We have wintered at Yuma, AZ twice. Both times at the Arizona Sands RV Park. It’s a senior community (55+). It’s a modest RV park with sites large enough for your rig and on site parking. The rear section is bordered by a large irrigation canal where you can catch small bass and catfish when the locks are open and the water is up.
They actually have a nice mail room where the mail is delivered to your personal box daily.
The huge paved and covered flea market is less than two miles down the road. A huge meeting place for thousands on the weekends with food, entertainment, and enough shopping to wear-out the most fit patrons.
Numerous well groomed golf courses real close by. Very reasonable rates and always the same, seven days a week. VFW out on US-95 allows dry camping. Indian casinos down hear the river. Very close to Mexico communities with large free parking areas on the USA side. Just walk over the bridge and go shopping. Great fishing available at Martinez Lake.
Marine Corp Air Station just down the road for those that have access, it is a full service facility with exchange, commissary, service station, clinic and off base RV park out on Martinez Lake.
Higher than normal electrical charges. But there is a huge propane filling station less than a mile away. Propane is (or was) real cheep and just about everybody uses if for cooking, heating, water heater, and refrigerator operation.
We liked sites 157 or 158. They are out back near the canal where it is quiet and I can keep an eye on easy fishing conditions. There is a walk-way along the canal that leads to a large full service gas station. Bike riding is also permitted on the surfaced walk-way and also a walk-over bridge.
Lots of activities at the park office facilities with something going on just about every day, from bingo, nickel dime poker, bring a dish surprise meals and more. The staff has always been super friendly and helpful to us. Some super area tours with buses picking you up right there for day/night trips to such places as Laughlin, NV or the RV shows in Quartzsite, AZ. You can even get one to the San Diego Zoo. I’ve skipped over lots more things. If you cant stay on the go in Yuma in the winter it will be your fault.
FastEagle
-- Edited by FastEagle on Sunday 28th of October 2012 05:46:18 PM
-- Edited by FastEagle on Sunday 28th of October 2012 05:47:43 PM
lstrlcwgrl said
06:05 PM Oct 28, 2012
My in-laws took off this morning for Arizona with their 35-foot travel trailer. They have no set destination - besides central/southern Arizona...or possibly New Mexico, or even Texas!! (They are driving from Minnesota) We are looking for some recommendations for nice parks. They would not want anything real extravagant. Also, they would probably enjoy a more rural park setting (rather than a parking lot in downtown Mesa.) They had wanted to just take off and find a place when they got down south. They are in their 70s, and we are a little uncomfortable with this idea, so we told them we would check around for them. Any recommendations would be greatly appreciated!
FastEagle said
07:47 PM Oct 28, 2012
We have never wintered in central AZ but have stayed at some nice RV parks on our way to or from the hot spots near Mexico.
I’ve recently written a blog posting for the Rancho Verde RV Park. They are very rural and quiet with a wide selection of parking sites with two different levels and creek side parking. The location offers a wide range of places to visit and make day-long side trips. Being from Minnesota, your friends should have no problems with the higher elevation and cool clear AZ winter air.
There is an active link to the Rancho Verde RV Park in the link below.
Thanks so very much for the info. I will look into the Ranch Verde. I think they are looking for something on the warmer side. Maybe that means they will have to go to southern Arizona?
bjoyce said
08:45 PM Oct 28, 2012
What do you think they are looking for in a park? Why 55+, though it probably does not matter since most snowbird destinations are mostly 55+. Cheap, or doesn't matter? Lots of activities or doesn't matter? Shade? Large campsite? Close to shopping? Close to places to explore? Good Verizon/Wifi/AT&T, etc? The warmer places in Arizona are Mesa/Apache Junction/Gold Canyon (eastern Phoenix metro), Surprise (western Phoenix metro), Casa Grande/Florence (south of Phoenix), Tucson/Benson (a bit higher elevation), Yuma (the warmest area), Quartzsite/Brenda, and Bullhead City/Laughlin NV. New Mexico is too high of elevation in winter. In Texas the greater Corpus Christi area of Port Aransas/Rockport and the lower Rio Grande Valley ("The Valley") of Harlingen/Mercedes/etc., are two snowbird destinations in Texas.
lstrlcwgrl said
10:04 PM Oct 28, 2012
bjoyce - thanks for responding. I was reading through some other threads regarding RVing in Arizona and saw some suggestions you had given to others. You seem very knowledgeable and I am sort-of excited to have you responding to my post directly. :) Regarding your questions - It doesn't have to be a 55+ park, but they have done things with the Good Sam club and have enjoyed the trips and the atmosphere (all older adults.) With that said, they are not looking for a place with a ton of activities - and probably would not participate in organized group activities, even if the park offered them (although one can hope that they would as it would get them out of the RV.) They are on a fixed income so they would like to stay under $450 a month, if possible. Shade & a larger campsite would be nice, but not crucial. I am fairly certain though that they would NOT like the in-town RV park set-up where it seems you are all staying in a large parking lot. Something a little more rural, more natural would be a much better fit for them. They don't do a ton of shopping. I read on another forum that someone just needed to be near the super WalMart. My In-laws would be thrilled with that or something similar (anywhere within a 30 mile radius.) They may do some exploring but my father-in-law doesn't get around very well. I think beautiful scenery able to be enjoyed from his lawn chair would be more his style. :) I'm not certain who their cell provider is. I would have to check into that. It never occurred to me that they may not have coverage. As far as amenities - electric, laundry, hot tub and cable would be nice, but they don't need WIFI, golf, etc. Any suggestions?? LOL! Actually, I don't expect you take all of this info and come up with the names of some perfect parks - but any suggestions you have would be very much appreciated. Also, I am glad you asked those questions because it helps us as we search.
