Desert Trails RV Park, Tucson AZ

Stay Date: November 2014
Our Rating:  GOOD – 9
If you’re tired of cookie-cutter, side-by-side RV parks, you’ll enjoy this park.  Formerly a water park, sites are arranged helter-skelter throughout the park.  Some are side by side, some back to front, some angled….but it all works.  Lots of desert landscaping and a fair amount of Palo Verde trees to provide shade at most sites.  Interior road are mostly paved, and wander without reason through the park; sites are gravel and mostly back-in.  Unusual for this are is that electric is included in the price, which makes it a good deal for those of us with lots of power requirements.  Unlike many snowbird parks, there doesn’t seem to be any cliques, and everybody waves and smiles.  Lots of facilities; pool, hot tub, library, sewing/craft rooms, card rooms, exercise rooms, and weekly entertainment decided on by a Monday meeting of residents.  Very resident-oriented staff, and as a result, lots of returnees. Free WiFi, but it didn’t work well at our outer fringe location.  No cable, but clear views of satellites and good OTA reception.  Verizon cell and 4G were good.  Behind the park is a network of trails that wander through saguaro-studded desert and beautiful views.  The location is a bit off the main road, but not far from ample shopping and the interstate.  Reasonable at $595/month for 50A.  Desert Trails RV Park

Tonopah Station RV Park, Tonopah NV

Stay Date:  November 2014
Our Rating:  BAD – 4
Based on previous reviews, we didn't expect much, and it lived up to our expectations. Arriving at 3:00, there were only two spots open, most taken up by long-term residents. Tight, sloping sites, just long enough for a 40' RV and small SUV tow. The good news is that our site had a 50A plug - the bad news was that it was upside down, a bit of a problem with our surge guard. But it worked, as did the water, and there was a sewer hookup. Lots of traffic through the area as residents cut through the parking lot on their way to the casino and supermarket next door. Lots of bright lights for security so we felt fairly safe, and it was quiet throughout the night. If you plan to stay, get there early; we watched at least a dozen RVs drive through looking for a space. Free WiFi actually worked well, and Verizon cell and data were good. No cable or broadcast TV, but nothing to block a satellite. The casino is historic (old) with a lot of cigarette smoke, and we passed on the restaurant. Not a scenic stop, but fulfills the need for a midway rest between Reno and Las Vegas.  Priced right at $21/night.  Tonopah Station RV Park

Sparks Marina RV Resort, Sparks NV

Stay Date:  November 2014
Our Rating: GOOD – 10
Our favorite place to stay when passing through the area.  A true resort, you park under the portico and are escorted to your site, complete with AstroTurf, small shade tree and table.  Sites are adequate in size and have room for parking adjacent to your RV.  The staff is unfailingly friendly and professional, and the landscaping is meticulously maintained.  The clubhouse has exercise equipment, ping-pong tables, a pool, and hot tub.  An immaculate laundry and small store are also available.  Free cable and WiFi were excellent, and there’s broadcast TV and clear views of satellites.  Verizon cell and 4G worked well.  Located in a quiet area, with a large shopping complex down the street, with many restaurants and a nearby casino.  Can’t imagine any way to improve this place.  Winter rate a bargain at $29.  Sparks Marina RV Resort.

Yreka RV Park, Yreka CA

Stay Date:  November 2014
Our Rating:  GOOD – 7
Not much stands out as impressive at this park, but it has easy access from the interstate, is quiet, and has good hookups and free WiFi. The interior roads and sites are gravel, and most are sloped side-to-side. A bit smaller than average, the sites have a narrow strip of grass and a small tree. The free cable TV was adequate, and Verizon cell and data were strong. Pretty much a cooky-cutter layout and facilities, with a slightly higher than average nightly cost. The town of Yreka is nearby and has shopping and a large WalMart.  Overpriced at $39/night.  Yreka RV Park

Bullards Beach State Park, Bandon OR

Stay Date:  October 2014
Our Rating:  GOOD – 9
One of the larger coastal state parks with a variety of sites. Loops A and B are the older sites, and most have vegetation to provide privacy, while C loop has more open sites. A busy place all year, and reservations are usually a must during the summer and into fishing season which ends in October. Close to Bandon, with good Verizon cell and data, but satellite TV can be a problem depending on your site. Lots of full hookup sites, and a dump station also. A large volunteer and ranger staff keeps the park meticulously maintained and the restrooms and showers were very clean. Bandon is just down the road and is one of the coast's best maintained little towns, with a quaint "Old Town" and a variety of restaurants. Busy, but quiet at night.   Reasonable at $24/night.  Bullards Beach State Park

