KQ Ranch

This place is beautiful but the staff is incredibly nasty and stuck up. We had a membership with Coast to Coast Resorts of which KQ Ranch is one of their locations. Our membership allowed us to be there for 2 weeks at a time. There is supposed to be a no turn away policy. As we called KQ to make a last minute reservation, we were asked if we wanted to have 5 nights free in exchange for listening to a 90-​minute presentation. We said sure as long as we could continue on for the two weeks, paying for the other 9 days. The sales person told us it was not a problem. So the day of the sales presentation arrived and it was literally a monsoon with 30+ mph winds and rains. We asked if we could postpone it another day or two until the weather improved. While we were waiting for the sales office to call us back, instead we got a knock on our RV by Vicky Armstrong, the manager, and another woman saying we were being evicted because we didn’t go to the presentation and we had just a few hours to pack up and leave the mountain in the monsoon. We said, okay, we’ll go to your presentation or just pay for the days. They told us we couldn’t pay, we just had to leave. So we went to the presentation but told them there was no way we were hiking around the property with our two little girls in this weather. Anyway, got into a huge altercation with these nasty people. Not only is KQ a terrible place with very nasty people but we’ve been very disappointed in the service and facilities of Coast to Coast, too. Thousand Trails has been much better and way more family friendly.

I was baited and fooled to show up there. It took over 2 hours and so I was late (Thank God). The place looks like a horror movie setup where you go in and dont return from. The gate keeper looks like one of those characters from the cannibal movie. She called the manager and she was not any better. Rude. They were exteremly rude. Since I was late they turned me right around and did not offer to reschedule me or accomoadate whatsover. I think God was protecting us. There was 5 persons in my party (my wife and I with our 3 small children). THe park looked creepy and nothing there seemed nice. Play grounds looked old and unattended. I will never… NEVER return to that creepy place. My wife also got the impression we were enacting a horror movie. A place where you go in and dont come back. Once there, we could not talk to anyone who approached us on the phone and willing to give us everything for free. Not true (we got nothing but a waste of tie and effort) as other reviews indicate that you have to mail in to get refunded. We lost a day and 50 gallons of fuel and I think it could have been much worst. We know one thing that we will never return to the KQ Ranch in Julian.

