HOT LIST? The SKP Saguaro Co-Op RV Park in Benson Arizona
What is the HOT LIST?
Are WE on it?
SHOULD we be on it?
Should YOU be on it?
Does it COST anything to be on the Hot List?
For starters, when we pulled in to the SKP Saguaro Co-Op RV Park in Benson Arizona in November 2023, I was thinking that we would just spend a week and a half there relaxing. We had just been to three national parks, and we were both looking for some downtime. Plus, at just $156/week (plus electric), the place was a pretty good deal. I wasn’t planning on making a video or writing a blog about the RV park. But within a few days, both Kasie and I became enamored with the place. And (spoiler alert), we joined the Hot List!
Before I jump into why and how, let’s talk a little bit about how the SKP Saguaro Co-Op RV Park came about and who exactly owns and operates it.
Who Owns and Operates the SKP Saguaro Co-Op RV Park?
The Office at the SKP Saguaro Co-Op RV Park in Benson, Arizona
“SKP” is short for Escapees, which is membership club for RVers. So…does Escapees own the SKP Saguaro Co-Op RV Park? The short answer is “no.” Back in the 1980s, Escapees wanted to help create something that would help RVers live more comfortably and affordably in their RVs so it started creating co-ops, which have their own legal idenity. Under the co-up rules, only members of Escapees can become members of the co-ops or stay at them. The Saguaro Co-Op RV Park in Benson opened around 1990 with 242 lots. Today, the SKP Saguaro Co-Op RV Park is one of 11 Co-Op RV parks that Escapees helped start and is authorized to use the Escapees RV Club brand.
If Escapees does not own the SKP Saguaro Co-Op RV Park, then who does? The Co-Op owns the RV Park. And, it’s a non-profit. More on that below.
Who owns the Co-Op? Basically, just RVers! The Co-Op is managed and maintained by individual members of the Co-Op who each have purchased lifetime leases on a site at the park.
Why could we stay at the Co-Op? The leaseholders have the option of subleasing out their sites to folks like us if they aren’t using their site. We joined Escapees in 2019 to take advantage of its roadside assistance program, but had never stayed at one of the Co-Ops before.
Binders on the history of the SKP Saguaro Co-Op RV Park
Newspaper clipping from January 1990: “Several hundred members of the SKP’s recreational vehicle organization pulled into Benson last week as the group held a drawing to determine who would get which of the 242 lots at the park on U.S. Highway 80 in south Benson. Members of SKP’s purchased the rights to a lot at the Benson park and selected their lots in the order in which the lots were purchased. The drawings for the lots were presided over by the organization’s president, Bill Renfeld, foreground with hat, and Joe Loos, foreground with checkered shirt. Residents are scheduled to begin moving into the park in mid-February (News-Sun photo by Jac Poisgrove).
Pro Tip: The SKP Saguaro Co-Op compiled a multi-volume history of the RV Park. If you stay there, take a few minutes to thumb through the binders and learn about the park’s creation and evolution over the years.
Where the Heck is Benson Arizona?
The SKP Saguaro Co-Op RV park is located in Benson, Arizona — which is on I-10 less than an hour southeast of Tucson. It’s a small town (5355 people; 2020 census) with a good grocery store (Safeway), great mexican joint (Mi Casa), and a Walmart. Karchner Caverns, the Coronado National Forrest, and the tourist towns of Tombstone and Bisbee are nearby.
The RV park backs up to some BLM land, there are several trails around the park to explore. The RV park itself is slightly terraced so that many leaseholders have some nice view of the mountains.
Aerial View of the SKP Saguaro Co-Op RV Park in Benson Arizona. Look at those mountains in the background!
Is the SKP Saguaro RV Co-Op Worth Staying at?
Because the RV Park was built by actual RVers who wanted to live there, we immediately noticed just how much thought went into the design of the RV park itself. The streets are wide, the lots are huge (~52 by 75 feet), and most of the sites have small casitas on them that can be used for storage and entertaining.
Some of the RV park’s facilities include:
The Clubhouse
A central clubhouse contains a huge dining/gathering space, commercial kitchen, laundry facility (a wash is just $1!), gym – not to mention a number of smaller rooms (library, game room, pool room, etc.) for activities.
Jam Band at the SKP Saguaro Co-OP RV Park in Benson, Arizona
Commercial Kitchen at the SKP Saguaro Co-Op RV Park
Laundry room at the SKP Saguaro Co-Op RV Park in Benson Arizona
Founders Park
In 2015, the Co-Op installed wonderful communal outdoor space called “Founders Park” where happy hour occurs from 4-5 pm each day. Yes, each day. Woo! Hoo!
Founders Park (established 2015) at the SKP Saguaro Co-OP RV Park in Benson Arizona
Happy Hour at Founders Park at the SKP Saguaro Co-Op in Benson Arizona
The Shop
Need to borrow a tool? The shop has more tools than Home Depot that can be used by anyone staying at the RV park. There’s also a selection of screws, bolts, and other fasteners that are free for the taking (or you can leave your spares). Near the door, there’s a washer just for dog beds and other bulky items (a wash is just $1 and is on the honor system!).
