Arizona--mid-January to late February--suggestions?

[coolmom42]

My travelling partner and I are considering spending some time in Arizona this winter. We will be in a 26 foot trailer with pickup, coming from Tennessee.

Neither one of us has ever been to Arizona before. We would like to stay in multiple locations staying 7-10 days in each, in order to see different parts of the state. Of course we want warmer weather than in Tennessee, but are happy with highs in the upper 50s if it lets us see some new areas. And of course warmer is nice, too.

We like to stay in National Forests, state parks, etc but are not opposed to commercial parks for a few days. Something quiet but fairly convenient to amenities is ideal.

We have good batteries and a generator so are limited only by the black tank, which we are pretty good at conserving.

Any suggestions of campgrounds in good locations around the state?

[midnightsadie]

like to be out aways ? roosevelt lake has very nice parks, closees town would be globe az, I love it there. and the fishing is good.

[harley-dave]

Up around Phoenix area you have Lost Dutchman state park and the various Maricopa county parks which are pretty nice also. Biking, hiking, boating. Farther north (cooler) we also like Dead Horse Ranch state park close to Cottonwood. Easy access to Sedona area but way fewer people.

Dave

[EV2]

For state parks, add Catalina State Park just north of Tucson in Oro Valley, AZ. Great short term stay to see all kinds of opportunities in the Tucson area.

[almcc]

You sound like more of a state park person, I'll give you a couple of suggestions:

Picacho Peak state park, north of Tucson - nice hiking
Kartchner Caverns state park near Benson - caverns are in great shape, better than the Carlsbad Caverns in New Mexico
Roper Lake State Park - a good park for a short stop when entering Arizona, near Safford

[ItsyRV]

There are lots of places to see and go in AZ during the winter. Finding a spot in a established National Forest or State campground can be a challenge due to the popularity of the state during the winter months, (just like you, many others are coming for the weather) but a smaller RV like your's shouldn't have much problems if flexible in dates.

In addition to all the traditional private, County, State and Federal campgrounds, AZ is loaded with open lands under the BLM plus the added advantage of large tracts of Arizona Trust Lands that are also available for dry camping.

Probably the best way to start is to outline your interest and desires for when you visit. You can have everything from a vast mountaintop secluded spot overlooking a valley with photos you'll never forget, but if you want the tourist thing with yee-ha swing dancing and staged pow wows, that's a different recommendation.

So is it the Mount Graham experience, the Tombstone experience, the I'm glad I saw this experience or the do nothing but talk over pot luck meal experience?

[micpib1]

We will be in Quartzsite at the end of January for the Big Tent Event, lots of people and things to see. Sedona and the surrounding areas are another favorite. We also enjoyed Distant Drums RV Park, visited Montezuma's Castle and Well. Yuma and the surrounding area is an RV Paradise and should be experienced at least once in your life. It would be hard to go wrong almost anywhere in Arizona. JH

[Trackrig]

Prescott is a nice town to visit. The elevation is higher there, it can be cooler so check the temps before you go north. Take a day drive up Jerome and spend a day.

The only RV park we stay in there is at the fair grounds.

Bill