ESCAPEES NORTH RANCH RV PARK, CONGRESS, AZ (NW OF PHOENIX)

Our Opinion: Recommend.  Roomy, well-maintained, friendly park.  400+ deeded lots create a varied and interesting RV-friendly community.

Date of Stay: March 9 through 20, 2012

Weather During Stay: Warm and sunny, with cool nights - though we extended our stay to allows a spring storm to pass by.

Site Description: 107 large, level, FHU sites (30 amps) are arranged in 3 long rows, two facing each other, the third facing the deeded lots owned by Escapees. We are in site 97, facing east.  Sites are on gravel, and each has a wooden picnic table.  Sites are spacious, with plenty of room for slides, awnings, tow or towed, picnic table, chairs, etc.

This is an Escapee park; you must be an Escapee to stay here. Besides the rental sites, the park has a huge neighborhood of mostly well maintained, deeded lots that can be built on and bought/sold like normal real estate - very interesting mix of everything from unimproved lots (very few) to large, site-built homes (mostly southwest style) and everything in between.  (Click here for more information and photos of the deeded lots.) The park’s activity center is located in the deeded-lot neighborhood, but accessible to all guests of the park.

Two of three rows of rental sites	North Ranch clubhouse

Clubhouse has library, activity rooms, laundry room.  Easily accessible dump station located near entrance, along with trash and recycling. 

Rate: FHU (30 amps) sites are $14.50 plus electricity (currently 12.3 cents per KWH) daily; $85 plus electricity weekly.  No reservations - first come, first served. 

Phone/radio/TV: Strong Verizon cell service for phones and WiFi.  No obstacles for satellite TV dish.  Several stations (including PBS) on antenna.  Local NPR on 91.5.  I believe Tengo Internet is available here for a fee; we didn’t use it, but did see “tengointernet” on our WiFi connection list at our site.
 
Elevation/Landscape/Terrain: Arid, slightly sloping terrain at 2,500’.  Near views are of neighboring rigs or RV’s, park models or homes on adjacent deeded lots; distant views are of arid mountains.  Very appealing desert views.

Lighting/Noise: Very quiet at night, with subdued night lighting.

Favorite Sites: Not much difference between the sites for travelers.  We asked for a site facing east to catch the morning sunshine.

Hiking/Walking: Plenty of interesting walking in this huge park, or head out the back gate for unlimited walking on the BLM land surrounding the park.

Comments: North Ranch is an interesting, relaxing, friendly park in a rural desert setting.  Congress, the nearest town, is tiny; drive 12 miles south to larger Wickenburg for groceries and sightseeing.  Easy day trips to Prescott (higher elevation) and Phoenix.  Full list of park activities during winter season.  Click here for more information on their website.

TURQUOISE VALLEY GOLF & RV PARK, NACO, AZ

Our Opinion: Odel (a golfer) recommends it; Laurie is neutral.  This exceptionally friendly park is the place for RV’ers who like to golf!

Date of Stay: February 27 through March 2, 2012

Weather During Stay: Plenty of sunshine; highs were mostly in the 60’s and lows below freezing at night.  The spring winds kicked up most days.

Site Description:  This gravel RV park has 103 very level sites, 17 of which are 50 amp FHU; the remainder are 30 amp FHU.  All sites have cable TV with many, many channels.  Sites are typical of many commercial parks - just enough room for slides and the awning - a mix of back-ins and pull-throughs.  We were in site 52, a 50 amp FHU back-in site next to the road.

Roads are gravel and dirt, sufficiently wide for big rigs; turns are easily negotiated.  Laundry, showers and restrooms are available; we didn’t use or inspect them.  Propane is sold on site.

Rate:  With taxes, we paid just under $27/night for 50 amp FHU with cable TV.  Golf packages are available, along with monthly rates.

Phone/radio/TV: Verizon service, both phone and aircard, is good in Naco (rhymes with taco).  Didn’t bother with TV antenna; many channels on cable TV at each site.  No obstructions for TV satellite dish.  Free WiFi, sometimes blazing, sometimes crawling.  And something new and unexpected: NPR from Tucson on 91.7 FM! 

Elevation/Landscape/Terrain: Flat, dirt and gravel roads at around 4,600 ft. elevation.  A bit of desert landscaping and some tall, narrow evergreens have been planted in the park; the surrounding area is scrubby desert.  Distant views are of arid mountains.

Lighting/Noise: Usually quiet except for the occasional passing vehicle. Bright nighttime lighting in many sites.

Favorite Sites: No real favorites here, but we always ask for a 50 amp site when making a reservation (current phone number is 520-432-3091)

Hiking/Walking: Not good around the park (narrow roads), and the park itself is not large enough for much exercise.  Good hiking within 30 minutes to a hour (by car).  Many renowned birding sites within an hour drive.

