Trip to AZ this Jan

[Redwahine]

Ok. Im trying to loosely plan our first road trip. So DH says he'd like to go to AZ this Jan. I've read a little about Quartzsite and DH would love the classic car show, mineral & rock show, RV show, etc. I like the places and people I want to see on the way there I also read that this little town goes from little most of the year to over a million winter visitors. Can anyone recommend a good CG or RV park in Quartzite? When I look at the satellite map the town looks like wall to wall RV parks.

Also, anyone have recommendations for the long stretch getting out of Texas We'll be heading west from Houston area along the 10. Places to stay, things to see. Any suggestions for the return trip?? We have about 3 weeks (jello) for this trip. We are not set up for dry or boondocking yet. DH must have his satellite TV Thank you in advance.

[snowball]

Oh Yes the party is going to happen!!!
Although I'm in town this year I'll bet that Kerry will let us gather
at her rig out in the desert she is where I am normally at
As to campground can't really help in that names are coming to me but due
to so many people you need to look into it soonish! there is a new one North part of town
that we have stayed at wish I could remember the name it's pretty large so many of the
campgrounds are filled with season long people there is one not far from me that seems to not fill
If I can find the time will take a drive through town and gather names for you or could go to the
chamber of commerce and see if they have a list
Now there is always the desert (BLM land) some areas are free can stay up to 14 days I believe
long term is 180 for the season Sept to April don't want to stay that long??? you can pay for a short stay
which is cheaper than the campground but no hook ups now why do you want to pay when you can stay
free....cause you can get water and dump in South LaPosa and cause that is where Sheron normally stays
if you want me to get some stuff for you pm me your addy and I'll send it soon
sheila
oh this is gonna be neat!!!

[flick4411]

Hilltop RV in Fort Stockton is a good place to stay on the way to AZ! Lorna posted some pics from there I think. It is a good run from San Antonio...we stayed in front of my co-pilot's house in SA after the run from Houston the day before. Hilltop is easy to bet to from the 10. The owner is a very nice lady. Her name is KC, and the number is 432.336.6090. Cost $25/nite for elect and water as of last Jan. I've also got info for Las Cruces and Tucson if you are interested. Since we were on a strict schedule coming across across the country in Jan, all stops were planned before I left VA. And except for the place in Baton Rouge (we both heard Dueling Banjos as we drove in), all the places were great.

[VickieP]

Li, I'm curious about the "dueling banjos" campground in Baton Rouge?

[Redwahine]

I've also got info for Las Cruces and Tucson if you are interested.

Yes please. I want to spend a couple days in Las Cruces. We lived there when I was 3 and my brother was born there. My dad was a rocket engineer at the white sands proving grounds.

[Sandersmr]

I'm interested in Las Cruces as well. And maybe something further east than Ft. Stockton - that would be a 500 mile day for us. Maybe Sonora or Ozona?

[rvgrammy1953]

Okay.....reversing our trip to here in Fredericksburg...staying here at Hill Country RV Park which is on the east side of town on US 290.....then take US 290 West to I-10 West....to Ft. Stockton's Hill Top RV Park, like Li said....Jim & KC are very nice folks and at $25/night is a deal....for full hookups...staying on I-10 to Deming, NM, taking exit 85 go a little over a mile to The Little Vineyard RV Park....$26/night for full hookups....then taking I-10 to I-8 we stayed at the Air National Guard Base's RV Park in Gila Bend, but there are other RV Parks in the area there.....we usually do 325 to 350 miles per day....the longest stretch is the Ft. Stockton to Deming at around 375 miles...I think... After that you are on your own as we came down from Lake Havasu (sp) AZ...on our way from Vegas....

Hope this helps in your planning....

Oh, and BTW, big road construction on the I-10/I-25 exchange in Las Cruses....mainly the I-25 part....hopefully it will be somewhat done when you get there....and a little construction east of El Paso, but we got thru both fairly easy.....

[retiredhappy]

You could always stay a night in Kerrville, Exit 508 on HWy 10. There's Schreiner Park in Kerrville; Buckhorn RV resort at Exit 501 (really nice but expensive); Guadalupe RV park on the main street of Kerrville. Fort Stockton is about 4 hours from Kerrville. check out Balmorhea State Park before Van Horn. I workamped at the Las Cruces KOA, nice park and nice owners. I'm thinking of going to AZ in March or April (I want to see the wild flowers) and Beth is workamping in AZ near gila Bend.

You need to get your reservations in as soon as possible for Quartzsite - they fill up fast.

[Bethers]

I highly recommend any of the new Mexico state parks over commercial cgs in nm. And yes, they have hookups. As far as I'm concerned in Tucson, Gilbert Ray is the best place to stay if you have to have hookups. I just recommended it to Diana and I think she understood why after staying there. I usually boondock, but again, that's a wonderful place. If you'll head through the Phoenix area, check out the regional parks. They are awesome.

Let me know when you'll be in Q, and I'll see if I can get over there the same time for a day, at least.

Sharon, when will you be there? And Evie? Maybe we need to get dates and put a real gtg together?

[PeggyinCT]

Hi Beth and everybody else going to Quartzsite. I am planning to be there for the RV show as well. My plans are not firm at this point, so I could gtg whenever somebody sets a date. I want to meet up with Ava at some point as well.
Peggy

[JudyJB]

Ditto on the Phoenix regional parks! I stayed in Lake Pleasant north of the city, but my favorite was Usery Mountain Regional Park just north of Mesa, AZ. Beautiful Sonoran desert and widely spaced spots with tons of wildlife. Loved it.

Just southeast of Tucson along I 10 is Kartchner Caverns State Park. Campsites have electric only, but there is a very nice visitor center within walking distance and cavern tours.

If you have never been to White Sands National Monument, don't miss it. Incredible to wander around the sand dunes in your bare feet! Looks like snow. There is no place nearby to stay, but it is still worthwhile.

[chalet05]

Glad to see the possibility of getting dates set for Quartzsite. I'm flexible, but will help with scheduling of some other stuff. I expect we may not hear from Sharon until after her week of fun in the sand!

[avalen]

let me know where you land come January

[bertnspike]

I will be in Q from Jan. 19 to Feb. 3. Please include me in any get together plans for that time.... Susan

[snowball]

hey it looks like there is a gtg in the wind
The last couple of years Sharon stayed in long term blm land next to me
the gem show at QIA is around the 22 of Jan why do I know that cause
I work in the salad making part of the kitchen and I spend my B'day there
haven't seen when the for real dates are for anything can also get that information
as well as the date of the big tent shows
sheila