RVing to the Colorado River Crossing Balloon Festival

Need a quick, late autumn RV camping vacation that includes music, hot air balloons and worthy causes? The Colorado River Crossing Balloon Festival is held each year in late November in Yuma, Arizona. Located in the far southwest corner of the state, a stone's throw from both California and Mexico, Yuma hosts this fabulous festival that raises money for local charities.

Here are the five top reasons RV campers will love this Balloon Festival.

1. Great Location!
   The Colorado River runs through Yuma, and the Colorado River Crossing Balloon Festival is set against its wild beauty. Imagine waking up to dozens of balloons rising on the riverbank, with picturesque mountains as a backdrop! Three different venues in this Sonoran Desert city set the stage for the three day invitational Festival.


2. Great Events!
   One of the things that make this Balloon Festival unique is the variety of venues for Festival events. A special Media Flight lifts off from the grounds of a local school, and mass ascensions each day are based at a scenic park. The crowning event of the weekend, a sundown tethered balloon "glow" set to music, takes place at Desert Sun Stadium. You won't have time to be bored on this RV camping trip. There are colorful, thrilling events occurring everywhere you turn!


3. Great Balloons!
   Did we mention this is an invitational Balloon Festival? That means that only about three dozen top-notch balloonists from around the world are invited to take part in the three-day Festival. You'll be amazed at their expertise is piloting their balloons during the weekend.


4. Great People!
   The City of Yuma, civic-minded corporations and an organization called the Caballeros de Yuma go all out to make this annual invitational Festival a family event. Not only do the Caballeros raise money for scholarships and charities by operating the event, there are also connections to kids throughout the Festival. One very special annual tradition is the Tissue Balloon Launch featuring miniature hot air balloons created by area children. Another great Balloon Festival community tradition—breakfast made by local law enforcement during the early morning ascensions!


5. Great RV Camping!
   Pick up your luxurious RV rental at our Phoenix RV Rentals office and head south to Yuma for a weekend of Balloon Festival fun. While in Yuma, plan to stay at Shangri-La RV Resort, a large, full-service RV resort and campground. With all the amenities you could possibly need right there in the neighborhood, your Balloon Festival RV camping adventure will be memorable.
   
   Just twelve miles west of Yuma, you can also experience desert camping with full hookups at Gold Rock Ranch RV Campground in Winterhaven, California. If you've never experienced the Southern California desert by RV, this is the place to do it!
   
   There's still time to plan a fabulous Balloon Festival weekend in Yuma. Grab the kids, pack your casual clothes and make your RV reservation today! What better way to spend a November weekend than immersed in music, hot air balloons and RV camping fun?

Arizona RV Camping Adventures

It's easy to think of Arizona as saguaro cactus and sand. The truth is there are a wide variety of RV camping destinations in Arizona just waiting for your next trip. The Grand Canyon is perhaps the best known Arizona outdoor destination, but there are plenty of other breathtaking landscapes to discover. Let's explore two more fascinating categories of Arizona RV camping destinations.

Arizona Scenic Drives
It's almost easier to say "what's not scenic in Arizona?" Following are just a few of the amazing vistas to visit by RV in the Grand Canyon State.

• Red Rock Scenic Road: If you travel to Sedona, don't miss this fifteen miles of spectacular canyon scenery. Along State Route 179 from Phoenix to Sedona, the Red Rock Scenic Road takes travelers past towering red rock spires and fantastic hiking trails. While you're in the area, also take the time to drive the Dry Creek and Mingus Mountain Scenic Roads. RV campgrounds in beautiful mountain settings abound in the area around Sedona, so why not plan to linger in north central Arizona?
• Kaibab Plateau/North Rim Parkway: Travel State Route 67 from Jacob Lake to the North Rim Area of the Grand Canyon and you will have a vacation's worth of photo opportunities! Make your way through gloriously scenic Kaibab National Forest to the North Rim of the Grand Canyon. There you'll find once-in-a-lifetime views of the Canyon from the higher elevations of the North Rim. Camp at Jacob Lake, in the National Forest itself or at one of the RV camping venues near the North Rim.
• White River Scenic Road: Delve into Native American culture on the enormous White River Apache Reservation in southern Arizona. The White River Scenic Road rolls through awe-inspiring meadows and parallels the river all the way to historic Fort Apache and the Kinishiba Ruins. Also plan to spend time at the Williams Creek National Fish Hatchery and Hon-Dah, the Apache tribal casino resort at the beginning of the trail.
  

Arizona Family RV Camping Destinations
Travelling with the kids? You're going to find plenty to keep them occupied in Arizona. Not only will they be exposed to fascinating Old West and Native American history, they can also play outdoors to their hearts' content.

