Park is, sadly, closed. We loved coming here, but not this year: http://www.emnrd.state.nm.us/ADMIN/documents/PR030712%20Manzano%20To%20Remain%20Closed.pdf We camped here in a Motorhome.
We did not stay here but we tried. In the past couple months I called the park asking about big rig sites. I was assured they had them. This morning I called for availability and was told there are no big sites but we could use the overflow area until one opened up. We planned to spend five nights. We had a long day of driving, including down the very narrow SR131 and then gravel to the campground. We drove the loop and perhaps there were two sites that a 40' RV "could" fit into - the rest were for 32' maximum. We then inquired about the overflow area. The host shook his head and said, "wow, it's awfully tight back there" - which was the tent group area. To enter the narrow one-lane drive we would have had to gone between two metal posts complete with a tree overhanging the entrance. We left and drove another 100 miles to Cochita Corps of Engineers park - very disappointed. We camped here in a Motorhome.
Agree with all previous comments--a real jewel. Only thing we can add is that we (humans and dog) loved the trails and the 3-sided shelters. Practically had the place to ourselves off-season. Camp host did come to greet us and alert us to the "camp kitty," which we were glad to have a heads up about given our cat-hating dog. We camped here in a Motorhome.
Another great New Mexico state park. Eight sites with electricity, table, pedestal, and fire ring. Some of the sites had a shade Ramada but our site didn’t, it did have the table sitting on a cement pad. After Labor Day the sites are first come first served only. We drove straight into site # 9 so that we were facing in towards the trees and we opened up away from the road. We were able to get all three slides out but not the awning which didn’t matter since the site was shaded by the trees. You will need an extension cord to reach the box if you pull in as we did. Our site had 20, 30 and 50 amp service. A water faucet was located near the site which was nice and the dump station with potable water is located at the entrance to the campground. The site wasn’t perfectly level but that didn’t prove to be a problem. Gravel interior road but dirt sites. We had to use our portable dish to get a satellite signal and we did have good reception on our cellphone and Aircard (Verizon). We enjoyed the peace and quiet during the day and at night. The park was busy on the weekend but returned to “normal” by Sunday afternoon. If you like peace and quiet you’ll love this park. I would have given the park a 10 if they supplied water to each site. Rate is what we paid with our New Mexico annual park pass. Otherwise it’s $14.00 a night. We camped here in a Motorhome.
This is a jewel of a camp ground. Very private, shady, small and peaceful. There is a host on site and the park office is right in the camp ground. Restrooms are clean. There are no showers and no water hookups. Water is available near the dump site and near the restrooms. The grounds are clean. There are no pull thru sites so I did my first ever back into a site. It really wasn't that difficult. If hiking is your thing there are lots of opportunities. The campground has several short and easy hiking trails. The trailheads for Red Canyon and Box Canyon are near by. We didn't have time to take the longer hikes. The park was not crowded--only 5 campers the night I was there. There are no sewer or water hookup and no showers so this park would not be for everyone. We plan to go back and hike the longer trails. We camped here in a Travel Trailer.
This is a tranquil campground. The state park is 15 miles east of Mountainair NM. The turn onto the road to the park is a very sharp left turn. Big Rigs can make it if they prepare for it. We are a 40 foot motor home towing a Silverado pick-up truck. Once you get closer to the park, the road is very dusty and both the motor home and the pickup were covered in dirt. However, within the park there is sufficient turning room, wide roads, and no low hanging trees with sites available to accommodate our motor home. There are 37 RV/tent sites - eight sites with electricity, a fixed dump station, and potable water available at various locations. No shower facilities. While we were here, the trees are alive with newly “hatched” locusts, and I could clearly hear them clicking away all around me. The park has 65 acres at 7,340’ elevation. There is access to Cibola National Forest. Hiking trails, horseback trails, picnic tables, horseshoes, wildlife viewing. The ranger leads occasional walks. We camped here in a Motorhome.
