Jump to content

Hunker down spots


Recommended Posts

Us full-timers, well all RVers are always looking for the perfect (to them) spots to hang out when it’s time to slow down a little. After only 3 years on the road and 152 different campgrounds we have found a few we have liked but most are in the wrong part of the country or in a town to large.

I think we have whittled it down to Arizona for our wintering spot (probably 3 months and we have thought Colorado, Wyoming or Montana would probably be areas we might want to find a spot to hang out for a couple of the hotter months during the summer and travel the rest of the year.

While traveling we like to boondock or spend time in state parks but while hunkered down we like a more resort feel (I know, there is that loosely used resort word) so for fun I thought I would give examples of parks we felt met our needs for a hunker down spot and see if anyone had ideas of parks in Colorado, Wyoming or Montana that might be similar.

Parks we would call hunker down parks that we have stayed in are, Palm Creek Golf & RV in Casa Grande Arizona, The Palms in Yuma Arizona, Superstition Views in Gold Canyon Arizona, Bella Vista in Foley Alabama, Polson RV Resort Polson Montana (except they have no activities), for example. Do any come to mind in the northern states I mentioned???

Dave & Diane

2020 New Horizon Majestic  5th wheel

2018 Ram 5500

2014 Tiffin Phaeton 42LH (SOLD)
2012 Jeep Rubicon Unlimited (SOLD)

http://daveanddiane.wordpress.com/

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCWqRmO1rO4cu3rFANF1iG6Q

 

http://tickers.TickerFactory.com/ezt/d/4;10752;80/st/20120701/e/Went+fulltime/dt/-2/k/271f/event.png
 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

While an interesting subject, it can be difficult to nail down because we have many different definitions of "perfect." I'm thinking that you mean to return over and over to the same one or two places? We never found anywhere that suited us for many return visits, but it was because of our tastes and not a fault of any park. We now have a home-base that is great, but I continue to miss moving my home from place to place.

 

You may want to consider more than one area or park, but spend a season at each but in different sections of the country. We loved that lifestyle, spending 3 months or so at a stop, but a different one each year or season.

Good travelin !...............Kirk

Full-time 11+ years...... Now seasonal travelers.
Kirk & Pam's Great RV Adventure

            images?q=tbn:ANd9GcQqFswi_bvvojaMvanTWAI

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

For the summer months in Colorado, there are a lot of options in several different cool mountain towns. The 2 I'm familiar with are:

 

http://www.funvalleyfamilyresort.com/ Fun Valley RV Resort near South Fork Co along the South Fork of the Rio Grande River; close to all types of outdoor activities as well as a full slate of activities run inside the park. this park has been owned & managed by the same family for the last 50 years or so and is usually near full with repeat customers, most of whom stay all the summer.

 

http://www.mountaindalecampground.com/ Mountaindale Campground is another full service park with activities, a great location and lots of repeat all summer long residents.

 

edit:

its been years since I did any extended stays in Wy, but back in the day when I liked to combine back packing, mountain climbing and fly fishing; I was in love with the Wind River Range and used to use this place as my base camp... http://www.thelonghornranch.com/ its near Dubois, and just far enough from the summertime craziness of the Yellowstone-Teton area

Jim

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I don't know if you'll find many "resorts" up north like the ones you mention. Most places do daily or weekly rates but not monthly. It's their time to make money. The ones that offer a monthly probably isn't where you want to stay. If your pockets are deep enough check out Tiger Run in Breckenridge, Co.

 

http://www.rvparkreviews.com/regions/colorado/breckenridge/tiger-run-rv-resort

 

Jeff.

Tina and Jeff

Class of 2011

"RV there yet?"

2005 Gulfstream Endura

and a 1987 Jeep Wrangler

 

http://rvtravelswith...a.blogspot.com/

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Minnesota was not on your list but we spent a summer at Mississippi Riverwood RV Park. http://www.mrarvpark.com It's right on the Mississippi River just northwest of Minneapolis. We missed out on the pig roast because we didn't check the activities calendar before inviting Dave's former co-workers over for a meal. The lots are privately owned but you can rent for a month or more. They have an ad in the Escapees magazine.

