FREE 14-DAY BLM CAMPING, QUARTZSITE, AZ

Our Opinion: Neutral. If our Boomer RV group was not camped here each year during January, we would not be, either - but it is an excellent rally spot in the dead of winter.

Date of Stay: January 23-28, 2009

Weather During Stay: Days of sunshine, a day of rain, days of wind and partly cloudy days. Highs in the upper 60’s and low 70’s changed to highs in the upper 50‘s later in the week. Lows in the 40‘s. Some wind and wind chill.

Sites: The town of Quartzsite is surrounded by BLM land, with different rules for different sections. No developed sites. Dispersed camping. Our area is stony and sloped, but it is possible to find ways to get reasonably level. Because of the stones, we have less problem with dust on winday days that the rigs closer to town. Roads to and through th camping area are dirt/dust.

Rate: We stay in the “14 day limit” area, free for 14 days, after which you must move. If you want to move to another 14-day area, it has to be 25+ miles away. Other nearby areas have longer stays, or water and dump services, but associated fees.

Phone/radio/TV: Excellent Verizon phone signal, aircard on Broadband. Nothing to block satellite. Didn‘t bother with antenna. Used satellite radio only, so don’t know about local radio. No local NPR.

Elevation/Landscape/Terrain: Elevation is 1,110‘. Views are of arid mountains, desert shrubs, and stony soil. We meet our group at N 33 38.960, W114 09.090, east of and slightly higher than the town of Quartzsite so night time views include the distant “city“ lights.

Lighting/Noise: No night lighting whatsoever. No moon, so the stars are brilliant. The only noise was made by our camping companions and the wind.

Favorite Sites: Anywhere level that isn’t already occupied. We tend to stay near the edge of the enclave.

Hiking/Walking: Step outside and head out in just about any direction of existing dirt roads and tracks.

Comments: We come to Quartzsite in January to camp with our RV’ing group. The town is nothing special at all. During January, the usual population of 2,000 swells to around 150,000 as RV’ers pour in by the thousands to boondock in all directions and shop at the annual RV sales, gem shows and flea markets that spring up. It is a sight to see, but the only draw for us is the comraderie of our RV’ing friends - a way to touch base and catch up with old and new friends each year.

JOJOBA HILLS RV PARK, AGUANGA, CALIFORNIA

Our Opinion: Rave. This park, with its huge sites and wonderful amenities, is open to Escapee members only. Click here for more information on the park and the Escapees RV Club.

Date of Stay: November 28 though 30, with several earlier/longer visits in prior years.

Weather During Stay: PERFECT! Lows in the mid-40’s, highs in the low to mid 70’s and nothing but sunshine.

Site Description: Like all the sites here, the lot is huge and level. On this trip, we are in site 527, one of the less developed sites: FHU (and basic cable), a concrete patio, a couple small trees, dirt surface, and a storage unit (belonging to the lot owner) Nice view of the surrounding hills across the street.

Great amenities here: beautiful outdoor swimming pool and two spas, small fitness room, large library, kitchen, a pool room, and hobby rooms. Workshop available. Several laundry facilities scattered around the pack. Recycling. The “Ranch House” is available by reservation for private parties.

Rate: FHU (50 amp) sites are $20.00 daily. Boondocking (limited to 7 days) is $5.00 per day. Limit 28 days, per calendar year, including boondocking. Escapee members or guests only.

Phone/radio/TV: Verizon cell service used to be very spotty here, but with a new Verizon “tree” cell tower, the problems are solved. 5 bars on our phones and the aircard, even in the boondocking area. Our TV satellite works fine here; very few sites would have obstructions. Very basic cable included in site rental fee. If you are lucky, you will pick up an NPR signal (try 89.9); I mostly used our satellite radio instead.

Elevation/Landscape/Terrain: The park is on gently rolling terrain at 2,100’, in steep, arid hills. Lots of mature landscaping in the park, along with some ponds and fountains - very pleasant. Fantastic view from the swimming pool!

Lighting/Noise: Subdued night lighting in most of the park (I’m not sure about the sites near the clubhouse). Very quiet.

Favorite Sites: This is a large park with huge sites. “Favorites” aren’t really an issue, as “visitors” can only stay on sites that members have put into the rental pool. First come, first served.

Hiking/Walking: Walk the perimeter of the park for 5,000 steps, a little over two miles - or hike in the arid hills surrounding the park.

Comments: This is a co-op park, owned by Escapee members who buy into the co-op for a long-term site. We like this park so well that we are on the waiting list. Nice place to winter. Temecula (17 miles away) has restaurants and shopping. Lots of wineries in the area. Palm Desert (Palm Springs area) is about an hour to the east. Golf nearby.

MISSION RV PARK, REDLANDS, CA

Our Opinion: Recommend. Typical urban RV/Mobile Home Park - but with fantastic owners.

Date of Stay: October 22, 2008 through end of January, 2009.

Weather During Stay: Started with a heat wave, but we expect it to cool to sunny winter weather as the weeks go by.