Manzano State Park is a small, quite, very well kept State Park. Most sites are large and
level with shade provided by pine and alligator juniper trees. Even though only electricity is provided, this is one of the best parks I have ever stayed in. Wildlife abounds, and many Indian and Spanish ruins are nearby for history and wildlife lovers. The rest rooms are wihout showers, but are very neat, clean, and well maintained by an excellent and friendly staff. I will return many times to this unique and quite park. We camped here in a Fifth Wheel.
Stayed there for some time. I was almost unaware of the train track and road nearby. Staff was nice and the unremarkable park was great for a few nights because it was very clean, quiet, easy to maneuver in, and with good internet and other utilities. Not so much a destination, but a great place to chill. We camped here in a Travel Trailer.
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Review Rating
[ 7 / 10 ]
October 2011
$14
Bare bones campground with the obligatory train track across the road. Great Wi-Fi, stable 50 Amp electric, friendly staff, fairly clean and certainly easy in/out as it was bordering the road. Would stay here again for a one-night stop because the price is right. We camped here in a Motorhome.
This park is fine for an overnight. Trains run by constantly across the road, most do not blow their horns. Don't come here to do laundry, unless you have a towed and can go to town. They have one washer and one dryer, and it seemed to be the construction workers day to do laundry. We needed to do one load and it took us all day to get a spot. The lady at the office is very nice, but the three barking dogs that greet you were a little overwhelming. We were able to pick our 30 amp spot, but it was difficult with the set-ups. Water hoses from unoccupied sites ran to neighboring RV's. Some looked like they didn't have water spigots. Supposed to be full-hookup but not sure where the sewer was located. Gratefully didn't need it. Would probably use again for one night only, if in area. We camped here in a Motorhome.
Adequate for an overnight stop, maybe two. It is right on Route 60, with the train tracks just across the road, but surprisingly, train and highway noise really wasn’t bad. Utilities were fine, and the sites were level, but this park is not much to look at. The lady in the office is very nice, but when I asked why the sign out front said something other than Turner Motel & RV Park, she laughed and said they’ve only owned the place four years and hadn't gotten around to taking down the old sign yet. Like the town, the RV park could use a facelift and a little TLC. Mountainair could be a fabulous little art/antique destination town. It has the bones of a Madrid, NM or Bisbee, AZ, but the economy has taken its toll and most of the gorgeous little storefronts are closed. If you go, don’t miss breakfast at the Alpine Alley or some of the fascinating ruins in the area. Rate shown is PPA, but if we’d had to pay full price, we would have dropped our score a point or two. We camped here in a Motorhome.
Nice park and the WI-FI was excellent. The trains woke us up the first night but didn't seem so bad on the second and third night there. The sites are nice and the staff was helpful. It was a little chili here at night but refreshing mornings and plenty of sunshine while we were there. We will stay here when we head back east. We camped here in a Motorhome.
Decent spot for a couple of nights. Some train noise but no train horns. Rear located hookups not a problem if you carry extensions, I see this in a lot of higher end parks also. Spots are gravel, lots of others are as well. Friendly check in with P/A rate. They are also Escapees discount park. I'd go back. WiFi worked really well, much better than most. We camped here in a Fifth Wheel.
The park is convenient to the highway and close to the railroad. Surprisingly, there was little noise from the frequent trains because the track is seamless. The manager was friendly and very accommodating. The place has few amenities but was comfortable and is a good place to rest for a few days. Sites are all back-in but large enough for any RV. We camped here in a Fifth Wheel.
The reason for the low nightly rate is that we are staying here on a monthly basis. Our last visit here was in June of 2007 and you can read our comments from that visit. Kevin & Ruth (the owners) are terrific, and we just love this area. We camped here in a Motorhome.
While this park is not beautiful, it is functional and the price is right. The spaces are wide. There is no other place to camp in the area except the Manzano Mountains State Park. The area around Mountainair is beautiful and about 1.15 hours from Albuquerque. The ruins of the Salinas Valley Pueblos are in the area and hiking trails in the Manzano Mountains. The town itself has limited shopping for groceries. We camped here in a Motorhome.