AUGIE'S QUAIL TRAIL RV PARK, GILA BEND, AZ

Our Opinion: Neutral. This is our “backup” park when the cheaper RV park down the road behind Holt’s Shell station is full - a decision based purely on price.

Date of Stay: January 28, 2009

Weather During Stay: Sunny and calm with a high in the 60s, low close to freezing.

Site Description: We were in site 31, a long, wide, very level pull-through. 50 amp FHU, no cable (second photo). All the sites at Augie’s Quail Trail are exceptionally large. Not all are pull-throughs, but both times we have stayed here for an overnight, we had a convenient pull-through site. Around 100 sites total. No picnic tables, at least in our row.

Roads and sites are gravel and dirt. Roads are very wide, turns are easily negotiated. The park has a spacious feel. Nice clubhouse (third photo) and laundry (we didn’t use either). Near the office (top photo), they have a special spot for car or RV washing: $2.00 to wash your car, $4 for your RV (you do the washing). Several dumpsters around the park, but it was a long walk to the nearest one.

Rate: Escapees pay $22 night for 50 amp FHU. I’m not sure what the “regular” rate is - surely not much higher.

Phone/radio/TV: Verizon service, both phone and aircard, is excellent in Gila Bend. Didn’t bother with TV antenna or local radio. No obstructions for TV satellite dish. They advertise free WiFi, but we didn’t try it.

Elevation/Landscape/Terrain: Flat, dirt and gravel roads and sites at 790 feet elevation. A few garden areas and native trees have been planted in the park; the surrounding area is scrubby desert. Distant views are of arid mountains.

Lighting/Noise: Very quiet except for the occasional distant train. No night lighting near our site; very dark and pleasant.

Favorite Sites: 31 was a nice site. The sites in that row of pull-throughs are numbered 19 through 33 and all would be similar. 33 might be most pleasant as it is on the end with a small garden area.

Hiking/Walking: The park is large enough that you can get a bit of exercise walking around the loops. We have not found any trails.

Comments: We often find ourselves in Gila Bend for an overnight after boondocking in Yuma or Quartzsite. We want a level, FHU site with 50 amps. Holt’s Shell RV park costs $9.50 with the SKP discount, and has easy access to fuel and propane. They don‘t take reservations at Holt‘s, and only have around 20 spaces. Augie’s Quail Trail is prettier and easier to negotiate, but costs more than twice what Holt’s does, $22 vs $9.50. If there is space at Holt’s, that’s where we park.