Great candy selection Clean bathrooms…read moreIt's also larger than your average gas station mart

Always clean restrooms and friendly staff. We appreciated the dog area for our pups. Was nice…read moreplace to get a snack and let dogs stretch their legs. Keep it up!

This is an easy on, easy off highway 40 as we are heading home to Arizona. It is a huge gravel lot…read morewith very nicely laid out very lengthy RV sites. We stayed here a year or so ago when they first opened and were the only ones at the park, but this time the place is almost completely full! They have many fifth wheels and tow campers here that are set up for long-term with big propane tanks and such. However, I will say it is one of the neatest and clean long-term Park we've seen along this trip. We paid $47 for this one night stay plus tax for full hook ups on a pull through site. They have a very nice laundry room that has six washers and six dryers for six dollars a load. You pay for the washer in the dryer is free. There is a workout room that is attached to that building as well with some equipment, including a treadmill, an elliptical and some weights however the weight pin was stuck so you couldn't adjust the weight. There was plenty of space if you needed to do any type of Pilates video or something, lots of room for that. There are really no trees or anything here and you are next to a farm so it was nice to wake up next to the cows. We did not really hear any highway noise, although it was quite windy last night. You book online and make sure you check your email the day you arrive as you will need all of the information in that email. It isn't a typical camp where you check in at an office, you're giving all the instructions and email including the gate code to access. The map of the facility is on their website so you can locate your space that you're assigned an email. There were three different Wi-Fi connections available, but we couldn't get any of them to work. When we called they said they had been having problems for over a week, no one had come out yet and the owner has been ill or something so if you need Wi-Fi, you may want to have an alternative solution. Verizon signal was just OK If you are traveling with horses, this is your perfect stop as they have stalls for horses!

We were traveling to California from Ontario Canada and had a breakdown with our rv several miles…read moreeast of this rv park. After spending several hours in a rest area I contacted the Longhorn Ranch rv park to see if we could spend the weekend there until we could get our truck repaired. They were not officially open yet but said they would accommodate us with no problem. They met us on the back of a tow truck at night and directed us into their park. We met the whole family the next morning and they offered to help us any way possible which included repairing a major water leak in our plumbing. They also made arrangements to get the part we needed to repair our truck and suggested a competent repair shop close by to do the repair for us. We can't thank them enough for all the help they provided us and made us feel very welcome. We will definitely stop there next year on our way through and visit the family. If you are travelling hwy 40 and need a great place to stop please make exit 203 your place for the night in New Mexico. Thank you again. Steve and Barb.

Large park mainly about the lake but it's nice to hang out around too, there's a nice trail, picnic…read moretables, statues, with a tiny parking lot

I cannot believe there are not more ratings here! Great day trip from Albuquerque! We drove the 1.5…read morehours to Santa Rosa specifically for the WIBIT and other lake activities. It was very busy the day for good reason, low cost water park! A WIBIT, foot paddle boats, water slide, diving board, and swimming area. They allow unlimited WIBIT time until they reach capacity. Then its on 45min rotations and you have to wait in line. Get there early to find a shady spot and grab your spot. A day in the water was so much fun. I subtracted a point for dirty bathrooms, and some staff never said one word to us before participating in water activities which could be dangerous.

This park was a good overnight stop for us when pulling our RV from South Dakota to Texas in…read moreSeptember. Yes it is desert, but I liked the dry breeze after dark, and the view of the stars was awesome! As was mentioned earlier, not the easiest place to find for out-of-towners, so pay attention. We plan to stay here again one night this October.

This was a fun area to spend a hot afternoon in Santa Rosa. They have a swimming area, a peddle…read moreboat area and a bounce house water challenge area. We didn't do the bounce house stuff, and I believe there is a fee to partake in that. There is a $5 fee to park, but this is good for both the Blue Hole and the Park Lake areas. We just enjoyed the beach and swimming area where you can dive off the dock at the diving board, or climb up and go down the tube water slide. There are life guards stationed around as well.