Where to begin…
Found KQ ranch through a Google search for a campground in Julian. Stumbled across the KQ Ranch web site and thought it looked nice. Called to make a reservation for Labor Day weekend. Was offered a free stay if we attended a 90 minute presentation. I asked the person on the phone if there was an option to pay the nightly rate and not attend the presentation and was told no. Not a big deal. I agreed to the presentation and explained to the gentleman on the phone that I have 3 kids including a 3 month old and my wife would not be able to attend the presentation, he said no problem as long as one of us attended the presentation we would be okay. We were planning on camping with friends and I asked if we can get side by side camp sites, once again he said no problem. This was 5 months prior to our Labor Day arrival.
During the months leading up to our trip I received calls from a 928 phone number almost daily. They wouldn’t leave messages just keep calling until I answered. I answered the call one day and it was someone confirming our reservation. I said yes we will be there and once again confirmed my wife will not be able to attend the presentation and we would like side by side sites, each time they said no problem. About two weeks prior to our arrival I was still getting daily calls to «confirm» I finally told them this was getting ridiculous and to stop calling me. They said that since it’s a holiday weekend they wanted to make sure we were coming since it’s a high demand weekend. I get it. I told them to make sure this is the last call and that I would be there for sure. They said that would be the last call.
The day of our arrival we traveled 3 hours to KQ ranch. Upon arrival we waited in a line for almost 45 minutes to get into the park. They had two ladies at the check in desk checking in people while other staff members sat around in golf carts watching the line grow longer and longer. We signed a document upon arrival stating that we will be charged $ 50 per night if we miss the presentation, fair enough. When we pulled up to the check in desk I mentioned that we had friends about 40 minutes behind us and wanted to make sure they got a site by us. We were told that they cannot do that since its first come first serve. I explained my several conversations with the sales folks and they smugly replied «we can’t do that.» Upon entering the campground we immediately noticed how dated everything was including the run down miniature golf course to the pathetic playground for the children. They have a small «playground» for little ones that consists of Little Tikes plastic play sets that looks like they have been out there for years. The sites are stacked on top of each other and most are very small with little to no privacy. We figured it was someplace new so we would make the best of it.
Sunday morning (today) we head to the sales office to attend our 90 minute presentation at 9am. We get there (minus the wife) and we were instructed that it’s mandatory spouses attend the presentation. I explained to the lady in the office that I informed them several times that my wife would not be attending and they said it wouldn’t be an issues. She claims it’s a rule. I also explained that I have three children (6, 3, and 3 months) and we have nobody to watch the children while we are on the tour. She looks at me and says we can leave the kids in the «kids room» which is an empty room with a table and coloring books. I let her know I would not be leaving my kids unattended or with a complete stranger. I said I will gladly pay the $ 50 per the form I filled out and we will skip the presentation. She then tells me that we have to leave the property if we don’t make the presentation. I asked her where it says that and she rudely tells me it is not a written rule it’s just «their rule.» We go back and forth and finally asked for a copy of the form we filled out. She was hesitant on giving us a copy, after mentioning that my lawyer wanted to see the form she replies «that’s fine, we have two lawyers and they always win.» Apparently I’m not the only person who has been asked to leave and seeked some legal advice. Reluctantly, she provided us a copy of the form. I pointed out that nowhere on the form does it say we have to leave the property if we don’t attend the presentation it only states we have to pay $ 50/​night. She again told me it’s a rule, but not a written rule. So now we are packing up a day early.
If you hear about Colorado River Adventures or CRA please run as fast as you can. Do not stay at one of their locations. It’s a bait & switch deal. You are told whatever you want on the phone and when you get to a CRA campground you are told the exact opposite from what they told you on the phone. Do yourself and fellow campers a favor and spread the word that Colorado River Adventures and KQ Ranch is a complete sham! I would give 0 stars if it was an option.

Went to kq ranch had a free week. They put us in a broken down trailer the floor was about to fall threw. They would not give us a new trailer to stay in. The manager Vicky lied to us over and over again. This place was unsafe for us so after we took off a week of work spent 100.00 dollar in gas and food we left very sad for my grandson who is 4 years old. I am a C.R.A member and I was looking forward to seeing this resort to maybe adding it to my membership. I will not be retuning to this place because I don’t like to be lied to or treated like a fool.

Vicky is horrible and her coherts are just as bad… will never stay and management should really re-​think your staffing! Horrible trailers… air didn’t work and floor was terrible. Don’t ruin your vacation by going here. Vicky did nothing and encouraged us to leave so we did!

