Stay Date: April 2014
Our Rating: GOOD – 9
We were impressed with this park. A large facility with a small lake, there are day use areas, a beach, fishing docks, and a natural spring hot tub. Entry roads and sites are paved, and our back-in Cottonwood Loop site was huge, with a shelter and table, and a fire ring. 
Our site backed up to an arm of the lake with stagnant water, and so the mosquitoes were abundant when the wind calmed and at night. So no sitting around the fire here. We had 50A and water hookups, and there’s a dump station on the exit road. 
Lots of nice trails connect the different areas of the park, and there’s a loop trail that takes you up on a small mesa. The area with the swimming beach, called the “island” has great birding with it’s large variety of plants and trees. There are great views of the Mt Graham, and well maintained landscaping throughout. The office/visitor center has a nice gift shop and the volunteers we met were very friendly. No cable or WiFi, but our Verizon Jetpack worked well and there were no obstructions for the satellite TV. The Swift Trail is a paved road to the top of Mt Graham and is worth the trip – incredible views and a lake at the 10,000’ level. 
A trip to the “Gila Box” riparian area is also interesting. The Gila River creates a heavily-wooded strip through the desert landscape. Narrow, winding roads can be a problem with a large vehicle. A trip to Morenci and the copper mine is worth the effort. They’ve been digging since the 1870s and it shows. Our only complaint on the park besides the mosquitoes is the huge speed bump placed on the park exit. It’s bad enough that they built it so high, but you hit it an an angle which makes it even worse. But overall, a great park and worth the $25/night plus $5 reservation fee (you need a reservation). Roper Lake State Park
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
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
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.
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
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
We were impressed with this park. A large facility with a small lake, there are day use areas, a beach, fishing docks, and a natural spring hot tub. Entry roads and sites are paved, and our back-in Cottonwood Loop site was huge, with a shelter and table, and a fire ring. 
Our site backed up to an arm of the lake with stagnant water, and so the mosquitoes were abundant when the wind calmed and at night. So no sitting around the fire here. We had 50A and water hookups, and there’s a dump station on the exit road. 
Lots of nice trails connect the different areas of the park, and there’s a loop trail that takes you up on a small mesa. The area with the swimming beach, called the “island” has great birding with it’s large variety of plants and trees. There are great views of the Mt Graham, and well maintained landscaping throughout. The office/visitor center has a nice gift shop and the volunteers we met were very friendly. No cable or WiFi, but our Verizon Jetpack worked well and there were no obstructions for the satellite TV. The Swift Trail is a paved road to the top of Mt Graham and is worth the trip – incredible views and a lake at the 10,000’ level. 
A trip to the “Gila Box” riparian area is also interesting. The Gila River creates a heavily-wooded strip through the desert landscape. Narrow, winding roads can be a problem with a large vehicle. A trip to Morenci and the copper mine is worth the effort. They’ve been digging since the 1870s and it shows. Our only complaint on the park besides the mosquitoes is the huge speed bump placed on the park exit. It’s bad enough that they built it so high, but you hit it an an angle which makes it even worse. But overall, a great park and worth the $25/night plus $5 reservation fee (you need a reservation). Roper Lake State Park
