NFS Campground Review – Columbine Canyon, Questa, NM

Enjoying a glass by the stream next to our RV site at Columbine Canyon

A lovely forest campground next to a running stream near Questa on the Enchanted Circle in NE New Mexico.

Link to campground here: Columbine Canyon, Carson Forest, NM
Link to map location here: Columbine Canyon, Carson Forest, NM

1. Site Quality = 4/5
   Very nice site quality here, especially for a National Forest. All sites are paved with a good selection of larger and relatively flat ones. The entrance to the campground has a small circle of 8 large, perfectly flat open sites easily accessible to big rigs, but with limited shade/privacy. The remainder of the campground runs away from the main road up alongside a creek and has more private and dispersed forested sites of varying size/flatness. On left a selection of back-ins (#10-17 or so), with pull-throughs on right (#21 onwards), several of which can accommodate larger rigs. All sites have good separation, lovely “sitting areas” with picnic table and fire-pit, while some even have direct stream-access (e.g. #26/27). No hookups.
2.  Facilities = 2/5
   Very basic facilities here. There are several sets of pit toilets, kept nicely clean and several water spigots. Access to the stream and many (many) miles of hiking directly from camp. No showers or dump station.
3. Location = 5/5
   Another lovely location. You are deep in the woods here, shielded from the wind and right next to miles of wonderful hiking. Short drive to popular Red River as well as to visit other sights (e.g. Wild Rivers BLM).
4. Pet Friendliness = 5/5
   Great pet playground. The stream provides wonderful refreshment, plus there are literally days worth of hiking in Carson National Forest on the trails directly from camp.

Overall Rating = 4
BONUS ALERT = Camp deep in the woods next to the calming song of a running stream!

Summary: There are 5 forest campgrounds on the Northern End of the Enchanted Circle between Red River and Questa, but Columbine Canyon is by far the most accessible, quietest and nicest in our opinion. Set beautifully in the forest right alongside a running stream, the campground has both fully open sites as well as more private forested sites. All are paved with good access, nice separation and a selection large and flat enough for bigger rigs. There are lovely “sitting areas” and even a few sites with direct stream access (we thought our site #26 by far the nicest of the lot). The surrounding area has plenty to do and see including Red River, Wild Rivers BLM and literally days worth of hiking (there is access to at least 40 miles or so directly from the campground). This is a typical primitive forest campground with no hookups and no dump station but it feels wonderfully peaceful and secluded. It also has full protection from those famous New Mexico winds, a rarity in the area. We thoroughly enjoyed our stay and would most certainly come again.

 Extra Info:  Verizon extended network with a few bars, so you’ll get a slow 1X connection, but no more. Sites cost $15/night (no hookups). All 27 sites are first-come-first-serve. Several on-site water spigots, but NO dump station.

Extra, Extra Info: More Remote? If you’re looking for something more remote El Aguaje Campground at Wild Rivers BLM has plenty of room for big rigs and allows camping right on the upper rim of the gorgeous Rio Grande Canyon for $7/night (no hookups). Very few people seem to go there.

Extra, Extra, Extra Info: Boondocking? There is aparently a lovely boondocking spot nearer to Taos off Forest Service road 9 at Cebola Mesa. Official RV size limit is 32′, but we weren’t able to make it over there to check if they take bigger. If anyone goes, let me know!

View from front of campground down right-side of loop. Pull-through #27 on left. You can just (barely) see our RV peeking out in pull-through #26 behind it.

Another view down campground loop from the upper side. Site #22 in front, with an RV in site #23 behind it.

Typical back-in site (#12 shown)

View down campground loop showing one of vault toilets and site #14 behind it

View from top of loop. You can just see site #17 hidden on left.

View of "circle" at front of campground with sites #1-8

View of one of large, spacious and flat back-in sites in lower circle. Site #3 shown.

View of our very spacious and private "sitting area" by site #26. Although you can't see it in the pic, the stream runs directly on the left.

RV Park Review – High Desert RV Park, Albuqueque, NM

The entrance to High Desert RV Park

A convenient and inexpensive private park stop-over in Albuquerque.