Comments: This is a VERY friendly park, very welcoming to new arrivals.  Most of the folks in the RV park are golfers who pay for a month or more (usually more) and are eager to have new golfers join them.  The golf course is just across the street; the pro shop building also houses a restaurant that serves very good Mexican food for breakfast and lunch.    Entertaining Bisbee is nearby; Safeway is 5 miles north, Mexico a short walk away.  Lots of good birding and history in the area.   Website: www.turquoisevalley.com

JUSTIN’S DIAMOND J RV PARK, TUCSON, AZ

Our Opinion: Recommend.  If walking/hiking is a priority for you, this is a great stop.

Date of Stay: This is our fourth stay, coming back after 3 ½ years.  Click here to see photos of our stay in September of 2008, when we had the place to ourselves.

Weather During Stay: Wonderful Tucson winter weather -plenty of sunshine, highs in the mid-60’s and above; lows sometimes below freezing.

Site Description:  All 125 sites at Justin’s are unusually large for a commercial park, a big plus for us - all accommodate a large rig, with slides and awnings, and room to park your tow or towed.  Most are very level and most are back-ins, though there are some pull-throughs in the front row near the road. 

Almost all are sites are FHU with 50 amps (we’ve seen one with a shared water connection). All are covered with a small rocks/huge gravel that is rather uncomfortable to walk.  Saguaros and native landscaping scattered around.  Roads are paved, which really helps keep the dust down here in the desert. 

The “front” (south) section of the park is set up in standard rows of side-by-side, back-to-back sites and is slightly higher than the “back” (north) section.  Sites in the north section are arranged around a “golf course” - a large dirt area with 8 raised mounds, each covered with green outdoor carpeting sporting a cup and flag.  We would fear for our windshield if we saw someone tee up! 

The single dumpster is up front by the entrance/exit.  Laundry (6 pairs of washers/dryers), a clubroom, and WiFi with plenty of antennas round out the amenities.  Lots of planned activities (hikes, bonfire, donut get-togethers), which we ignore but long-term campers may appreciate.

Rate: About half the sites in the park (including all the sites in the north section) are designated “premium” and cost $2 per night more than “standard” sites, $29/night vs. $27/night.  Premium sites might be slightly larger than standard sites, but seem to be considered premium because no one parks behind you; you back up either to the desert or to a wash/greenbelt, so have more privacy.  Current weekly rates are $189 (premium) vs. $175 (standard).   All fees and taxes are included in the quoted rate.  I believe they participate in Passport America in the summer (off) season.

Phone/radio/TV: Verizon works here (3G), including the aircard.  No cable TV, but nothing to block a satellite signal.  A few local stations are available on TV antenna, including two PBS stations.  Local NPR station on 89.1.  Wi-Fi - with about 4 antennas scattered through the park - worked very well most of the time.

Elevation/Landscape/Terrain: Elevation here is around 2,500 ft.  The park is mostly flat; one small elevation change between “front” and “back” sites. Views here are fabulous, even when the park is full.  Near views are of rigs in the park and surrounding native plants.  Distant views are of beautiful, arid mountain ranges, including well-known Gates Pass, covered with Saguaro cactus.

Lighting/Noise: Low lighting is unobtrusive at night.  Residents in the nearby neighborhoods head to work early, and the sound of their vehicles stands out in the otherwise still mornings.  Also some noise (not bad) from neighborhood dogs, livestock, and coyotes in the desert.

Favorite Sites: We are willing to pay a couple dollars more for a premium site; we like the spacious feel, and the farther back from San Joaquin, the better for us.  In the off season, we stay in the north section; this time (high season), we were in site 74, facing south and bordering the greenbelt along the back of our site.

Hiking/Walking: This is where Justin’s (and Desert Trails, next door) shines.  Trails start on the north side of the park and head into Tucson Mountain Park.  It is possible to hike into Saguaro National Park (long hike).  The Sonoran desert here is gorgeous, and there are geocaches hidden around, too.  Trails are well developed and marked.  What a great amenity!

Comments: If only it was easier/quicker to get into Tucson!  We come back to Justin’s (and Desert Trails, before Justin’s opened) for the wonderful desert hiking, the great views, the beautiful sunsets… but complain each time we decide to go to Tucson!  The nearest big grocery store is about 20-25 minutes away.  The traffic on the “easy” route to Tucson (Ajo Highway) can be a real bear, so we usually take the beautiful but winding Gates Pass Road.  The drive to just about anywhere we want to be in Tucson is at least 30 minutes; longer to Costco or Trader Joes.  Website: Justin’s Diamond J RV Park.

PIMA COUNTY FAIRGROUNDS, TUCSON, AZ

Our Opinion: Neutral.  Though dusty, the fairgrounds are convenient when we are passing through Tucson and want to overnight or spend an extra day stocking up on supplies.

