RE: Need Info on NM and AZ Camping

[Wayfarer]

 
We are considering/planning taking our PU and heading west from Huntsville, TX, (north of Houston) and travelling through New Mexico and into Arizona with the idea of ultimately visiting the Grand Canyon, at least the Arizona part.  Thinking of maybe heading thru NM & Arizona on a southerly route and returning thru the northern parts of those states.  The trip would be in the spring or early summer and would involve several " one night stands"  in state parks or wherever on the way there and back with the option of staying more than one night if the location was right.  Seems I read some good reviews on NM and AZ state parks before we lost all our previous posts so I am looking for new info, suggestions, etc.  Any replies appreciated.
 
 Thanks!
 
 ps:  I have checked the NM/AZ state park websites, ordered maps from those states, etc., but feel PUT campers would be a better source of info.  We prefer state parks, but as has been said, " any old port in a storm" will do if the place is on the way...[]

[Ab Diver]

 Wayfarer
http://www.pr.state.az.us/parkhtml/kartchner.html
 
 Chuck and Mickey, above is the web site of the Kartchner Caverns. Since you mentioned traveling into AZ on a southern route, this would fit in well. It s of I-10, between Benson and Sierra Vista (We just drove by there last week). We took the tour two summers ago. Wow! Very cool! This is one of only two " living"  caves of this type in the world that are open to the public. They have a cave " museum"  above ground with a lot of interesting exhibits. There is also a nice campground located in the park, with full hookups, nice big sites, but kinda slim on the shade (hey, it s in the desert). If you are anywhere nearby, give the Caverns a shot, you won t be disappointed. But get reservations ASAP, they only allow so many people inside so as not to spoil the cave s environment.
 
 Tombstone is also just about 45-60 minutes away. OK Corral, Big Nose Kate s Saloon, Boot Hill, etc. And the town of Bisbee has a pretty neat " train ride"  tour of an old mine.
 
 Here s to a fun-filled trip!

[gsm x2]

 Wayfarer
You might check my spelling, but one place we stopped for a " one night stay"  was Karchner Caverns, off I-10 a few miles heading up toward Tombstone.  What a georgeous visitors center with a butterfly and hummingbird garden that was a perfect place for our breakfast.
 
 We didn t stay at this campground, but heading up the road toward the Biosphere, we stopped by a campground, I think it was Catalina State Park.  It looked great too.  AZ has some of the nicest facilities I have ever seen.
 
 Enjoy your trip.
 
 

[Wayfarer]

 Wayfarer
Thanks, AbD and gsmX2, for taking the time to share your thoughts re: NM & AZ.  Appreciate your input and will think of y all on the trip, if, in fact, it developes.  Sure hope this forum picks up one of these days to somewhere near what it used to be.  Back BC (Before Change) my post would still be receiving replies full of info.  Oh, well, what s the old saying about how you can t go home again....

[kitphantom]

 Wayfarer
We stayed at Oliver Lee SP near Alamogordo in March, it was quite nice, but windy (it was windy season).  Long time ago, we stayed at Rock Hound near Lordsburg, OK for a short stay; haven t seen anything about lately & didn t look at the SP website recently. Up towards Silver City, City of Rocks SP was neat as a short stopover - we were tenting, and some of the tent pads are right in between the rocks - with our 12 foot tent, we just fit into one alcove, and had to get out the door and sidle along the rockface to exit.
 In southern AZ, Chiricahua NM is a favorite, but late April is about as warm as I d want to stay there, at least if I was going to hike at all.
 For South Rim Grand Canyon, we have stayed at Mather, in the park the last 2 years, when we went near Easter.  We also have stayed at 10x CG, a NF one just south of Tusayan, enough away from the canyon crowds during the busier season.
 I ve driven through Sunset Crater s CG near Flagstaff, but have not stayed.
 If you re considering North Rim, it is almost impossible to get into that CG without reservations, there are others on that the road into North Rim from Jacob s Lake, but have not looked at them.
 For northern return route are you thinking I-40 or through Utah & Colorado?

[Wayfarer]

 Wayfarer
Thanks, kitphantom.  That s some good info and what I ve been looking for from those of you who ve been there.  Will definitely make our planning easier.  As to return route I can see how my use of " northern"  was not too clear.  What I meant was a return across northern AZ and NM and, yes, I-40.  Figured that way we would get to experience both southern and northern parts of those states.  Going further north would entail more of a trip than we feel up to.  We re still in thinking and planning stage but hope to make more firm plans in next couple of months.  
 
 Happy Trails!

[forestwalker]

 Wayfarer
Hi,We have tent camped at a few places in Arizona.What a beautiful diverse, state.As someone has mentioned,Chiricahua Natl. Mon. is a good place to camp in the southern part of the state.We stayed there in early June a few yrs. ago,and the temps. were  not untolerable.If you leave I-40,in the northern part of the state, you
 might want to check out Fool(s) Hollow Recreation Area, in Show Low.We liked it.Near the Az./NM border is Lyman Lake State Park-It looks interesting. Happy trails....