Camping at Hobbs (USA): Frugal or Folly?

Need PIREP on tenting at the Hobbs Standard Nationals.

We're driving out next week for our first trip to Hobbs since before
our 10-year-old twins were born. On the last trip, my wife and I slept
in the van out on the ramp: cool nights, steady breezes (no bugs), no
issues if it stormed, etc.

Sleeping in the van is no longer an option for the four of us so we've
been tenting at contests. I've heard that the campground across the
road from the SSA is nice (it was a new field of mud the last time).
Also that there's some grass on the airport (all I recall is
concrete--acres of it).

Any reports/opinions on putting up a tent when we get there?

Chip Bearden

Chip,
I've been to several Hobbs events but have never actually camped out
there so please take my comments in that perspective. I would rate the
campsites at the Harry McAams State Park at about a 5-6 on a 10 scale.
Here's the description from one of the web sites on it, "Harry McAdams
was a state Senator whose efforts helped transform the old Lea County
State Park into the modern facility it is today. This one-acre park on
the outskirts of Hobbs will hardly satisfy your craving for a
wilderness adventure, but for its, size it offers considerable
creature comforts. The campsites near a pair of small ponds stocked
with trout go quickly, but others are not far away. The grounds are
extensively landscaped, and the visitor center features historical
exhibits. Close by is a lush, city-owned 18-hole golf course. For the
RV or tent camper who happens to be in the area, this park provides a
pleasant respite from the road." It's nice but basic. There are some
shaded areas and some sites next to two ponds. When it's really hot
and the dew line is west of Hobbs it can get pretty unbearable in a
tent. If the state park had a pool it would be much more pleasant for
the kids.

I'd recommend a nearby hotel just for the A/C and a pool for the kids
on the hot days. The Comfort Inn is close and runs about $65 a night.
The Holiday Inn Express is a bit nicer at $75 a night. Perhaps you
could do a couple of days at a hotel and at the park!

I parked my RV at the hookups next to the tiedown area just south of
the hangers. It was a bit quieter than the RV sites at the state park.
Have fun and good luck at the contest.

Al Thomas
"4"

Chip,

I camped there for a week in 1985. Visited last year, though I didn't
camp. The facilities are average. Large restrooms, good showers, but
you will need to do some modest cleaning with every visit. Each
camping slot has a paved parking space and lush grass surrounding it.
Enough room for two tents and a sun shade. Nice people, it seemed, for
the most part. You might call Mike Smith (XM). He spent two weeks
there last year. You must have reservations. The camping slots along
the runway are not as nice. They are, essentially, the overflow.

If you choose to hotel, I recommend the new Lea County Inn (?) closest
to the airport, N of the Holiday Inn Express. Prices are reasonable,
high speed internet, close to the airport (several minutes). DO NOT
fall victim to one of the cheaper rooms on the other side of town. I
reserved a $25 per night room at a HoJo that claimed to have just
remodled. I walked into the room then immediately out, cancelling my
reservation without any ceratinty of finding another.

(Chip Bearden) wrote in message om...
Need PIREP on tenting at the Hobbs Standard Nationals.

We're driving out next week for our first trip to Hobbs since before
our 10-year-old twins were born. On the last trip, my wife and I slept
in the van out on the ramp: cool nights, steady breezes (no bugs), no
issues if it stormed, etc.

Sleeping in the van is no longer an option for the four of us so we've
been tenting at contests. I've heard that the campground across the
road from the SSA is nice (it was a new field of mud the last time).
Also that there's some grass on the airport (all I recall is
concrete--acres of it).

Any reports/opinions on putting up a tent when we get there?

Chip Bearden

Just wanted to add something even though some may have seen the post below
re the Hampton Inn.

We have been to Hobbs 4 times and stayed each time at the Econo Lodge. It
is simple but clean and is half the price of the other big name hotels near
the airport. And best of all...they take dogs! It is about 10-15 minutes
to get the the airport vs. 5 minutes.

This is afterall Hobbs, not NYC and I guess that my standards are not quite
the same. Should I be expecting more?

Casey Lenox
KC
Phoenix

Casey used to climb. Which means a portaledge qualifies as luxuriuous
accomodations. ;-)

The cheaper rooms attract an interesting crowd. The HoJo room had a
smell of urine mixed with disinfectant, the pool was an independent
ecosystem, the walls were thin, and the neighbors disposed to be
noisy. Gleaned all of this in several minutes. Inspected the
neighboring motels, but didn't see much improvement, at least
outwardly.

