ALABAMA Lovers of the outdoors who head south through the Yellowhammer State on
Interstate 65 may consider delaying their open-air pursuits temporarily by investigating
the Alabama Sports Hall of Fame in Birmingham. Incomparable baseball player Willie Mays,
larger-than-life Alabama Crimson Tide football coach Paul “Bear” Bryant and Olympic track
and field legend Jesse Owens, among others, are featured in this worthwhile establishment.
In the Civil Rights District, the historic Carver Theater houses the Alabama Jazz Hall of
Fame. Travelers may want to set out along what may be the country’s most impressive series
of courses, the Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail. Stretching from the Appalachian foothills in
the north to the Gulf of Mexico in the south, the Trail delivers 432 holes at 10 locations
with a diverse accumulation of fairways and greens. Snowbirds in Alabama will almost
inevitably park their rigs near the Gulf of Mexico in Gulf Shores or Orange Beach. Outdoor
recreation and attractions such as the Weeks Bay National Estuarine Research Preserve and
the Bon Secour National Wildlife Refuge will appeal to birders, and that large body of salt
water to the south just may keep anglers busy all winter long. (800-ALABAMA)
Mobile – Gulf Breeze RV Resort AMENITIES: good interior
paved/gravel roads, Wi-Fi Internet, RV self-wash, restrooms/shower, no pet restrictions,
security, public phone, laundry, daily newspaper, handicap access. SITES: 224 paved sites
available, full hookups, 52 pull-thrus, patio, no tents, 65′ max back-in length, slideouts
OK, 11 rentals, big rig access. RECREATION: heated pool, spa, shuffleboard, horseshoes,
recreation room, planned activities, playground, recreation field, freshwater fishing,
paddleboats, miniature golf. Gulf Breeze RV Resort, 19800 Oak Road W, Gulf Shores, AL
36542, (251) 968-8884
www.wakefieldenterprises.com/gb.htm
ARIZONA Fishing is not generally the first thing that comes to mind when thinking of
the Grand Canyon State, but the Colorado River can deliver anglers to fishing nirvana.
Below Lake Powell’s Glen Canyon Dam, cold, clear water runs for 15 miles from Lees Ferry to
the northern end of the Grand Canyon, and anglers have been known to boat impressive
rainbow trout. Whether RVers visit the less-crowded North Rim or the campgrounds on the
South Rim, they should hike at least one trail. And RVers who winter in the state’s other
snowbird destinations will find adventure, golf, shopping, museums and a whole list of fun
and exciting attractions. (866-275-5816)
MESA – ViewPoint RV & Golf Resort ViewPoint RV & Golf
Resort is a community for active senior adults who enjoy living life to the fullest with a
complete social program planned to entertain, stimulate and educate. ViewPoint is the
largest of the 170+ RV resorts in the Equity LifeStyle portfolio. AMENITIES: good interior
paved roads, lighted streets, barbecues, restroom/ showers, security, public phones, pets
allowed, restaurant/bar, laundry, cable available, mail center, church services. SITES: 365
gravel/paved lots available, full hookups, 14 pull-thrus, patio, 50′ max back-in length,
slideouts OK, no tents. RECREATION: heated pools, spas, planned activities, golf, craft
classes, library, potlucks, dancing, shuffleboard, horseshoes, bingo/card playing, fitness
center, tennis, volleyball, basketball. ViewPoint RV & Golf Resort, 8700 E University
Drive, Mesa, AZ 85207, (800) 822-4404, www.rvonthego.com
PHOENIX/MESA — Eagle View RV Resort AMENITIES: good interior
paved roads, Wi-Fi Internet, trash pickup, restroom/showers, no pet restrictions, security,
public phone, laundry, shuttles, handicap access. SITES:150 paved sites available, full
hookups, no pull-thrus, 69′ max back-in length, patio, no tents, slideouts OK, big rig
access. RECREATION: heated pool, spa, recreation room, billiards. Eagle View RV Resort,
9605 N Fort McDowell Rd., Fort McDowell, AZ 85264, (480) 836-5310,
http://www.eagleviewrvresort.com Good Sam Park
TUCSON — Voyager RV Resort AMENITIES: good interior paved roads,
Wi-Fi Internet, RV self-wash, restroom/ showers, no pet restrictions, dump station,
security, public phone, laundry, snack bar, groceries, restaurant, daily newspaper, church
services, handicap access. SITES: 600 sites available – 70 paved/530 gravel, full hookups,
patio, no tents, 100 pull-thrus, 50′ max back-in length, slideouts OK, 84 rentals.
