I’m Kayla, and I stayed at Mesa Spirit RV Resort (here’s the deep-dive version of my stay) with my husband and our 34-foot Class A. If you want the official scoop on rates, site maps, and seasonal deals, pop over to the Mesa Spirit website before you book. We rolled in mid-January, chasing sun and cheap citrus. I brought my pickleball paddle and way too many craft supplies. Spoiler: both got used.
Why I picked it
I wanted a 55+ resort with stuff to do. I also needed full hookups and safe streets to walk. Mesa Spirit checked those boxes. It sits on Main Street in Mesa, so you can get groceries fast. You can also get tacos fast. Priorities, right?
First look and check-in
Gate staff waved us in, gave us a map, and a stack of flyers. We got wristbands and a gate card. It felt busy but not rushed. The office smelled like coffee and sunscreen—always a good sign.
Our site was a back-in near the south pool. The streets are a bit tight. I needed a second try to angle in. No shame there. The pad had gravel with a small concrete slab. I put down my leveling blocks and used a water pressure regulator. The power pedestal looked clean. We had 50-amp, good voltage, and steady water. My hose didn’t leak. That felt like winning.
The site vibe: close neighbors, friendly chatter
Sites sit close. You’ll hear your neighbor’s morning news if your windows are open. We met Carol next door. She had cactus lights and a tiny dog named Lenny. We swapped oranges. She gave me the scoop on bingo night and warned me about the Wednesday leaf blower at 7:15 a.m. She wasn’t kidding.
Pools, hot tubs, and knee-friendly fun
There are multiple heated pools and a couple of hot tubs. The water felt great after a dusty hike. I did water aerobics one morning. The instructor had jokes and a whistle. My shoulders thanked me. My hair, not so much.
Pickleball? Big scene. Courts stay busy in the morning. There’s a sign-up board. People take it serious but still laugh. I joined a mixed group and played three games. I lost two and still left happy.
Crafts, music, and the “I didn’t plan on staying this long” problem
The activity calendar is full. Think quilting, card making, line dancing, jam sessions, and bingo. I sat in on a stained glass demo. I didn’t break anything. That felt like a small miracle. We also went to a Friday dance at the main hall. The band played oldies and one Lizzo song. Everyone cheered. Even the guy in the Cubs hat tapped his foot.
Laundry and Wi-Fi: good enough, with a catch
Laundry rooms are clean and take quarters. Bring extra. The folding tables are small, so I used my RV bed to fold towels. It works in a pinch.
Wi-Fi at our site was spotty late afternoon. It was better near the clubhouse. I used my phone hotspot to upload photos. If you work on the road, you’ll want a backup plan. Short calls were fine. Big files took patience.
Showers, bathrooms, and everyday stuff
Bathhouses were tidy when I went. Not fancy, not grimy. Just fine. Water got hot fast.
Trash dumpsters sit near the main lanes. Easy in and out. The mailroom handled my package with my site number on the label. I signed a little slip—simple.
There’s a small dog area. It’s not huge, but it does the job. I saw bags stocked at most stations. Folks picked up after their pets, which I appreciated.
Location: easy food, better hikes
Here’s the thing—Mesa Spirit is in a busy part of town. That’s good for errands. Fry’s and Walmart are close. So is a little panadería with warm conchas. We hit the Mesa Market Place Swap Meet on Saturday. I bought a sun hat and a bag of pecans I didn’t need.
For nature, we drove to Usery Mountain Regional Park and took the Wind Cave Trail. It’s a steady climb, but the views are wow. If you’re planning your own trek, the county’s page on Usery Mountain hiking options lays out trail lengths, elevation gains, and parking tips. You can also head to Lost Dutchman State Park for bigger, sharper mountains. We saw two wild horses near the Salt River at sunset. I almost cried. I’m a softie like that. Prefer your sunset views backed by a wide river and a stretch of private sand? Emerald Cove RV Resort out on the Colorado River makes that happen.
Spring training is a thing here. Sloan Park (Cubs) sits a short drive away. Parking can be nuts on game days, so plan around it.
The crowd and the rules
This is mostly a 55+ resort. It skews snowbird-friendly and social. Lots of walkers in the morning. Lots of club meetups. Quiet hours were respected near our loop. Day guests checked in at the gate. We saw security drive by at night. It felt safe.
There are pet rules and leash signs. There are speed bumps. There’s also a speed limit, and yes, people will call out, “Slow down!” if you push it. I saw it happen. Twice.
Noise, weather, and one dusty surprise
Main Street has traffic noise. Nothing awful, but not silent nights. We also heard an early landscaping crew midweek. Earplugs fix most of that.
Weather in January was lovely—cool mornings, warm afternoons. One day, a quick dust storm passed through. It put grit on everything. I wiped down chairs and laughed. Arizona will do that to you.
The parts I didn’t love
- Streets are tight if you have a big rig or a toad. Take your time.
- Shade is rare. Most sites sit full sun. Bring a shade cloth.
- Wi-Fi isn’t strong at every site.
- Leaf blower around 7 a.m. on maintenance days. It’s… energetic.
The parts I did
- Great pools and hot tubs.
- Friendly neighbors. Real community feel.
- Tons of activities. You won’t get bored.
- Easy access to groceries, hikes, and spring training.
- Steady power and water. Hookups worked like they should.
Who it’s for
If you’re 55+ and want a busy, social resort with lots to do, this place hits. For another amenity-rich, snowbird-friendly option just down I-10, swing by Palm Creek Golf & RV Resort in Casa Grande and enjoy on-site golf under towering palms. If you want wide, quiet desert views and deep space between rigs, you might be happier out near Apache Junction or farther east. For a completely different vibe—think tall pines, cool lakes, and roomy sites—check out the Log Cabin Resort and RV Park up in northern Arizona.
Seasoned RVers also tend to day-dream beyond the U.S. borders. If your wanderlust ever swaps Arizona’s saguaros for Mediterranean palms and you roll into the French Riviera as a solo traveler, this quick primer on meeting locals in Nice—discover the best casual-meeting spots and etiquette here—breaks down the bars, cafés, and apps that actually work so you can make new connections as easily as you hook up a 50-amp pedestal.
Quick tips that helped me
- Bring a water pressure regulator and extra sewer hose length.
- Mornings are best for pickleball courts and pools.
- Use a hotspot if you need stable internet for work.
- Ask at the office for the activity sheet. It changes often.
- For hiking, hit Usery early, then grab tacos on the way back.
Travel tip for Midwestern wanderers: if your rig eventually noses up toward the Lake Michigan shoreline and you need a one-stop classifieds shop to hunt down everything from a same-day mobile RV tech to a local farmers-market gig, swing by Backpage Muskegon—its constantly updated listings for jobs, gear, and community meetups let you lock in the help or side hustle you need before you even set chocks in the sand.
My take
Mesa Spirit RV Resort felt like camp for grown-ups—tight in spots, but warm and lively. I came for sunshine. I left with new friends, sore legs, and a fresh respect for line dancing. Would I stay again? Yeah. In winter? Absolutely. And I’d still bring too many craft supplies. That’s just who I am.