Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Camping
Grants has two decent campgrounds with both tent and RV facilities. All range in price
from $12 to $15 for tent camping and $15 to $20 for full hookups.
Blue Spruce RV
Park
(
&
505/287-2560
) has 25 sites and 16 full hookups and is open year-round. It has
enough trees to block the wind, some grass, and the roads and parking spaces are gravel,
so dust is minimized. Cable television hookups are available, as are laundry facilities and
a recreation room. To reach the park, take I-40 to exit 81 and then go a quarter-mile
south on NM 53.
Lavaland RV Park
(
&
505/287-8665;
www.lavalandrvpark.com), the closest site to
Grants, has 51 sites and 39 full hookups. Near a lava outcropping, the site is clean,
though a little desolate and dusty, with a few pine trees to block the wind. Air-condition-
ing and heating hookups are available, as are some free cable and telephone hookups. In
addition, you'll find cabins, laundry, limited grocery facilities, picnic tables and grills, and
recreation facilities. Lavaland is open year-round. From I-40, get off at exit 85 and con-
tinue 100 yards south on Access Road.
WHERE TO DINE IN GRANTS
In general, you won't find much to eat at pueblos or national monuments, so you're best
off looking for a restaurant in Grants.
El Cafecito
Value
Kids
AMERICAN/MEXICAN This real locals' spot serves up
tasty food in a relaxed atmosphere. At mealtime, the brightly lit space with Saltillo tile
floors bustles with families eating huevos rancheros (eggs over tortillas, smothered in
chile) for breakfast, and enchiladas, stuffed
sopaipillas,
and burgers for lunch and dinner.
All meals are large and inexpensive. Kids enjoy their own menu selections.
820 E. Santa Fe Ave.
&
505/285-6229.
Main courses $4-$8 breakfast, $6-$12 lunch or dinner. AE, DISC,
MC, V. Mon-Fri 7am-9pm; Sat 7am-8pm.
277
La Ventana
NEW MEXICAN/STEAKS Grants locals come here for a special lunch
or dinner out. With one large room that seats about 50 people, the restaurant has a
Southwestern decor, with a two-horse sculpture and some dancing katsinas (kachinas).
Ironically, despite it name—which means “the window” and refers to the natural arch
south of town—the place is dark. If you can catch Grants on a nonwindy day, opt for
the patio. Service is friendly and varies in its efficiency. Recommended dishes include
chicken fajita salad and prime rib. You'll also find sandwiches such as turkey and guaca-
mole served on seven-grain bread. You can order from a full bar.
110
1
/
2
Geis St., Hillcrest Center.
&
505/287-9393.
Reservations recommended. Main courses $5-$12
lunch, $8-$20 dinner. AE, DC, DISC, MC, V. Mon-Sat 11am-11pm.
10
4
EL MALPAIS & EL MORRO NATIONAL
MONUMENTS
El Malpais: 15 miles S of Grants; 75 miles SE of Gallup; 135 miles S of Farmington. El Morro: 30 miles SW
of Grants; 45 miles SE of Gallup; 149 miles S of Farmington
Northwestern New Mexico has two national monuments that are must-sees for anyone
touring this region: El Malpais and El Morro. The region is also home to the Cíbola
National Forest, with its stately Mount Taylor, visible from miles away and an excellent
place to hike and backcountry ski.
