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Old 01-20-2025, 10:39 PM   #1
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Possible Trip to NM and AZ

Considering a spring trip, possibly middle of February thru April, to New Mexico and Arizona; traveling from east Texas. The only place we have been in that area is to Angel Fire, NM and a car trip to the Grand Canyon long ago.
We can travel at a leisurely pace and stay out for a couple months. We enjoy scenic drives and scenery, light hiking, fishing, visiting small quaint towns of interest and such.
We have a 3500 dually truck and 36 foot fifth wheel and don't mind mountain driving on good roads. I don't like winter driving in ice and snow.
Would appreciate any recommendations on places to go or any special campgrounds or routes.
My idea is to go in early spring before it gets too hot.
Thanks for any ideas,
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Old 01-21-2025, 03:07 AM   #2
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That'll be an awesome trip

That's gonna be *really* early for fishing in NM, although if you can extend even a week or two, you may be able to catch the giant stonefly hatch on the Jemez river, which is absolute pandemonium. The hatch occurs before spring runoff really gets started. Typically just a small segment of the river at a time, moves downstream quickly. Just gotta be there, they hatch when and where they darn well feel like it. The one year I caught it just right, I was fishing between Battleship Rock and the cool little town of Jemez Springs. Which is normally tough fishing, plenty of pressure through there, but they go bananas during the hatch. Plenty of camping spots downstream. I'd recommend Los Pinos fly shop in Albuquerque for gear and intel. Yes, that giant neon orange foam bug they give you will catch fish.

Last day of skiing in Taos is usually the first day of April, that's a super fun day. The skiing is usually pretty gross by then but it's a heck of a party, worth going to even if you're not a skier.

Santa Fe is a great foody/arty town, we've camped at Santa Fe Skies and it's super nice. Problem is, it's hard to get reliable Uber service in Santa Fe, and driving a dually through that town would be, shall we say "interesting." Forget about parking. There's an argument for staying in Albuquerque and taking the train up to Santa Fe, that's a lovely day trip.

In Albuquerque, I'd camp out on the mesa, outside the city limits to the west. Couple of nice RV parks out there; the places in town I would not recommend. I'd suggest Los Quates and El Pinto for food, and Sandia for poker.

Spring weather is usually nice in Northern NM but I would not heartily recommend dragging the rig through the gorge if it's icy. Don't try to traverse Albuquerque in a snowstorm, if the pass doesn't get ya, the interchange will. If you get snow, just lay over for a day. Sun comes out, the snow evaporates and everyone is happy.
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Old 01-21-2025, 05:57 AM   #3
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I suggest a stop at White Sands NP. Very cool place to explore. Cloudcroft is a neat little village not to far from there,
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Old 01-21-2025, 06:29 AM   #4
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If you are interested in history and scenery, southern Arizona is great and that time of year is a good time to visit. Around Camp Verde is Montezuma's Castle, one of the cliff dwellings. Tombstone and Bisbee are worth visiting as well as the Chiricahua National Monument and Kartchner Caverns.
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Old 01-21-2025, 08:05 AM   #5
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There is light hiking and trout (fly) fishing in and around Sedona. There are small quaint towns nearby (e.g. Jerome), and scenic drives (e.g. Mingus Mountain and Oak Creek Canyon - both for your truck without the RV.) The weather is perfect in April, although it is spring break so busy with tourists. That will probably be true in April in all the touristy places though.
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Old 01-21-2025, 09:58 AM   #6
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The Albuquerque North/Bernalillo KOA Journey is nice, quiet, well run. It’s a perfect jump off location for either Santa Fe or Albuquerque for the day. If you go, both the local Range Cafe (ask to be seated near the cool kiva fireplace in the bar) and Kactus Brewing are must do’s for foodies.
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Old 01-21-2025, 10:32 AM   #7
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Sounds nice, but I would recomend starting in the Tucson/Yuma/Phoenix area first.

We were in Flagstaff in mid April one year and got snow. It gets up there in altitude, so expect much cooler weather. It's around 7,000 feet at Flagstaff, and 1,000 feet more across the Grand Canyon on the north side.
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Old 01-21-2025, 10:52 AM   #8
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I have seen people use https://chatgpt.com/ for routing and activity suggestions. Be specific in your query; I'm traveling in a (fill in the blank) RV and want to travel from point to point. I would like to travel during daylight hours only and would like to start no earlier than 9am and stop not later than 4pm. I prefer to park my RV in a campground with water, sewer and 50amp electrical service. I would like to take scenic hikes of not more than 4 miles.

The more specific you are in your query, the more specific will be the generated response. You can ask about sights to see, casual dining places, etc.

I was surprised when I've used chatgtp for suggestions about places that I'm familiar with.

Take care,
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Old 01-21-2025, 11:12 AM   #9
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I'd suggest Tombstone east of Tucson

It's at 5000' , so watch the weather reports, they can get snow

Flagstaff or most Northern AZ towns are above 7000', so not a good place to go until April or May

Some nice places around the 3500' and under elevation, PHX is about 1000' elevation

Superstition Mts, All the ruins like Montezuma Castle, ghost towns around Tombstone, Bisbee AZ, Jerome AZ, but it's at almost 7000',


Also Keep in mind, Feb thru April is prime season, tuff to find parks with openings on the weekend, so plan accordingly

Also it will be hitting the 90s in late April, but it's a dry heat....lol
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Old 01-21-2025, 03:15 PM   #10
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February can still be winterish in the higher elevations. Do low elevations first and then move upward.
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Old 01-22-2025, 10:06 PM   #11
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Thanks for all the suggestions and advice. I may reconsider my timing a little and will definitely visit the lower elevations first.
I appreciate your responses,
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Old 01-22-2025, 10:40 PM   #12
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If you start in southern NM, Guadalupe Mountains NP and Carlsbad Caverns NP are both near Carlsbad NM. Guadalupe Mountains offers history and hiking, especially along McKittrick Canyon and opportunity to hike to the top of Guadalupe peak if you're a strong hiker. Carlsbad Caverns is an interesting walk if you aren't claustrophobic. Paved walkways in the caverns. It sounds like you'll be to early to watch the bat flights. Carlsbad city has nice park along the riverfront and other state parks in the area.
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Old 01-22-2025, 10:45 PM   #13
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If you are on I 10 in Arizona between Wilcox and Benson AZ. you might be interested in Texas Canyon Nature Preserve.
The rock formations are indescribable. There are hiking trails and a museum.

https://www.amerind.org/texascanyonnaturepreserve/

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Old 01-23-2025, 07:18 AM   #14
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Great idea, but you are too early.
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