Sights to see between Colorado Springs and Albuquerque

[Gene]

The Forum keeps getting reloaded and that is just part of the problems I'm having with it lately.

The Angel Fire RV resort has resort prices. We stayed closer to Angel Fire at Monte Verde CG some years ago. Airstream owners Lynn and Maria used to own the CG, but it has new owners now. It was fine years ago, and certainly is a lot less money than the resort.

The state "highway" between Angel Fire and Mora should not be used by RV's. It was quite a few years ago we traveled to a park on that road (not towing) and it was dusty, narrow and could be really sloppy in rain. In NM some state highways are dirt, gravel and mud. I understand this route is being rebuilt, so that will make it worse for a while.

The highway between Angel Fire and Taos crosses mountains and has many blind curves and switchbacks. I had to stop for an accident some years ago because state crews didn't stop traffic for construction before a blind curve and so someone was going too fast to stop when they reached the project. Take it slow on this stretch.

[glwinter]

A ride on the Cumbres & Toltec Railroad is a must. Beautiful scenery! Camp in Chama, NM.

[Taos Bruce]

Agree with many of the suggestions. If you want to see the "faux New Mexico" stop in Santa Fe...we locals call it 'Fanta Se' . If you want to see true old New Mexico take the high road to Taos. Explore Taos and if you have time take the enchanted circle scenic drive from Questa thru Red River to Angel Fire and back to Taos. Agree with the suggestion to go North thru Ft. Garland and see Great Sand Dunes (avoid I-25) continue North on 17/285 and Hwys 24 thru Woodland Park & Manitou Springs into Colorado Springs (don't miss Pikes Peak Railway in Manitou Springs or Garden of the Gods).

[ernesto ca]

Originally Posted by NY24

Carlsbad Caverns in NM are AMAZING. I don't know if that's anywhere close to your route though.

FYI. Carlsbad Caverns is way south near Texas border. But, if you continue south from ABQ on I25 to right past Socorro turn off at 360 towards ruidoso. Inn of Mt Gods casino is nice up in mountains not to far from ol west village Lincoln (Billy the Kid) then to Roswell (UFO) to Carlsbad or from Ruidoso to Cloudcroft to Artesia to Carlsbad. Another route from Ruidoso to white sands to Las Cruces then to Carlsbad.

[PKI]

Not seeing a recommendation for a visit to Mesa Verde. The park is sometimes considered high brow, but should be a stop for all. It provides history, natural events (fires), preservation challenges, an escape from your cell phone, and an opportunity to add another stamp to your NP book.

We really liked Angel Fire and NE NM. Highway 64 does have tight and twisty sections, but it's not a jeep trail. We also really liked 550. Generally tourist areas around the I25 corridor are a challenge, but the other Colorado is interesting. Do your research, reserve your site and take it slow on weekends.

We travel through Colorado from West to East. As a kid, we visited relatives in Eastern CO just off HW96. That area is hot and dry, except when it is cold and dry. However, the area along HW50, which generally follows the Arkansas River, is much more developed and has a lot of farming operations. Thats not what you asked, but may be interesting to others.

Have a great trip. Pat

[Doc Foster]

If you are not in a hurry, don't take 25 South, head West over the Front Range to Buena Vista or Salida and take 285 South as it is way more scenic than 25.
Yes Taos is touristy, but if you have any interest, take a guided tour of Taos Pueblo. We have done it twice over the years. http://taospueblo.com/
If staying overnight in Taos (MANY excellent restaurants) I would recommend http://taosmontebellorvpark.com if you need FHU. It is just far enough out of town to provide peace and quiet and excellent views for sunrise and sunset.
If stopping in Santa Fe, there are a lot of great museums - https://santafe.org/Visiting_Santa_Fe/Museums/
Another detour out of Taos is https://www.ojospa.com/ We stopped in their on our anniversary a couple of years ago.

[genejn]

Cumbres and Toltec Scenic Railroad. Runs between Chama, New Mexico and Antonito, Colorado

[Chalee]

1. On I25 exit 27 North of Walsenberg stop at the Ludlow Massacre Historic site.
2. Ease across Raton Pass. and into Raton. Good green chile at restaurant on right and a little room for RV parking. Building is green painted.
3. South to Cimarron and to the right in town is the Ghost occupied hotel. Good restaurant here.
4. West through Cimarron Canyon about 38 miles at 25 mph which is a beautiful stream.
5. At top of the pass is Eagle Nest and quite a view!
6. South to Taos is a slow curvy route but not too steep.
7. Or at west edge of Eagle Nest go north 17 mi across Bobcat pass which is 7% grade going east out of Red River but not so bad heading west like you will be traveling.
8. North to Questa from Red River, then south about 40 miles Taos. Good eats here at Michael’s Kitchen., not much parking.
9. On south towards Sante Fe but eat north of town 15 miles or so. North of Sante Fe is Los Alamos.
Then get back on I 25 south of Taos. And you will run into Albuquerque
Can take as short as 2 days or as long as 5 days..