So here is what I found about Colorado River Adventures CRA. Yesterday I went for sales pitch. First let me explain that I had received a call saying I had «Won a contest» which would give me $ 100 free gas, 20 days free camping and an android tablet– Woohoo!
Well, ok, first I am not even a little happy that Camping World shared my name, email, and phone with a more-​than-​slimy marketing group. And sure enough when I met with the sale rep she asked how I had heard about them and when I told her about the «I won a contest!» she seemed sincerely confused. I also expressed how I thought that was not a good approach.
So I have better things to do than listen to a 90 minute sales pitch but the reality is I have been considering buying at least one camping/​RV membership.
She did a fine job until the very end when I restated that I would not buy without talking with my family and staying at one of the parks to evaluate-​at that point she could not wait to get me out the door.
Candidly, had there been a «Well, I hope you take us up on our offer to stay for free. I think you will really enjoy it», or some other friendlier adiós, I would have come back and likely would have joined.
But I could not shake the sleazy contest come-​on and the heavy-​handed sales wrap up.
I will not be taking advantage of the free days because I can only imagine the reason you have to stay only at that specific park is so they have another (4) opportunities to pitch you. Could be very uncomfortable.
Bottom line:
Nice family park although the road to get there is winding/​curvy.
Other than a few things that needed painting, such as the entry sign, it seemed fairly well-​maintained and was clean.
It has a nice old-​school park feeling. Trees/​wildlife/​views.
They could do more to position/​hide the storage areas.
The day I was there (Wednesday) the park was not very full and there was not much going on except for the pool area which had lots of kids truly having fun.
And the membership has some nice affiliate add-​ons.
About attending the sales pitch:
You are shown pictures and a video about the 9 or so parks in the system.
Then you sit and are told about all the amenities and are encouraged to visualize your ideal park.
Then you do a golf cart tour which is fun.
Then comes the heavy handed sale pitch and money details.
About the freebies you receive for attending:
The free camping is 4 five– day stretches (or single days) but only Sun. — Thurs. So you cannot attend the BBQ, etc. or other gatherings that seem to mostly be on the weekends.
It has to be at the park you attended the sales pitch –so choose location wisely. The KQ Ranch is very isolated (except for being near Julian).
Platinum? Membership is just under $ 15K with a $ 649 in annual maintenance. However, my impression was that the «closer» could reduce those amounts.
The gas ‘certificate’ is so convoluted I doubt very many people can do the hoops to get the rebate. But I am going to try to follow it to the letter and will update here one way or the other.
They did give a little tablet which I have not yet tried. Not really important to me. The perceived value of free electronics is usual not that strong.
My suggestion to CRA is this: If you want to buy an emailing list or call list, etc. set a few days aside and give 2 – 3 day free stays. No unlikely gas rebate. No phony contest. No free tablet. Your park would likely stand on its own to attract members. It does look like a fun family park.
Please consider holding the sales pitch when there are things going on and it looks fun. If you do not want to infringe on your current members by holding events on the weekend then recreate a ‘weekend’ by having events just for potential new members. People like to be where other people are having fun.
My suggestion to fellow consumers-​Whenever anyone says «We will do this for you today only-​you have to sign up RIGHT NOW» be very careful. Instead, look for a good product at a good price.

We just went to a sales presentation at KQ ranch. They started out very pleasant, we absolutely loved the place. But we found ourselves stuck in a uneasy sales presentation, without even seeing the property. We were told it was ok to bring the dogs, half way through the sales pitch they had to go out to do their business. That is when it started going bad I saw the sales persons attitude changing. First they give you the yearly fees. Then they hit me with the actual Price $$$$$! At this point we still have not seen the property. They wanted us to buy this $$$$$ camping TIME-​SHARE without even touring the property. At this point I was really losing interest and the sales person was getting less friendly by the second. I then excused myself and told her we were not interested. They rudely gave me their thank you for attending gift. That I really wasn’t interested in. My husband was on his way back in, and I told him what had happened. But we were still interested in the camp grounds it was everything we have been looking for! We spoke with a nice member who had bought there and she was very happy with the property. I mentioned to her they wanted us to buy sight unseen. So we thought to have a look around and walk the dogs. We were on our way back to the sales office to further discuss a probable purchase with the sales staff. When ran into the member we had spoken with earlier. This person who had already purchased there had be treated absolutely disrespectfully buy one of the salesmen when they informed the sales team that we really did want to see the property. He told her not to tell how to do his job. But I guess in his mind it was OK because he already they’re money. Still discussing a purchase this salesman met us in the front of the sales office and told us we are done here… Get the hell out of here!
Wow! Beautiful property, very unpleasant staff.

I am rating it one star just so that I can write a review. I am livid right now! The phrase ‘too good to be true’ couldn’t be truer! I was invited to spend the weekend so that I could enjoy Resort camping and hopefully become a member. During my invite call, I said I camp with a large family and was concerned about limitations — I was assured my large family and I would be fully accommodated. When I called to confirm dates, again I was assured KQ would accommodate my family. Here I am (literally standing on their site) and I get a call from their manager stating I could not have the amount of people stay! I am getting ready to pack our car again… lawsuit? DEFINITELY!

