Visit our Popular Forums

eubank · 09-22-2008, 08:02 AM

You know, it's been many years since I went up 550, certainly WELL before it became a four-laner. Where exactly is the Jicarilla casino? Near Cuba? (The only one I know about that they run is up on the rez in Dulce.)

Lynn

Lumatic · 09-22-2008, 09:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by eubank

You know, it's been many years since I went up 550, certainly WELL before it became a four-laner. Where exactly is the Jicarilla casino? Near Cuba? (The only one I know about that they run is up on the rez in Dulce.)

Lynn

I don't think there is a casino in Dulce. This casino IS on the rez at the junction of 550 and 539 between Cuba and Nagezzi. By the way cheap in my above post means free, as long as you stay away from the slots.

eubank · 09-23-2008, 07:21 AM

So this might be a good place to stay while visiting Chaco?

Lynn

Boondocker · 09-23-2008, 07:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by eubank

So this might be a good place to stay while visiting Chaco?

Lynn

Dunno, if its the casino that I am thinking about, it would be a pretty long haul to Chaco.

eubank · 09-23-2008, 09:42 AM

Humm. I just don't necessarily want to try to haul the Airstream in to the campground at Chaco, so need to figure out where the best place to stay would be. So far, I've always considered Farmington, Gallup, etc.

Lynn

Lumatic · 09-23-2008, 12:03 PM

No matter how you cut it there are about 20-25 miles of unpaved roads into Chaco. How bad the washboard is depends on when it was last graded. Basicly there are 2 ways in from I-40/ Grants from the south and Rt 550 from the north. Slightly north of Grants is national forest around Mt. Taylor which is real purdy, should be good boondocking. The casino spot is just an overnight parking spot with a perk if you like casinos.

Lumatic · 09-23-2008, 12:08 PM

I have never seen any RVs chased out of Lake Arthur Park in Estancia. Real purdy small town park and site of the last public hanging in NM. From Rt 41 turn west on Highland Ave. and you are there. While you are at it stop by and say hay I'm a couple of blocks away.

Airstream25 · 09-23-2008, 01:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by eubank

Humm. I just don't necessarily want to try to haul the Airstream in to the campground at Chaco, so need to figure out where the best place to stay would be. So far, I've always considered Farmington, Gallup, etc.

Lynn

I think the spot being talked about is the elongated gravel patch with two 18 wheelers parked in it just to the west of the Casino and Hwy 537. See picture and click on it for a larger view. I have stopped there to have lunch in the AS on the way to the Four Corners area. The parking area is fairly large and level. I suppose if you planned to overnight, there is a risk that an 18 wheeler could park next to you and continue to run his engine all night.

Here is a link to a interactive Google Map of the area.
Google Maps

Lumatic · 09-23-2008, 09:10 PM

Like I said, it's not purdy but it's free. I have parked overnight there 3 or 4 times and yes there are 18 wheelers. Not packed in like a truck stop though.

For a stopover near Chaco you might consider Angel Peak nearer to Bloomfield. It's pretty spectacular with good views of the Bisti badlands to the southwest it's about 7 miles off 550. It also is gravel and has some washboard, but it's 7 miles not 25. I never camped at Bisti but I don't know why you can't. Bisti is just off Rt 371 which is a paved road.

jacarape · 12-08-2008, 09:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by eubank

Humm. I just don't necessarily want to try to haul the Airstream in to the campground at Chaco, so need to figure out where the best place to stay would be. So far, I've always considered Farmington, Gallup, etc.

Lynn

Hi Lynn, I don't think it would be worth it to park and ride to Chaco. The road in and out vibrated everything loose in my trailer, but most snapped back into place.

While Chaco basically closes at night, staying there has advantages. The Night Sky programs (telescope viewing), lectures on Chaco, and a full moon that you won't see in many places.

There is a leash law (National Park) but hiking miles away from people, who cares?

The ruins while interesting, can be a tad boring. It's staying there and participating that makes the journey worthwhile.

eubank · 12-08-2008, 09:48 AM

Oh, I don't know. We parked the Airstream at Farmington in the fall and drove the truck into Chaco. My teeth are still rattling. (We did discover that driving at a higher speed over the washboard - around 40 mph - seemed to help, though I'm speaking only for us humans, not for the truck's suspension.)

Lynn

jacarape · 03-29-2009, 10:47 PM

Here's an update on Three Rivers, March 09. I'm camped here now with a Bourbon and pooches, the site is incredibly nice. The fee is up to 6 bucks a night, I didn't know that there were 2 sites with full hookups, I didn't see them. I should ask and repost.

The camp is in excellent condition, the US Forest Service really has done a nice job. Today there were two Airmen volunteers digging out the fire pit ashes (GO AIR FORCE!) I'm just about 10.1 miles as the crow flies to Philadelphia Canyon, but it'd take me about 2 hours to drive there, which means there is all great White Mountain Wilderness between us. Facilities include water and bear proof cans. I have a pretty good water faucet 150 ft next to the pooper (great as I came in bone dry to save gas). There was a brief snow two nights ago, the mountains to the east then the desert the the west, incredible views.

On the way to the camp is the petroglyph, I haven't stopped there yet. I'm sure it looks like a, well, petroglyph. There is a big rv bus parked there, looking at that big rig makes me love my AS even more.

This is the perfect place at the perfect time. Haha, Jupitor is snoring and I stink, I'll take a shower tomorrow when I fill up. There is excellent Vzn 3G here, my battery has life so I'll post a pic, no two or three of my dogs over by Phili Canyon. Across the road there, there is some camping that you're supposed to pay the city of Gordo for. What bs. But a lovely place to spend time at.

