RV Rental Alameda Open Space, NM

Petroglyph National Monument is one of the biggest repositories of historic petroglyphs in North America. Some of the carvings, made by indigenous Native Americans and Spanish explorers, date back as early as the 14th century. However, the park is much more than that; many Native American cultures believe the monument has a spiritual significance and use the resident flowers and plant life in their medicines and as a food source. The area is also important to archeologists, who were able to have it added to the National Register of Historic Places.

Rinconada Canyon Trail is part of the Petroglyph National Monument, extending from the monument entrance along the north side of the canyon before looping back to its starting point. Keep your eyes peeled while hiking here for the many undisturbed petroglyphs just off of the trail; as you loop back, there are fewer petroglyphs to see, but you'll have a better chance of spotting some of the resident wildlife, such as earless leopard lizards or the canyon wrens whose cascading songs echo through the valley.

Cibola National Forest incorporates a variety of landscapes within its boundaries, including two mountains and several national grasslands; it also sprawls over three states, New Mexico, Oklahoma, and Texas. The dramatic vistas are further accentuated by the elevations which range from a base level of around 2,700 feet above sea level to more than 11,000 feet. The forest is open to the public year-round and provides an opportunity to enjoy downhill skiing in the winter. Nature enthusiasts can explore the prehistoric ruins, ice caves, lava flows, and Indian pueblos on hand. Hunting and fishing on the property are allowed in season.

There aren't any facilities for camping at Alameda Open Space, but you won't have to look very far to find a place to stay. Balloon View RV Park is a cultivated RV campground in Albuquerque with a seasonal swimming pool that helps to combat the summer heat. The campground has laundry facilities, restrooms with showers, and an exercise room. All of the campsites have full hookups, WiFi, and cable TV channels. Some of them have pull-through access. You can rent the campsites by the day, week, or month.

Route 66 RV Park is a pet-friendly Albuquerque campground with restrooms and showers, laundry facilities, a dog park, and even more. There's a picnic pavilion and a dog park, a dump station so you can empty your RV tanks, and restaurants and a grocery store a short walk from the campground. Some of the campsites have pull-through access and can accommodate large RV rentals.

When you're ready to reward yourself with some urban pampering, head for Los Lunas. The village has a variety of attractions that includes a winery and model railroad club, a museum, a day spa, and lots of opportunities for shopping. Dining out in Los Lunas is reasonable, with restaurants ranging from inexpensive to moderately priced. You'll find several Mexican and Chinese food establishments, a steakhouse, and several of the more popular fast-casual restaurants.

Tijeras is another small village with numerous outdoor parks and several landmarks such as a pueblo archeology site and a “singing road.” The road is a section of iconic Route 66 that plays a tune when your wheels make contact with the road's rumble strip. There is a trick to it, though, as you have to be going exactly 45 miles per hour to hear the music (and you should have your windows rolled down).