Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta

[NeedToRetire]

My wife and I are working on our plans for our upcoming "You just retired" inaugural trip out west from PA. This our first time ever trip, without a firm return date. We are half done with the trip out & furthest distance planning. So far it includes Badlands, Custer SP, Yellowstone & the Grand Tetons.

We had a bit of a blank slate for our return, when I added Vegas and then the Grand Canyon. Then my wife saw the map and says "What about the Albuquerque Ballon Fest ?" Sure. Why not and it lines up nearly perfect with our current dates.

My question is, What can anyone who's been to the fest give us for tips and need to knows? We've never been. Any help is greatly appreciated.

[GEMCART]

I would like to know about the balloon fest also.

[rk911]

If you want to stay on the fest grounds or any campground or RV park in ABQ I have two words of advice....reserve now!

Good and congratulations!

[Arch Hoagland]

rk911 is right. Reserve now.

https://balloonfiesta.com/

[jimfishes]

Onsite RV spots for 2025 are full. Start calling local RV parks Today. And make sure you ask about cancellation fees, they get tough for the fiesta.

[bizzerbiz]

Yep, they opened up reservations 1/16/25. It was on my calender last October. Medical issues stopped the trip.
We were there in 2016 and it was one of the greatest experiences we've had in retirement. Get reserved now!

[twogypsies]

Definitely stay on the grounds or you will be in massive traffic.

If the hookups are full then see if you can get in the dry camping spots. That's where we stay. The balloons fly right over the RVs.

We volunteered to be on a balloon crew and what an experience it was! We learned everything about the balloon and in return we received a long balloon ride. The balloonists are always looking for crew members. There used to be a place at the festival for signing up.

We spent every day of the festival there.

[Zonnie699]

On site tickets are sold out

[NeedToRetire]

Gezz, this makes my head hurt. I guess its a little popular? LOL

So, if we can not stay on the grounds, we will face major traffic jams getting in of out everyday?

Any tips on what campgrounds to focus on outside the event? We put ourselves on the wait list for being onsite, but that sounding like a long shot.

[Triangle Drifter]

The balloon fiesta is one of those 'must do' made for RVs events. Done it three times.

Forget about area RV cgs. The traffic is horrendous. Forget about onsite parking areas, some have power. The price is insane.

Best option by far is the dry camping area, huge, off of Alemeda. Walkable to launch area. Constant shuttle buses to launch area, making for even shorter walk than the onsite camping.

If at the dry camping area, given the most frequent early morning air movement, you don't even need to go to the launch field, although experiencing the crowds there is worthwhile once. Most days the balloons will go right over the dry camping area, many will land in a huge area within the dry camping area.

Balloons start launching at around 7:00AM. 15 minutes later they are over your head. No need to deal with the crowds. Get up. Get your coffee. Step outside. The show comes to you most days.

The trick is, are you setup for dry camping for more than a few days? Water is available. Not sure how easy it is to obtain. We have 100gal capacity so a week is no big deal. Honey trucks are almost always on patrol so dumping is not a big problem.

The busiest days for camping will be the first weekend. No big deal. Sunday some campers leave. Monday, even more leave. By Tuesday there are big holes in the dry camping area. Our first time we had reservations, owners group. Second time, arrived Monday with no reservations. A short line at checkin station. Third time, Arrived Tuesday. No reservations. No line at checkin. Loads of space availability.

Balloons fly everyday weather permitting so there is no need to be there for the first weekend.

Don't be influenced too much by the website where there is the push to reserve, reserve, reserve.

[NeedToRetire]

Thanks @Triangle Drifter for all the details.

Originally Posted by Triangle Drifter

Best option by far is the dry camping area, huge, off of Alemeda. Walkable to launch area. Constant shuttle buses to launch area, making for even shorter walk than the onsite camping.

Is it a first come first serve situation? Or is it something we can make reservations for? Please give more details, it sounds like where I'd like to be.

Originally Posted by Triangle Drifter

Balloons start launching at around 7:00AM. 15 minutes later they are over your head. No need to deal with the crowds. Get up. Get your coffee. Step outside. The show comes to you most days.

That sounds perfect to me, coffee and balloons!

Originally Posted by Triangle Drifter

The trick is, are you setup for dry camping for more than a few days? Water is available. Not sure how easy it is to obtain. We have 100gal capacity so a week is no big deal. Honey trucks are almost always on patrol so dumping is not a big problem.

We're currently upgrading our TT with Lithium and portable solar. We have gone 4 days dry, and I'm uncertain yet what our total stretch dry can be, maybe 5-6 days? We have 76g fresh, Grey & Blk 78g total. We're pretty good at conserving, paper plates & army showers.

[NeedToRetire]

Here's a map. if you could, show me where the area is located would be appreciated.

[jacwjames]

In 2015 we made a last minute decision to go to the balloon festival, this was probably in July. Got on line and found a 3 day slot opening for the small area up on the bluff east of the field so we took it.

We actually got there a couple days early and stayed at the Sandia Casino, at the time they had a pretty liberal RV parking policy and actually could see the balloons in the AM.

Parking was first come first serve starting at NOON the day of our reservation. We were the first in line at ~11AM and waited for the gates to open, an attendant showed what was available and we got a spot right on the front line. We could see a lot of the field sitting in the drivers seats. Best view point was right on the edge of the bluff so we set up some seats there and each morning we'd watch the hundreds of balloons go up.

We then spent ~3 week meandering around NM before heading back. Great trip.









In 2023 I was on a trip and returned through Albuquerque, stopped at the Sandia Casino and only a few RV's were parked where I had parked before. so I called and asked if they allowed parking, they not where I was but but in a different designated spot on the west side of the hotel nearer the interstate.. Took me a while to find it, large parking lot with spots painted and numbered for RV's but none were there so I asked an attendant if I was in the right spot, which he confirmed. I then asked where I should park and he said anywhere. Only one of RV came in for the night.
Not sure what they do for the festival but worth a call.

[twogypsies]

Dry camping at the Balloon Fiesta is at the South lot:

https://balloonfiesta.com/files/gall...n_Map-0001.pdf

This is some outside access information:

https://www.visitalbuquerque.org/abq365/blog/post/your-ultimate-guide-to-the-albuquerque-international-balloon-fiesta/#:~:text=We%20recommend%20getting%20there%20early, the%20Balloon%20Fiesta's%20event%20schedule.