Blue Swallow Motel
Tucumcari, NM
A 1939 motor court with a glowing neon sign and a private garage next to each room. Book early in summer.
The Blue Swallow Motel in Tucumcari (New Mexico) is a preserved Route 66 motor court with a glowing neon sign. The carpenter W. A. Huggins began building the L-shaped complex in 1939; garages for the guests’ cars sit between the rooms, and the facade was originally pink stucco. The motel has been on the National Register of Historic Places since 1993.
After Interstate 40 was built in the late 1960s, traffic dropped sharply. Lillian Redman ran the place for decades and sold it in 1998; the next owners, Dale and Hilda Bakke, restored it extensively. In 2007 the National Park Service funded the restoration of the neon sign, the neon swallows and the office windows. The motel is still in operation and makes a good overnight stop on a road trip; because it has only a few rooms, it pays to book early.
- Nearest town
- Tucumcari, NM
- Category
- Unique stays
- GPS
- 35.1717, -103.7250
- Editor's pick
- ★
Hours, fees and access change. Confirm with the operator or park before you go.
Good to know
Best time to go
The most pleasant months are usually April–May and October. Still fine, with some compromises, in June, September and November. Hot in July–August. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)
Sources
Featured in these trip guides
Nearby
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Campsites nearby
- Cactus RV Park (former)Motorhome stopover1 mi from Blue Swallow MotelMotorhomes
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- Ute Lake State Park Camp GroundCampsite19 mi from Blue Swallow Motel
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- Ute Lake State Park RVMotorhome stopover20 mi from Blue Swallow MotelMotorhomes
- Arrowhead RV parkMotorhome stopover23 mi from Blue Swallow MotelMotorhomes
All campsites in New Mexico · Campsite data: © OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL 1.0 · Updated October 3, 2026
FAQs
Where is Blue Swallow Motel?
Blue Swallow Motel is in Tucumcari, NM, at GPS 35.1717, -103.7250. It is about 89 mi from Las Vegas.
Can you camp near Blue Swallow Motel?
Yes. The nearest campsite listed in OpenStreetMap is Cactus RV Park (former), about 1 mi away; within 25 mi there are 10 campsites and motorhome stopovers.
Which road trips pass Blue Swallow Motel?
Blue Swallow Motel is a stop on these CampingSpirit trip guides: Route 66, part two: Oklahoma City to the Pacific.
What is there to see near Blue Swallow Motel?
Places worth a stop nearby: Blue Hole (56 mi), MidPoint Café (60 mi), Fort Union National Monument (89 mi) and Cadillac Ranch (98 mi).
When is the best time to visit Blue Swallow Motel?
The most pleasant months are usually April–May and October. Still fine, with some compromises, in June, September and November. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)