Albuquerque was originally not on my top list of places to go but life had other plans! We actually broke down near the city and needed to get the van fixed so we ended up spending about 3 weeks in and around ABQ. I was so surprised how many awesome things there were to do to keep us busy! There are breweries galore and the famous Balloon Fiesta with over 500 hot air balloons soaring the sky every year. Don’t let this be a city that you pass up because it will definitely keep you entertained for a few days while exploring New Mexico!
Van life in Albuquerque is a great time, and these are just some of the things I experienced while being in the area!
RECOMMENDED ALBUQUERQUE GUIDE BOOKS
FREE CAMPSITES
Sandia District
GPS: 35.063549, -106.368335
This is a great dispersed camping area and right next to ABQ. You will see a gate that’s most likely locked and then go down to the right of it on Forest Rd 462. There is a bit of a rocky start on the road but we got down just fine and took our time. You can stay for up to 14 days and there was not another person seen during our time here!
Cracker Barrel
5200 San Antonio Dr.
Nice stay here for one night and I did call ahead to double check. The Walmarts in the area seemed to be hit or miss according to my Allstays app. So I felt better about going to this Cracker Barrel. As always with CB, call ahead and politely ask and 99% of the time you will be just fine. Quiet night and delicious biscuits in the morning! 
Torrance Park
GPS: 34.991978, -106.165173
This campsite is a little outside of ABQ, but still a great stop if you’re in the area. It has beautiful scenery and the roads going in aren’t bad at all. Although I didn’t see any wildlife while I was there, some people have reported that there are animals in the area so sleeping in your van is the best idea; don’t recommend tents. Overall beautiful camp spots and tons of choices!
ACTIVITIES YOU CAN'T MISS
Photo Credit: Independent Travel Cats
Balloon Fiesta: This may be the best activity you can possibly do in Albuquerque! Every October they have a huge hot air balloon gathering with over 500 balloons going up into the sky making it the largest hot air balloon event in the world! Tickets are super cheap at only $10/ per person and can be purchased in advance or at the entrance. Parking is $15/ per vehicle or you can park elsewhere and bike in for free. There are also shuttles that will pick you up from various places around the city and take you. It usually lasts about 9 days and weather does affect the overall event so make sure you have an open schedule for a couple days to ensure going on a good, sunny day! You can even park your van or RV right at the park for anywhere between $35- $100 overnight and have a killer view of all the hot air balloons.
Photo Credit: Red Door Brewing Company
Breweries: I’m starting to feel like most cities are “known for breweries” and ABQ is no different. They have an a sweet selection of breweries to choose from and all of them are pretty different from one another. One of my top recommendations is definitely Red Door Brewing Company which has super laid back vibes and awesome staff. They have events such as Bring Your Own Vinyl (BYOV) where they’ll play your favorite vinyl/record while you hangout and have a beer. They also have karaoke and open mic nights too which just makes for such an entertaining night! Dogs and kids are welcome which is quite the perk for van lifers with kiddos or pups. Another top brewery we loved was Rio Bravo Brewing Company who had barrel and wood aged beer along with some amazing food! The burger was the bomb (clearly before my vegan days began), and there’s live music a few days every week as well!
Petroglyph National Monument: If you like going to places full of culture and history, this is your spot! There are over 24,000 historic images carved by Ancestral Pueblo peoples and Spanish settlers. There are also 4 hikes you can park at and spend a few hours exploring. Dogs are allowed at 3 of them excluding Boca Negra Canyon. There are also 5 volcanic cones and fissure volcanoes amongst the monument. Everything here is outdoors so definitely be prepared before taking a hike or checking out the landmarks!
THINGS TO DO NEAR ABQ
San Antonio Hot Springs:
Nearest Free Campsite: GPS: 35.8547, -106.6249
North of Albuquerque lies the Jemez Mountains which are home to the hot springs we were headed to when the van broke down! Unfortunately, we did not get to check this spot out but I would still highly recommend it as many of my friends have gone and talked about how cool it was. The hike in is only .5 miles as long as it’s during the warmer months. During winter months, the gate will be closed and it will be a 10 mile hike there and back.
White Sands National Monument:
Nearest Free Campsite: GPS: 32.812959, -106.121258
This one is South of Albuquerque and I promise you MUST go see it for yourself. It’s actual magic and you will be amazed that you’re in the United States let alone New Mexico. After driving in desert, suddenly there are miles and miles of pure white sand making up these massive hills that look incredible. I did actually get to go here after the van was fixed and I’m already waiting for the day that I get to go back. Be prepared for the workout of a lifetime because hiking up these sand dunes is harder than any canyon or trail I’ve ever been on!
SHOW SOME LOVE!
Hi Sydney:
just wanted to let you know if any of the club members that are mechanically inclined
i have a 1978 hi top e 250 ford van (shell) need engine and trans i started to make a
camper with it and health issues stopped me asking 800.00 for it drop me a e mail
@ santigriego@ hotmail.com if anybody has an interest
thanks
James
Hi! There’s level entry sales jobs available with Trugreen in Albuquerque. If anyone’s who’s a part of van life is interested that can call Trugreen and ask about the positions at: 510-292-7030
Hello lady!
Nice to meet another solo female van dweller.
I will be studying in ABQ this year, starting October, and am looking for a place to park my van while living in it during school. My school is close to the Sandia foothills and ideally I would be taking public transit or bike to get there. I am sending you this message in case you would have met an amazing human being during your stay in ABQ who would be willing to accommodate a fellow van life girl.
Thank in advance! Happy travels!