Finding "DECENT" RV RESORTS ----- a little tough.

[recumbent615]

RV Parky and Allstays Camp and RV have great smartphone apps and so far we have found them to be pretty accurate. They help us as we are planning our travels.

Rod

I can attest to the accuracy of Allstays but the app and web site are managed by one person and he must rely on the reviews of others. But so far his location information has been spot on and he makes finding reviews easy though the app.

Kevin

 

[danemayer]

On RVParkReviews.com you can get a sense of quality of a resort by looking at the list of numerical reviews. The best parks will have a series of 9 and 10 ratings from visitors. That by itself isn't a guarantee of high quality, but it's a good start. Then read the visitor reviews. That will usually tell you the complete story. If 6 or 8 people in a row say it's great, it probably is. To me, by comparison, Woodalls or Good Sam "professional" reviews are worthless.

 

[TandT]

I don't really understand why you are having problems finding a decent park.
I agree with using RVParkReviews and RV Parky.
I throw out the lowest rating, because somebody (either the customer, or manager) had a bad day and nothing was going to be "right" after that. Read the rest of the reviews and make your evaluation. Also, talk to others wherever you are. You can gain a lot of info from others experiences. In addition check ReserveAmerica for specifics on State and National Parks.

We fulltimed for three years (now half-time) and only ran into a few less than desirable parks. Why are you making a reservation for three months w/o ever seeing the park? We rarely made reservations except at State and National Parks. We flew by the seat of our pants, moving probably 50+ times by choice, in three years. We only got turned away w/o a reservation maybe twice, but they always suggested an alternative park, which was good for at least a short stay.

If we liked a park, we would stay longer. If we didn't we left and went somewhere else. If it's booked for your desired length of stay and you like the park, book it for later down the road. Your fulltiming, what else have you got to do?
Also, when we are new to an area, we will scout around with the car or TV and find other locations that look good. Ask to drive thru with a campground map, or just make a list marking down the sites you like. We keep all the info in a binder for future reservations. Good luck and happy trails. Trace

 

[icechex]

I don't really understand why you are having problems finding a decent park.
I agree with using RVParkReviews and RV Parky.
I throw out the lowest rating, because somebody (either the customer, or manager) had a bad day and nothing was going to be "right" after that. Read the rest of the reviews and make your evaluation. Also, talk to others wherever you are. You can gain a lot of info from others experiences. In addition check ReserveAmerica for specifics on State and National Parks.

We fulltimed for three years (now half-time) and only ran into a few less than desirable parks. Why are you making a reservation for three months w/o ever seeing the park? We rarely made reservations except at State and National Parks. We flew by the seat of our pants, moving probably 50+ times by choice, in three years. We only got turned away w/o a reservation maybe twice, but they always suggested an alternative park, which was good for at least a short stay.

If we liked a park, we would stay longer. If we didn't we left and went somewhere else. If it's booked for your desired length of stay and you like the park, book it for later down the road. Your fulltiming, what else have you got to do?
Also, when we are new to an area, we will scout around with the car or TV and find other locations that look good. Ask to drive thru with a campground map, or just make a list marking down the sites you like. We keep all the info in a binder for future reservations. Good luck and happy trails. Trace

Thanks for your comment. Probably the reason we are having a 'hard time finding a spot' is that we want (1) a 55+ RV Resort that is "nice and worth the $ outlay, with (2) a lot of activites, (3) where I can golf and (4) we can go to the casinos. When you require those 4 things all in one park plus great weather.... you tend to be disappointed easily. So, we blame ourselves a little. Thanks for your suggestions.

DeWayne

 

[rxbristol]

On RVParkReviews.com you can get a sense of quality of a resort by looking at the list of numerical reviews. The best parks will have a series of 9 and 10 ratings from visitors. That by itself isn't a guarantee of high quality, but it's a good start. Then read the visitor reviews. That will usually tell you the complete story. If 6 or 8 people in a row say it's great, it probably is. To me, by comparison, Woodalls or Good Sam "professional" reviews are worthless.

+1. rvparkreviews.com is a great resource.

 

[TravelTiger]

Another useful tool us google maps. Put in the address of the park, and see a birds eye view of the park layout and how close the sites are together. You can also see how close the park is to activities you're interested in.

 

[Gaffer]

This meets all your needs: http://www.sevenfeathersrvresort.com/

Thanks for your comment. Probably the reason we are having a 'hard time finding a spot' is that we want (1) a 55+ RV Resort that is "nice and worth the $ outlay, with (2) a lot of activites, (3) where I can golf and (4) we can go to the casinos. When you require those 4 things all in one park plus great weather.... you tend to be disappointed easily. So, we blame ourselves a little. Thanks for your suggestions.

DeWayne

 

[brianharrison]

This meets all your needs: http://www.sevenfeathersrvresort.com/

Southern Oregon - how is the weather in January/February? Average temperatures and precipitation?

