5 Must-See Places While Camping Near Albuquerque
Albuquerque is the most populated city in New Mexico, so travelers can expect to find a bustling city when they visit! This area is a hub for activities, culture, education, and entertainment. There are countless ways to spend your time if you’re planning on camping near Albuquerque, and it’s impossible to see everything on one trip.
So, if you plan to travel through Albuquerque or stay there for a few days, you’ll want to maximize your time. This article will help you find some of the most popular and highly-rated destinations, activities, and attractions for visitors. Of course, there is always more to see in this city, so keep your eyes open for any activities that catch your eye while you’re there. Plan your travels with RV LIFE Trip Wizard and the RV LIFE App to find even more points of interest along the way.
1. Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta
This is an annual event that spans for 9 days every October. If you’re going to be camping near Albuquerque during this time, you won’t want to miss the world famous festivities!
The Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta is one of the biggest events in New Mexico and it’s a true spectacle of color. The hot, dry climate of this area is perfect for flying hot air balloons, and you’ll see hundreds of them during this fiesta.
The activities are endless during this event. One of the most popular attractions is the Special Shape Rodeo. This is a chance for people to show off their hot air balloons with unusual shapes and designs. It’s like an aerial parade of unusual and fun balloons! There will also be fireworks, competitions, vendors, and all sorts of opportunities to book a ride on a balloon.
RV LIFE is set to sponsor this year’s event, as part of a series of get-togethers called “RV Bucket List Experiences.” Visit the event website for more details.
Youtubers Less Junk, More Journey shared their experience at the Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta in the video below:
2. Albuquerque BioPark
If you’re a fan of animals, plants, and nature in general, you’ll also want to plan a trip to the ABQ BioPark! This is one of the jewels of the city and it includes a huge range of things for visitors to explore.
The BioPark includes:
- A zoo
- Aquarium
- Botanic Garden
- Tingley Beach
- News and Media Center
There are also a ton of events that happen on a daily, weekly, or annual basis. If you plan your trip ahead of time and have some animal-loving kids, you could even register for some of the youth camps and classes that are offered by this BioPark.
Conservation and education are huge focuses of this area. If you’re going to be camping near Albuquerque, you won’t want to miss this opportunity to see some of their efforts to preserve and rebuild populations of endangered species. The BioPark has made huge strides in conservation and they are frequently involved in animal breeding, rehabilitation, and release programs.
The prices for non-resident visitors are:
| Visitor | Cost |
|---|---|
| Adults (13-64): | $14.50 |
| Seniors (65+): | $7.50 |
| Youth (3-12) : | $6 |
| Children under 2: | Free |
This is a popular destination, so you’ll want to reserve your tickets ahead of time to make sure you get a spot. These tickets will work for the botanic garden and aquarium or the zoo. It’s not a complete bundle, so if you want to visit all 3, you may need to buy multiple tickets.
3. Sandia Peak Aerial Tramway
If you’re all about sightseeing when you’re camping near Albuquerque, you may want to book a ride on the Sandia Peak Aerial Tramway! You’ll be lifted over 10,000 feet in the air and will have access to a stunning 360-degree view.
The scenery from the tram is breathtaking and it takes about 15 minutes from beginning to end. In my opinion, that’s the perfect amount of time to enjoy the scenery without getting bored. Plus, if you have kids with you, that might be about as long as they want to spend there too!
The Tramway is just one of the attractions of this area. If you want to get out and about, there are 100 hiking trails scattered around this mountain range. You can choose to walk the whole way or pay for a tram ticket. You can hike up and take the tram down, or take the tram up and hike down. There are great options for hikers of all skill levels.
During the winter, this area is also a popular skiing destination. There are 3 chair lifts that lead to 35 miles of beautifully groomed trails. It’s a great place for anyone to learn and have fun! There are also restaurants, gift shops, and other stores you can visit when you come to Sandia Peak. Check out their website for more information.
4. Ghost Tour of Old Town
Old Town Albuquerque has been a popular destination for many years. It preserves a ton of the history and culture of this town. Even as time passed and a large city grew up around it, Old Town has been preserved as a historical destination.
But if you’re camping near Albuquerque, you may want to explore the dark side of this site (literally). At night, there are often guided tours throughout Old Town. Your guides can tell you ghost stories about the area under the light of their lanterns. This is one of the longest ghost town walks in the world, and it can reveal a lot of legends and history that are central to this town.
Even if spooky stories aren’t your thing, this tour can be amazing because your guides will show you things that are off the beaten path. There are many buildings, alleys, and cemeteries that most tourists would never notice otherwise.
These tours cost $34.55 per adult and you can buy tickets in advance. If you love a good scare (or learning about local history) this might be the perfect attraction for you. You can also visit Old Town during the day and enjoy seeing all the landmarks and historical sites.
5. Horseback riding at The Tamaya Stables
For those of you who love exploring nature, horseback rides might be just the thing for you! The Hyatt Regency Tamaya Resort and Spa offers horseback rides to any visitors who are interested.
There are lots of hiking and riding trails in Albuquerque and it’s fun to explore nature from a horse’s back. In addition, all the horses from Tamaya are from a rescue program. So, when you choose to ride with them, you know you’re supporting a good cause that is giving horses second chances.
During the summer, this resort also hosts weekly rodeo nights on Thursdays. Trail rides cost $80 per person and there are two scheduled rides per day. There are rides at 10:00 am and 2:00 pm. You can view more details at the Tamaya website.
For all of your camping and trip planning needs, look no further than RV LIFE Campgrounds and RV LIFE Trip Wizard. RV LIFE Campgrounds is a trusted source of campground and RV park reviews offered by camping and RV enthusiasts just like you. With its accompanying RV LIFE App, RV LIFE Trip Wizard gets you to your camping destinations utilizing RV-friendly routes specific to your RV and travel preferences.
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