Have you considered camping in Arizona during the winter but failed to book a road trip because you can’t find an RV resort that allows campers under age 55? We have run into this problem a few times, but thankfully we found Thousand Trails Verde Valley.
You don’t have to have a Thousand Trails membership to stay here, either. There are retail sites as well as membership sites available. Let’s dive in and learn more about Thousand Trails Verde Valley!
Thousand Trails is a network of campgrounds across the U.S. and Canada. This membership program has different levels, allowing guests to stay 14 to 21 days at a time without paying a nightly rate. It’s an excellent option for both weekend warriors and full-timers who regularly camp near these campgrounds.
We’ve written numerous articles about Thousand Trails and its locations over the years. You can read about our story in this article about why we chose this membership.
Pro Tip: If you’re concerned about the financial investment, check out How Much Does a Thousand Trails Membership Cost? before jumping in!
Thousand Trails Verde Valley is located in Cottonwood, Arizona, about nine miles off Interstate 10. It’s about 35-40 minutes from Sedona’s beautiful Red Rock Country. Grand Canyon National Park is less than 2.5 hours north, and Phoenix is less than two hours south of the campground. It sits on the Verde River and covers about 300 acres.
Thousand Trails Verde Valley is one of the only Arizona locations with no age restrictions, so we could stay there. We loved the proximity to the miles of hiking trails in Sedona and the historic town of Jerome. Let’s look at more of the perks of staying at Thousand Trails Verde Valley!
Arizona is known for its age-qualifying RV resorts. Generally, these are near the Phoenix and Tucson areas. Of Arizona’s 21 Thousand Trails locations, only four are open to people under age 55. Verde Valley is one of those options. This means that as 20-somethings, we could camp here for free for three weeks and enjoy the beautiful area of Red Rock Country.
Thousand Trails Verde Valley is a hot spot for families in winter and spring. It’s a place to form a community with other RVers with kids. The campground provides family-friendly activities like an Easter egg hunt and craft classes. There’s also a playground, an activities center, and a mini golf course.
Recently, Thousand Trails Verde Valley added new, upgraded sites. These sites offer full hookups with 50-amp power and are ideal for bigger rigs. These sites are huge! There is an upgraded charge of $3-10 per night depending on the site’s location, but we highly recommend the upgrade if you’re traveling in an RV longer than 35 feet and want more outdoor space at your campsite. The sites at the very top offer stunning views of the red rocks and mountains.
There isn’t another Thousand Trails campground in this area. You can take a day trip to the Grand Canyon or Phoenix or spend a few hours hiking in Sedona. We believe the location outweighs any cons of staying at Verde Valley. When you can stay for free and be within a couple of hours of so many amazing places, you can’t beat it!
Thousand Trails Verde Valley isn’t perfect. It’s not an upscale resort and lacks some amenities we think should be available at every campground. Let’s look at the three biggest cons that could detract from your stay.
You’ll get a small campsite if you don’t want to pay for an upgraded site. The spaces are tight, and there are minimal options for big rigs. Plus, most of the standard sites offer only 30-amp service. This is why we think upgrading is very much worth it.
For a resort this large, it’s crazy that there’s no laundry facility. There are 340 campsites at Thousand Trails Verde Valley, and unless you have a washer and dryer in your RV, you must go into town to do laundry. This amenity should be offered at every campground with more than 50 sites.
Finally, if you work remotely or need consistent internet for schooling, you’ll probably need Starlink. The cell service is minimal, especially in areas with the standard campsites. Up on top of the mountain, you might have luck connecting to a cellular hotspot, but there are only a dozen or so sites in that location of the park.
Thousand Trails Verde Valley is one of our favorite campgrounds without the Thousand Trails network. The proximity to outdoor recreation in Sedona is unbeatable. Many RVers will stay their allowed time, spend one week outside the campground, and then return for another full stay.
We also think this is an ideal spot for families and anyone under age 55 to camp in Arizona. The campground is family-friendly, and the staff is used to having kids biking, running around, and enjoying the activities.
So, the next time you’re near Cottonwood, Arizona, and looking for a place to stay without the high rates of Sedona, check out Thousand Trails Verde Valley. It’s affordable and offers almost everything you need for an enjoyable stay in Red Rock Country!
