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.
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Pay no attention to the man behind the curtain- WoZ
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.
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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
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.
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!
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Airstream Posters & Tee's byMicheal Joseph Depraida WBCCI No 8892 | VAC | KC2TQU
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.
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.
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.
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)
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Pay no attention to the man behind the curtain- WoZ
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.
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