Places to see in NM and AZ

[thecatsandi]

I am planning on heading into NM and AZ for the next 10 days or so.
Places currently on the list
For NM
Roswell Silver saucers and silver trailers!
Alamagordo First Nuclear Explosion
I also have Deming NM for Geodes?

For AZ
Meteor Creater
Four Corners
THen to a friends house in Mesa.

Any suggestions?

[Airstream25]

The first nuclear explosion was at Trinity Site inside of the White Sands Missle Test Range which is not open to the public except for once in the Spring and once in the Fall.

Four Corners in my opinion is not enough of an attraction to warrent the trip.

Petrified National Forest is along I-40 not far from Meteor Crater.

You might send a PM to eubank in case he does not see this thread. Eubank has amassed a huge list of things to see in NM.

Originally Posted by thecatsandi

I am planning on heading into NM and AZ for the next 10 days or so.
Places currently on the list
For NM
Roswell Silver saucers and silver trailers!
Alamagordo First Nuclear Explosion
I also have Deming NM for Geodes?

For AZ
Meteor Creater
Four Corners
THen to a friends house in Mesa.

Any suggestions?

[nymphfishin]

Originally Posted by thecatsandi

I am planning on heading into NM and AZ for the next 10 days or so.
Places currently on the list
For NM
Roswell Silver saucers and silver trailers!
Alamagordo First Nuclear Explosion
I also have Deming NM for Geodes?

For AZ
Meteor Creater
Four Corners
THen to a friends house in Mesa.

Any suggestions?

How or which highway are you entering NM?
State parks of NM can be found at:

State Parks :: Parks and Monuments :: New Mexico Tourism Department

Bosque Del Apache National Wildlife Refuge has tens of thousand of Ducks, Geese, Sandhill cranes and Bald Eagles etc., It's located south of Socorro.
Bottomless Lakes State Park near Roswell is a very nice state park, Brantley State park near Carlsbad is nice also, Elephant Butte State park near T or C on I 25 is a good park also. White Sands is always good.
Don

[str8strm]

You can also take a day trip train ride up to the Grand Canyon from Williams, AZ. We did it in October on the way to the Balloon Rally. A bit pricey but fun and the folks at Railside RV park walked our dogs every 2 hours and took us to and from the depot ( and booked our tickets). You can get an AAA discount which helps. Debbie

[uwe]

Originally Posted by thecatsandi

For AZ
Meteor Creater
Four Corners
THen to a friends house in Mesa.

Any suggestions?

Meteor Crater is pretty neat, if you take the time and read the small print.
One nice littel side trip is the La Posada Hotel in Winslow. I make it a point to stop in for lunch whenever I pass through the area. It is wonderfully restored, and has grat food in it's restaurant. A nice departure from the usual I-40 greasy spoon type food.
La Posada Hotel: Arizona's grandest estate - a National Historic Landmark
Their parking lot is huge, definitely big enough to comfortably park your rig. There is also plenty of street parking along the sidewalk.

[eubank]

Ok, here goes:

Things to see and do in Southern New Mexico
Silver City
Official Web Site for Silver City and Grant County, New Mexico, presented by the Silver City - Grant County Chamber of Commerce!
Shakespeare Ghost Town, National Historic Site
Shakespeare Ghost Town - New Mexico USA - Official Homepage
The Pit Mine in Santa Rita
Santa Rita Mine: Geronimo Trail Scenic Byway, New Mexico
Fort Bayard (the Buffalo Soldiers Fort)
Buffalo Soldiers - Fort Bayard National Cemetery
Fort Bayard National Cemetery - Grant County, New Mexico
The Cat Walk in Glenwood, Catwalk National Recreation Trail
Gila National Forest - Recreation: Catwalk National Recreation Trail
http://www.glenwoodnewmexico.com/catwalk.htm
Truth or Consequences Hot Springs
http://www.truthorconsequencesnm.net/hot_springs.htm
Elephant Butte Lake (state park listed separately below)
http://personal.riverusers.com/~jpratt/lake.htm
elephant butte home grants las at elephantbuttecoc.com
Smokey the Bear Museum Capitan
http://www.smokeybear.org/museum/smokey%20museum.html
Fort Sumner (where Billy the Kid is buried!)
Ft. Sumner Chamber of Commerce
Billy The Kid Museum
Billy the Kid Museum, Fort Sumner, New Mexico

