Kirtland FamCamp

Anyone know if the FamCamp at Kirtland AFB in Albuquerque fills up during the balloon fiesta in Albq,??
Thanks,
Doug

yes it fills up for that. They do have some extra sites now so maybe you can get in but I wouldn't count on it. Actually, you are a lot better off staying at the site of the fiesta. the things you can see at dawn and in the evening are worth the stay.

Bill is correct in that Kirtland does fill up, but then every CG in the area also fills up - reservations are not suggested, they are a must to get a CG site. As Bill indicated get as close to the balloon festival area as possible, because all the highways and byways are jammed during the early mornings preceeding balloon liftoff or the balloon glow in the evenings. Our first festival - from the KOA to the festival grounds took over two hours - just over 10 miles.

John

If you make it to the Fiesta and have the time, try to volunteer to be on a Balloon Crew. It's well worth getting up very early and the little work to be on a launch/chase team. Many volunteers get a free balloon ride. There's a tent at the Fiesta to sign up to be on a crew.

We always stay at the festival grounds, right next to a large landing site. We've had balloons landing in front of us and coming in 2 feet above the top of our RV. Hoping they don't hit us - they never did.

Even though Kirtland does not accept reservations and is first come, first served, they break their own rule during the balloon festival. They allow a “Smart” caravan to reserve most of the new section, 50 amp sites. It not only takes those sites off line while they are there but they have to keep them open even before their arrival to make sure they’re empty when Smart get there. The Smart caravan participants pay a significant fee to be part of the caravan, so the base is helping Smart make money. Plus, you don’t have to be a military retiree to join smart so folks that would otherwise not be able to get a site at Kirtland are in spots that authorized users could be in. I don’t have anything against Smart but this event is the period of highest demand for a spot in the famcamp and I think the base is making a poor decision in my opinion. Last year when I was there, the rumor was the base CO had a buddy in SMART. I filed a complaint with the base and the Fraud, Waste and Abuse Hotline to no avail. I guess I’m looking at it wrong. Wouldn't be the first time.

Speaking of Kirtland, is there any recent more definite guidance on the entry gate issue?

Near as I can figure from looking over the reviews the Eubanks gate might be tough for a big rig to navigate but is the simplest most direct route to the campground. References to other gates aren't real positive except one the Truman gate being the preferred gate for large vehicles but its the only gate not even mentioned in the description.

Greg