I began my exploration of Cochise County by booking 14 nights in Benson AZ at an Encore resort which is an extension of my Thousand Trails membership. Valley Vista RV Resort doesn't have endless amenities that become maintenance nightmares or campers that haven't moved in 30 years but rather a perfectly sized incredibly well maintained piece of property with a very friendly staff. The resort is age qualified (55+) with 145 sites. I'm in a pull through site near the front that is shallow yet wide enough to park the truck along side the trailer. This is perfect for my 26' trailer and I really like this setup which allows for convenient loading of the truck and Barron for day trips. Cable TV here is fantastic and there are WiFi plans available which I did not use. There is a small pool and hot tub deck, showers in the main building, clubhouse with some amenities, and a Coin Operated Laundry Room. Love That!

There is a hiking trail loop adjacent to the property own by the electric company next door, Thouchstone Energy. This is maintained as an area for employees to exercise but the visitors at Valley Vista RV are welcome to use the area. I'm guessing it's about one half mile around so take a lap or as many as you wish. Dogs are welcome with the reminder to clean up after your pets. I kept Barron on a short lease and wore high top hiking boots each time because it's a guarantee that there are rattle snakes here. The resort is less than a mile from the main intersection in Benson. There are restaurants and fast food joints all along the main drag in Benson and the Walmart super center is less than 3 miles from Valley Vista. I will definitely return to Valley Vista RV Resort.

Valley Vista RV Resort - Site Map

This State Park, the surrounding mountains, and the campground are all Stunning! I intended to book 7 nights at Kartchner Caverns State Park located just a few miles south of Benson AZ. I waited too late and had to book my 7 nights in 3 different sites. A little extra moving around but well worth it. I paid $30 per night for two nights at site 5, one night at site 51, and four nights at site 32. All sites had heavy duty iron picnic tables, nice iron fire pits, and recently refinished asphalt pads. All sites are water and electric with any easy to access dump station as you exit the campground. The hiking trails are fantastic and the Foothills Loop is featured below. The site map link below has additional information as well as a map of the hiking trails and it appears that all trails allow you to bring your dog on a leash. The State Park sits at over 4,700 feet in altitude and being here in late October, I didn't run my trailer AC but maybe two hours all week. Each night was between 33 & 44 degrees just prior to dawn so have your heating plan in place.

The biggest draws at Kartchner Caverns State Park are the caves named one of the top ten caves in the US. There are three different tours:
 Rotunda/Throne Tour - 1 hour 30 mins is $23 for adults and $13 for kids.
 Big Room Tour - 1 hour 45 mins is $23 for adults and $13 for kids.
 Helmet & Headlamp Tour - 1 hour 15 mins is $30 ages 10 and up.
These tours do not allow cameras or cell phones so there are no photos to offer you. The park does offer a Photo Tour every third Saturday at a cost of $125 per person. Must be 18 or older to participate in the Photo Tour.

Even if you're not going to explore the caves, the State Park is the destination with it's wonderful campground, hiking trails, and high desert nature vibe. The park is 10 miles from Benson with ample shopping and restaurants. Be aware that the closest convenience store is 9 miles in either direction so load up on supplies before you get here. There is the Bat Cave Cafe in the Visitor center so if you're looking for a $6 hot dog and a $2 water, you're in luck. I will return to Kartchner Caverns!
 Kartchner Caverns State Park Site Map

I booked 14 nights in Casa Grande AZ at an Encore resort which is an extension of my Thousand Trails membership. Located almost exactly half way between downtown Tucson and downtown Phoenix, Fiesta Grande RV Resort is truly a resort. First, the resort is very large with 766 sites with roughly half being permanent structures. Unlike some other resorts, all of these permanent structures are incredibly well maintained. The RV sites are fine gravel with concrete patios and wider than usual. My particular site was a 90 degree site on a road with a 6 foot block wall on the opposite side of the road making backing in around the tree on one side quite difficult. Once I dropped the trailer, my site was perfect. Each pedestal I observed has cable coax connections but a search for cable channels found 1 channel with contact information for setting up service with Cox Communications. A search for over the air TV found 60+ channels out of the Phoenix DMA.

To describe Fiesta Grande as amenity rich is an understatement. There are two heated swimming pools, a jacuzzi, pickle-ball courts, putting green, golf practice net/cage, eight horseshoe pits, eight shuffleboard courts, lending library, and a huge clubhouse for activities. There are plenty of restaurants, banks, and shopping within walking distance and virtually everything you can imagine is within 2 miles. The closest Walmart super center is only a half a mile away. If you're looking for plenty of activities without much driving or a perfect stop to take care of online work, look no further. I did visit two other Encore RV parks in Casa Grande, Casita Verde RV Resort & Foothills West RV Resort. Both of these are on the outskirts of town and I'm glad I saw these properties in person. I will definitely return to Fiesta Grande RV Resort.

 Fiesta Grande RV Resort Site Map

There is plenty of BLM land in the area allowing 14 days stays at no charge. There is also the Long Term Visitor Area (LTVA) operated by the BLM. Boondockers can stay in the LTVA for $40 up to 14 nights or pay a $180 permit fee for 7 months. I stayed in the La Posa West LTVA for 7 nights primarily because of it's proxcimity to town. If you have a problem with dust and being dusty for most of your stay then desert boondocking may not be for you. If you can handle the dust, you can boondock from September 15th to April 15th for $180. This includes LTVA locations in other areas too. In Arizona, La Posa LTVA and Imperial Dam LTVA. In California, Hot Spring LTVA, Tamarisk LTVA, Pilot Knob LTVA, Midland LTVA, and Mule Mountain LTVA. The La Posa LTVA, located in Quartzsite, has a dump station with fresh water at La Posa South and trash dumpster at each location. There are also vault toilets and water spigots scattered throughout La Posa. The check-in station at each entrance gave me some sense of security if only as a deterrence. BIG COMPLAINT! - The Water was off for the last two days and the dump station was closed. Because it was Thanksgiving Day, local dump stations were closed so I had to travel with full waste tanks!

 Araby Acres Site Map