to the weather and many times they're unable to go up. We also volunteered (got an free balloon ride for doing so). The balloonists are always looking for help in setting up and retrieving their balloons. Staying in the huge dry camping area is either an easy walk to the field or there are constant shuttle buses going up and down the rows from early morning until after the night festivities. Many times the balloons will land or fly right at the dry camping area. Staying off-site is a big hassle when it could be a lot more pleasant for you.

[Janss]

We stayed at Enchanted Trails some years ago. They had a shuttle that ran to and from the festival a few times a day. We loved that we didn't have to drive in the traffic, find a parking place, etc. Did they mention that to you? Of course, I wouldn't know if they still do that.

[PenMan]

You will have a great time if the weather cooperates. We just walk out our back door since we live in Albuquerque. I won't get into that traffic.

[md_procouple]

Went there a few years back, as others have said stay on the grounds if possible, or there is a KOA somewhat close, Make reservations for that Now as well. Good Luck and Happy Camping !!

[charming]

Matt_Colie wrote:
I am going to be very brief.
If you want to stay on the Balloon Fiesta grounds and want more than dry camping (10yo 30$/n*3min), try to make reservations today. Other than that, make what every reservations you can. Yes, the local traffic is a killer. That is what makes staying on the grounds good.

The mass accentions are weekends, do not miss that.

This is on my list as a get there at all cost......

Matt

I just made a reservation for the first weekend at Enchanted Trails. I called several parks and they are either charging 3 arms and 2 legs or are full. Not the best dates for us, we will have to adjust the front end to accommodate arriving two days early. We'll probably take it off of our Dallas week. We were planning to stay for a week, but are now limited to just 5 nights (with a lot change in the middle) and have no desire to dry camp for that length of time.

Future reference, yes this is like Harley week on steroids, more like the Masters in Augusta. If you plan to go, make your reservation in October the year before.

I will keep checking, but grabbed this one just to have a place.

[Matt_Colie]

I am going to be very brief.
If you want to stay on the Balloon Fiesta grounds and want more than dry camping (10yo 30$/n*3min), try to make reservations today. Other than that, make what every reservations you can. Yes, the local traffic is a killer. That is what makes staying on the grounds good.

The mass accentions are weekends, do not miss that.

This is on my list as a get there at all cost......

Matt

[ependydad]

Given what I saw of traffic- I wouldn't want to stay anywhere but the Ballon Fiesta fairgrounds.

Their cancellation policy seemed pretty decent, if I recall correctly.

[trailertraveler]

We have been in New Mexico during the Balloon Fiesta the past 4 years. RV parks as far away as Santa Fe are booked well in advance and many charge premium prices. If you want at least electric, you best make reservations for Corps of Engineers or State Park campgrounds. Dry camping sites at Corps or State Parks have usually been available. Even without special events like the Balloon Fiesta, it has been our experience that popular destinations are becoming more difficult to find full service facilities without making reservations.

[mfinnerty]

It's a great experience! We made reservations for three nights in the VIP West dry camping area on the fiesta grounds. Were there starting Thursday of the second week of the fiesta. Were about 50 yards from the entrance to the balloon grounds. Daily passes for two came with the campsite. Could run the generator as needed during the day. Could get tanks pumped and water for a reasonable price.