Good camping along I-40

KeithB · 08-29-2021, 07:41 PM

We are making plans to go south for about 3 weeks this winter. I have a question about travel along I-40. We will travel from Kansas City, going south to Oklahoma City, then across I-40 to Arizona. Probably in early Febuary. I would like to know if there are others who travel this route and have any recommendations for one night stops along this route. Looking for anything from Walmart parking lots to convenient campgrouds along the highway to quaint out of the way spots. We travel with our 2108DS, 22'. Any general suggestions would be great, or specific campground information would be appreciated.

Morich · 08-29-2021, 08:05 PM

Quick trip or see some things along the way, always gets involved.
If seeing a few things, Palo Duro canyon South of Amarillo is different for that part of the country and nice sites.
Closer to the main road but far enough off to not have traffic noise is just west of Amarillo:
https://www.myrvoasis.com/
Sant Rosa state park, North of Santa Rosa , NM has some interest if you like dinasour tracks! Nice enough for that area and usually quiet.
Near Church Rock, NM is interesting if new to the area, but dry and dusty as if it was in a desert???? Red Rock Park
Lots of nice sites near Flagstaff if going that far WEST and Sunset Crater is a very recent volcano to see if interested in nature as it is only about 900 years since last blow up and it gives a different view.

Scubadude62 · 09-01-2021, 10:03 PM

Two years ago we spent the night at the Tucumcari Flying J. Marked RV spots.

https://www.rvparky.com/location/flying-j-0691

09busaman · 09-02-2021, 06:27 AM

I dont know of any RV spots, there are several we have seen but havent stayed there. One word of caution, I-40 is rough in NM and AZ, just pay close attention to the road. That right lane is absolutely the worst.

Cooperhawk · 09-02-2021, 08:52 AM

We have traveled that route several times and there is a lot to do.

OKC, The Cowboy Hall of Fame and Western Heritage museum is a fantastic art museum.
We always stay at the Twin fountains RV Resort.

Amarillo, The Big Texan steak house, (they have their own campground).

Albuquerque, The old city, petroglyphs, a side trip to Santa Fe, ect.

The painted desert/petrified forest.

The crater.

Williams, Az, the Grand Canyon.

And that's just a few right on the route. there are many more.

**creativepart** · 09-02-2021, 09:56 AM

That trip in February will be cold and snowy you understand. Texas has some of it's worst and coldest weather in Feb, especially across the northern part of the state.

AZ north of Sedona is a winter wonderland in Feb.

Just an FYI that the whole route you've mentioned is cold, ice, snow and not what many think of when they think of "winter" in OK, TX and AZ unless you drop down to I-10 and go across that way.

Morich · 09-04-2021, 11:12 AM

One good point that may/may not change between now and your trip is the traffic. We just came back from the I-40 route to the West coast and the traffic was lighter than we had ever seen. Especially trucks were far fewer than expected both on 40 and I-10.

AZAspect · 09-05-2021, 05:04 PM

Creativepart hit the nail on the head...be careful on I-40 especially in northern AZ during the winter. We live in Flagstaff and it is not uncommon for I-40 to be shutdown between Winslow and Flagstaff and/or Flagstaff to Williams due to the snow. It is a main vein and there are multiple accidents when the weather changes. February is one of the worst months for us here with regards to snow. It's been a few years ago but I remember we received 84" of snow in less than 4 days. That's not typical but it can happen. You might want to consider heading further south to travel west.

Al

Todd · 09-05-2021, 06:36 PM

Meteor Crater RV exit 233.
About 1/2 way along I-40 between ABQ and Kingman.
Clean, good pull thrus, nice size dog runs, easy access, full hookups.
Diesel at the associated Mobil station used to be reasonably priced, but havent bought fuel there in a while so can't help you there. Have yet to visit the crater, but have stopped at the RV spot many times crossing I-40 to/from ABQ.

Fanrgs · 09-05-2021, 08:39 PM

The Sayre, OK city park has long, pull-thru, W/E sites and a dump just off I-40 for $12/night. The Tucumcari and Albuquerque Flying Js have Denny's restaurants, RV parking spaces, RV fuel lanes, and propane. No hookups and can't extend slides, of course, but free.

Believe those who warn of the February weather. I have been stuck in Gallup for several days because I-40 was closed at the AZ-NM line due to high winds. And Flagstaff is at 7,000', so does not have "Phoenix-like" weather at any time of year. Because of northern AZ weather, in our 10 years of snowbirding, we always go straight south on I-25 from our Denver home to I-10 . Several times when returning from snowbirding, we have had to spend extra nights in rhe Truth or Consequences area waiting out snowstorms or high winds in northern NM. And more than once we have spent nights in Santa Rosa due to snowstorms along I-25 in Colorado. So, my advice is to take I-35 to I-20 to I-10 from KC to AZ.

DryCreek · 09-06-2021, 06:06 PM

City Park, San Jon New Mexico.
I can't recommend them enough. Just far enough off I-40 to avoid traffic noise. Nice level sites. You are also right on Route 66.

bigb · 09-06-2021, 07:44 PM

As mentioned I-40 is rough through NM and AZ, slow down and watch for potholes and craters, best to travel during daylight. If you are looking for a quick, cheap overnighter just East of Albuquerque I just stayed at Clines Corners last night, full hookups and only $26. Open 24/7 since 1938, fuel, mini mart and fireworks if you're into that, just don't light them off in the West please. Traffic was light as mentioned and although most campgrounds were not full they don't answer the phones after 3, 4 or 5 depending on the place so call ahead early. Clines Corners saved me as It was already dark and I was getting desperate.

KeithB · 09-09-2021, 07:35 PM

Thanks all for the great information. I have been to Flagstaff in the winter but didn’t realize I 40 may be that bad all across New Mexico and northern Texas. We will look further into a more southern route. We, are flexible in our travel so will be checking weather reports. But just as soon not get stuck somewhere.

TJFogelberg · 09-23-2021, 09:56 PM

We just arrived in Cottonwood AZ on Monday via I-40. Lots of resurfacing going on, the highway was not bad at all. At the West end of Petrified Forest NP, there is a gift shop with free O/N parking including an electric hookup! Twin Arrows Casino and Resort (Very nice non-smoking resort and casino 20 min E of Flagstaff) allows free ONP and is well lit. We didn't know about either of these options before planning our trip, so we had KOAs booked all the way from MN until we arrived at Thousand Trails in Cottonwood. We will return to MN in Dec via I-10 and would not touch I-40 after Oct 15th.

Retiree1 · 09-23-2021, 10:40 PM

Just recently stayed at the Sky City RV Park just west of Albuquerque, which is associated with the Sky City Casino. This is a fairly new park that has level sites with full hookups and includes cable TV. Paid $18 for the night.

**creativepart** · 09-23-2021, 11:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Retiree1

Just recently stayed at the Sky City RV Park just west of Albuquerque,

Make that 50 miles West of Albuquerque, but thanks for the recommendation.

If you want “just” west of ABQ try Route 66 RV Resort. It’s 40 miles closer to ABQ.

TJFogelberg · 09-24-2021, 10:43 AM

I'd like to add Isleta Casino (non-smoking 100%) and RV resort. Again, we didn't know about it until we visited the casino. (7 m S of Albuquerque)

RV Park

Traveling after Labor Day, we had no trouble finding sites. Was glad to be a member of KOA, so convenient to make reservations on the app and check in was always a breeze. Costs a bit more, but so worth it when traveling 2,000 miles and just want a quick convenient place to camp. Usually with FHU and cable. Many locations are convenient to freeways, which is what we want when we're moving cross country.