Recommendations for RV parks in Arizona for this coming winter - RV-Dreams Community Forum

DRivinDago · RV-Dreams Community Member

Recommendations for RV parks in Arizona for this coming winter

NWescapee · RV-Dreams Family Member

Check out RV ParkReviews.com for suggestions. We found one regional park in Maricopa County that we're going to try. We're not into the huge parking lot type RV parks and we don't yet qualify for the 55+ parks which is making things a little challenging.

igotjam · RV-Dreams Family Member

Nevada is nice but might be a bit cold. People winter in AZ for a reason and its the warm weather.

PS NWescapee....stayed in lots of 55+ parks and lots of tenants are younger. The parks seem more interested in the condition of your rv (your DRV would be very welcome) more than your age. Call and ask...bet you would find very few parks will turn you away.

bjoyce · RV-Dreams Family Member

55+ was not a big problem for us when I was younger than 55. They did not look for documentation if I did the check-in. No kids and a decent looking RV were all most were looking for.

February is the peak month with the least availability, followed by January and March.

Trees and reasonable rates do not work out in Arizona, in my experience. The places with trees and warm weather are normally golf oriented, large, and charge accordingly, like Palm Creek in Casa Grande and Viewpoint in Mesa. There are some more treed campgrounds that are smaller around Camp Verde/Cottonwood, but it does get colder there in winter. Avoid the Colorado River area, desert landscape from Bullhead City south to Yuma.

We are not a lot of help because we use membership campgrounds for shorter stays and actually like the big places for longer stays. We will be going back to Val Vista Village in Mesa this winter, with over 1,500 sites. They have cactus, palms and citrus trees, but I would not call it treed. Mesa does not feel as desert-like as Yuma, Quartzsite or Gila Bend, where there is no green but prices are lower.

DRivinDago · RV-Dreams Community Member

Thanks for all your replies. We did to on parkreviews.com and it is very helpful. The Prince of Tucson park looks pretty good with decent rates so we may give it a try. Guess we will just have to make some decisions as we go along and hope they are the right ones!!

MarkS · RV-Dreams Family Member

If you want trees there is a city somewhat east of Mesa called Tampa, also one called Orlando, where trees are abundant and native.

rclvnv · RV-Dreams Family Member

Currently on trip from Nevada (where we spend about 1/2 the year, the other 1/2 we stay 4 mos in Florida (Tampa), and spend one month each coming & going), to Tampa. This is not the best time to go in that direction, obviously but had no choice. The timing varies somewhat due to my legal work, so I have experience with southern Nevada(Las Vegas-Pahrump- Laughlin - Mesquite),as well as the Phoenix and Tucson Areas, at varying times of the year. Just left Tucson, stayed at Lazydays RV Park for a week. Few trees, but very well run and good value (especially in off season). Prince of Tucson,not high on my list,is especially difficult to get in and out of due to massive road construction just at that exit. We stayed there once. Ok, except for constant, and I mean 24/7, train noise and whistle blowing. Have not returned on later trips.

I've lived in the Las Vegas area for 15 years now. December is the coldest month, July the hottest. Same applies to Pahrump, where this summer, we stayed for June and July at Lakeside (formerly Terrible's) RV resort. It has a lake, small casino and good restaurant onsite, and is heavily shaded. The higher elevation than Vegas makes Pahrump cooler by a few degrees, both winter & summer, but just a few. Pahrump is an interesting place, but very limited things to do there. A few small casinos, a Wall-Mart and two supermarkets are just about it. No movie theatres. The price is right, however. One of the RV parks abuts a very nice winery and restaurant (superior), but the park has very little shelter. Definitely a winter/spring location. Also all gravel. Nevada Treasure is a nice resort on the extreme western end of Pahrump, which makes it more isolated, but it is very well done and has a tremendous Spa/exercise area, Again, this is a winter/fall/spring location, but would be very hot in summer. Lot of shrubbery, paved roads, but no shade. Pahrump offers good value and if you don't mind the 50 mile+ drive to Vegas for anything more than basics, offers great value. Now you know what I do about the places you mentioned. Travel safe.

Richard

Olywa · RV-Dreams Family Member

Bill,

I was looking at Val Vista rates and see that they charge for electric, sewer, trash, and cable beyond the site rent. Could you tell me what all those add up to on an average, we are looking to spend next winter in that area and I am doing some budget work.

