Good 4 month winter campground in AZ for 40-something?

[JamBand]

Hello, I'm doing some exploration in either being a snowbird or full time RV-ing. I'm a RV newbie. I'm early retired 46 years old single male live in WA State. But... early retired via a lot of frugality and low overhead, not a bazillionaire by any means, so very budget concious. I have not bought a rig yet, in massive research mode right now what set up would be best for me. By the way, there are so many blogs, forums, books, etc... on RV-ing...I could spend the next 10 years reading them all! Information overload!

OK, so anyway, initially targeting Arizona for Dec-March living. First part of my research is finding out if there is a RV campground in AZ that I would enjoy living in for 4 mos in winter as a single 40-something and what the cost would be. Probably would need to have relatively decent proximity to Phoenix area or Tucson, as I don't think I could find enough to do for 4 mos in the middle of nowhere AZ. Maybe up to 30 min drive outside of these areas. Any suggestions?

I'm trying to figure out my "grand plan" right now. Do I want to full time RV? Do I want a house/condo/apartment as a base in an area that I think I would stay for 4+ mos and then RV the rest of the time? My loose plan would be to stay in lower desert parts of AZ Dec-March, April further Northern AZ, May So. Utah, and then June-mid Oct I would decide between CO, NM, WY, MT, ID, WA, OR, CA...and maybe wander around a lot of them to see where I might like to spend most of summer. I have already traveled pretty extensively in every western state the last 25 yrs on car road trips, tent camping trips, etc... so I know it somewhat.

Thanks for your advice!

[Dtwallace]

Originally Posted by JamBand

Hello, I'm doing some exploration in either being a snowbird or full time RV-ing. I'm a RV newbie. I'm early retired 46 years old single male live in WA State. But... early retired via a lot of frugality and low overhead, not a bazillionaire by any means, so very budget concious. I have not bought a rig yet, in massive research mode right now what set up would be best for me. By the way, there are so many blogs, forums, books, etc... on RV-ing...I could spend the next 10 years reading them all! Information overload!

OK, so anyway, initially targeting Arizona for Dec-March living. First part of my research is finding out if there is a RV campground in AZ that I would enjoy living in for 4 mos in winter as a single 40-something and what the cost would be. Probably would need to have relatively decent proximity to Phoenix area or Tucson, as I don't think I could find enough to do for 4 mos in the middle of nowhere AZ. Maybe up to 30 min drive outside of these areas. Any suggestions?

I'm trying to figure out my "grand plan" right now. Do I want to full time RV? Do I want a house/condo/apartment as a base in an area that I think I would stay for 4+ mos and then RV the rest of the time? My loose plan would be to stay in lower desert parts of AZ Dec-March, April further Northern AZ, May So. Utah, and then June-mid Oct I would decide between CO, NM, WY, MT, ID, WA, OR, CA...and maybe wander around a lot of them to see where I might like to spend most of summer. I have already traveled pretty extensively in every western state the last 25 yrs on car road trips, tent camping trips, etc... so I know it somewhat.

Thanks for your advice!

[JamBand]

Also, in addition to AZ would also like to hear about some other places people winter and good campground/RV parks they have found.

FL obviously is big with many, I'm not a huge fan of FL due the crowds and costs, and how far it is from where I'd be spending spring/summer/fall. I'm open to Texas too, but the winter weather can be more of a mixed bag there. I recall being in Austin back in Feb 2015 and it the daytime high one day was 37 and overcast!

[USMCRET]

We stayed here this past winter and are returning next. Phoenix, Arizona Desert's Edge RV Park Overnight Extended Stay

There are several mega-parks in the Phoenix area that are 55+ aged restricted. We found those not our cup of tea. The park I linked above has a variety of clients of all ages, all RV types.

[Scottybdivin]

Originally Posted by JamBand

Also, in addition to AZ would also like to hear about some other places people winter and good campground/RV parks they have found.

FL obviously is big with many, I'm not a huge fan of FL due the crowds and costs, and how far it is from where I'd be spending spring/summer/fall. I'm open to Texas too, but the winter weather can be more of a mixed bag there. I recall being in Austin back in Feb 2015 and it the daytime high one day was 37 and overcast!

It was probably 70 the next day. Cold is not something we consider around here. It comes and goes quickly. Even when it freezes at night, it usually gets up to 50-60 during the day. It's unusual for it to stay cold for more than a day or two. It very similar to Arizona in that respect. The Rio Grand Valley is 300 mi further south than Austin.

[Randyman1]

DeAnza RV Resort in Amado, AZ about 19 miles South of Tucson. Nice park, indoor pool and hot tub, restaurant on site. We really like it's laid back atmosphere. I did a drone video of it and is located on my YouTube page RVNUTS.

[winniman]

We stayed for a few days at the Black Canyon rv park north of Phoenix about 40 minutes. Nothing special but every campsite had a side by side atv. We asked a few people and they said the atving was awesome there. Might be something to consider if you are into off roading. I think it was around 30 dollars a night. Cant remember exactly. Seemed more like long term renters.

[JamBand]

Originally Posted by USMCRET

We stayed here this past winter and are returning next. Phoenix, Arizona Desert's Edge RV Park Overnight Extended Stay

There are several mega-parks in the Phoenix area that are 55+ aged restricted. We found those not our cup of tea. The park I linked above has a variety of clients of all ages, all RV types.

Thanks for the link of Deserts Edge, I will have to put that on the list. It does look very close to hwy 17 thought which will bring a lot of freeway noise, something trying to avoid.

[JamBand]

Originally Posted by Scottybdivin

It was probably 70 the next day. Cold is not something we consider around here. It comes and goes quickly. Even when it freezes at night, it usually gets up to 50-60 during the day. It's unusual for it to stay cold for more than a day or two. It very similar to Arizona in that respect. The Rio Grand Valley is 300 mi further south than Austin.

Thanks Scottybdivin....I love the TX Hill County. Yes I did notice it can warm up the next day after a cold day. I think I caught a cold front too when I was there. That area is a consideration for winter headquarters for me. I like how the TX hill country is greener and lusher than AZ. Love the live oak trees there!

[JamBand]

Thanks winnman and randyman1 I will check out those suggestions of RV parks. I have heard about DeAnza resort mentioned on this forum before in my research of Arizona.

[JamBand]

I imagine maybe I could string together two week stays at each Lost Dutchman, Usery and McDowell Mnt. Anyone done that in winter?