Campground recommendations for NM, AZ and Texas in Oct.

[MissouriBird]

We are in the early stages of planning a 4-6 wk. trip to the Southwest in Oct. We hope to head from Kansas City area to Santa Fe, Canyon deChelly, on across to Grand Canyon and then to Death Valley, before returning via southern AZ, NM and Texas, including Big Bend NP and San Antonio in late Oct. or early Nov.

Questions---Is the drive via route 264 from Ganada to Tuba City, AZ worthwhile? What can we expect to see and do on this stretch of road across the Hopi Reservation during early Oct.? Are there any campgrounds with hook-ups that you would recommend?

Questions--What temperatures should we expect in White Sands, Carlsbad and Big Bend areas during the second half of Oct.?

Question--What RV parks with hook-ups are available on each side of Death Valley after Oct. 15 and in the Palm Springs, CA area? Recommendations?

Thanks in advance for any help you can provide.

[Texas_Roadrunn1]

We like Emerald Desert in Palm Desert. We haven't been there in the fall, so I am not sure about the weather. The park is well kept and the people are quite friendly.

[trailertraveler]

MissouriBird wrote:
...We are in the early stages of planning a 4-6 wk. trip to the Southwest in Oct. We hope to head from Kansas City area to Santa Fe...

The higher elevations in NM and the White Mountains of Arizona may be cool to cold at night in October. We have seen light snows at the ski areas of Taos, Santa Fe and Big Lake/Show Low. The aspens will be turning and if you can, the drives to the ski areas will be very scenic. Many of the Forest Service campgrounds in the higher elevation areas start to close after Labor Day. Commercial campgrounds in areas like Red River, Eagles Nest and Angel Fire will stsrt closing in October. At the time you are planning to travel, I would start at the Northern and higher elevvation sites and work South and lower.

[2gypsies1]

Your planned trip sounds ideal for October. Hwy 264 is very scenic but there will be no RV parks along the way. If you're staying in Canyon De Chelly's campground (recommended) the previous night it won't take you a long time to take 264 to Tuba City. If you're then heading to the Grand Canyon, taking 64 from Cameron on Hwy 89 is a good way to enter the park from the east.

Temperatures will be ideal at White Sands and Big Bend the last of October. You'll probably be seeing a lot of brilliant yellow cottonwoods against a bright blue sky in Big Bend at Rio Grande Village. Awesome! If you need full-hookups there, stay at Rio Grande Village in the park itself. It's just a row of sites but the surrounding scenery is gorgeous.

Death Valley? Furnace Creek, right in the park, has full hookups. Staying any other place will have you driving long distances.

The Albuquerque Balloon Festival is the first part of October in Albuquerque. Even the parks up to Santa Fe raise their prices during this time so be aware. Also, you'll need to make reservations. This is a very popular time to be around there. Santa Fe Skies RV is the best place to stay.

Have fun planning!