First time long-distance overland South Carolina to New Mexico

[Kennedy Crew]

Hi all! Very excited to find this group! We are planning our first long distance overland South Carolina to New Mexico and back at the end of June 2025. I know there is a lot of places in between, but if anyone has done this trip and would like to share their route, or just points/places that we really shouldn't miss, we would really appreciate your input! We have a '23 Tacoma 4x4, rooftop tent etc.

 

[FishinCrzy]

Hey Brigid, not a huge help on route as I have been traveling more northerly to Colorado and points north. Having a RTT you will be wanting a quiet place to camp. One I found that may be close to your route is just off I-22 in northern Mississippi in Holly Springs NF. Chewalla Lake Rec Area.

Chewalla Lake Recreation Area, National Forests in Mississippi - Recreation.gov

Explore Chewalla Lake Recreation Area in National Forests in Mississippi, Mississippi with Recreation.gov. Chewalla Lake Recreation Area is located in the Holly Springs Ranger District in northern Mississippi. Visitors enjoy swimming and relaxing on the sandy beach o

www.recreation.gov

I was on my way to Arkansas at the time and it was a very nice stopover. Reservations at the time, '21 as I remember, were not really necessary but couldn't hurt. Think I was in Site 31 as it was secluded and near water spigot. New Mexico is high on my list of places to visit next. Good Luck on your trip!

 

[Kennedy Crew]

Hey Brigid, not a huge help on route as I have been traveling more northerly to Colorado and points north. Having a RTT you will be wanting a quiet place to camp. One I found that may be close to your route is just off I-22 in northern Mississippi in Holly Springs NF. Chewalla Lake Rec Area.

Chewalla Lake Recreation Area, National Forests in Mississippi - Recreation.gov

Explore Chewalla Lake Recreation Area in National Forests in Mississippi, Mississippi with Recreation.gov. Chewalla Lake Recreation Area is located in the Holly Springs Ranger District in northern Mississippi. Visitors enjoy swimming and relaxing on the sandy beach o

www.recreation.gov

I was on my way to Arkansas at the time and it was a very nice stopover. Reservations at the time, '21 as I remember, were not really necessary but couldn't hurt. Think I was in Site 31 as it was secluded and near water spigot. New Mexico is high on my list of places to visit next. Good Luck on your trip!

Wow, thanks so much! I appreciate all suggestions. Hoping to avoid most of TX unless someone mentions something along the route we shouldn’t miss. NM is one of my favorite states, I hope you get there soon!

 

[AnthonyBroussard]

If you do happen to go through texas check out Big Bend National Park.

 

[ZombieCat]

How much time do you have for this trip? What do you enjoy doing? Cultural activities, hiking, etc? I made a similar return trip from Arizona along the southern route, primarily I-40, in April ‘24.
You could stop off in Hot Springs, AR to visit the national park. In particular, tour the museum at the Fordyce Visitor Center. There are several Army Corps of Engineers campgrounds located on nearby lakes. I also spent a day at Crater of Diamonds State Park; I didn’t score any gems, but another person did find a unique brown diamond.
The trip across Texas, Oklahoma and eastern New Mexico is kinda meh…it will likely be hot, too.
New Mexico is very interesting! There are some great high altitude campsites in the Santa Fe national forest. Santa Fe has several museums that showcase Native American history and art. Other highlights in the state are:
- Hiking around Taos, specifically Wheeler Peak
- Kasha-Katuwe Tent Rocks (now requires reservations)
- Bandelier National Monument; they have a campground in the park
- Valles Caldera Preserve (one of my favorites!)
- Bisti Badlands/De-Na-Zin Wilderness
- Bradbury Science Museum and Los Alamos; watch the film at the museum
- Sandia Mountains, Albuquerque; hike the La Luz Trail up, eat at the restaurant (Ten3, previously the location of High Finance) and take the tramway back down as the sun sets
- Gila Cliff Dwellings (there are campgrounds)
- Mogollon Ghost Town
- Chaco Culture National Historical Park; make camping reservations ASAP and beware traveling the road if wet, NM mud is no joke!
- Carlsbad Caverns (get entry ticket)
- White Sands National Park; hike at sunrise when the sand is cool
Finally, if you can dip into southern Colorado, get tickets on the Durango-Silverton narrow gauge railroad. It’s an all day excursion, but an amazing experience. Have a great trip!

 

[highboy4x4]

How much time do you have for this trip? What do you enjoy doing? Cultural activities, hiking, etc? I made a similar return trip from Arizona along the southern route, primarily I-40, in April ‘24.
You could stop off in Hot Springs, AR to visit the national park. In particular, tour the museum at the Fordyce Visitor Center. There are several Army Corps of Engineers campgrounds located on nearby lakes. I also spent a day at Crater of Diamonds State Park;
New Mexico is very interesting! There are some great high altitude campsites in the Santa Fe national forest. Santa Fe has several museums that showcase Native American history and art. Other highlights in the state are:

Excellent information thanks for sharing.

 

[Kennedy Crew]

How much time do you have for this trip? What do you enjoy doing? Cultural activities, hiking, etc? I made a similar return trip from Arizona along the southern route, primarily I-40, in April ‘24.
You could stop off in Hot Springs, AR to visit the national park. In particular, tour the museum at the Fordyce Visitor Center. There are several Army Corps of Engineers campgrounds located on nearby lakes. I also spent a day at Crater of Diamonds State Park; I didn’t score any gems, but another person did find a unique brown diamond.
The trip across Texas, Oklahoma and eastern New Mexico is kinda meh…it will likely be hot, too.
New Mexico is very interesting! There are some great high altitude campsites in the Santa Fe national forest. Santa Fe has several museums that showcase Native American history and art. Other highlights in the state are:
- Hiking around Taos, specifically Wheeler Peak
- Kasha-Katuwe Tent Rocks (now requires reservations)
- Bandelier National Monument; they have a campground in the park
- Valles Caldera Preserve (one of my favorites!)
- Bisti Badlands/De-Na-Zin Wilderness
- Bradbury Science Museum and Los Alamos; watch the film at the museum
- Sandia Mountains, Albuquerque; hike the La Luz Trail up, eat at the restaurant (Ten3, previously the location of High Finance) and take the tramway back down as the sun sets
- Gila Cliff Dwellings (there are campgrounds)
- Mogollon Ghost Town
- Chaco Culture National Historical Park; make camping reservations ASAP and beware traveling the road if wet, NM mud is no joke!
- Carlsbad Caverns (get entry ticket)
- White Sands National Park; hike at sunrise when the sand is cool
Finally, if you can dip into southern Colorado, get tickets on the Durango-Silverton narrow gauge railroad. It’s an all day excursion, but an amazing experience. Have a great trip!

wow!! Thank you so much for your thoughtful reply.
Fortunately, we are both pretty open to about everything. it’s all about the experience and creating memories.