Northern New Mexico - American Southwest - page 294

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ESSENTIALS
GETTING THERE Travel time from Albuquerque to Tucumcari via I-40 is about 2
hours, 40 minutes; to Santa Rosa, 1 hour, 45 minutes. There's no regularly scheduled
commercial service into either Tucumcari or Santa Rosa. Private planes can land at
Tucumcari Municipal Airport ( & 575/461-3229 ).
VISITOR INFORMATION Contact the Tucumcari-Quay County Chamber of
Commerce, 404 W. Rte. 66 Blvd. (P.O. Drawer E), Tucumcari, NM 88401 ( & 575/
461-1694; www.tucumcarinm.com), or the Santa Rosa City Information Center, 244
S. Fourth St., Santa Rosa, NM 88435 ( & 575/472-3763; www.santarosanm.org).
WHERE TO STAY
Major chain hotels are at I-40 interchanges in both Tucumcari and Santa Rosa. Smaller
ma-and-pa motels can be found along the main streets through town that were once
segments of legendary Route 66—still bearing that historic name.

In Tucumcari
Hampton Inn This hotel provides a bit of an oasis in this part of the state. It's located
near I-40, but has some very quiet rooms. Each is medium size with earth-tone decor and
comfortable beds with luxury bedding. Some have microwaves and fridges. The baths are
standard size with floor tiles. The west-side rooms offer the most quiet and a bit of a view
out across meadows and ponds.
3409 E. Rte. 66 (at I-40 exit 335), Tucumcari, NM 88401. & 800/HAMPTON [426-7866] or 575/461-1111.
Fax [phone]. www.hamptoninn.hilton.com. 58 units. $99-$115. Price includes hot breakfast. AE,
DC, DISC, MC, V. Amenities: Jacuzzi; indoor pool; sauna. In room: A/C, TV, fridge (in some), hair dryer,
Wi-Fi.
Camping near Tucumcari
Tucumcari KOA ( & 800/562-1871 or 575/461-1841; www.koa.com) has 111 sites,
laundry and grocery facilities, RV supplies, picnic tables, and grills. It also offers a recre-
ation hall with video games, a heated swimming pool, a basketball hoop, a playground,
horseshoes, and shuffleboard. From I-40, get off the interstate at exit 335, and then go a
quarter-mile east on South Frontage Road.

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In Santa Rosa
La Quinta Perched on a hill above Santa Rosa, this newer whitewashed chain hotel
offers clean and very functional rooms. All are medium size, decorated in tasteful earth
tones. Each has an extremely small bathroom with an outer sink/vanity. Beds are comfy
and are accompanied by a table and chairs. The place is inventively landscaped with a
rock grotto patio where the hot tub sits.
1701 Will Rogers Dr., Santa Rosa, NM 88435. & 800/531-5900 or 575/472-4800. Fax [phone].
www.laquinta.com. 60 units. $75-$95 double. Rates include continental breakfast. AE, DC, DISC, MC, V.
Amenities: Outdoor Jacuzzi; indoor pool. In room: A/C, TV, hair dryer, Wi-Fi.
Camping near Santa Rosa
The Santa Rosa Campground ( & 575/472-3126 ) offers 94 sites, 33 full hookups,
laundry and grocery facilities, fire rings, grills, a heated swimming pool, and a play-
ground for the kids. Situated in a piñon and juniper forest near town, the campground
has a few small elm trees on the grounds. Coming from the east on I-40, take exit 277
and go 1 mile west on Business Loop; coming from the west on I-40, take exit 275 and
go a quarter-mile east on Business Loop.