Thanks for any help you can give me.

Pam

bjoyce · RV-Dreams Family Member

At Val Vista Village last year it was just under $30 for trash and sewer ($29.65) for a month and the electricity ended up about 10.5 cents a kilowatt-hour after taxes. It is irritating that they charge for sewer and trash separately.

cowgirlde · RV-Dreams Community Member

Pam

we are staying in a park Fountain East in Mesa the monthly charge is 411.00= electric only last MONTH THE ELECTRIC WAS 41.00.

We chose this park because it was near family that live in the area. It is a very nice park with lots of things to do. it has a heated pool and hot tub

soos · RV-Dreams Family Member

For what its worth, we enjoy Val Vista as well, although we are staying in a sister resort, Mesa Regal, in February. Wanted to check out one of their other parks.
We like all the activites and things to do.

Sue

MarkS · RV-Dreams Family Member

Bill, in Mesa water, sewer and trash come on one bill. I wanted just water at my house so they could do some work. I was told they all come together. I don't think val vista has its own sewage system but who knows.

bjoyce · RV-Dreams Family Member

There are many RV parks that bundle sewer, water and trash into the monthly rate. Years ago Val Vista did the same, but they moved to breaking out the charges so they could bill the park model and homeowners 12 months a year. I am sure Val Vista Village is on city sewer, they don't want to give up the land for septic.

We arrived yesterday for a three month stay. Diane has already moved her sewing machine to the secure back room of the sewing room. I will be a quilting widower for a few months.

DebbieM · RV-Dreams Family Member

Hi John,

Kartchner Caverns State Park has a wonderful campground! You could only stay 14 days at a time, but there is so much to do in that area around Tucson. Here is the link: http://azstateparks.com/parks/kaca/facilities.html#Camping The campground is away from the rest of the park and quiet with lots of "trees" and shrubs around the sites to make for a more private site. As much as can be. The sites are level, paved and very long with several pull throughs. Nice bathrooms/showers and very, very clean and well kept campground. Hookups (E&W) $25 all sites. Nice hiking trails too. Beautiful grounds.

The cave tours are fantastic. Other things to do nearby: Bixby, Old Tucson, Biosphere, Observatory, Wild Animal Park(s) & Queens Mine to name a few.

--Debbie

DRivinDago · RV-Dreams Community Member

Thank you for the info. We decided to head north instead of south this year and are currently staying on the Stanislaus River as camp hosts at a Corps of Army Engineers park - beautiful with lots of trees, grass, and of course the river. Will be here for 3 months before heading further north. Weather has been pretty cool at night but in the mid 60's during the day so pretty nice - no rain so far. Will keep your info in mind if we decide to head down there this next winter.

DRivinDago · RV-Dreams Community Member

Thank you for the reply. We decided to head north instead of south this winter and are currently volunteering at a day use park on the Stanislaus River under the Corps of Army Engineers - staying for 3 months which is their minimum required stay. We have been using the RV site you recommended and you might check out www.workampers.com to see if there is an opportunity there for you. The Corps parks are all in natural areas, on rivers, lakes, and dams and have a variety of jobs available and there is no age restriction. We have free hookups while staying here and right now, since it is off season, there is very little to do but enjoy the beauty!

SnowGypsy · RV-Dreams Family Member

I think rather than park reviews that this may be the correct link: rvparkreviews.com/

Sushidog · RV-Dreams Family Member

If you're on a tight budget, The Twin Buttes Ct. in Douglas, AZ is only $185/mo. + elec.
The Tradewinds RV park in Bullhead City is only $200/mo + elec.
Tra-Tel in Tucson is $290.50/mo. + elec.
Augie's Qiail Trail RV park in Gila Bend is $300/mo. + elec.

Just to give you an idea of prices and availabilities in AZ.

Chip

DBEANZ · RV-Dreams Family Member

Check out Canyon Vistas in Gold Canyon, AZ. Great park with lots of activities and currently 3 Happy Hours a week! We bought a house on the Superstition Views side where houses with RV ports are built for real reasonable costs. Book early as they are currently booked solid.

WestWardHo · RV-Dreams Family Member

Denise & Dana,

We have often stayed at Canyon Vistas! Very friendly and active park. Glad you like your choice of house w/port!

Sherry