Humbug Mountain State Park, Port Orford OR

Stay Date:  October 2014
Our Rating:  GOOD - 9
A great park with lots to offer for the family. Sheltered by mountains, the park is generally sunny and warmer when the surrounding area is fogged in, and if camped in the upper loop, is much less windy. A short trail passes under the Highway 101 bridge to a beautiful, secluded beach, and the old highway is now a great walking trail which features great views of the water and an unusual "fern trail". The upper loop is less windy, the lower closer to the beach and has a limited number of pull-through sites. Traffic noise can be bothersome during the day but quiets down at night, and most sites provide privacy from neighbors. Bathrooms are meticulously maintained and hosts and the ranger staff are friendly and helpful. Cell service is spotty, as is Verizon data, but most restaurants in Port Orford feature free WiFi. Close to the Cape Blanco lighthouse, Hughes House, and Coast Guard lifesaving museum. More family-oriented than most state parks we've visited due to being off the beaten path.  Sites with electric (30/50A) and water a bargain at $22/night.  Humbug Mountain State Park

Friendly RV Park, Weed CA (Updated)

Stay Date:  May 2014
Our Rating:  UGLY– 1
This is only our second “1” rating in over 250 ratings since we started full timing.  The other was because of facilities, this one is because of another reason – we were lied to by the park host.  We didn’t get off to a good start when we followed directions to the park and were met by a “road closed” sign.  We called the park and the host gave us alternate directions, but it was annoying since we’d spoken to him when we made reservations, and even though the construction was going on at that time, it wasn’t mentioned.  So we arrive at the park, are guided to a site, and begin to set up.  Opening the electric box I see that the 50A plug is removed and a cover on in it’s place.  Questioning the host (we always ask for a 50A, full hookup site), he said he was sorry but “all the 50A wiring has a burnt out line” and none was available (BTW, we didn’t get a reduction in the standard rate).  The next day I watched a motor home pull in the site next to us and plug into the 50A power.  Hmm, I said.  When I asked the owner, he said yes, the power was working fine.  So did the next motor home that pulled in on the next site.  I wasn’t so much that we had to limit appliance usage on the 30A plug, but the idea that we were lied to.  Why?  Less power consumption for them?  Thinking we’d have to use their Laundromat?  I was on my way to confront the host when two police cars came roaring in and pulled up at one of the long term resident’s site.  After a few minutes, they came out with a guy in handcuffs, threw him in the back of one of the cars, and took off.  It was then I noticed that even though the host knew we were departing the next morning, he parked a truck and trailer behind us even though there were empty spots everywhere.  This meant we couldn’t hook up the tow without pulling out, then shutting down, hooking up, and starting again.  So I wont bother with the usual details of this park – it’s apparently up for sale and there isn’t much motivation to provide a service, and anytime I see the town’s entire police force show up and arrest a resident motivates me to stay somewhere else.  And you should, too.
Update July 2014 – The above review was also posted on rvparkreviews.com, a web site that has become the gold standard for park reviews.  Unfortunately, it’s not possible to control who submits the reviews, and in this case it’s apparent that the staff of Friendly RV Park continue to mislead their customers.  In this case, as soon as my review hit the web, three glowing reviews were posted, all within three days.  At first glance, they seem OK – but look at the number of other reviews made by each reviewer and where they are.  Zero other reviews…..one other reviews…. the real giveaway is the one with one reviews   The other review is on the McCloud RV park, which just happens to be owned by the same owners as Friendly RV Park.  It’s disheartening to see such dishonesty from an RV Park owner when instead they could have posted a “fake” review stating that the park has been cleaned up of undesirables and the host replaced.  Instead, more lies.  So a word of caution – always see how many other locations a reviewer has posted before giving credence to a golden or particularly bad review.

Mill Casino RV Park, North Bend, OR

Stay Date:  May 2014
Our Rating:  Good – 8
This is a favorite stop when passing through the Coos Bay/North Bend area.  The park, adjacent to the casino, has paved interior roads and sites, with both pull-thrus and back-in sites.  Back-in sites are cheaper, and numbers 27 and 28 have a view as good as any of the pull-thru sites.  Nice landscaping, a friendly staff, and good security make this a quiet stay, and there’s a shuttle on call to take you to the casino which has an excellent restaurant.  Verizon cell and data worked well, and the park WiFi was also good.  A dependable, comfortable stay at $34/night.  http://www.themillcasino.com/accommodations/rvpark.cfm

