Reviews

Meg Corwin

My husband and I have spent the past 6 winters at Desert Trails. Although it has always been adequate, this past year, it really began to shine, with the change in management. Michelle and Chuck took over about one year ago - they have worked tirelessly to bring the park back to life by improving the infrastructure and long-neglected amenities. For example, the pool is now heated year-round, and the gym, long a dump with little to no usable equipment, is now beautiful, air-conditioned, and filled with new cardio and weight equipment that Chuck was able to get donated and/or buy from local second hand stores. The Park is butted up against hundreds of miles of hiking and biking trails in Tucson Mountain Park, and also next door to West Saguaro National Park. The park is filled with lively activities, a passionate group of outdoor geriatric enthusiasts who bike and hike regularly together, is visited by several food trucks each week with a variety of ethnic and international cuisine, and features live music once every month on Sunday afternoons. If you are looking for a funky, eclectic park without too many rules, managed by the loveliest, most dedicated couple ever, then Desert Trails is your place!

Ed Kelly

My wife, LuAnn, and I stay at Desert Trails for five months every year, and after three years here, we can honestly say this park has become one of our favorite places to return to. A big reason for that is Chuck and Michelle. Since taking over management in June of 2025, they have made a tremendous difference. They are kind, approachable, and genuinely care about the residents. They listen, are open to suggestions, and have helped create a close, friendly, and supportive community that makes this park feel truly welcoming. We’ve also seen a lot of meaningful upgrades over the last year. The pool is great, the gym has a solid amount of equipment, and there are plenty of activities including Rummikub, bingo, poker, meditation, bocce ball, blongo, beanbag baseball, game nights, and outdoor group activities. One of the best parts is the location, with beautiful Sonoran Desert hiking right outside the door. Desert Trails feels like more than just an RV park — it feels like a real community. We’ve even seen people return to the park because of the positive changes here, which says a lot. We’re very grateful for what Chuck and Michelle have helped create, and we fully expect to keep coming back. Highly recommend.

David Smiley

This park is a mix, it's a 5, it's a 2 or 3 depending on what you're looking for. The 5 is the couple who manage the park are great and the community, its like nothing else we've experienced elsewhere. The snowbird community here is very friendly and active, they organize all the activities; group biking, bingo, music, yoga, woodworking, cafts... to much to list. The folks here are 70 year olds that act half their age, it's a hard core mountain biking community but also has a group of paved trail riders. The park abutts BLM land that leads to Tucson mountain park the trails connect to the park, it's a major plus. The park itself is a 2 for facilities or a 3 because of the staff keeping it clean. As others have noted the pool is long overdue for replacement, the baths and other buildings are likewise. The lots are a mix, however the best lots are occupied by the snowbirds, overnight and short stay are often bumped against each other. There are very few pull through lots. If they want to get to a higher rating they'll need to put in a pool at the old water park, keep it warm, add a pickleball court and reform the lot layout. Finally if you missed it, this is a 40 and over park. Others mentioned trespassers and dog problems, we had no issues with safety. It seemed very dog friendly to me, any of the dog piles I saw were actually coyote dung.

Melanie Tremblay

This is our 3rd year returning to Desert Trails RV Resort Park. We decided we wanted to find a place we could leave our trailer year round. We were considering finding a new Park, however, when we returned this year and saw the incredible improvements that the new management have made, it solidified that this is home for us!! Chuck and Michelle have put so much of their energy and love into bringing this Resort Park to the next level! This Park offers access to desert hiking right out your back door, swimming pool, laundry facilities, hot showers, a monthly activity calendar organized by the friendly Park community. A HUGE thank you to Chuck (the best) and Michelle (the boss) for all you've done to make this home for us ❤️

Capt. Scott Montefusco

Thank You very much Justin Diamond RV Park. Easy reservations give them a call. Very nice clean and safe park. Clean clubhouse, nice laundry facility. Closest park to the Kitt Peak Observatory (a must do and see). Patriotic park, respects and honors Veterans with a discount. Open very spacious sites. Friendly helpful, family owned for decades now. Only negative is no shower facilities, but that’s what you rv with hookups is for 😜 highly recommend.

Andrew Warner

Just got back from touring a bunch of parks in Tucson. Walked Desert Trails for a couple of hours with my wife and we both looked at each other and said “yep, this is the one.”Everyone here in town still calls it “the old water park.” If you grew up in Tucson you probably have pictures somewhere of you flying down the Cannonball or Blue Twister slides back when it was Justin’s/Wyatt’s Water World. Pericles Wyatt turned the place into an RV park in 2007 and it became legendary for concerts and good times. New owners have had it the last few years and you can tell they’re putting real money in, fresh paint, everything brought up to code, and the staff actually seems to care.We saw the sites (plenty big enough for our 45-footer), checked out the showers and laundry (spotless), peeked at the heated pool and hot tub, and then walked out the back gate straight onto the hiking trails in Tucson Mountain Park. Saguaro West and the Desert Museum are basically right there. Didn’t even need to unhook to do anything.Talked to a dozen residents while we were wandering around and every single one said the same thing: friendliest crowd in Tucson and the upgrades have made a huge difference. Rates look totally fair for what you get.We’re already planning to book for January through March. If you want trails, sunsets, and a park that actually feels special, this is it. Five stars, no question.