Want to work on your rig at the shop? There’s space to pull in just next to the shop building.
Shop (filled with tools!) at the SKP Saguaro Co-Op RV Park in Benson Arizona
Want to get rid of those extra bolts or screws you’ve been carrying around? Donate them to the Co-Op for others to use?
Dog Park
Not only is there a well-stocked pet waste station at the dog park, there’s also a few pooper scoopers, dog toys, and a small agility ramp.
Agility ramp at the SKP Saguaro Co-Op RV Park in Benson Arizona
Dog park at the SKP Saguaro Co-Op RV Park in Benson Arizona
RV/Vehicle Storage
Each leaseholder can also store his/her RV (or other vehicle) in a large storage lot. The lot has several container units that can be rented by leaseholders for an additional fee, depending on availability, as well.
RV and Vehicle Storage at the SKP Saguaro Co-Op RV Park in Benson Arizona
Storage Lot Sign at the SKP Saguaro Co-Op RV park in Benson Arizona
Hoe House
Best name ever for a place to store lawn equipment? The equipment used by the Landscaping Committee is housed here, but most of it (like rakes, shovels, etc.) can be borrowed by anyone staying at the park.
On-Site Propane
The propane is reasonably priced too!
Recycling/Trash
We are always excited when RV parks recycle!
I loved the Hoe House at the SKP Saguaro Co-Op RV Park in Benson Arizona
On-Site Propane at the SKP Saguaro Co-Op RV Park in Benson Arizona
Recycling and trash at the SKP Saguaro Co-OP RV Park in Benson Arizona
In my opinion, about the only thing missing from the RV park is a pool. I mean…come on…this is Arizona….
Pro Tip: Volunteers are eager to give tours of the RV park, and I highly recommend taking the tour. During the tour, you will get to go inside a couple of casitas. Make sure and grab Mary Ann and the Skipper because the tour can last up to three hours!
Take a Tour of the SKP Saguaro Co-Op RV Park if you stay there.
What is this about a Casita?
As noted above, many of the RV lots have casitas. Importantly, the casitas are zoned (and taxed) as storage units because of their size and designated use. For example, the maximum casita size is 288 square feet, and the maximum casita height is 12 feet. While the building may include a full bathroom and laundry, major electric appliances (such as clothes dryers, hot tubs, and kitchen ranges) are not allowed. Most importantly, members must live in their RV, not in the casita.
All improvements to a lot must be approved by the Co-Op, including the construction of a casita or upgrades to it. Permits are also required from the City of Benson for some things. I get the sense that most people don’t want the hassle or expense of building a casita on a bare lot nowadays so many people buy a lease for a bare lot and then hope to trade it for one with a casita.
What I loved about the casitas is that each seemed unique; no cookie-cutters. There’s even one that looks like an outhouse (we aren’t sure what is going on there)!
Casita at the SKP Saguaro Co-OP RV Park in Benson Arizona
The “Outhouse” Casita at the SKP Saguaro RV Park in Benson Arizona
Who Runs the SKP Saguaro RV Co-Op?
The Co-Op has just a handful of paid staff, some maintenance workers and a couple of front office workers who work with non-leaseholders like us who want to stay at the park. The vast majority of the work at the park gets done by the leaseholders themselves, as well as RVers who decide to stay at the park. In essence, everyone who stays in the park is expected to volunteer on various committees. The committee list below was pretty insightful about what goes into running the RV park as well. In short, it takes A LOT of volunteer work to run an RV park as good as this!
Audio-Visual Set-up and Maintenance
Architectural
Audit
Bingo
Budget
Bylaws
Cactus Wrens
Channel 5
Channel 43
Chorus
Christmas Auction
Clubhouse
Coffee
Computer Club & Clinic
Crafters
Election
Electric Bill Distribution
Electric Meter Reader
Entertainment Coordinator
Excursions
Exercise
Fish Frys
Fitness Room
Food Auction
Founders Park
Grievance
Happy Hour Announcements
Helping Hands
Holiday & Special Events
Honor System
Kitchen Landscaping
Laundry Coin Collection
Library
Long Range Planning
Marketing
Movie Night
Nieman Marcus Table
Newsletter
Office Volunteers
Opening and Closing
Clubhouse
Outtakes Talent Show
Parking
Pathway Lighting Maintenance
Photographers
Pool Room Upkeep
Propane
Recycling
Security & Safety
Tables and Chairs
Technology
TV System Maintenance & Troubleshooting
Video Library
Website Management
Welcome
Work
Volunteer Committee List at the SKP Saguaro Co-Op RV Park
The leaseholders also elect a board of directors, who are responsible for major decisions and expenditures. Like any self-run organization, that can sometimes get political and personalities can clash. However, I watched one of the board meetings (which are streamed on “Channel 43"), and everyone seemed to be quite respectful of one another.
