BEST Van Life Camping: $18 Per Month While Living in a Van in New Mexico
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 6 ก.ย. 2022
- Today our roving reporter, Brian Gifford, brings us a tour of Fenton Lake State Park! Located at about 7,900 feet in elevation in the Jemez Mountains, Fenton Lake State Park contains 700 acres, of which 37 acres is lake surface.
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Thanks for watching!
As a solo female in a Class C, I make a habit of calling a campground ahead of time to get the "scoop" on the best route to take from my starting location. It has saved me many times - from wrong GPS directions to easiest/safest way to get there 😉 I REALLY enjoyed my stay there too. Yes, there is EXTREMELY LIMITED connectivity available, but I stayed in the electric area and was able to log on once a day for a minimal time frame (30 mins) - it's a sponsored wi-fi access that just requires you watch a short commercial first. Piggy backing on this great video - I also point out specific sites that I think were the best for privacy & shade in a video I did about Fenton Lake 🤗
I live in NM & bought an annual camping pass in 2022. Some of my favorite state parks to camp are Villanueva, City of Rocks, Fenton Lake. New Mexico has some really great state parks!
Brian great job on these park reviews! As a New Mexican I am doubly pleased that you are high lighting these parks. I love Fenton Lake and have been there many times, but you are completely right, the road up from Cuba is the road from hell...sorry that you came that way, but it's good information so other people won't~ Thanks for all you do
I prefer boondocking, and find the reservation only system to be totally frustrating. I don't plan in advance very often at all! Why can't they at least have a few of the sites first come first serve? I am sick of going to campgrounds with empty sites that you cannot use because they were reserved and paid, but no one ever showed up! This has happened to me in almost every reservation only campground. One had only 12 sites, all reservation only, and I checked for 4 days in a row and there was never a single camper there, just reserved signs. Arghhh! It is lovely. Can you please tell us where there are first come first serve campsites? Please.
I was there in early March 2022. The lake was frozen over and lots of snow still around. Gorgeous area and there were only 3 other campers in the park. I left with the plan to take the route down into Cuba. I had no idea that the pavement ended until I got there. Ice, snow slush and ruts made it an easy and quick decision to turn around and head back to the southern route ! No way my minivan camper would have made it ! But I highly recommend a visit to the area.
We love going there to fish and camp for a few days!
The roving reports are fabulous. You have amazing state parks in the usa. What a treat, I love watching x best wishes from England x
Thanks Brian
Thanks. Good campground review very important for us travelers.
THANK YOU, BOB AND BRIAN!!! I HAVE PUT THIS DESTINATION IN MY "NOTES" APP IN MY PHONE AS I'M OLD AND IT IS MY MEMORY! LOL.. BEING FROM IOWA, I DO HAVE A COUPLE FAMILY MEMBERS IN NM I COULD LOOK UP. BEAUTIFUL PLACE AND I'M A FLY FISHERMAN AT HEART. GREAT VIDEO AS ALWAYS. THUMBS ALWAYS UP!
Love the roving reports!
Beautiful park went there often as a kid!!
Oh, yeah. 💚 I've added this location to my "GO 2 NM" list. Much appreciated!
Thanks for the thorough walk through of Fenton Lake’s amenities, wildlife, and recreational use!🥰
That pass is a fabulous deal!
I live fairly nearby the Fenton lake in White Rock. And if your still in the area some hikes I love are the one along the Jemez river a little ways past the Valle's Caldera. Also Los Alamos ski area is lush and beautiful right now. Another favorite on the way to White is called the Lion Cave. And if you go to White Rock itself check out the Overlook and the Pig and Fig for great food.
WOW thanks Margaret
Thank you for the video. Be aware that Amanda's Country Store is located only 9 miles away and has a full selection of groceries, ice, snacks, fishing and camping supplies and free Wi-Fi. You'll pay a bit more for the convenience, but the experience is worth the visit. Next time, stop in and say hi.
So good to see you again, Brian! Another great vid!
Yes I would definitely go. Beautiful area, thank you for info. Safe travels.
I just read yesterday that a U.S. citizen over 62 could get a lifetime pass for $80! The pass covers 6 gov. agencies including BLM. I Tweeted this to Bob Wells. Have I missed something? Best!
You pay bit more for some services. Buy at visitor centers, etc.
