Arizona in January? - Montana Owners Club

bobneal · 08-27-2006, 07:51 AM

Hi all,
We're new RV'ers with a 2955 RL purchased in April. We've been keeping it local in Tennessee for now to get used to traveling with the Montana, but will move toward VA and DC this fall for a few weeks tour.

Our big plans are to make a trip "out West" in January (since the Titans probably won't make it to the playoffs again) and setting for four or five weeks in Arizona as a base of operations.

I'd like suggestions on camping in the warmer climes of Arizona in the winter, ie Tuscon, Phoenis, Mesa, Lake Havasu City, etc. I assume I'll have to make reservations, but how far in advance? What advice can you give for a newbie? Right now I'm looking at heading south of of Nashville after the first to January into Mississippi, then to Texas and spending a few nights in San Antonia and then west on I-10.

I had orignially thought about staying in the Flagstaff area, because we want to tour the Grand Canyon and Sonoma, but it will be freezing up there in January and I don't want to encounter snow or freezing temps.

Thanks,

Bob and Lynn

Bob and Lynn Neal
Nashville, TN
GO TITANS!

Parrothead · 08-27-2006, 08:44 AM

Bob
The Grand Canyon and Sonoma are close enough to the Phoenix area that you could park in Phoenix and then solo travel to the Canyon. It will probably be snowing there. There are lots of rooms available in the park and surrounding areas if you want to do an overnighter. Our experience this year has been few parks are full anywhere. I think the gas prices are having an effect on RVing.
Happy trails......................

Sue and Ed Rowe
Hemet California

2005 3400RL

2006 GMC 3500 Dually, D/A, Crew Cab, Long Bed

Bill and Ann · 08-28-2006, 12:56 AM

We encountered snow in March when we were at Flagstaff. We wanted to go north to Bryce Canyon but it was snowing too hard.

If you can't play a sport....Be one.

Bill and Ann
Napanee, Ontario, Canada
2004 3670RL Big Sky
2003 GMC 2500HD Crew Cab 4x4 Short Bed
20K.Reece Hitch
Duramax/Allison
Prodigy Controller

Parrothead · 08-28-2006, 06:33 AM

We were at Bryce several years ago in June and it was snowing!
Happy trails.........................

Sue and Ed Rowe
Hemet California

2005 3400RL

2006 GMC 3500 Dually, D/A, Crew Cab, Long Bed

Karl · 08-28-2006, 01:48 PM

We have wintered (Jan - Apr) in the Apache Junction, AZ area for the last six years, and we have thoroughly enjoyed it. We do make reservations because we have decided to stay at the same resort that we had been at before. BUT there is little need for a reservation, since there are so many resorts in the area. My suggestion would be not to make reservations, but rather to find a place in the area you are coming to for the first night or so, then take a bit of time to cruise through resorts in the area to find one that suits you. Our resort is Canyon Vistas RV Resort in Gold Canyon (Apache Junction) AZ, and I maintain the website for the residents there.

www.canyonvistasrv.com

You might want to visit the website just to see some of the amenities/activities. We like Canyon Vistas, but there are many other resorts that offer very similar amenities. Enjoy!

Karl and Carol Galstad
Plymouth, Wisconsin
(Jan - March in Gold Canyon, Arizona)

http://karlgalstad.com/

2002 Montana 3295
2003 GMC 2500 Duramax, Hypertech Prg III

Let Others Light Their Candles from the Flame You Carry

Okie Guy · 08-28-2006, 06:01 PM

You should be fine in Phoenix in January. The days are very warm and the nights are great. Short sleeve weather. Point of interest (if it is still there) The Rawhide Wild West Town. It is a must see cool old west town.

Okie Cowboy Guy
1997 Chevy 3500 Truck with Prodigy Brake Control
2005 Montana Mountaineer 330-RKBS
http://i1.tinypic.com/23k9b4g.jpg

richfaa · 08-29-2006, 03:48 AM

We are going to start out in Lake Havasu City then perhaps Yuma..It would be wise to make a reservation howver the C.G's we have contacted are not getting the level of reservations they usually do,,high energy cost, they say. It is our feeel that there will no problem in finding a C.G this year.

Rich& Helen N.Ridgeville,Ohio.

F-350SD, Lariat, V-10,4:30 Diff, tow command Long bed, Crew Cab Dually, 06 3400RL
Mor-Ryde Pin Box

8.1al · 08-29-2006, 09:42 AM

Bob & Lynn,
Since you will be coming across into southern AZ on I-10 why not spend a little time in the Benson area then up to Tucson for a while and then up to Phoenix area. This will give you a chance to explore each area and decide what suits you best. Both Benson and Tucson have some nice reasonably priced parks and Mesa-Apache Junction are overrun with rv parks. The Canyon Vistas park mentioned above is one of our favorites in that area although we are partial to the Benson area.

adelmoll · 08-29-2006, 11:52 AM

I'll second everything 8.1al said. We arrived in Benson last year the end of October and moved across the southern area including Mexico until Feb. Check our blog for pictures. It was great and we didn't make any reservations.

