Do you have a favorite boondocking spot between here and there that you'd share with us? We'll leave it all tidy, promise.
I wanted to tell you about Sidewinder Road, off Ogilby Road. The address is officially Winterhaven, CA, if you want to Google. I won't look. There are a lot of big, level, open sites along this road. You can even spend fourteen days next to an archaeological site, and I mean NEXT TO. When you turn onto Sidewinder from Ogilby, you are right at the busiest railroad crossing I have ever experienced. Keep going down the road; the further you go, the fainter the "whoo" at the crossing.
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| I like how this is so round without being perfect. |
Or, check out American Girl Mine Road. On the right, just past Sidewinder Road. Same deal with the train; keep on keepin' on until you get a decent distance from the train. The difference between a raucous, rumbling railroad and a melancholy, lonesome whistle is at least a quarter mile. After a while, American Girl Mine Road diverges from _____Road. _____Road is your best bet for parking. Stay left. The further you go, the iffier your Verizon signal will be. ATT? Don't make us laugh. No, do!
Ogilby Road has a bunch of level sites of its own that go on for miles. Pass the "fee area," like I have to tell you that. We smirk and snort when we pass the people paying. There aren't any amenities there, either. Unless they're parking and not paying ... park on, dudes.
So, I'll be sitting up tonight waiting for your boondocking suggestions. Annie is boiling me a pot of coffee right now.
42 comments:
Can't help you with any boondocking sites, but we sure do love that Sedona area. We've been there a couple times, and want to go back. Take lots of pictures and we'll love to see them. Had some hail and sunshine here again today. Thought of you again, Donna took a video and posted it on her blog. We were thinking of you!
No boondocking suggestions from me (Nellie). Just wanted to say I've joined the Sedona fan club. It's AS BEAUTIFUL as everyone claims. As long as you don't feed the aliens, the people are very nice to RVers.
We found a dumpy RV/Mobile home park that only cost about $500 for the whole month right in Sedona! Full hookups and internet! Seriously, a dump, but who wants to spend their days in Sedona INSIDE the RV looking out the windows??
-Nellie
Did I (Nellie) mention this is me (Nellie)? Just wanted you to know that I (Nellie) am the anonymous commenter (not anonymous really, it's Nellie).
Oh, I (Nellie) did? Ok, Never mind.
-Nellie
Oak Creek Canyon. I could hike it every day. The hype is deserved.
Hey Rox-- Not sure which way you're going, but I've heard there's boondocking available at Buckeye Regional Park (on Rt 85 between Gila Bend and I-10). If you go that direction, be sure to stop in Dateland (on I8) for some Date Shakes...oh so delicious!
Likely way too out of your way, but I just stayed at a terrific overnight parking spot last night in Eloy (just south of Casa Grande) at the Pilot Truck Stop. There's a nice overnight RV lot (separate from the trucks and on the far side from the highway so very little noise. I was the only RV in the lot last night! I'm now up in Prescott Valley for a few days and thinking about moving over to the Show Low area next week. I stayed at Dead Horse SP in Cottonwood last year and loved the town-- much less pretentious than Sedona, but Sedona is certainly prettier. Be sure to take a car ride up to Jerome-- it's a real hoot of a town! But don't take the motorhome-- it'll never make those hairpin turns without taking out someone's front porch! Have fun!
Lynne is NOT kidding about that front porch warning! Super fun town to visit...super crazy windy twisty driving. :) Oh and we can vouch for Dead Horse SP as well. Nice quiet place to hang your hat while you explore the whole Sedona/Cottonwood/Jerome area.
I'm now imagining the two of you in wacko vortex land. It boggles the mind. :)
Nellie is having too much fun commenting!
Hey, if you go to see a vortex, you could get a tinfoil hat from Sam see his blog post: http://samdonna-5thwheelvagabonds.blogspot.com/
I know NOTHING!!! Sorry, just had to weigh in and tell you that I know nothing. But Sedona is great and I can tell you about some pretty places to visit once you get there! Hope that helps!
Hi Roxi,
http://freecampsites.net/schnebly-hill-road-east-of-sedona/
Have fun you two! :-)
Oh please, that is not a map, it's a crop circle! With a train. And no aliens. And who is Will?
Russ, you and Donna kill me, in a good way.
