Featured Facility - Apache Flats RV Resort, AZ

In April 2006, we were staying in Benson, AZ, and had planned to move down to Fort Huachuca for a week. We didn't have reservations and decided to drive the 40 miles from Benson to check the area out. Glad we did! As Apache Flats was 100% full with no overflow. As I was visiting, another guest showed up with their trailer and had to be turned away. So we never stayed there, but I checked the campground out for this review.

We didn't have any problems finding the base, as it's well marked and your choice of roads is limited. Whether you come from the North or the East (your only choices), you'll end up on US-90. The directions on the Apache Flats information page on this website is now very accurate. Just be sure to use the East gate as RV's won't fit through the main gate. The campground office is located in the middle of the campground.

This is a very popular park and is full most of the year. Reservations are HIGHLY recommended. At least call before you make the drive down there and just show up. Too bad they don't have an overflow area. It appears the full activity schedule and reasonable rates, along with Southern Arizona's good weather make this a popular place to spend some time. Being allowed to stay for 90 days doesn't hurt either.

Despite the park being a little old, it is well kept with very nice sites. All 50 hook-up sites are large, level pull-thru sites. They reminded us of the nice sites at Ft. Bliss, TX. Each site is about 70' long with concrete pads for the RV and a concrete patio. They're all complete with water, 20A, 30A and 50A electric, sewer, and Cable TV. For $13 a night, this is a pretty good deal. Each site also includes a picnic table and standing BBQ. Between the sites is 1" gravel with bushes and trees. The spacing apart is a reasonable distance. There are also 5 tent sites on gravel with a table, but no BBQ or hook-ups. We especially liked that this RV park is located away from noise. It's a few miles deep into the base, out on the edges of other activities. No freeways, trains, lights, or other distractions. Even though it seems a little remote, the commissary, exchange, Burger King, and other stores are less than a mile away. Other facilities are also located within a mile.

Fort Huachuca is another HUGE Army post. It's current mission is Army Intelligence and Communications. But as with most Army posts found in the Southwest, Fort Huachuca started in the late 1800's as a result of the Indian wars. The base has a first class museum on Fort Huachuca's history, with an emphasis of the early days. There's also a museum annex across the street from the main museum.

The famcamp has their own laundry facilities, which were clean and modern. There's 7 washing machines available at $1 each, and 5 dryers also for $1. The laundry room is part of the camp office, as is the book exchange and computer hookup. There's one dial-up available. The adjoining restrooms and showers were modern and very clean. Nearby is the multipurpose - recreation room. This building is probably the sore spot of this park. It's not much of a building, rather a shack. During the winter, most of the open windows are covered with plastic. The plastic is removed in the summer for ventilation. But the poor condition of the building definitely doesn't detract from it's purpose. Inside are tables and chairs for potlucks and parties. There's a pool table and a karaoke machine. The park has a full activity schedule, with parties, dances, singing, games, and other organized activities.

Ft. Huachuca is near Sierra Vista, which is a mid size remote town. Being near a large military base, there's plenty of stores and restaurants nearby. Tucson, a large metropolitan city is about 60 miles away. Other areas of interest nearby include the mining town of Bisbee, historical Tombstone (known for the O.K. Corral shoot-out), and the fascinating Kartchner Caverns.

We rated this campground with 4 stars. The sites, the full activity schedule, and the quiet location are important traits in a RV park for us. However, no overflow sites and the poor condition of the recreation room greatly distract from the park's good qualities. We haven't yet stayed in one place for 90 days (besides seasonal work), so we really don't like the 90 day stay limit. It prevents many short term guests from staying. But we do understand that many people prefer a longer stay for a season. Too bad a dozen or so sites are not saved for less than 14 stay limits, or such.