Date of Stay: January 25, 2012 - our fourth stay.

Weather During Stay: High was just under 70, low was 35.

Site Description: We have parked in two different areas at the fairgrounds.  This trip, we are in the main lot, in a 50 amp FHU, back in site (406).  The majority of sites in this area are back to back, closely packed on level dirt (or dust or mud, depending on the weather), some of the sites 30 amps, others 50 amps.

Since we don’t stay here more than a night or two, we prefer to park in a different area (the 500 row, not available today due to repaving), a strip of somewhat grassy 50 amp W/E sites that back up to a row of trees.  Very level, with more grass than dirt. No sewer hookups in this row, but there is a dump station available.

In both areas, sites are very tight when they all were occupied, but feel reasonably spacious when you don’t have neighbors (which is why we prefer the 500 row for short stays).  Access roads are wide.

Rate: All sites, back-in or pull-through, 50 amp or 30 amp, FHU or W/E are the same rate: $20/night.

Phone/radio/TV: Though our cell phones have 5 bars, we had a very difficult time with our MiFi today – finally gave up.  Local NPR on 89.1.  Several local TV stations on the antenna, including PBS (channel 6).  No obstacles for the satellite.

Elevation/Landscape/Terrain: Elevation is around 3,000 feet.  Terrain is flat desert, but palms, evergreens and grass have been planted at the fairgrounds - welcome green.  Arid mountain ranges frame the distant views.

Lighting/Noise: Various fairground activities can be noisy during the day, but it has been quiet at night when we have been here.  We are far enough from the light poles that the night lighting is unobtrusive - but this would not be true in all spaces.

Favorite Sites: The 500’s, with 50 amps and water.

Hiking/Walking: This is a large fairground with plenty of space for walking. 

Comments: Typical fairgrounds, with an arena, many large buildings, restroom blocks, pavilions, lots of parking for RV’s and cars.  Because of the horse and livestock events held here, we noticed lots of flies on one stay, and we frequently notice an unpleasant sewer smell.  A few miles off of I-10, it is not luxurious, but is a convenient, reasonably priced spot to overnight or stay a few days to stock up at Costco and Trader Joe’s in Tucson.  A large Fry’s grocery store is about 5 miles away.

HOLT’S SHELL RV PARK, GILA BEND, AZ

Our Opinion: Recommend – with caveats.  We use this only for overnight stops and post boondocking cleanup.  Convenient, inexpensive, FHU with excellent laundry facilities. 

Date of Stay: Many times.  Date of this review is January 24, 2012.

Weather During Stay: Sunny and calm; high 68, low forecast for the low 40’s.

Site Description:  24 level sites on gravel at the back of a truck stop ¼ mile off I-8 and a mile from the center of Gila Bend.  19 sites are very large pull throughs, 5 are large back-ins.  All sites have 30/50 amp service, water and sewer.  Dumpster in the center of the park at the laundry room.  4 washers cost $1.00 each; dryers at 75 cents for about 40 minutes. 

No office in the RV park.  Pay for your site at the fuel station/convenience store up front.  There are also a couple of fast-food type restaurants and a hotel next to the truck stop.

Rate: Regular price is $24/night.  Passport America (with some date restrictions) and Escapees pay $12 night for 50 amp FHU. 

Phone/radio/TV: Verizon service, both phone and aircard, is excellent in Gila Bend (check out the cell tower in the photo - you park right under it).  Nothing is available on the TV antenna.  No obstructions for TV satellite dish.  Their advertised free WiFi worked well.  NPR on 91.5 (with a little or a lot of static, depending on???).

Elevation/Landscape/Terrain: Flat gravel roads and sites at 790 feet elevation.  The little park is surprisingly nicely landscaped with some native trees and flowering plants; the surrounding area is scrubby desert.  Distant views are of arid mountains to the east, the truck stop to the west.

Lighting/Noise: Some noise from the nearby interstate and from the trucks coming, going and settling in at the truck stop, but not enough to overcome the appeal of the low price and convenient access.  Night lighting in amazingly unobtrusive given the proximity to the truck stop.

Favorite Sites: Any of the pull throughs… all are long and spacious, easy in and out for our rig.  No need to disconnect the Jeep, another plus.

Hiking/Walking: Nothing special.  We usually plan to walk elsewhere.

Comments: Gila Bend is a convenient stop for an overnight and thorough cleanup with traveling between Catalina State Park in Tucson and boondocking in Yuma or Quartzsite.  To empty the holding tanks, get out the dirt and have a nice, long, hot shower, we want a level, FHU site with 50 amps.  Holt’s Shell RV Park (Exit 119 On I-8 Gila Bend) provides all of that at a low, low price, along with easy access to fuel and propane.  No reservations, but plenty of convenience.  Wish there were more solid, secure, no-frills, low-cost RV parks like this!