 

Linda Sand

Blog: http://sandcastle.sandsys.org/

Former Rigs: Liesure Travel van, Winnebago View 24H, Winnebago Journey 34Y, Sportsmobile Sprinter conversion van

Link to comment
Share on other sites

We love hunker down spots but the ones we enjoy are primarily disprsed camping spots on BLM, Forest Service, and Bureau of Reclaimation Lands. There are great spots in New Mexico, Arizona, Colorado, Montana and Wyoming. On of our favorite is dispersed camping near Vedauwoo (between Laramie and Cheyenne - just off the Interstate). It has some of the finest high grade rock climbing in the country (son still takes me up the easy to moderate routes). Had two young Bull Moose fighting within 25 metres of our trailer for 45 minutes three years ago.

 

Cannot think of a private RV park we have enjoyed spending more than a few days to wash clothes, drain tanks, fill freshwater and propane and drive to another quiet and secluded spot.

 

Reed and Elaine

Link to comment
Share on other sites

We love hunker down spots but the ones we enjoy are primarily disprsed camping spots on BLM, Forest Service, and Bureau of Reclaimation Lands. There are great spots in New Mexico, Arizona, Colorado, Montana and Wyoming. On of our favorite is dispersed camping near Vedauwoo (between Laramie and Cheyenne - just off the Interstate). It has some of the finest high grade rock climbing in the country (son still takes me up the easy to moderate routes). Had two young Bull Moose fighting within 25 metres of our trailer for 45 minutes three years ago.

 

Cannot think of a private RV park we have enjoyed spending more than a few days to wash clothes, drain tanks, fill freshwater and propane and drive to another quiet and secluded spot.

 

Reed and Elaine

I get ya as far as the dispersed camping goes and we have certainly enjoyed it and still do but we are starting to think about 1 spot down south where we can pamper ourselves and stay a little more active with things other than hiking like we do while dry camping. Variety is the spice of life ya know LOL!!

We are thinking 1 spot down south for maybe 3 months and maybe 2 or 3 spots up north to spend a month at and then travel like we have over the last 3 years by just jump from spot to spot each week. And boondocking would certainly be part of that. We like to mix it up but we all have different ways of doing it and there isn't a wrong way.

Dave & Diane

2020 New Horizon Majestic  5th wheel

2018 Ram 5500

2014 Tiffin Phaeton 42LH (SOLD)
2012 Jeep Rubicon Unlimited (SOLD)

http://daveanddiane.wordpress.com/

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCWqRmO1rO4cu3rFANF1iG6Q

 

http://tickers.TickerFactory.com/ezt/d/4;10752;80/st/20120701/e/Went+fulltime/dt/-2/k/271f/event.png
 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Minnesota was not on your list but we spent a summer at Mississippi Riverwood RV Park. http://www.mrarvpark.com It's right on the Mississippi River just northwest of Minneapolis. We missed out on the pig roast because we didn't check the activities calendar before inviting Dave's former co-workers over for a meal. The lots are privately owned but you can rent for a month or more. They have an ad in the Escapees magazine.

 

Linda Sand

Thanks Linda, we just think the states we mentioned thinking it would keep us in less humid areas and spots we can get some altitude for cooler temps.

Dave & Diane

2020 New Horizon Majestic  5th wheel

2018 Ram 5500

2014 Tiffin Phaeton 42LH (SOLD)
2012 Jeep Rubicon Unlimited (SOLD)

http://daveanddiane.wordpress.com/

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCWqRmO1rO4cu3rFANF1iG6Q

 

http://tickers.TickerFactory.com/ezt/d/4;10752;80/st/20120701/e/Went+fulltime/dt/-2/k/271f/event.png
 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I don't know if you'll find many "resorts" up north like the ones you mention. Most places do daily or weekly rates but not monthly. It's their time to make money. The ones that offer a monthly probably isn't where you want to stay. If your pockets are deep enough check out Tiger Run in Breckenridge, Co.

