Ideas for Workcamping next winter in AZ, CA, NM

[CucumberBob]

Hey all!

Just throwing this out there if anyone has any ideas or leads. This is my husband and I's first year workcamping in out new 5th wheel. We are overwintering here in Boise (homebase) and then we have jobs next May in OR for 5 months. Then, in September we're going to need to make a move for winter 2025. We would love to spend it in CA, AZ, or NM if anyone has any recommendations of websites (government or otherwise) to check out or any leads to chase for job opportunities. I wanted to look at National park volunteer opportunities or KOA, possibly Xanterra, but is there anywhere else I should look at? I know it's a little early to look that far ahead, but any info helps!

[OldBaldFat]

No, it's not too early to look that far ahead. Some of the best jobs are scheduled a year in advance.

One thing about California. Be careful about the compensation. You can easily owe state income tax if you get a 1099 from the campground ownership for the value of the camping site.

Also, research CA residence - my understanding is that if you stay in the state of California for six months, you are presumed to be a California resident. That requires ALL income as taxable for CA state tax, vehicles need to be registered in CA, etc. The fact that you have a domicile in a different state doesn't matter to them.

We almost signed up for a seasonal position with CA state parks. When we got the final paperwork, I saw a sheet marked "Income Tax Liability".

The position was not paid, a volunteer. The state park said they would issue a 1099 for the value (at regular prices per night) for the entire stay, and we would owe CA state income taxes on that amount as income earned in the state.

They also cautioned against remaining in CA for more than 180 days, because the county would aggressively enforce the rules about moving vehicle registrations to that county. And they wanted us for seven months.

Sent everything back with a big NO THANK YOU on the letter.

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Last point, most locations in southern NM are a bit too high in elevation for a good winter location.

Tucson AZ is near 2,300 - 2,350 ft elevation.

Lordsburg and Deming NM are near 4,300-4,500 feet elevation. Las Cruces is 4,000.

You can expect several days below freezing in New Mexico over a winter, even into the teens.

Below freezing, into the upper 20's for temps is exceedingly rare for Tucson.

[CucumberBob]

Oooh, good points about CA. Didn't know that!

I kinda had suspicions that NM isn't entirely all that different elev.-wise from ID. I've been to Taos once and it's climate was similar to our mountain towns here. Boise is around 2700' and Taos is almost 7000'

I have dreams of seeing the giant saguaros in AZ so I'm most interested in something around there.

[N8gilbert]

Did you ever find a winter location for '25?

[CucumberBob]

Originally Posted by N8gilbert

Did you ever find a winter location for '25?

Hey! Our goal at this point is Tuscon, AZ or the general area. We leave for Eastern OR on May 1 and will be there until Oct. 1. Then, we have reservations at Craters of the Moon for a week, Bryce Canyon for a week, then heading to Tuscon. Don't have work lined up yet, but the company I work for now also operates clinics in Tuscon, so there's a chance I work for them while we find a different opportunity for my husband.

Summer 2026? Nat'l parks the way things are going? Who knows. But I still really want to hit Rocky Mountain or Glacier.

[N8gilbert]

In that area National Park wise is Saguaro east and west, and you can check State Parks though. We had an offer for Catalina State Park this past fall, and that is a beautiful place. Also in the area is Picacho Peak State Park. Picacho is north of Tucson a little ways bit pretty easy drive. But I'd check with the location of where your place of work is in relation because getting through Tucson during on-season can be busy. Check the state parks website though for ideas. Sometimes the counties have small parks also, that would be Pima County there.

We have lived off and on in Casa Grande for many years, and are wintering there this winter. The area is great for winter!!!