lstrlcwgrl said
10:07 PM Oct 28, 2012
I need to add that some of the in-town parks I have seen do look very nice, I guess it all depends on the set-up.
bjoyce said
10:50 PM Oct 28, 2012
Arizona: Gold Canyon has choices and is where Ed and Marilyn Dray ( http://www.mytripjournal.com/Dray-TheHappyWanderers ) are going - http://rvparkreviews.com/regions/Arizona/Gold_Canyon.html . Yuma has little scenery but it is warm and has multiple Super Wal-Marts, with the best bet being renting a Foothills lot ($250 a month is possible). Quartzsite/Brenda are popular, http://rvparkreviews.com/regions/Arizona/Brenda.html and http://rvparkreviews.com/regions/Arizona/Quartzsite.html , but shopping is a ways away. We have dry camped in Quartzsite and stayed one overnight at Black Rock in Brenda. Both Desert Trails and Justin's Diamond J would work in Tucson, http://rvparkreviews.com/regions/Arizona/Tucson.html , since they are out of town and next to each other. We have stayed at Justin's. We will be in Mesa this winter, but the campground is out of their price range. I am sure others have choices they would recommend. I am sure there are also good choices in Casa Grande, Benson/St. David and Bullhead City. We have stayed in these three areas for short times at membership or SKP parks.
In Texas we haven't stayed long enough to know any spot.
lstrlcwgrl said
11:34 PM Oct 28, 2012
Thanks for the suggestions. I think we will try to stick with Arizona and concentrate on the warmer areas (as I believe this is what they are looking for.) I went back to your earlier post and jotted down the areas you mentioned would be warmest. I will check out the RV parks you listed. Thanks again. I really appreciate it. I have spent many hours looking at options online and it is totally overwhelming!! I really think a recommendation or two would help greatly in this process!
Racerguy said
11:39 PM Oct 28, 2012
We spent two weeks at Justins and enjoyed our stay.Not a lot of amenities but a nice clean place.One thing to consider is if TV is important a Satellite dish would be handy.
lstrlcwgrl said
11:51 PM Oct 28, 2012
It looks like Justins is around 500/mo. Am I correct in saying that it is hard to find a decent place for less?
lstrlcwgrl said
11:11 AM Oct 29, 2012
Wondering if anyone has stayed at the Rancho Sonora or Desert Gardens in the Casa Grande/Florence area?
-- Edited by lstrlcwgrl on Monday 29th of October 2012 11:12:38 AM
-- Edited by lstrlcwgrl on Monday 29th of October 2012 11:14:42 AM
janieD said
06:12 PM Oct 29, 2012
If Justin's is 500/month, check, I think that includes electric which is big in that area so it makes it comparable to the other parks. We've stayed there and it is definitely along the lines you are talking about.
We have wintered at Yuma, AZ twice. Both times at the Arizona Sands RV Park. It’s a senior community (55+). It’s a modest RV park with sites large enough for your rig and on site parking. The rear section is bordered by a large irrigation canal where you can catch small bass and catfish when the locks are open and the water is up.
They actually have a nice mail room where the mail is delivered to your personal box daily.
The huge paved and covered flea market is less than two miles down the road. A huge meeting place for thousands on the weekends with food, entertainment, and enough shopping to wear-out the most fit patrons.
Numerous well groomed golf courses real close by. Very reasonable rates and always the same, seven days a week. VFW out on US-95 allows dry camping. Indian casinos down hear the river. Very close to Mexico communities with large free parking areas on the USA side. Just walk over the bridge and go shopping. Great fishing available at Martinez Lake.
Marine Corp Air Station just down the road for those that have access, it is a full service facility with exchange, commissary, service station, clinic and off base RV park out on Martinez Lake.
Higher than normal electrical charges. But there is a huge propane filling station less than a mile away. Propane is (or was) real cheep and just about everybody uses if for cooking, heating, water heater, and refrigerator operation.
We liked sites 157 or 158. They are out back near the canal where it is quiet and I can keep an eye on easy fishing conditions. There is a walk-way along the canal that leads to a large full service gas station. Bike riding is also permitted on the surfaced walk-way and also a walk-over bridge.
http://arizonasandsrvpark.com/
http://www.irv2.com/photopost/showfull.php?photo=15049
Lots of activities at the park office facilities with something going on just about every day, from bingo, nickel dime poker, bring a dish surprise meals and more. The staff has always been super friendly and helpful to us. Some super area tours with buses picking you up right there for day/night trips to such places as Laughlin, NV or the RV shows in Quartzsite, AZ. You can even get one to the San Diego Zoo. I’ve skipped over lots more things. If you cant stay on the go in Yuma in the winter it will be your fault.
