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Camping at the 2017 NSS Convention in Rio Rancho

     The primary camping area for the 2017 NSS Convention is located at the Santa Ana Star Center, the primary venue for the Convention. The camping area is a short walk from the Star Center, between 200 and 1,300 feet, depending on where you set up in the campground. The University of New Mexico West Campus (UNM West), the location for some programs and vendors, is about ΒΌ mile from the Star Center. Bathrooms and showers will be available 24 hours at the Star Center, as well as port-a-potties in the campground.

     Two types of surfaces are available for camping at the Star Center. The main camping area is a large parking lot, which is covered with a thin layer of pavement. Tent campers will need metal stakes that can be hammered through the surface, which is thin and easily penetrated. Part of the parking lot camping area will be reserved for RVs or pop-up type campers. The RV area has no electricity, water, or sewer connections, but generators are permitted (see Other Options if you need RV hookups). West of the parking lot is a sandy dirt camping area. Part of this area will be groomed dirt and part is New Mexico desert, with tumbleweeds, cactus, and other desert plants. Soil is sandy with some gravel, so tent campers should bring stakes that can hold in sand.

     Average high temperature in Rio Rancho in June is 92 deg F (33 deg C), average low temperature is 58 deg F (14 deg C). Average monthly precipitation in June is 0.75 inches (19 mm). Winds can be strong, with gusts around 30 mph (50 kph), generally in the afternoon.

Other Options

     The town of Bernalillo operates the Coronado Campground; about 6 miles from the Santa Ana Star Center. Coronado Campground is adjacent to the Rio Grande, so the setting is a bit less urban than the Star Center. Full RV hookups are available at the Coronado Campground as well as a tent camping area. Coronado Campground is not part of the NSS Convention and cost of camping there is not part of the fee for the Convention.

     Northern New Mexico has many camping areas in beautiful mountainous settings; however none are close to the Santa Ana Star Center. Some of the campgrounds in the Santa Fe National Forest are about a 1 to 2 hour drive to the Santa Ana Star Center.