Looking for parks and things to do in New Mexico in October

Our only experience with Carlsbad has been with the KOA...about 12-15 miles north of Carlsbad itself. First class, a little on the high ($) side but in our opinion worth it. BIG sites, level and you can order food delivered to your site. Only bad part was (when we were there) wind. Advised to NOT put out the awning unless we were "right there". Smart move.
Not far from the Caverns (south) not far from Roswell (north) and a nice day trip (or even overnighter in your toad...to White Sands in Alamagordo. A sun observatory on the way. Beautiful mountains, too. For a afternoon in your toad, ask about getting to "Sitting Bull Falls"...and follow that road all the way to "Dog Canyon"...in TEXAS!...then on the way back stop at Queen, NM for a great lunch.

Do a Google search for `New Mexico tourism' and read what the experts recommend. Don't know how to limit responses to October.

Early October is probably okay. The Alburqurque Balloon Festival is almost always near the third week of the month. Check the state online website for tourism to check other events during your stay.

The thing that we liked the best in NM was the Sky City Pueblo we stayed at the tribes campground at the casino in Acoma New Mexico. The guided tour was wonderful and we brought home some of their wonderful art work

You're planning to be in NM at a great time of the year weather-wise. The weather is fantastic and there is sooo much to see and do in NM.

In early October there is the Balloon Fiesta in Albuquerque, which is really awesome.

Up north in Chama is the Cumbres and Toltec Narrow-Gauge Railroad which offers a great trip through the mountains.

If you're planning to be in the state for 2 weeks, you should consider the NM Annual Parks Pass. It makes stays in NM's many wonderful state parks very affordable.

Have a great trip!
wxToad

You can find other articles about our NM travels as well as picture reviews of all the campgrounds we have stayed at on our website: Toad Hall.

Lots of great places to see in New Mexico. We have been there in September and October a number of times. In September, start in the North or higher elevations and work your way South. The Balloon Fiesta is always in early October. There are a number of harvest festivals and Oktoberfests around the state. In September and October, Mesilla has mariachi Sundays in the plaza in front of the church. If you like trying local wines, here is a link to New Mexico Wine Trails. If you like craft beers, here is a link to New Mexico Breweries Here are links to some of the places we enjoyed:
Fort Union National Monument,
Pecos National Historic Site,
Bandelier National Monument,
Petroglyph National Monument,
El Malpais National Monument,
El Moro National Monument,
Aztec Ruins National Monument,
Salinas Pueblos National Monument,
White Sands National Monument,
Tent Rocks National Monument,
Acoma Sky City,
Pueblo Cultural Center,
Ice Cave and Bandera Volcano,
The Very Large Array,
Tucumcari, The Blue Hole,
Cumbres & Toltec Railroad,
Salmon Ruins,
Vietnam Veterans Memorial,
Rio Grande River Gorge,
Kit Carson Home & Museum in Taos,
Mining Museum,
Tucumcari,
Christ in the Desert Monastery
Carlsbad Caverns National Park,
Turquoise Trail,
Museum Hill in Santa Fe,
Canyon Road Galleries in Santa Fe,
Ghost Ranch,
Chaco Cultural Historical Park,
Mimbres Museum,
Geronimo Springs Museum,
Old Mesilla,
Geronimo Trail,
Pinos Altos,
Valley of Fires,
Three Rivers petroglyph Site,
Rockhound State Park,
City of Rocks State Park,
Poncho Villa State Park,
Smokey Bear Historic Park,
Rio Grande Del Norte National Monument,
Oliver Lee Memorial State Park,
New Mexico Museum of Space History.

The weather can be found by using any of a number of websites and looking at historical data for cities.

Mr. Camper wrote:
Early October is probably okay. The Alburqurque Balloon Festival is almost always near the third week of the month. Check the state online website for tourism to check other events during your stay.

The Balloon Fiesta is actually the first full week of October every year and runs for 10 days. It is a nice destination. I like to head up to the northern mountains for some beautiful scenery. I like the Chama area or anywhere around the Taos or Red River areas. You can't go wrong anywhere in NM in October. The state parks in the southern part of the state are also nice. Rockhound State Park, Bottomless Lakes State Park, and others are excellent that time of year.

wxtoad wrote:
...If you're planning to be in the state for 2 weeks, you should consider the NM Annual Parks Pass. It makes stays in NM's many wonderful state parks very affordable...

A non-resident annual camping pass for New Mexico State Parks is $225. Thus, the break even point is reached after 22 days of camping. Maybe a few less if you visit additional State Parks that have an entrance fee (usually $5).

Thank you for the ideas....I will have hours of research ahead!