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New Mexico: The Land of RVer Enchantment

Published: Wednesday, June 6, 2007

New Mexico is popularly called the "Land of Enchantment", and it is not exactly surprising why it has been called such because New Mexico has many interesting places that will leave travelers completely awed and beguiled. Its ancient but rich culture mixed with impressive and natural landscapes offers a truly unique and enjoyable experience to adventure-seekers.

New Mexico boasts of a diverse array of natural wonders like magnificent mountains set against desert plains and crystal-clear lakes suitable for any given form of water recreation, making the state an excellent outdoor destination for many tourists. A wide variety of fun and exciting activities can be experienced all throughout the six regions of New Mexico with camping being among the highly preferred one. Other outdoor-based activities like hiking, mountain biking, cycling, horseback riding, and the like may be equally exhilarating, but for travelers wishing to be with their families on a rare holiday getaway, camping in New Mexico is simply unbeatable.

Camping grounds are definitely abundant in New Mexico apart from the numerous RV park areas that are becoming quite popular, not only in New Mexico itself, but among several other US states as well. New Mexico, however, has the added advantage of having acres of land devoted to camping sites ranging from federal to privately owned properties and complemented by six climatic zones variably interplaying all throughout the year.

The Regions of New Mexico

In order to fully appreciate the many exciting camping grounds scattered all across New Mexico land, visiting the state by region is a highly recommended action. To date, this ancient land is divided into six general divisions, each one of which can boast of excellent grounds that are suitable both for RV parking and camping. These regions include the Northwest, the Southwest, the North Central, the Central, the Northeast, and the Southeast areas.

Northwest Region

The northwestern area of New Mexico is more commonly known as Indian Country for it happens to be the cultural seat of early Native Americans who had originally inhabited the place. It can actually be considered as the perfect representation of Native Americans, particularly of their works and early way of life.

The region plays host to the Navajo Nation, the biggest Indian reservation camp in the US, and to several other similar reservation sites like the Jicarilla Apache Nation and the Laguna, Zuni, and Acoma pueblos. Another interesting sight is the Chaco Canyon, an amazing formation of ancient rocks believed to be path sites taken by various celestial bodies as observed by early Native American residents. The place has now been transformed into a national park officially called the Chaco Culture National Historical Park.

For RV travelers, several cities situated in the northwestern region of New Mexico feature good camping grounds that are very near several places of interest. Among these are the cities of Bloomfield, Fort Wingate, and Gallup, with the latter often referred to as Genuine Gallup because it is often acknowledged as the center of anything and everything that is of Native American origin.

Southwest Region

More popularly known as Old West Country, the southwestern region of New Mexico consists of several significant places that are of legendary proportions. One of these is Silver City where the legend that was Billy the Kid actually started out as a young unknown cowboy. Another is the Gila Mountains, presently the Gila Cliff Dwellings National Monument, whose treacherous rocks became cliffside dwellings for many 13th century Mongolian Indians. In subsequent years, Gila Mountains became notorious for being the death bed of many American frontier men. Eventually, it was declared an official wilderness area, the first of such kind in New Mexico.

Apart from Silver City and Gila, other cities found within the southwestern corner of New Mexico that RV-boarded tourists will find quite interesting are Caballo, Elephant Butte, Las Cruces, and Rodeo, not only because they have good camping and RV parking areas but also because they carry several landmarks that hold great historic significance. Las Cruces, for example, is the second biggest city of New Mexico whose name was based on the long rows of crosses that serve as tombstones for Taos-based travelers that the Apaches ambushed and killed sometime in 1830. Elephant Butte, meanwhile, plays host to the biggest lake in New Mexico that is said to stretch to as long as 36 miles.

The North Central Region

This is one New Mexico region where RV campers should expect to enjoy an endless array of recreational activities in because many of its major cities happen to have at least two camping grounds apart from having other unique attractions like ski resorts and water rafting events. A good example of this is Santa Fe, the capital city which is also known as "City Different" because it is unlike other cities within the state. While it carries all the indications of being a highly urbanized city as seen through ski resorts like Ski Santa Fe, the city nevertheless has retained the touch and the attraction of a small unassuming town. This is best exemplified by its many public marketplaces, art galleries, and an ancient church that is said to be the oldest in North America.

Another city is Taos which, together with Angel Fire, is separated from one another by the famed Rio Grande Gorge where white water rafting is a popular sport. Additionally, Taos is quite fascinating for being the main pathway to the mysterious Enchanted Circle, an 86-mile road that offers several scenic driving opportunities. The city also happens to be the official residence of the Taos Pueblo, a small New Mexico suburb that has never run out of inhabitants for the last ten centuries and has recently been cited as a World Heritage landmark.

