New Mexico

wxtoad wrote:
...if you're going to be in the state for at least two weeks, I definitely recommend the NM parks annual pass: free dry-camping and only $4 for electric site...

The New Mexico Annual Camping Pass is a good deal. It costs $100 for resident seniors, $180 for residents under 62, and $225 for non-residents; so the break even point for camping is 10, 18, and 23 days respectively. It also covers the $5 entry fees at all New Mexico State Parks so if you visit parks that you are not camping at every two park visits would reduce the camping break even point by a day.

We have made two trips to New Mexico, staying a couple of months each time. We really like NM state parks and if you're going to be in the state for at least two weeks, I definitely recommend the NM parks annual pass: free dry-camping and only $4 for electric site.

I've written up reviews, complete with photos, of all the places we stayed and visited on our trips. They can be found on my web site:

Toad Hall

Use the top menu to find the campground reviews and journals of our travels.

WxToad

In northern New Mexico Sky Mountain Resort In Chama is a great park. Well run with very nice sites on the river.

Be aware, the access road to Bottomless Lakes is having some work done in the next 2 months, starting 5 May 2015. The MVD states that 75% will be open, the other 25% will have access through Dexter along Shawnee Rd, NM 190.

tatest wrote:
Can't recommend campgrounds in the SW part, that is still on my to do list. My last trip was to the SE quarter of the state, staying in Ft Sumner and Roswell, too long ago to verify the parks are still open or under the same management.

Sumner Lake State Park, Bottomless Lake State Park near Roswell and Brantley Lake State Park near Carlsbad all have nice campgrounds and all have some electric sites.

New Mexico is at least four different states. Divide it into quarters, using I-40 and I-25.

In March, I would be going to the SW quarter, out toward Deming, or touring US-60 into southeastern Arizona. It might start looking like Spring, in March, that far south. Spring in the desert can be beautiful.

Unless I wanted to join the Spring breakers for skiing, snowmobiling or snowboarding, then I'd be going to the NE quarter, which is still a winter sports hotspot in March.

Can't recommend campgrounds in the SW part, that is still on my to do list. My last trip was to the SE quarter of the state, staying in Ft Sumner and Roswell, too long ago to verify the parks are still open or under the same management.

we have 7 years to go till fulltime and I have always told the DW that were going to spend the 1st year in New Mexico after seeing this post from DesertHawk and trailertravler we might spend 2yrs Thanks great Info

Watched this video on "City of Rocks State Park" in New Mexico and it looked very nice. Whenever we can make it out there, we will be sure to check it out.

I second the Valley of Fires location. We stumbled on it by accident several years ago. Very interesting. Your Senior Pass will work there. If you do decide to go there consider timing your visit around April 4. That is the date this year that the Trinity site will be open to the public and it is not far from Valley of Fires.

Allworth wrote:
Warning!

The last time we were there the access road to Chaco Canyon NHS would beat an RV to death. They try to grade it, but after the slightest rain it goes bad bad bad in a hurry. We took just the truck...

There are a number of places on the list I provided that are not that RV friendly. For example, the turquoise trail scenic byway is OK to drive, but the towns like Madrid don't have many places to park a big rig. The Geronimo Trail has some low clearance bridges. The road to the Christ in the Desert Monastery is 13 miles of gravel/dirt sometimes barely two lane Forest Service Road. The websites usually have information on directions and road conditions. Google earth can also be your friend in checking grades, road surface type, road width, etc.

If there is not a campground with sites large enough to accomodate us, we do not try to take the RV there. We generally do not try to stop to sight see while towing. If there is something to see, we will stop for the night and sight see in the tow vehicle.