Winter in Arizona

[Ramets]

Something I haven't seen mentioned is the incessant dust. We spent 3mos. in Mesa back in 2012 and vowed we wouldn't do it again. The weather & temp is almost perfect, but we found out pretty quick we couldn't open our windows because the interior would get covered with dust. Even had to wash our towed a couple times a week.

[66joej]

Originally Posted by Ramets

Something I haven't seen mentioned is the incessant dust. We spent 3mos. in Mesa back in 2012 and vowed we wouldn't do it again. The weather & temp is almost perfect, but we found out pretty quick we couldn't open our windows because the interior would get covered with dust. Even had to wash our towed a couple times a week.

And if you want dust and WIND try Bullhead City. Stayed 2 mos at Vista Del Sol RV resort. 50 mph winds were common. Made the mistake of requesting a spot in the outside row. Honestly could not even open the TT door at times!

[TANDD]

I have read some comments about wind and driven dust. Where is there less or more potential for wind? North? South? We are planning our first snowbird 6 month trip this year and are planning on southern Az. and Southern N.M. and maybe a little RGV. Never been to these areas ; lots to see and do. THX TB

[twogypsies]

… a little exaggeration on wind in Arizona in winter. Yes, it has some windy days - just like any area - but it doesn't blow constantly all winter. I'd say perhaps 1 or 2 days a month. March/April can be windy more days but most states will have those 'March winds'. We never had an issue with dust in our RV. You don't leave for the day of touring with all your windows open. Most of the winter you it's not hot, hot so you don't have to leave windows open period. Most often, we'd use the Fantastic Fan and open open the shady side of the RV windows a crack and keep the sunny side closed. That brings in a very nice cooling breeze from the shady side. New Mexico is cold in winter. Rio Grande Valley does have many, many windy days. Guess where we love it!!

[sbleiweiss]

Originally Posted by TANDD

I have read some comments about wind and driven dust. Where is there less or more potential for wind? North? South?

Dust storms seem to be more prevalent in the Valley (Phoenix area) than in northern AZ. Maybe in western AZ too, I do not know that area well. But in central AZ (Sedona, Prescott, Payson) and northern AZ (Flagstaff, Williams) dust storms are rare, and even then they tend to be in the summer, not the winter. The few times we have stayed in the Phoenix area in winter while passing through we never had a dust problem
at the RV.

[creativepart]

In the three years we've been staying in Tucson during January and early Feb we've seen only one major dust event. Wind and dust hasn't been a noticeable problem much at all. So, that issue wouldn't be on my list for a reason to not spend the winter there. But then we've only been to Tucson for extended periods.

We spent May in Phoenix and Sedona one year. Too hot already in early May.

[TANDD]

Thanks all for the insights. We have much to plan; riute etc. before we head south Oct. 1. What can you all tell us about things to see and do, "don't miss" along the southern route Yuma through RGV and up to Carlsbad / Roswell? places to stay? Your experience is invaluable. THX again TB

[TXTiger]

The Tucson KOA/LazyDays campground is very nice. They have a pool, resturant and a bar within the campground. It is right next door to the LazyDays dealership and across the street from the La Meas RV dealership.

A little south of Tucson there is an Escapees Co-Op campground in Benson, on the way to Tombstone. It is very affordable, lots of activities but no pool.

[leadman]

The amount of dust in the Phoenix area in the winter will depend on how much rain we get. It will be dustier than places with a lot of vegetation like where we are in Michigan right now.
There are many places to stay in the Phoenix area as parks are abundant. If you are into boondocking Arizona is the place to do it with many free areas, especially up north. There were camping restrictions in some areas but they might be lifted now. Will have to check it out.
Good luck and have fun.

All restrictions on State lands have been lifted, still Federal ban on Lake Mead area along the northern part of the Colorado River.

[Born2RV]

I've enjoyed reading this thread...….so much wisdom and advice!! We, too, are headed to AZ for our FIRST retirement "snowbird" trip, and have decided to spend our first two weeks at Palm Creek Golf & RV Resort in Casa Grande, AZ. Anyone have any experience with that resort? We, too, have only camped up and down the east coast and southern states, and are accustomed to spacious sites. We'll also be spending a week in Sedona, then on through NM, TX, and ending up meeting the children and grandchildren in Fort Wilderness, Disney, three months later for our semi-annual Mickey trip.

[AudiDudi]

Originally Posted by Born2RV

I've enjoyed reading this thread...….so much wisdom and advice!! We, too, are headed to AZ for our FIRST retirement "snowbird" trip, and have decided to spend our first two weeks at Palm Creek Golf & RV Resort in Casa Grande, AZ. Anyone have any experience with that resort? <snip>

We've spent the last 5 winters in Casa Grande in a different RV resort and we know several people that have stayed at Palm Creek. Palm Creek is a very nice resort, very large with (as I recall) over 2200 spaces. It is located towards the south side of town. They have a lot of park models and double wide mobile homes. There are lots of activities. And of course, 1000's of palm trees.



We like Casa Grande as it is very easy to get around and is a convenient base to explore the area from. 45 minutes to Phoenix, an hour to Tuscon. Be sure to stop by the Chamber of Commerce (behind Dairy Queen) and get all the info about what to see/do in the area.

[twogypsies]

Casa Grande can be in the heart of dust storms. It's surrounded by open fields and farming. We were caught in one just driving through. Awful!

[Peto]

It's just a little dust

This is a summer time event... The famous Haboob.

[AudiDudi]

Originally Posted by twogypsies

Casa Grande can be in the heart of dust storms. It's surrounded by open fields and farming. We were caught in one just driving through. Awful!

What time of year? We spend 6 months there in the winter and they are very rare. But common in the summer.