Day 46–Dead Horse Ranch State Campground–Cottonwood, Arizona

I made a  call to both the Verde Canyon Railroad and the Dead Horse Ranch State Park before leaving Tucson to inquire about reservations. I was able to get  the last two seats in first class for the train ride and was told by the Ranger at the CG that there may be availability when we arrived otherwise they could put us in overflow.

It was a 236 mile ride to Cottonwood,  a small town about 25 minutes from Sedona. We arrived around 2 pm and went directly  to the CG. The place was a mob scene and we were told at the gate it was full but to come in and they would give us an overflow site. It was so crowded that the RV spaces were full of cars and smaller campers so no place for us to park.

Ron decided to leave and have me call other local CG’s. We parked in a lot down the road and started making calls. Five CG’s in the area told us they were full,  so no luck there. Next Ron decided that we could spend the night at the train station. Really!!!!  I was not too keen on that idea but off we went to check it out.

That move was not the best idea. The parking lot was full and there was no available space for our rig. Ron decided to check out the neighborhood and got locked into a dead end in a seedy neighborhood about 500 feet from the railroad station. Oh, No!! We have not gotten ourselves into this situation in a very long time. No way to turn the rig around  - soooo we had to unhook the

 

  

the car and then reconnect once he was able to turn the MH around. After assessing the neighborhood we decided it was a better idea not to spend the night at the RR station and headed back to the CG. Good Idea, Ron!!!! Sometimes Ron is stubborn and has to be proven wrong and this was that time! LOL

Once at the CG Ron asked why there was no availability anywhere and we learned that it is Spring break here. We secured one of the last two sites in overflow and the CG was completely full. We booked two nights in overflow and one in a regular site for night three.

       

We have parked in overflow at other CG’s and they are usually in field or in a dirt patch. These sites are paved and marked and the overflow area has a bathhouse available with hot showers and really nice rest rooms. Pretty fancy for overflow!!! The overflow is actually a group site being used for overflow hence the amenities.

We are looking forward to our ride on the Verde Canyon Railroad tomorrow.