Link to park here: High Desert RV Park
Link to map location here: High Desert RV Park

1. Site quality = 2.5/5
   This site quality is just OK here. There is a selection of large pull-through or back-in sites on compacted dirt with full hook-ups (either 30 or 50 Amp). Not much in the way of extra’s on-site except for an older picnic table. This is your typical parking-lot-style private park and you will be close to your neighbor with no real separation or landscaping.
2. Facilities = 4/5
   Good facilities here. The main showers were spacious with good pressure and temperature, kept nicely clean and with cute, little touch’s (e.g. pink shower mats in the girls). There is a second shower facility (OK but not as nice) in the middle-side of the park which has individual shower/toilet rooms.
3. Amenities = 3/5
   A decent, but not extensive set of amenities here. There’s a very nice on-site community room with TV and pool tables. Also 3 good-sized dog runs, a “car care” center, 2 laundry facilities and a small convenience store. On-site propane. WiFi is available, but you gotta pay for it. No pool.
4. Location = 4/5
   Overall this park is in a good location. It’s right off Hwy-40, only a few miles from Petroglyph National Monument, ~8 miles from downtown and right opposite Camping World. Despite all this it doesn’t feel too cramped and has open space behind and around it.
5. Pet friendliness = 5/5
   Good spot for doggie considering this is a private park. In addition to 3 good-sized dog runs there is a large open space behind the park, with several miles of dirt trails on which to run and walk around.

 Overall rating = 3.7

Summary: We needed to spend a few days in Albuquerque stocking up and wanted a simple, dog-friendly park as a base. High Desert worked perfectly for this. It’s your typical private-park parking lot, but has the advantage of being slightly out of town (~8 miles) and surrounded by a large open area with space to walk. The sites are basic, but do provide full hook-up and the campground has nice/clean facilities and good/decent amenities for one of the better prices in the area (in fact it was the best price/value I could find in the whole of Albuquerque). We liked the location being right off the highway, close to Petroglyph National Monument, accessible to town and opposite Camping World to boot. On-site propane was a nice bonus too. Overall it’s not a place I’d rave about, but a very decent and convenient stop-over if you need one in town.

Extra Info: Verizon aircard and smartphone had full signal. Sites $ 19.95/night (30 Amp), $ 23.45/night (50 Amp). They do take Good Sam’s and offer weekly/monthly rates. 

Extra, Extra Info (Boondocking): I couldn’t find any state parks or BLM next to Albuquerque, but there are casino’s in the area that allow free dry-camping. Thanks to Matt over at Operation Tally Ho, I now know about Sandia casino as a potential place to stop next time. Cheers!

Our site (#605) in the middle of the park

Typical site view. Large pull-through with older picnic table.

View down left side of RV Park

View of RV Park from entrance

View of one of the 3 dog runs

View of main facilities/store/office and propane

The big, open area behind the RV park where we walked Polly. This trail goes for several miles, with some side-spurs into deeper desert area.

NF Campground Review – Mesa, Lake Roberts, Gila National Forest NM

Gorgeous Lake Roberts

A very relaxing and pretty National Forest campground next to Lake Roberts in the Gila Wilderness in SW New Mexico.

Link to campground here: Mesa Campground, Gila Forest
Link to map location here: Mesa Campground, Gila Forest

1. Site Quality = 5/5
   Really lovely sites here with easy access even for “beast size” RVs. All are very flat, large paved sites with lovely and large ”sitting areas”, picnic table, fire-pit, grill and personal trash cans. Selection of back-in, pull-in and pull-throughs as well as ~12 hookup sites (30Amp/water). All sites have excellent separation and lovely views of open hills and trees. Select sites in front of the loop have lake views (#15, 16 and 19/20).
2.  Facilities = 3.5/5
   Very decent facilities for a Forest campground. Flush toilets, kept nicely clean (no showers). Also, on-site dump station (not mentioned on the NFS website, but it’s there!). Boat ramp and fishing piers by the lake as well as picnic areas.
3. Location = 5/5
   This is a lovely and remote location. You’re ~21 miles up on Hwy 35 deep within the Gila Wilderness. The campground has pretty views and access to lovely Lake Roberts as well as several cool hiking trails. You’re also only ~40 mins from Gila Cliff Dwellings.
4. Pet Friendliness = 5/5
   Very, very dog friendly park. Lots of space to hang out and relax, plus plenty of hiking both around the lake and near the campground (big bonus is that many trails allow “voice control”). Locals and host are very dog-relaxed. While we were there we even had a daily visitor, Booger a dog that lives ~4 miles away, who made the trek everyday to visit the campers and campground (Polly had alot of play-fun!)

