A First Impression of Picacho Peak RV Resort
Imagine that you are brand new to RV Life, and the few RV parks you have seen so far on your journey are not much more than a parking lot with hookups. Got it?
Checking In and Exploring the Resort Amenities
Then, you arrive at the largest, most welcoming, beautiful resort you have ever seen, Picacho Peak RV Resort, with a stunning view of this gorgeous peak to greet you every morning! You check in at the office and get the layout of the park, its rules, and a list of amenities and activities, along with a calendar of events for the month.
Thanksgiving Surprise at Picacho Peak RV Resort
It is November at Thanksgiving time. You expect to eat at the resort, so you’ve yet to buy any groceries, but then you find out the RV resort celebrated the week before because so many people leave to go home and celebrate with their families. It’s a disappointment for sure, but no worries. You can run to the nearest store, get all the fixings, and cook a lovely meal in your motorhome, which is exactly what we did.
Meeting New Friends and Joining the Campfire
It was the day after we arrived; I ventured out the night before to explore a bit and met some nice people enjoying each other’s company around a large campfire. They called this campfire a bonfire, and there were hot dogs, all the fixings, and marshmallows, and some people were even enjoying a beverage while they chatted with other neighbors.
I wanted to meet new people, so I sat right down and waited while staring at the scenery around me. Eventually, a lady sat down, said hello to me, and introduced me to her husband and some friends. I left soon after because it got downright chilly when the sun disappeared behind the peak, and I only had on a sweater.
Sharing the Experience With My Husband, Dave
I returned to my husband, Dave, and gushed about the nice people I had met and everything they had shared about what a great park this was. Lots of snowbirds came to this park, chasing those mild temperatures just like we were, even though we were from Texas. Let me tell you, we experienced some frigid temperatures before coming on this trip. I wanted no part in that sort of winter.
Well, let it be known right here that my lovely husband is not a joiner. He listened and was happy for me, but at that moment, he did not want to be included in any plans I had for joining in the fun. I argued that it was why we were doing this RV life! His response was for me to do whatever I wanted as far as that went and to let him enjoy what he wanted. At that time, it was to be left alone so he could watch his TV and relax with a beer.
Enjoying Activities at Picacho Peak RV Resort
So, I set out to meet who I could. I enjoyed the park and its amenities and activities alone, but I always told him what an enjoyable time we had without him.
I got into game nights, where we played different games depending on the day of the week. Bingo one night and Bunco the next. Or Mexican Train on a Friday night at the clubhouse and other activities in the community center.
There was a heated pool and a library where I accessed the internet until we got our own T-Mobile hub. The park also had people who lived there most of the year in park models. One of these residents was a well-known rockhound named Karl. I made it my mission to meet this man and have him teach me about rock tumbling because I had always wanted to do that, and this place is where my love for it grew. I could write an entire post about my budding friendship with Karl and all he gave me or taught me in our time at the park, but for brevity, he was a true gem.
Discovering the Desert’s Beauty and Starting a New Hobby
The desert itself was so much more than I ever dreamt it would be, and I fell in love with its beauty at once. I photographed flowers and cacti non-stop and searched for rocks to get started on my new hobby. My wonderful husband bought a tumbler for my birthday, and things started to roll quickly after that.
The Campsites at Picacho Peak RV Park
Each RV spot had a divider wall for privacy, a beautiful little garden with rocks and cacti, and a concrete pad with a picnic table. The surface was so smooth we could put out our camp chairs without needing a mat.
My chair was a rocker type, and Dave’s was a standard chair with a side table attached. Staying at this campground truly felt like a real RV experience compared to the parking lots we had been in so far.
Adventuring with Friends
My new friends included me and expected me to show up for games, dinners, and tours around the park. We even did a caravan of side-by-sides one day and trekked to the other side of the mountain to see the gorgeous Mexican poppy bloom and search for geodes by an old mine.
Exploring Nearby Attractions
We visited Rooster Cogburn Ostrich Ranch, which practically butts up next to the park, and it had way more than ostriches. It is a place you must experience at least once.
During our stay, we also visited Casa Grande Ruins National Monument. Casa Grande, Arizona, is a big city about twenty-five minutes from the park. Tucson is another thirty minutes south of the park, and that city has a lot to offer, like big box stores such as Walmart. Phoenix is an hour to the northeast, and we also visited a park in Yuma during our time in Arizona. The post office and Dollar General are in Red Rock, a five-minute drive from the campground, and even though Picacho is small, Amazon delivers right to the RV resort as well!
Dave Joins the Fun
Eventually, David joined in and played a few games and attended some functions. We had a blast driving through the desert hills and climbing around on the peak. Picacho Peak State Park adjoins the RV Park, and one day, we did a short hike, sat in the saddle, and took pictures of the park and Tucson’s Mount Lemmon in the distance. During our fabulous week of vacation in our motorhome, we also packed up the pups and took a side trip to San Diego.
An Unforgettable Stay at Picacho Peak RV Resort
With so many treasures in and out of Picacho Peak RV Resort and the attraction of so many cities to explore nearby, you can have the time of your life at Picacho Peak RV Resort if you just have an explorer’s determination and a love for nature’s beauty!
We have become such good friends with so many people in the park that we keep up with them even now, two years later! We played bocce ball on Sunday afternoons, and one couple even had us at their home for dinner one night. We saw many park models through our friends and even considered one for our own, but later decided against it.
Resort Expansion and Amenities
The park was in the process of adding 250 more park models when we left. There were paved roads throughout the entire park and hundreds of RV spots as well.
There were also two large dog parks and a walking trail (where I clocked many miles on my pedometer). The trail ran through the desert and featured exercise equipment along the path. Every afternoon during our stay, it was warmer than 70 degrees, and you could find snowbirds in or around the pool, but I only got in once, and it was too chilly for me.
A Few Final Thoughts on Our Stay
Although the desert surely has its critters, we never saw anything dangerous there. It is amazingly clean, truly welcoming, and helpful, with a full staff of hard-working employees, some of whom are volunteers and work campers. Karl himself even had a position there some days as a gatekeeper. He greeted guests, helped protect and inform the residents, and provided stunning photographs for the group’s website.
I discovered what paloverde trees were and that I am allergic to them. I took allergy pills and enjoyed the park anyway. We discovered many plants and their uses, like devil’s claw, which I used in my craft projects. I also helped make some crafty table settings with a group of ladies for an upcoming Luau-type dinner.
You will enjoy your stay if you get into the spirit and join in the fun. I hope we get to return to Picacho someday, as I had the time of my life there in the desert.
Want to see other articles by Kim?
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 I’m Kim and I’m traveling with my hubby Dave and our two Shorkies Whiskey & Brandy. I love writing about my passions, my faith, my family, and now our new lifestyle as newbie full-time RVers. I like photography, so I’m documenting our journey with places, wildlife, nature, and activities along the way. Discovering new places and making friends along the way! Join us on our journey. You can find me at my blog Twisted Trunk Travels. |
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