Though the Grand Canyon annually attracts millions of tourists who gaze into its expanse, those who expect to see only layer upon layer of geologic history and statewide collections of cantankerous cacti are almost always stunned by the pine-thick Tonto National Forest that defines the middle of the state. So as they make their way south on Interstate 17 toward their winter homes in Mesa, Tempe and Sun City — towns that curve below Phoenix like a crescent moon — snowbirds prepare themselves for a lot more than Sonoran Desert vistas and sunshine.
Phoenix, for example, provides culture galore. The Heard Museum houses an unmatched collection of Native American artifacts and fine art; the Phoenix Zoo is the largest privately funded city zoo in the nation; and the downtown Arizona Science Center teaches you that there’s more to life than shopping. Though, with the high-end Scottsdale Fashion Square and the Arizona Mills outlet center in Tempe just around the corner, you may not care.
Yet snowbirds who do care about history and Western lore should sidle into Prescott, west of Camp Verde. In this turn-of-the-20th-century town, RVers can inspect the cowboy-style watering holes, the Victorian homes and the general Old-West hankerings. And those partial to natural beauty and Native American history should put Tuzigoot National Monument and Montezuma Castle National Monument on their lists.
After indulging in the world-class golf that has sprouted around the state, after sampling the boating at Lake Havasu City or elsewhere on the Colorado River and after confirming that Arizona put the A in ATV, snowbirds may really want to soothe their sore muscles. Tucson’s Canyon Ranch Spa and Miraval Life in Balance Spa have proven their relaxing charms, and the newest retreat, Elizabeth Arden Red Door Spa, will stop RVers from becoming kinky. Call (800) 211-3604.
BRENDA
Desert Gold RV Resort
Facilities: Good gravel interior roads, no tents. Restrooms and showers; security; public phone; laundry. Sites: 545 total; 345 available, full hookups (30/50 amps), gravel, patios; 43 pull-through (25×70); back-in (35×50); big-rig sites. Central modem hookup; cable TV. Recreation: Heated pool; spa; adults room; horseshoes; recreation hall; game room; planned activities. Contact: 46628 U.S. Highway 60, Salome, Arizona 85348; (800) 927-2101; www.g7inc.org. A Good Sam Park.
CASA GRANDE
Fiesta Grande – An RV Resort
Facilities: Good paved interior roads, pet restrictions, no tents. Restrooms and showers; security; public phone; laundry. Sites: 767 total; 300 available, full hookups (30/50 amps), gravel, patios; 15 pull-through (36×60); back-in (36×60); big-rig sites. Handicap access; pay-modem. Recreation: Heated pool; spa; adults room; shuffleboard; horseshoes; recreation hall; game room; planned activities. Contact: 1511 East Florence Boulevard, Casa Grande, Arizona 85222; (888) 934-3782; www.fiestagrandervresort.com
GOLD CANYON
Canyon Vistas RV Resort
Facilities: Good paved interior roads; pet restrictions; no tents. Restrooms and showers; security; public phone; laundry. Sites: 637 total, full hookups (30/50 amps), gravel, patios; back-in (40×50); big-rig sites. Modem hookup in office. Recreation: Heated pool; spa; shuffleboard; horseshoes; recreation hall; recreation field; game room; planned activities. Contact: 6601 East Highway 60, Gold Canyon, Arizona 85219; (480) 288-8844; www.cal-am.com. A Good Sam Park.
Gold Canyon RV & Golf Resort
Facilities: Good paved interior roads, pet restrictions, no tents. Restrooms and showers; security; public phone; laundry. Sites: 754 total; 254 available, full hookups (30/50 amps), gravel, patios; back-in (35×50); big-rig sites; central modem hookup. Recreation: Heated pool; spa; shuffleboard; horseshoes; recreation hall; recreation field; game room; planned activities. Contact: 7151 East Highway 60, Apache Junction, Arizona 85219; (877) 465-3226. A Good Sam Park.
LAKE HAVASU
Islander RV Resort
Facilities: Good paved interior roads, pet restrictions, no tents. Restrooms and showers; security; public phone; laundry; limited groceries; RV supplies. Sites: 500 total; 220 available, full hookups (30/50 amps), gravel, patios; pull-through (36×50); back-in (36×45); big-rig sites; modem hookup at site; central modem hookup. Recreation: Lake Havasu: freshwater fishing, swimming, boating, ramp, dock. Contact: 751 Beachcomber Boulevard, Lake Havasu City, Arizona, 86403; (928) 680-2000; www.islanderrvresort.com.