[NEHAB]

John May founded this museum as he was an avid collector of tropical insects. A very interesting stop. Some 25 years ago they had campsites at this same location. This is one of those places most people wouldn’t put on a “suggest you visit” place., probably because they’ve never heard if it. We found it because we needed a campsite. It’s not a high tech, trendy place. More of one of those old mom and pop stops along the road back in the 1950’s. Was really inexpensive years ago whence were there. I checked and it’s still there in the same spot.
710 Rock Creek Canyon Rd, Colorado Springs, CO 80926

[Natomb]

If you are a WBCCI member going through Santa Fe at the right time, the Colorado unit is having a rally at Santa Fe Skies RV Park from September 12-15. Go to Colorado Airstream Club to sign up if interested.

[Gene]

The cog railway up Pike's Peak is closed and I think they found the money to rehabilitate it, but it will take few years before it is open again. At the bottom is Manitou Springs, a semi-funky town with lots of tourists, and not a real good place to be towing a trailer around.

Going south to Pueblo, I'd avoid the KOA 8 miles north of town. It was getting pretty run down a few years ago. There's really not much in CG's close in to Pueblo (one doesn't answer the phone and it mostly long term). Haggards is west of Pueblo West (quite far), but is the best place near Pueblo. Most Pueblo restaurants are greasy, no matter how good they look outside, but in the redeveloped Arkansas River area is La Forchetts, a fine dining Italian place that is excellent. Pueblo was a one industry town—Colorado Fuel and Iron—but most of the steel plant is closed and Pueblo has stagnated for generations but the river district near downtown is well done. My in-laws live there and I have been there scores of times. Trinidad, just north of Raton Pass, was a coal mining town and has a red brick downtown and is nice to see.

In Las Vegas, NM, is the Spic and Span restaurant—very popular locals' place with fairly good Mexican food, but the tortillas have much too much gluten. On the town square is an old rehabilitated hotel and the old train station. The station was fenced off and hadn't been rehabilitated last time I went through.

NM is many different things—a not always successful blend of Anglo, Hispanic and Indian cultures. Santa Fe had been around for many centuries. The state capital, the Roundhouse, is unique and full of local art on the walls inside. Much historic in town, lots of good restaurants, awful traffic at times (do not take a trailer downtown unless you want to test yourself though following US 285 is ok), kitsch, bad and good attitudes, high prices, historic La Fonda hotel and some conspicuous consumption. We've been going there for at least 30 years and enjoy seeing friends and the good stuff. Seeing a woman dressed in high Santa Fe Style is quite amusing (turquoise jewelry, wide brimmed hat and so on). There are some good museums and art galleries galore. People watching at the Whole Foods is also educational. Parking at the Trader Joe's can be a challenge with a full sized pickup. Arroyo Seco (north of Taos) may be old New Mexico and very quiet, but Santa Fe for all its many faults, is still interesting (and familiar) to us. We'll probably be there in late September and complain about the way it has changed, the traffic, etc., etc., but will go back.

[mojo]

Originally Posted by Gene

In Las Vegas, NM, On the town square is an old rehabilitated hotel and the old train station. The station was fenced off and hadn't been rehabilitated last time I went through.

The Plaza Hotel and the Hotel Castaneda have been purchased by Allan Affeldt who owns the La Posada in Winslow. The Plaza now has a Range Cafe (from Bernalillo) and has been updated (not rehabbed).

The Castaneda was the first Harvey House hotel built in 1899 for the AT&SFRR and is being renovated and is now open for hotel guests. It's not on the plaza but next to the RR station which has been operating since the 1800's and not fenced off.

If you have ever been to La Posada in Winslow, you will know that both of these Las Vegas, NM hotels will be unique in their own right.

[Gene]

I'm glad to hear the Harvey House has been saved. I have been to La Posada and yes there will be very interesting changes. Sounds like we've not be back there for quite a while.