Bosque Redondo, Navajo
Fort Sumner State Monument
Bosque Redondo
The Space Museum in Alamogordo
New Mexico Museum of Space History » Alamogordo, New Mexico » Celebrating the significant role the state of New Mexico has played in the development of the U.S. Space Program
Trinity Site (first atomic bomb)
Trinity Site
Buddy Holly's recording studio in Clovis
(Agh! I can't find any sites for this!!)
Deming, NM
Deming, New Mexico
Luna Mimbres Museum
Deming Luna Mimbres Museum in Deming NM : MuseumStuff.com details
Ruidoso
The Ruidoso Web Site... Ruidoso, New Mexico
Cloudcroft
Cloudcroft New Mexico Official Website, Chamber of Commerce Website
Roswell
Official Site of the Roswell Chamber of Commerce - Home
Roswell and UFOs
http://www.iufomrc.com/
La Mesilla
Mesilla, New Mexico, USA
Farm and Ranch Heritage Museum, Las Cruces
Farm and Ranch - Welcome
Tularosa
The Lure Of The Tularosa
Lincoln County
Lincoln County, New Mexico - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Bosque del Apache
Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge home page
Very Large Array
NRAO Very Large Array

National Monuments/Parks/Rec Areas, State Parks and Scenic Byways(North and South)
New Mexico's Scenic Byways:
Welcome :: Plan a Trip, Explore NM, Travel Deals, Maps, calendar :: New Mexico Tourism Department
El Morro (Inscription Rock) National Monument
El Morro National Monument (U.S. National Park Service)
El Malpais National Monument
El Malpais National Monument (U.S. National Park Service)
Salinas Pueblo Missions National Monument
Salinas Pueblo Missions National Monument (U.S. National Park Service)
Gila Cliff Dwellings National Monument
Gila Cliff Dwellings National Monument (U.S. National Park Service)
White Sands National Monument
White Sands National Monument (U.S. National Park Service)
Carlsbad Caverns National Park
Carlsbad Caverns National Park (U.S. National Park Service)
National Natural Landmarks in New Mexico:
http://www1.nature.nps.gov/nnl/Regis...new_mexico.htm
Bosque del Apache Natl Wildlife Refuge
Friends of the Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge, New Mexico, NWR, National Wildlife Refuge, Birding
Ice Caves and Bandera Volcano
The Land of Fire & Ice
National Solar Observatory (near Cloudcroft)
http://www.nso.edu/nsosp/pr/
Valley of Fires Recreation Area
Valley of Fires Recreation Area, Carrizozo, New Mexico
Three Rivers Petroglyphs Site
Three Rivers Petroglyph Site, NM (DesertUSA)
New Mexico State Parks
New Mexico State Parks
Rockhound State Park
Sumner Lake State Park
Oasis State Park
Bottomless Lakes State Park
Brantley Lake State Park
Living Desert State Park
Caballo Lake State Park
City of Rocks State Park
Elephant Butte State Park
Leasburg Dam State Park
Manzano Mountains State Park
Oliver Lee Memorial State Park
Pancho Villa State Park
Percha Dam State Park
Santa Rosa Lake State Park
Camping and other info links:
NM Assn of RV Parks & Campgrounds, listing every park and campground in the state!
RVers with Special Interests, including 55+ Parks; Where to escape the heat; where to fish; where to golf; where to hold RV rallies; where to ski; where to snowbird; and much more
Click here for printable listings of New Mexico's public and private parks and campgrounds to take with you on your trip!
Click here to order a free copy of the big visitor's guide
Click here for links to the local chambers of commerce
Click here for Tourism's other brochures
New Mexico Tourist Welcome Centers
And finally!
New Mexico's Historic Markers

[HiHoAgRV]

Geez, is that all?

Sounds kinda boring...

[thecatsandi]

Ok Ok Uncle, Uncle, Uncle. Wow. I am sorry but I do not think I will be making it that far north in Your neck of the woods.
I am planning Roswell for tomorrow night and then re-group. Looks like Carlsbad is on the way.
Thanks for all the suggestions.

[thecatsandi]

I will be entering on US 285 from pecos, TX

[Fyrzowt]

But I did bookmark that post!!

[Stan Z]

I was in AZ and NM over the christmas/new years holidays. The La Posada in Winslow should not be missed if you like spanish-revival architecture and history and the restaurant is great. Either stop to eat or book a room in the restored hotel. Also if you like vintage trailers stop in Bisbee AZ to see the Shady Dell Welcome to The Shady Dell in Bisbee, Arizona They also have a handfull of full-hookup sites. I stayed there for 2 nights. Kind of funky, but in a fun way.

[azflycaster]

I agree with Uwe on the La Posada in Winslow. It is a wonderful place. While you are in town, you have to go "Standing on a Corner".

Meteor Crater is a very interesting sight as well. The Meteor Crater RV park is a great place to spend the night as well. Check out the Airstream T-Shirts in the store if you visit.

Don't forget the Tucson area also. You have Kartchner Caverns State Park which has a nice campground. Pima Aero-Space Museum which has a SR-71 and a lot more. Old Tucson is a nice western tourist spot and one place that is still on my list of things to see, Kitt Peak.

Also, Oasis RV in Tucson...

Too bad you will not be around in a month. Rumor has it that a bunch of Airstreams are headed to Cottonwood for a rally.