 

http://www.rvparkreviews.com/regions/colorado/breckenridge/tiger-run-rv-resort

 

Jeff.

That looks like a nice spot for sure but they don't have monthly rates during July & August which is probably when we will be looking to stay put and cool. And you are right about the deep pockets LOL!!

Dave & Diane

2020 New Horizon Majestic  5th wheel

2018 Ram 5500

2014 Tiffin Phaeton 42LH (SOLD)
2012 Jeep Rubicon Unlimited (SOLD)

http://daveanddiane.wordpress.com/

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCWqRmO1rO4cu3rFANF1iG6Q

 

http://tickers.TickerFactory.com/ezt/d/4;10752;80/st/20120701/e/Went+fulltime/dt/-2/k/271f/event.png
 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

For the summer months in Colorado, there are a lot of options in several different cool mountain towns. The 2 I'm familiar with are:

 

http://www.funvalleyfamilyresort.com/ Fun Valley RV Resort near South Fork Co along the South Fork of the Rio Grande River; close to all types of outdoor activities as well as a full slate of activities run inside the park. this park has been owned & managed by the same family for the last 50 years or so and is usually near full with repeat customers, most of whom stay all the summer.

 

http://www.mountaindalecampground.com/ Mountaindale Campground is another full service park with activities, a great location and lots of repeat all summer long residents.

 

edit:

its been years since I did any extended stays in Wy, but back in the day when I liked to combine back packing, mountain climbing and fly fishing; I was in love with the Wind River Range and used to use this place as my base camp... http://www.thelonghornranch.com/ its near Dubois, and just far enough from the summertime craziness of the Yellowstone-Teton area

Thanks for the ideas Jim.

Dave & Diane

2020 New Horizon Majestic  5th wheel

2018 Ram 5500

2014 Tiffin Phaeton 42LH (SOLD)
2012 Jeep Rubicon Unlimited (SOLD)

http://daveanddiane.wordpress.com/

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCWqRmO1rO4cu3rFANF1iG6Q

 

http://tickers.TickerFactory.com/ezt/d/4;10752;80/st/20120701/e/Went+fulltime/dt/-2/k/271f/event.png
 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Like you, we like Arizona in the winter time (obviously). Before we built the house, if we had had to choose a resort to stay at for the winter, it would be Mesa Regal in Mesa. We loved the Palms in Yuma, but don't love Yuma so much. Mesa has lots of hiking to offer, and Mesa Regal rivals the Palms for activities, Actually, IMO the daily happy hour by the pool, with full menu, live music and dancing every day, is tough to beat, and they have the most state of the art Fitness Center I have EVER seen, in addition to all the other activities.

 

Or, come visit us :)

 

Sue

Sue and Paul- fulltimed 2009 -2015 with Dozer, our Gray Tuxedo cat

 2012 DRV Mobile Suites 36TKSB4 pulled by a 2020 F350 Platinum

Our "vacation home" : 2018 Arctic Fox 1150 truck camper

RIP Dozey

http://soos-ontheroad.blogspot.com/

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Sue,

 

We're over at Val Vista - just a little smaller than Mesa Regal, but love all of the different things in the park. There is so much in the greater Phoenix area and Mesa has a fantastic arts center, as does Scottsdale & Chandler. And of there there is the Musical Instrument Museum in North Phoenix (we're going to see Herb Alpert in 2 weeks), plus the Heard Museum (and others) in Phoenix and, of course, Spring Training - just got back from watching the Rangers beat the Athletics. And when we want to get out into the Superstitions, it is only a few minutes away.

 

Barb

Barb & Dave O'Keeffe
2002 Alpine 36 MDDS (Figment II), 2018 Ford C-Max HYBRID
Blog: http://www.barbanddave.net
SPK# 90761 FMCA #F337834

Link to comment
Share on other sites

It sounds like you want a place with lots of activities like you have in Arizona in the winter. You might have to settle for 'just a park'. The northern parks are geared to summer vacationers/families and other than food events you won't find much more. Good luck in your quest.

