Southwest this winter

[Ericpa3]

I'm interested in traveling with 2 dogs to southern California or Arizona in February. Need a sunny destination with access to hiking -- dog friendly. Would appreciate suggestions!

[rv4life]

Check out Alamo Lake State Park in Arizona.

Pretty remote area but very beautiful.

We've been there twice.

Here is a review I dug up on the Internet:

Alamo Lake State Park (AZ) It isn't often that we would recommend an 80 mile round trip into a remote and otherwise inaccessible part of the Arizona desert. However, if you ever find yourself en route between Phoenix and the California border, check this one out. Located literally at the dead end of a 40 mile paved narrow road, this State Park has several sections of campgrounds near the shores of Alamo Lake, formed by the construction of a dam across the Bill Williams River for flood control in 1968. The lake is reputed to be among the most productive for warm water fishing. Campsites vary from primitive to a few full service pull throughs. But by far the best bet is the water & electric hookup sites at "Campground C", located on a side road about a 1.4 miles before one reaches the Ranger Station and store. Here you are nestled among the palo verde trees, saguaro cactus, and green desert plant life. The sites are all paved, and beautifully landscaped out of a desert alive with a wide variety of birds and animals. These sites are much like the spacious, well designed and landscaped sites at McDowell Mountain Park -- but happily there has been no fire here as there was at McDowell. This is probably Arizona's most remote, and in many respects most beautiful, State Park. (03/99)

[Ericpa3]

thanks so much -- it looks terrific!

[Joy A]

I've been there. We had a little rally a few years ago over Thanksgiving and a great dinner.

Here's my little Scamp in a site with water and electric. Site #C 36
I thought this was the best loop.

[John McDonald]

http://www.forestcamping.com/dow/southwst/tontinfo.htm

Link to Tonto National Forest and Roosevelt Lake northeast of Phoenix. A number of campgrounds to choose from with and without facilities, boating, hiking, cliff dwellings to visit, not far from Globe, AZ. And during the winter months it is pretty quite. We spent 2 weeks at the Windyhill campground (not particularly windy!) and loved it. The first four pics are of the Tonto Nat. Forest area.

Winter 2011 099.jpgWinter 2011 066.jpgWinter 2011 071.jpgWinter 2011 056.jpg

Another place we liked was Anza-Borrego Desert State Park in southern CA near Borrego Springs, CA. http://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=638 The park is HUGE and is nothing like what you think of as a state park. It has camp grounds, but we mainly liked it for the boondocking possibilities. It should be warmer than Tonto National Forest. The last two pics are from Anz-Borrego. Borrego Springs Desert State Park 012.jpg
Borrego Springs Desert State Park 005 (Small).jpg
Cheers John

[Frederick L. Simson]

Originally Posted by Ericpa3

Southern California or Arizona in February

The Cleveland National Forest abuts the southern end of the Pacific Crest Trail. My favorite is Cibbets Flat Campground, a US Forest Service campground about 1-1/2 hours from the house. Dry camping only, there is potable water available to fill your fresh tank. The nearest dump station is at the Buckman Springs rest area nearby on I-8. This is a favorite spot to "get away from it all."

[Ericpa3]

thank you Frederick, John and Joy -- lots of great destinations to consider when it's dreary in the Northwest!

Eric

[Monica M]

Originally Posted by Frederick L. Simson

The Cleveland National Forest abuts the southern end of the Pacific Crest Trail. My favorite is Cibbets Flat Campground, a US Forest Service campground about 1-1/2 hours from the house. Dry camping only, there is potable water available to fill your fresh tank. The nearest dump station is at the Buckman Springs rest area nearby on I-8. This is a favorite spot to "get away from it all."

Oh, I love Cibbet Flat! Also, there is a bunch of boon docking areas in the Imperial Valley Desert that are perfect winter camping. That is where I head for the winter. There are the Holtville Hot Springs and if you don't mind some off roading going on around you, there is the Superstition Mountains in SoCal. There are MANY BLM areas in the AZ and CA deserts for boon docking, either free or you can pay very little to stay the winter ($180). No leash laws that have ever come to my attention anyway, I am from there and have camped there my whole life. Let us know where you choose. Cibbet Flats is still my favorite "campground" though. Me

[Carol H]

Keep the suggestions coming as I'm also hoping to get out of here assuming I can get away before snowed in and head south down to southern CA and AZ. Any suggestions for on route in Navada area are also needed.

