Community Forums

glennb100 · 03-08-2011, 10:04 AM

Be aware, many of Arizona's state parks and highway rest areas have been closed because of Az politics and budget. If you think of an Az state park, make sure to call ahead and verify they are open.

KIX · 03-08-2011, 10:11 AM

Curious as to why the website would say that there are sites to accommodate 40foor "trailers" then someone would say that "Never happen", I called the Park Service to inquire about entry for a 40 foot motorhome. They said it would be no problem getting there and parking there. BUT, it's closed ofr the winter and will not reopen until May.

glennb100 · 03-08-2011, 10:19 AM

Kix

Arizona SR 89A and the road through Oak Creek Canyon ARE not places for 40 foot motorhomes! I'm not even sure a 40 foot coach plus toad can negotiate the switchbacks in Jerome!

They are fun drives in your toad.

Ronnie Bledsoe 2006 Dutchstar 43' · 03-08-2011, 11:04 AM

I agree that 89A to Jerome is not for large coaches. Some of the switch backs would require one to stop and back up to make the turn...I have driven it in my toad.

RedT · 03-08-2011, 11:11 AM

Kix, trust me. Though Potato Patch might accomodate your 40 footer, and though getting there from the west (Prescott) is marginally doable, do yourself a favor and do not try it from Cottonwood. I have driven mountain roads al over the west for many years, drove from Prescott through Jerome to Cottonwood once in a 34 foot motorhome and would NEVER attempt it again!

If you have a mapping program, look at Arizona SR-89A from Cottonwood, through Jerome to Potato Patch and take note of the many switch-backs. Dead Horse Ranch State Park at Cottonwood is a great campground, convenient to the Red Rock Country, has water, elec and a dump station.

RedT in Glendale, AZ
'04 Meridian 36G
'03 Jeep Liberty
M&G Brake System

KIX · 03-08-2011, 11:15 AM

Thanks for the added info RedT........ we'll try Dead Horse Ranch. Thanks all.

CoCoDave · 03-08-2011, 11:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KIX

Curious as to why the website would say that there are sites to accommodate 40foor "trailers" then someone would say that "Never happen", I called the Park Service to inquire about entry for a 40 foot motorhome. They said it would be no problem getting there and parking there. BUT, it's closed ofr the winter and will not reopen until May.

The campground itself is probably no problem for 40 footers. And, yes, the Potato Patch web page gives directions taking you through Jerome when approaching from the north, i.e. Sedona. But...

We were having lunch in Jerome last October when a 38' MoHo with toad came by. He made it but it's not clear if all of the beverages sitting on roadside tables were cleared by the side mirrors. Or the hats of tourists.

If you want to see Sedona and Jerome, and both are great places to visit, it's probably most practical to camp near Cottonwood.

kjburns · 03-08-2011, 11:51 AM

Goggle Street View is available for 89A. It's always handy for taking a look at the road before you get there. There is a motorhome pulling a toad in some of it.

mdshedman · 03-08-2011, 12:35 PM

I have driven our 39' Winnebago Journey with a Honda Pilot down Oak Creek Canyon . I noticed a 35 " tractor trailer coming up. I would not advise this for every body , but if you obey the speed limits and go slow on the turns it can be done. I drive wide loads for a living and this was not too bad.

two gone rvn · 03-08-2011, 05:21 PM

Go to Distant Drums and they accept passport america. Really nice place and close to the casino if thats for you. About 25 miles from Sedona and they are really nice folks. Whereever you go..have fun!!!!

Rich and Cork · 03-08-2011, 05:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RedT

Going to Potato Patch in a 40 footer?! Never happen! SR-89A west from Cottonwood through Jerome is a twisty mountain road! Certainly not the type of road you would want to drive a 40 foot coach on! SR-89A is a good road from Sedona to Cottonwood, but north of Sedona through Oak Creek Canyon it becomes a mountain road, and west from Cottonwood to Jerome and on to the top of the mountain is certainly not negotiable in a large motorhome.

RedT in Glendale, AZ
'04 Meridian 36G
'03 Jeep Liberty
M&G Brake System

Well, I drove my 35 foot diesel pusher there towing a Jeep. That trip was a couple of years ago and we did not stay there that trip. The campground looked quite a bit different than when we stayed there twenty years ago. Looked like they improved it quite a bit. There were not a lot of rigs there when we drove through, but there were some good sized trailers as I remember.

RedT may know the area better than I do. I will pretty much go anywhere. Maybe you should consider camping somewhere else and visit Jerome in your car and drive the car up the road to see what you think.

Big Bear Local · 03-08-2011, 06:01 PM

Stayed in Sedona two years ago. Drove 89a north to 17 then on to Flagstaff with snow on the sides of the road and at the rest area on top. Easy drive.