2019 Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta

mjacxx · 11-23-2018, 10:48 AM

My wife, dog, and myself hope to make it to this event in 2019. It begins Oct 5 and ends Oct 13. We would like to be there the last 3-4 days. We will be traveling in 26' bumper tow trailer and the combined length is 45'.
I am seeking local information relative to where to camp while there. We do not wish to be right in the middle of things but rather out a ways where we could watch from afar/see other sights or take the tv and get in closer although I know pets are not permitted within the fairgrounds.

Min 30 amp service and water would be nice but we can dry camp if necessary.

Any info will be greatly appreciated.
TIA.

**ependydad** · 11-23-2018, 11:50 AM

Truthfully, I wouldn’t stay anywhere but the Fiesta grounds. Either pay for water+electric or dry camp. Getting to the balloon festivities is just so convenient. Traffic getting away from the fiesta grounds isn’t bad outside of session times.

However, we stayed at High Desert RV park before we went to the fiesta grounds. I think it was $30/night for full hookups last year (2017). I’m not sure what, if anything, you could see from the RV park. I doubt anything. But it was on the outskirts of town.

We’ve also stayed in Bernalillo at Coronado Campground. A city park that was really nice. We were on a water + electric site. It was just to the north of ABQ. Again, you wouldn’t see anything from the park itself.

ernest917 · 11-24-2018, 04:18 PM

We were there for 8 days this past October and I also strongly recommend staying at the Fiesta grounds (we did).... It makes everything sooooo much easier.... Remember - morning launches start VERY early and it nice to be able to catch a shuttle near ur rig that will take you directly to the grounds free.... Then catch it for the return trip.... PLUS - it's fun being "amongst" all the others that are there.....

If ur camped at a commercial CG you'll be fighting NIGHTMARE traffic every morning.....

mjacxx · 11-25-2018, 07:19 AM

Many thanks to those who have replied here and privately.
I have made a reservation for a spot on the Fiesta grounds, but unfortunately all the water and electric sites are sold out.

dblr · 11-25-2018, 08:00 AM

[QUOTE=mjacxx;1978952]Many thanks to those who have replied here and privately.
I have made a reservation for a spot on the Fiesta grounds, but unfortunately all the water and electric sites are sold out.[/QUOTE}

Frog Bob posted this, you might want to watch for when he opens registration if you want a water & electric site

Forest River Owners Group - The official owner's group of Forest River RV, manufacturer of world-class recreational vehicles.

mjacxx · 11-25-2018, 09:55 AM

[QUOTE=dblr;1978967]

Quote:

Originally Posted by mjacxx

Many thanks to those who have replied here and privately.
I have made a reservation for a spot on the Fiesta grounds, but unfortunately all the water and electric sites are sold out.[/QUOTE}

Frog Bob posted this, you might want to watch for when he opens registration if you want a water & electric site

Forest River Owners Group - The official owner's group of Forest River RV, manufacturer of world-class recreational vehicles.

Thanks. I'll keep an eye out for an update.

AnnDon · 11-25-2018, 01:09 PM

Fiesta grounds for sure, make your reservations ASAP because the hook up sites do fill rapidly. Most are dry camping and I would suggest reserving the box sights.

Tundra 2014 · 11-25-2018, 07:38 PM

I would stay in the Fiesta campground, if available. Pets are allowed, just not in the launch area. The campsites go on sale the Monday after that years event ends, all but the furthest campground were sold out in 1 day after going on sale for 2019. What was left is all dry camping. You might consider getting there the 1 st. weekend, on the Wed. or Thur. prior, sites are 1/2 price on these days. You really have to fight traffic, take shuttles , get up very early to make the morning launches if out of the fairgrounds.

Tom48 · 11-26-2018, 02:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mjacxx

My wife, dog, and myself hope to make it to this event in 2019. It begins Oct 5 and ends Oct 13. We would like to be there the last 3-4 days. We will be traveling in 26' bumper tow trailer and the combined length is 45'.
I am seeking local information relative to where to camp while there. We do not wish to be right in the middle of things but rather out a ways where we could watch from afar/see other sights or take the tv and get in closer although I know pets are not permitted within the fairgrounds.

Min 30 amp service and water would be nice but we can dry camp if necessary.
Any info will be greatly appreciated.
TIA.

Best deal going is to take a dry camping site on the Fiesta RV Park. The big one is South side of Alameda the major blvd on the south side of the Actual Event areas. They have probably 20 or 30 acres of caulked off camping sites roughly 16 or 20 feet wide and 50 feet deep. right next to like 20 or 40 acres of landing area where many balloons land MOST days. There is free shuttle bus service in and out of the camp to the balloon launch field every half hour or so during event hours daily. They have Sewer service to your site and water delivery all for a reasonable fee, like $25 or $30 each dump or fill. I think in 2016 and 2017 we paid $35 per night and half price for the days before the event starts and after the last day.

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