If anyone is curious, K64 and Plus-X, Leica Summilux 35 and 75. I love film.

Ahab · 04-24-2009, 10:32 AM

Jacarape, sounds like a nice place. We will head up there when we can.

345bill · 04-25-2009, 09:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jim Foster

This site can be helpful.

Free Campgrounds for RVs

Helpful indeed! Thanks for sharing this, Jim. We have seen this site before but honestly forgot about it. Saved it this time.

ArtStream · 04-25-2009, 12:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jacarape

Here's an update on Three Rivers, March 09. I'm camped here now with a Bourbon and pooches, the site is incredibly nice. The fee is up to 6 bucks a night, I didn't know that there were 2 sites with full hookups, I didn't see them. I should ask and repost.

The camp is in excellent condition, the US Forest Service really has done a nice job. Today there were two Airmen volunteers digging out the fire pit ashes (GO AIR FORCE!) I'm just about 10.1 miles as the crow flies to Philadelphia Canyon, but it'd take me about 2 hours to drive there, which means there is all great White Mountain Wilderness between us. Facilities include water and bear proof cans. I have a pretty good water faucet 150 ft next to the pooper (great as I came in bone dry to save gas). There was a brief snow two nights ago, the mountains to the east then the desert the the west, incredible views.

On the way to the camp is the petroglyph, I haven't stopped there yet. I'm sure it looks like a, well, petroglyph. There is a big rv bus parked there, looking at that big rig makes me love my AS even more.

This is the perfect place at the perfect time. Haha, Jupitor is snoring and I stink, I'll take a shower tomorrow when I fill up. There is excellent Vzn 3G here, my battery has life so I'll post a pic, no two or three of my dogs over by Phili Canyon. Across the road there, there is some camping that you're supposed to pay the city of Gordo for. What bs. But a lovely place to spend time at.

If anyone is curious, K64 and Plus-X, Leica Summilux 35 and 75. I love film.

Sounds like a great spot, thanks for the up-date.

BUT, I'm confused between these reports and Free campground website directions. Between Corrizozo and Tellrosa is a bit to vague for a first-timer to commit too.

Is there a sign for the turn off on 54? GPS coordinates, mile markers. I'm headed that way in a few days and would to make it a stop.

Any specifics would be greatly appreciated before I head all 50 feet of my rig and TV down some dead end dirt road without a turnaround

Michael

PS, love that Plus-X, nice use of DOF!

gail · 04-25-2009, 02:25 PM

Thanks so much!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

gail · 04-25-2009, 02:29 PM

WE are at the 4 corner rally in Albuquerque , a restoration rally and great for any one who is interested in learing what to do when something goes wrong. the inevitable is something will go wrong. We are at Enchanted trails and it is dusty and windy. A nice place for the rally but ..........................
dusty dusty I will post a photo of the rigs here.

jacarape · 04-29-2009, 06:02 PM

Hi Michael,

It's been a while since I revisited the thread. About 15 miles north on 54 is the turn (right) to Three Rivers. The Three Rivers Petroglyph site is on paved road and has the full hook ups for 10 bucks a night, or dry for $2. I believe some 8 more miles, most decent gravel/or short stretches of mild washboards the Forest Service camp sits. If you are going south on 54 from Carrizozo, it's about 30 miles a few miles past the Obscura Bombing Range (sonic booms and a few big blasts were heard). The entrance to the park is marked by a trading post, can't be missed.

WGS 84 N33 24 05.3 W105 53 01.9

I'm pulling a 25 footer with a Suburban, that would probably be how many feet? My 25 AS fit well in a few camps. Big rigs can park at the Petroglyph site, or continue up the gravel and stop and check with the host. Horse trailers and PU trucks exceed that, you'll be fine.

A reminder to check for forest closures, Lincoln County is pretty dry, Fire News for | Public Lands Information Center

There is a 10 buck a night RV Park/Hotel called the Sands immediatly south of Carrizozo. Nice folks and a good place to dump and get water before the drive into the Three Rivers, or if you're getting here late. Stop at the Outpost, a Green Chili burger, all food is made there.

Mmmm.... Green chile cheeseburger... - Review of Outpost Bar & Grill, Carrizozo, NM - TripAdvisor

Michael, thank you for the compliment. 2010 marks the 75th anniversary of Kodachrome, I'm celebrating!

Lumatic · 05-25-2009, 07:03 PM

In the Gallinas Mountains there is a off the beaten track campgoround called Red Canyon Camprground. You can find it from either Corona or Mountainair

From Corona:
South on 54 a few miles and you will see a sign for Gallinas Peak Lookout to the west. As soon as you get off the highway there is a campground with a vault toilet good for a quick overnight. 5 miles or so further is Red Cloud Campground, no hookups.

From Mountainair:
South on 55. Just past the Grand Quivara Ruins at the next 90 degree turn is a yellow mailbox. follow the road to the east through 2 ranches to National Forest land there are plenty of open camping areas. Continue east if you want to go to the official campground or loop to 54.

A National Forest Map is a good idea. Don't try to pull your trailer to Gallinas Lookout (you'll be sorry) Do drive up to the manned lookout tower with your tow vehicle (you won't be sorry)

Also in the area for exploring are Red Cloud Canyon, Red Cloud Mine (minerals for the pickin) and the Red Cloud Trick Tank (a remote almost unknown reservoir)

Bob Thompson · 09-03-2009, 10:52 AM

We arrived in Santa Fe yesterday and stopped at our favorite campspot, the Santa Fe County Fairgrounds only to find out they no longer allow RV space rentals to non-affiliated patrons. You either have to be there as part of a contractual relationship with the County (like renting land for riding lessons) or as part of a scheduled function. Our loss.