The Central Region

This particular region is more commonly referred to as the "Heart of New Mexico" and distinguishes itself as being the gracious host of the biggest city in the state, Albuquerque which, in turn, boasts of numerous natural and man-made wonders that should adequately delight every RV traveler.

Albuquerque was previously an unchartered land when Francisco Vazquez de Coronado accidentally discovered it while searching for the legendary Golden Cities of Cibola. His discovery of a vast landscape highlighted by a rich cultural community is still seen in many parts of Albuquerque today that have become popular camping grounds for most nature lovers.

Other cities situated in this particular region include Isleta, Moriarty, and Rio Rancho, each one of which has its own respective attraction that should satisfy the interest of most tourists. Rio Rancho, though, should prove to be extra superior in that most New Mexico attractions is accessible through the town via day-long driving which, by itself is already a great attraction as it involves viewing several awesome scenery of the cities of Taos and Santa Fe, among others.

The Northeast Region

This particular New Mexico region is pleasantly surprising in that it has one significant city that also happens to be the name of what is considered as the world's gambling capital. Las Vegas in New Mexico, however, is not necessarily a gambling place but rather a place where wild birds are known to migrate during springtime and fall. An added attraction is the Las Vegas National Wildlife Refuge where several aves de rapinas species (birds of prey) are kept and protected.

Another delightfully surprising city of the region is Cimarron where St. James Hotel is found. The hotel was said to have been a regular hangout of Billy the Kid along with other notorious outlaws of the west. Additionally, the city plays host to the Kit Carson Museum where live depictions of settlement life during the 1850's are regularly showcased.

The Southeast Region

The region is sometimes called by some people as the Eighth Wonder of the World primarily because one of its towns, Carlsbad, happens to host the Carlsbad Caverns National Park, which features at least a hundred 870-foot long underground caves that serve as the dwelling place of various species of freetail bats along with a wide selection of stalactites and stalagmites. Another city, Ruidoso, boasts of having the second biggest New Mexico skiing mountain on its side -- the Ski Apache housed within the grounds of the Lincoln National Forest that rises to an incredible 12,000 feet above the sea and features a surprising warm weather condition.

A particularly interesting southeastern New Mexico city is Roswell, where an alleged UFO was believed to have crashed sometime in 1947. The incident has not only inspired the eventual creation of a TV series, it has also encouraged local residents to hold the yearly Roswell UFO Festival apart from putting up the International UFO Museum and Research Center, a place where programs and exhibits dealing with the alleged crash are regularly being held.

What makes these particular New Mexico cities doubly interesting is the fact that apart from the many wonderful tourist sites that they offer, there are also numerous camping grounds and RV areas found in each one of them. RV owners who plan on visiting these cities are thus assured of a secured place to park their vehicles and spend the night in total safety in case night driving is not possible.

Cities to Visit

With the many exciting places located in the various regions of New Mexico, getting to choose one or two places for a leisure visit aboard an RV may be a tough decision to make. Nevertheless, such a decision can become a little easier if one can get to identify the cities that are RV-friendly.

The Gallup Way

For anything and everything that is Native American, the city to see in the northwestern region of New Mexico is Gallup. Located off Interstate 40, the city hosts numerous unique New Mexico attractions like the Navajo Nation Fair held annually and the Inter-Tribal Ceremonial celebration, considered as among the grandest of all Native American events.

Nearby tourist destinations are the Navajo Reservation, the Zuni Reservation, and the Blue Water Lake State Park, among many others. Meanwhile, for RV owners seeking a place to park their vehicles, three Gallup camp sites are available for occupancy. These are USA RV Park, Gallup KOA, and Red Rock Park, with the latter classified as a public RV camping ground.

Silver City

Silver City is found at the border limit of the Continental Divide along the foot of the mighty Pinos Altos Mountains. The location conveniently provides for a relatively cool climate even during summer when sunshine is both crisp and clear. Among its unique attractions are the Riverwalk Park, the Western New Mexico University whose foundation dates back to 1893, and the Silver City Museum where ancient silver collections are prominently displayed, many of which can be traced back to the days of Geronimo, Judge Roy Bean, and Billy the Kid.

Several RV park areas can be accessed all across Silver City with Rose Valley RV Ranch, Manzano's RV Park, and Silver City RV Park being the more prominent ones. In any of these campgrounds, travelers can visit nearby popular destinations like the City of Rocks State Park where unique and imposing rock formations similar to the famed Stonehenge can be viewed, along with the Catwalk and Whitewater Canyon which is believed to be the secret hideaway of Butch Cassidy.

