Not sure what's going on, but I've been trying for a week now to get a reservation for a one month stay in January/February at Desert Trails RV Park outside of Tucson. There is no on-line reservation system that I can find, and no response to emails or messages left on their answering machine over the past week. We're first time snowbirds to the Tucson area, and I'm wondering if there is another, better way to approach this. Or, are my expectations too high? I understand that I'm looking at a reservation for the high season, and am getting concerned that I either will or may have already 'missed the train'. Any thoughts, suggestions, or recommendations would be much appreciated. My thanks in advance...

They have responded to you each time you have left a message on their machine.THE ANSWER IS; We are not interested enough in your business to even pick up the phone and return your call.Take their hint go elsewhere!

Well, I guess that answers my question as to whether my expectations are too high. ?? Was beginning to think that there might be some 'different set of rules' for reserving winter sites in the sunny southwest.

Keep trying. Probably closed for the summer. Might reserve somewhere else to cover yourself. Can always cancel.

If you do not mind between Phoenix and Tucson try eitherPalm Creek in Casa GrandeorFiesta Grande in Casa Grandeboth will have space and will answer the phone

They likely prefer 3 - 5 month reservations. 1 month would be considered short term in a Snowbird Park. Some will not take Winter reservations of less than 3 months. However most parks will likely have openings if you just come down.

Any special way to make a reservation at Desert Trails?

Thunder_Mountai
Explorer II
Sep 21, 2016
Itching2go wrote:
Well, after much hunting and clicking, I think it might be best for us to go back to 'plan A', which was to take three months to sample the entire area from Big Bend to Vegas, no reservations anywhere, spending a week or two at a few places of particular interest. Then, if we find an area and park we really like, consider spending the winter in 2018 or 19. I'm thinking we should be able to find places 'on the fly', although they might not always be the best available. Life is, after all, an adventure!

Again, thanks for your suggestions. If you happen to see a big fiver and a red truck with Indiana plates, be sure to wave.

You can't begin to "sample" that area from BB to Vegas without moving at least once a week.
jrclark
Explorer
Sep 19, 2016
Desert Trails RV Park has picnic tables at every spot. Also, it is much nicer than Justin's - entertainment, activities, etc.
cheteckie
Explorer
Sep 18, 2016
Last year we stopped there in October, and not only were they full for Jan-Mar, but they had a waiting list with over 40 people. We stayed next door at Justin's Diamond J, and liked it so much we're going back this year
soos
Explorer II
Sep 18, 2016
Itching2go wrote:
Yeah, I do have a call into them as well. But given our decision to bounce around this year, I likely won t book anything if/when they call back. I do like their location, though, and will definitely be one we look into when we get into the Tucson area. It may be minor to others, but the fact that they don't have picnic tables is a significant negative for us. From what I'm learning from my web research, this appears to be common in the snowbird parks. True?

I wouldn't call Justins a snowbird park per se but come to think of it, many RV parks (vs campgrounds) don't have picnic tables. We never use them so are happier to have extra room.
Justins is laid back, with miles of adjacent hiking trails if you like to walk (desert trails has the access too).

Personally I don't think you'll regret your decision to wander around this first year.
You can check out Tucson, Casa Grande, Mesa area, Havasu, borrego Springs, And even wander into the Palm Springs area of CA if you want :) LOTS of places to see!
Thunder_Mountai
Explorer II
Sep 18, 2016
rskrbina wrote:
300 feet to the north of Desert Trails is Justin's Diamond J rv park. They have openings January thru March. Nice place.

We stayed at Desert Trails twice for short periods. Funky place, nice people... Cramped sites. You have to wait for someone to die to get the prime sites. But we enjoyed our stay.

Lazy Days Tucson is a nice place. Yes, it is pricey. We've stayed there three or four times for up to a week.

Check out De Anzi in Amado. Going back for a month for the second year.
Itching2go
Explorer II
Sep 17, 2016
Yeah, I do have a call into them as well. But given our decision to bounce around this year, I likely won t book anything if/when they call back. I do like their location, though, and will definitely be one we look into when we get into the Tucson area. It may be minor to others, but the fact that they don't have picnic tables is a significant negative for us. From what I'm learning from my web research, this appears to be common in the snowbird parks. True?
rskrbina
Explorer
Sep 17, 2016
300 feet to the north of Desert Trails is Justin's Diamond J rv park. They have openings January thru March. Nice place.
almcc
Explorer
Sep 17, 2016
I'm sure that you could also get a site at the Lazy Days KOA in Tucson, it may be a bit pricey but has good spaces and full hook ups etc.

We've never had a problem touring around, seems that there are sites available most places for a short stay.
BarbaraOK
Explorer
Sep 17, 2016
Itching2go wrote:
Well, after much hunting and clicking, I think it might be best for us to go back to 'plan A', which was to take three months to sample the entire area from Big Bend to Vegas, no reservations anywhere, spending a week or two at a few places of particular interest. Then, if we find an area and park we really like, consider spending the winter in 2018 or 19. I'm thinking we should be able to find places 'on the fly', although they might not always be the best available. Life is, after all, an adventure!

Again, thanks for your suggestions. If you happen to see a big fiver and a red truck with Indiana plates, be sure to wave.

We spent 2 years bouncing around Arizona before settling on Mesa for the winter. It takes time to find what you like and MOST IMPORTANT what you don't like. If you want to sample Phoenix area, look at using Passport America for week in several of the different Cal-Am parks. I'd try Apache Wells (a small park), Val Vista (just because that's where we are), Mesa Regal (a BIGGGG park), all in Mesa, and Canyon Vistas in Gold Canyon. Also a week at Usery Park can be wedged in there. It is one of the Maricopa County Parks. And for a week's stay you just need to call a couple of weeks in advance.

Barb
richardcoxid
Explorer
Sep 17, 2016
Pima Co. Fairgrounds, 520 762 9100 ex-26. Two years ago $20.00/nite, $100.00/wk.
Now this is Fairgrounds Camping, '60s size sites, they normally park units every other space until they get crowded. FHU, NO amenities other than jumping horse shows, horse shows, calf roping, car shows, craft shows etc. at the f/g's, NHRA 1/4 mile drag strip on site (don't know dates), motor cross track across west boundary road, 3/8 mile paved track racing (again don,t know dates).

I-10 exit 275, south about 1 mile to Brekke Rd, right (west) about 3/8 mile to entrance on left (south) to RV office.
www.swfair.com

Also I- 10 exit 275 go north about 1/2 mile on your right is Cactus Gardens? commercial RV Park.

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