San Antonio TX to Carlsbad NM

[The Danes Are Coming]

When we return to the US in late August one of our first trips will go from just outside San Antonio in Texas to Carlsbad New Mexico. This appears to be a 450 mile journey which is more than we want to do in a day.

We could just make a "Walmart type stop" somewhere but if there is anywhere interesting along the way we could also make a stop for a couple of days.

Checking the various RV park reviews it seems like there is limited things to see or do along this stretch which is why I post this:

Are we overlooking something and has anyone of you maybe a tip or two for the "Danes on tour"?

Looking forward to receive any advice on the matter.

[Dr4Film]

We just made that trip going the opposite way a few days ago. However I had to go from Carlsbad NM to Van Horn TX to pick up some General Delivery mail then onto San Antonio. We stopped for the night at a fuel station in Ft. Stockton. It rained then froze, we awoke to one of the coldest storms going through a large part of the country and didn't know it was coming. I should have checked out the weather web site before settling in for the night. Couldn't get the toppers rolled up correctly so we pushed on to San Antonio where it finally melted.

Anyway, to answer you question, that stretch of road is a fairly generic and very boring drive with very little to do or see.

The reason for our stop in San Antonio was to see the Alamo and tour the River Walk, NOT !! The whole 2 nights we were there, the temps never got above 28F. The RV park had the water faucets dripping so each one looked like Niagara Falls in the wintertime.

We are now in Louisiana on the I-10 headed for Florida to spend the balance of the winter there and it is freezing rain currently.

Dr4Film ----- Richard.

[TXiceman]

We like Llano River State Park at Junction, TX, just off of I-10 to the south.

And then there is Monahanas Sandhills S.P. just west of Odessa...like being in the Sarah Desert.

Ken

[Dave1956]

Don't forget Balmorhea SP just west of Ft. Stockton on I-10 before the turn to Carlsbad. When you are in the Carlsbad area you might want to dry camp at Guadalupe Mountains NP. We stay a couple of nights there everytime we go by and love it!

[TXiceman]

When at Carlsbad area, just south, there is a really neice park at McKittrick Canyon (in the Guadalupe Mountains). Great hiking area, but no place to camp with an RV. We stayed at a campground at the caverns. Hiked it in the fall and the colors were fantastic.

Then on up into New Mexico, there is fantastic camping and scenery.

Have y'all made it over to Palo Duro Canyon south of Amarillo? It is called the "Grand canyon of Texas"...it is abit smaller, but you can camp in the canyon and lots of hiking....just watch for the rattle snakes...there are a few there.


Ken

[akadeadeye]

There really isn't a heck of a lot to see and do once you get past Junction on IH-10 unless you are going on to El Paso. We did this same trip last Spring and just kept driving to get to Carlsbad KOA. It was a long day. Next time we will probably stop in Ft. Stockton for the night. Someone else mentioned the Ft. Stockton RV Park was OK for a sleep over.

There are lots of wind turbine farms out that way. Something to look at to break the monotony.

Don

[RustyJC]

If you go as far as Balmorhea on I-10 to go north through Pecos on TX-17 and on to Carlsbad, you'll see the Davis Mountains to the south of I-10. If you take TX-17 south to Fort Davis (~35 miles) and turn right (north) on TX-118, Davis Mountains State Park will be on your left in about 3 miles or less - it is one of our favorite places to stay. The Davis Mountains are totally unlike the rest of West Texas in geography, climate (6,000 ft typical elevation), vegetation, wildlife, etc. Even if you stay at Balmorhea State Park as suggested earlier, staying an extra day and making a day trip through the Davis Mountains on the scenic loop, visiting McDonald Observatory, having Mexican food in Fort Davis and touring the Fort Davis National Historic Site (a restored old West army fort) is highly recommended.

Rusty

[TXiceman]

X2 on Rusty's comments.....

I could easily spend a week getting from SA to Carlsbad.....and a lot more than 450 miles....

