Western Winter RV Destinations

ARIZONA

Quartzsite

Located at the intersection of I-10 and US 95 you will find this an outpost that attracts over a million RV'ers every year.  This outpost is the perfect place to shop with half a dozen giant flea markets, and gem shows. There's a bargain there for everyone!  RV accommodations range from private campgrounds, or nearly free on government land. Best time to visit is definitely during the winter season:

Things to do in Quartzsite: 4^th annual “It's Chili in Quartzsite Cook-off & State Salsa Championship - February 24 ^th, 2007

                                                 “Hi Jolly Daze Parade” – January 6^th, 2007

                                                “The Main Event”: Swap meets, Gems. Arts& Crafts, Hot Air Balloons, Fireworks and much much more! – January 5^th – 31^st, 2007\

                                                Quartzsite Sports, Vacations & RV Show – January 20^th-28^th, 2007

                                                Rock & Roll, Classic Car Show – February 3^rd & 4^th, 2007

                                                41^st Annual POW WOW – January 24^th – 28^th, 2007

                                                Blue Grass Festival at Rice Ranch – February 23^rd – 25^th, 2007              

For more information on events contact the Quartzsite Chamber of Commerce, Box 85, Quartzsite, AZ 85346 or visit on line at www.qzchamber.com.

 

CALIFORNIA

Death Valley National Park

Thousands of RV'ers migrate here every winter to soak up sunshine at 200 feet below sea level. Death Valley national parks boasts a multitude of campgrounds for RV'ers to enjoy!

These are just a few that you will find:

Furnace Creek – open year-round and is located 196 feet below sea level, with 136 sites with water, tables, fireplaces, flush toilets and a dump station.  Rates are approximately $18.00 US per night during the winter season; reservations are recommended for the winter season, for more information call 1-800-365-CAMP

Mesquite Spring – open year-round, located 1,800 feet and 3 miles from Scotty's Castle.  This campsite has 30 sites with water, tables, fireplaces, flush toilets and a dump station.  The nightly fee is approximately $12.00 US per night, and reservations are recommended.

Stovepipe Wells – open from October 15^th – April 23^rd, and is located at sea level, with 190 sites and a dump station, nightly rates start at $12.00 US.

Sunset – open from October 15^th – April 23^rd, located at 190 feet below sea level.  Sunset boast 1000 camping sites with water, flush toilets and dump station – no fires allowed and is approximately $12.00US per night.

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NEVADA

Valley of Fire State Park, east of Las Vegas

You've never seen so much gorgeous fire-red sandstone rock in one place, and it's only an hour drive from Las Vegas. The campgrounds are very secluded and quiet you can hear a raven's wings flap in the still air of early morning. This is a world away from busy, noisy Las Vegas, and a great place to hike or simply take it easy. Check out the Indian petroglyphs along Petroglyph Canyon Trail.

Best time to visit: winter season. Info: (702) 397-2088.
 
 UTAH

Dead Horse Point State Park, near Moab

This year-round destination has a 1.5 mile trail that leads to and from the park campground.  The view from Dead Horse Point, on a plateau overlooking Canyonlands National Park and the Colorado River, rivals those at Grand Canyon. In the old days, cowboys herded wild horses to the point across a 30-yard-wide neck of land, whereupon the animals had a choice: surrender or leap 2,000 feet to their deaths. Today, visitors can have a picnic at Dead Horse Point (or camp there during the winter season), and enjoy a spectacular panoramic view of 5,000 square miles of spectacular canyon country.

For more information call (800) 322-3770.

Mexico

Traveling to Mexico this winter, here is a short checklist of things to look into prior to departure on your RV vacation and so do's and don'ts:

Customs Requirements, such as passports, visa, traveling with pets.

Travelers Insurance

Calling home or friends from Mexico with Telmex!

Mexican routes and toll rates.

Maps of Mexico check out SCT site for good PDF maps for your travels.

For general information about Mexico go to www.mexonline.com

 

Limit your daily travels to not more than 6 hours per day, with the heat and winding roads many RV'er's and their units suffer from exhaustion.

 

Don't overload your unit, they invite dangerous and costly tire blowouts.

Forget using your roof air, 90% of RV facilities do not allow the use of air conditioners, the most popular campground can hardly support the use of your electrical converter, to avoid the head in your RV bring along and 120V fan, this will keep you cool and keep the bugs away!

 

Here is just one of the RV Campgrounds that you can stay at while visiting in Mexico:

La Penita RV Park, a beautiful park located on the Pacific Coast of Nayarit, Mexico, La Peñita RV Park, Highway 200, 40 miles (60 kilometers) north of Puerto Vallarta open from November 1^st – April 30^th.

In the town of La Peñita de Jaltmeba, about 60 km north of Puerto Vallarta, this park is on a hill that comes up from the beach in terraces. There are over 100 serviced RV sites. Most have views. The park is a winter home to many RV's. Some have been coming for well over 20 years and spend several months.

Rates are approximately $475 U.S. per month or $18.00 U.S. per night. 

Clean water from their own deep well, reliable electricity, pool, laundry facilities, clean restrooms with HOT water, wi-fi and limited free calling to U.S. and Canada. Cable tv is available, there are lots of activities on site. For more information on this destination call   971-327-8649 from US or 250-244-3447 from Canada any time of year