Santa Fe

Apart from being the city capital, Santa Fe also happens to be the oldest capital state in New Mexico having been established in 1610. It holds many historic events in its fold many of them represented in landmarks like the Loretto Chapel with its miraculous staircase, the Canyon Road, and the Palace of the Governors, among others. All these historic structures blend in quite well with the many modern amenities typical of a capital city like Santa Fe.

RV Park areas like the Rancheros de Santa Fe Campground and the Santa Fe Skies RV Park offer great relaxing spots for weary travelers and at the same time allow easy access to nearby attractions like the Cities of Gold, the Camel Rock, the Bishop's Lodge, and the El Rancho de las Golondrinas.

Albuquerque

Albuquerque is one New Mexico city that is rich in cultural heritage but is, at the same time, a city set on becoming a highly commercialized district as business prospects consistently come in to its fold. For travelers, however, attractions like the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta, the New Mexico State Fair, the Rio Grande Botanical Gardens, and the Beach Water Park will be specially delightful.

The American RV Park of Albuquerque, the High Desert RV Park, and the El Rancho RV Park MHP are considered as among the more prominent and privately owned camping grounds located in Albuquerque. Many of them have quick access to several popular Albuquerque destinations like the celebrated Turquoise Trail, the Zia Pueblo, and the Coronado State Monument and State Park.

Angel Fire

This is one New Mexico city that offers excellent outdoor enjoyment specifically intended for the entire family such as camping, hiking, fishing, biking, and the like. Summer time in the city is ideal since it features relatively mild temperatures although winter is a preferred season because Angel Fire happens to be known as a mountain city. In this regard, the Angel Fire Ski Area should definitely be among the places to be visited. Ditto for the Mountain Man Rendezvous, the Carson National Forest, and the Vietnam Veterans National Memorial.

One particular Angel Fire RV Park area, the Monte Verde RV Park and Campground, should prove to be the ideal camp site for would-be travelers primarily because it is very near the famed Monte Verde Lake.

Roswell

One absolutely unique place, not only in New Mexico, but perhaps on the entire planet, Roswell offers more than just alien crash sites. An annual dragonfly festival and numerous bottomless lakes can also be seen here, apart from interesting places like the Goddard Planetarium, the Spring River Park and Zoo, and the Leprino Foods, said the be the largest producer of mozzarella cheese in the entire world.

Trailer Village RV Park, Town and Country RV Park, and Bottomless Lake are counted as among the more popular camping areas in Roswell where RVs are most definitely welcome to stay. The latter should prove to be highly interesting as it most probably has basic accessibility to natural attractions like the Salt Creek Wilderness, the Bitter Lake National Wildlife Refuge, and the Bottomless Lakes State Park.

Visiting Time

Generally, the various cities of New Mexico have annual events that should make RV visits possible at any given time of the year. However, certain areas are known to be frequently visited during certain seasons than at any other time. Thus, a visit to a particular New Mexico town should be more of a personal preference than anything else. For instance, Angel Fire is more of a mountain village making winter time the more appropriate visiting time assuming one is a skiing enthusiast. Roswell, meanwhile, has various cultural events interspersed from May to September, making a visit to the place suitable during those months.

American RV Park of Albuquerque

Conveniently located near downtown Albuquerque, the American RV Park of Albuquerque is considered as the highest rating of its kind in all of New Mexico. It offers a heated pool system accompanied by an indoor spa and hot tub. A convenience store is located within the grounds to answer any basic requirements while use of cable TV and telephone is also possible. The use of camp site computers is free of charge as WiFi services are available.

A total of 186 fully hooked-up pull-through's and back-ins are available at the grounds. Nearby attractions that are worth visiting are the Rio Grande Zoo, the Museum of Natural History, the KiMo Theater, and the famous Turquoise Trail.

Rancheros de Santa Fe Campground

Located along the Old Las Vegas Highway at the foot of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains, Rancheros de Santa Fe Campground can be reached just about seven miles away from the southeastern corner of central Santa Fe town. It offers both wooded and open sites that are fully hooked-up and capable of hosting large vehicles like vans, travel trailers, and RVs. The secluded sites come with soft and dry pads to allow for a restful sleep beneath starry evenings amidst cool and clean air.

Popular activities available at the site include outdoor swimming via a large heated pool which is available during summer, hiking, and nightly movie offerings which can be availed of from mid-May up to September.

Public phones are available within the grounds as are several modem terminals in cases when downloading specific e-mail messages is urgently needed. Additionally, a gift store and snack corner can likewise be seen in convenient locations within the camp site.

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