Full-timed for 16 Years
Traveled 8 yr in a 2004 Newmar Dutch Star 40' Motorhome
and 8 yr in a 33' Travel Supreme 5th Wheel

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I don't have any good hunker down spots for winter!

But upstate New York is Great in July and August!

Some one should put together an Escapes guide to hunker down spots.

I would do it but I'm limited on experience on other than the North East and have 2 years before I full time!

Actually every body send it to me I will put it together!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

We agree it is hard to find RV sites in the north that compare activitywise to those in the greater Phoenix area.

 

It has been a couple years but we enjoyed the Missoula, MT area and stayed at http://www.jellystonemt.com/

a couple of times unfortunately a lot of kids in the pool and it is geared more for families but lots to do in the area. The smoke jumpers museum is a must see. In the summer there are lots of activities downtown in the park.

 

Kalispell, MT https://www.glaciercamping.com/?utm_source=RVParkReviews.com has a great art festival in the summer but reservations for RV Parks are a must as there are not many parks for big rigs there.

 

Post Falls, ID http://www.cdarvpark.com/index.html several golf courses nearby and a bike/walking path along the river to Spokane. A hop skip and a jump to Coeur D'Alene which is very dog friendly and casual dining.

 

If you love to golf Lebanon, OR http://www.mallardcreekgc.com/rv-resort/

 

Not everyone's cup of tea, but we enjoy Portland, Or. http://www.columbiariverrv.com/?utm_source=RVParkReviews.com

and Fairview, OR. http://www.portlandfairviewrv.com/?utm_source=RVParkReviews.com

IMHO they are not very RV friendly wanting those staying over a month to pay for a credit report before you can reserve a site. I can understand from a business owners perspective but from a client view I am very protective of my social security number and the front desk staff's handling procedures of credit reports didn't fill me with confidence.

 

McMinnville, OR http://www.oldestonevillage.com/ The Evergreen air and space museum and winerys nearby

 

We have driven by this park several times though never stayed there Eugene, OR: http://www.premierrvresorts.com/eugene-or.html?utm_source=RVParkReviews.com

 

For those not wanting to travel very far if you winter in the Arizona Desert, Flagstaff, AZ in the summer is very comfortable weather but the RV parks with the exception of J & H 55+ park http://flagstaffrvparks.com/?utm_source=RVParkReviews.com are pretty "rustic". The winters can be pretty harsh so keeping up the interior roads is a challenge for any park in Flagstaff.

 

About 20 miles south of Flagstaff for smaller rigs try Munds Park http://mundsparkrv.com/?utm_source=RVParkReviews.com

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 1 month later...

Sue,

 

We're over at Val Vista - just a little smaller than Mesa Regal, but love all of the different things in the park. There is so much in the greater Phoenix area and Mesa has a fantastic arts center, as does Scottsdale & Chandler. And of there there is the Musical Instrument Museum in North Phoenix (we're going to see Herb Alpert in 2 weeks), plus the Heard Museum (and others) in Phoenix and, of course, Spring Training - just got back from watching the Rangers beat the Athletics. And when we want to get out into the Superstitions, it is only a few minutes away.

 

Barb

What does it cost to winter over at these Phoenix-area places?

pethier, interested in toyhaulers for 13-foot car

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Full-timed for 16 Years
Traveled 8 yr in a 2004 Newmar Dutch Star 40' Motorhome
and 8 yr in a 33' Travel Supreme 5th Wheel

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Thanks for the GREAT information.

 

Safe Travels!

SKP #89742 - Lifetime membership - Member of the SKP Class of 2007
Good Sam Club - Lifetime Member
DataStorm #5423
Passport America - Lifetime Member
Sons Of The American Revolution (SAR) - Lifetime Member
American Legion - USAF - Lifetime Member
Rotary Club Member - 30 years

Escapee CARE Supporter

National Wildlife Refuge Volunteer

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Archived

This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.

×
×
  • Create New...