Frederick a couple of questions. What temps should one expect at Cibbet Flat's in mid November and December? Also I see the website indicates that they have a max vehicle length of 27' - is that just the trailer length or is that the combo length - trailer and tow..... my set up is 32' total.

[Frederick L. Simson]

Originally Posted by Carol H

What temps should one expect at Cibbet Flat's in mid November and December? Also I see the website indicates that they have a max vehicle length of 27' - is that just the trailer length or is that the combo length - trailer and tow..... my set up is 32' total.

At 4,200 ft elevation they can get snow from time to time, but it rarely stays on the ground for more than a few days. December daytime is warm (high 60's) but can get down to mid 30's at night. There are high wind warnings on that I-8 pass through the mountain sometimes.

Length restrictions are just for the trailer. My combined length is 33'.

[Frederick L. Simson]

There is also the http://www.fiberglassrv.com/forums/f...ing-48648.html. I plan to be there.

[Byron Kinnaman]

Many of the replies have suggested specific places. I'm going to suggest something a bit different. Look up the National Forest Service web page. Find a Forest by State

Look at NFS in the states you wish to visit. Lots of good information about campgrounds, trails, etc.
If you want to hike with your dogs you'll need to avoid National Parks. Lots of people camp with dogs in National Parks, but dogs are NOT allowed on National Park trails.
I you head south this winter, say January, look for in Death Valley.

Good luck and have fun.

[Carol H]

Thanks Frederick and Byron.

I'm looking for warm!! Have to be home for Christmas so to early for Quartside but was going to ask about what to expect there. Assume it would be warmer than Cibbat flats?

[Byron Kinnaman]

Originally Posted by Carol H

Thanks Frederick and Byron.

I'm looking for warm!! Have to be home for Christmas so to early for Quartside but was going to ask about what to expect there. Assume it would be warmer than Cibbat flats?

There's a great web site for weather. There's a current 15 day forecast by location, then there's averages on into the future. Quartzsite is expected to be in the 80s over the next few days. Average during December is in the 60s. Accuweather
Try it for any area you might want to go to.

[John McDonald]

To add a few more links here is my list of often used camping sites:

http://freecampsites.net/attribute/states/ca/
BLM - The Bureau of Land Management
Free Camping | RV Camping, Car Camping, Tent Camping | Campsites, Campgrounds
Affordable RV Adventure Travel
http://boondockingguide.com/
http://www.dot.state...t_areas/map.htm
http://www.allstays....-rv-parking.htm
Campground Directory and National Forest Campgrounds
RV Park Reviews :: Home
RV Dump Stations, Sani Stations, Dump Points; a comprehensive Directory
http://cheaprvliving...oondocking.html
U.S. National Park Service - Experience Your America
Free Campgrounds for RVs
ALL US AND CANADA CAMPGROUNDS: STATE PARKS NATIONAL PARKS FORESTS MORE california oregon washington new york pennsylvania more

Cheers John

[Frederick L. Simson]

Originally Posted by Carol H

I'm looking for warm!! Have to be home for Christmas so too early for Quartzite...

County of San Diego: Agua Caliente County Park

"(It) is best known for its geothermally heated springs. Three naturally fed pools provide different ways of enjoying the park's mineral water: There are two pools outdoors, and an indoor therapeutic spa is heated to 102 degrees and outfitted with Jacuzzi jets." Full hook-ups are available ($28), or you may choose partial hook-ups ($24) or no hook-ups ($19).

[Ericpa3]

Unfortunately Anzo Borrega doesn't permit dogs on trails. Darn! It looked very appealing to me.

[John McDonald]

Originally Posted by Ericpa3

Unfortunately Anzo Borrega doesn't permit dogs on trails. Darn! It looked very appealing to me.

But it does say dogs are allowed on many dirt roads in the park. I think the trails tend to lead to water sources that wild animals use and as it says dog scents may scare the wild creatures away. But it may be ok to take your dogs many places in the park just not on certain trails and water sources. Perhaps a call to a ranger will help you decide.

Cheers John

[Ericpa3]

Great suggestion, John. I'll call them.
thanks!

Eric

[Ericpa3]

Hey John, can you provide a link where you read about dogs on park roads? I can't find it on their site. thanks! Eric