McKinley RV Park, Waldport, OR

Stay Date:  May 2014
Our Rating:  GOOD – 9
This is a park that can be rated outstanding or just average depending on your site location. For us, an early season visit meant a pull-in river view site which made it outstanding. Sites without the view are nice, and all are cement with large pads, convenient hookups, and enough room not to feel crowded. The park Wi-Fi was excellent, and the cable TV worked well. Verizon cell and data were good, and there were no obstructions to the satellite. Office check-in was friendly and efficient, and the office store is well stocked. Waldport isn't very large, but has a market and a number of restaurants. The view from the first row is well worth a stay here, and we'll return.  About what you’d expect for the area at $32/night.  http://mckinleysrvparkandmarina.com/

Seven Feathers RV Resort, Canyonville, OR

Stay Date:  May 2014
Our Rating:  GOOD – 10
Seven Feathers has become our stay of choice when traveling on I-5 through Oregon.  Across the highway from a casino of the same name, the park is truly a resort, with amenities, customer service, and landscaping that would make Disneyworld jealous.  Check-in is under a covered portico with an escort to your site.  The pull through sites are long enough to keep the tow attached without a problem, and are level concrete with adjoining pad and table.  Sites are not large, but are adequate and have manicured grass, flowers, and trees.  Cable and WiFi both worked very well, satellite TV was good, and Verizon cell and data were strong.  The indoor heated pool, hot tub, exercise room and media room are all comparable to a fine hotel, and there’s even Concierge service.  A shuttle will pick you up for a trip to the casino or restaurant, and we always find the buffet to be superior for the price.  Too bad all RV parks that call themselves “resorts” can be this nice.  Reasonable at $35/night.  Seven Feathers RV Resort

Sunrise Valley RV Park, Mina NV

Stay Date:  April 2014
Our Rating:  GOOD – 8
This is the best…..and only RV park in Mina, a convenient stop when traveling from Las Vegas to Reno/Sparks.  In the middle of nowhere, it’s an oasis with shady sites and good hookups.  The pull-thru sites are extra long with a picnic table and fire ring (although I don’t know where you’d find wood), and hookups work well.  No cable, but no obstruction to satellite, and good WiFi.  Verizon cell and data were marginal and barely worked.  Nothing in this town of less than a hundred, so plan on eating in.  A nice place to stop with a friendly owner.  A nice stay at $27.50/night.  Sunrise Valley RV Park

Sparks Marina RV Resort, Sparks NV

Stay Date:  April 2014
Our Rating:  GOOD – 10
Sparks Marina RV Resort is in our top three when it comes to the quality of amenities – although the sites are not large, they’re designed so that you can have plenty of room sitting under the tree on the artificial turf on the forward portion of your site.  Exceedingly professional and friendly staff, with escort to your site and assistance in setting up if needed.  Nice office/store, exercise room and pool, with free cable and WiFi that worked until the park became crowded.  Good Verizon cell and 4G, and no obstructions to the satellite.  Ideally located – just off I-80, but quiet, and near a huge area of shopping and dining.  Our preferred place to stay anytime we’re in the area.  Reasonable during the winter rate (Oct-Apr) at $176/week, otherwise a bit pricey.  Sparks Marina RV Resort

Desert Eagle RV Park, Nellis AFB, NV

Stay Date:  April 2014
Our Rating:  GOOD – 9
Not all military campgrounds are built by people who understand RVs, but Desert Eagle is the exception.  Easy to access from I-15, the park is across from the main base near the housing area and hospital.  After easy check-in, we were escorted to our site, a long, large concrete pull-thru surrounded by trees.  The sites are spaced widely, and with the trees the sites have a sense of privacy seldom experienced.  Hookups worked fine, Verizon cell and 4G were good, and the park WiFi generally worked well.  No obstructions to the satellite, and good broadcast TV.  There’s daily jet noise, but little or no flying at night, so no interruptions to a quiet night’s sleep.  Friendly staff, great commissary, good location – one of the best military parks around.  No weekly rate but still very reasonable at $22/night.  Desert Eagle RV Park

Blake Ranch RV Park, Kingman, AZ

Stay Date: April 2014
Our Rating:  GOOD – 8
We liked this park from the start just from the phone reservation.  The lady in the office was extremely friendly and flexible on our length of stay since we needed service on our motor home.  On arrival, we were welcomed and told not to worry, they’d make sure we had a space for as long as we needed.  The park is located on a bluff above an interstate truck stop, and although close to all the activity, is quiet at night.  Everything is gravel, but sites are large, level, and ours had a nice-sized tree and a picnic table.  Hookups were well-located, and the cable TV and free WiFi worked well during our stay.  No obstructions to the rooftop satellite, and Verizon cell and data were very good.  The park is also a “horse hotel”, but that part of the park is located on the far side and any activity or smells were not noticeable.  The only drawback is the 11 mile distance to Kingman, but the quality of the park made the drive worthwhile.  Kingman has a surprising number of good restaurants and adequate shopping, and an above-average Freightliner facility.  A quality stay at $26/night (Good Sam).  Blake Ranch RV Park