Overall Rating = 4.6
BONUS ALERT = Relax with a view of the lake and hills deep in the Gila Forest!

Summary: If you’re looking for relaxation and forest it really doesn’t get better than this. Lake Roberts is located ~21 miles up Hwy 35 deep in the gorgeous Gila National Forest at ~6,000 feet. It’s a bit of a narrow (and sometimes) bumpy road coming up, but the location is beautiful. There are actually two campgrounds within ~1 mile of each other -> Upper End (which is on-level with the lake, but doesn’t have any views of it) and Mesa (which is above the lake and some sites have views). Both campgrounds are big-rig friendly, but we thought Mesa the prettiest. Sites are wonderful paved, flat with picnic table, fire-pit, grill, great separation and even a selection of electric/water hookups. Several sites near the front (#15,16,19, 20) have lake views. We chose #16 which was non-hookup, but enormous (huge) and our choice for the nicest in the loop. There’s lots of activity to keep both you and doggie happy including hiking, fishing and sight-seeing (Gila Cliff Dwellings). During the week this place is completely empty, but it does fill up with locals (and kids and dogs!) in the week-end. A simply lovely campground and we’d definitely come back.

 Extra Info:  NO Verizon coverage (zip, nada, zilch)…need to drive ~15 miles back towards Mimbres before you get a signal. Sites cost $10/night for non-hook-up, $15/night for water/30Amp electric (~12 sites). First-come-first-serve only. On-site dump station in Mesa campground.

Extra, Extra Info (BOONDOCKING): For those looking for a cheaper alternative Gila Forest allows camping anywhere you can legally drive. We saw an easy, flat forest service road between mile-markers 18 & 19 on left-hand-side  leading to an open field with several big-rigs. Also, there is a free campground (Forks Campground) a few miles south of Gila Cliff Dwellings for those brave enough to make the drive (Hwy 15 can be somewhat hairy). Forks is mostly for tenters or small rigs, but we saw at least one site at the very top (near the road) which would certainly fit a big rig.

Our gorgeous, enormous site (#16). No hook-ups, but oceans of space & views of the lake from the side.

Typical back-in site view (#22 shown)

View of back-in electric/water site (#18 shown)

Typical pull-in site (#9 shown)

View down campground loop (site #8 shown on left)

Another view down campground loop

Picnic table, fire-pit and grill at each site (this is site #19 which has a lake view)

One of the many gorgeous hikes near the campground (this one is Purgatory Chasm)

SP Campround Review – South Llano River State Park, Junction, TX

The gorgeous South Llano River

A nature-lovers paradise right off the I-10 in West Texas.

Link to campground here: South Llano River State Park, TX
Link to map location here: South Llano River State Park, TX

1. Site Quality = 4.5/5
   Lovely sites here. All are very flat, paved back-ins with 30Amp/water, picnic table, fire-pit and lantern-hanger. A select number of sites also have cute, covered shelters. Decent separation although some of the sites are rather open to neighbors. The front-end of the campground has more privacy (but less shade) than the back-end. A few sites on the narrow side, but overall good access for any size rig.
2.  Facilities = 4/5
   Very nice facilities here. Showers are in good condition, large with good pressure and kept nicely clean. Lots of on-site activities including the river (open for swimming and tubing), picnic areas, trails and bird blinds. On-site dump station, but no laundry.
3. Location = 5/5
   This park is only ~5 miles from I-10, but feels very “out there” and is set in a nature-perfect location. Rolling hills, river, trails and birding all reside at this spot. Nearby Junction has WiFi (at the library) and basic shopping.
4. Pet Friendliness = 5/5
   Great park for pooch. Miles and miles of hiking and nature. Plus, the 24-hour bird show will keep both doggie and kitties entertained.

