Haven't left my area code since New Years, and barely even my house since March. My son is going nuts. Need to get out of here for a few days.

Just want to do some lite hiking and maybe some fishing.

Just check the weather wherever you decide to go. Temps were near 100 the last 2 weeks in Denver (which admittedly isn't in your target area). We hiked a lot less than we thought. It was still nice to get away for a week, but not quite a "real" vacation.

Temps in northern NM have been brutal and its very dry. Most well known that people will recommend are Red River, Angel Fire, Tres Ritos (Sipapu), etc. Fishing won't be really on the plate but if you want a super quiet, out of the way, nice area for camping/hiking try El Porvenir campground in the Gallinas Canyon.

https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/santafe/recarea/?recid=75870

You can also try Pendaries near Rociada.

We did a lot of camping at Valle Vidal when I was a kid. Pretty isolated and the roads weren't paved so it kept out a lot of the glampers, back in the day.

Just FYI- most all of our region (I live in southern CO) is in extreme fire danger. Strict burn bans- so be prepared for propane only cooking. That could even be restricted if we continue.

I saw a lightning strike ignite a fire right at the NM/CO border north of Chama today.

Also- NM is under a mandatory quarantine for visitors right now. So visiting there is probably not a great idea now.

You could check out camp sites along the Conejos, for lower (and warmer). Or come up here to Pagosa Springs. Lots of camping perfect for young kids. Williams Creek Reservoir is a beautiful spot. Just know- you will be cold camping.

You might be better off checking out some places that aren't under fire bans this year.

It's currently 100 degrees at my house north of Abilene, and it's 68 degrees right now at Tres Ritos, NM.

Go online and check out Sipapu Ski Lodge, which is right down the road from Tres Ritos. There's fishing, hiking trails in the Carson National Forrest, disc golf, and Taos is about 35-45 minutes away. We go there for a week nearly every summer.

I just saw the quarantine info for NM. That's a bummer

Minus the isolation thing in NM, I'd recommend Cimmaron Canyon. Fishing and hiking right on/off the Cimmaron river.

Did some camping couple years ago outside of Cuchara co. In San Isabel National Forest and enjoyed the area pretty good. Cuchara is an interesting stop for a day or two. Full disclosure I was just traveling through basically returning from Idaho and glacier np. and needing a stop. This area is not far from raton nm or Trinidad co. There were some nice little fishing lakes at a couple of the camp areas.

Vallecito Reservoir outside Durango is a great spot.

Just north of Durango is a "United Campgrounds of Durango". It's nice, but pretty much just a place to sleep.

We camp there and make day trips elsewhere. Lemon Lake isn't far from there and is beautiful.
You can also go to the Animas River right in town.

I'm partial to the Creede area. You can camp right on the Rio Grande or stay in town. Plenty of hiking and no people. Its about 15 hours from College Station. Monsoon season finally got going so its been raining every afternoon. 14 day quarantine is on in NM. Not here.

Cimarron canyon would be great and fishing in the gravel pits should get you your limit. Stay away from Taos they think the world is coming to an end and I assume Santa Fe would be the same.

tmaggies said:

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Cimarron canyon would be great and fishing in the gravel pits should get you your limit. Stay away from Taos they think the world is coming to an end and I assume Santa Fe would be the same.

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All of NM has a 14-day quarantine now, so not a good time to visit.

Why about driving through NM?

OnlyForNow said:

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Why about driving through NM?

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i just talked to a buddy that went through yesterday. said that had no issues. but, they just stopped for gas and food on their way to Colorado.

I enjoyed backpacking the Pecos Wilderness and Truchas Peak in the '90s. Beautiful area. Not sure about visiting these days.

Naveronski said:

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tmaggies said:

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Cimarron canyon would be great and fishing in the gravel pits should get you your limit. Stay away from Taos they think the world is coming to an end and I assume Santa Fe would be the same.

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All of NM has a 14-day quarantine now, so not a good time to visit.

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NM has a FAQ out. One of them is in regards to driving through. No issues with that though they state you should not stop for souvenirs. Also, I think the NM state parks are closed to non-residents. Pretty sure the governor would close national parks if she could.