It sounds like you’re talking about a National Parks Pass … the $225 pass he is talking about is for New Mexico State Parks only. It’s $180 for New Mexico residents and $225 for non-residents. It’s good for one year - expiring on the last day of the month you purchased it. He did a whole video on it - check it out.
Here’s the link to that video: th-cam.com/video/xA4oFgKJlw0/w-d-xo.html&feature=share
So is it $225 a year (non-resident) plus a reservation fee on top of that? TIA.
Love love these park reviews. NM is one of my favorite states. I’m saving them in my own NM park playlist.
Thanks Brian, another beautiful NM park. So far, between the parks Bob has showed us and the ones you have reviewed, I have not seen one I would not love to try out myself.
Looks beautiful ... Definitely love fishing .. Thanks for the info 😊😊😊
What a great video! Thanks for the thorough report! I want to go now!!
Brian, could you assess the solar possibilities for the campgrounds in future reviews. Maybe give a rating of 1-5, 1 being low. I understand it could only be a rough guesstimate. Thanks.
Excellent idea. Just got solar and we are seeing their are ups and downs when we park all over the west
Thanks for the reviews!
Bucket list 👌
Fenton is fun for fishing and the drive up from Albuquerque is very scenic.
GREAT STUFF RIGHT HERE! ANOTHER NOW ON MY TO DO LIST THANKS BRIAN..
Great presentation of the park! Thanks!
Looks like a nice weekend camping spot.
That is a beautiful place.. love the lake.. thank you for showing this 🙂
Will be staying there ony way to Colorado. It's beautiful.
Thanks For The Info!
Another great video Brian! Thank you for doing all the reconnaissance for us.
Great video. NM is first on my list when I finally hit the road.
i like these park reviews - - thanks
Looks interesting. I will put it on my list of places to see. Thank you for the info!
Dash cam videos of the drive, please. Thank you for the great NM coverage.
Thank you for the info and tour, I may have to visit the area!
I would definitely go there in the summer. My sling days are over. 😊
You give great information! I really appreciate your videos! I am hoping to check out New Mexico this Winter or spring. Maybe see you down the road sometime.😁 Keep up the awesome info! Thank you!
Would u please let campers know whether a place is suitable for tent camping? We are not all rvers. Thks
I would totally stay there. Quiet place to work on my art for a few weeks or more. Affordable. Beautiful. Water. All good.
I would come there, but no swimming wouldn't please my kids. Looks BEAUTIFUL. Good video!
Lovely park but not having showers makes it a no go for me. Thanks for sharing all this information and showing how beautiful it is.
Thanks Brian! It looks beautiful. I appreciate the video footage, road report, and recreational possibilities. I would enjoy staying there, but if I couldn't get reservations I'd boondock in dispersed camping and kayak at Fenton Lake. The reservation fees and possible difficulty getting reservations would be the downside. The lack of power boats makes it even more inviting for kayaking. I also like reading the comments from people who have camped at Fenton Lake State Park and other parks.
Great info and excellent presentation!
Thanks Brian, great info and job 👍👍😊
Thank you. Well done.
I added this park to my bucket list. Thank you for the review! It was fantastic .
Thanks, Brian, yes I think I would love to go camping there. It looks really peaceful and quiet. I appreciate your checking out on the NM state parks ❤️
Beautiful Video.
Great video!
Looking forward to these reports
Very informative thank you
Honestly reservation only makes me a lot more comfortable than first come first serve
The State of New Mexico should pay you! "New Mexico True!"
Good advice. Going the back way is pretty rough. But it is beautiful. Great review.
No swimming in the lake kinda kills it for me. Would love to go besides that.
When I was in New Mexico, T-mobile was the go-to service. You didn't mention it, but the problem might be the geography and you wouldn't get that either
Brian....Great Job....you explain things so...Clearly...also...Great editing
Blue water is absolutely beautiful gorgeous ❤
Just a thought. If you happen to have Starlink you could do a VOIP call anytime.
Beautiful location, great coverage. Any length limitations on rigs either for this site or NMSPs in general.
I'd camp there too. Lots in great weather ! WOW ! 14 days on BLM land, 14 days in this campground ........AAAAHHHHH !
Thank you Brian! These videos are so helpful! I hope you do a top 5 or 10 once you have completed your circuit. I am curious if the RV Life app would warn you of that road or not?
