QUEEN MINE RV PARK, BISBEE, ARIZONA

Our Opinion: Rave. We love coming to this lovingly developed and maintained desert park.

Date of Stay: We have stayed here half a dozen times over 4 years. This stay began 9/23/2008, and we plan to be here a couple of weeks.

Weather During Stay: Highs in the mid-80’s, low’s in the 50’s and 60’s. Some windy days. Lots of sunshine.

Site Description: Queen Mine RV park is a large, level, graveled circle, perched high up on the side of the open pit copper mine that dominates Old Bisbee. The 25 FHU sites (30 amp), all with cable TV, are all back-ins, lining the outside of the circle, facing center. Generally, motorhomes park in the sites on the west side, facing the view to the east, backed up to a mountain; 5th wheels with large rear windows park on the east side, their view windows facing Bisbee or the red mountain to the east. Great views - the top photo shows old Bisbee from the RV Park.

Low rock walls and plantings of native plants and trees have transformed this gravel lot into a cozy refuge. Above the Queen Mine museum and tours, it almost feels remote… but it is a short walk down the hill into charming, funky, old town Bisbee. The small office building (bottom photo) houses a clean laundry room and restrooms. Trash and can recycling is near the entrance. A covered picnic table outside the office makes a pleasant spot to socialize, and a small dog walk hugs the driveway.

Rate: Passport America rates ($13/night includes electricity) are in effect until the end of September. After that, the nightly rate is $28; weekly rate is $165. No SKP discount any longer (ownership has changed recently).

Phone/radio/TV: Verizon signal is strong here, and the aircard is on speedy Broadband. WiFi is available at no extra charge, though we haven’t tried it. About 30 channels on cable TV; no obstacles for satellites. Radio in this part of the state is crummy - no local NPR (hooray for Sirius!). NOAA weather radio does not get a signal here.

Elevation/Landscape/Terrain: A level RV park at 5300’ on the side of a deep, defunct copper pit mine. Wonderful views of deep red mountainsides and the Victorian buildings lining the steep canyons of Old Bisbee.

Lighting/Noise: Subdued night lighting is unobtrusive; very quiet.

Favorite Sites: Since we travel in a motorhome, we like the sites that back up to the hillside, where we face east. Second photo shows our motorhome in site 6.

Hiking/Walking: Walking up Tombstone Canyon, though Bisbee to the underpass, is about 4 miles round trip. Wandering through the streets of Bisbee is fun, too. Lots of good hiking in the area, but all the hikes require a drive.

Comments: Finding the way to the park can be tricky. If you have Passport America, check out the useful map in the PA book. We unhooked our towed the first time we came up here to check it out, as the road and route can be confusing.

The Bisbee Natural Food Coop is a short drive away, Safeway is a little farther. A good golf course (with its own inexpensive, friendly RV park) is in Naco, 5 miles away. Eat at Rosa’s for great Italian food, Café Roka for expensive and delicious fine dining, Bisbee Breakfast Club for delicious (and large) breakfasts and lunch.