Help with Camping Location (1 Viewer)

[OGBeno]

Hey guys:

Looking for someplace reasonably close that has water we can swim in. This short camping trip will be a two-dayer and I would like to stay within about three hours of ABQ. Elephant Butte and Cochiti are out.

It will be myself, and two kids (9/4) and their mother. She would like it to be not too far away from civilization just in case something happens to one of her kids (she's a little protective).

Any suggestions gentlemen?

[and no jokes or jabs please--this is a serious request]

Thanks much.
-onur

 

[firemedicpq1]

Camping this holiday weekend is going to be crowded. I'd go with the Jemez - there are several areas which can be remote and wild or you can go with developed areas. As for swimming - there are the streams and the hot springs, My favorite place is as you head towards Fenton - there is a forest road, I believe it is FR 376 (but not sure), but it is off to the right off the highway - as you climb out of the valley from the San Antonio CG. It is a rough dirt road - but anything with some clearance can easily make it - take the road all the way to the end and there is a beautiful meadow with the San Antonio River running through it - great fishing BTW. There are hot springs in the area as well. Just an idea. Good luck and have fun.
Paul

 

[marcfj60]

You could go east to Santa Rosa or Conchas. Both are less than 3 hours away. But it will be pretty hot though. But I know you can swim in those lakes. And both are within ~1/2 hour from civilization.

 

[DanS HJ-45]

Abiquiu. Less than three hours from ABQ, and you can definitely swim there (and do some cliff diving, if that's your bag).
Navajo Lake kind of the same.

If it was me though, I'd probably head farther up north, like around Tierra Armarilla (Heron Lake) for the cooler temperatures. The boat speeds are restricted in Heron too, for the kiddies. But then, I consider TA to be "civilization." It's a county seat, after all!

Dan

 

[OGBeno]

Thanks for the help guys.

Camping won't be this weekend. Maybe next week or the week after.

Mother mainly wants kids to be able to swim during the day and have a bit of water fun.
-onur

 

[slimbuddha]

I believe you can swim at Storrie Lake too. Up near Las Vegas, its about 1.5 drive as well as Bluewater lake near Grants.

Here is a link to all the state parks.
New Mexico State Parks

 

[OGBeno]

Thanks for the link Ron.

Looks like mother has decided on Lake Powell/Glen Canyon area....looks like I'm going too!!

 

[marcfj60]

Thanks for the link Ron.

Looks like mother has decided on Lake Powell/Glen Canyon area....looks like I'm going too!!

That's a few more than 3 hours away. But still a nice place to go.

 

[sirenmoses]

another for Santa Rosa.

Curious why Cochiti is out (unless it's the 'close to civ' thing)?

The 2 track on the east side has been good to me in the past. Thinking about doing a day trip during the week, expose my doberdogs to water that's not from the sky, maybe splash around in my kayak.

 

[SteveLCetc]

Lake Powell is a phenomenal place. Take your camera.