Tuesday, April 8, 2014

Rusty’s RV Ranch, Rodeo, NM

Stay Date:  April 2014
Our Rating:  GOOD – 10
Rusty's 3There are so many RV parks – and most are the cookie-cutter variety.  So it’s a treat to find one that is unique; and Rusty’s certainly is that.  Located in the desert near the Chiracahua Mountains of Southeast Arizona (Rusty’s is just over the border in NM), it has become a mecca of sorts for amateur Rusty's 2astronomers and birder watchers.  The remote location makes for dark, crystal-clear nights, and the Chiracahua range has some of the best birding sites in the US.  The sites at Rust’s are huge – around 1/4 acre, and have a permanent Rusty's 1table and fire pit.  The pull-thrus are long (200’), level, and like the park roads, are dirt and gravel.  Hookups are centrally located, and the WiFi worked well, although Verizon cell and data were sporadic due to the location.  The owners are hands-on, friendly, and work hard to improve the park.  Each Friday they host a pot-luck and provide the main course (a wonderful Rusty's Pond and Gardenrice/sausage/broccoli dish on our visit), plates, and drinks in the clubhouse.  The clubhouse has an immaculate laundry and a large outside garden has trees, fountains, ponds, and bird feeders to make it a refreshing place to sit.  There’s a small above-ground pool and a pond surrounded Rusty's Pond and Garden2by trees and populated by a group of feisty geese.  There’s not much in Rodeo, but Portal, a small town at the entrance to Cave Creek Canyon, has a small store and café that serves the best green-chile cheeseburgers you’ll ever eat.  There are plenty of back roads and trails to explore, and the birding is exceptional.  You’ll probably run out of things to do after a while, but for a few days or a week this is an exceptional park.  The Passport America rate is good for three days @ $17/night for full hookups.  Rusty’s RV Ranch.

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