Once a year the Southwest Desert undergoes a magical transformation. The hot, forbidding oven of summer fades away and morphs like a butterfly into a balmy, inviting and almost weather-perfect destination. Endless days of sun, dry air, moderate temperatures and lots of open space make it an irresistible draw for snowbirds and RVers looking to escape the frozen North. With over 55 million acres of gorgeous desert stretching from California to Arizona there’s something for everyone here, from resort-style camping to laid-back parks and alternative “boondocking” (camping on public land without hook-ups).
The “beast” boondocking in Quartzite, AZ (Apr, 2010)
In Arizona, Mesa, Quartzsite and Yuma are the big favorites. Yuma is tucked in the far Southwest corner of the State and offers some of Arizona’s warmest weather, averaging in the mid 70’s in winter. It has over 60 RV resorts, several popular boondocking locations (including the gorgeous Imperial Dam which spills into CA) combined with a plethora of outdoor, cultural and community activities. Further North, Quartzsite is an iconic boondocking location which transforms from a dusty desert town of only a few thousand in summer to a teeming mass of hundreds of thousands RVers in winter complete with swap meets, gem shows and crafts. For $180 and a self-sufficient attitude you can stay up to 7-months in the LTVA (Long-term Visitor Area), quite the deal. A step further East the Mesa and Apache Junction areas welcome over 300,000 winter visitors and cater to RVers looking for both good winter weather and city amenities. In-between there are plenty of other beautiful spots from the red rocks of Sedona in the North to the low desert of Fort Mohave in the East.
Moving over to California opens up hundreds of additional RV locations. For resort-style camping snowbirds flock to the popular desert towns of the Coachella Valley including Palm Springs, Desert Hot Springs, Palm Desert, Indian Wells, Indio, Thousand Palms, Rancho Mirage, and La Quinta. Beautifully located in desert valley, surrounded by mountains and bounded by the gorgeous Joshua Tree on one side and ritzy Palm Springs on the other this is a place where you can play a game of golf on a world-class course in the morning, soak in a mineral hot-tub in the afternoon and go out for a night on the town all in the same day. Further West and with a more rural feel, Hemet in the San Jacinto Valley is another popular snowbird location with multiple RV resorts. And finally, for the hard-core boondockers “The Slabs” in Niland (Mojave Desert) is an ex-military base turned free RV parking destination and location of the famous Salvation Mountain.
Overall the southwestern desert is a place of many faces, and snowbirds flock to all of them. Prices in winter can vary anywhere from $700/month in a ritzy RV resort to absolutely free in The Slabs with every possibility in-between and the season stretches from late October until the desert flowers bloom in April. If you like dry, warm weather almost nowhere else compares and with all that space, you can really spread your snowbird wings and fly.
My Picks
Desert Hot Springs
Sam’s Family Spa: This is a quirky little park just a little out of town with the bonus of 4 on-site hot mineral baths. It’s not fancy, but is a great location to explore the area and come homefor a warm soak. Good monthly rates. http://www.samsfamilyspa.com/
What Other Reviewers Say
"It's definately a desert environment (not like Palm Springs, with an absurd display of grass), but Sam's does a really great job with their mineral spring baths and swimming pool area. The central area is beautifully landscaped with palm trees, grassy picnic areas, and a pond stocked with fish and lots of birds." Read more
Borrego Springs
The Springs at Borrego RV Resort and Golf Club – For those looking for a bit of luxury in the desert this is the place to be. Full amenities, pool, mineral spas and even wine tasting in the cute little desert town of Borrego Springs.. http://www.springsatborrego.com/
Quartzite
Boondocking in BLM land – If you’re looking for the “classic” Quartzite experience join the hundreds of thousands of boondockers that flock to BLM (Bureau of Land Management) land each year. In LVTA (Long-Term Visitor Area) spots such as La Posa and Tyson Wash you can camp for extended periods for a very small fee. On non-LVTA BLM land youcan camp for 14-days at a time for free.