Who are you, Anonymous? Give us a clue. Sedona is great. I've only been there once, but I was smitten. Of course, I wasn't in a dumpy RV park, so I missed part of the experience, I see.
Andra, that sounds like something I need to do. Do you need one of those snooty Sedona parking passes to be there?
Lynne, great leads - thank you! Is it still pretty cold at those altitudes at night? I do want to see Jerome; glad to know it's not a Duck ride.
Brenda, you may be shocked to know that one of us is a bona fide wacko vortexer. Okay, I can't actually discern a vortex, but it doesn't stop me from trying.
Nellie is giddy from being off the road. 'Fess up, Nellie. You're dying to get rolling again, aren't you? Aren't you?
Aren't you?
Russ, that is a really cute story. Nice to read about a conspiracy of compassion. And I placed my hat order.
Donna, I am really grateful that you came to tell me nothing. And, I'd like to know about pretty places, pretty please.
Cheryl, that sounds great, and we're bookmarking that spot. Sounds like we'd go in from the 17 side. Thanks!
Cyn, I left out the best part. That circle is guarded by cherubs stationed all around. It's like Eden after the fall.
OK, so I know ducks lay eggs, and this is Easter weekend. Do have an appointment in Sedona for the hunt?
Don't have any suggestions about where to stay. But leave your credit cards home when visiting Sedona and the RV for Jerome. Could visit Montezumas Castle & Well and Tizigoot National Monuments in that area.
And fill up the propane tanks as it's still chilly up here at elevation.
We've been killing ourselves with the Easter egg demand. Lay, lay, lay, that's all we've been doing since Mardi Gras.
The one time we visited, we were very impressed with the V-V Ranch and the petroglyphs. A ranger told us about them while we were at the Castle. Ooh, I'm getting excited - I really like it in that area. We'll have to keep an eye on the night forecast, since we don't do heat while we sleep. 40's are fine, and we can do a little lower.
Al drove our motorhome through Jerome ! I was following in the car...Wasn't pretty !
Kelly
Ogilbe Road...don't forget the Gold Rock Ranch about 3 or 4 miles north of that railroad crossing. Water, dump & laundry can be had there.
Darby Well Road in Ajo just south of Gila Bend is an excellent boondocking spot on your way.
Dead Horse State Park...stayed there a few days in 07 & liked the little town of Cottonwood
Jerome...Accidentally took our Motorhome over Mingus Mountain & right through the middle of Jerome. Yes, we still have 'porch' marks on our sideview mirrors:))
Sedona...despite a lot of people hollering about it being too commercialized we still liked it. Who cares about the shops, it's the scenery that works for me.
Now that we have a house in Congress I hope we can get up to the Sedona area more often to explore the hiking trails & Jeep roads, etc.
Never been to the area, so I can't help, but I'll be watching to see where you go.
Sadly I have never been there either though it's on my list which you would think would be shorter than it is by this point. But not being a lurker I just had to ask if there is a union governing the working hours and conditions of Easter Ducks???
Can't help with the boondocking sites but can say that the views of the desert from up in Jerome is spectacular - it's quite the place!
thanks for pointing out some future stops for us with your blogs and your followers contributions...
Me thinks you need to write a book on boondocking sites, include that fancy picture of the crop circles, maybe use that as the cover?
You're not supposed to give away boondocking secrets!!! You might find undesirable people in them (like me) the next time you try and stay. ;c)
The only time I was even near the area was with my sister... in 1996... and... trust me... we sure weren't traveling like the Ducks! Can hardly wait for the follow-up blogs!
Oh dear... I'm using Bill's computer... guess I'm logged on as him. He DID NOT travel with my sister in 1996... or for that matter... his sister either. Damned Computer. Sharon of The Odd Essay... honest!
We haven't personally boondocked at Sedona, but our friends were there last year and they stayed ~5 miles south of Sedona on NF-525.
Also, there are some dispersed campgrounds in higher elevations in the the Coconino NF (depending on temps).
WHen you're in Sedona DEFINITELY go to a Vortex, and most CERTAINLY do Meteor Crater (you can search my blog for pics).
Enjoy! Love that area!
Nina
Sedona is amazing. I was there in the mid 90s and camped on a mountain overlooking Sedona for free. But, that was a long time ago. May not be free anymore or it may be the area that Cheryl posted about.
