dhayes
Maine
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I am newly retired and this year we plan to take the 5th wheel to AZ in October and put it in storage there; come back to Maine for Christmas with family, then return to the southwest for a month or two (probably February and March). My question: Is it feasible to just drift from park-to-park in AZ or southern NM that time of year, maybe spending 1-to-2 weeks in each (w/out reservations made 6 months in advance). Or are the parks so jammed with people that this isn't possible? MaineDon
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samsontdog
Oregon, Wash Coast summer, Yuma Az winter
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Joined: 08/06/2002
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Feb is pretty well booked up in Yuma but you can usually find a place to stay on a private lot. A site on a private lot will run from $200 a month up plus elect
samsontdog 
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Gruffy
monominto mb ca
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Joined: 10/02/2003
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Some parks have transient areas where they rent 10 to 20 sites for people like you who are passing through.
In a pinch you could always boondock in the desert. Then state parks limit the stay ... 2 weeks I think. If of course you can find one open. Some were closed due to budget shortfalls.
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WTTCS
freedom , U.S.A.
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Joined: 07/28/2003
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If you dont mind where you are placed in a park, you should not have any trouble getting a site. The problem this creates, is that you MISS the whole premise of snowbirding. You miss the comradrie of the "winter season". I mean, Yuma, Souther NM? What is there to see? One nice day trip and you have seen everything. Two at the most.
But the meetings, the things to do in the park, the getting to know people, , that is what you will miss.
IMO, people who do what you are asking, never really enjoy the snowbirding experience.
1997 chev crew cab 454, 5 sp. 4.10
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Fizz
Ottawa, Canada
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Joined: 07/28/2003
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You will always find a spot for an overnight or two. Looking for a week or two will be tricky. Don't let it hold you back, in AZ you will always find a spot if you look long enough.
Personally, when I settle in, I can't seem to relax when I'm always searching for my next stop down the road. This is a problem only in peak season, otherwise it's no problem. We never book ahead on the way down or coming back.
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Fizz
Ottawa, Canada
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WTTCS wrote: The problem this creates, is that you MISS the whole premise of snowbirding. You miss the comradrie of the "winter season".
This may be true for some but not for all Snowbirders, me included.
The first few years are a time for exploring and trying out various parks and regions.
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Emptypockets
North Central KS
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Joined: 06/29/2006
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WTTCS wrote:If you dont mind where you are placed in a park, you should not have any trouble getting a site. The problem this creates, is that you MISS the whole premise of snowbirding. You miss the comradrie of the "winter season". I mean, Yuma, Souther NM? What is there to see? One nice day trip and you have seen everything. Two at the most.
But the meetings, the things to do in the park, the getting to know people, , that is what you will miss.
IMO, people who do what you are asking, never really enjoy the snowbirding experience.
WTTCS I agree with your way of thinking. The first year we went to Quartzsite was because we had friends that went there. What we found were those friends along with a whole host of new friendships to be made. Another factor for us was we found that the longer you stay in one spot the cheaper the rent was per month. The biggest expense was the travel getting there & back home. Fuel cost can run up pretty quick.
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RRUGG
Newaygo, MI,USA
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You can easily do what you suggest. That's what we did for our first few years. Unless you do this, how can you possibly know where you want to stay for a longer term? Our first winter we put 16,000 miles on our truck, trailer, and the longest time in any one spot was 8 days. After about 9 winters in one park, we now find ourselves wanting to spend time in 2-3 places this coming winter. Best advice? Do what you want.
RRUGG
2009 Chevrolet Silverado LTZ 1500 4x4 5.3L
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2010 Chrysler Town & Country
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John&Joey
Some Location
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Fizz wrote:WTTCS wrote: The problem this creates, is that you MISS the whole premise of snowbirding. You miss the comradrie of the "winter season".
This may be true for some but not for all Snowbirders, me included.
The first few years are a time for exploring and trying out various parks and regions.
I agree, if you want camaraderie all you need to do is walk the park and be social, or go to the weekly park meeting for coffee and donuts and be involved. Now if you want to have a daily happy hour, with the same group of people, every day for the entire winter, then that might be different story (unless you're buying.)
Like a prior poster stated, do what you want, and don't be put off because you're doing it a tad different then others. Whatever you do will work, it just might be a small hassle (or cost more money) from time to time till you work out the details.
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PRT
NY~FL
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Joined: 05/25/2001
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We wandered the first few years exploring Florida parks and then settled on two - and then on one - where we are now. I think it's a decent idea to get the feel of several places and areas. Then pick a place. IMHO. 
Pat
May the road rise with you, the wind be always at your back.
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