Mesa, AZ – This place is a weird hybrid between a retirement community and an RV park. Seriously, we’ve stayed in 115 RV parks so far and never encountered anything like this. It’s not bad, just weird. Our neighbors on both sides live here during the winter. Yet they deal with RVs coming and going all the time. Out of 832 sites, I would say 10% are for transient RVs. The rest contain either single wide or double wide permanent trailers. And befitting a retirement community, there are golf carts everywhere. I’m guessing there is more golf cart parking at the activity center than car parking.
The Monte Vista office and check-in building
Golf cart parking at the cafe
A cafe and activity center
Getting in our space was easy given our size (25’), but a 40’ diesel pusher would have quite a time of it. And if that long 40’ RV made it, the sewer connection would literally be under the motorhome — there would be no choice. Due to our short length we were fine, but the hookups are indeed oddly located.
Our site had plenty of space
The hook-ups were at the rear of the site
Another view of our site
The upside is everyone we met here was very nice. Most would welcome you to their veranda and offer a chair in the shade (shade is king here in Arizona). We enjoyed many walks along the streets in this sprawling park, amid the fruit trees (grapefruit was in season) and scurrying critters, mainly gamble quail, rabbits, and grackle. There are tons of tennis courts, shuffleboard lanes, bocci ball lawns, a softball field, a pool, lawn bowling, etc.. And yes, bingo on Friday nights.
One of the many Gambel quail in the park
The location in east Mesa is ideal for exploring the many state and county parks in the nearby mountains. From here we hiked at Estrella Mountain Regional Park, Cave Creek Regional Park, Lost Dutchman State Park, and McDowell Mountain Regional Park. We visited Casa Grande Ruins National Monument, Tonto Natural Bridge State Park and drove the Apache Trail through the Tonto National Forest. We toured the Boyce Thompson Arboretum and were able to take in a Cactus League spring training game with the Colorado Rockies playing the Texas Rangers.
A shopping center with a Safeway and associated chain restaurants is right next door, in walking distance when construction does not close the sidewalk as during our stay. Noise from the nearby 202 loop highway and Route 60 was minimal, while offering quick access.
We enjoyed our stay here, and even got to know a number of residents by name. Just beware of zooming golf carts when crossing the street.
Rating: 
Campground website: Monte Vista RV Resort
