I have been following this forum for several months now in anticipation of a September trip to NM (one of only 5 states that my husband & I have not visited). Original plan was to fly into ABQ and rent car.

We definetly want to tour Carlsbad Caverns, ALB, SF, & Taos, including several of the by-ways (Enchanted Circle, etc.). Now we're considering including Gaudalupe Mts. Nat. Park, TX. Any thoughts about this park?

If we include Gaudalupe, in order to avoid backtracking ABQ to Gaudalupe, does it make sense to fly into El Paso, TX, rent car, drive to Gaudalupe & Carlsbad, return rental car to El Paso - then fly El Paso to ABQ ( approx $50.00)?

Thank you for any help you can give me with this decision. Once I have this settled, next issue will be how many overnights for each city.

Lottie

I think you need to price out flights from your home to El Paso, the flight to ABQ, the flight home from ABQ. Consider flight options [schedule, etc] too.

Then you have to price out rental car for El Paso and then for ABQ area.

The drive from El Paso to ABQ is about 3+ hours. Perhaps a better plan would be to fly into El Paso, rent a car and see what you want down south and simply keep the car and drive up to ABQ, SF and Taos. While you would might have a one way drop off fee, you will be saving the airfare between El Paso and ABQ. Also, for the amount of time it will take to gas up the car, return the car, go through security, fly, land, get car...you could have already driven to ABQ.

How many days is the entire trip?

Also, you can get better rates for a week than for 2 3-day rentals.

DebitNM has given you some good advice. You also might look at flights to Las Cruses, NM.

You also might make a loop to the south from Albuquerque, perhaps looking at Roswell on the way to Carlsbad and stopping at White Sands NM after Carlsbad then heading back to Santa Fe.

Do check out Bandelier NM when you are in Santa Fe. and perhaps go over to Valles Caldera and watch the elk in rut.

New Mexico is beautiful and very diverse.

Biggest issue with flying into Las Cruces or El Paso is limited choice and possible high price.

I too, was just thinking the flying into ABQ and doing that southern loop might work.

Without know length of trip, hard to say best way to allocate route.

Hopefully, by September, fire season will have settled down. We are already having terrible time, with new fires southwest of SF.

Thank you very much DebiNM, emallory, & follow your bliss. All good points.

I know that I have to compare all the above mentioned price options (a drop-off fee would be one option) & time considerations (flying does eat up extra time these days & delays are more common).

I am considering a 7-14 day trip. Does anyone have comments about Gaudalupe Nat Park? I think a loop from ABQ sounds reasonable.

Most importantly, I hope those fires are able to be contained. My trip can always be rescheduled, but it's a tragic situation for NM residents and land. In fact, I'm wondering if I should consider waiting until Spring.

Spring here is not very nice, weather-wise. Lots of wind usually accompanied by dust and sand aloft. Fall is the best time,

Lordsburg NM and El Paso are stops on the Sunset Limited which only runs 3 days a week. Albuquerque is a stop on the Southwest Chief. There is a bus service between ABQ and El Paso. Flying is not the only option.

Comparatively speaking, fall is the best weather but we have been to New Mexico in the Spring many times (15+) and have never had what we consider bad weather. Where are you from? We are from Texas, where the cool, windy weather is a welcome alternative to 6 months of 100 degree heat. Also, we love driving around New Mexico. I would much rather drive than schlep around airports.

I can't help you with the Guadalupe Mountains. Can I ask why you are considering adding them to the list?

Considering Guadalupe & possibly Big Bend because we like a mix of city, town, and wilderness, especially Nat'l Parks. We've been to numerous Nat'l Parks on two cross-country trips, once driving to Alaska from NY state. Also, have never been to Texas.

Sounds like my original plan for Fall season is best. Now I have to consider whether to delay it a year due to wildfires.

Sadly,we face wildfires EVERY year, so that really shouldn't factor in.

I'm back on track with planning for this fall. Thank you everyone!

DebitNM, I have many threads saved with your valuable suggestions included. Perhaps too many, as i'm starting to get confused. Once I narrow down the dates, I'll post again and hope it's not too many questions.

Right now looking at Sept, probably will avoid hot air balloon festival, due to crowds. Arrive/Depart ABQ, travel south to Carlsbad & Guadalupe Nat Park, north to SF, Taos, & side trips.

On my list of accommodations to check: Inn on Alemeda & Hicienda del Sol. Any other suggestions, especially for ABQ? I'm thinking approximately $150 - $200/night range for a few special places and less for the remainder of the time. Would like to avoid chains.

September is a wonderful choice. The weather should be very comfortable and the cottonwoods and aspens may be changing colors depending on the weather up to that point.

The Santa Fe Wine & Chile Festival is the last of September - 26th to 30th. It is worth scheduling your vacation around if that is something you may be interested in. Great food and wines in a beautiful location at the Opera grounds. We attended last year and it did not disappoint.

It is a busy weekend so if you are thinking of that time of year I wouldn't hesitate too long on booking for Santa Fe. Happy to help with accommodations when you are ready.