Where to camp in Nevada, Arizona, New Mexico

[Mary_Eiileen]

We have mapped out our trip through the northern parts of Arizona and New Mexico, coming from our home in Salem, Oregon. We are looking for campsite recommendations in the following areas, please: Like to have sites with water, electricity and a dump site. we have a 34 foot 5th wheel.

~ Fallon, NV
~ Valley of Fire, NV
~ Zion NP (no campsites available in park for our dates in May)
~ Grand Canyon
~ Santa Fe, NM
~ Taos, NM
~ Arches NP, UT
~ Midway, UT (south of Salt Lake City)
~ Boise, ID

We prefer state/federal campgrounds, but they may not be located near these sites. We don't mind nice private RV sites. We plan on leaving Salem mid-May and being gone for a month. We like having reservations so we don't have to worry about not having a place to stay.

We are looking forward to visiting these great states for the first time!

[Roy_Lynne]

Are you really planning on driving from Salem to Fallon in one day. That's over 9 hours without even stopping. If I were you Id stop at Lava Beds National Monument, Camping there is dry but since its your first night, it might be okay. Also you are driving right by Death Valley. I assume you have been there and that's why your not stopping, but if you haven't, you really should.
We don't get reservations either and mostly because, for us, its the journey, not the destination and if we see something we want to visit, or stay longer than we planned, we have that option. There are places like the Grand Canyon where reservations are a must in summer, but we have found calling ahead or checking online the day before will usually get us a spot. And if it doesn't

[Mary_Eiileen]

ppine wrote:
If you need reservations you are probably looking in the wrong place or the wrong time.

Well, we are nervous to just wing it. Maybe because we are new to this or because we feel that our RV is so big (34') that there might not be spots for us. When we were younger and had a smaller RV, there were a few times that were nerve-wracking trying to find a spot in unknown areas. I don't enjoy worrying the whole day about whether and where we will find a spot.

[IdaD]

Mary Eiileen wrote:

~ Boise, ID

We prefer state/federal campgrounds, but they may not be located near these sites.

There are three state parks along I84 east of Boise that could work unless you want to actually stay in Boise. Massacre Rocks, Three Island Crossing and Bruneau Dunes. There's also an Oregon state park off the freeway near Huntington about an hour northwest. I'm not sure about places in Boise itself since that's home for us.

Incidentally there's also a nice state park at Castle Rocks/City of Rocks that's not too far out of the way when you're driving from Salt Lake to Boise and it's worth checking out. Nice campground and very scenic area with lots of good hiking.

[NEOK]

The Trailer Ranch RV Resort in Sante Fe is a a well mananged and maintained park. There is a bus stop just outside of the entrance to catch a bus to downtown plaza. We've stayed here a few times and found the location to be very convenient. The owners live onsite and it is for 55 and older adults.

[ppine]

If you need reservations you are probably looking in the wrong place or the wrong time.

[Adiabatman]

We also prefer public campgrounds to private/commercial parks and have found Ultimate Campgrounds to be very helpful.

[doxiemom11]

Check out rvparkreviews.com. They have private parks as well as blm, state campgrounds etc listed by city and state. Most have a link to the official website to gather additional information.

[fanrgs]

Since you like state/federal campgrounds, try for COE Lake Cochiti campground for your Santa Fe visit. Paved electric/water sites, a dump, fishing, boating, near a national monument, and close enough, but not too close, to the city. We paid $11/night with our Federal Senior Pass and have stayed there multiple times.

Any New Mexico state park campground is the best bargain in the US! W/E sites for $14/night and FHU sites for $18/night, including daily park pass, dump, and heated shower/restroom building.

If you are going to visit Canyonlands NP, as well as Arches, try camping at Dead Horse Point State Park. Electric sites, but take all your own water. One of the iconic scenic views in the entire nation, especially at sunrise and sunset! Can't beat it anywhere else in the Moab area, including the Devils Garden cg at Arches.

[ppine]

Finding options for hookups is easy. Just get a copy of a directory of RV parks. In a State like Nevada, which is 87% public land there are so many places to camp I don't know where to start. I rarely ever stay in an RV park except for tank maintenance and charging up the batteries on a long trip. Otherwise we have no neighbors, and enjoy the quiet.

[Chuck___]

Wow - you guys are just great! I really appreciate such generosity in sharing sites. I can appreciate that getting a campsite at the national parks is difficult because I was just looking at the campground for Zion and they were full for the days we wanted to go. I knew I was running late in securing reservations. I will try the other places recommended. I sent an email off to the Grand Canyon Trailer camp and got a reply back today: they aren't sure if they will be opening next year and asked me to contact them again after February 1.

And I've heard other recommendations for the ones suggested for Santa Fe and Taos so will definitely make them part of our stops.

Thanks - Mary

[dblr]

In Taos I would 2nd Taos Valley RV Park or you could also try Taos Monte Bello RV Park out towards the Gorge bridge but hear it is usually windy out on the mesa/.
Santa Fe we used Trailer Park Ranch, in town but very well kept.

[garyemunson]

For the Grand Canyon, the Grand Canyon RR RV park Williams AZ is the best. Walking distance to downtown Williams and a nice brewery/restaurant across the street. Taking the train to GC (you are camping right by the station) is really fun and a way to avoid parking headaches. If you travel with kids, there's a Deer Ranch about 10 miles east of Williams. About an hour and a half West of Williams on the old Rt 66 alignment west of Seligman is the kitschy Grand Canyon Caverns. A step back into 1950's tourist trap stuff.... Also have an RV park there.

If your travels take you to Moab, be sure to take highway 128 that runs around the east side of Arches Park to get to/from I-70. One of America's secret spectacular rides.

For Valley of Fire I'd suggest Sam's Town Casino in Henderson (South Vegas). Easy access for big rigs. Nice adjacent Casino with good restaurants and free shuttle to Old Downtown and the Strip.

[West57]

My wife and I have traveled quite a bit in some of the areas you mention.

Moab - In Moab, we have found the Portal campground to be the best in the area. Clean, quiet and close to Arches. The big problem is getting in. . . you need to make reservations quite a ways in advance, as Moab is a very popular place after about May 1. We were last there three years ago, and feel lucky to have landed a spot this year.

Zion - There's three good campgrounds somewhat close to Zion. We stayed at Zion River RV Resort near Virgin, UT a few years ago. Ten minutes (at most) to the park. Nice RV park. We have also stayed twice (with a third time booked) at Sand Hollow State Park a few miles outside of St. George. Maybe 20 to 30 minutes to Zion. Very nice state park, full hook ups, locked down at night, etc. Stay in the West Side Loop. While we have not stayed at Willow Winds in Hurricane, UT, we have driven through it, and it looks like a nice park. A friend of ours stayed there for a month or so and liked it. Maybe 20 minutes to Zion NP.

Boise - We have stayed many times at the Ambassador RV Park in Caldwell, ID, just west of Boise. Easy on and off the freeway, near a Pilot station, quiet, and nice wide sites.

Salt Lake City - We've only stayed once at the south end, and would not do so again. However, we have stayed at the Pony Express RV Park at the north end (North Salt Lake) where I-15 and I-215 merge, and have found it to be a nice place to stay. Nice long and wide sites, easy access to SLC. Pilot station nearby. RV dealer next door, with a nice parts store. Has a growing number of permanent residents, but so far that has not been a problem.

[Nv_Guy]

If you are just looking to stop for a night, this should work:

Fallon Churchill Fairgrounds
325 Sheckler Rd
Fallon, Nevada 89406
Phone: (775) 423-7733
Not a spectacular place, but has the basics. Easy access.