This spot was one of the stops on my road trip and it ended up being one of the most peaceful ones…read more I arrived right after sunrise and the whole place was completely empty which made it even better. It was just me and the Blue Hole in total quiet and that moment alone was worth the detour. I thought about swimming but that early in the morning the water must have been freezing and I was not trying to risk the rest of my trip by starting the day shaking. Still the view and the atmosphere made it easy to enjoy without even touching the water. There is something almost unreal about finding a bright blue pool sitting in the middle of the desert. It feels unexpected and a little magical. Even though it is tucked away in the middle of nowhere it absolutely deserves a spot on any travel route. Calm quiet memorable. I am glad I made this stop.

Fascinating, someone I know was scuba certified here. That's the reality of life in the West and…read morelandlocked states. Amazing this geologic wonder exists in the middle of desert New Mexico.

Such a beautiful park. It's super clean and has plenty of areas you can rent to camp. During this…read moreseason it's free to hike the trails. I did a small river trail and it was beautiful. The river wraps around and gives it a scenic view. Love it here.

Golly, what a nice state park - and what an easy drive from either Albuquerque or Santa Fe…read more Nice campsites and impeccably well kept trails. Two moderate and reasonably short trails (up the canyon sides and around on top - both under 2 miles total) and one easy one (along. the river, an out-and-back just over half a mile long). Lovely views on every trail. Nice employees. $5/car for day use. You'll fill out a ticket, stick your fiver in an envelope and shove it into one of those posts with a slit (on pain of a citation). It's well worth it. Villanueva is easily accessed from either Albuquerque or Santa Fe. Beyond that, follow the state park signs that are easily visible on the road and not your Google Maps if you want the least adventurous last mile on your way in (Google will cut off some driving, but you'll be on a one-lane barely improved gravel road that sometimes washes out). Bear in mind, you're climbing over sandstone and you'll want boots with ankle support and good tread for safety. You'll want to keep an eye out for rattlesnakes at the appropriate times and places and I noted a bear track today so keep your kids and dogs close. People who are freaked out by heights might not dig the views or the climb up the canyon walls, but there's no place where you're in danger of falling off. However, you're most definitely in danger of turning an ankle if you're not paying attention, so pay attention! Bonus tips: Villanueva State Park is a great place for a picnic or to bring fit tourists on a half-day adventure. Starting in Albuquerque, you can easily go out I-40 and loop back on I-25, stopping in Santa Fe for lunch or supper. Villanueva is also pretty close to Las Vegas, NM, and there are definitely things there worth checking out (and good places to eat).

One of our favorite national historic parks since it is so beautiful and a nice walk around its…read moretrail. Dogs are allowed which is a plus and the gift store and staff great. There is so much history that is within this park to include Native American dwelling and Spanish church remnants, and even an area where the Santa Fe trail passed by. The 2 kivas you can climb down inside are a bonus, fun and interesting. Not too far away is also Glorieta Pass, the site of a American Civil War skirmish which has a monument. There is plenty of easy parking here as well as an overflow area. Definitely worth the stop if you are passing by and no park entrance fee.

This was a great road trip stop. There is a loop trail that takes you past the main sites as well…read moreas more extensive hiking if you have the time. We learned some of the history of what the indigenous people experienced with colonization by Spain and missionaries. There is an interpretive center in the visitor building that gives a good timeline of events throughout this area's history. Then you have the opportunity to go out and see what has been excavated and maintained by the National Parks system. There is plenty of parking and I was impressed at the accessibility of this park. There is an additional parking lot closer to the main ruins with wide paths that would be chair accessible.

Nice to walk along the frozen Santa Fe River and see so many unique art installations. The earthy…read morecarved wooden images of an oversized fish and Native Americans make a sharp contrast with the very modern Brickface HOPE linking past and present together.