It is definitely spartan at that end of town. Hmmm....could a dog have been
there before you?!

Casey

"Chris OCallaghan" wrote in message
om...
Casey used to climb. Which means a portaledge qualifies as luxuriuous
accomodations. ;-)

The cheaper rooms attract an interesting crowd. The HoJo room had a
smell of urine mixed with disinfectant, the pool was an independent
ecosystem, the walls were thin, and the neighbors disposed to be
noisy. Gleaned all of this in several minutes. Inspected the
neighboring motels, but didn't see much improvement, at least
outwardly.

"Kilo Charlie" wrote in message news:KYTHc.4016$li.1457@lakeread06...
It is definitely spartan at that end of town. Hmmm....could a dog have been
there before you?!

Casey

"Chris OCallaghan" wrote in message
om...
Casey used to climb. Which means a portaledge qualifies as luxuriuous
accomodations. ;-)

The cheaper rooms attract an interesting crowd. The HoJo room had a
smell of urine mixed with disinfectant, the pool was an independent
ecosystem, the walls were thin, and the neighbors disposed to be
noisy. Gleaned all of this in several minutes. Inspected the
neighboring motels, but didn't see much improvement, at least
outwardly.

Anyone that thinks the SE side of Hobbs is spartan probably hasn't
stayed at Littlefield! I have stayed several times at the Hobbs
Econolodge and my wife didn't refuse to go back. The Plains Motel at
Littlefield did get a refusal on the second visit! I gave up camping
at contests when my tent blew down at El Mirage in 1981, but if you
want to camp I think Hobbs is a reasonable place for it except for the
few nights with big storms.


Andy

The park just outside the airport is very good, clean rest rooms with
wonderful showers.
There is also an RV park that is right on the airport property run by the
city or county.

"Andy Durbin" wrote in message
om...
"Kilo Charlie" wrote in message
news:KYTHc.4016$li.1457@lakeread06...
It is definitely spartan at that end of town. Hmmm....could a dog have
been
there before you?!

Casey

"Chris OCallaghan" wrote in message
om...
Casey used to climb. Which means a portaledge qualifies as luxuriuous
accomodations. ;-)

The cheaper rooms attract an interesting crowd. The HoJo room had a
smell of urine mixed with disinfectant, the pool was an independent
ecosystem, the walls were thin, and the neighbors disposed to be
noisy. Gleaned all of this in several minutes. Inspected the
neighboring motels, but didn't see much improvement, at least
outwardly.

Anyone that thinks the SE side of Hobbs is spartan probably hasn't
stayed at Littlefield! I have stayed several times at the Hobbs
Econolodge and my wife didn't refuse to go back. The Plains Motel at
Littlefield did get a refusal on the second visit! I gave up camping
at contests when my tent blew down at El Mirage in 1981, but if you
want to camp I think Hobbs is a reasonable place for it except for the
few nights with big storms.


Andy

Thanks to all who responded on RAS and privately regarding camping at
Hobbs. Most reassured that it's possible, some waxed poetic, and one
said "never again." Much like the responses to any soaring site.

We've got our tent and other gear packed and will be arriving for the
Std. Nats. on Saturday evening.

Chip Bearden

I camped there last week.
There are bugs due to the rain 2&3 weeks ago, but the evenings are cool and
sleeping in the tent was comfortable.
My tent was pitched on rocky ground at the N end of the ramp, next to the
Hobbs club hangar. A Queen size air mattress with fitted sheets is a great
investment.

Brent

"Chip Bearden" wrote in message
m...
Need PIREP on tenting at the Hobbs Standard Nationals.

We're driving out next week for our first trip to Hobbs since before
our 10-year-old twins were born. On the last trip, my wife and I slept
in the van out on the ramp: cool nights, steady breezes (no bugs), no
issues if it stormed, etc.

Sleeping in the van is no longer an option for the four of us so we've
been tenting at contests. I've heard that the campground across the
road from the SSA is nice (it was a new field of mud the last time).
Also that there's some grass on the airport (all I recall is
concrete--acres of it).

Any reports/opinions on putting up a tent when we get there?

Chip Bearden