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Airstream76 · 07-08-2011, 10:29 PM

Hi I would love to hear your favorite places to stay in or close to Santa fe NM.

Bob Thompson · 07-08-2011, 10:55 PM

Santa Fe is a tough one. There are only a few commercial campgrounds to choose from, however, if you're a little less committed to being in a campground, there are alternatives. We always stay at the Buffalo Thunder Casino. They have an area set aside for RV's; it's actually just a portion of their parking area, but it's a great place to stay. It's back far enough from the main highway to be reasonably quiet, it's secure due to the frequent passing of the Security Vehicle, and the food in the Casino is not bad. TV reception is fairly good. Matter of fact, we plan to stay at Buffalo Thunder when we go to Santa Fe for the Indian Arts Festival in August. Buffalo Thunder is about 11 miles north of Santa Fe on Hwy 285/84. No playground for the kido's.

Airstream76 · 07-08-2011, 11:07 PM

Thanks, that might be an option. Do they have hook- ups? I was worried that there might not be alot of places to stay. :/

InsideOut · 07-08-2011, 11:52 PM

We've stayed at both the Santa Fe KOA and Santa Fe Skies. Neither one are right "in town" - no campgrounds are.

The KOA is a typical KOA (or better IMO) - it's pretty nice and tucked in some trees along the highway - but it is far enough off the road to be pretty quiet. Santa Fe Skies is a nice RV park catering to mostly big rigs - it's a very nice place but not really "camping" - it has some of the nicest facilities we have stayed at.

One is on one side of town (Santa Fe Skies is southwest of the center of town) and the other (KOA is southeast) is on the other side. Here's a link to google maps showing where they both are in relationship to the "The Plaza" in the heart of Santa Fe. Santa Fe Skies is closer and "on the way" from TX.

Have fun...it's one of my favorite places to visit - be sure to eat at Cafe Pasqual's my absolute favorite place in town - we eat there at least two or three times every visit - yum!

Shari

eubank · 07-09-2011, 06:21 AM

On our next trip to Santa Fe, we'll probably try Trailer Ranch, which is located closer to the plaza on Cerrillos. It's a 55+ place (a mark that both of us passed some years ago).

Lynn

InsideOut · 07-09-2011, 06:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by eubank

[URL="http://trailerranch.com/"]Trailer Ranch [\url] a 55+ place (a mark that both of us passed some years ago).

Lynn

Not there yet! I wonder if they will still be there when I get there!

Love ya Lynn!

Shari

JBinKC · 07-09-2011, 07:03 AM

Don't overlook this one: Roadrunner RV Park. No shade, no pool, no pets (or at least on a short lease.) Really no frills but very handy for seeing area sights. The WBCCI Southwest Adventure Caravan stays there for its easy access to Santa Fe, Taos, Bandelier, Los Alamos, Chimayo, the High Road and Low Road and other area sights.

polarlyse · 07-09-2011, 07:06 AM

Last year we had a tough time finding places in SF. We found one just north of the city. It was mostly transient workers and since we were there for only 2 nights they let us use a space that was vacated by a long term user. Not especially nice but it was convienent. The people that were running it were very nice.

handn · 07-09-2011, 07:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bob Thompson

Santa Fe is a tough one. There are only a few commercial campgrounds to choose from, however, if you're a little less committed to being in a campground, there are alternatives. We always stay at the Buffalo Thunder Casino. They have an area set aside for RV's; it's actually just a portion of their parking area, but it's a great place to stay. It's back far enough from the main highway to be reasonably quiet, it's secure due to the frequent passing of the Security Vehicle, and the food in the Casino is not bad. TV reception is fairly good. Matter of fact, we plan to stay at Buffalo Thunder when we go to Santa Fe for the Indian Arts Festival in August. Buffalo Thunder is about 11 miles north of Santa Fe on Hwy 285/84. No playground for the kido's.

The last time we were at Buffalo Thunder, last fall in October, the truck, rv area was posted no overnight camping. We asked security and they confirmed the rule. We went down the road and stayed at the commercial campground in Poaquque which was full so we had to stay in overflow.
We stay at Santa Fe Skies when we are passing through.
There is a very nice commercial campground at Isletta Lakes south of Albequerque. It is nice because there are acres of open space with paths and several fishing lakes. Nearby is the Isletta Casino.
I would be interested to hear if Buffalo Thunder has changed their policy regarding overnight camping.

