Camping / boondocking in Arizona - RV-Dreams Community Forum

Scubabeck · RV-Dreams Family Member

Camping / boondocking in Arizona

tworootless · RV-Dreams Family Member

Last winter we boondocked for a month at Pilot Knob, in Yuma. Moved up to Quartzsite and boondocked for another month. On to Laughlin, NV and boondocked for 3 more weeks before moving on to CA. Never seen a spider, scorpion, mouse, rat or rattlesnake. Plenty of lizards and a few coyote's. Never any issues.

Jake62 · RV-Dreams Family Member

Having lived in Tucson for 14 years and dry-camped in multiple places around the state and in different times of the year, you won't have any issues if you're boondocking from Nov-Apr. Starting in May, scorpions and rattlesnacks come out of where ever they go in the winter months. Lizards are no problems and instead of "mice" we have "pack rats" ... basically a "big" mouse. Not a threat to humans though ... just your stuff which they like to eat through like wiring in your truck/rv, etc. I wouldn't be worried about scorpions. Although poisonous, no one has ever died from a scorpion sting. Rattlesnacks on the other hand are dangerous and people have died from their bites. People usually get bit by them by wondering off trail or not noticing them when their on the trail and just happen to step close to them. However, if you're boondocking in the higher country in the summer, like Flagstaff area, there are no scorpions and, rattlesnacks, while maybe in that area are in the lower elevations, certainly don't thrive there since it's too cold most of the year. We've camped multiple times on Mt. Lemmon which is about 9,000 feet in elevation. Never had problems with scorpions or rattlesnacks. Oh, there are mountain lions, coyotes, and bears, but you only asked about creepy crawlers.

The Bear II · RV-Dreams Family Member

Yes we've had Kangaroo Rats get into the basement storage area, mice and ants.

Rats and mice were treated to peanut butter last meals using killer traps. Ants were eliminated using spray and ant motels.

In addition, my wife caught what is known as the Quartzite Crud. One night the wind came up very strong around 1AM. We still had an EZ-UP Awning setup and we went out to make sure it didn't blow away. We ended up spending 1/2 hour putting it away along with other stuff. Sand and other crud was blowing with the wind. For the next couple of months she had an awful cough and trouble breathing.

Luvglass · RV-Dreams Family Member

We've spent much time over the years all over Arizona and have never had any problems with any critters. See snakes and lizards fairly often, but we all keep our distance.

Don't worry, enjoy wonderful Arizona.

Terry and Jo · RV-Dreams Family Member

The others have given you good advice on the critters. In regards to spraying for bugs and ants, be sure and spray all around any part of the RV that makes contact with the ground, to include stabilizer jacks, leveling jacks, wheels, tongue jacks, and even your inlet and sewer hoses. (When boondocking, those last two won't be much of an issue.)

At one time, Howard had written a post where he described what product he used for insects and ants. If I remember correctly, he got it at WalMart.

As for snakes, they like to seek shade in the heat, so be very careful around bushes of any size. When hiking, also be careful of fallen trees or logs across the trail and be careful of any "steps" (natural or otherwise) that you encounter. I tell people that if it is possible, step up onto the log/tree and check the other side instead of stepping over without looking. At each step on "steps" look down at the inner part of the next step.

In cooler weather, be even more cautious. Rattlesnakes won't necessarily give you an audible warning. I remember years ago, early spring, when I went out to the field on the farm where I worked to get ready to run the tractor that day. I went all around that tractor greasing all the grease zerks there were. Some of those were under the cab, so I had to crouch down to reach those. When I moved around to the opposite side of the tractor and crouched down to get the zerks on that side, I saw a Rattler lying under the wheel on the side I had greased before. Had he decided it was warm enough to strike, he would have had an unobstructed route to my thigh.

I am not paranoid about any critters, but that incident certainly made me be more careful in cooler weather.

When hiking, use some hiking poles. If you encounter a snake close up, put the two poles kind of together and get the ends between him and yourself, but not too close to him. (Getting the poles too close may entice them to strike.) Even a pole could be enough to deflect a strike. (Personally, I prefer shovels, with which i can protect or kill if necessary. However, shovels are a bit unwieldy when hiking.)

Mostly, just be aware of your surroundings and possible shelters for snakes. Generally, they will sense you and try to escape on their own, except when it is hot and they need the shade they are under.

Terry

Scubabeck · RV-Dreams Family Member

Thanks for all the FYI on the creepy crawlers. I have been reading alot of information on Arizona and trying to take it all in. I can't wait to go full time. John and I, want to spend several months in Arizona. Knowing that between Nov- April are good months to visit. (minus creepy crawlers). We will be taking those months into consideration. I love camping and hiking trails, atv riding just don't like things crawling towards me. This fear has been with me since I was very little. So this relieves my mind a great deal. Thank you all so very much.

Scubabeck Can't wait to camp in Arizona!

Scubabeck · RV-Dreams Family Member

Is Crud a type of pneumonia or bacteria that causes respiratory issues. I have not hear of Crud before.

Terry and Jo · RV-Dreams Family Member

Well, "Crud" is more of a generic term for an uncertain illness. But, "Crud" can also be anything hitting one's body externally.

Also, it is a "wimpier" term for Oh, Cr*p! I use "Crud" in that sense a lot, especially when I am writing and have the option of choosing a word that just doesn't roll out of the mouth without abandon.

Generally, "Crud" is always a negative term, regardless of the condition for which it is used.

Just to take a wild guess, but I'll bet you have experienced it, even if you didn't know what it was. In my case, I get an occasional bout of upper respiratory infection and "Crud" is a shorter term to use when I may not have the lung capacity for saying "Upper Respiratory Infection." (Oh, by the way, "URI" is not a good term for the long version of the words. I mean "U" "R" "I" sounds like I'm trying to say that "you are me".)

Now that I've rendered both a medical and literary definition to the word, I'm sure you are more confused. Don't worry. That is just another minor symtom of "Crud."

Terry

(I'm sorry for being such a smart-aleck. Please forgive me.)

Scubabeck · RV-Dreams Family Member

LOL That is ok Terry....I too am a bit of a smart aleck.....but thanks for explaining it to me. "Crud" will be the new term I'll be testing out. lol

Scubabeck

Terry and Jo · RV-Dreams Family Member

Oh, CRUD!!!

I missed the worst reference to "crud." That one is the "galloping crud" that forces one to make fast and furious and frequent trips to the "throne."

This one is especially bad for RV'ers because of the necessity of more frequent trips to dump the black tank.

(Darn.....I just can't leave this thing alone.)

Terry

tworootless · RV-Dreams Family Member

Link explains all. Many folk bury their heads in the sand :) when it comes to this ailment.
http://www.medicinenet.com/valley_fever/article.htm