Winter RV Stays in the Phoenix Valley: Parks and 55+ Resorts

Winter RV stays in the Phoenix Valley usually mean a county park, a state park or a private resort, and each sets its own stay limits. Maricopa County and Arizona State Parks both publish roughly two-week limits per site or park, so snowbirds planning a full season should also ask private resorts about longer stays.

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Why winter RV stays work differently from a home

I'm Terry Day, REALTOR®, DeLex Realty. Many of my clients start as winter visitors in an RV and later decide to buy. A campground or resort stay is a good way to learn which part of the Valley fits you before you commit to a home. This page explains how the public parks handle stay limits and what to ask when you want to stay longer.

Maricopa County parks

Maricopa County Parks lists campgrounds at Cave Creek, Lake Pleasant, McDowell Mountain, Usery Mountain and White Tank Mountain. According to the county's systemwide camping policy, RVs are welcome, one RV or trailer is allowed per site, and washing RVs is prohibited. A specific campsite can be reserved for 14 nights in any 28-day period, and campers may stay in the campground but must move to a different site after 14 days. A minimum stay may apply on holiday weekends.

At Lake Pleasant Regional Park, the county's page describes developed sites with water, electricity and a dump station, plus semi-developed and tent sites. Check maricopacountyparks.net for each park's current details, because they differ by park.

Arizona State Parks: Lost Dutchman

Lost Dutchman State Park near Apache Junction offers RV and tent camping and is open year-round, according to Arizona State Parks. The park's RV page lists about 68 sites with electric and water hookups and the rest without hookups, and it says there are no size restrictions on RVs. Arizona State Parks' reservation policy lists a 14-night maximum stay within a 30-day period per park, per household, with extensions at the park manager's discretion. Confirm current rules on azstateparks.com before you book.

Private 55+ RV resorts

The Valley also has private RV resorts, and some are age-restricted. I have not listed specific resorts here because age rules, season length and lot rules are set by each resort, not by me. When you call a resort, ask whether it is age-restricted, how long a seasonal stay can be, and what the rules say about guests and storage.

From campsite to home: what RV owners ask me

• Can I park the RV at my home? HOA rules often limit RV parking, so read the CC&Rs. See my page on homes with RV garages in Arizona.
• Do I want a gate or a covered pad? Many buyers look for side gates and long driveways. I can filter for those.
• Should I buy in a 55+ community? Rules about RV parking vary by community. Ask for the CC&Rs early.

Questions people ask

Can I stay in a Maricopa County park all winter?
The county's policy limits a site to 14 nights in any 28-day period, so a full season in one park is not what the policy describes.

Is Lost Dutchman State Park open in summer?
Arizona State Parks lists it as open year-round.

Are all RV resorts 55+?
No. Ask each resort directly.