MESA
Apache Wells RV Resort
Facilities: Good paved interior roads, no pets, no tents. Restrooms and showers; security; public phone; laundry. Sites: 320 total; 100 available, full hookups (30/50 amps), gravel, patios; back-in (32×50). Recreation: Heated pool; shuffleboard; recreation hall; planned activities. Contact: 2656 56th Street, Mesa, Arizona 85215; (480) 832-4324; www.cal-am.com. A Good Sam Park.
Mesa Regal RV Resort
Facilities: Good paved interior roads. Restrooms and showers; security; public phone; laundry. Sites: 2,005 total; 550 available, full hookups (30/50 amps), gravel, patios; back-in (35×45). Modem hookup in office. Recreation: Heated pool; spa; adults room; shuffleboard; horseshoes; recreation hall; game room; planned activities. Contact: 4700 East Main Street, Mesa, Arizona 85205; (480) 830-2821; www.cal-am.com. A Good Sam Park.
Mesa Spirit RV Resort
(Formerly Trailer Village)
Facilities: Good paved interior roads, no tents, gravel, patios, some shaded. Restrooms and showers; security; public phone; laundry. Sites: 1,800 total; 400 available, full hookups (30/50 amps); back-in (30×40); 17 rental units. Modem hookup in office. Recreation: Heated pool; spa; adults room; shuffleboard; horseshoes; recreation hall; game room; planned activities. Contact: 3020 East Main, Mesa, Arizona 85213; (877) 924-6709. A Good Sam Park.
Val Vista Village RV Resort
Facilities: Good paved interior roads, no tents. Restrooms and showers; security; public phone; laundry. Sites: 1,016 total; 250 available, full hookups (30/50 amps), gravel, patios; back-in (26×35). Modem hookup in office. Recreation: Heated pool, spa, adults room, shuffleboard, horseshoes, recreation hall, game room, planned activities. Contact: 233 North Val Vista Drive, Mesa, Arizona 85213; (480) 832-2547; www.cal-am.com. A Good Sam Park.
Viewpoint RV & Golf Resort
Facilities: Good paved interior roads, no pets, no tents. Restrooms and showers; security; public phone; laundry; food service. Sites: 1,780 total; 450 available, full hookups (30/50 amps), gravel, patios; 14 pull-through (15×50); back-in (35×57); big-rig sites. Handicap access; modem hookup at site. Recreation: Golf; heated pool; spa; adults room; shuffleboard; horseshoes; recreation hall; recreation field; game room; planned activities. Contact: 8700 East University Drive, Mesa, Arizona 85207; (800) 822-4404. A Good Sam Park.
PICACHO
Picacho Peak RV Resort
Facilities: Good paved interior roads, no tents. Restrooms and showers; dump station; security; public phone; laundry; LP-gas. Sites: 159 total, full hookups (30/50 amps), gravel, patios; pull-through (26×50); back-in (26×45); big-rig sites. Handicap access; central modem hookup. Recreation: Heated pool; spa; shuffleboard; horseshoes; recreation hall. Contact: P.O. Box 1100, Red Rock, Arizona 85245; (520) 466-7841; www.picachopeakrv.com. A Good Sam Park.
SIERRA VISTA
Pueblo Del Sol RV Resort
Facilities: Good paved interior roads, pet restrictions, no tents. Restrooms and showers; security; public phone; laundry. Sites: 259 total; 135 available, full hookups (30/50 amps), paved, 101 gravel, patios; 34 pull-through (28×62); back-in (25×62); big-rig sites; 4 rental units. Handicap access; modem hookup at site; cable TV. Recreation: Heated pool; spa; horseshoes; recreation hall; recreation field; game room. b>Contact: 3400 Resort Drive, Sierra Vista, Arizona 85650; (888) 551-1432; www.pdsrvresort.com. A Good Sam Park.
TOMBSTONE
Tombstone Territories RV Park
Facilities: Good paved interior roads, no tents. Restrooms and showers; dump station; public phone; laundry; LP-gas. Sites: 102 total, full hookups (30/50 amps), gravel, patios; 102 pull-through (40×80); big-rig sites. Handicap access; central modem hookup; cable TV. Recreation: Heated pool; spa; adults room; shuffleboard; horseshoes; recreation hall; game room. Contact: 2111 East Highway 82, Huachuca City, Arizona 85616; (877) 316-6714; www.ttrvpark.com. A Good Sam Park.
