Question for Retired2

We expect to spend a night in Las Cruces. Can you recommend a good campground? Do you know if the Las Cruces KOA is good? Is it clean, safe, and quiet? Does it have level sites?

We plan on staying over the next night in Tucson - possibly at Adventure Bound Camping Resorts - do you know anything about them? We want to drive (without the trailer) through the Saguaro National Park.... maybe have a picnic - or maybe just sleep all afternoon.

If you have the time, you should make the drive from Tucson to Ajo (120 miles); or part way. It is beautiful (wild flowers) this time of year. You could see Organ Pipe National Monument while your there.

That's something we can look into later today. We have an appointment that we have to get to pretty soon.

We've been to Saguaro and really loved it. Organ Pipe sounds good too. We will not be driving up to Las Vegas from Tucson, we will be driving I-8 to San Diego to spend a few days there. If there are any good RV accomodations in the Gila Bend area, we could easily change our plans.

Thanks. If we don't get there this trip, we'll get another chance. Our son lives in San Diego, so we'll be making the trip again, and I can't fly because of an ear injury.

Tater

Scruffy and Tater

Just went out to look at KOA. I was impressed, especially compared to what was there 10 years ago. I would say it is definitely above average for KOA. It has been totally reworked, sites are very clean (raked pea gravel with new concrete pads for parking. Sites are terraced as the KOA is on a hill, and terracing is well done. I didn't hear freeway traffic, and I don't think it would be much at night. It is on a dead end road. The KOA is out west of town, on a hill and has a great view of the valley, city lights and the Organ Mountains. It is at least 5 miles from the start of city activity (cafes, groceries, etc).

The Hacienda RV Park is a second option. It is the newest park in Las Cruces. Very similar park amenities as KOA. Roads are all asphalt, sites are fine pea gravel. Less trees, but tall shrubs for west sun blocking. The park is on a dead end road behind 2 RV dealers. It is close to freeway, Walmart and historic old Mesilla.

Looks like both parks are priced at about $40 plus tax, without discount card usage. Neither park was overly crowded this morning. Both parks are in safe areas and also indicate security services. I think you would be pleased with either.

I have never stayed in a RV park in Tucson. There are a lot of parks as they have a reasonable snowbird population which should be pretty well out by now.

If you are going to arrive in Las Cruces in the afternoon, we would enjoy meeting up with you so we can put names with faces, etc. I am sending a PM with contact information.

Gary and Glenda,
Thanks for driving out to have a look. I'll call KOA and make sure they have a site - not really concerned since it will be a weeknight. If they don't, then I'll try Hacienda.

Our GS Campground Navigator says if we get out of Oil Patch in Midland, TX, by 8am, we should be at Las Cruces KOA by 3pm.

We're used to Tex-Mex (and love it), are there any good, inexpensive to moderate, Mexican or NM-Mex restaurants nearby?

Hoping to meet you on Tuesday. I saw your PM. Thanks. Will discuss details with you in e-mail.

Tater and Scruffy

No problem. You can drive from Tucson to Ajo and pick up I-8 at Gila Bend. Won't be hardly any out of your way, just slower; 2-lane vs Interstate.

I know there are RV places in Gila Bend, but I can't vouch for any of them. Also a couple places in Ajo. This area is huge with snowbirds, that come and stay all winter. They should be heading home by now so there should be plenty of places.

If your into aviation, Davis Monthan AFB has a pretty good museum and there is also a Titan Missile museum. I've been to DM but not the missle museum. You might also want to check out San Xavier

Tater,

You can lookup campground reviews from here:

http://www.rvparkreviews.com/

They are pretty good reviews, some people rate the CG's bad cause of dumb things, like the pool was closed. So be sure to read the review.

oldelmer1 wrote:Tater,

You can lookup campground reviews from here:

http://www.rvparkreviews.com/

They are pretty good reviews, some people rate the CG's bad cause of dumb things, like the pool was closed. So be sure to read the review.

The DW and I have stayed a some of the parks that are rated on this site. Like Tom, we've often wondered, "Where the heck did that come from?" Either we're pretty easy to please, or some folks just go looking for a fight.

I think you nailed it. Some people are just out to find fault with what ever it is. We have had a few unpleasant experiences while camping as there are very few perfect campgrounds, but we try to enjoy ourselves where ever we are.