[Harry W]

Michelle:

After Meteor Crater, Go to Flagstaff and then south on I-17 to The Cottonwood exit. go west to Cottonwood and Dead Horse State park for camping. Use that as a base to see Sedona, Jerome, and Cottonwood. You will be only a couple of hours from Mesa.

Welcome to AZ

Harrry W

[nymphfishin]

Originally Posted by thecatsandi

Ok Ok Uncle, Uncle, Uncle. Wow. I am sorry but I do not think I will be making it that far north in Your neck of the woods.
I am planning Roswell for tomorrow night and then re-group. Looks like Carlsbad is on the way.
Thanks for all the suggestions.

Have a safe trip!
Don

[thecatsandi]

Originally Posted by azflycaster

Don't forget the Tucson area also. You have Kartchner Caverns State Park which has a nice campground. Pima Aero-Space Museum which has a SR-71 and a lot more.

I am not going to make it to Tucson. I have been to three Air Museums (Air Force, Naval, and Commerative Air Force) in the last month. I am airplaned out. I know it is hard to believe. I have seend so amny SR-71s that they are not that interesting anymore. Got to actually touch one at the Air Force Museum.

[safari 28]

Left Ft.Collins this morning and ran into wind and snow on the i-25 corridor. heading your way and cant wait to see anything over 32 degrees. Hope to be in Needles by the weekend with a little luck. Great list on New Mexico. I put that one in a file.

[elolson]

When folks visit me from out of town, my one tried and true day trip is down to Tombstone for the morning, walk the streets check out boot hill as a must see. Then drive down to Bisbee take a look at one big ditch (the Lavender Pit copper mine, rumor has it that PD is doing a survey to maybe bring it back online given Cu prices these days) then go back to town and have lunch at the Copper Queen hotel, walk the streets, and check out the mining musem at the old mine HQ right next door. Maybe take the underground tour and then head back to your rig.

There is great golf here in Tucson. It is 25-35 per person for 18 and a cart at the city courses which are just fine. Our favorite is Fred Enke GC. Check out Desert musem, Pima air museum, and hike through Saguaro National park. Lots of good local shopping and dining. Guess that is why Tucson has been a winter destination for many many years.

In state, we loved Page. Great GC there as well and the best we have ever played for the money. The T's overlook the grand canyon, amazing views. Probably colder than hell this time of year though. A good spot for the night is Fools Hollow State Park in Show Low if you are heading toward the crater. Full hook-ups, 20$/night, and it will be dark and quiet with a lake view. Nearby snowflake has a fantastic GC as well.

Note, do not drive up 191 expecting some kind of a short cut. The road ends for towing in Morenci at the big open pit there. 180 on the NM side is a very pretty drive.

If in Globe, you can stay at the San Carlos Apache Casino RV park which is just a parking lot with hook-ups but the rates are great and it is easy access.

I guess I would not be doing the I-40 corridor this time of year. Cold and windy. It is the ski season this time of year in that part of the state. Just make sure to get a weather forcast. If sunny and clear, then no prob, but if storms are coming through, then stay South.

[lsinclair]

Per Eubank's very useful list of links, I would offer for consideration taking US180 N out of Silver City via Reserve to Quemado Lake (6 mi E off 180 before you enter the small town of Quemado). Forest Service CG with hookups and beatutiful scenery plus the lake. From Quemado, jct 180/60, take US60 E into Springerville, AZ. The possibilities are unlimited, espically if "time" has no value! If you enjoy beautiful scenery dotted by a few quaint little towns along the way, you'll be left treasuring unforgetable memories. The majority of this route is through the Gila Nat'l Forest.
Happy travels,

[TBRich]

Michelle...are you going to make it as far south as Tucson? You didn't reallly say... If you are in SoAZ, it really depends on how long you plan to be around...there's a lot to see in any direction you go from Tucson...

If in the Tucosn area, among other things, the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum is a must-see, and there's a great campground night near there, to0...Gilbert Ray Campground (run by Pima County Parks...Tucson Mt Park)...also nearby is Old Tucson Studios ( index )... Tucson itself is to the east on the other side of the Tucson Mountains.

In fact, we are going over to Gilbert Ray this Friday through Sunday night just to get out of Dodge...er...Tucson... for the weekend...if you're in the neighborhood, drop on by!

TB

[eubank]

Originally Posted by Stan Z

I was in AZ and NM over the christmas/new years holidays. The La Posada in Winslow should not be missed if you like spanish-revival architecture and history and the restaurant is great. Either stop to eat or book a room in the restored hotel. Also if you like vintage trailers stop in Bisbee AZ to see the Shady Dell Welcome to The Shady Dell in Bisbee, Arizona They also have a handfull of full-hookup sites. I stayed there for 2 nights. Kind of funky, but in a fun way.

Oh, yes, do visit La Posada!. Beforehand, purchase yourselves a copy of this book about Mary Coulter, who designed many of the more famous buildings in the southwest, including La Posada. She's an absolutely fascinating woman!


Lynn