FastEagle
-- Edited by FastEagle on Sunday 28th of October 2012 05:46:18 PM
-- Edited by FastEagle on Sunday 28th of October 2012 05:47:43 PM
My in-laws took off this morning for Arizona with their 35-foot travel trailer. They have no set destination - besides central/southern Arizona...or possibly New Mexico, or even Texas!! (They are driving from Minnesota) We are looking for some recommendations for nice parks. They would not want anything real extravagant. Also, they would probably enjoy a more rural park setting (rather than a parking lot in downtown Mesa.) They had wanted to just take off and find a place when they got down south. They are in their 70s, and we are a little uncomfortable with this idea, so we told them we would check around for them. Any recommendations would be greatly appreciated!
We have never wintered in central AZ but have stayed at some nice RV parks on our way to or from the hot spots near Mexico.
I’ve recently written a blog posting for the Rancho Verde RV Park. They are very rural and quiet with a wide selection of parking sites with two different levels and creek side parking. The location offers a wide range of places to visit and make day-long side trips. Being from Minnesota, your friends should have no problems with the higher elevation and cool clear AZ winter air.
There is an active link to the Rancho Verde RV Park in the link below.
http://fasteagletravels.blogspot.com/2012/05/camp-verde-az-rancho-verde-rv-park.html
FastEagle
bjoyce - thanks for responding. I was reading through some other threads regarding RVing in Arizona and saw some suggestions you had given to others. You seem very knowledgeable and I am sort-of excited to have you responding to my post directly. :) Regarding your questions - It doesn't have to be a 55+ park, but they have done things with the Good Sam club and have enjoyed the trips and the atmosphere (all older adults.) With that said, they are not looking for a place with a ton of activities - and probably would not participate in organized group activities, even if the park offered them (although one can hope that they would as it would get them out of the RV.) They are on a fixed income so they would like to stay under $450 a month, if possible. Shade & a larger campsite would be nice, but not crucial. I am fairly certain though that they would NOT like the in-town RV park set-up where it seems you are all staying in a large parking lot. Something a little more rural, more natural would be a much better fit for them. They don't do a ton of shopping. I read on another forum that someone just needed to be near the super WalMart. My In-laws would be thrilled with that or something similar (anywhere within a 30 mile radius.) They may do some exploring but my father-in-law doesn't get around very well. I think beautiful scenery able to be enjoyed from his lawn chair would be more his style. :) I'm not certain who their cell provider is. I would have to check into that. It never occurred to me that they may not have coverage. As far as amenities - electric, laundry, hot tub and cable would be nice, but they don't need WIFI, golf, etc. Any suggestions?? LOL! Actually, I don't expect you take all of this info and come up with the names of some perfect parks - but any suggestions you have would be very much appreciated. Also, I am glad you asked those questions because it helps us as we search.
I need to add that some of the in-town parks I have seen do look very nice, I guess it all depends on the set-up.
Arizona: Gold Canyon has choices and is where Ed and Marilyn Dray ( http://www.mytripjournal.com/Dray-TheHappyWanderers ) are going - http://rvparkreviews.com/regions/Arizona/Gold_Canyon.html . Yuma has little scenery but it is warm and has multiple Super Wal-Marts, with the best bet being renting a Foothills lot ($250 a month is possible). Quartzsite/Brenda are popular, http://rvparkreviews.com/regions/Arizona/Brenda.html and http://rvparkreviews.com/regions/Arizona/Quartzsite.html , but shopping is a ways away. We have dry camped in Quartzsite and stayed one overnight at Black Rock in Brenda. Both Desert Trails and Justin's Diamond J would work in Tucson, http://rvparkreviews.com/regions/Arizona/Tucson.html , since they are out of town and next to each other. We have stayed at Justin's. We will be in Mesa this winter, but the campground is out of their price range. I am sure others have choices they would recommend. I am sure there are also good choices in Casa Grande, Benson/St. David and Bullhead City. We have stayed in these three areas for short times at membership or SKP parks.
In Texas we haven't stayed long enough to know any spot.
Thanks for the suggestions. I think we will try to stick with Arizona and concentrate on the warmer areas (as I believe this is what they are looking for.) I went back to your earlier post and jotted down the areas you mentioned would be warmest. I will check out the RV parks you listed. Thanks again. I really appreciate it. I have spent many hours looking at options online and it is totally overwhelming!! I really think a recommendation or two would help greatly in this process!
Wondering if anyone has stayed at the Rancho Sonora or Desert Gardens in the Casa Grande/Florence area?
-- Edited by lstrlcwgrl on Monday 29th of October 2012 11:12:38 AM
-- Edited by lstrlcwgrl on Monday 29th of October 2012 11:14:42 AM