Advice from South Western Snow Birders

[schwipps324]

Planning a 6 week trip from middle of January to March and the SOuthwest is where we want to spend most of our time. We have some stops planned in florida, lousiana and texas for the way out but was looking for some recommendations on cool places to stay and must sees in New Mexico or Arizona. Was contemplating swinging by the South Rim of the Grand Canyon and maybe seeing it in the snow. Any one have experience with that?

[DFord]

almcc wrote:
We winter in Borrego Springs California, about an hour south of Palm Springs. Last January there were a couple of frost delays at the nearby golf course. Yuma and Tucson have a number of good campsites, the Tucson KOA is a good stop, close to the airplane boneyard and museum and the restored Titan Missile complex just south, you can sit in the control room and "push the button"! Old Tucson film complex is also good, they shot some MASH episodes there.

Here's how to tour the world's largest airplane boneyard

“Boneyard” – AMARG Tour wrote:
Advanced reservations are now required for this tour. All guests interested in taking this tour must have made a reservation and received a security clearance in advance. The security clearance will be given by Davis-Monthan Air Force Base from information collected at the time of reservation. Reservations must be made 16 business days in advance of the desired tour date, and can be made up to 60 days in advance. Please submit a Reservation Request here.

[zcookiemonstar]

If you have any interest in mineral hot springs a stop over in Truth or Consequences NM is worth a look. The nice thing about their water is it does not stink from sulfer like other places.

[almcc]

We winter in Borrego Springs California, about an hour south of Palm Springs. Last January there were a couple of frost delays at the nearby golf course. Yuma and Tucson have a number of good campsites, the Tucson KOA is a good stop, close to the airplane boneyard and museum and the restored Titan Missile complex just south, you can sit in the control room and "push the button"! Old Tucson film complex is also good, they shot some MASH episodes there.

[DFord]

The Grand Canyon Railway operates an RV campground and it accepts Passport America members at 1/2 price. Highly recommend you gather early to take in the show before the train leaves in the morning. Be sure to leave valuables behind - the train is likely to be robbed!

Williams is 7000 ft. The air is quite a bit rarer than at lower levels and you may need to accumulate. Because it's so high, expect cold weather (and snow) until late March.

[D_E_Bishop]

The South Rim receives an average annual snowfall of 58"(North Rim 142") and the full hookup campground Trailer Village is open all year.

It takes awhile to see the Canyon, so either make reservations at the lodge, take the train several times or make reservations for at least 2 days, more is possible and stay at the Canyon, it is worth the trip in winter.

[schwipps324]

bighatnohorse wrote:
Arizona is split into two elevation areas. Basically, north and south. The northern portion gets real winter weather and includes the Grand Canyon.
Its good advice to stay in Williams, AZ and take the train up to the south rim is good. I think that you will really enjoy it. The Grand Canyon is not to be missed.

Another good visit is Kartchner Caverns near Tucson, AZ.
It's good during rain, heat or cold because it's always the same temperature. And it is a pristine preserved cave.

March is the most beautiful month in the areas around Phoenix. Very green and many things in bloom.

Thank you. I had managed to find Kartchner on my intial planning and have a reservation made. I will look into Williams

[schwipps324]

dcason wrote:
In the beginning of your trip in January you will have to stay pretty far south or at low elevation to avoid really cold weather. Boondocking? or campground.

We will be staying in campgrounds. We are dropping down to florida initially and heading West in hopes of avoiding winter weather

[bighatnohorse]

Arizona is split into two elevation areas. Basically, north and south. The northern portion gets real winter weather and includes the Grand Canyon.
Its good advice to stay in Williams, AZ and take the train up to the south rim is good. I think that you will really enjoy it. The Grand Canyon is not to be missed.

Another good visit is Kartchner Caverns near Tucson, AZ.
It's good during rain, heat or cold because it's always the same temperature. And it is a pristine preserved cave.

March is the most beautiful month in the areas around Phoenix. Very green and many things in bloom.

[dcason]

In the beginning of your trip in January you will have to stay pretty far south or at low elevation to avoid really cold weather. Boondocking? or campground.

[Lwiddis]

It will be “cool” at the Grand Canyon January through March. 18 to 21 F lows. Are you experienced driving and camping in those temperatures?

[Dick_B]

Stay in Williams and take the train to the South Rim.

[valhalla360]

We've done a similar trip a couple times but with 5-6 months not 6 weeks, I would suggest picking the SouthEast or the SouthWest, not both.

A loop from Illinois (aurora) to Floria west to Arizona and back...is upwards of 5,000miles, if you don't make too many detours. To do that in 42 days, you are looking at 3 hr per day travel (every day) or a full day of travel every other day. That gets old real quick.

As far as things to do: What type of things do you find interesting?

[DFord]

The last full week of January is RV week in the tiny town of Quartzsite, AZ. It's the Meca of RVing. The land surrounding Quartzsite is BLM land. It's estimated over 100,000 RVers find their way to Q for RV week when the Big Tent is open.

https://www.quartzsitervshow.com/

https://www.tysonwells.com/

It's the RVers' version of Sturgis where bikers gather once a year.

We stay at La Posa South where there's a dump, fresh water and trash dumpsters. The cost is $40 for two weeks. Pull in, pay your camping fees (cash or check) and pick a spot. We always pick a spot where we can see the dump station - when the line is short just before sundown, we do our business with little or no waiting.