Community Forums

DLoy1324 · 11-10-2016, 07:12 AM

Looking at going to the balloon fiesta next year and noticed that all of the onsite spaces are sold out. What recommendations do you have for staying conveniently near the event? We will have a toad so can commute however finding a park with shuttles to the event would be preferred. Not really interested in dry camping options.

Thank you for your thoughts.

Selah · 11-10-2016, 09:38 AM

Staying on the field is by far the best option. Have you tried contacting many of the associations and interest groups. There are many groups like Tiffin, Newmar, etc that reserve spaces. Try contacting A group for your manufacturer. Also Escapees and FMCA may have spaces available.

twogypsies · 11-10-2016, 10:27 AM

Dry camping is your best bet. We stayed 10 days last time with no issues. If you need a pump out (we didn't) there is a service that comes around, along with water fill (not from the same truck

).

Balloons will land right in front of you at times. If you're a walker you can do so from the area. If not, there's a free shuttle that runs starting early, early morning and up to the last show at night. It has many pick-up points and if you happen to be walking toward one of those points you can wave the bus down and it will stop....very friendly operators.

Staying off-site can be a real pain. You need to coordinate your timing for when the main city Fiesta roads are open. Some close and you can't enter or leave the area until they're opened again. Traffic is horrendous as is parking. The surrounding RV parks really UP their prices for this Fiesta - all the way up to Santa Fe!

purrin along · 11-10-2016, 05:00 PM

We also dry camped for 5 days last year, and had no problem getting a
spot even two months before it started.For 2017 we have our reservations
already made for the infield again.

Matt A · 11-11-2016, 08:00 PM

Make sure you have the correct date set in their reservation system. I just checked and standard, box view, and tent spots are still available all week.

DLoy1324 · 11-11-2016, 08:59 PM

Thank you all for your suggestions. We have made our reservations for 2017 staying on-site. The interesting thing is that we currently do not have a coach nor have we owned one before. We plan on buying a used one, our first, next spring. The ABQ trip will likely be our first extended trip and the thought of dry camping is very daunting. Well, nothing ventured nothing gained. We hope to see you all there.
Thank you all again...Dirk

Van Man · 11-14-2016, 08:30 AM

We wouldn't mind dry camping for the balloon fest. Where do you and do you have to reserve? Thanks. Were there last year camped in Bernalillo campground and it was a nuisance driving. Balloon fest was amazing!

DLoy1324 · 11-15-2016, 06:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Van Man

We wouldn't mind dry camping for the balloon fest. Where do you and do you have to reserve? Thanks. Were there last year camped in Bernalillo campground and it was a nuisance driving. Balloon fest was amazing!

Van Man,

Let me preface by saying we have yet to attend the balloon fiesta but you do definitely need to make a reservation to dry camp on-site. Here is the link to do so;
The Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta - RV Information
Enjoy...Dirk

mxw1 · 11-16-2016, 11:33 PM

We went in 2000 and stayed at the back of a Casino along I-25, I believe.
It was so close to the balloon field we heard the burners from the balloons in the morning.
We drove our 24 foot rig a few miles to get to the spectators parking lot since we only had the one vehicle. I think they charged us $5 to park for the day at the field.

That is an alternative...

Mike

twogypsies · 11-17-2016, 08:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mxw1

We went in 2000 and stayed at the back of a Casino along I-25, I believe.

If it was the Sandia Casino they don't allow free parking there anymore. They finally wised up! They have a charge. All RV parks in the surrounding areas up their prices for the Balloon Fiesta - even in Santa Fe.