San Antonio circle west and back to Indiana

[Rudolph]

We are going to San Antonio for a Rally. We want to make a circle west to Tucson, Phoenix Az. and back through Albuquerque NM. and back to Indiana. We have 10 to 12 days. We are looking for things to see along the way. Jim

[RustyJC]

I assume you may have already seen it while you're in the San Antonio area, but if not, the Texas Hill Country shouldn't be missed.

A hidden treasure that us Texans don't tell about too often lies about 30-35 miles south of I-10 - Fort Davis and the Davis Mountains.

http://www.mapquest.com/maps?city=Fort+Davis&state=TX

Exit I-10 on TX 17 at Balmorhea and follow TX 17 south into Fort Davis. Davis Mountains State Park, NW of Fort Davis on TX 118, has RV sites with full hookups including 50 AMP service and cable TV. In addition to the Fort Davis National Historic Site (a restored western frontier fort), you can take the ~78 mile scenic loop through the Davis Mountains, stopping for a tour at McDonald Observatory if you have time. A drive down TX 118 to visit Alpine is worthwhile if you can fit it into your schedule. You can rejoin I-10 by taking TX 17 south from Fort Davis to Marfa (worth a stop as it's become quite a spot for artisans, etc.) and then US 90 to Van Horn, or by going up to Valentine from Fort Davis and picking up US 90 there and traveling on to Van Horn.

A visit to Big Bend National Park south of Alpine would be worth your time, but it may be too far off your intended path, and it takes more than a day or two to see all that it has to offer.

Rusty

[Ding-a-ling]

Just off the top of my head:

Sedona, AZ
Lowell Observatory in Flagstaff, AZ.
Meteor Crater, Painted Desert and Petrified Forest, all along I-40 in AZ.

[clubmed98]

Big Bend National Park is well worth a visit and not that far out of the way..we went there on our west when we left Houston Tx and then went up through El Paso and on to Tuscon. Please see my web site link for some pictures. If you are doing this in the summer it will be hot..all previous suggestion are worth a visit. LBJ's ranch is located in the hill country north of San Antonio. Pictures also on web site. Hope you get to see the Missions and McNay Museum in San Antonio. They also are on the web site

[Wayne M]

In San Antonio, The Alamo is a must see. The River Walk is very nice - take the boat ride, it's cheap and interesting. Good food on the River Walk. Also, take a tour of the Missions. Some interesting history on the Missions. The Alamo has a Mission, the 5th Mission, that you will see when you visit the Alamo. It was also used in the Battle of The Alamo as a cannon site.

If you are staying in SA, a day trip to Canyon Lake. To get there, travel out of SA on I-35N, Or Hwy 281 N. From I-35 travel west on 46, and if on 281, travel east on 46 to River Road. Travel north on River Road to Satler and at the light turn left and follow it to Canyon Lake Dam. River Road is a very scenic route. When you get to the 4th Crossing there will be a CG on the right called Rio Raft and it is about 1/2 mile to the light in Satler.

If you are on I-35 North to Austin there is a Camping World on the left side heading north, and a few more miles up that road is a very large Outlet Mall (don't tell the DW's)

As you head west to Phoenix, the roads through Texas are great, with some posted speed 80 mph (not for me). I have heard that there is a wonderful CG in Alpine, but I have not been there. If possible, try to avoid stopping in Fort Stockton, as we never have found a CG that was worth the price, and the price was cheap.

Las Cruces, NM has a great CG called La Hacienda - well, we thought it was great. If you do stop in Las Cruces, day trip to Mesilla and visit Billy The Kid's Courtroom where he was tried. Also make a day trip to White Sands National Monument where the White Sand is almost pure Gypsum.

Tuscon is of course Tuscon and visit old town Tuscon if you get the chance, and the OK Coral where the famous 1881 gun fight took place.

Phoenix has the Sonoran Desert, and Wickenburg is a day trip to see the Cowboy Meuseum. There are several Mountain Parks around Phoenix. Take a ride up White Tank Mountain Park. You can probably do a couple of those in one day, except the Sonoran Desert

From Phoenix, via I-10W and Hwy 95N, it is only a half day or so ride to Las Vegas, and besides the Casino's there is The Valley Of Fire, Las Vegas Dunes National Rec Area, Lake Mead National Rec Area, Hoover Dam, and the Grand Canyon Sky Walk is a 120 mile ride from LV.

Leaving LV you would have the Southern Rim of the Grand Canyon. Either stay at the CG near the entrance, or stay in Williams, AZ, and have a 60 mile trip to the S. Rim. Or, you could take the famous train ride. We TOAD it, but next time maybe the train ride.

Leaving Williams, you will pass the Petrified Forest off of I-40E and you are on your way home.

Darn! I sound like a tourist guide. Sorry - got a little winded.

[Chickadee]

Rudolph: Stop in Benson, AZ (abt. 50 mi. E. of Tucson) & take day drive down to Tombstone and Bisbee. Stop in Verde Valley, (Camp Verde) (abt. 75 mi. N. of Phoenix) and do day visits to Jerome and Sedona for sure. Stop in Williams, AZ (abt. 15 mi. W. of Flagstaff) and do day trip up to S. rim of Grand Canyon (train out of Wms. is o.k., BUT drive yourself, you'll be glad).

[read & learn]

When you leave San Antonio head west on 90 to Del Rio
Stop at Langtry, TZ home of Judge Roy Bean Saloon & Museum, just up the road is Big Bend NP. El Paso area good meal is the Cattlemans Steakhouse at Indian Wells around exit 49 on I-10. Best Steak I ever had.
In New Mexico the White Sands National Mon.
If time permits in Arizona Bisbee & Tombstone are a must and then up to the Phoenix area for a couple of days than up to Flagstaff with a side trip to the Grand Canyon as you only have X number of days, drive up to the canyon or plan the train ride and spend as much time as you can. Go on line to the Grand Canyon Railroad and see what special they are offering.
Heading back to NM & Texas on I-40 stop in Winslow, AZ and have your picture taking "Standing on a corner in Winslow AZ" at the statue and 2 story mural.
Can not help you heading any further East on I-40 have not done this area yet.
Happy Travels

[skigramp]

While in Tucson make sure to take a half day to visit the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum ... you can see lots of plants and animals from the Sonora desert

http://www.desertmuseum.org/

The museum is about 5 miles west of I-10 ... there are RV parks nearby ...

Catalina State Park (north of Tucson near Oro Valley) has a campground with electricity (they have water and a dump station) ... they can accomodate big rigs

[Rudolph]

Thanks, a lot of good ideas.