My wife and I were planning on heading to CO in about a month, with a stop in Sante Fe along the way. It sounds like if the NM quarantine is still in effect, we will only be allowed to stay in our hotel room and drive on the next day. No sight-seeing or souvenirs, right?

Generally yes, though no one questioned us during our trespass from Durango.

Tres Ritos. My family used to stay there now and then. It does t get the traffic of Taos/Red River.

We also would go to Bonito Lake.

Good day hiking all around Durango/Hermosa area up to the Old purgatory ski area.

Come on up to see us in the Ouray/Silverton/Telluride area. It's beautiful here and every other license plate is already from TX

cupofjoe04 said:

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Just FYI- most all of our region (I live in southern CO) is in extreme fire danger. Strict burn bans- so be prepared for propane only cooking. That could even be restricted if we continue.

I saw a lightning strike ignite a fire right at the NM/CO border north of Chama today.

Also- NM is under a mandatory quarantine for visitors right now. So visiting there is probably not a great idea now.

You could check out camp sites along the Conejos, for lower (and warmer). Or come up here to Pagosa Springs. Lots of camping perfect for young kids. Williams Creek Reservoir is a beautiful spot. Just know- you will be cold camping.

You might be better off checking out some places that aren't under fire bans this year.

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+1 for camping along the Conejos River. I camped at Elk Creek recently and it was perfect at night in the low 50's. The campground was immaculate (no fires as mentioned) and there were several kids riding bicycles so bringing a bicycle for your 7 year old would be good. I've heard a lot about the river, including on this forum, and the fishing did not disappoint...only a single 12-inch fish the entire trip with a mix of 15- to 18-inch bows/browns.

When I was a kid (1960s) and lived in Durango, we camped at Vallecito reservoir. Do not know if that is still good.

Looks like no overnight at any NM state parks right now. What a pain. How exactly do they enforce the mandatory 14 day self quarantine both coming and going from the state?

taxpreparer said:

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When I was a kid (1960s) and lived in Durango, we camped at Vallecito reservoir. Do not know if that is still good.

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Was just hiking and fishing out there today . Lake and rivers look great. We are staying in Pagosa Springs though.

If you are looking for a place to camp just go out to williams creek area outside of Pagosa Springs.

Fun Valley.

Southfork, CO

Just got back from Luna Lake in Alpine, AZ. Not new mexico but it's right on the border of NM and Arizona. Temperatures were great, lows in the 50s, highs in the 70s. It's at 8k feet. Didn't even have to turn on the AC in the RV.

The fishing SUCKED though, apparently even with this weather the water is too warm for the trout.

Also, NM is at another level of BSC with covid. Saw signs about mandatory masks and 14 day quarantines for all visitors (not sure how they enforce it). Apparently they're telling Texans and Arizonans to stay away with public service announcements. That's why we opted for AZ camping after visiting family in the Tucson area.

Drawkcab said:

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Looks like no overnight at any NM state parks right now. What a pain. How exactly do they enforce the mandatory 14 day self quarantine both coming and going from the state?

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We live in Angel Fire. The 14-day quarantine is pretty much unenforceable. The state park changes are another issue, though.

cupofjoe04 said:

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Just FYI- most all of our region (I live in southern CO) is in extreme fire danger. Strict burn bans- so be prepared for propane only cooking. That could even be restricted if we continue.

I saw a lightning strike ignite a fire right at the NM/CO border north of Chama today.

Also- NM is under a mandatory quarantine for visitors right now. So visiting there is probably not a great idea now.

You could check out camp sites along the Conejos, for lower (and warmer). Or come up here to Pagosa Springs. Lots of camping perfect for young kids. Williams Creek Reservoir is a beautiful spot. Just know- you will be cold camping.

You might be better off checking out some places that aren't under fire bans this year.

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Edit: Didn't go far enough down in the thread to see simlar questions. Still not sure how they would verify quarantine though. Let's say you book a VRBO house...?

How do they monitor the quarantine? Especially at a campsite? How do they know if you quarantined or not?