TUCSON
Beaudry RV Resort
Facilities: Good paved interior roads. Restrooms and showers; security; public phone; laundry; limited RV supplies; food service. Sites: 388 total, full hookups (30/50 amps), gravel, patios; 256 pull-through (35×65); back-in (30×60); big-rig sites; 11 rental units. Handicap access; modem hookup at site; cable TV. Recreation: Heated pool; spa; recreation hall; planned activities. Contact: 5151 South Country Club, Tucson, Arizona 85706; (888) 318-9119; www.beaudryrvresort.com.
Voyager RV Resort
Facilities: Good paved interior roads, no tents. Restrooms and showers; dump station; security; public phone; laundry; groceries; RV supplies; food service. Sites: 1,576 total; 600 available, full hookups (30/50 amps), gravel, patios; 70 pull-through (17×100); back-in (33×50); big-rig sites; 50 rental units. Handicap access; modem hookup at site; modem hookup in office. Recreation: Heated pool; spa; adults room; shuffleboard; horseshoes; recreation hall; recreation field; game room; planned activities. Contact: 8701 South Kolb Road, Tucson, Arizona 85706; (800) 424-9191; www.voyagerrv.com. A Good Sam Park.
YUMA
Cocopah RV & Golf Resort
Facilities: Good paved interior roads, no tents. Restrooms and showers; public phone; laundry; food service. Sites: 805 total; 400 available, full hookups (30/50 amps), gravel, patios; back-in (30×55); big-rig sites. Modem hookup at site; central modem hookup. Recreation: River; heated pool; spa; adults room; shuffleboard; horseshoes; recreation hall; game room; planned activities. Contact: 6800 Strand Avenue, Yuma, Arizona 85364; (928) 343-9300. A Good Sam Park.
Del Pueblo RV Park & Tennis Resort
Facilities: Pet restrictions, no tents. Restrooms and showers; security; public phone; laundry; food service; beauty salon: barber, manicurist. Sites: 256 total, full hookups (30/50 amps), gravel, patios; 25 pull-through (40×70); back-in (40×55); big-rig sites. Modem hookup at site; cable TV. Recreation: Pool; spa; horseshoes; shuffleboard; tennis courts; putting green; basketball courts; volleyball courts; billiards; gym; craft room. Contact: P.O. Box 1209, Yuma, Arizona 85366; (928) 317-1979.
Hidden Shores RV Village
Facilities: Good paved/dirt interior roads, pet restrictions. Restrooms; pay-showers; dump station; security; public phone; laundry; groceries; RV supplies; LP-gas; food service. Sites: 500 total; 150 available, full hookups (30/50 amps), gravel; 20 pull-through (40×60); back-in (40×60); big-rig sites; 30 tent sites. Handicap access; central modem hookup. Recreation: Colorado River: freshwater fishing, tackle, boating, ramp, dock, marina. Horseshoes; recreation hall; planned activities. Contact: Star Route 4, Box 40, Yuma, Arizona 85365; (928) 783-1448; www.hiddenshores.com.
Sun Vista RV Resort
Facilities: Good paved interior roads, no tents. Restrooms and showers; security; public phone; laundry. Sites: 1,230 total; 450 available, full hookups (30/50 amps), gravel, patios; back-in (34×48); big-rig sites. Handicap access; central modem hookup; satellite TV. Recreation: Heated pool; spa; adults room; shuffleboard; horseshoes; recreation hall; game room; planned activities. Contact: 7201 East Highway 80, Yuma, Arizona 85365; (800) 423-8382; www.sunvistarvresort.com. A Good Sam Park.
Villa Alameda RV Resort
Facilities: Good paved interior roads, no tents. Restrooms and showers; security; public phone; laundry. Sites: 302 total, full hookups (30/50 amps), gravel, patios; back-in (33×52); big-rig sites. Handicap access; central modem hookup. Recreation: Heated pool; spa; adults room; shuffleboard; horseshoes; recreation hall; game room; planned activities. Contact: 11451 South Avenue 5E, Yuma, Arizona 85365; (928) 344-8081. A Good Sam Park.
For more campgrounds in Arizona, visit the Good Sam RV campground directory.