http://www.quartzsitebusinesschamber.com/images/map.pdf
Yuma
Cocopah RV and Golf Resort – For those looking for a first class parkthis is the place to be. Located right next to a golf course with gorgeous views of the mountains and even a 2.5 acre dog-run on site. http://www.cocopahrv.com/
Boondocking in BLM land – For those seeking a more natural and“out there” experience there are several popular BLM sites in Yuma.Imperial Dam and Pilot Knob are both LVTA areas where youcan camp for extended periods for a very small fee.
http://www.blm.gov/ca/st/en/fo/elcentro/recreation/ltvas/pilot_knob.html
http://www.blm.gov/az/st/en/prog/recreation/camping/LTVA/imperial.html
Mesa
Mesa Spirit RV Resort – A long-time favorite with 55+ snowbirds becauseof it’s proximity to town and winter activities. Within 10 mins of everything. http://www.mesaspirit.com/
Other RVParking.com Picks
Arizona
Yuma
Yuma Lakes Resort "The staff was friendly, the facilities were clean and kept, power and utilities were sufficient. No problems, really smooth and pleasant trip for us." Read more.
Mesa
Towerpoint RV Resort - "Activities were abundant and the pools were absolutely great... If we were to ever settle down, which we do not ever plan to, but if we ever did, this would be one of our top choices to settle in." Read more.
Goodyear
Cotton Lane RV Resort - "This may end up being our new park to stay while in the Phoenix area…it is owned by the same owners as the Pioneer RV Park that we usually stay at but this one is located much closer to PIR." Read More.
Bullhead City
Ridgeview RV Resort - "The people were very friendly, both the workers and the guests and it looked as if their rules were enforced, we never seen a dog without a leash and owners were picking up after them."
"The staff is extremely accomodating and very helpful." Read more.
Lake Havasu City
Lake Havasu RV Park - "With security everywhere, quiet, dark and very peaceful which made it great for a good nights sleep." Read more.
Phoenix
Phoenix-Metro RV Park - "Small park...great customer service...very friendly...nice outdoor pool and hot tub...nice and clean restrooms/showers and laundry facilities." Read more.
Pioneer RV Park - "With over 500 sites, most are seasonal and/or monthly but they have many that are dedicated to the daily and weekly rentals that are level, long pull through sites for the every size rig. A very accommodating and friendly staff. Nice size laundry facilities and restrooms/showers that are kept very clean. The activity center has something going on all the time and so many things to do, you could never get bored around here." Read more.
Tucson
Beaudry RV Resort - "Just about the only decent choice in the Tucson area that isn't full of permanent renters, park models or age restricted." Read more.
Agave Gulch FamCamp - "Very clean park, new updated bathrooms, a little street noise in the early morning by the spots backing up to the gate that opens at 5:30am, but not too bad... Activities planned, great gym & indoor lap pool. Sites were level - on rocks, easy hookups, plenty of room not to make you feel too cramped. No cable tv, wifi is good." Read more.
Sedona
Rancho Sedona RV Park - "Kids loved the creek and wild animals. We loved the trees and quiet location." Read more.
Ehrenberg
Colorado River Oasis RV Resort - "Doing our laundry was the best we have done…a lounge area where we were able to watch the Busch Race and I was able to work on a puzzle…time just flew by doing our wash." Read more.
Mohave Valley
Spirit Mountain RV Park "Huge sites…nice and clean restrooms/showers with nice layout with shower door locks…Laundromat was located right on premises…car wash next door with stalls big enough for RV’s" Read more.
Parker
River Island State Park - "It is nestled between the mountains with spectacular views right on the Colorado River and has a very sereneness about it." Read more.
California
Desert Hot Springs
Caliente Springs RV and Golf Resort "I would have given it a 5 if the streets weren't so narrow for back in's." Read more.
South Lake Tahoe
Campground by the Lake - "The spots are pretty large, but there is little distinction between the sites. The bathrooms were well maintained. The onsite hosts were super friendly and helpful." Read more.
Yermo
Barstow/Calico KOA - "The store carried many convenient supplies and souvenirs with a very helpful staff that also offered a free shuttle to Calico Ghost Town." Read more.
Nina Fussing is a blogger, writer of tales, animal lover, outdoor enthusiast and photographer. Together with her hubby they both left stressful jobs in the semiconductor industry for the dream of becoming full-time RVers and leading an alternative life. Join them in their travels with RV tips and tales at http://wheelingit.wordpress.com/.
