Sometimes we choose a spot to give us access to national parks, but other times it’s to give us access to an area to explore! Cibola National Forest stretches over a vast area of land from Magdalena, NM to Gallup, NM. We stayed in a spot just outside of Gallup.
Staying in Cibola National Forest
We really enjoyed (most) of our stay in the forest. The first spot we stayed in had wonderful, wide-open spaces, perfect for Starlink and solar. It was just 20 minutes from Gallup, New Mexico. This was clearly a popular spot with families. There was a large amount of toys and other detritus left behind. As always, we found and packed it out. The clearing we found could have easily hosted 2-3 rigs of our size, making it a great “family vacation” spot.
Unfortunately, we weren’t able to stay the whole time at that spot due to a military missile test. Apparently, that area of the Cibola National Forest is in the flight path for test missiles launched from Fort Wingate to the White Sands Missile Test Range, north of White Sands National Park. As a safety precaution, the military clears out this section of the woods due to the risk of launch failure and the unpredictable fall path of the missile’s booster stage. What we didn’t know when we set up was that this launch was posted on the Cibola National Forest webpage, but it wasn’t posted locally. Even a sandwich board with the notice would have gone a long way in helping us find a more long-term spot.
Mom and The Girl were in town, looking at Red Rock Park, when the ranger knocked on the bus door. Luckily, The Boy and I were able to set a new record on bus takedown and moved to a second spot 5 miles down the road, but much less enjoyable with heavy tree cover and close neighbors.
Things to See in Gallup, New Mexico
Gallup, New Mexico was a charming town to explore for the 2 weeks we were in the area. Activities we enjoyed included
- The Farmers Market
- A Self-Guided Mural Tour
- Spotting the giant jars
- Dining at the Route 66 Diner
- The local fiber shop, Weaving in Beauty
- Exploring the Rex Museum
One thing we wanted to do was check out the Gallup Cultural Center with the Navajo Code Talkers Museum, but unfortunately, it was closed when we were there due to a water main break.
One of the things we found most charming about Gallup was the meld of cultures, from the collection of indigenous peoples, the frontiersmen who built Route 66 through the town, as well as the Hispanic influences on the area.
If your travels take you through the area, it’s definitely worth your time! Even if the rockets make you move.