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02-01-2015, 11:00 PM
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#1
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2 Rivet Member 
2012 27' FB Classic
Yakima
, Washington
Join Date: Mar 2012
Posts: 82
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Arizona state parks
Hello,
We are travelling to Arizona and would like to know where you stay and if there are any great state parks? We have almost two months to just wonder and can go anywhere in the state. Appreciate any and all information.
Thanks
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02-01-2015, 11:35 PM
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#2
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Rivet Master 
1962 28' Ambassador
1961 19' Globetrotter
1962 26' Overlander
Mesa
, Arizona
Join Date: Jun 2013
Posts: 5,999
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It is a varied and beautiful state and many will weigh in. Some of our favorite are McDowell Mountain State Park, Lost Dutchman State Park. For us both of these parks are close to Phoenix so city things are available and then you are just a couple of minutes out of town for a peaceful and picturesque evening with incredible views.
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Hittenstiehl
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02-01-2015, 11:56 PM
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#3
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Rivet Master 

2005 28' Safari S/O
Paradise
, California
Join Date: Jul 2006
Posts: 3,446
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Usery Mountain Regional Park is very nice. East of Phoenix and on the edge of the Tonto National Forest so easy access to urban services and desert wilderness. Beautiful cactus gardens too. If you're a baseball fan, go in March for the Spring Training games.
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Steve
"THE OLDER I GET, THE BETTER I WAS"
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02-02-2015, 12:47 AM
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#4
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Living Riveted since 2013

2016 Interstate Lounge Ext
Winter Garden
, Florida
Join Date: Dec 2013
Posts: 8,240
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Check out Lake Pleasant Regional Park, north of Surprise. The park itself comprises some striking desert high country with plenty of Saguaro, at least one interesting hike, and wild burros running around. There are also a couple of small campgrounds. We've not camped there yet, but it's on our list.
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02-02-2015, 08:17 AM
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#5
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Regular Guy
1978 31' Sovereign
Hot Springs
, Arkansas
Join Date: Aug 2014
Posts: 603
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 I went to the Arizona Department of Tourism website, and they sent me literature of every imaginable place in Arizona. Its broken down in to areas of interest, Agri-tourism, dining, camping etc. I've been to AZ 7-8 times and never knew some of these places existed. It's a great resource and free! Order online and you will get a package in 5-6 days. I also received coupons and discounts for some things as well.
If you are ever planning on going to Oklahoma, check out their website. They have the most beautiful and comprehensive guest package I have ever seen. It's free too.
As we plan our trip out west, each state has given us a great way to plan the trip at the dinner table, and they even throw in a folded map for us low tech old school types.
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02-02-2015, 08:25 AM
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#6
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Rivet Master 
2014 27' FB Eddie Bauer
Chelsea
, Michigan
Join Date: May 2010
Posts: 1,792
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You might consider ordering the Arizona Guide from these folks:
Shunpiker
And definitely get this map/atlas:
http://www.amazon.com/Arizona-Road-R...benchmark+maps
Have fun! We are in Florida this winter but are headed out to AZ and Southern CA next fall/winter.
__________________
Bob Martel
WBCCI# 5766
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02-02-2015, 08:55 AM
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#7
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2 Rivet Member 
2012 27' FB Classic
Yakima
, Washington
Join Date: Mar 2012
Posts: 82
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Thank you all, can't wait to get there and check out these places. Maybe we will see you there.
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02-02-2015, 09:03 AM
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#8
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Rivet Master 
2008 22' Safari
Oracle
, Arizona
Join Date: Oct 2007
Posts: 1,174
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When you come into the state by road make sure you stop at a welcome station, they will have a State Parks brochure that lists location and amenities of all our parks.
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02-02-2015, 09:30 AM
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#9
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4 Rivet Member 
2012 28' International
Prince Edward County
, Ontario
Join Date: Nov 2013
Posts: 352
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The more popular parks near Phoenix and Tucson (Lost Dutchman and Catalina respectively) get booked up early so reservations are needed. We are booked into Catalina next week and I reserved back in October when there were only a few vacancies left. Dead Horse Ranch in Cottonwood is excellent and a nice base from which to visit Sedona. We've also stayed at Picacho Peak State Park about 40 miles north of Tucson. We liked it notwithstanding its location near I-10 and it was relatively easy to get into (only weekends were busy).
Lake Pleasant Regional park is nice and was easy to get into when Lost Dutchman and Usury Mountain were booked. We were there in early March last year.
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02-02-2015, 09:50 AM
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#10
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Rivet Master 
1962 28' Ambassador
1961 19' Globetrotter
1962 26' Overlander
Mesa
, Arizona
Join Date: Jun 2013
Posts: 5,999
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See great recommendations from locals and visitors. When you are here also feel free to join either the 4CU (4 Corners Unit) or Phoenix Units for some great get together's in Feb and March.
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Hittenstiehl
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02-02-2015, 11:31 AM
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#11
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Rivet Master 
2016 28' Pendleton
Currently Looking...
Scottsdale
, Arizona
Join Date: Jul 2009
Posts: 840
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Hi from AZ. . . just a thought, everything around PHX gets pretty full at Spring training, so reservations would be a good idea. As others have said, Lost Dutchman & White Tanks S.P.s are very nice & very convenient to the area. The State Parks are on line if you get impatient. . .regards, Craig
__________________
WBCCI 2851,4CU
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02-02-2015, 02:41 PM
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#12
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Rivet Master 
2005 19' Safari
GLENDALE
, AZ
Join Date: Aug 2004
Posts: 2,453
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Catalina State Park has an overflow camping area. It has a new, very nice restroom and shower facility, with a central area of picnic tables and fire rings. However, there are no individual tables and fire rings at each site. And, of course, no hookups.
We have stayed in the overflow area several time waiting for a spot to open up in the regular campground. Every time, it ended up easier to remain in the overflow lot, instead of moving.
Great campground with lots of equestrian and hiking trails. Also, many lower trails are wide and well-suited for mountain bikes.
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02-02-2015, 04:41 PM
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#13
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Rivet Master 

