Agave Gulch, Tuscon, rates

This website shows two rates for FHU, $17 and $20. Which rate is paid by retirees? I paid $12 a day in April 2008. Even at $17, that is a significant increase (over 40%) since April 2008. Since there is no monthly rate, those that stay for the winter season would pay $510 a month. For $510 a month, I can stay at the best resorts in the Rio Grande Valley Texas with all the amenities that they offer.

Doug
If you think $17 is out of line, don't head to Florida. Those are dry camp rates at several bases.

The Agave Gulch listing states $17 - $20(guests). That would be interpreted as authorized military (includes retirees) at $17 and civilian guests of a military at $20.

They don't have any problem staying full all winter. Perhaps the place was never meant to be a long-term location. Hence, no monthly rate. Besides, you're not allowed to stay in a FHU site more than 21 days if others are waiting.

Many think they have a good rotation policy that allows a fair chance for everyone to get into a FHU site for 21 days. You can then move to dry camping and go on a waiting list. In the peak season, dry camping is 4 - 5 days. This is different thinking than other military campgrounds that allow you to stay 6 months or more.

Hey Larry,

I guess I was comparing Agave Gulch with RV resorts in the private sector. For the past 4 years, I have been wintering at Texas Trails RV Resort in the Rio Grande Valley. This past year, I paid $2,100 for a 3 month stay which included charges for electricity. This was a true resort with just about every amenity one can imagine and, of course, there was no rotation into dry camping every month.

We have previously stayed at Agave Gulch for a short period and were very impressed and have considered returning for the winter season this year. So it is natural for my wife and I to compare Agave Gulch to Texas Trails.

We have researched some of the popular RV resorts near Phoenix, such as Superstition Lookout and Orangewood Shadows and their rates average about $500 a month for a 4 month stay and they have a range of amenities comparable to Texas Trails.

At $17 a day and no monthly rate, it costs $510 a month to stay at Agave Gulch. I know that the maximum length of stay is 21 days with a short time in overflow before rotating back to FHU. This is one of the disadvantages of staying at Agave Gulch for the winter season. But you are right, the place is packed during the winter.

So why do so many winter snowbirds prefer Agave Gulch over full-service RV resorts in the same area. Is it the camaraderie of being with fellow retirees?

So why do so many winter snowbirds prefer Agave Gulch over full-service RV resorts in the same area. Is it the camaraderie of being with fellow retirees?

Beats me. We've only stayed a week or so at the most at gave Gulch. Perhaps it's many snowbirds passing through the area and just want to stop for a few weeks or so.

We've only spent one winter in one location for a few months. It was only $350 a month, FHU. But it's off the beaten path and there's no swimming pool. It's near Queen Creek, about 20 miles south of Apache Junction (east of Phoenix, AZ)

i may upset a lot of folks but we joined thousand trails because of costs on base
I like to stay on bases as a first priority
but lately the over the top rates have made us go elsewhere for better services at the same price
all the 1k trails are free, well minus the yearly fee of 400
which we eat through pretty quick.

it has some oddities but we stay at usace parks
military bases, state parks and any other place that looks nice