Help! Can anyone recommend a place to stay in Gallup? We will be leaving Canyon de Chelly on the way toward Albuquerque.

I think I remember reading that the El Rancho hotel was the place that celebrities from Hollywood stayed back in the 50's and 60's while filming Westerns in the area.

Having looked at some of the rooms at El Rancho, however, I'd be careful which one--if--you reserve! Some are totally interior rooms, and I can't begin to imagine how DARK they would be! They actually back up to the desk reception area, opening off a hallway whose rooms on the other side do have exterior windows. Also, it is quite close to the train tracks (as are many of Gallup's accomodations), and the trains run all night so if that bothers you, it's something else to keep in mind. That said, however, their dining room is one of the better spots for dinner in Gallup.....not to say that is is exactly "gourmet" but passable.

We thought about staying in Gallup but decided just to stop and visit instead on our way to Albuquerque. My initial reaction upon seeing the town was "thank goodness we changed our minds!" El Rancho is a good place to visit, but its heyday came and went years ago. SO glad we did not stay there. Same could be said for the entire town of Gallup, if it ever HAD a heyday.

In our experience, lots of little towns in the southwest that look like good stopping places on the map are in reality just plain wide spots on the road with an extremely dumpy feel (Mexican Hat, Winslow, Gallup, Holbrook, etc...) Run down motels, gas stations and not much else.

My suggestion is to stick to the main towns as much as possible for accomodations, and just visit the smaller ones.

Thank you thank you etc. That's what I feared. Do you know how far the drive is from Canyon de Chelly to Albuquerque or to Gallup. We have reservations at La Posada in WInslow but I am wondering if it is worth driving back to Winslow when we are going to get up the next day and drive to Albuquerque.

Gallup is only two hours from Albuquerque.

Lee Ann

You can easily drive from C.de C. to Albuquerque. Beautiful views of red mesas to the north of highway after Gallup.

You can also visit Acoma Pueblo east of Grants. A wonderful side trip. They take you to the top of the mesa on a bus and a guide walks you around the small village. Worth a stop.