Mesa Verda and the Balloon Fiesta 

Day 40 – Travel to Mesa Verde

Campground: Mesa Verde RV Resort

Travel day, leave Utah and continue toward Colorado and Mesa Verde National Park.

Along the way stop for groceries and take care of any laundry at Mesa Verde RV Resort. After several busy sightseeing days, it is a good opportunity to catch up on chores and prepare for the next part of the trip.

The drive itself will provide plenty of great scenery, making for an enjoyable and more relaxed travel day.

• Mesa Verde RV Resort

Day 41 – Mesa Verde

Campground: Mesa Verde RV Resort

Our visit to Mesa Verde National Park was a little disappointing because of the federal government shutdown. Although the park itself remained open, all tours and trails were closed during our visit.

Even with the closures, we were still able to see several of the Native American cliff dwellings from the visitor center area and from overlooks along the park road. The scenery and views into the canyon still made the drive worthwhile, even if we missed some of the park’s main experiences.

After leaving Mesa Verde, drive about an hour to Four Corners Monument, where you stand in four states at the same time. 

• Mesa Verde National Park

• Visitor Center

• Cliff Dwelling Overlooks

• Four Corners Monument

Day 42 – Travel Toward Albuquerque

Campground: Harvest Hosts – Black Mesa Winery & Cidery

Continue south toward the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta, stop for the night at Black Mesa Winery & Cidery through the Harvest Hosts program.

After several days of national parks and long drives, it is a relaxing change of pace. The quiet setting and vineyard views made for an enjoyable overnight stop before continuing on toward Albuquerque.

• Black Mesa Winery & Cidery

Days 43 & 44 – Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta

Campground: Route 66 RV Resort

Drive to Albuquerque and the Route 66 RV Resort. Spend some time doing several local hikes nearby before preparing for the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta.

The next morning start very early with a 3:00 am wake-up. Drive to the park-and-ride location at the Coronado Center. Take the bus to the Fiesta in time to watch the Dawn Patrol crews begin inflating their balloons.

• Route 66 RV Resort

• Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta

Balloon Fiesta - Ticket Info 

Balloon Fiesta - Info