Hello! A friend and I are planning a road trip from Austin to Los Angeles in January of 2015. We've got about 7 or 8 days.

Do you think it is reasonable to allow for a couple days of camping, in New Mexico or Arizona? I know weather can be very unpredictable, and that snow is always possible, but I'm just curious to see if anyone has experience with winter camping.

For the other nights, we'd really like to stay in some smaller hotels/lodges/guest houses, and drive with a mix of planning and following our noses. We're hoping to start by driving directly to Big Bend, then either head north toward the parks around Santa Fe, or southwest, toward Chiricahua.

I have an idea we might be able to find hot springs along the way, but maybe that's just from my experience in CA's Eastern Sierra--any suggestions?

I'd love any thoughts, recommendations, tips, warnings, etc! that anyone has to offer.

Many thanks!
Megan