Customer Reviews

Arizona's 144 Best Campgrounds

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

Author/photographer James Tallon has divided Arizona into eight regions, then included charts and maps, information on fishing sites, climate and more to make this an extremely comprehensive guide to the state'e public campgrounds. It is illustrated with page after page of full-color photographs, contained in a conveniently compact 8 3/4 x 5-inch format.
Tallon admits that the campgrounds selected were his own choices for "ambiance, pulchritude and serenity." He says:
"At each of the campgrounds in this book, depending on the amenities available, I tried to consider the broad spectrum of campers, from those who need nothing more than a ground cloth and a sleeping bag to those at the top of the comfort chain in bus-size motorhomes with two bedrooms and 1 1/2 baths. A common ground for campers within these extremes is an appreciation of scenery, wildlife, natural and historic wonders, and outdoor recreation--including fishing, hiking, hunting, biking and bird-watching."
Tallon has roamed, written about and photographed Arizona's backcountry for over 30 years. While researching this book, he visited more than 215 campgrounds.

This is an outstanding book with nice pictures and accurate directions.

Compared to the Colorado Campgrounds book that I have, this one is totally inadequate. The Colorado book rates the 100 best in 5 areas: scenery, RVs, tents, shade and privacy. The Arizona book rarely addresses 2 or 3 of these items. In some cases, all it says is how to get there.

Having traveled to this area of the US a handful of times, I wanted to spread out to some places I've not been to this time (with my family).

The organization of the book is good, the maps are almost adequate, if not a bit underpowered.

Detail is lacking. Contact information is missing/hard to find for many/most of the sites. The information about camp sites is very brief...tips would be appreciated, like which individual sites within the grounds are preferred, closest shopping, laundry/amenities, other tips that travelers appreciate. Oddly, there is some detail for each AZ area about fishing...nothing about this in the title...I'd have left this to a fishing book, and used that space for more camping details/maps, etc about the sites, which the book was supposed to be about.

Book needs an update...
Some of the information is no longer accurate. For example, on pg, 27, camp ground #13, Mitten View in Monument Valley, no longer exists. I has been made into a hotel. Since no contact information was given in the description, I found that out with a Google search.

The photographs are nice. Nice cover and title...catchy. To me, a good way to sum up this book's niche; it's mainly a nice picture book with brief descriptions (captions) about nice places to camp in AZ...though you will have to take that campground name, find your own contact info/do your own research about the sites to have any really useful info for an actual visit. Isn't that what the book should be for?

Using this book will give you the ultimate camping experience in Arizona. Slight changes compared to previous editions, especially in opening and closing dates of the campground.

I am a HUGE fan of Jim Tallon's. This book is a must have!