Twilight Dunes

As a most current review, it seems nothing has changed here. I could handle not having amenities, but the indifference of the staff at the lodging office and not having campground experience (they run a lodging office) made this stay a very negative experience. The first night it took 3 tries to get a usable sight, then the next evening I get a call and am told I had to move because the site I was at had "bad" electrical. Again, it takes 3 tries to find a usable site - very frustrating in that they don't know what they're doing. I don't recommend this place - pay the extra for a Good Sam/KOA campground.

We have hesitated and delayed writing another review of the Twilight Dunes RV Park after ending our two month stay.  The main reason for the hesitation is the RV Park has a new manager and we wanted to give her a chance to be successful.  The new manager is also the manager of the Sleepy Tortoise lodging which oversees the RV Park.  Anyway, a few days before we left the Park I had an interesting discussion with her while she was conducting her first inspection of the RV Park.  I shared by insights about the RV life style, as well as, the good and bad things about the Park.  She displayed a lot of enthusiasm with her new responsibilities and I wished her success.  Shortly after her inspection she sent a memorandum to every site restating a list of specific RV Park policies and regulations.  In her memo she stated that many of the occupants in the RV Park were in violation of the policies and regulations.  The memo also stated that the violators had seven days to correct the violation.  We left the Park before the seven day deadline so we don’t know how that mandate worked out.  We will be returning to the Park in September and hopefully we will notice some improvements.  The Park is a mess and needs a lot of TLC to get it looking like a decent RV Park again.  We still believe that it is shameful that the occupants have to resort to using wooden pallets as patio’s in order to enjoy their outdoor activities.  Using the pallets to keep out of the mud is very reminiscent of Vietnam War era combat outposts.  I give credit to the occupants for taking the initiative by using the pallets, however, I discredit the management at all levels for not providing concrete patio slabs.  Yes, I know it will cost big bucks to construct concrete slabs but I am also pretty sure that the NAF’s can be found somewhere to improve the Park.  Maybe the MWR folks should start “thinking outside of the box” to solve the problem and not so much about merit pay increases (Excuse me, just venting).  In my previous review I mentioned a concern about the amount of automobile traffic and how it was kind of “spooky” to walk in the Park at night because you really can’t judge the speed of oncoming headlights.  Well thankfully, I wasn’t walking my dog on the night of April 9th.  One of the good perks when staying at Twilight Dunes is you can get a key to a mailbox and receive mail at the Park.  On April 9th, someone attending an outdoor cookout at one of the RV sites had one-to-many hotdogs and decided to take a shortcut through the mailboxes as he left the outing.  There were five mailbox pedestals in the Park - now there are two healthy pedestals and one not-so healthy pedestal.  I will attempt to upload the pictures of the mailboxes.  As you will see, three of the pedestals were completely destroyed and have been hauled away.  By the looks of the tire tracks it looks as though the pedestals didn’t stop a vehicle determined to continue its journey well beyond the boxes.  Can you imagine that instead of mailboxes,  it could have been a human being? 

Pretty much agree with most of what "harrylouise" said, although this was our first visit here. We came primarily because of its proximity to Joshua Tree NP, where we spent most of our days hiking. We were generally disappointed with the campground. The high points were the reasonable weekly rate, the size of the sites (very spacious), the sheds where we could store our bikes, ladder, etc., and the covered carports. The negatives were the sand under and all around the RV (luckily it didn't rain or get terribly windy during our stay), all the long-term residents (seemed to be very few retirees like us), the unkempt condition of the sites used by some of the long-term residents, and the blatant disregard for picking up dog poop -- not only on other peoples' sites, but also in the dog parks in the RV park and residential areas. It was disgusting and unhealthy so we didn't take our two dogs to these areas. I seriously doubt we'll stay here again. We've been to at least three dozen other military CGs around the country and this was one of our least pleasant experiences.

We have been coming here for several years and usually stay a few months to be near family, as well as, enjoying the area.  Twentynine Palms is definitely a high desert climate.  When you come to a climate area such as this, you need to be prepared for the arid climate, low and extremely high temperatures, high velocity winds, blowing sand and dust.  We have been able to tolerate those conditions by using portable room air purifiers, a small room humidifier, and absolutely two air conditioners.  And never, never go off somewhere and leave your awning out unless you want it destroyed.  During a stay a few years ago, we were sitting out on a beautiful calm day when a rogue gust of wind destroyed our awning and support arms in a fraction of a second – an expensive lesson was learned.  We have only been here for four days so far on this two month stay and we wanted to write this review before we became too complacent and overlook things that bring discredit to the RV Park and the Marine Corps.  Yes, it is true that the RV Park has a lot of homesteaders; active duty and base employee’s that have been here for years.  We have no problem with that as long as it does not prevent short stay visitors from getting a site.  You can read about the physical characteristics of the park in other reviews – some sound pretty dismal.  What is sad to see is the curbside appearance of the homesteader’s sites.  In order to improvise for the lack of patio slabs many have installed wooden pallets to serve as a patio for their outdoor living activities.  The alternative is dirt/sand which presents many other challenges.  Next negative: it is difficult to believe the amount of traffic that uses the RV Park as a thoroughfare to and from the adjacent housing area.  Not only is there a considerable amount of traffic during the day, as well as night, but many are traveling faster that the posted 15 speed limit.  Fast moving cars are kind of scary to encounter when walking your dog, especially at night.  And finally, let’s talk about pets.  The RV Park has clearly written rules and regulations regarding pets, however, those rules seem to be ignored by RV Park and adjacent housing residents.  It is sickening to see the amount of pet feces in the pet walk areas and the dirt areas surrounding the park.  There is one homesteader who completely ignores the on-a-leash regulation.  Another topic:  We are from the east coast and do not have base decals on our vehicles.  Previously, you were required to obtain a permanent decal or temporary base pass for the duration of your stay.  We must give a big kudo to someone who made the decision to change that policy.  Retiree’s no longer are required to have the decal or pass.  It is our understanding that only active duty are required to have base decals.  Oh, by the way, the monthly rate at the RV Park is going up to $375 per month on April 1st.

Twilight Dunes is not an RV Park, it is a mobile home park converted for long-term RV stays. Large, well-spaced sites include a storage shed, a concrete driveway, and a shaded parking space, but you park your RV on sand (yes, you'll get plenty inside). There are no hosts or any other personnel in/around the "RV Park" (they're in the hotel where you check in and out--required, as if you were staying at a hotel). There are no in-park amenities such as restrooms, showers, laundry, lounge area, snacks/ice, swimming pool, etc.--they are spread across a Marine base or in the hotel. You put your garbage and recycle in cans and put them at the curb once a week, just like you did at home (our recycle bin, which was in the shed, was already full). Internet and TV are by monthly subscription. No campfires (you're not even allowed to possess wood). Compared to other military RV facilities, it is extremely overpriced at $25/night, which is evidenced by the discounted long-term rate of about $13/night.