Don’t buy here.
I attended a presentation in Nov 2013. It was under new management.
Their freebies to lure you there are full of unhappy surprises that you don’t find out about till they gift you and you wasted your time and gas going there. I feel as other reviewers said, that when you own, you will find the same bait and switch surprises.
For instance, when I called to make appoint to attend KQ RV resort presentation and being told that they will reimburse me $ 100 for gas by me submitting ANY receipts, even previous to the presentation. And then when I drove there and finished the presentation, the gas rebate certificate they THEN gave me, said that I must submit 4 receipts of max $ 25 that must be dated at least 60 days apart and the gas certificate expires in 240 days fro date on the certificate (which is date of presentation). What is 60×4? I went to the presentation with a full tank I filled the day before, and could not get gas on the day of the presentation to be able to fit all 4 receipts into the 240 — at 60 days apart. I have a small 10 gal tank and get 32 mpg. Now I ruined the first rebate opportunity, because I was not able to get gas on the day of the presentation, and have three left.
Also you must mail in the rebate certificate right away, not when you collected the receipts. All sorts of tricks and hoops for you to jump through, so chances are they will not have to pay for your gas receipts.
The right hand doesn’t know what the left hand is doing.
The sales office told me to talk to the marketing department, they know nothing about the certificate, said «That is what Shell requires». When I talked to the marketing department about what I was told by the appointment setter, she hung up on me, really because I think she didn’t have a good answer for me. Do I want to buy into a resort that does that to me if I have an issue? What other stringent requirements would they have, if I paid $ 12,900 to buy into their resort system, AFTER I paid my money and tried to use what I THOUGHT and WAS TOLD I would get?
Also they advertised as gift that you could stay at the RV resort for 24 free nights in a year. Well I am single. I could not invite a friend to camp with me unless the friend comes with me in MY vehicle. They cannot drive their own vehicle and meet me there. My vehicle is tiny, cannot take a passenger. So I did not use a single night, even for free.
AND their package is SOOOOOOO expensive! When I told him what I got for $ 4400, he was showing me same for $ 36,000 (Interval International timeshare with RV resort usage both), he just walked away and told me to pick up my tablet, which was really, just a toy.
I felt like I was cheated and tricked as a sale prospect in my sales presentation and lures to get me there. So I can imagine what it would be like to «OWN» at this Smoke and Mirrors resort.

My review is for when I came in the summer time for a week. I had no complaints at all. My kids loved all the out door activities. And the pound was right out side are cabin. The cabin was nice and cleaned when we got there and very comfortable for us. And time we needed something they would come right away to our cabin. Our daughter loved going to the arts and crafts room. and my son would loved to go fishing everyday. You are right in the little city of Julian where we loved there apple pies. I will defiantly be back to kq ranch. It’s just a family oriented place we love. Oh and I forgot the pool was a lot of fun and was always cleaned. As well as there restrooms. So this was my review for the summer. Thanks kq ranch!!!

This is an update to my October post that reads below this comment. The man who threatened to shoot people is still living at the resort.
When I spoke to corporate about it, they put it on the managers responsibility. When the manager was questioned why that person is still allowed to live in the resort, she said it was a corporate decision.
Everyone passing the buck.
As I said. This is unacceptable for a supposedly 5 star resort. It’s nothing but smoke and mirrors.
Upon leaving the resort, instead of leaving your comment card at the gate, it has been recommended that you mail them directly to Colorado River Adventures corporate office.

Great place for kids. Many organized activities for the family. Food is great and store is well stocked. Janet from the staff always makes u feel like your at home.

Oh, the great outdoors… camping, cabins, beautiful Julian. What’s not to love?
Stayed here for a friend’s birthday and I was pleasantly surprised. Not to mention that the weather was simply perfect which obviously made it even better.
The staff was friendly and helpful when I was looking for the cabin, they gave me a map and walked me through how to get there and some of the rules and regulations.
The cabins here are pretty clean and although they are smaller, they do tend to feel pretty comfortable and very homey.
There are several cool little amenities and entertainment options around too. They have a pool, a miniature golf course, an area for tossing horseshoes, disc golf and even cornhole. So with that said, there is plenty to do around here. Additionally, you have some of the state parks and hiking areas only a few minutes drive away as well.
Anyway, I like it and I miss it already.

