Colossal Caves National Park

Nov.22 -After 2 nights at Picacho Park we headed east to Colossal Caves National Park. This was our first experience with a National Park.Up to now we had stayed in State Parks and were used to level lots,electrical hookups and water on site. Arriving at dusk and having paid our fees at the park gate we were led by a camp host three or four miles, up the side of a mountain, on a rutted dirt road that was not designed for a 36 ft. RV.


View of our campsite as we pulled in
We finally reached our site which euphemistically could best be described as a gravel pit. Having directed us to where we were to spend the night our guide now informed us that the camp gates would be locked from 5pm-it was now ten to five- to 9am the following morning and we could not leave till then. Watch out for snakes and wildcats our guide yelled as he gunned his motor and headed down the mountain in a cloud of dust.

sunset

The Quintessential Prickly Pear Cactus

Large Saguaro Cactus


Did I mention there was not another Rv on the mountain? After a hasty conversation as to whether we could make it to the park entrance and escape in the remaining five minutes before the gate was locked it was decided that we had no choice but to make the best of our situation and stay the night. The campsite was so uneven that we could not level the RV without having the wheels on one side 2 feet off the ground. Needless to say, after a interesting night, we were waiting at the exit gate at nine the next morning. This park is not on our list of places we would like to visit again.


Our Campsite on the mountain