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Perry Mack
The nine-hole par 3 golf course spans 2,176 yards and is easily accessible from your doorstep.
Words and photos by Perry Mack
We expected a resort perched on a barren desert plain above the New River but were pleasantly surprised to find an oasis just west of El Centro in Southern California.
We’ll be honest and say the main attraction to this resort was the price (and availability). So many RV parks were full during the 2022/2023 season in the Palm Springs area that we wanted to secure our winter home in advance.
With an annual rate of $3,800 USD plus metered power and $60 USD for water and sewer, this was the best value we could find in this area of California. It created an opportunity to pull our fifth wheel from BC to Rio Bend and leave it on the site of our choosing for a third of the price of a monthly rate anywhere else. It also included storage during the off-season.
The Rio Bend RV and Golf Resort is approximately 14 km (9 mi) outside of El Centro, CA and close to the Mexico border. As the name of the city suggests, it’s ‘central’ to a number of spectacular locations. Although it’s not within walking distance to local amenities, attractions, or dining, the resort is well-equipped for lively day-to-day good living.
There are quite a few reasons to love the resort, it just depends on your priorities.
Perry Mack
Get up early, grab a coffee, take a short walk, and then go fishing.
Location
Roughly 160 km (100 mi) to the west on the Pacific Ocean is San Diego, CA, with all the amenities of a big city and some unique adventures like the San Diego Zoo. About one hour to the east is Yuma, AZ, where you can wander the historic downtown and visit the famous Yuma Territorial Prison State Park. If you’re looking for more international flair, drive south one hour to Mexicali, MX.
An area we liked was the Coachella Valley, which begins (for us) in the city of Coachella. It’s approximately 129 km (80 mi) northwest of the resort and extends to Palm Springs.
The city of El Centro is the county seat of the Imperial Valley and just a short 15-minute drive from the resort, providing all modern-life essentials like a Walmart Supercenter, Lowe’s, and of course, Costco. It is, however, a small city with a population of just 44,000 so don’t expect an extensive selection of local stores, dining, and attractions.
Perry Mack
Well-maintained landscaping, paved roads and some shade trees at lakeside sites make for a relaxing atmosphere.
Pets
If you have a pet as we do (Emmett_the_bulldog), amenities for the shortest member of the family are paramount. Yes, leashes are required and you have to ‘pick up’ after your pet but they also have a spacious off-leash park for small and large breeds.
Golf
For many, this would be the top priority. It’s a stunning oasis of greens and fairways in the desert with mountain and lake views along the New River. Ladies, men’s and mixed leagues run from November to March. Keep in mind that if you arrive in the fall, the course is closed for one month to overseed.
Amenities
The park enjoys a full suite of activities - we won’t even try to list them all. From live concerts and Karaoke to bocce, softball and pickleball, there are plenty of activities to stay busy and be social. The monthly event calendar is so full you’ll need to take days off to restore your strength and energy.
Perry Mack
A pad rental is just $3,800 USD annually.
Like many resorts, it has an outdoor pool, clubhouse, outdoor kitchen, and restaurant. Plus, there is a 1.2 ha (3 ac) pond and a 4.5 ha (11 ac) lake where you can enjoy catch-and-release fishing. Catfish and bass are popular species.
Of special note is the outdoor RV storage and park model rentals are available for your guests (or yourself) on a daily, weekly, or monthly basis. Models are available for sale if you ever get tired of your RV but can’t resist the lifestyle. During our stay, they were starting at around $27,000 USD.
Affordability
We were stunned by how affordable the RV lifestyle is here, especially for a park that is highly rated by Good Sam and Woodall’s. It’s even ranked as one of the top pet-friendly resorts. We spoke to one couple and after three years of staying here, they had only good things to say about the park, staff, and other guests.
Perry Mack
Some sites are spacious enough to park your RV and another vehicle.
At the time of writing, the Rio Bend RV and Golf Resort was offering several specials, including October to December for $950 USD. Not per month, $950 for three months. January to April had a special of reserving ‘three months and get the fourth month free.’
We’re considering the annual special rate of $3,800 for the 2023/2024 season with the additional fee for water, sewer, and power. A third-party company manages Internet services and cable. For about the monthly cost of storing your RV for the winter, you can enjoy the resort for 12 months.
Cons
If there were any cons, it would be that the location is somewhat isolated from a major urban centre. However, there are very few areas and resorts that will provide a range of adventures and entertainment.
Perry Mack
Enjoy mountain views while letting your four-legged family friend run free in the off-leash dog parks.
The park is 55+ and has a 10-year rule in effect. This isn’t necessarily a con as many snowbirds prefer these inclusions. There are some RVs that are clearly more than 10 years old. They were most likely 30+ years old but must have been grandfathered into the resort. However, the management is working to update all the units and for the most part, they have succeeded.
Pro or con, depending on your preference, the weather is generally a couple of degrees warmer than in the Palm Springs area with more sun and more breezy days.
The Rio Bend RV and Golf Resort is well suited to those who enjoy the links, a wide range of day trip options, and incredible value while enjoying the RV lifestyle.