Helen

To follow our journey please click: Bill and Helen's Journey
2005 Montana 3475 pulled by our 2005 Ford 350 Power Stroke Diesel

trukdoc · 08-29-2006, 03:57 PM

I LOVE Lake Havasu. Cattail Cove state park is a very nice CG. There is a private concession right next to it however I do not remember the name. Should not be hard to find though.

Rick & Wanda R.
2005 F250SD Lariat 4DR.
6.0 Powerstroke
2005 Mountaineer 328RLS
Sulphur Springs, Texas
Kids: Lexus and Sunshine

ronnilu · 08-30-2006, 10:49 PM

If you are going to be in the general area you absolutely have to take in Quartzite, Ariz. during late January when the estimated population (probably 99% RVers) swells the desert to over a million. It is an experience you really have to see to believe. The RV show (free) is Jan. 20-28, 2007, and of course there are too many flea market and swap booths to be able to visit all. Havasu, Parker, Benson are all in the same vicinity so you can make it a day trip, or if you like adventure, bring your unit down and spend a couple of days boondocking in the BLM camping areas. You will have a unique time, guaranteed.
Mike

Mike & Ronni Sorrell
Bakersfield, Calif.
'06 3295RK
'03 GMC Duramx/Allison,4 door, long bed, supersprings,starboard running boards LineX

ronnilu · 08-30-2006, 10:53 PM

Oh, I forgot. Quite a few members of this forum get together in the Q'zite area during this time. May be an opportunity to meet some folks in person. I hope to get there this year too & will be looking in the forum to see where they are going to group up & maybe join in. From past postings they all have a great time meeting up with old friends and making new ones. Enjoy. Mike

Mike & Ronni Sorrell
Bakersfield, Calif.
'06 3295RK
'03 GMC Duramx/Allison,4 door, long bed, supersprings,starboard running boards LineX

richfaa · 09-01-2006, 06:32 AM

Helen and I have decided to take in Quartzsite so we will be watching for information on the forum.Sounds like a opportunity for a bunch of MOC'ers to gather..and you "experienced " boon dockers can help us boon dock..like start up our generator for us..

Rich& Helen N.Ridgeville,Ohio.

F-350SD, Lariat, V-10,4:30 Diff, tow command Long bed, Crew Cab Dually, 06 3400RL
Mor-Ryde Pin Box

Sunshine · 09-01-2006, 07:07 AM

Like Bill and Ann, we encountered snow in March in Arizona. We were in Camp Verde at Distant Drums RV Resort and got only a skiff one morning. Camp Verde was a good place to be - close enough to Cottonwood and Sedona to shop at some of the chain stores, and not all that far from Phoenix. Distant Drums is a nice resort and was not booked up.

Virgil and Karen
2000 3255RL
2006 F350 PSD 4x4

THE BAILEY BEARS · 09-04-2006, 05:12 PM

We love the winters in Apache Junction. We stay at Golden Vists on the east end of Apache Junction. It's a small park and everyone is super friendly. There are always a few lots for rent but it's hard to find a lot for less than a month stay.

Jerry and Nancy
'03 Chevy 2500 HD Duramax Allison
'01 Montana 2880 RL

Sunseekers · 09-05-2006, 09:05 AM

Bob & Lynn
We have a home in Mesa and are there for 6-7 months and rest of time traveling in Monte mostly in NW.
I would highly recomend Usery Park for anyone coming to Phoenix area. It about 7-8 miles off Freeway (last Mesa exit going East on Fwy 60 - street is Ellsworth and you go North)

Park Hours
Sun-Thu: 6am-8pm
Fri-Sat: 6am-10pm
- 365 days a year Usery Mountain Regional Park
3939 N. Usery Pass Road
Mesa, AZ 85207
Ph: 480-984-0032 Fax: 480-357-1542
userypark@mail.maricopa.gov

Visit website www.maricopa.gov/parks/usery

Dave & Dixie
2003 Montana 2955RL 32'
2003 GMC Sierra SLT 2500HD Duramax/Allison Ext Cab 4x4.
Pace Edwards rolltop
cover. Reese 16k hitch.
Fireplace photos

Dave Anderson · 09-09-2006, 07:00 PM

If you will be in AZ in jan.,There will be a bunch of us at Quartzsite from about the15th on. just watch the forum, either Hamrad or gypsy or golfnut will probably start a thread. We all go out into BLM land and stay free for a couple of weeks, Its a YOU MUST DO thing ,at least once during your Montana thing----------Dave

Dave and Kelly Anderson
2006 Ford F350 Lariate
98 Montana 2850 RK,/prodigy Mor/Ryde suspension,w/ neverlube axles,Total solar,Kevlar bedliner,eu300 genset w/ 40 Amp. chgr.

jrgwdenner · 09-10-2006, 03:49 AM

Q'zite is on our list to things to do in January. It will be great to see our friends from the Reno Rally there. Hopefully, the palm trees will show up to give us a little atmosphere.

Judy
http://spaces.msn.com/bamatravelers/
http://bamatravelers.blogspot.com
Traveling with Glen and Greta in our 2004 Dodge dually and Montana 3380 RL

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