Sunflower RV Resort Surprise AZ: 55+ RV Lots and Park Models Near the Sun Cities

Sunflower RV Resort in Surprise, AZ is a 55+ RV resort run by Cal-Am, with RV lot rentals and park model homes for sale. It suits a different checklist than a site-built home in the Sun Cities, so I compare the two side by side, including how the land under the home is held.

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What Sunflower is

Sunflower is one of the Arizona RV resorts that Cal-Am markets as 55+. The other Cal-Am resorts on its Arizona list are in Mesa, Gold Canyon, Yuma and Tucson; Sunflower is the one in Surprise, on El Mirage Road. It is not part of a Sun City, Sun City West or Sun City Grand association, so its rules, amenities and fees are separate from the Del Webb recreation centers nearby.

The resort offers RV lots for rent, storage rentals, overflow RV parking and park model homes for sale. It does not publish a site count on its pages, so if the size of the resort matters to you, ask the office directly.

Amenities and activities

The resort's own pages list a long amenity menu. Confirm what is open and on what schedule when you tour, since seasonal resorts often run a fuller calendar in winter.

• Pool area: swimming pool, spa and a poolside tiki bar
• Courts and games: pickleball, tennis, shuffleboard, bocce ball and horseshoe pits
• Fitness: fitness center, classes, Zumba, water aerobics and hiking
• Social spaces: ballroom, dance classes, billiards, ping pong, a music room and themed events
• Hobby rooms: arts and crafts, woodcarving, quilting and sewing, pottery and ceramics, lapidary and scrapbooking
• Services: Cactus Grill with an outdoor patio, a hair salon with massage therapists, laundry, a computer lab and an internet cafe
• Pets: a pet agility park (ask for the written pet rules)

RV lots and park models vs a site-built Sun Cities home

Neither choice is better. They answer different questions.

The Sunflower path: you bring an RV and rent a lot, or you buy a park model home that sits on a resort lot. Sunflower's own pages describe its lots as rentals, so for most buyers the home is the purchase and the land is a rental arrangement. That is the key point to confirm for any listing.

The Sun Cities path: a site-built, single-level home on land you own, with recreation centers run by the community. If you want to see that side, start with Sun City, Sun City West or Sun City Grand, or read my Sun Cities comparison.

Some people keep the RV lifestyle for good. Others spend a season in a park model and then decide whether a larger home with a garage fits better. I like to show one park model and one site-built home on the same day so the difference in storage, garage space and yard is easy to feel.

Owned land vs leased or rented land, in plain terms

RV and park model living in Arizona comes in a few setups:

• Rented lot: you own the RV or park model and pay the resort to use the space. This is how Sunflower describes its lots.
• Deeded lot: you own the land itself, usually with an HOA. My Happy Trails RV Resort page covers a Surprise resort built around owned RV lots, which makes it a useful comparison.
• Golf resort setting: for an RV and park model resort with golf on site, see my Viewpoint Golf Resort page in Mesa.

Arizona has a separate law for long-term RV space rentals, the Recreational Vehicle Long-Term Rental Space Act. Under A.R.S. 33-2101, it applies when the same tenant rents an RV space for more than 180 days in a row, and it can cover park models too. It does not apply to mobile homes or manufactured homes, which fall under a different law. The Arizona courts publish a plain-language info sheet on the RV act. Which rules apply to your situation is a legal question, so talk with an Arizona attorney before you sign a long-term rental agreement.

What to confirm before you make an offer

• What exactly transfers: the park model, any Arizona room or shed, furnishings, and whether the lot rental transfers or starts fresh
• The current lot rental terms and fee schedule, from the resort office in writing
• Rules on home age, exterior changes, additions, guests, pets, golf carts and vehicle storage
• How a lender and insurer treat the home; park models may be titled differently than a site-built house, so start with a lender early
• The condition of the roof, plumbing, electrical, skirting and any add-on rooms, through an inspection

Ask for floor plans of any park model you like, and I can help you compare sizes against a Sun Cities home.

Questions buyers ask

Is Sunflower RV Resort age-restricted?
Yes. Cal-Am markets Sunflower as a 55+ RV resort. Get the written occupancy and guest rules from the resort office.

Does Sunflower sell park models?
Yes. The resort lists park model homes for sale on its site, and the inventory changes often, so check the current list or ask me to pull what is available.

Do I own the lot?
Sunflower describes its lots as rentals. Confirm the land arrangement for the specific home in writing before you offer.

Is there golf on site?
There is no course on site. The resort lists a golf club nearby, and the Sun Cities have many courses if golf is a priority.

How does this compare with the Sun Cities?
Sunflower is RV and park model living on rented lots. The Sun Cities are site-built homes on owned land with community recreation centers. Touring both is the easiest way to decide.