Vanlife in New Mexico in October was every little thing I hoped for—huge skies, quiet campgrounds, colourful leaves, and unforgettable recollections. I rolled into the state mid-month, chasing nice temps and peaceable locations to park. Right here’s a have a look at the place I stayed, what I found, and why Taos ended up stealing a bit piece of my coronary heart.
Oct 13–16: Angel Peak Scenic Space (BLM Campground)
I kicked issues off close to Aztec at Angel Peak—free BLM tenting with layered cliffs and dramatic canyon views. I stayed 4 nights, absorbing golden sunsets and peaceable mornings. Fortunate cherished her walks round this beautiful space.
Cell sign was stable, and the celebrities had been unreal. I couldn’t have discovered a extra excellent free camping spot.
Oct 17–20: Taos Plateau (BLM) — Caught within the Mud!
What was alleged to be a fast in a single day keep become an unplanned four-day journey. I rolled right into a spot on the Taos Plateau BLM land discovering a stunning spot close to a view of the Rio Grande.
I discovered an excellent flat spot simply off the gravel street. After an evening of heavy rain my van sank into the slippery clay, and identical to that—I used to be caught.
I attempted to get out with no success so I made a decision to attend it out. One other day of rain after which in accordance with my climate app the solar would come out.
The solar ultimately dried the earth sufficient for me to rigorously again out, little by little.
It was irritating and a bit scary at first, however in hindsight, it gave me a uncommon alternative to really decelerate. I had sufficient water and meals for per week so determined to only hunker down and loosen up.
Just another lesson from the road: nature units the schedule, not you.
Oct 21: Again to the Rio Grande Lookout
As soon as I used to be free, I settled at a well-recognized and dependable relaxation cease alongside the Rio Grande. After my muddy detour, the stable floor and river views felt like pure luxurious.
I had stayed on this spot a few years in the past on one other vanlife in New Mexico journey. I stayed one evening right here to recharge earlier than touring Taos.
Taos Highlights: Don’t Miss These Gems
Whereas utilizing Taos as a hub, I spent a number of days having fun with what makes this city so distinctive. Listed here are a number of favorites:
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Taos Mountain Balloon Rally: A hidden gem! I caught the native balloon pageant and it was magical—intimate, pleasant, and photogenic. Watching the dawn elevate dozens of balloons over the desert was unforgettable.
• 
Farmhouse Cafe & Bakery: Gluten-free street trippers, rejoice! This funky, relaxed cafe had an awesome choice of gluten free baked items and entrees. The espresso was sturdy, the meals scrumptious, the service was heat, and the patio was an ideal place to folks watch. I got here again twice!
• 
Downtown Taos: Taos Plaza and its surrounding streets are filled with attraction—unbiased artwork galleries, handmade jewellery, classic finds, and extra. It’s simple to spend a complete afternoon wandering from store to buy. I particularly loved the gem store. I cherished the combination of previous adobe buildings and inventive storefronts.
Oct 22–25: Campgrounds & Walmart
• Oct 22: I stayed at a Taos campground with electrical/water hookups for $48. USD Showers and facilities had been a pleasant reset after a number of days off-grid (and off-road).
• Oct 23–24: After a tour of the Earthship Properties and Taos Pueblo I parked on the Rio Grande Lookout relaxation cease once more. That is simply north of Taos so close by to each websites. It was surprisingly peaceable, with sturdy cell sign to make amends for some work within the evenings.
• Oct 25: Overnighted on the Taos Walmart. It wasn’t the quietest (numerous visitors noise), however handy and well-lit with good service. It was close by to the balloon pageant and I wished to get some good parking for the occasion.
Oct 26–31: Southbound and Scenic Vanlife in New Mexico
I explored the Puye Cliff Dwellings that are historic cliff and mesa-top dwellings. They had been constructed and inhabited by the Ancestral Pueblo folks, particularly the ancestors of the trendy Santa Clara Pueble.
They had been contructed between tenth and thirteenth centuries. These constructions are carved into the comfortable volcanic tuff cliffs of the Pajorito Plateau.
We had been pushed to the highest of the mesa after which climbed down! The tour information was very informative and telling tales from her ancestry. They had been resilent and hardworking to make such a creative homebase.
I wasn’t certain I might make the climb down however I did! First we climbed down some steep stairs, actually simply foot holds constructed into the facet of the cliff. I went down totally on my bum.
We then walked alongside a cliff path to see the traditional rooms dug into the facet of the cliff and to benefit from the beautiful views of the valley beneath. Subsequent was climbing down a 40 foot wood ladder to the walkway again to the reward store. It was scary and invgorating. I’m so completely satisfied I did it.
• Oct 26: Discovered a quiet BLM spot between Taos and Española—nothing fancy, simply wide-open sky and recent air.
• Oct 27: Stayed at Juniper Campground in Bandelier Nationwide Monument. Cell reception was spotty inside however okay close to the sides. The traditional Puebloan ruins and cliff dwellings made this a standout cease.
• Oct 28–29: Santa Fe Nationwide Forest gave me a dose of alpine magnificence. Fall colours had been peaking, and cell sign was good all through my keep.
• Oct 30–31: Ended the month at Gallinas Group Campground close to Corona within the northeastern a part of the state. Distant, peaceable, and an excellent place to wrap up the New Mexico chapter of my journey.
Vanlife in New Mexico Closing Ideas
New Mexico supplied me every little thing I crave on the street—quiet BLM land, vibrant tradition, and simply sufficient small-town attraction to combine issues up. Taos stood out as a spot I’ll positively return to, and even getting caught within the mud jogged my memory why I like this life: each problem turns into a part of the story.
In the event you’re vanlifing by way of the Southwest, give your self time right here. Don’t simply go by way of—pause, discover, and let New Mexico shock you.
Till subsequent time, completely satisfied trails from the street.
— Sharing My Van Life
The submit Vanlife in New Mexico: BLM Gems and Scary Moments appeared first on Sharing My Van Life.
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