Posted 2008-03-18 5:16 PM (#79836) Subject: Argentina Bonita Campground
Member
Posts: 21
Location: Texas
We are planning on a trip to New Mexico next fall. Heavily leaning toward the Argentina Bonita Campground and Trailhead. Anyone been there? I have been told that it's beautiful riding, but a very easy haul. (We are good riders, but not into mountainous hauling).
Posted 2008-03-19 10:40 AM (#79893 - in reply to #79836) Subject: RE: Argentina Bonita Campground
Veteran
Posts: 140 Location: NM
I've been! Very easy haul in. No worries there. Campsite has about 7 stalls? It is free. No water or electricty though (at least true about 2 years ago). Camp area is in a lot of large pines so it stays pretty cool even when it is 100 in the lower lands. Nice views from the trails.
edited to add: If you want company and your visit falls on a good weekend we might be willing to come up and spend a night or two.
Posted 2008-03-19 10:12 PM (#79939 - in reply to #79836) Subject: RE: Argentina Bonita Campground
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 303 Location: Grapeland, Texas
Are you retiring in the fall??? Who's going besides you, Beverly and JR? Where in New Mexico is that? Sounds like a nice trip, just a long drive. You planning on staying over anywhere?
Posted 2008-03-20 3:38 PM (#79989 - in reply to #79836) Subject: RE: Argentina Bonita Campground
Member
Posts: 21
Location: Texas
Thanks Bells . . . of course we would welcome you to come ride with us! Always good to hear from someone whose been there (before us).
Longearsrule, LOL Yes, me, Beverly, JR, and YOU if you want to join us. It is next year's fall (2009). I believe in lots of planning. And yes, we will have a stop-over on the way there and the way back. Look on a NM map. It is slightly north of Riodosa.
Posted 2008-03-20 4:18 PM (#79992 - in reply to #79836) Subject: RE: Argentina Bonita Campground
Veteran
Posts: 140 Location: NM
Let me know when you get closer to heading up there. I think we will probably go up sometime sooner than 2009 even if just for a hike. If we do, I'll report back w/more current info.
Ruidoso is a fun little mountain/ski town if you haven't been there before. Racetrack, Inn of the Mountain Gods has been redone (kind of poorly in my opinion) but if you are into casinos it can be fun - food not bad, and there is pretty famous concert/play facility outside the city near the airport (tiny single engine type place). If you want to go into town, I'd bring locks for the horse stalls but chances are no one will even go near them and if any other horse people are there they will keep an eye on them.
The road out to the campground goes past Bonita Lake (no boats/swimming allowed - drinking water resevoir for Alamogordo). Lots of people fish there but I"m not sure if they catch anything. You need to drive past the lake to the end of the road and there you will find the campground. Road will take you past a regular campground (you may think oh no! this is too crowded - don't give up) through (yes, right through) a rental string place and than it isn't very far. Some of the way is dirt but you won't be climbing a mountain or twisting along the edge of a cliff:) with the exceptions of Labor Day, Memorial Day and 4th of July weekends, not too many people make it out to the end of the road so don't worry about the 1st bit.
Posted 2008-03-20 5:44 PM (#79995 - in reply to #79836) Subject: RE: Argentina Bonita Campground
Member
Posts: 21
Location: Texas
Bells, none of us have been so I'm sure that it will be a very enjoyable trip. Would love to do it this year, but circumstances prevent even planning it. Next year I WILL BE RETIRED! Maybe before then if I just can't stand it any longer. I will keep in touch through this forum off and on and remind you before we go. We are just "older" ladies whose other halves don't care to camp and ride. We've been doing so for about 10 years now. Have an absolutely wonderful time! Thanks for the infomation! I'll be hollaring much later.
Argentina Bonita Campground
