Week before Thanksgiving...How booked up/busy?

[PyramidBlaster]

OK, so I'm trying to get another week-long trip off the ground again this year, and since I have a particular 'mission' this time, I've decided to forego camping...It just takes too much out of me. So, I'm left with trying to stay somewhere near the park. My first choice so far is Chisos Mining Co., from a utilitarian standpoint...It's as close as you can get without going to the lodge (we're spending all six days in the park, often from sunrise to sundown), it's inexpensive, offers cabins with microwaves, and is generally pretty favorably spoken of.

Now...I'm trying to go the week before Thanksgiving. I've been there around that time, and I hear that although the park is usually slammed DURING Thanksgiving week, the week before seems to be pretty mild by comparison. But I've never tried to find hotel rooms at that time, either.

Any thoughts? I'm less than 3 months out now...

[Peach]

I haven't been in the park the week before Thanksgiving, but I know the week after Thanksgiving leaves the park almost desolate.  At least it was that way last year.  We generally go the week of and the week after. 

[jeffblaylock]

The week of Thanksgiving is one of the busiest times in the park, which means you might want to look both ways before pulling out onto the road from PJ. Your arrival date will influence your choices if you wait until then to make accommodations.

Otherwise, you could call the local establishments and see if they are already booked.

[PyramidBlaster]

I'll actually be there the week before thanksgiving, and had no real problems finding a room for 4 nights at either the Chisos Lodge (CG or RG rooms), or at the Chisos Mining Co. (small cabin). 

I went with the lodge...it's a no-brainer, considering what I'm trying to do.

I really expected more problems, esp. with the Lodge...at only 9 weeks out. But from what I'm hearing, the park doesn't really crank up until the week of Thanksgiving proper....