Rose Valley RV Park, Silver City, NM

Stay Date:  April 2014
Our Rating:  GOOD –9
We stayed at this park years ago, and were pleasantly surprised on our return how much the park as grown and improved.  Friendly hosts at check in, and good oiled gravel roads to our back-in site.  Each site has a rustic fence or shrubs planted to reduce the ever-blowing wind in the spring.  Hookups are convenient, and cable TV is furnished.  The park WiFi wouldn’t connect in our location, but Verizon cell and data were strong.  This has become a busy park with many long-term residents, most of who keep their sites neat and uncluttered.  The laundry, exercise, and library were all immaculate and well maintained.  Quiet at night, with easy access to the main shopping areas and downtown.  Reasonable at $27/night.   Rose Valley RV Park

Norma’s RV Park, Joseph City, AZ

Stay Date: April 2014
Our Rating: GOOD – 7
Sometimes all we need is a safe overnight parking spot with hookups, and Norma’s, a small park in a small town along I-40, fits the bill.  Easily accessed off the interstate, there are just a few pull-thus, so call in advance.  We were able to keep the tow attached with blocking anyone, and the electric worked well.  The water hookup was in a well covered by dirty water, so we just used our on-board supply.  No WiFi, and we didn’t use the park cable.  Our satellite had a clear view and Verizon cell and data were strong.   A friendly owner, in his 90s, came around to welcome us and chat.  A bit tight to avoid trees and other RVs getting out, but it can be done.  The rate of $18 made this a good stop for us.  Norma’s RV Park

Rusty’s RV Ranch, Rodeo, NM

Stay Date:  April 2014
Our Rating:  GOOD – 10
There 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 astronomers 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 table 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 rice/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 by 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.

Coachlight Motel and RV Park, Las Cruces, NM

Stay Date:  March 2014
Our rating:  GOOD – 8
We’re always looking for a reasonable alternative to the highly-prices Hacienda RV Park when visiting Las Cruces, and found it with this park.  Easy to find and access off I-10, the park is part of a motel complex, and is fenced and secure.  Check in at the motel office was easy and efficient.  Sites and interior roads are dirt but were not dusty.  Sites were long enough to keep the tow attached, level, and hookups were conveniently located.  Not many trees, so satellite TV was unobstructed.  Free Wi-Fi worked well, and Verizon cell and data were very strong.  Despite being close to the interstate, the park was quiet without any road noise.  There’s a nice restaurant in front of the park that serves breakfast and lunch, and Old Mesilla is just down the street.  A great place to stay using the Passport America discount – $18/night for full hookups.  Coachlight Motel and RV Park

Twin Spruce RV Park, Ruidoso, NM

Stay Date:  March 2014
Our Rating:  GOOD – 6
This is our first stay at this park and we probably won’t return.  Conveniently located just outside of town off Rt 70, the park has an upper level for seasonal campers, and a lower level for transients.  Access is good, and interior roads are gravel with gravel sites.  Check in was easy with a friendly host, and we were able to get one of the larger sites, but it was too short to keep the tow vehicle hooked up.  The site was sloped side-to-side, and it wasn’t possible to get the motor home level without lifting wheels off the ground.  Satellite TV was obstructed by the many trees lining the back of the park, but the cable TV was extensive and most channels were clear.  The park WiFi was intermittent, but Verizon cell and data were good.  While dropping off trash in the dumpster, a worker came running out of the office demanding to know why I hadn’t disconnected the water the night before.  I advised him that it was our first night and the forecast was for a low of 38, although it got colder.  He seemed interested in continuing the conversation, but I was not, and left him standing there.  The park spaces are very close with a small strip of grass and a table, and if full it would be uncomfortable.  At $32/night it wasn’t a very good value and we’ll pass next time.  Twin Spruce RV Park

Fort Stockton RV Park

Stay Date:  March 2014
Our Rating:  GOOD – 7
This park is our preferred stay location in Fort Stockton.  Located a few miles east of town, it’s convenient to access and fairly quiet compared to the locations in town.  A popular and busy stop, it fills up almost every night, and the addition of an area for oilfield workers has probably added stress to the restrooms.  Friendly staff, easy check in, and nice pull-thru convenient to the access road.  Dirt interior roads, although not too dusty, with a few trees and a bit of grass.  Sites are medium sized, with a small cement patio and table, and hookups work well.  No cable, but satellite was unobstructed.  The WiFi was slow, probably due to the number of users, but Verizon cell and data worked well.  A small café serves breakfast at reasonable price daily and dinner Fri-Sun; we’ve always enjoyed the food here.  A pool is available for warmer weather.  $32/night.  Fort Stockton RV Park