RECREATION: heated pool, spa, shuffleboard, horseshoes, recreation room, planned
activities, recreation field, sauna, exercise room, billiards, golf, driving range,
miniature golf, tennis. Voyager RV Resort, 8701 S Kolb Ave, Tucson, AZ 85706, (800)
424-9191, www.voyagerrv.com Good Sam Park
YUMA — The Palms RV Resort Opening Fall 2008, Yuma Palms will be
the newest 55-plus RV Resort in Arizona. 60-acre gated community features large lots in
fully-landscaped community. AMENITIES: Custom lot designs include barbecues, wet bars,
in-ground Jacuzzis and fire pits. SITES: 453 green-belt lots available, full hookups, 40
pull-thrus, patio, no tents, 65′ max back-in length, slideouts OK, 3 rentals, big rig
access. RECREATION: heated pools, spas, community center, planned activities, crafts room,
shuffleboard, horseshoes, wood shop, card/game rooms, fitness center, tennis, volleyball,
putting green. Palms RV Resort, 6793 East 32nd Street, Yuma, AZ 85365, (928) 341-4646,
www.yumapalmsrvresort.com
www.yumapalmsrvresort.com
CALIFORNIA The Golden State’s countless attractions – expansive deserts,
pine-forested mountains, unmatched beaches, world-class amusement parks and more – draw a
huge number of snowbirds. Travelers enjoy such cultural attractions as Hearst Castle in San
Simeon and the Walt Disney Concert Hall in Los Angeles. And Death Valley National Park
attracts many visitors in the winter, when summer’s scorching temps give way to pleasant
days and brisk nights by the time snowbirds arrive. The Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta serves
up waters that stretch for 1,600 miles. And anglers looking to test their skills in this
premier largemouth bass habitat should use jigs or try throwing rubber frogs. California is
populated for good reasons – the sandy beaches of Malibu, Newport and Laguna, the more than
100 golf courses in the Palm Springs area – to name but a few. (800-862-2543)
DESERT HOT SPRINGS — Sands RV & Golf Resort AMENITIES: good
interior paved/gravel roads, Wi-Fi Internet, RV self-wash, restroom/showers, no pet
restrictions, dump station, security, public phone, laundry, groceries, restaurant, daily
newspaper. SITES: 150 dirt/gravel sites available, full hookups, 50′ max back-in length,
slideouts OK, big rig access. RECREATION: heated pool, spa, recreation room, playground,
shuffleboard, horse-shoes, recreation field, planned activities. Sands RV & Golf
Resort, 16400 Bubbling Wells Road, Desert Hot Springs, CA 92240, (760) 251-1030,
www.sandsrvresort.com
ESCONDIDO — Escondido RV Resort AMENITIES: good interior
paved/gravel roads, Wi-Fi Internet, restroom/ showers, pet restrictions, security, public
phone, laundry, LP gas, daily newspaper. SITES: 125 paved sites available, patios, full
hookups, no tents, 50′ max back-in length, slideouts OK, big rig access. RECREATION: heated
pool, spa, recreation room, fitness center, planned activities. Escondido RV Resort, 1740
Seven Oaks Road, Escondido, CA 92026, (800) 331-3556, www.escondidorv.com
FLORIDA Travelers can meet Mickey, check out Universal Studios and lounge on
pristine beaches throughout winter. And Florida is the only state that affords visitors the
opportunity to swim with manatees in the waters near Tampa. The area around Orlando
delivers bass in Lake Kissimmee and Lake Cypress, the Indian River is home to spotted sea
trout (called gator trout in Florida) and Homasassa Flats has monster tarpon. Snowbirds who
prefer to admire animals that soar can pull out their spotting scopes along the Great
Florida Birding Trail (www.floridabirdingtrail.com). Travelers who wish to golf may want to
play the fantastic course at Southern Dunes Golf & Country Club in Central Florida,
while the lovers of sand and sea will appreciate the state’s high-ranking beaches,
particularly at Bahia Honda State Park. (888-7-FLAUSA)
STATEWIDE — Carefree RV Resort Carefree RV Resorts are all over
Florida! You’ll find resorts in Largo, Zephyrhills, Dade City, Thonotassasa, Ellenton,
Arcadia, Lakeland and other locations. Professional management, friendly staff, lots of
amenities and convenient locations make these resorts a favorite. All parks have paved
roads, clubhouses and a wide variety of activities for guests. Daily, weekly, monthly,
seasonal and yearly rates are available. For information about individual resorts, special
discounts and other offers, www.carefreervresorts.com
TITUSVILLE — Great Outdoors RV & Golf Resort AMENITIES: good
interior paved roads, Wi-Fi Internet, restroom/ showers, dump station, pet restrictions,
security, public phone, laundry, LP-gas, daily newspaper, handicap access, pavilion, church