2006 19' Safari SE
Tucson
, Arizona
Join Date: Jun 2007
Posts: 4,627
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Our very favorite AZ State Park is Fool Hollow Lake Recreation Area in Show Low, AZ...if you are going to be there in Spring, Summer or early Fall. It's open year round but it can be cold and snowy in the winter... And while you're there you might want to check out the many National Forest Camprounds on the Mogollon Rim that extends across Arizona ... from just above Payson east to the NM border. We like Lost Dutchman and Picacho Peak a lot as well. (Picacho is closed in the summer.) Dead Horse Ranch in Cottonwood is great base park to see the Sedona area.
Some of the parks mentioned above area actually not AZ State Parks (McDowell Mt, White Tank) but part of the Maricopa Count Regional Park System along with Usery Mt, Cave Creek and Lake Pleasant (and more)...they are all great parks and you can make reservations.
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TB & Greg and Abbey Schnauzer
AirForums #21900
PastPrez, 4CU/WBCCI
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02-02-2015, 05:32 PM
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#14
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Site Team

Airstream - Other
2016 Interstate Grand Tour Ext
Bosque Farms
, New Mexico
Join Date: Jan 2004
Posts: 7,082
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One state park that we've used several times as a pass-through from here to there and back is Homolovi Ruins just outside of Winslow. It's got lots of interesting Hisat'sinom (Ancestral Pueblan) stuff and is still a sacred place for their descendants, the Hopi. And it's got a decent campground for RVs and is only a short drive in to eat at La Posada!

Lynn
__________________
ACI Big Red Number 21043
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02-05-2015, 10:36 AM
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#15
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2 Rivet Member 
2002 25' Classic
Portland
, Oregon
Join Date: Jul 2012
Posts: 82
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We spent Thanksgiving to New Years staying at Az state campgrounds. During that time they are very empty. We stayed at Picacho Peak, Patagonia Lake, Kartchner Caverns, Roper Lake, and Lost Dutchman. All great parks. I would definitely recommend Kartchner- the caverns are spectacular! One of the two tours is closed after Apr. 15, due to bats nesting. A good day trip from there is Tombstone or Bisbee. A great day trip from Picacho Peak is the Biosphere 2
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02-06-2015, 09:07 AM
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#16
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4 Rivet Member 
1978 31' Sovereign
1984 31' Excella
Springfield
, Missouri
Join Date: Mar 2006
Posts: 325
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We spent some time in North Arizona this past summer..... we had good luck with Bureau of Land Management Campgrounds, especially around Taos. Also FOrest service campgrounds and boondocking.
The BLM camps had lights and water usually hot showers.
With the golden age access pass our camp fees were below $10 in most places. State parks were more.
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02-06-2015, 10:10 AM
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#17
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Rivet Master 
1989 34.5' Airstream 345
Ebro
, Fla Panhandle
Join Date: Jul 2013
Posts: 1,212
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Another nice park to put on your list is Buckskin SP. On the Colorado river a bit north of Parker. Cool and mellow by the river in the winter.
I hear it is jumping in the summer with all sorts of river antics going on.
But quite mellow this time of year.
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02-06-2015, 10:25 AM
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#18
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Rivet Master 
Hampton
, New Hampshire
Join Date: Oct 2005
Posts: 2,127
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We are sitting in AZ as we speak, have been camped for a few days (boon docking) just a mile outside of the south entrance to the Grand Canyon. Temperatures here are a little cooler than in the Phoenix area (20's at night, low 60's during the day), but it has been great. We are sitting on a fire road and there are multiple "campsites" (obviously there are no camping fees), although we are the only ones here. A little slice of heaven. And with our senior pass access to the Grand Canyon is free as well.
We will shortly (as in later today) moving to Lost Dutchman and McDowell who others have commented on - this will be our first time at either of these locations, but will try to give you some insight after our visit.
__________________
Brad (The Slowsky's)
2019 Airstream Classic 30RBT, 2021 Ford F350 King Ranch 4X4 w/6.7L Diesel, Hensley, ACI #1313
travelwiththeslowskys.com
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02-06-2015, 10:31 AM
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#19
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Rivet Master 
Hampton
, New Hampshire
Join Date: Oct 2005
Posts: 2,127
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Oh, and I forgot to mention we stayed in a national forrest campground called White Spar which was great! Just outside of Prescott, which is a cool little town. Near Prescott also are a couple of lakes (Watson Lake to name one) which are just drop dead gorgeous if you travel with kayaks or canoes; very quiet, no motorboats. You can see some of our AZ travels if you click on travelwiththeslowskys.com, a blog I use to try to remember where the heck we've been! We will be in AZ for another week or two.
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Brad (The Slowsky's)
2019 Airstream Classic 30RBT, 2021 Ford F350 King Ranch 4X4 w/6.7L Diesel, Hensley, ACI #1313
travelwiththeslowskys.com
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02-06-2015, 10:35 AM
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#20
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Rivet Master 
Hampton
, New Hampshire
Join Date: Oct 2005
Posts: 2,127
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All right, last post. We will also head in a few weeks down near Tucson to Catalina and Valley of Fire campgrounds. We have not been to either, but I believe these are both supposed to be nice.
__________________
Brad (The Slowsky's)
2019 Airstream Classic 30RBT, 2021 Ford F350 King Ranch 4X4 w/6.7L Diesel, Hensley, ACI #1313
travelwiththeslowskys.com
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