Lake Mead National Recreation Area offers plenty of fishing, hiking, RV camping and wildlife photography opportunities. Older kids will love hiking the rugged trails, while the little ones will want to take turns naming all the animals you spy. RV campsites are abundant in this National Park site, but be sure to make your reservations early.

For a break from the road as you pass through Phoenix, CrackerJax Family Fun and Sports Park features acres of exciting activities. Visit the Bungee Dome or the multi-level, award-winning mini golf park while you're there. The kids are going to love this place!

If your RV camping trip takes you through Tucson, don't miss the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum, a zoo full of desert wildlife to fascinate your family. Wild West buffs in your group will also want to stop at Old Tucson Studios, a theme park filled with Wild West entertainment where movies are still being filmed.

One more suggestion for Arizona family RV camping - Homolovi Ruins State Park in northeastern Arizona gives a glimpse into fifteenth century Anasazi tribal life. The ruins of this ancient Native American culture are spread throughout the state park along the Little Colorado River. Camp at one of the Park's convenient RV campsites and then take a trip back in time to learn more about the ancestors of today's Hopi tribes.

Arizona RV camping destinations offer something for everyone in your RV. Bring the family or explore the Grand Canyon State with friends. Either way, your RV camping experience in Arizona will be absolutely memorable.

An RV Vacation Through Native American History

For an RV camping vacation that's a history lesson, as well, consider exploring Native American historical sites. The suggestions below represent just a few of the hundreds of places you can learn about the role of Native Americans in our nation's history.

Native American History RV Vacation – Four Corners Itinerary
Where the borders of Colorado, New Mexico, Arizona and Utah meet, you'll find a treasure trove of Native American history. In the Four Corners area you can visit Mesa Verde, Hovenweep National Monument, Canyon de Chelly National Monument and Monument Valley.

Mesa Verde, in southwestern Colorado, is the site of ancient cliff dwellings and spectacular scenery. Winding roads lead to the canyon rim throughout this National Park. You will find numerous lookout points offering amazing glimpses of the cliff dwellings where ancient Puebloans lived for more than seven hundred years! While you're exploring the wonders of Mesa Verde, park your RV at A&A RV Campground located at the entrance to the National Park, or try the Mesa Verde RV Resort only a half mile away..

North and west of Mesa Verde, along the Utah/Colorado border, you'll find Hovenweep National Monument. The ruins of six prehistoric Pueblo dwellings dot the canyons of Hovenweep, with towers rising far above canyon walls.

Continue your Native American History RV vacation with a stop in Monument Valley in northeastern Arizona. You'll probably remember the sandstone buttes and towers from hundreds of Westerns filmed there. Native American guides who live within the valley will lead you off the main trails to sites that mark the legacy of their ancestors.

Your final leg of a Four Corners RV camping trip should definitely include Canyon de Chelly near the Arizona/New Mexico border. The Canyon, completely located on Navajo tribal land, offers an entire vacation's worth of historical treasures. The windswept canyons and buttes of Canyon de Chelly are home to more than two thousand archaeological sites. Plan to camp at Spider Rock RV Campground in Chinle, Arizona for the ultimate Canyon de Chelly experience.

For RV Rentals to the Four Corners area El Monte RV has you covered with the following locations: Albuquerque RV Rentals, Denver RV Rentals, Phoenix RV Rentals, Salt Lake City RV Rentals, and Tucson RV Rentals,

Native American History RV Vacation – Northern Itinerary
When you're ready for another round of Native American history, plan some RV camping in the Badlands and Black Hills of the north central U.S. Little Bighorn Battlefield National Monument in Montana lets visitors relive the battle that claimed the lives of most of the 7th Cavalry Division under Lt. Col George Armstrong Custer in 1876. Here in the place Sitting Bull and several thousand Lakota and Cheyenne warriors were victorious, you'll find breathtaking scenery and plenty of Native American artifacts to explore.

The Black Hills of South Dakota are home to the Crazy Horse Memorial, where sculptor Korczak Ziolkowski began creating his enormous tribute to the Lakota chief in 1948. Come watch as progress on the colossal sculpture continues, and stay to visit the Native American Cultural Center and Indian Museum of North America.

Finish your RV camping trip to find Native American history with a stop at the Wounded Knee Museum in Wall, South Dakota. About fifty miles from the actual site of the Wounded Knee Massacre in 1890, the Museum tells the story of the tragic deaths of almost 300 Lakota Sioux at Pine Ridge.

