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new2me350rv's avatar
new2me350rv
Explorer
Mar 19, 2014

Suggestions for Arizona stay mid-Oct thru mid-Nov?

Big trip this fall to NM balloon festival then Grand Canyon. Would like to stay in AZ for a while afterwards before returning home to FL. Campsites would need to have fire rings, have some room between units and be accessible without hitting any of the steep grades in the mountain directory (traveling in a 1996, 30' class C on E350 chassis that is maxed out on weight. Well maintained but I don't want to push it. Purpose of this trip is to relax!). And the more trees around the better. Anything fit the bill? Many thanks!
  • Forgot a big one: must be pet friendly! 3 dogs, one Newfoundland and 2 mutts.
  • Keep in mind that Grand Canyon and much of northern AZ can get snow in November. Oct. is very rare for snow sticking. Just east of Williams is Circle Pines KOA. Lots of trees and one of the nicer KOA's we've been too. They allow campfires although often banned in May and June due to dry conditions. Many campgrounds in N. AZ close at end of Oct. so check before going.

    Williams is a very fun old route 66 town 60 miles south of the Grand Canyon on I-40. Still has the small town atmosphere. Nearby is Bearizona, a drive through animal park. Theres also a Deer petting zoo and several mountain lakes.
  • You have some pretty tight "needs".

    Trees? This is Arizona. For that you would have to stay at higher elevations. Hmmmm, that means grades. And you will have some grades just getting to the Grand Canyon.

    Fire rings pretty well eliminates most private campgrounds and many others due to fire restrictions. Three dogs will eliminate others.

    Been to a lot of places with the rv in AZ but cannot offhand think of one place to meet your needs.
  • Check out Dead Horse Ranch State Park in Cottonwood. It is just 18 miles south of Sedona. The lower campground has trees, the elevation is around 3,000' so snow is not an issue and the CG is pet friendly, has fire rings and decent sites. Lots to see and do in the area, check out Jerome, Cottonwood and of course the Red Rock country surrounding Sedona. There are a couple of 6% grades on I-17 but I doubt they would be a problem. :C
  • Good suggestion ! (Not been there but just have heard from others)
  • If you don't need hookups, there are several National Forest campgrounds in eastern Arizona on the Mogollon Rim.
  • Dead Horse Ranch State Park, Cottonwood would be an excellent spot. It's a very easy short drive to 'do' Sedona and there are lots of other things in the area to explore. Also, the Maricopa County parks in the greater Phoenix area are awesome. Lots of space, beautiful facilities but a 2-week limit but you could move to another close-by. We enjoy the Lake Pleasant one and also Cave Creek, Usuary, McDowell. Lost Dutchman State Park in Apache Junction is great, too. Have a good trip!
  • new2me350rv wrote:
    Forgot a big one: must be pet friendly! 3 dogs, one Newfoundland and 2 mutts.
    For get Az. go down west side of N.M you will see many many things very little traffic , weather get warmer pick up 10 east. Az. is full until 20016.

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