2011 February 27 » tgif: let's RV

The Painted Rock Petroglyph Site

Feb 272011

Today started out cool and damp from the cold front that moved through yesterday so I decided to take any easy trip over to the Painted Rock Petroglyph Site. It is located on the eastern edge of the Painted Rock Mountains and about 18 miles northwest of Gila Bend, Arizona where I am now staying.

The Hohokam people once lived and farmed here from the late Pioneer Period (AD 350-AD 550) and Early Colonial Period (AD 550-AD 700). Many well known events in Arizona history occurred near the Petroglyph Site, including the expedition of Juan Bautista de Anza that founded San Francisco, the Mormon Battalion and the Butterfield Overland Mail.

The drive was easy with good paved roads with a 1/2 mile dirt road leading to the site. There is also a picnic area and campground that visitors can use. A gravel path takes you around the site where you can enjoy this ancient art. It should take you less then an hour to view everything. While the site is not big it is well worth the time to stop in and enjoy this unusual area.

Holt's Shell RV Park - Gila Bend AZ

RV Parks & Campgrounds No Responses »

Feb 272011

Located on the east side of Gila Bend Arizona just off of I-8 is Holt's Shell RV Park. The park is located just behind the Shell station and provides easy access to I-8. A great place for an overnight or short stay considering the $12 per night fee using Passport America. The campground has 24 full hook up sites (50, 30, 20 amp, water, sewer), restrooms, shower, laundry and free WiFi.

All of the facilities were clean when I was here. The sites are fairly close together (maybe 20' wide), are gravel with no picnic tables, fire pit or BBQ. The WiFi is decent and the Verizon voice and data connection is strong. Most of the sites are pull through and should accommodate all but the longest rigs. If you have a 40' rig with a toad or trailer you might have to unhook the toad or trailer. Just a short walk away is the gas station, Subway and Mexican fast food restaurant. There is a bit of noise from the trucks at the gas station and there is plenty of lighting that spills over from the parking lot. There is not much else in the area.