Ken

[Wayne M]

If you do decide to take in Palo Duro Canyon, they have a great outdoor performance there. Do try to attend the performance, it was worth it. Also, in Abilene there is the Oasis RV Park. They were offering very nice spaces for $20 a night with the 3rd night free. Check their web site. About 50 miles east of Abilene is Groom, TX and the very large "Stations of the Cross." Going via ABilene will increase your mileage to Carlsbad by few miles, but it will still only be a two day trip.

All the other options provided are also very nice. I consider Fort Stockton the "pits" of Texas. The only place I wills stay for a one nighter is the Fort Stockton KOA.

How come so late this year?

[The Danes Are Coming]

Wayne - we are restricted in the amount of time we are allowed in the US, so our current plan is to spend Sept, Oct and Nov in the south and south east. Then we spend Dec and early Jan at home with a view to come back for 3 month starting off at the Quartzite rally (if permitted in by US immigration).

Thanks for all your advice - it sounds like there are places to go and places to see.

Boomers - we hope to meet up with you at the Bourne rally. We are trying to time our arrival for this.

Thanks y'all from the "adopted Texans".

[TXiceman]

Henrick and Anne, y'all are always welcome in the Republic of Texas. Sure hope y'all can make the September rally.

Ken

[glennb100]

An interesting place to stay and tour is the Caverns of Sonora, more or less half way (200 miles from San Antonio) between San Antonio and Carlsbad. They have a small RV park with 50amp electric (I don't remember if they had sewer because we rarely use it for a one night stay). To get to the caverns, you exit onto a well marked country highway (FM1989), proceed four or five miles west of the interstate, and turn south (again well marked) onto a smaller country road, head over a long hill where you are convinced there can't possibly be anything out there, but, lo and behold, the RV park and parking lot for the caverns appear at the bottom of the hill. The night there is particularly dark with spectacular stars, deer feeding at the owners feeders late in the afternoon and early morning, and, amazingly, good wi-fi.

We spent the night and the next morning, took the hour or so tour of the cave. Nice formations, a good tour guide and NOT crowded. After the tour, we headed on to the Carlsbad KOA on the north side of Carlsbad and got there late in the afternoon with plenty of time to get set up, relax and order barbeque dinner from the office.

The best way to get from San Antonio to Carlsbad is to stay on I-10 to Fort Stockton, and turn north to Pecos, TX on US 285. There is good fuel availability at Pecos at the intersection of I-20 and US285. Continue north through Pecos to Carlsbad.

If you are going to spend a few nights in the Carlsbad area, make sure to visit Carlsbad Caverns and Sitting Bull Falls on the north side of town. The Carlsbad KOA is a particularly nice KOA, with large sites, full hook-ups, wi-fi and the owner makes an outstanding barbeque brisket.

[Lukeaa]

Henrick and Ann,

If you are going through West Texas, then you need to read Empire of the Summer Moon. It covers the indian wars in West Texas. It is a great read.

Amazon.com: Empire of the Summer Moon: Quanah Parker and the Rise and Fall of the Comanches, the Most Powerful Indian Tribe in American History (9781416591054): S. C. Gwynne: Books

Currently in Quartzsite area for another month,

[Elkhartjim]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wayne M If you do decide to take in Palo Duro Canyon, they have a great outdoor performance there. Do try to attend the performance, it was worth it. Also, in Abilene there is the Oasis RV Park. They were offering very nice spaces for $20 a night with the 3rd night free. Check their web site. About 50 miles east of Abilene is Groom, TX and the very large "Stations of the Cross." Going via ABilene will increase your mileage to Carlsbad by few miles, but it will still only be a two day trip. All the other options provided are also very nice. I consider Fort Stockton the "pits" of Texas. The only place I wills stay for a one nighter is the Fort Stockton KOA. How come so late this year?

Wayne should have said Amarillo not Abilene.