As you travel the Badlands and Black Hills, there are plenty of well-equipped RV campgrounds to serve you. Big Pine RV Campground near Custer, South Dakota is a great place to make camp as you increase your knowledge of Native American history.

Why not learn more on your next vacation about the major contribution Native Americans have made to our history? Turn your motorhome into a rolling classroom and get ready to be inspired!

Great RV Vacation Idea - Exploring Arizona Ghost Towns

If you like your vacations a little offbeat, why not travel Arizona in motorhome comfort while mining the chills and thrills of genuine ghost towns?

With more than 275 phantom cities to explore, Arizona is the mother lode for ghost town enthusiasts. Allow me to take you on a quick trip through some of the most famous Arizona ghost towns, just to get your imagination flowing.

In Arizona, we've found ghost towns fall into two categories - those preserved and commercialized for tourists, and those gradually destroyed by the forces of nature.

Either kind of Arizona ghost town gives a fascinating glimpse into the state's Wild West history. Mining towns, railway towns and towns once famous as stops along the cattle drive all testify to the grit and determination of Arizona's early settlers.

Ghost Towns Preserved for Tourists
The most famous "ghost town" in Arizona, Tombstone, is actually still very much alive. Home to Boothill Graveyard, the OK Corral and dozens of historic sites from the days of Wyatt Earp and Ike Clanton, Tombstone caters to tourists year-round and is a great first stop on your motorhome ghost town vacation.

Numerous RV campgrounds are located in Tombstone, including Stampede RV Park, Wells Fargo RV Park right in the center of town, and Tombstone RV Park & Resort, conveniently located on Highway 80.

I highly recommend visiting nearby Bisbee once you've toured Tombstone. With a mountain top cemetery, haunted hotel and the abandoned Lavender Pit Copper Mine to explore, it's well worth the trip.

Jerome, Arizona, built along a steep hillside in Yavapai County, started as a copper mining town and was saved from extinction by residents who recognized its historic value. Rugged and fascinating, Jerome's busy stores stand side-by-side with abandoned ruins that tell the story of this copper boomtown.

Authentic Ruins Left to the Forces of Nature
For those RV campers who prefer their ghost towns uninhabited by the living, authentic Arizona ghost towns dot the map. My friends often bring back stories of lonely settlements ground down to their foundations by the sand and wind of the Grand Canyon State.

Why not show the kids and grand kids the isolation in which brave settlers, miners and ranchers lived during the 1800s? True ghost towns like Agua Caliente, Tortilla Flat and Vulture City in Maricopa County boasted post offices, schools and saloons at one time, but now stand empty thanks to changes in fortune.

Hundreds of RV campsites in the Phoenix area make the trip to more than twenty authentic ghost towns in the area comfortable and affordable.

Ready to load up the RV and head for a ghost town adventure? El Monte RV is more than ready to help make that possible, with our convenient Phoenix RV Rentals and Tucson RV Rentals locations. If you'd like more fascinating trivia on Arizona ghost towns, be sure to visit ghosttowns.com!

Mohave County Arizona RV Parks

The County of Mohave Arizona operates two parks that accommodate RV camping.

Davis Camp, Bullhead City, Arizona

Davis Camp is located on a mile and a half stretch of the Colorado River. It has 151 pull through sites with full hookups (50 amp service, some with wireless internet) for RVs and trailers. Other features and activities include:

• A sanitary disposal (dump) station
• 8 shower buildings located throughout the park
• Laundry facilities
• Swimming beaches
• Boat launch.
• Jet Ski
• Fishing (Catfish, Striped Bass, Trout)

Other area attractions include:

• Lake Mead National Recreation Area
• Ghost Town of Oatman on Historic Route 66
• Casinos in nearby Laughlin, Nevada

Hualapai Mountain Park, Kingman, Arizona

Hualapai Mountain Park encompasses 2300 acres with elevations ranging from 4984 to 8417 feet. For RV campers, 11 spaces are offered with water, sewer, electricity and barbecue grills that can accommodate vehicles of up to 25 feet.

• Features and attractions include:
• 100 of miles of ATV Trails
• 10 miles of trails for hikers

El Monte RV can take care of all of your Arizona RV Rentals needs from its Phoenix RV Rental location.

Come and Explore Central Arizona

Provided by our friends at the Desert Valley RV Resort.

Our park, Desert Valley RV Resort, is an oasis in the heart of Arizona's "Golden Corridor". We are located halfway between Phoenix and Tucson, right outside of Casa Grande, Arizona.

Desert Valley RV Resort is a new resort, currently in our third season of operation and we cater to the "young at heart". We have many amenities in our park for you to enjoy including: a heated swimming pool/Jacuzzi, horseshoes, a library, pool tables, shuffleboard, WiFi Internet, and much more. There is a lot to see and do in this area.