Lizane Mayer

The manager is unbelievable rude. I asked her some questions and she got really nasty on the phone and then hung up on me. Being in the hospitality business myself, it is shocking when you realize that who you hire can ruin your business.

Kat Knapp

A Hidden Gem in Western tucson. The management here is so friendly so warm and so welcoming I felt like I was a part of the family. With lots of amenities like pools Xtra laundry facilities washrooms and free ice I never have to leave. Management here is also open to making constant improvements and in welcoming people in to make it comfortable affordable and just an overall wonderful place to stay and live

Rely Kues

The husband and wife running desert trails are in way over their head and it shows. The facilities are not at all as advertised. Everything is neglected, derelict and in disrepair. Residents told me the pool is always closed due to bacterial infestation. The spaces are laughably small for the price compared to every other place, and if you feel like getting out too bad because traffic is BAD bad. And the owners are very RUDE, miserable people. Desert trails has all the trappings of a married couple jumping on board a "fun little project" before realizing there's actually going to be work to do and now they're trapped in their terrible investment.

Rely Kues

The husband and wife running desert trails are in way over their head and it shows. The facilities are not at all as advertised. Everything is neglected, derelict and in disrepair. Residents told me the pool is always closed due to bacterial infestation. The spaces are laughably small for the price compared to every other place, and if you feel like getting out too bad because traffic is BAD bad. And the owners are very RUDE, miserable people. Desert trails has all the trappings of a married couple jumping on board a "fun little project" before realizing there's actually going to be work to do and now they're trapped in their terrible investment.

David DeVilbiss

Cleanest bathrooms and laundry rooms we’ve encountered through 14 states this year. We’ll be back!

Susan Schwaderer

Nice enough park. Best feature is being right next to the trails for Tucson Mountain Park. No need to drive to hike. Our site - M-52 - was a little tight getting in, but we made it after 3 people moved their cars/trucks. Road was narrow by our site and the site was narrow as well. Park was pretty full, if not completely full. Didn't use the swimming pool - but it is small. Laundry facilities are conveniently located throughout the park and clean. We looked around the area at many other parks and didn't find one better than this one and the one next door. Our site was gravel with full hook-ups and 30 amp service. No road noise, plane noise or train noise. However, there was a shooting club nearby which allowed shooting Friday, 8 a.m. - 1 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, 8 a.m. - 3 p.m.. Constant distant popping sound during shooting hours. Stayed again in 2025 in site S-6 - It was easier to back-in. Decent park, friendly staff. Sites are a bit cramped and can be dusty - but it is the desert! Best advantage is the proximity to all the hiking trails through the desert. No need to drive, just head out your door to the trails - available for hiking or mountain biking. Nice that picnic tables are provided. Several laundry rooms available throughout the campground.

Shelton Braswell

Stayed here 2 times. This will be our last. We have 2 dogs that we walk on leashes and pick up after. We have noticed very few people here do the same. My dogs were attacked this morning by 2 dogs coming from what looks like permanent residents. (Not on leashes). If you have dogs I would go someplace else.

Jeanette Hill

My husband and I planned a trip to see some National Parks and enjoy the Southwest of AZ and NM. After staying in some pretty desolate RV parks, we found Dexter Trails to be full of native plants and charm. We were lucky to be on the outer edge where the hiking trails and views of the mountains were great! If you call for reservations, just let the park staff what you are looking for as far as slide outs. Because we booked so close to our arrival, there were no drive through spaces left. The RVs are pretty packed in, but we had plenty of space with a view! This park is close to Saguaro Nat'l Park and the fabulous Arizona Sonora Desert Museum. We visited in late March just before the weather got hot. We'v been to some fabulous RV parks (in the Redwoods), but this park was the best park on our trip!!!!

Jeanette Hill

My husband and I planned a trip to see some National Parks and enjoy the Southwest of AZ and NM. After staying in some pretty desolate RV parks, we found Dexter Trails to be full of native plants and charm. We were lucky to be on the outer edge where the hiking trails and views of the mountains were great! If you call for reservations, just let the park staff what you are looking for as far as slide outs. Because we booked so close to our arrival, there were no drive through spaces left. The RVs are pretty packed in, but we had plenty of space with a view! This park is close to Saguaro Nat'l Park and the fabulous Arizona Sonora Desert Museum. We visited in late March just before the weather got hot. We'v been to some fabulous RV parks (in the Redwoods), but this park was the best park on our trip!!!!