How Much Does It Cost to Purchase a Lifetime Lease for an RV Site at the SKP Saguaro Co-Op RV Park?
This is where things really get interesting. Remember that the SKP Saguaro Co-Op is a non-profit. Escapees did not want people buying a lease/membership in the co-op for investment purposes. Under the rules and regulations governing the Co-Op, leaseholders can only sell a site for what they paid for it plus the cost of any approved capital improvements to the lot and park. In other words, the price for a site is NOT market-driven. Instead, the price is set by what money the leaseholder actually spent. Escapees designed the co-ops so that people who bought a membership/lease in any SKP Co-Op are able to use the assigned lot for their entire lifetime, or any part thereof, and get their money back if they chose to withdraw. A leaseholder won’t make money or lose money. That is one of the things that makes becoming a leaseholder at the SKP Saguaro RV Co-Op so affordable.
How Much Does It Cost Annually to Live at the SKP Saguaro Co-Op RV Park?
From RIght to Left (Chris, Amanda, Me, Kasie, Jesse, and Cherie). Photo Credit: Chris Dunphy
Once someone becomes a leaseholder at the SKP Saguaro Co-Op RV Park, the annual cost to live there is also remarkably inexpensive. Chris and Cherie from Technomadia wrote a detailed blog on what it costs to purchase and maintain a site since they became leaseholders. Make sure and check that their blog for more information.
As of 2023, the cost for a bare lot (no casita) is $17,539. In 2023, leaseholders each incurred around $1768 in maintenance and operating costs (“M&O” —which can be offset with money from the rental pool), general assessments ($60), special assessments ($400), and property taxes (under $200). The M&O expenses cover all utilities except electric (water, sewer, cable, wi-fi, etc.), as well as help fund the activities and day-to-day maintenance of the park. One reason why the M&O costs are so low is that, as noted above, much of the work on the park is done by volunteers.
The bottom line is that it costs just a few thousand dollars (at most) annually to be a leaseholder at the SKP Saguaro Co-Op RV Park.
What is the Hot List?
Well, the Hot List is NOT a listing of the world’s sexiest people who RV. ‘Cause, you know, we are already on that.
The Hot List is essentially the waiting list to become a leaseholder at the SKP Saguaro Co-Op RV Co-Op. There’s currently over 350 people on the hot list. Yes, the RV park is that popular.
When someone decides to no longer be part of the co-op (or perhaps passes away), the lifetime lease is terminated and the lot essentially reverts to the co-op itself. Lots are first offered to existing leaseholders, and if no one at the RV park wants a particular site, then the site is posted on the Co-Op’s website as being available to those on the Hot List.
How Does the Hot List Work?
To get on the Hot List, an Escapees member must pay a $500 refundable deposit (which is credited towards the lease purchase) and a $20 nonrefundable processing fee. To get a site, you have to be diligent.
FIrst, you must monitor the Co-Op’s website to know that a lot is available; there’s no email or other formal notification to the Hot List.
Second, you must call in (yes call) the next Saturday to express an interest in a particular site. You must then call back at a certain time that day (yes, you call twice). If you are the lowest number on the Hot List who calls in, then you become a lifetime leaseholder of that lot within a couple of weeks.
Whether someone on the Hot List wins a lot/lease sometimes requires a little bit of luck in terms of who else calls in on that particular Saturday. The #1 guy on the hot list has been there since 1999 so he could trump everyone else if he wanted to. Yet, someone could theoretically be #200 on the Hot List and still win a lot/lease if no one with a lower number called in.
Is the SKP Saguaro Co-Op RV Park Right for Us?
Our site at the SKP Saguaro Co-Op RV Park in Benson Arizona (November 2023)
The more time we spent at the SKP Saguaro RV Co-Op, the more we thought that this would be a great place to come in the winter once we’ve finished up our full-time RV travels. That won’t be anytime soon, and we still consider South Dakota our home base. But, the idea of being a part of this community in 5-10 years seemed quite appealing.
One thing that I haven’t mentioned so far are THE PEOPLE! Amazing. Friendly. Hard Working. The PEOPLE make the RV park what it is.
Many of the leaseholders are retirees, and much older than us. I was continually amazed at the energy and vibrancy of this community though. My hand got tired of waving at everyone. And, I kept thinking “this is how I could see myself living someday.”
It’s a good thing we are thinking that far in advance. We have several years before our number will be low enough on the Hot List to make it worth our time to call in. Also, the Co-Op limits the number of dogs to three. We did not know that when we booked the site, and nobody ratted us out during our 11-day stay. However, that is another reason why we won’t be leaseholders any time soon.
In the meantime, we look forward to going back to the SKP Saguaro Co-Op RV Park next time we are in Arizona to see if the magic is still there. We hope it is, and we wish the folks who live there long, healthy, and happy times at the park.
Thank you to Escapees for their vision in creating the co-ops and to all of the folks we met at the SKP Saguaro Co-Op RV Park!