services. HAVENS LAKE LANDING SITES: more than 250 paved sites available, full
hookups, patio, no tents, slideouts OK, big rig access. RECREATION: heated pool, spa/sauna,
recreation room, shuffleboard, horseshoes, planned activities, golf, tennis, nature trails,
freshwater fishing. Great Outdoors RV & Golf Resort, 135 Plantation Drive, Titusville,
FL 32780, (800) 621-2267,
www.tgoresort.com
NEVADA RVers who winter in the Silver State probably appreciate the contrast between
the big city’s bright lights and the surrounding desert’s open spaces. More than 35 million
tourists annually visit the Las Vegas Strip, but the area’s outdoor wonders more than make
up for the crowds. Red Rock Canyon and Valley of Fire State Park sit within an hour of the
metropolis, and Lake Mead’s 150,000 acres of water is home to plenty of feisty striped
bass. Lake Las Vegas is even closer, allowing golfers to play Reflection Bay Golf Club,
designed by Jack Nicklaus, and get back for a casino dinner show … but shows in Laughlin
are far less expensive. The Loneliest Road in America and the Extraterrestrial Highway
capture the remote nature of the state, and the relatively quiet towns of Hawthorne and Ely
may just be the yin to Vegas’ yang. (800-NEVADA-8)
LAUGHLIN — Avi Casino KOA AMENITIES: fair interior gravel roads,
Wi-Fi Internet, restroom/showers, pet restrictions, dump station, public phone, laundry,
daily newspaper, handicap access, pavilion. SITES: 260 gravel sites available, full
hookups, 182 pull-thrus, no tents, 42′ max back-in length, slideouts OK RECREATION: heated
pool, spa, golf, driving range. Avi Casino KOA, 10000 Aha Macav Pkwy, Laughlin, NV 89028,
(800) 562-4142,
www.avicasino.com
Good Sam Park
PAHRUMP — Seibt Retreat Luxury Motorcoach Resort AMENITIES: good
interior paved roads, Wi-Fi Internet, trash pickup, restroom/ showers, no pet restrictions,
security, public phone, laundry, LP-gas, restaurant. SITES: 205 paved sites available, full
hook-ups, no pull-thrus, patio, no tents, 48′ max back-in length, slideouts OK. RECREATION:
heated pool, spa, game room, sauna, exercise room. Seibt Retreat Luxury Motorcoach Resort,
301 West Leslie Road, Pahrump, NV 89060, (775) 751-1174,
www.seibtdesertretreat.com
Good Sam Park
TEXAS Residents of the Lone Star State take many things seriously – cowboy boots,
barbecue and rodeo come to mind – but fishing may rank first on the list of things not to
mess with. Within 100 miles of Dallas lie 59 lakes and reservoirs that attract hard-core
anglers from across the country. Snowbirds fond of the Hill Country can pursue four kinds
of bass in three area rivers, San Marcos, Llano and Guadalupe, and no one has ever been
known to complain about the scenery in this region. The Gulf of Mexico between Galveston
and South Padre Island delivers some of the country’s premiere saltwater fishing. Snowbirds
with no angling interests can hold court throughout winter in McAllen, Harlingen and
Brownsville, where fairs, festivals and endless fun appear out of nowhere all winter long.
Snowbirds can also easily take day trips to the Mexican border towns of Matamoros and
Reynosa, where shopping is always an adventure. (800) 8888-TEX
HOUSTON/CONROE — Havens Landing RV Resort AMENITIES: good
interior paved roads, Wi-Fi Internet, RV self-wash, restroom/ showers, pet restrictions,
security, public phone, laundry, LP-gas, restaurant, daily newspaper, handicap access,
pavilion HAVENS LAKE LANDING SITES: 239 paved sites available, full hookups, 85
pull-thrus, patio, no tents, 60′ max back-in length, slideouts OK, 35 rentals, big rig
access. RECREATION: heated pool, spa, shuffleboard, horseshoes, recreation room,
playground, recreation field, billiards, freshwater fishing, tennis. Havens Landing RV
Resort, 19785 Hwy 105 W, Montgomery, TX 77356, (866) 496-6370,
www.havenslanding.com
GoodSam Park
RIO GRANDE VALLEY — Tip O’ Texas MH & RV Resort AMENITIES:
good interior paved roads, Wi-Fi Internet, trash pickup, restroom/ showers, pet
restrictions, security, public phones, laundry, daily newspaper, church services. SITES:
500 paved sites available, full hookups, no pull-thrus, 57′ max back-in length, patio, no
tents, slideouts OK, big rig access. RECREATION: heated pool, spa, shuffleboard,
horseshoes, recreation/ exercise room, planned activities, billiards, tennis. Tip O’ Texas
MH & RV Resort, 101 E Sioux, Pharr, TX 78577, (956) 787-9959,
www.rvresorts.com
For more information on RV resorts and parks throughout the U.S. and Canada, check
out the Trailer Directory at www.trailerlifedirectory.com.
