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