Tucson?

[VanMan]

Heading from DFW, TX area to Tucson (in May/June - HOT). Recommendations in/near Tucson or along the way ?? Must see things on the way or on the way back ? We're open to suggestions for the northern or southern routes - VERY flexible.

[Rocky2]

I can tell you one park to avoid near Tucson.
Crazy Horse Campground on the south side - very hard to park large rigs.
We stayed there fall 2005 and clipped a tree trying to get into our spot - had to put the rubber gasket back in at the top rear corner.

Just to let you know where not to go.

Laura

Note: Here is one that is good - Picacho Campground on I-10 south of Phoenix is a nice park easy in, easy out - we stayed there fall 2005 too.

[AZCampinfool]

In Tucson, I would recommend Beaudry Rv Resort. It is a nice clean place with large pull through sites and full hook ups with 50 amp service. They have a couple of pools and a restaurant on site. http://www.beaudryrvresort.com/ The park is located right behind Camping World if case you need to go shopping for the fiver.... Also, if you are going to spend anytime in the area, don't miss the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum. http://www.desertmuseum.org/ It is located out near Saguaro National Park and Old Tucson. Really pretty desert area. Picacho Peak State Park is also nice, between Tucson and Phoenix on I-10 right at the base of Picacho Peak, but they don't have full hookups if you need that.

[sreigle]

Beaudry is nice. So is The Voyager. I'm not familiar with any others.

As for what to see, we were only there a week so didn't see everything. Tombstone is one. Bisbee we didn't get to but I hear it's worth the visit. There's a mission, still active and beautiful, you can tour. I think it was on the south edge of town, if I recall. Beautiful and a lot of history in the complex. There's a lot of history in the area within day trip distance so we plan to visit the area again.

[HamRad]

Vanman,
Coming from your area I'd take the I-20 west to 285 and go up to Carlsbad Caverns. Then head west and south to El Paso. Then I-10 up to the Las Cruces area. From Las Cruces east about an hour is the White Sands area. A nice diversion. Then back track to Las Cruces and head west on again on I-10.

At Benson, AZ there a ton of RV parks. It is located about 35 to 40 miles east of Tucson. To visit there is Tombstone which is about 30 miles south of Benson. Another good visit is Bisbee. About 30 miles south of Tombstone. Located just west of Benson is the world famous Kartchner Caverns. This is a fantastic cave adventure.

Located about 10 to 15 miles south of Tucson on I-19 is the San Xavier Mission. This is a very interesting location. About another 10 miles or so south is an Indian Casino called Desert Diamond. It is a very nice casino and you can boon dock in their parking lot. It is a good overnight stop or even good for a few days. We've stayed there a couple of times.

Someone has already mentioned the living desert park west of town. The Biosphere is located about 20 miles north of Tucson.

Enjoy your trip. Hope this info has helped.

HamRad

[HomeOnTheRoad]

Sriegle, is that mission at Tucson or is it at Bisbee? The one at Tucson is beautiful if that is the one you mean.

[richfaa]

Yes Beaudry C. G in Tucson and you can look at all the new Montana's. Nice large pull through sites 25.00..we stayed there on our way down to Havasu City.

[patodonn]

The Voyager is first for us...Beaudry a close second.

Pima Air Museum (really good! and I was in the aviation business a long time) Located conveniently close to both Beaudrey's and The Voyager, just off I-10. Mission San Xavier del Bac. Old Tucson. Tumacacori (Mission and artsy town SSW of Tucson. Hike Sabino Canyon (early AM would be best in May/June) Tombstone and Bisbee (a full day trip from Tucson). Biosphere (North of Tucson),also pretty much a day trip from Beaudry's or The Voyager.

Best ribs we have encountered wandering the entire US are consistently found at the Texas Road House (a chain, no less)). Don't even try for a full rack...too much.

Enjoy Tucson and environs..

[VanMan]

Thanks everyone!!! We were there a loooong time ago, and Tombstone is about all I remember, so this will practically be a first for us.
I just hope we can squeeze all this in - it's all the "stuff" I like - caverns, history, museums, good food, good scenery. We didn't get to take a vacation last year to some health issues I had, so we're way overdue.

[gojodo]

If you really want something interesting to do in Tuscon go see my friend Mike Fleury at Fleur de Tuscon Balloons. A great once in a lifetime experience is to fly in a hot air balloon over the desert. http://www.fleurdetucson.net/

[VanMan]

John - that sounds great, but his season is Oct - April due to the heat. I guess I do need to get to the Albuquerque balloon fiesta some day. A couple more things to put on my "to do before I die" list. I have a couple more years until retirement, so maybe if I can stay healthy !!!

[gojodo]

We are meeting Mike and Becky (fleur de tucson) at Albebuquere for the Fiesta. We are staying on the field and will be crewing for Mike. John is a balloon pilot as well. We went to France with Mike for the Montgofieres, oldest ballon fiesta in the world. If you make it to Albebuquere look us up.

Also if you want a really nice day hike visit Sabino Canyon, beautiful. Just east of Tucson butting up to the Catalinas.

There is a botanical garden, Tohono Chul Park on N. Paseo del Norte. Very nice and if you go stay for lunch.

John and Dorothy