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twainharteartis's avatar
Aug 12, 2013

Looking to get more info about snow birding

I live in the mountains of California 16 miles do north of Yosemite (as the crow fly's). I just retired so I am now a full time artist so I can do oil painting of the mountains around here and in the winter in the southern part of the country around Arizona/ New Mexico/ Southern California. So anyone that snow birds in these areas can you let me know what you have done and how you like or don't like it.

10 Replies

  • Try this or other LTVA's in California. Keep in mind I have never done this but might try it this year (if I really want to stay in a place like that).LTVA's

    It might be what you are looking for.
    Donna
  • twainharteartist wrote:
    I have heard that there are areas that large numbers of RV gather and set up small city's and that trucks will come by to empty the holding tanks and a water truck comes by and fills your fresh water tank. I have never done this before so I don't know if this is true or just BS.


    Just google "Quartzsite", the premier boondocking site in the country, just across the river from Blythe, CA....but there are other places to boondock....google "boondocking in the western US" for more info.

    Regards
    Gemstone
  • I have heard that there are areas that large numbers of RV gather and set up small city's and that trucks will come by to empty the holding tanks and a water truck comes by and fills your fresh water tank. I have never done this before so I don't know if this is true or just BS.
  • Depends what you want. I find Az too cold & the desert does not do anything for me so I go down into Mexico instead. A lot depends on if you want others aroudn to socialize with or not.
  • twainharteartist wrote:
    So How doe's the snow bird thing work? Do you just drive out in the dessert and park is there places to stage the RV is there places that have hookups that you pay to stay there. What is the cost of RV parks I am new to this and will be doing it maybe this winter. Just looking for options that are out there. Thanks


    There are some places where you can boondock in the desert, but you have to be careful where you go. You can encounter illegal border crossers and drug smugglers in the open desert. Not only that, but you can easily get stuck in sandy arroyos, encounter dangerous wild life and flash floods in low lying areas. There are many RV parks that cater to snowbirds in Arizona. Many of them give discounts for extended stays. You can check out their websites or give them a call and they'll quote you a rate and let you know how long you need to stay to receive it.
  • So How doe's the snow bird thing work? Do you just drive out in the dessert and park is there places to stage the RV is there places that have hookups that you pay to stay there. What is the cost of RV parks I am new to this and will be doing it maybe this winter. Just looking for options that are out there. Thanks
  • "There is also a great artist community south of Tucson at Tubac"....and further southeast at Patagonia...
    The Tucson area would be a great headquarters with excursions to the aforementioned places, and Sierra Vista, St. David, Bisbee, Mt. Graham, the San Pedro River Riparian area, all the surrounding mountains...so much to see.

    Regards
    Gemstone
  • There is also a great artist community south of Tucson at Tubac
  • Around Santa Fe is an artist colony but expensive and cold in winter but its an idea
  • We just need to snowbird in each other's yard. I live in Tucson and would love to camp around Yosemite. I'll go to your place in the Summer, and you can come to mine... :W

    Seriously, If you're ever in the Tucson area in the winter, there is a lot to see and do. I'd recommend the Voyager RV park. From there, you can visit: Tombstone, The Arizona Sonoran Desert Museum, Old Tucson Studios, Sabino Canyon, Mount Lemmon, Benson, Titan Missile Museum, Mission San Xavier Del Bac, and many, many others.

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