I would like to invite you to check out my blog.I just started it and am learning still how to do it. It is mostly photos of hiking, travelling,etc. sierrasusieq-mylifeinphotography.blogspot.com
I remember the pass over Jerome. I did it in my rv but it was a 20 ft rv. I would not recommend a bigger rv or a trailer. Pretty neat area tho.
Laundry! Thanks, Kelly and Al; that sounds appropriate for today, since we're winded in place. I would die 1000 deaths just watching Annie drive us through Jerome. We seem to do okay in shoppy towns, because we remember how much room we have for that sparkly green cement elf. We used to like to shop, but low funds and low space kinda keeps us "safe."
And, I'll be tellin', Karen!
Sherry, it's all Employment at Will for ducks. And, we're in a Right to Lay state.
Rick, we'll be enjoying that, for sure. Thanks.
My pleasure, Duke. Hopefully theirs, too, because I'm enjoying them.
Wild Blue, I would but other people do such a good job that the niche is filled. Thanks for the boost, though. Check out the link on the right hand side of this page: "Frugal RV Travel." Her e-books are great, and fun to read as a bonus.
Paul and Marti, it would be a pleasure to run into undesirables like you. I know some people genuinely feel that way, but I figure we've been to great spots because other people told us about them. Boondockers are still a small fraction of RVers, so I think there's room for all of us! Shove over.
Well, BILL and Sharon, change continents and all H-E-double-toothpicks breaks out. [You are in Central America, right?] Bill travels with your sister in 1996.
Nina, I will check you out! Did your friends camp in a big rig, too? I will definitely go to vortices(?), but i'll do it on my own because I'm susceptible to mass hysteria.
Sue, I'll be right there!
I got confused. I thought you were talking to me when you said you would be right there. Are you coming through Ajo on your way east? I'm going to go see if I can email you my phone number.
By the way, I have to meet SierraSue. We have many friends in common.
Oh, Sue, don't erase yourself! You can email us at whotookmybucket at gmail dot com. I'll give you our phone numbers.
You're heading back to TorC soon, right?
They were 3 of them boondocked there in class C's at the same time. My impression was it was pretty open, flat & easy so I noted it down as a potential for "the beast" next time we go to Sedona. You can always call the Forest Service Ranger & ask them about road conditions & access. I usually get good info from them.
Nina
Thank you, Nina!
JUST found this link. I think it answers all questions on dispersed camping around Sedona:
http://www.redrockcountry.org/recreation/camping.shtml
Sorry forgot to add (I know I'm making a nuisance of myself), but according to the link I found looks like the FS-525 road that my friends were camped at is WEST of Sedona, not South. The link above actually talks about it. It's not completely free (you need a Red Rock Pass which is $15 for a week or $20 for a year), but it's very inexpensive.
OK...I will shut up now....
Maybe....
Nina
Nina, you can post here until the cows leave in the morning. Thanks for this great information! I'm about to go study it.
Well in THAT case I'll add one more comment. If I remember correctly the roads in the area are pretty drivable EXCEPT 89A NORTH of Sedona (the stretch from Sedona towards Flagstaff). There are some serious turns half way up the mountain which you wouldn't even want to try in a big rig. So plan to get in/out of Sedona without hitting that particular stretch of road. South & East are fine.
NOW I'm going where the cows don't moo...
Nina
Haha! Where is that, exactly, where cows don't moo?
Yes!! We rented a cute little 4WD for our visit to Sedona, and I didn't want to go up that road in that. I remember it being terrifying and beautiful. And, there was a benchmark on the wall at the rest area.
No, no Duck driving on that road!
Also, I read on that Red Rock page that the America the Beautiful Annual Pass stands in for the RR annual pass, so we'll probably buy that when we get there. We'll display that and pretend we know no boundaries.
All jealous up here in the NV snow. 3" on my solar panel this morning. Consider: how to get snow off your solar panel, and where are your winter gloves. Resting in Ely, NV. Wish I was farther south.
Charlene, I'm sad to report that I DO know where my winter gloves are, and that I would just let the sun melt it off. How warm is it today?
If you want to go north from Sedona, head to Prescott first then go north on that 89, it's a straight route to I40.
But not north TO Prescott on 89, right? I think I've heard that's a nasty (impossible?) ride in a motorhome.
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