Arizona trip

[jeff780]

Looking to go to Arizona next January. We are wondering if anyone has any good rv parks around florence area? It’s our first trip being semi retired. Doesn’t have to have a lot of amenities. Thanks Jeff

 

[JRTJH]

January is not a "fun time" to be towing through either the plains or through the mountains around Albuquerque. One day you may be "sunny and clear with brisk temperatures" and the next day you may be 6" deep in blowing "white stuff" so dense that you can't see the hood on your truck. So, IMO, the risk is great, maybe too great to try a route through the mountains around Alburquerque. Best bet, even if it is a longer route, is to head south as far as you can to stay out of the weather predictions with the understanding that even if the forecast is correct 50% of the time, that still leaves a whole bunch of "wrong" to deal with....

 

[jeff780]

Unfortunately the time frame is all we can do now. I plan on finding a route around mountains, but trying to decide where to go. Tried looking at Florida but trying to find a spot to park is like winning the lottery. And we can only stay until April.

 

[sourdough]

January is not the time to "wing it" through the mountains in N NM. Made a trip in the same month 40 years ago and at Clines Corner (in a pickup) the snow was really coming down. Left headed for Albq. not realizing they had closed the highway as we left - THAT was a blinding, harrowing and slippery experience (spent the night trying to sleep in the cab of the truck figuring I would be sideswiped at some point). If I had had the RV I would have had to find a wideout and hope one of the sliding semis didn't take us out. It's VERY iffy across that stretch that time of year.

Where are you trying to go in FL? We like FL, been in AZ, but thinking there are better travel routes in the middle of winter.

 

[fjr vfr]

I have to ask, but why Florence? There are so many places in other parts of the state.
There are several RV parks in Casa Grande. We staid once at a KOA down the road a bit from there. It wasn't bad, simple and less pricey then most. There's also a state park, Lost Dutchman, not to far away, closer to Chandler.
You have time to look, but avoid elevation. Stay below around 2,500 ft or less.
And good luck with the weather. You'll need it.

 

[jeff780]

January is not the time to "wing it" through the mountains in N NM. Made a trip in the same month 40 years ago and at Clines Corner (in a pickup) the snow was really coming down. Left headed for Albq. not realizing they had closed the highway as we left - THAT was a blinding, harrowing and slippery experience (spent the night trying to sleep in the cab of the truck figuring I would be sideswiped at some point). If I had had the RV I would have had to find a wideout and hope one of the sliding semis didn't take us out. It's VERY iffy across that stretch that time of year.

Where are you trying to go in FL? We like FL, been in AZ, but thinking there are better travel routes in the middle of winter.

Was looking in central Florida around dade city. Every place we checked wanted four months and were already booked for next.

 

[jeff780]

I have to ask, but why Florence? There are so many places in other parts of the state.
There are several RV parks in Casa Grande. We staid once at a KOA down the road a bit from there. It wasn't bad, simple and less pricey then most. There's also a state park, Lost Dutchman, not to far away, closer to Chandler.
You have time to look, but avoid elevation. Stay below around 2,500 ft or less.
And good luck with the weather. You'll need it.

I have to ask, but why Florence? There are so many places in other parts of the state.
There are several RV parks in Casa Grande. We staid once at a KOA down the road a bit from there. It wasn't bad, simple and less pricey then most. There's also a state park, Lost Dutchman, not to far away, closer to Chandler.
You have time to look, but avoid elevation. Stay below around 2,500 ft or less.
And good luck with the weather. You'll need it.

There are so many parks to look at and we are flexible. I’m thinking maybe trying to pull camper out around first part of December and maybe drive home for holidays and drive back out. Would the weather be better?

 

[Notanlines]

Keep in mind that ‘semi-retired’ is a misnomer. You are either retired or you’re not. Like being pregnant. You are or you aren’t.
Also, head farther south into Florida. Sebring or Okeechobee for instance. It is basically warm all winter, no jackets and Levis in the daytime. LOTS of RV parks.

 

[JRTJH]

I'll defer to members who live in that area, but when we lived in Denver, we spent a lot of time in Alamosa, Pagosa Springs and Durango. Some years, elk season was "sort of nice with just a little snow and other years, we couldn't get into the same areas where we hunted even on horseback. That was in October/November. December is colder, wetter and in some years you might be OK in early December while other years, you may be 4 or 5 feet deep with blizzards or fair weather. The way the weather has been the past 10 years or so, it's a crapshoot whether the upcoming winter will be a mild one or another hellacious one with record low temps and record high snowfalls.... I wouldn't count on driving conditions in early December being much better than what you'll potentially face in January... You might get lucky wtih good conditions "going" but even then, you've still got the "coming trip" to get back home, and April can be as trecherous as January. Just look at what's happening in the Rockies now. There's no assurance that next April will be any better, but it could be or maybe not.... So, IMO, December is just as much a "crapshoot" as January and could be just as bad in April... Looking at a map, the North Rim of the Grand Canyon is about 50-75 miles South of Raton Pass and both are around 8000' elevation. The North Rim Park facilities don't open until June because of the unreliable snow/winter weather. Raton Pass can be just as bad for travel although most of the snow falls on the west slope of the mountains.

No matter how you stack the cards, a "towing trip" across the plains and over the passes around south Colorado/north New Mexico can cause you to be stranded for days at a time. but if you're lucky, you might hit a week where it's sunny and mild temps. You just can't plan on anything being "a good week" this far out from what Mother Nature decides to throw or sling in that area.

 

[Peto]

Like said get low ASAP and you will not have a problem. The big snows typically fall in March around here. I40 can have issues but this year that has only been twice. Nothing below Flagstaff has had much snow at all.

Make reservations as early as possible. Az is overrun in the winter and people come to stay.

 

[Desertdave-KEY]

You can take I-35 all the way to I-10 W and that will bring you in thru Tucson and into the Phoenix area.

 

[Desertdave-KEY]

Keep in mind that ‘semi-retired’ is a misnomer. You are either retired or you’re not. Like being pregnant. You are or you aren’t.
Also, head farther south into Florida. Sebring or Okeechobee for instance. It is basically warm all winter, no jackets and Levis in the daytime. LOTS of RV parks.

I consider myself semi-retired, My old workplace is having a difficult time replacing my position, so they beg me to come help out. So I work when I ever I want to and how long I want to. Having the ability to call the shots and stop when ever I want to is what I consider semi-retired.

 

[Tmesic]

The only park I know of in Florence is Caliente Del Sol.

I think like was said Casa Grande may be a better choice. More to do and more restaurants etc.

More park choices.

Tim

 

[Gearhead]

Lost Dutchman State Park would be my choice. But you will likely need a snowplow on the front of your truck to get there.
I would look at south Texas for the best bang for the buck.
I35 straight south.