The Casa Grande Ruins is one attraction that people find interesting to visit in our area. It was created as the nation's first archeological reserve in 1892. It preserves an ancient Hohokam Indian farming and living community. The site was declared a National Monument in 1918.

If you are feeling like you are ready to try something new, then you might want to try sky diving at Sky Dive Arizona. Sky Dive Arizona, located in Eloy, is the largest sky diving resort in the world. They have a large indoor wind tunnel that many people enjoy before trying the real thing.

Visitors to our area often enjoy birds and there are several places near by that you might find interesting.

• The Rooster Cogburn Ostrich Ranch is located on 600 acres off of I-10 and is the largest privately owned ostrich ranch in the United States. You can feed the ostriches, visit the Lorikeets compound and explore the area.
  
• Also visit the Riparian Preserve at Water Ranch in Gilbert. Admission is free. You can go on bird walks and observe over 200 different species of birds in the area. You can fish, walk your dog or just enjoy the area. They also have an observatory.
  

Many people enjoy shopping, excellent golf courses and wonderful restaurants in our area. We have reasonable rates and a lot of activities in the winter months. We were recently acknowledged by Trailer Life magazine as being in the top 300 out of their 12,000 parks. We hope you come for a visit and enjoy exploring the area.

Some other attractions near Desert Valley RV Resort include:

• The Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum in Tucson
  
• The Grand Canyon
  
• Pueblo Grande Museum and Archaeological Park in Phoenix
  
• Picacho Peak State Park, home to Picacho Peak which is the site of the Battle of Picacho Pass during the Civil War, which was the western-most engagement of the American Civil War.
  

For more attractions nearby see Attractions on the Desert Valley RV Resort website.

Other RV Campgrounds should feel free to share with us the wonders that may be found in and around their campground. Please send your article submissions to monty@elmonterv.com.

Family RV Vacation of a Lifetime

RV Vacation Through Utah, Wyoming, Colorado, Arizona and New Mexico

The following was submitted by an RV Vacation Fan.

It was the summer of Y2k. My family (husband, wife & 2 sons) had planned a six-week trip traveling through five western states in an RV. We started with an RV Rental in Salt Lake City where we flew in two days before settling into our new "home."

Our RV was a Class A, 36 feet long and slept six to eight. It had all the makings of home except the washer and dryer. There were two TV's, stereo, refrigerator, stove and microwave. What more could we ask for? The grocery trips were fun - we could just leave the store and be home.

We drove up to Jackson Hole and to Grand Teton National Park. It was our dream family vacation. Teaching the boys, albeit young, only six and nine, about our country's history in real life!

After spending one night, we continued our drive north to Yellowstone National Park. It was amazing. We had booked the campground for a week, rented a car to tour the park and settled in to see the geysers and the wild life. Old Faithful was as true as they say. We hiked the trails and saw deer, moose and bison close enough to see the color variations in their fur.

The boys, with my husband, fished for dinner in the lake at the park. I never had trout that tasted so good. After making the kids try the fish, they chose to eat the hamburgers we brought as a backup plan.

From Yellowstone, we drove across Wyoming to Cheyenne, where we stopped to see a real rodeo, with bronco roping and everything. What a hoot. Next stop was Four Corners, in New Mexico, Colorado, Wyoming and Utah. The boys loved the idea of being in four places (states) at the same time.

We arrived in Denver, happy to go to a Colorado Rockies baseball game at the infamous Mile High Stadium, drove up to the top of Rocky Mountain National Park and even tried Buffalo burgers.

In Moab, we went on a half-day rafting expedition in a class 4 river. The rapids were a blast. So were the water gun fights we had with the people in the three other rafts!

Driving west, we fell in love with Bryce Canyon. It was so beautiful to gaze down at the gigantic monoliths from the top of the trail. Of course, we spent time at Zion National Park as well, since it was practically across the street. On to the Grand Canyon, our final park before heading back to Salt Lake City to return our home on wheels. We went to both the north and south rims. Very different views and although each was astounding, I highly recommend visiting the north rim.

This was the trip of a lifetime. A memory making adventure my family still talks about and will always remember. We could not have done it without the RV.

El Monte RV has RV rental locations in many places that can be used for a similar vacation (depending on the starting point):

• Salt Lake City RV Rentals
• Denver Colorado RV Rentals
• Arizona RV Rentals
• New Mexico RV Rentals
  

Please feel free to share your RV vacation experiences with us. Send them to monty@elmonterv.com.