Southwestern Arizona
Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument in southwestern Arizona's Sonoran Desert, adjacent to the Mexican border, offers campers a unique opportunity to experience life on the desert. The Twin Peaks campground in the monument is available to campers on a first-come, first-served basis. You will not find electricity or sewer hookups, but the park does offer drinking water.
The primary appeal here is the desert---you have to see it to understand the beautiful clear mornings, glorious plants and lovely sunsets. If you can't go a few days without teeing it up, Ajo Country Club is a nine-hole public course.
Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument
10 Organ Pipe Drive
Ajo, AZ 85321
(520) 387-6849
http://www.nps.gov/orpi/index.html
Camp and Golf on the Colorado River
The KOA campground at the Avi Resort and Casino south of Laughlin, Nevada on the Colorado River has everything you need for a comfortable stay in your RV (they don't have spaces for tents). Many of the sites are right on the Mohave Resort Golf Club course, and the entire campground has the feel of wide open spaces. Not only will you have access to a pool, exercise room and laundry, you can play on the beach and launch your boat. And when you need a night out, you're only a few steps away from the resort's casino and entertainment, although the shuttle will be glad to deliver you.
The golf course, nestled amid native vegetation, dunes and mountains, earned a four-star rating from Golf Magazine in 2007.
Avi Resort
10000 Aha Macav Parkway
Laughlin, NV 89029
Tel: (800)562-4142
Email: info@avicasino.com
Website: http://www.avicasino.com/
Mojave Resort Golf Club
9905 Aha Macav Parkway
Laughlin, NV 89029
Tel: (702)535-4653
Website: http://www.mojaveresortgolfclub.com/index.html
Experience the Grand Canyon
If you have a couple of days in Arizona with no scheduled tee time, think seriously about visiting the Grand Canyon.
You'll need reservations to stay at Mather Campground on the South Rim, and if you do, you'll have access to all the park's amenities, including a hot shower and a restaurant-cooked meal when you get tired of campfire cooking. It's a great place for campers who like tents and smaller RVs.
If you're looking for something more "developed," try Xanterra's Trailer Village on the South Rim, which offers full hook-ups.
There is no golf here, but you can stand on the rim and imagine what it would be like to blast one into the abyss (don't do it!).
Mather Campground Reservations
(877) 444-6777
http://www.recreation.gov
Xanterra South Rim, LLC
P.O. Box 699
10 Albright St.
Grand Canyon, AZ 86023
Tel: (888) 297-2757 or (928) 638.2631
E-mail: reserve-gcsr@xanterra.com
http://www.grandcanyonlodges.com
Southeastern Arizona
Avid golfers with a bit of "snowbird" in them can winter at the Turquoise Valley Golf, Restaurant and RV park in Naco, Arizona. The golf course is just across the road from the park and the beauty of the Sonoran Desert make this a good destination. The Turquoise Valley Golf Club boasts the longest hole in Arizona, the 747-yard, par-6 Rattler--it's so long and dry, you almost welcome the water hazard in front of the green. Perhaps the desert environment has a mellowing effect because the golfers and staff here could not be any nicer. Wear a hat, bring water, and enjoy the informal but professional ambiance. Naco is a border town, but trips into Mexico aren't usually encouraged.
Turquoise Valley Golf, Restaurant and RV
1794 W. Newell St.
Naco, AZ 85620
Tel: (520) 432-3091
Email: golfer@turquoisevalley.com
Website: http://www.turquoisevalley.com
About The Author
Colleen Morrison has been writing professionally for two decades. She holds an M.A. from the University of Wyoming and a Ph.D. in history from Arizona State University. She ghostwrites articles, blogs and Web content for her clients. Articles under her name appear at M&M, eHow, Golflink and other sites.
