Carlsbad Caverns in November

[deedle82]

Looking to go to Carlsbad Caverns during Thanksgiving week.
Anyone have any suggestions on where to stay that is not to far from the park? There will be two class A's towing, one 38 ft and the other 32 ft. I know there is a KOA in town and will stay there if there is nothing else.

Thank you.

[gwalter]

Another vote for Brantley SP. We have stayed there several nights each of the last 2 years. I think it was $14 a night for electric and water.

[2gypsies1]

Since you're coming from California you'll probably take I-10 across Arizona. Keep in mind that in Benson - 40 miles east of Tucson - is a pristine, 'live' cave (still growing) called Kartchner Caverns (State Park). It is completely different in looks from Carlsbad. The tour is awesome!

It's about 10 miles south of I-10 and also has a beautiful campground with electric and a dump station. Big sites!

[padredw]

Carlsbad Campground RV park

Several years ago we decided to stay here in the town of Carlsbad because of the convenience of distance to the Caverns (as compared to the KOA.) We did not regret that decision. The park was not a destination for us, just a place for overnight. That worked for us, and we would not hesitate to go back--although I'm sure the KOA would be a nicer park.

[Golfcart]

huachuca wrote:
Another vote for Brantley Lake SP.

Also highly recommend the Lower Cave tour. Reservations suggested.

Lower cave tour is real fun

I went to carlsbad/guadalupe peak 4th of july weekend 2013. White City is nothing more than a place to plug in. Very run down

Our first night however, was in the parking lot at Guadalupe peak just inside texas. We were far enough away from the tent camping area not to disturb them with the generator. I'd go back there before id pay for a spot in White city again.

[Traver8]

Just to add to the conversation - I drove through Whites City this afternoon and can confirm that it is pretty simple and not much in the way of amenities. I also drove through Carlsbad Campground RV park and found it better but the newer open sites were still close together and just open gravel.

FYI - right now many of the parks in this area are full of pipeline construction folks who are staying for some time on various jobs so availability in some parks is tight.

For a night or two - there is a very small park right at the East end of the Hwy 62/180 bridge over the river . Have not stayed there but have driven by it many times and it looks pretty nice and is right on the river. It is the Pecos River RV Park and has only 12-15 spaces (I think) and this afternoon was about half full. I did see a sign that the property is for sale but do not know if that will impact staying there or not.

Anyway, just some current observations. As most have suggested the KOA or the state parks might be a better choice. There is also Guadalupe Mtns NP down the road which has a small, no hookups RV area if that might work for you.

Hard to say what would work best in Nov. Pay attention to the weather forecast and have a good time.

Terry

[dezl_dr]

Another vote for Brantley Lake State Park - anytime we are in the area we stay here.

[Kit_Carson]

We stayed at KOA. Yes, it is a good ways north of town but the friendly service, clean, very clean bathhouses, level sites and the excellent dinner that can be ordered and delivered to your site make It all worthwhile.

[SDcampowneroper]

There' s a real neat spot to boondock on blm off the se corner of NM 720 at the Black river crossing. Theres room for several rigs, and the fishing is good in the pond!
not far from Carlsbad Caverns.
Recommend you place a spotter at the top of the east hill to slow westbound traffic while you back in.

[2gypsies1]

We, also, stay at Brantley Lake State Park

[dapperdan]

TexasShadow wrote:
White's City was a real dump a few years ago when we were there. The closest RV park will be in the town of Carlsbad. There is a nice KOA north of town a few miles. 7 rivers resort, I think it's called.
Hope someone will let us know if White's City has been cleaned up.

We stayed there this last April, it IS the closest to the caverns but it's not been fixed up at all. The bathrooms are as others here have stated.

Would we stay there again? Probably not, it's not the worst place we ever stayed in but pretty close. :W

We were there for just two nights, spent the entire day(s) at the Caverns and didn't really use the rest rooms, I did look in the men's room though just to confirm what I had read on Allstays. :E ...Yup, no doors on the stalls. Your call, convenience or cleanliness....

Dan

[huachuca]

Another vote for Brantley Lake SP.

Also highly recommend the Lower Cave tour. Reservations suggested.

[bob_nestor]

I stayed at White's City a couple of years ago when I visited Carlsbad. As others have said, it's not much of a place to stay. Gravel parking lot basically with a bunch of pull-thrus. They only have 50A power connections but will loan you an adapter if all you need is 30A. Even so, I had problems with the 30A power and wasn't able to run my A/C which was much needed when I was there.

[Sandia_Man]

We stayed at Brantley Lake state park which is a bit closer to Carlsbad than the aforementioned KOA, we always prefer state parks over private parks when RVing. Roomy sites with cement table and metal roofing with wind blind as well, nicely spaced out and good views to boot. Convenient to other Carlsbad attractions such as the Living Desert Zoo state park and Sitting Bull Falls to mention a couple.

[imgoin4it]

Pay attention to the folks that commented about White's city.