Site Description: Like all the sites here, our site is tight. When a mobile home was moved out, two RV sites were added in the same space, long but skinny. 50 amp FHU and a small patio of pavers set in gravel. There are several trees (including palms) in the park and patches of grass. Roads are paved and sites are either gravel (like ours) or concrete. 70 RV sites; 15 mobile homes sites (and it appears these are converted to RV sites as mobile homes are pulled out).

Clean restrooms and a large laundry room on site. Sufficient dumpsters and recycling bins. There is a small Mexican food/taco stand in front of the park for a quick bite, and newspaper vending machines (LA Times plus two local dailies). A very convenient and inexpensive bus system stops right next to the park for trips to Loma Linda and LLUMC or downtown Redlands - and points beyond.

Rate: We are paying the special “medical” rate: $515 per month for 50 amp FHU, plus an extra $24 per month for cable (optional). The daily rate is $38; weekly, monthly, senior and medical discounts are available.

Phone/radio/TV: Verizon cell phones work pretty well here, though they occasionally drop the signal. The Verizon air card is more spotty, sometimes on Broadband, other times on a slower speed. Our TV satellite works great here - no obstacles in our site - and we also went for the cable TV for local stations. Local NPR is available on several stations, including 91.5 FM.

Elevation/Landscape/Terrain: This small, flat park is located on a busy road in a valley at about 1,600’ elevation. I am amazed to see that there are still orange groves around here! Near views are of other RV’s and older mobile homes; far views are palm trees and mountains. We are next door to a school, with open land behind and on the other side.

Lighting/Noise: Night lighting is fairly unobstusive, just a bright light here and there, nothing shining in the bedroom windows. Although the interstate is just a block away and we are on a street that carries a lot of traffic during the commute, we are able to sleep with the bedroom windows open at night (until the commute begins in the morning). Not bad for an urban area.

Favorite Sites: There doesn’t seem to be a whole lot of difference in the spaces. We are about halfway back in the park, and appreciate being back from the road.

Hiking/Walking: Sidewalks going in both directions from the park, a flat walk. WalMart and Food 4 Less are a short walk away. LLUMC is 3 miles away and would be a reasonably pleasant walk in good weather.

Comments: We are here so Odel can get medical treatment at Loma Linda University Medical Center. Mission RV Park is the closest RV park to LLUMC, and the nicest within a reasonable distance. The owners are GREAT and really work to keep the park friendly, well maintained, and quiet. They offer a discounted rate to LLUMC patients and give them first priority when making reservations. We recommend it if you need to stay in this area. Trader Joe’s, Costco, Target, chain restaurants and fine dining all within a 5 mile radius. Very convenient location.

CATALINA STATE PARK, TUCSON (ORO VALLEY), AZ

Our Opinion: Rave. This has been a favorite stop for several years.

Date of Stay: Our most recent visit was 1/29/2009. This review was written for our stay in October, 2008, one of several over the past 4 years.

Weather During Stay: October: Warm/hot and sunny during the day, cool at night. Late January: sunny and very mild during the day, cool at night. Click HERE to see flooding during another stay.

Site Description: We have been in backins and pull-throughs in both old Loop A and new Loop B. We prefer loop B (all the sites in this loop have 30/50 amp E and water) for the spaciousness of the sites and the exceptional restroom/shower facilities. All sites are fairly level, most are very long and big-rig friendly. All sites and roads are paved. About half the sites are back-ins; the rest are long pullthroughs. Each site has a heavy-duty picnic table.

Loop A is the old loop. Sites on the south side are dry, sites on the north (around 20 sites) have W and E. Clean restrooms are centrally located, and trees are scattered throughout the loop.

Loop B is the big new loop, with 75 large W and E sites. The restrooms, with showers, are the nicest we have ever used. There is a “family” restroom/shower we have used together, very roomy and comfortable. The great showers make it much easier to stay for an extended period without a sewer hookup.

Rate: $20/night for 30/50 amp E and water. No sewer hookups. $15/night to drycamp. Two large dump stations are conveniently located.

Phone/radio/TV: Aircard on broadband. Cell phone signal good. Local NPR on 91.5. TV on antenna is iffy - only the local CBS affiliate comes in clearly. No obstacles for satellite TV.

Elevation/Landscape/Terrain: This flat, desert campground is at 2700’ elevation. Native trees are scattered throughout, providing a bit of shade. The arid, rocky, Santa Catalina Mountains tower over the campground - beautiful views.

Lighting/Noise: Very quiet, very dark.

Favorite Sites: When available, we pick a perimeter back-in site, facing north or south depending on the season. Most sites here are very nice.

Hiking/Walking: Fantastic. Hikes of all lengths and difficulty. The hiking and views are the big draw for us here.

Comments: Catalina State Park is just north of Tucson in an upscale, quickly developing area. In the park, you feel as though you are quite remote from the city - we have seen a Gila Monster and a family of Coatamundi here - but dining and good shopping (including Trader Joe’s and several great grocery stores) are within a few miles. We were surprised to see that a signal has been added at the park entrance on Oracle Road (been needed for a long time), and that a new shopping area with a WalMart is going in across the street!

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.