The Amado area sits at approximately 3,100 feet elevation in southern Arizona's Santa Cruz Valley, characterized by high desert terrain with mesquite and saguaro cacti. Temperatures range from winter lows in the 30s to summer highs exceeding 100°F. RV sites near Amado, Arizona provide access to nearby attractions including Tubac Presidio State Historic Park and the bird-watching paradise of Madera Canyon.
What to do
Bird watching opportunities: TerraSol in Patagonia serves as an excellent basecamp for birding excursions, located about 30 miles southeast of Amado. A camper noted it's "the perfect place to rest your head after a day of exploring" the Arizona Trail which passes directly through the property.
Visit local wineries: Several vineyards operate within a short drive of TerraSol in Patagonia, with one visitor recommending "the winery queen of cups definitely one of the best tastings I have ever done."
Explore Pima Air Museum: Located approximately 40 miles northeast of Amado near Crazy Horse RV Park, the museum features hundreds of historic aircraft. "The Pima Air and Space museum is within a couple of miles," mentions a reviewer who stayed at Crazy Horse.
Day trip to Mount Lemmon: A snow-capped mountain accessible from the Tucson area. "Mount Lemmon is a short drive or bike ride away with snow capped top and great food offerings. Skiing is possible for those with young legs," shares a camper from Rincon Country East RV Resort.
Wildlife spotting: The desert landscape hosts diverse wildlife. One camper at Rincon Country East noted seeing "Tad poles in the wash with the biggest eyes I've ever seen!! A Gila monster just chilling."
What campers like
Privacy options: Exception Ranch offers an extraordinary level of seclusion with just one RV site available. "This place is just awesome. Very secluded and private," reports a visitor who appreciated the exclusivity.
Heated pools and hot tubs: Many resorts maintain temperature-controlled aquatic facilities year-round. A guest at Voyager noted, "The pools have different temps. So if you want a bath like experience it is here. The indoor pool is covered. We enjoyed the warmest water there."
Community activities: Social programming is extensive during winter months. "There are classes for everything. If you want to keep learning, this is for you," mentions a Voyager RV Resort visitor, while another adds there are "too many things to do to list... You will be busy from 8 AM to after dark with activities."
Bicycle infrastructure: Rincon Country East RV Resort provides convenient access to regional bike trails. "The bike situation in Tucson is the finest we have encountered. Our electric bikes can run forever on the well paved trails all over the county," shares one enthusiastic camper.
Local food options: Food trucks and markets operate regularly at many RV parks. At Rincon Country West, "A couple times a week there is food carts and on Thursday is farmers market and craft things."
What you should know
Cell service considerations: Remote locations may have limited connectivity, so prepare accordingly. One reviewer at Crazy Horse reports getting decent Verizon hotspot service: "We just used my Verizon hotspot for streaming some Netflix and that worked great."
Noise factors: Proximity to transportation corridors impacts some campgrounds. A Crazy Horse camper noted, "Craycroft Road, which the park is on, is extremely busy and very noisy. We nicknamed it the Craycroft drag strip."
Age restrictions: Many RV parks operate as retirement communities with specific policies. At Voyager RV Resort & Hotel, a reviewer mentioned it's an "Excellent 55+ resort," and similar restrictions apply at other facilities.
Electricity billing: For longer stays, some parks charge separately for utilities. One camper at Voyager noted, "For extended stays you will be responsible for your individual site Electric bill."
Site spacing: Density varies significantly between parks. At Green Valley RV Resort, a camper observed sites are "very close," while at Valley Vista, a visitor appreciated that "they left an empty site between each camper."
Tips for camping with families
Limited child-focused activities: Many resorts primarily serve adult populations. A review of Crazy Horse notes, "Aside from the pool, there isn't anything in the park for children to do."
Community parks: Public recreation facilities provide additional options. Near Crazy Horse RV Park, "There is also a large community park within walking distance."
Consider shoulder seasons: Winter is peak visitor time with highest occupancy. At Valley Vista RV Resort, the operating season runs "October 1 to April 30," making early fall or late spring potentially better for families seeking more space.
Educational opportunities: The region offers numerous learning experiences. According to a Rincon Country East visitor, "Mount Lemmon is a short drive or bike ride away with snow capped top and great food offerings," providing an opportunity to experience diverse ecosystems.
Security considerations: Gated communities provide added safety. A visitor to Rincon Country West mentioned, "The security here is pretty stringent, which is nice," an important feature for families.
Tips from RVers
Arrival assistance: Staff at many parks help with parking challenges. At Cactus Country RV Park, "Park staff does come and help you pull in during business hours," which can be especially valuable for inexperienced drivers.
Laundry facilities: Equipment quality and pricing varies between parks. At Crazy Horse, "The laundry facility has 8-10 each of washers and dryers, $2-$2.25 per wash, and $2 per dry. They do sell quarters in the office."
Site selection matters: Some parks offer premium locations with additional amenities. At Crazy Horse, "We had a 'deluxe' pull-through site, which got us a nice patch of grass, a charcoal grill, a picnic table, good water pressure, clean electricity and a site with two different dump spots."
Covered parking options: Protection from intense sun extends RV life. A Crazy Horse visitor mentioned staying "in a covered (Under the solar panels in the back) spot," which helps reduce cooling costs and protect your RV from UV damage.
Leveling challenges: Site preparation varies between parks. A reviewer at Crazy Horse noted, "The site we had was not very level," suggesting bringing leveling blocks or stabilizers.