Take a walk, y'all! What a joy to take this easy stroll across the primo Santa Fe pedestrian…read moredistrict. A sweet little path abuts the sweet little canal, with lovely trees and seating areas, and seamless transition to Plaza window-shopping. Parking opportunities line the walk (at least where we were), some by the plaza, metered, but others farther off are free. Honestly, it was a delightful way to spend 4 miles and a leisurely Tuesday afternoon in Santa Fe. You should take a walk too!

Visiting is a little more complicated than some other parks/monuments, but if you just read the…read morewebsite you'll get it figured out! The key is that reservations are required, both from the NPS and from the Cochiti Pueblo. Get the NPS reservation first, and only then get the Cochiti Pueblo one (link to that is on the NPS site!). Don't drive to the trailhead, drive to the Cochiti Pueblo visitor center first, check in there, then follow the guide car (runs pretty much continuously all day) to the NPS entrance. The trailhead has multiple pit toilets, all of which were well maintained. The hike through the slot canyon and up onto the ridge is absolutely stunning. There really aren't words to do justice, nor do the pictures really convey things either. The hike into and through the slot canyon isn't steep, although there are some pretty big steps required to clamber over some rocks here and there, and it can be narrow and is often sandy. There's not a lot of elevation change though until you get through the slot canyon, then you just switchback straight up a couple hundred feet onto the ridge. That section isn't terribly long though, and the views from the top are well worth it. The first third of the hike and the last third are pretty exposed to the sun, so make sure you apply that sunscreen and bring plenty of water!

Incredible. Reservation was easy. Gov Rec Ticket and Cochiti Tribal Pass, so two tickets. Worth…read moreevery penny. We got our tickets about 5 days out from visit. Check in at Visitor Center on arrival to check off your name on the list. Visitor centre has good restrooms, snacks and a few gifts and some very pleasant staff. Next Line up behind the white pilot vehicle and he will guide you in for a few miles where they will check your pass. After that its another few miles to a small carpark with restrooms and then off your go. We did slot canyon. Half a mile walk through amazing scenery/narrow passages through the stone and some climbing over rocks. I found it quite easy but do go before the sun comes out. We started at 9.30 am. After this section, which took us about 40 minutes due to lots of photo ops you will see another sign saying 1 mile to overlook. We almost gave up as the first climb looked hard - its not, just go on. We are in our 60's with dicky knees and it was not issue, just use your bottom when you have to. A light pair of garden gloves would be handy for when your hands scrape the boulders. All practical stuff here, the views speak for themselves. it's stunning and because of the limited access you meet few people along the way. As always with State Parks, check the website for any passes required or closures.

Take me to the great outdoors, where we can embrace the beauty this state has to offer. Well that…read moreis what we did. This lake (to those from New Mexico to others it maybe a pond) is big enough that you don't feel crowded. The water on a clear day is like glass. You can tear it up on a jet ski! The camp sites range from being able to rent it all they way to bringing your most luxurious RV. There is something for everyone. For the clamper camper there is a bathroom and shower place. It is the prefect getaway for a long weekend. Who would not want to spend the day on the lake and an evening under the stars. The only down side is there is not a lot of shade so make sure you pack a lot of sun screen. Being those sun shades as well. "Here fishy, fishy" that's right not only can you jet ski, wakeboard, and water ski but the fishing is pretty good. Tons of places to fish. There are a variety of fish from Bass to Walleye. Bring your fishing poles and gear. It most likely will pay off. Pack up the family and enjoy the fun. Make sure you bring cash. There is a charge per vehicle at the campsites. You can always phone a friend and ride together.

I just wanted to take a minute to give a hats off to The Northside Cafe at Conchas Lake Marina…read more The service was as outstanding as the food. I ordered the beef steak fajitas, I would have to truly say they were the best fajitas I have ever eaten. The meat was tender and seasoned to perfection, with fresh grilled peppers and onions. The restaurant was clean, fresh and full of friendly life. It is well worth the drive from Albuquerque. Once again.....Hats off!! Tom Keller