Hi Bob, I’ve been watching you for about 2 years now. I’ve wanted to live the nomad life for many years, but life always got in the way. Now I’m hoping to do it part time after the 1st of the year. Long story. Your the only one who’s advice I trust. I will have very little money to do a no build. So I was hope you could point me to some of your advice videos for things like best, cheap portable solar system, solar lights, things like that. I think I have a pretty good idea of things like bed, window covering, the basics. I just don’t want put money into the more pricey things.
Thank you so much in advance for any advice you have time to offer. Keep doing what you’re doing, you’re awesome.
I live in NM. Getting there on 126 from Cuba is not recommended. There are signs for no trailers. And no, it is not maintained in the summer either. It was pretty fun in my 4x4 truck. I would skip Fenton Lake and boondock off 126 near Cuba.
Mississippi watching
Thanks Brian, I was wondering if it would be possible to rate the bike trails for difficulty. We have "gravel" ebikes, love to ride but not up to hard core mountain bike trails. Thanks for all the information on these parks!
I couldn't be at a lake and not be able to swim. But that's me. 😁
A thought just came to me when you mentioned that your RV refrigerator has to be level,
why not come up with a system to level the refrigerator rather than leveling the RV?
That's assuming the the RV is relatively level for human convince and comfort.
Just a thought.
I really enjoy your videos about the New Mexico state Parks,
Brian, thank you for sharing, I appreciate the time and effort your invest to create these quality videos!
I have added New Mexico to my bucket list.
I've never been to NM. Your videos and their year pass has me interested. I would definitely visit. Does Fenton Lake State Park have a community water faucet to get some water in a jug for sponge baths, etc? Great video. 👍🏼
Yes, there is a water spigot near the boat ramp that is free to use.
Lovely lake to swim in !
Are you guys using cb radios in your camping caravan?
Thanks for sharing about NM parks, enjoyable, can't wait to do boondocking soon!
I'm not clear about purchasing $225 annual pass but still to reserve a place for each night in an RV park? Can you clarify the double fees? Thanks again
Was there potable water available?
These videos are a huge asset! Thank you Bob and Brian for all the info you supply ! Only questions I can think of is, what is the BLM situation like ? Is boondocking a viable option in that state ?
$12 for 14 days camping is AWESOME !
Have you been to MORPHY LAKE STATE PARK near Las Vegas,NM ?
check on that ,,,i think that is just the booking fee on top of the actual price
So it’s free to pass holders but you still pay reservation fee right?
He said, "If you have the NM State Park Camping Pass, it's free". You have to make a reservation.
No swimming would be hard, but one or two nights ok
I like the virtual tour . Do they allow tents? And if so can you park next to your tent or in a lot and carry your stuff over.i prefer sleeping in my car,if there are bears,they may not allow it
I’m building my trailer out now. Maybe I can winter in New Mexico and adjacent states! Thanks
Most of NM is cold af in winter. Try southern AZ.
Also can you van camp or do you need tent or Rv?
I have not camped at all and wanting to live on the rode
Is New Mexico a good place to hang out in summertime?
Do you need reservations at all state parks? If I accidentally fall off boat can I swim lol
Do they have bear boxes for your food?
If cross-country skiing is allowed, I wonder if the trails are groomed?
If not, is dog sledding allowed?
It's allowed around here in the Forest Preserves (DuPage County, near Chicago), but only select locations when it snows, as the trails are groomed.
We can use all the Preserves' multiuse trails for dryland (no snow, on wheels).
He said there is cross-country skiing.
I am curious as to why you can not swim in the lake?
New Mexico is on the verge of doubling to tripling state park fees plus eliminating the discount. They're wanting to get close to resort rates while still providing a simple "campground" level of services and amenities. This will really slam New Mexico residents who pack the parks most weekends.
What about Starlink?
Do you pay for dispersed camping?
How about Starlink?
Not to ask a stupid question but why is swimming not allowed?
What is a vault toilet?? Never heard of these. Squat toilet maybe?
The waste is stored underground, in container. I.E a vault. The toilet doesn’t flush. No water.
Outhouse
Oh ok. Thanks
If you cannot swim in the lake are you sure you would want to eat the fish. Or maybe it is all catch and release.
Pretty area but looks like a tinderbox in April.
Not really a good deal if you have to pay for a yearly pass and then pay for every reservation