TAOS, NM

RA & pullouts, SR-68, S of Taos. RA, between MM 33 & 34, E side of hwy. No sign prohibits O/N pkg. Lots of room. Mostly level, some paved. Also, S from MM 29 to MM 16, many pullouts along Rio Grande Riv OK for O/N pkg (a few signed No Camping). Taos Diner, recommended by locals, good New Mexican food. Bruce & Bunny Ratcliff #48001 Sep 11. Last updated by Phil & Karon Noll #76483 viewed Oct 15. Reval by Greg Ketcher #140941 viewed Sep 19.

Orilla Verde Rec Area CGs (BLM). 6 CGs w/ tables, fire grills. Restrooms. Some have E, drinking W & shelters. No D. BD $5-7, E sites $15, S/A Pass 1/2. 14-day limit. Go ~15 mi SW of Taos on SR-68. At village of Pilar TR (N) on SR-570 (paved) which stretches 6 mi along Rio Grande Riv. Pilar CG is ~1 mi from SR-68 and has 9 EW sites. 1/2 mi farther is Rio Bravo CG w/ 4 EW sites. More lg sites are being added. All size RVs. Primitive camping allowed only at designated sites. No ATT or Verizon. Warnings: 1) Do not take lg rig further N on SR-570 than Taos Junction CG without checking first – switchbacks & 12′ 9″ clearance show on some maps. 2) Other rd(s) into Rec Area other than SR-570 above, not advised – steep, rough, dirt, switchbacks. Jack & Dottie Barry #65881 May 10. Last updated by Greg Ketcher #140941 viewed Sep 19.

Rio Grande Gorge Bridge RA, paved pkg lot. Table, grill, flush toilet. 24-hr limit. 7 mi W of jct US-64, SR-522 & SR-150, on US-64 between MM 242 & 243, W side of bridge. N 36.47469 W 105.73626. ~4 lg rigs. Toilets locked 5p-8a due to vandalism. No vendors, good views, walking access to bridge. Verizon OK. 7000′ elev. Herb/Fran Pallesen #9261 Aug 92. Last updated by Ken & Joan Tarkin #46102 stayed May 16. Reval by Greg Ketcher #140941 viewed Sep 19.

Pullouts, E of town on US-64, all S side of hwy. Hwy noise. Good Verizon. No AT&T until the pass. Several NF CGs along this rd closer to Taos, but closed in Sep. ~MM 259, very lg, away from hwy, partly unlevel, ~6500′ elev. Phil & Karon Noll #76483 viewed Oct 15. Reval by Greg & Kim #140941 viewed Sep 19.
MM ~261, 1 rig, unlevel, ~6500′ elev. Phil & Karon Noll #76483 viewed Oct 15. Reval by Greg & Kim #140941 viewed Sep 19.
264, 1 rig, ~6500′ elev. Phil & Karon Noll #76483 viewed Oct 15. Reval by Greg & Kim #140941 viewed Sep 19.
270.5, S side of hwy, near top of pass going into Angel Fire. Unlevel. Over 8500′ elev. Historic marker. Bruce & Bunny Ratcliff #48001 Sep 11. Last updated by Phil & Karon Noll #76483 viewed Oct 15. Reval by Greg & Kim #140941 viewed Sep 19.

BD (NF). ~17 mi E of town on US-64, N36.4182 W105.34362, go 0.3 mi N on FR-5 (rough, sm sturdy rigs only) into a beautiful canyon, to a sm meadow. N36.42241 W105.34230. Elev 8926′. Richard & Kathy Howe #74769 stayed Jul 21.

Taos Ski Valley, paved pkg lot (NF). Tables, vault toilet. Free. 7-day limit. May-Sep only, signs say ‘NO RV Parking in Ski season’ but OK to park O/N out of ski season. ~4 mi NW of town on US-64, TR (N) on SR-150, go ~15 mi. Keep to L on entering Ski Valley, go to highest pkg lot at end marked RV Parking (well graded). No length limit. Rd up easy for lg RV. Area overlooks ski lodges. Hiking. Verizon full bars. 9300′ elev.Graeme & Jennifer Chaston #107845 May 11. Last updated by Dustin Fields #116447 stayed Jun 21.

Lower Hondo CG (NF). Tables, vault toilet. Free. Jun-Sep only. ~4 mi NE of town on US-64, TR (N) on SR-150, go ~8 mi. On R just after entering Carson NF. Scout 1st by stopping in lg pullout just before Carson NF sign & walk short distance to see if gates to CG are open. Unpaved, along stream. 30′ length limit. 7700′ elev. Various other pullouts (not very level) & smaller CGs further up the rd along stream, also free, sm-med rigs, 1 at N36.56837 W105.52270. Graeme & Jennifer Chaston #107845 May 11. Last updated by Richard & Kathy Howe #74769 stayed Jul 21.

TO LAS VEGAS: see NM, LAS VEGAS: TO TAOS: SR-518.

Taos Mountain Casino, pkg lot. Free. 2 night limit. Check in at Security w/ driver license & license plate #. US-64 N of town, go ~1 mi E on Hail Creek Rd to Casino on R. 36.4271 -105.5633. 700 Veterans Hwy. Slot machines only. No alcohol served. Vicki Kinard #137239 stayed Oct 19. Reval by John & Bonnie Archer #113438 stayed May 23.