Brian

 

[pegmikef]

Another useful tool us google maps. Put in the address of the park, and see a birds eye view of the park layout and how close the sites are together. You can also see how close the park is to activities you're interested in.

This is also useful to check out the trees and any other overhead obstacles in case you have a satellite system. It is also handy for researching state and federal parks and recreational areas to check out the access to the sites (some of the public parks and recreational areas have some really winding and narrow roads for accessing the camping areas).

 

[Gaffer]

Roseburg is the closest town. You can check weather info online. This is not a warm weather winter climate.

Southern Oregon - how is the weather in January/February? Average temperatures and precipitation?

Brian

 

[djgarcia]

Based on my RV travels, the only areas that meet your criteria are:
1. Palm Springs/Indio areas in Calif.
2. Draw a 40 mile circle around the city Phoenix and you will find many RV Resorts meeting your criteria. Both areas in Calif. and Ariz. are visited by many "Snow Birders" during the months of Nov. through April. Making reservations months in advance is in your best interest.

 

[BBslider001]

We've been Rv'ing 24-7 for about 2 and a half years now and have discovered that all the ads on the internet advertising "GREAT RV RESORTS" .... are not dependable.

Recently, we though it would be nice to spend a winter in Palm Springs Ca and started investigating the local RV Resorts there..... whew!

Dirty, sour staff attitudes, bad golf courses, dirty swimming pools, cramped slots.... so on so on...

We have since decided to just go with the 'known,' i.e. places where we have friends, or places where our friends have stayed. It is truly distressing to become (slowly) aware of the fact that most RV RESORTS are rundown, dirty, and generally UNACCEPTABLE - irregardless of the 'fancy, nice looking, shiny new ads' that you see on the internet.

Main reason for this post is to advise everyone to REALLY CHECKOUT a RV Resort before deciding to head there for the winter/summer.

Another reason is to ask if anyone can "Recommend" a nice (Winter) RV Resort in Arizona or California.

By 'nice' .... I think most people will know what I mean.

Thanks in advance.

I think "nice" is pretty relative. I live in Southern CA and there are some pretty decent RV "resorts" but you are going to pay. My biggest complaint is that full timers have become a group of people who sold their nice big house for this lifestyle and yet expect the same lifestyle when they hit the road for adventurous trailer life. RV "resorts" shouldn't be the answer to the ex-HOA people. All it has done is drive up cost and make living in a "resort" a real PITA for the working guy supporting a family and trying to deviate from the conventional norm.

I just messaged my sister in law who lives in Southern Cali and she laughed and said she cant recommend a single one. I will say neither of us like "HOA" camping. Everyone in our family bought our rv's to get away from people.

True story here. I cant say this enough. The entire reason my wife and I chose this lifestyle and not get into a house was to avoid all of the BS with HOAs and neighbors who think your business in their business.

"Nice" - is in the eye of the beholder. However based on your "not nice" words earlier in your post - we have chosen Southern California, near El Centro NAF.

I consider Rio Bend RV and Golf Resort nice, balance of cost, service and facilities. Plus a bit warmer in winter than AZ (Valley area). I personally like it as it is a working community (50K people) and I can ride outside the resort through the produce fields and not be stuck inside a concrete jungle of resort after resort and traffic.

If you want more info, PM me. There is a referral program, so let them know I sent you and I'll pass along the $50 buck gift certificate to you......

Brian

PS - NAF El Centro does have jets and chopper noise (Blue Angels winter here) so that is one downside to some people; for me I grew up near an air force base so I don't mind the activity.

Brian, my wife and I stayed there for 3 days for the NAF Airshow back in March. It was such an enjoyable stay and we loved it. Our 3 year old daughter had a blast, it was clean, the views were spectacular, and there was plenty of space between sites. We have looked for an excuse to go back. I guess it will be for the airshow in 2015! We are both military brats, so the jet noise was really like home to us.

 

[brianharrison]

Brian, my wife and I stayed there for 3 days for the NAF Airshow back in March. It was such an enjoyable stay and we loved it. Our 3 year old daughter had a blast, it was clean, the views were spectacular, and there was plenty of space between sites. We ahve looked for an excuse to go back. I guess it will be for the airshow in 2015! We are both military brats, so the jet noise was really like home to us.

Hi Byron, glad you enjoyed your stay. As with most parks, Rio Bend is constantly renewing itself; we have a manager change this year and they are doing some great stuff. In addition we are attracting some new "family" with a great referral program. Rio Bend will certainly not meet everyone's needs (ie no Casino nearby), but it is very comfortable for me and my DW's lifestyle and needs.

I am just entering my 2nd half century, and I am looking forwards to many years at the park. Hope to see you there. We tend to leave to come back to Canada sometime near the airshow (Mar 14 this year).

Brian