Southern New Mexico and Big Bend

[Floridafrances]

Since we had to cancel our late June trip to Yellowstone with our grandson, Tom and I have decided we'll wait until Fall and go 2 places we've wanted visit but never were able to get to - southern New Mexico and the Big Bend area.

Not counting the drive out there and back, we'll have 4 weeks. I'm finding it hard to figure out how to divide our time between the 2 areas.

All I've booked so far are 3 nights at Oliver Lee Memorial SP in order to take the October 23rd full moon hike at White Sands and a few other hikes close by.

We prefer State and Federal parks, although we do like having at least electricity in case we need to run A/C, or heater.

We enjoy taking our Jeep on scenic drives - paved or not - and if there's hiking to be done along the way, even better. Avid amateur photographers. We love interesting geologic formations, ghost towns, rockhounding, and pretty much anything that gets us out away from cities and crowds.

Any advice any of you have on any of the things I've thrown out here would be greatly appreciated.

[agesilaus]

National Parks in south NM: Carlsbad, White Sands and Gila Cliffs. City of Rocks is different.

[lizzie]

Our summer plans have also changed because of surgery scheduled for mid-June. I am hoping we can get on the road by September. I want to follow this thread because these sound like great suggestions for us. lizzie

[Heisenberg]

Davis Mountains State Park in Texas. Stars forever......................

[Atlee]

In southeastern New Mexico is Carlsbad Caverns National Park. If you're into caverns, that's a wonderful trip, IMO.

[NMDriver2]

Park in Deming, NM and do day trips to City of Rocks State Park, Rock Hound State Park, Poncho Villa State Park near Columbus, NM, Chino Mine near Silver City and Gila Cliff Dwelling National Monument. In September the Chile Festival is in Hatch, NM and even if you miss the festival you can buy fresh green or red chile all over the Mesilla Valley and southern Rio Grande. Leasburg Dam State Park/Fort Seldon Monument has E/W hookups about 25 mi south of Hatch and 15 mi north of Las Cruces. While near White Sands Missile Range (on US 70 between Las Cruces and Alamagordo) see the Missile Museum. You can park at the gate and walk the 100 yards to the museum.

If you like hiking there is also the Prehistoric Trackways National Monument just North and West of Las Cruces with newly discovered petrified forest rocks and fossilized footprints with hiking trails and no vehicle access.

Almost forgot to mention the Jornada De Muerto drive from Exit 32 on I-25 to Upham and then up to Engle near Truth or Consequences and Elephant Butte Lake. A good days jeep outing about 50 miles. Take water and snacks.

[tragusa3]

Envious of you guys that can travel when the weather is best. We were in BBNP in June last year and barely got out alive! 1.5 days was all we could handle with the intense heat (campground with electric was closed).

[agesilaus]

A week at BBNP if you can stand the heat, we planned on 7 days but left at day 5 because it was HOT. Heh.

[imgoin4it]

Recommend at least a week at big bend national park. Stay at the campgrounds at the south end of park along the rio grand river. There are lots of things to do and see in and around the park for which you will need your Jeep. Day trips around southern NM are many. Valley of fire state park, petroglyphs north of Tularosa, Billy the kids stomping grounds in capitan, international space hall of fame In Alamogordo, mountain towns of Cloudcroft and Ruidoso. This is a start..

[TexasShadow]

Guadalupe National Park....no elec hookups, but good hiking.

Davis Mountains State Park,..... elec water and dump, some hiking, Astronomy shows at McDonald Observatory..check to see what days they have a Star Party.

Big Bend Park...I suggest you stay in Terlingua or Study Butte at a private rv park...Big Bend RV park is the name of one. These are not fancy, but they are only a couple, 3 miles from the park's west entrance. The park is very large. There are hiking trails in several places. Nov should have temps cool enough.
And some good drives on gravel. Take water with you.

[Mandalay_Parr]

Elephant Butte has state park and private parks. Largest lake in the state.