Overall Rating = 4.6
BONUS ALERT = Wild Turkeys, river, nature and hiking all in one!

Summary: This turned out to be was a fabulous stop on our way West in Texas, so much so that we ended up extending our stay. Although it’s only a hop over from I-10, the campground is nature-lovers paradise with a remote and relaxing feel.  It’s set beautifully in a peaceful valley right next to the gorgeous South Llano River and surrounded by rolling hills. There’s a slew of outdoor activity available here from miles and miles of hiking (in the adjacent Buck Wildlife Management Area), to swimming, fishing and tubing in the river, to bird-watching (the area is roosting home to the Rio Grande Turkey and has multiple on-site bird blinds). Sites are lovely, flat asphalt surfaces with 30Amp/water, nice “sitting area”, decent separation and very pretty surroundings. The area gets hot, hot, hot in summer but is perfect in the Spring. We thoroughly enjoyed the area and would certainly come back.

 Extra Info:  Verizon extended (1X) network only here so weak voice signal, but no usable data signal even with external antenna/amp (free WiFi is available in Junction at the Public Library). Sites cost $17/night for 30Amp/water, reservable on-line. Additional $3/day/person entry fee (waived if you have Texas State Park Pass). On-site dump station.

Extra, Extra Info: For a throwback to old-style country music, tune into 93.5FM KOOK while you’re here. You won’t regret it! Also, bring your bird feeders!

Typical site view (#16 shown)

Another site view (#40)

View of our site (#19)

View of our nicely private "sitting area" behind the RV (site #19)

View down back-end of campground loop (#41, #43 on right front to back)

View of front end of campground loop (#10, #8 on right front to back)

View of facilities

SP Campground Review – McKinney Falls State Park, Austin, TX

Ruins from the McKinney Homestead

A lovely State Park in the perfect location to explore Austin.

Link to campground here: McKinney Falls State Park
Link to map location here: McKinney Falls State Park

1. Site Quality = 3.5/5
   The sites here are decent. They are long asphalt pads with 30/50Amp & water, good separation between campers, selection of shaded and open choices plus picnic table, fire-pit, and tent-camping square at each site. The only ding is levelness. Many sites are uneven and a few have significant slope. Pull-throughs tend to be more level than back-ins.
2.  Facilities = 4/5
   Facilities are nice. Good size bathrooms with large showers (2 per bathroom in a communal  changing space) and good water pressure. Slightly dated, but kept nicely clean each day by the park. On-site dump, but no laundry.
3. Location = 5/5
   This is the perfect location to visit Austin. You’re only 10 miles from town, yet you’re right in the middle of lush and relaxing nature. Plenty of hiking and biking trails on-site. Historical interest with Rock Shelter and remains of the McKinney Homestead on-site.
4. Pet Friendliness = 5/5
   Good pet-friendly spot. Lots of hiking trails for pooch and good space to hang out outside the RV.

Overall Rating = 4.4
BONUS ALERT = Relax in nature only 10 miles from Austin!

Summary: This was the perfect spot to visit Austin. The park is only ~10 miles from town yet is set in a lovely, large green area with miles of hiking/biking trails, historical interest (Rock Shelter and the McKinney Homestead) and even several creeks with cute, little water-falls. The sites themselves are very decent asphalt pads with great separation, green ”sitting area” and electric/water hook-ups. The only negative is some of them are rather uneven (with blocks and fully extended jacks our RV was just barely level). Overall we thoroughly enjoyed exploring/hiking the park and taking trips into Austin and would certainly stay here again if we came back.

 Extra Info:  Both Verizon aircard and phone worked fine. Sites are $16/night  for 30Amp/water or $20/night for 50Amp/water. Additional entry fee of $5/person/day (waived if you have the Texas State Park Pass). On-site dump.

Typical back-in site view (Site #12 shown)

View of one of the more shaded sites (#13 shown)

Side-view of our corner site (#15). Lots of space around the RV, but the site was very uneven.

View down campground loop (Site #8 on right)

Another view down campground loop (Site #18 on left)

Picnic table, fire-pit and tent-space at each site

View of one of the pretty McKinney Falls