Palms Oasis, El Centro Naval Air Facility (NAF), CA

Stay Date:  Feb 2016
Our Rating:  GOOD –8
We were looking for a warm park, and EL Centro NAF filled our needs.  Located about eight miles outside the city of El Centro, the elevation is 87’ below sea level.  This is a small but busy base, where the Blue Angels acrobatic team spends the winter practicing for their summer season.  On arrival, the gate guards opened a side gate for us since the barriers make the normal entry impossible.  We had reservations, and checked in with the campground host to get a space.  There are three sections; a new area (our spot) with landscaping and full-width patios, the larger section, also paved, and the “tarmack”, basically a parking lot with hookups.  Our site was great – an end spot so no neighbor on one side, level, and with convenient hookups.  No obstructions to satellite TV, which is good because there is no cable and while the OTA antenna picked up 27 stations, 23 were from Mexico.  No Wi-Fi, but Verizon cell/data worked well.  There’s a clubhouse, a bit time-worn, and a laundry with $1 machines.  The exchange and commissary are very small and only carry the basics.  The major drawback here is the noise; besides the Blue Angels there is constant jet traffic as the runway is painted and lit to simulate an aircraft carrier.  Flying starts early and can last until 10:00 at night – and it seems like every aircraft flies over the park.  But overall it’s a good place to stay, and is reasonable at $20/day or $350/mo, electric included.  El Centro NAF RV Park

Adobe Village RV Park, Yuma, AZ

Stay Date:  Jan 2016
Our Rating:  GOOD – 8
Yuma is a snowbird heaven, where the population more than doubles in the winter.  To understand how many people from “up north” come here, take a look at Yuma on Google Earth – and try and find a structure that isn’t an RV or mobile home.  RV parks here run the gamut, but most are 300+ site places with countless planned activites.  We were looking for a one-week stay, without the amenities or activities that we wouldn’t use.  Adobe Village was perfect for us; reasonable, convenient to I-8, and a weekly rate that included electric.  Like all Yuma parks, there are few trees, but the lots were very large with a concrete patio and streets are very wide.  Hookups were good, Verizon cell/data were strong, and there were lots of over-the-air TV stations….but most were Mexican.  People were friendly, but get used to sentences ending with “eh?” with all the Canadians.  For the area, a week’s stay was a reasonable $150, electric included.  Adobe Village RV Park

Saguaro Escapees (SKP) Park, Benson, AZ

Stay Date:  Nov-Jan 2015/16
Our Rating:  GOOD –9
Our stay of choice when visiting the area; the park has the friendliest group of people you’ll ever meet.  Members of the SKP RV Club can rent the lots of leaseholders who are abscent, or a separate area with long-term spots.  Since you’re renting from a leaseholder, each lot is different; you may have a concrete pad and patio, or in our case, just a large gravel lot.  The lots are very large, hookups are convenient, and there are few trees to block a satellite.  Cable is included but isn’t very good, and there’s no Wi-Fi except at the clubhouse.  Verizon cell/data is strong, and there are OTS stations available.  The clubhouse has a large gathering room, a pool room with professional-quality tables, a library, craft room, exercise room, meeting rooms, and a nice laundry.  Everything is spotless, inside and out.  There are hiking trails behind the park that lead into the desert, and a few small trails scattered throughout the park.  Convenient to Benson with a number of restaurants and a Wal-Mart and Safeway, and a bit less than 40 miles from Sierra Vista or Tucson.  It’s worth the annual dues to be a member and use this park.  Monthly rates are low at $330 plus Electric.  Saguaro SKP RV Park

Cotton Lane RV Park, Goodyear, AZ

Stay Date:  Oct 2015

Our Rating:  GOOD – 7

This large snowbird park was mostly empty during our visit, which considering the narrow sites made it acceptable for our four-slide motor home. Paved interior roads with gravel sites and a strange arrangement where the patio was at the rear of the site. Small trees, so no TV satellite obstruction and lots of OTA channels. Good Verizon cell and 4G, but park WiFi was too slow probably because of our location on the far side of the park. Convenient to I-10 and Loop 303, so a good stay for easy access, otherwise nothing special about this park.  We’d avoid it during the winter months.  Pricey at $34/night.  Cotton Lane RV Park

Blake Ranch RV Park, Kingman, AZ

Stay Date:  Oct 2015
Our Rating:  GOOD - 8
Easy access to the interstate and 12 miles from Kingman, this park is our choice of places to stay when transitioning the area. The level gravel sites are at the top of an uphill slope and it can be difficult unhooking a tow vehicle, but with a restaurant within walking distance there’s no need to unhook for one night. Sites have partial shade and a table, and are well spaced. The park WiFi worked well in spite of the number of RVs present, and Verizon cell/4G were strong. Cable TV was adequate and there were no obstructions for a TV satellite. Friendly office staff. This is a popular place and was full by early afternoon, so reservations are a must.  Reasonable with the Good Sam discount; $27/night.  Blake Ranch RV Park.

Young’s RV Park, Caliente, NV

Stay Date:  Oct 2015

Our Rating:  GOOD – 8

Caliente is a small town in the midst of a beautiful area, and this park has great views of the surrounding mountains.  At the south end of town with easy access, check in was with the very friendly and helpful owner.  Interior roads and sites are gravel, with small trees planted in the rear of the sites.  Convenient hookups and plenty of room between sites.  No cable TV, but clear shot to TV satellites.  The park WiFi worked well, and Verizon cell/data were good.  Some long-term residence but not much clutter.  Quiet at night with no road noise.  Lots to see in the area, and we’ll be back.  With Passport America the first night is 50% off, all others 10%.  A great place at $23/night.  Young’s RV Park

Valley View RV Park

Stay Date:  Oct 2015

Our Rating:  Good – 7

Convenient to the highway, with fairly level gravel pull-throughs near the front of the park. Friendly folks at check-in. A bit tricky navigating the pull-through between the trees for big rigs, but doable. Trees blocked the satellite, but there were plenty of OTA channels available and a an extensive cable selection. Verizon cell and data were strong, and the park WiFi worked well. Plenty of truck noise throughout the night, otherwise a quality stay.  OK price at $27/night.  Valley View RV Park