Bob Thompson · 07-09-2011, 08:24 AM

My last stay at Buffalo Thunder was about 14 months ago, so they may have changed their policy. To answer an earlier question, there are no hookups, just an asphalt parking lot. I'll have to do some research and verify they no longer allow overnight parking. We were planning on staying there.

ohwally · 07-09-2011, 08:30 AM

we have visited santa fe for the last 6 years....our favorite place.
we stay at either cochiti lake (corps of engineers) which is approx 30 mins south of santa fe.....and 30 mins north of albuquerque or hyde memorial state park......8 miles north of santa fe. both campgrounds are listed in woodalls.
let me know if you need additional info. p.s. each campground is about $16.00 a day (with senior discount).

Bob Thompson · 07-09-2011, 09:11 AM

I just emailed Buffalo Thunder Casino and received a message from Pam Baca, Casino Spokesperson ( pbaca@buffalothunder.com ) and she said, Yes, they do allow overnight parking at the area set aside for RV's on the northern most part of the parking lot. Questions, call 1-877-Thunder . Yeah!

We have stayed at Cochiti Lake and it is a great place to camp but 30 minutes to Santa Fe was a deal breaker for us. We travel with our two house cats and going back to check on them was too inconvenient. When gas prices were higher, it cost about $8 in gas to drive from Cochiti to Santa Fe one way.

gatorboy · 07-09-2011, 09:37 AM

I have the best camping spot in the area. There are only two spaces and I'm the only trailer there. Of course, it isn't a public campground, although it is in a public park. There are perks to being a National Park Ranger in the summer. After the park closes, I have 7000 acres all to myself.
It has been kind of smokey because of all the forest fires. If we get some rain, perhaps the Forest Service will open the upper Pecos River valley to camping again. Dry camping only, but a great place to camp.
If you are in the area, I would encourage you to come and visit Pecos National Historical Park. We have lots to see and do.

Bob Thompson · 07-09-2011, 02:29 PM

For those who are interested, the 90th Annual Santa Fe Indian Market will be held in downtown Santa Fe on August 20-21. Admission is free and it is always a fun time!

eubank · 07-09-2011, 02:53 PM

Here's a second for Indian Market in Santa Fe! I wish I could go! (Alas, ain't gonna happen until I don't have this job any more.)

Lynn

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bob Thompson

For those who are interested, the 90th Annual Santa Fe Indian Market will be held in downtown Santa Fe on August 20-21. Admission is free and it is always a fun time!

Gene · 07-09-2011, 03:06 PM

We have tried 3 campgrounds—

Rancheros de Santa Fe is an older park. We checked in after dark, had to drive around and around because we could not find the campsite, finally did, a piñon tree scratched the side of the trailer because the trees were not trimmed. The sewer was much too high for an Airstream. It is an older park with dense trees, but difficult to get around in the fall when it gets dark early.

Next, Santa Fe Skies: Nice views, few trees. Mostly sand and gravel and must be very hot in summer. Terrible wifi, had to sit at some tables behind the office to get anything. There were always several people there, so you get to meet people and complain about wifi. When I and others complained, they suggested we could leave. They were willing to call the next campground to see if there were vacancies, but we didn't feeling like uprooting ourselves.

Trailer Ranch: Best so far. Only problem is you have to make it before 5:30 pm in summer, 5 in winter—they don't want anyone finding a spot by themselves and presumably running over something. If we are coming from home, it's tough to make it in time. But wifi was good, people are nice, trees, closer to downtown. Crossing Cerillos to make a left towards the plaza can be a challenge, but most people make a right and do a U at the next opportunity.

All the others according to reviews are mediocre or worse.

Gene

mojo · 07-09-2011, 03:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Autumn

Hi I would love to hear your favorite places to stay in or close to Santa fe NM.

Black Canyon - north of town, 10 degrees cooler, no hookups.
Santa Fe Skies - south end of town at Cerrillos and I-25, full hook-ups
Ranchos de Santa Fe - east of town on I-25 near Harry's Roadhouse, hookups

Goal15 · 07-09-2011, 03:40 PM

Or is there a dearth of decent campgrounds near some places that are natural tourist destinations? Not only does there seem to be very few choices near Santa Fe, but I know that the lack of quality campgrounds around San Antonio has been discussed as well.