RV sites near Fort McDowell, Arizona provide convenient access to the Sonoran Desert landscape characterized by saguaro cacti, mesquite trees, and the nearby Verde River. The region experiences extremely hot summers with temperatures regularly exceeding 100°F from May through September, while winters remain mild with daytime highs in the 60s-70s. Cell service strength varies significantly between resorts, with stronger signals closer to Mesa and weaker coverage in outlying areas near the Fort McDowell Reservation.
What to do
Hiking with desert views: The areas surrounding Eagle View RV Resort at Fort Mcdowell offer walking paths directly accessible from the campground. "We like that you can walk or bikeride directly from the RV Park. The park is always clean and well cared for, and we like that its not in the city center," noted one regular visitor.
Wildlife watching: The desert surroundings provide opportunities to observe native wildlife. At Eagle View, campers report, "We saw wild horses, woodpeckers, and heard the distant coyotes carrying on." Some RV parks are situated where wild horses occasionally roam nearby.
Desert golf: ViewPoint RV & Golf Resort caters to golf enthusiasts with on-site facilities. Several other nearby RV parks provide easy access to public courses, though tee times book quickly during winter months when snowbird populations peak.
What campers like
Community activities: Many resorts organize regular social events, particularly in 55+ communities. At Valle Del Oro RV Resort, visitors appreciate the structured programming. "This community has so many organized activities for residents. They have almost everything you would need on site. Everything for activities, concerts, games and shows," reports one camper.
Recreation facilities: Weaver's Needle RV Resort offers diverse amenities beyond standard hookups. "The park is very friendly and clean with several amenities including a laundry room, pool and hot tub, tennis court, bocce ball, fire pit area for a small group etc," writes a winter visitor.
Central location: Many campers value proximity to urban amenities while maintaining a desert feel. "Great campground centerally located to Phoenix and Scottsdale. Was only planning to stay 2 nights but ended up extending my stay," notes a visitor to Mesa Gardens, highlighting the convenience of accessing city services while camping.
What you should know
Age restrictions: Many RV resorts near Fort McDowell enforce 55+ age policies, especially during peak winter season. At Sun Life RV Resort, one turned-away camper warns: "I did not stay here because this is a 55 and older community. Seems strange to have it on an app like this. I am writing this review so others can see that this is a community for retirees."
Site availability: Advance reservations are essential during winter months (November-March). Some parks maintain waiting lists for cancellations. The popularity of the region among snowbirds means spots fill quickly.
Park composition: Many campgrounds feature a mix of RV sites and permanent residences. At Countryside, a camper observed: "Countryside is a park with lots of sites dedicated for seasonal travelers. I believe of 500 sites with over half the park being cabins and pad trailers."
Hidden fees: Some campgrounds charge additional costs not included in the base rate. A visitor to Mesa Gardens noted: "If you book less than a 30-day stay you pay a fee of $4. And the electric charge that is listed for Monthly stays is charged for a few nights as well."
Tips for camping with families
Age policy verification: Before booking, confirm family-friendliness as many area RV parks restrict children. One family had an unfortunate experience at Mesa Spirit: "When she showed up, she was told she would have to leave as children were not welcome. They should've caught this in the reservation information weeks in advance."
Access to green spaces: Look for RV parks near public recreation areas. Mesa Gardens offers convenient playground access: "RV park backs up to a park with a coded gate so easy access to playground/big grass area for dogs."
Swimming options: Monte Vista RV Resort provides well-maintained pool facilities appreciated by visitors. "Beautiful park. Expensive but worth every penny. Unbelievable amenities," writes a recent guest. Multiple pools help spread out crowds during busy periods.
Tips from RVers
Site spacing: Many RV parks in the area feature tight spacing between sites. At Mesa Spirit, a visitor commented: "This is basically an RV parking lot with lots of traffic noise and nothing pretty to look at. Don't look at the pictures as they do not reflect what you are dealing with."
Internet considerations: WiFi quality varies significantly between parks. Several reviewers mentioned connectivity issues, including one at Mesa Spirit who noted: "Internet is crap, you have to spend $100 to get decent service."
Back-in navigation: Most sites require back-in parking rather than pull-through spots. At Monte Vista, even large rigs can manage: "All the sites are back-in but all have concrete parking pads and patio. My wife and two mini-Daschunds stayed in a 40 ft Fifth Wheel."
Alternative stay options: Some parks offer flexible overnight solutions. Mesa Spirit provides a unique option: "One of the very lovely security staff there let us know that it's less expensive to get one of those curb spots (with electric, & close access to showers, pool, laundry) than to get a regular spot."
