j&k Posted February 16, 2015 Report Share Posted February 16, 2015 New to RVing. Will be traveling I-40 thru New Mexico next month on our first major trip. Any suggestions/experience as to a good place to spend the night? Plan to get at least to Albuquerque or maybe as far west as Gallup. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jblscooper Posted February 16, 2015 Report Share Posted February 16, 2015 Starting from where? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AFchap Posted February 16, 2015 Report Share Posted February 16, 2015 There are a couple of good overnight stops on top of Nine Mile Hill just West of Albuquerque, both off the same exit just as you reach the top. They are on the access road along the South side of I-40. The first one you come to on the left is quite decent and likely less expensive than the fancier second park. We have stayed in both. Be aware that I-40 can become very difficult or even impassable in winter storms, especially between Santa Rosa and Albuquerque. Also, apx 80 miles West of Albuquerque between Grants and Gallup as you cross the Continental Divide you are over 2,000 feet higher than Albuquerque with corresponding much colder temps and icing conditions. We spent a week in Grants visiting family when our my was new and the temp never got over 15 below zero. I saw temps to 40 below when I was in high school there. Paul (KE5LXU), former fulltimer, now sometimer... '03 Winnebago Ultimate Advantage 40E '05 Honda Odyssey Escapees, FMCA, WIT, SMART http://www.pjrider.com Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
trailertraveler Posted February 16, 2015 Report Share Posted February 16, 2015 Your topic title says boondocking. So guessing that you mean free. I believe New Mexico still allows overnights in their rest areas. There is one at mile 207. The Route 66 Casino at exit 140 use to allow overnights in their parking lot, not sure if they still do. Dancing Eagle Casino at Exit 108 has an RV Park for $10/night and has in the past allowed overnights in the parking lot. Acoma Sky City at Exit 102 has an RV Park, but last time we were there had signs prohibiting overnights in the parking lot. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Al F Posted February 16, 2015 Report Share Posted February 16, 2015 New to RVing. Will be traveling I-40 thru New Mexico next month on our first major trip. Any suggestions/experience as to a good place to spend the night? Plan to get at least to Albuquerque or maybe as far west as Gallup. Spend the night at Walmart in Grants. Easy off and back on the interstate. Call and ask permission. Park away from the store entrance. There are also several casinos with RV hookups between Abq & Gallup. Use http://www.rvparkreviews.com/ to select one to stay at. I don't recommend Gallup, kind of a rough looking city. Al & Sharon 2006 Winnebago Journey 36G 2020 Chevy Colorado Toad San Antonio, TX http://downtheroadaroundthebend.blogspot.com/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kirk W Posted February 16, 2015 Report Share Posted February 16, 2015 Welcome to the Escapee forums! We are happy to have you here and will do all we can to help out. I am not a big name in dry camping but we have done so at times at both Walmart stores and at Lowes & Home Depot. Many truck stops will also allow overnight stops in route. Where in north TX are you located? Several of us here are also based in north TX but that still leaves a pretty large area. Good travelin !...............KirkFull-time 11+ years...... Now seasonal travelers.Kirk & Pam's Great RV Adventure Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Solo18 Posted February 16, 2015 Report Share Posted February 16, 2015 Are you sure you want to drive through Gallup? There are a lot of ski lodges in that area so it will be cold and possibly snowy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mocroc Posted February 16, 2015 Report Share Posted February 16, 2015 The area around Gallup, NorthWest New Mexico, is a beautiful area. BUT March is a little early to enjoy, will/could be cold. The Wolf Sanctuary south of Gallup is a great stop. Camping use to be a $10 donation. Listening to the Wolfs howl in the morning & evening and the tour is a once in a lifetime experience. Also check out the Green Ice Caves. rocmoco n AZ/Mexico Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
