Santa Fe-Taos and Flagstaff suggestions please

[Chuck___]

Planning RV trip mid September. Like to have full hook-up if possible.

Hoping to stay near the Santa Fe area for 4 to 5 nights. But Santa Fe Skies RV Park is Blacked out in mid Sept for three week. I heard Taos is a quieter town. Trying not to have to drive back and forth from Taos to Santa Fe to see the sites like the Saturday market, some museums and general area if possible. I guess I'll drive back and forth if I have to.

I am 65, retired and have a total length truck and 5th wheel of 50 feet. Haven't been down to the southern states. Just trying to find a place to relax and not worry about getting hit over the head.

Flagstaff; suggestions!

Thank you for your reply.

I know; beggars can't be choosers! Said that; I am the type of person that tries to avoid larger cities nowadays if possible. Most of my working life I had to commute 117 mile per day back and forth to Portland, Oregon. The 2 hour plus ride home, getting stuck in rush hour traffic wasn't fun after 24 years.

I am a country boy at heart and like the forest and quiet farm lands. Like to stay at state, county and smaller private RV campgrounds. Always looking for a respectable RV site at a reasonable price. Aren't we all! Never had to stay at a Walmart or at a Casino and hope not to. I will not stay at a so-called RV site that is a homeless camp where I can't leave without getting something stolen and the moment you pull in, the Vultures start eyeing you. I am willing to drive the extra couple of miles to get a reasonable RV site and yes, pay a little more if need be.

So, where would you stay or recommend?

[mittshel]

We didn't care for the Flag KOA but for 1 night fine. Betsy.

[Rice]

padredw wrote:
I may have been one of the last to stay there without cost or reservations. There is one small ray of hope: Maybe this applies to ski season ? ? ? and not to Summer ? ? ? Well it was great while it lasted.

I just checked and it's for the summer, too.

[trailertraveler]

Rice wrote:
I guess an "overnight stay," even for 7 nights in a row, isn't the same as "living/residing." It seems to me that staying in an RV site is the same as residing in the RV site, but I guess not.

Words often have different meanings to different people in different contexts. This is why most laws, rules and regulations include definitions of the words they use in the descriptions of what is permitted and what is not. Many states have criteria which determine when you become a resident of their state or are required to become a resident. Length of stay is one common criteria used.

[Rice]

I guess an "overnight stay," even for 7 nights in a row, isn't the same as "living/residing." It seems to me that staying in an RV site is the same as residing in the RV site, but I guess not.

[trailertraveler]

Rice wrote:
What I find weird about the whole thing is this statement: "Overnight stays are limited to a seven (7) night stay in our lots. National Forest rules expressly forbid living/residing in the National Forest which includes the Taos Ski Valley parking lots."

If the rules expressly prohibit it, how are they allowing it?

This language has been included in the rules for most National Forests to prevent homesteading by fulltime RVers that moved from one campsite to another, often within the same Forest every 7, 14 or 21 days depending on the length of stay requirements. This issue started several years ago and came to ahead in Arizona National Forests where there were groups of RVers moving from one encampment to another for long periods of time. The practice was championed by the advocates of cheap RV living.

[Edd505]

RoyF wrote:
Flagstaff: while there is a lot of carping on the forum about KOA, I have found the Flagstaff KOA a satisfactory place to spend a few days.

Yep it was a great camp site as long as you don't mind falling apart utilities, unlevel sites, and almost enough room to open a slide. I travel a lot and this is by far the worst I have been in. I just checked reviews, 86 camps in 20 states if that means anything.

Try this for something around Santa Fe Santa Fe

KOA Flag almost enough room to open slide as long as the tables not in use. Note table tilt don't try and use it.

Power box Flag KOA

Sewer Cap Flag KOA

Lots of block for unlevel Flag KOA check the table!

[Rice]

padredw wrote:
I may have been one of the last to stay there without cost or reservations. There is one small ray of hope: Maybe this applies to ski season ? ? ? and not to Summer ? ? ?

I thought of that as well. Their reservation site shows nothing available after closing date for the ski area. We'll have to see whether that means it goes back to being FCFS free, or they're going to have a different structure for the summer that isn't incorporated in the website yet, or you can't do it at all.

What I find weird about the whole thing is this statement: "Overnight stays are limited to a seven (7) night stay in our lots. National Forest rules expressly forbid living/residing in the National Forest which includes the Taos Ski Valley parking lots."

If the rules expressly prohibit it, how are they allowing it?

[padredw]

padredw wrote:

If you boondock you can stay up at the Taos Ski Valley for free--on the parking lot.

Not any more. It's now $25/night plus tax with no hookups or showers, in designated sites that have a 36' maximum length. They want you to make reservation.

I may have been one of the last to stay there without cost or reservations. There is one small ray of hope: Maybe this applies to ski season ? ? ? and not to Summer ? ? ? Well it was great while it lasted.

[Rice]

padredw wrote:
If you boondock you can stay up at the Taos Ski Valley for free--on the parking lot.

Not any more. It's now $25/night plus tax with no hookups or showers, in designated sites that have a 36' maximum length. They want you to make reservation.

https://www.skitaos.com/plan-your-visit/rv-parking

Another one bites the dust.

[4runnerguy]

Bandelier NM is our go to place but no hookups. Hyde Memorial SP is about 15 minutes from downtown Sante Fe and does have some sites with electric hookups (30 amp max). Also a dump station. Booking starts 6 months in advance so you can score a site for mid-September in mid-March.

For our explorations around Taos, there are 2 CG's along the Rio Grande that have water and electric hookups at some sites but no sewer, Pilar and Rio Bravo. IIRC Rio Bravo also had showers that cost like $1 for 3 to 5 minutes when we were there. Nice setting. Unfortunately first come first served only. But we had no problem getting a spot on a weekday early afternoon in June.

[DouglasC]

X2 on Bandelier National Monument! We spent a lovely couple of days in the area a few years ago. If you're into history, there is a trail that leads to several cliff dwellings of the ancient Pueblo people who lived in the area about 1150 AD.

[donut_dave]

We haven't been to that area in years, but I remember what I thought to be a good stop as Bandelier National Monument. Quiet, great views, good trails, and hummingbirds all over the place.

[padredw]

You mentioned Taos-- we stayed at Taos Valley RV park. FHU, sites were large enough to fit us and the toad.. length of 65'. Clean well maintained park

Agree. If you boondock you can stay up at the Taos Ski Valley for free--on the parking lot. No hookups, but shops nearby and good WiFi. If your interest is in Santa Fe I would not recommend the Ski Valley as it would add a half hour to your travel to Santa Fe.

You could also check on the Ranchos de Santa Fe campground. It is nearer to the city than the Santa Fe KOA--on the same road. Although we usually stay at Santa Fe Skies we have stayed at Ranchos several times and it is fine.

[RAS43]

JoeH wrote:
You mentioned Taos-- we stayed at Taos Valley RV park. FHU, sites were large enough to fit us and the toad.. length of 65'. Clean well maintained park

X2 Great park, we stayed there last September.