For the last 6 months I have been traveling in the New Mexico State Parks. It is a wonderful experience at an affordable price (out of state is $225 for 1 year). Once you pay the $225 you do not pay one penny more for two weeks of camping at any State Park. For a year that translates to $18.75/month. If you need electricity you will need to make reservations (extra costs are electricity $4/night, reservation also costs something) . It seems that people are getting used to the comforts of home and drive around in huge rigs, towing a car, and need electricity for their microwave. That leaves the non electric sites pretty empty and the electric sites full.
The State Parks each have something of interest … birds, history, hikes, water sports. In winter there are warm parks. In summer cool ones.
It still helps to:
- arrive at park on a Monday or Tuesday
- drive around looking and ask the camp host or ranger for the primo non electric site
- check out where the bathrooms are (you may want to be close or far)
- ask other non-electric campers about your next campground
- Be very aware of holidays, especially in summer.
- July 4th may require a reservation, even without electricity
- Christmas was surprisingly busy
This is a good example of a great non-electric site. The electric sites were all crowded together with no view. We are lucky.
A great shelter and indescribable sunsets.
There hasn’t been a bad camping spot, yet. And the luxury of bathrooms and water and showers are a great incentive to try the NM State Parks.
Truck Camper Hints 
What is “boondocking”? I don’t know that term? Do you have campfires to keep warm on cold days? This has been such a cold winter that I wonder how it’s been camping daily in NM where I imagine it’s been cold too?
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Boondocking is the term people use to describe camping on BLM land or in National forests. There are maps and links to help find spots to camp. I do not do fires, even when it’s cold. Various reasons. Some people do fires. NM is warmer than many places … depending on altitude. I had to drop 2,000’ in January when it got down in the teens and it wasn’t fun. I just drove lower down and was very comfortable. Thanks for reading the blog!
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Soo jealous.. I miss the old days of living in my VW and non attachment.. Take care..Miss you sh!tloads..Much love, db/mb..
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Slim pickings on albums. Great hikes. Having lots of fun. Wish you were here! Hugs to you both.
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The shelters look really sturdy and probably very helpful to keep the wind down. Do they charge quarters to use the showers? Or pay the host?
I just bought a 22′ RV but hope to be off grid most of the time. Looking forward to 4 day weekends i the mountains boondocking.
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No charge on the showers. They all have timed push buttons. Sometimes the water is tepid, sometimes hot, sometimes in repair. All but two (that I know of) have showers and drinking water and flush toilets. Next year I will be boondocking and seeing Arizona. This paying-for-camping was an experiment … and really a worthwhile way to see New Mexico.
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Yep, the essentials: bathrooms, water, showers and the pursuit of happiness ! Be well Pickett !
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So true Jane!!
Pickett
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