j&k Posted February 16, 2015 Author Report Share Posted February 16, 2015 Welcome to the Escapee forums! We are happy to have you here and will do all we can to help out. I am not a big name in dry camping but we have done so at times at both Walmart stores and at Lowes & Home Depot. Many truck stops will also allow overnight stops in route. Where in north TX are you located? Several of us here are also based in north TX but that still leaves a pretty large area. Wichita Falls area. thx for your comments Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jimalberta Posted February 17, 2015 Report Share Posted February 17, 2015 Head south ...way south. Deming might be a good place to stop....Walmart. <p>....JIM and LINDA......2001 American Eagle 40 '.towing a GMC Sierra 1500 4X4 with RZR in the rear. 1999 JEEP Cherokee that we tow as well. IT IS A CONTENTED MAN WHO CAN APPRECIATE THE SCENERY ALONG A DETOUR. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
2gypsies Posted February 17, 2015 Report Share Posted February 17, 2015 For March I would advise to head further south to I-10. If you're ready to stop around Deming, NM, the Escapees park is the place to do so. I-40 can get some big storms. We ran into one the end of April that closed down the interstate for 24 hours. It's especially bad between Flagstaff, AZ and Albuquerque, NM. Have a safe trip! Full-timed for 16 YearsTraveled 8 yr in a 2004 Newmar Dutch Star 40' Motorhome and 8 yr in a 33' Travel Supreme 5th Wheel Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bigjim Posted February 17, 2015 Report Share Posted February 17, 2015 If you are prepared to booddock in the cold it is doable but be prepared for layovers for bad weather. The good new is there are a no. of rv parks and on this route. Depending on where you are coming from in Texas there are a couple of really good Texas rest stops I have used There is one between Witchita Falls and Amarillo and the one in Amarillo are both good. Just across the line the NM tourist bureau is good. I am hesitant to recommend NM rest stops between there and Albuquerque since they may be closed for construction. I came east in early Nov and some had reopened and some had not. I believe the route 66 casino west of Albq. does allow it as stated. I expect the advice about Dancing Eagle and Acoma casinos is correct. If you are SKP members and have or access the travel guide there are couple of good deals in for RV parks. Several of the small townd like Tucumcari, Santa Rosa, Moriarity have a lot of large lots you can boondock on for a night. I haven't stayed there but there one or two in Grants that i have heard some good things about but have not use. I did one night at the Walmart there. If you do Walmarts try to avoid the one in Albuquerque at I4O and Eubank. A number of rvers use it but the lot is so busy that it can be a pain and I conider it rude to tie up spots in one that is so busy. If you start that way and it get too cold you can turn south almost anywhere on the route. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
R. Walter Posted February 19, 2015 Report Share Posted February 19, 2015 I don't know of any ski resorts around Gallup that someone else mentioned. However, if you take the first Grants exit (as you're heading west) and follow the Forest Service road toward Mt Taylor (Cibola National Forest), you'll soon be on USFS land where you can boondock all you want.... 14 day limit. If there's snow, don't try this! Otherwise, keep an eye on the weather and you'll be fine for a night or two. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rcharrette Posted February 19, 2015 Report Share Posted February 19, 2015 We've had luck using this site while traveling a few times. http://freecampsites.net/#!New%20Mexico&query=region Randy Charrette 2014 Kodiak 240BHSL www.pedaladventures.com (our travels) www.axelproject.com (our non-profit) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Keelandb Posted February 23, 2015 Report Share Posted February 23, 2015 Head south ...way south. Deming might be a good place to stop....Walmart. I've never stayed at the Walmart in Deming, but we have stayed in Walmart parking lots in other places. We do not shop at Walmart because of the way that they treat their employees, and I am originally from Northwest Arkansas where Walmart headquarters is located so I know a thing or two about them. In the Deming area we really enjoy the Petro truck stop on the (I think) west side of town. If you don't feel like cooking the restaurant there is fairly good (not exactly great). We have stayed the night there several times while on our way to Las Algodones Mexico (near Yuma Arizona) for excellent but inexpensive dental work. BobK & Joy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bigjim Posted February 23, 2015 Report Share Posted February 23, 2015 Don't forget boondocking for $5. night at Dreamcatcher SKP park in Deming. I think there is a limit on no. of days now but good company and showers available. Also to my knowledge you can boondock on the Kmart lot right by Walmart. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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