Great place. We stayed 10 days and really enjoyed ourselves. Please put some chaise lounges at the pool..

Had a terrible experience this weekend and noticed that over the last 3– years, their management has been pretty inconsistent!
Check in is at 3. We checked in at 4:30 on Friday 8÷22÷14 and were told or cabin wouldn’t be ready for 30 minutes, so we had to keep busy even though we worked all day and just wanted to unpack, relax and get dinner ready.
At 5:15 –5:30 I asked the cleaning lady if the cabin was done and she said no and had no ETA. So I went back to my car and called the front gate and told them I was frustrated because I had food to put away and 4 kids to feed. They said there was nothing they could do, the people before us destroyed the place (not my fault… they should have cleaned this one first!) I asked if I could help and was told no so I suggested they send someone else to help. Which they ended up doing. I was offered a bag of ice for having to wait… really, that’s all you can do?
Fast forward to Sunday 8÷24÷14, the day we were checking out. We know that check out is at 11:00 yet they send someone to «remind» us. I told the guy that we were packing and that we would try to be done by 11 but that we didn’t get in until after 6pm. About 20 minutes later that park manager, Vicki, came by as we were packing up, yelling at us that we needed to be out at 11:00. She wasted 10 minutes of our packing time, said I harassed her cleaning lady and her. I merely checked to see if the cabin was done and called to voice my concern ONCE!!! My husband asked her to leave and she continued on and on. She was very unprofessional and rude. I would have thought since I was unable to get into the cabin on time they could have offered us a late check out, a free night, a free dinner but they offered us a $ 2 bag of ice… not good business and yes, I’ve worked in the hospitality industry before.
In addition, the bed frame was broken and held together with zip ties (which the manager acknowledged when I mentioned it to her). We had to take the frame off in order to sleep well. We took the bed off he frame and left it out so they could fix it for the next person.
I’ll be contacting their home office about this incident. I hope they get their scheduling and cleaning organized better so this doesn’t happen again to my family or anyone else.

We also had a very different experience here we arrived here for our free 2 night stay everyone was nice a the gate they put us way in the back towards storage which was fine more space it seem and full hook ups as some of the sites don’t have that! Even tho the dog park was right in front of us wasnt to bad didnt really hear to much of the dogs. The staff was really nice considering i read the reviews before coming and said the staff was like wild rude pack of animals and where nothing but a bunch hillbillies that stock your Campsite with the golf carts but we didn’t have that issue at all the reason why two stars was because the sales pitch was great I was even was going to buy the the membership until my husband asked a few question and the old man that finalizing the financial part came and had a very bad attitude towards my husband when he was asking questions he didn’t like it at all seemed LIKE it bug him he even was asking any questions he seem really bug by it, all my husband ask was what the difference between this resort and the others he got really pissed off with my husband on that question mind you he had attitude before he even walked up to us you could see it in his face let’s just say he was not a fan of any questions he basically just wanted us to buy and don’t ask any questions it was like you’re putting his resort down by asking questions which is stupid because you wanna make a good pitch to keep people there and wanting to buy a membership not get all angry because your asking questions he basically said this is best place either buy it or Leave then he proceeded to tell the woman that was helping us to have them sign the decline and get them out of here right in front of her faces what a jerk he so lucky my husband didn’t go off on his old butt. Beacuse of his rudeness we sure did decline and got our free gifts I just in shock at what just had happen, we there like 90 mins maybe longer and I was about to just put the money down cause the sale associate did her job and I was sold! I guess the old men had a stick up butt (his lost) definitely need a change in the sale department just can’t be rude like that the lady apologize to us about his attitude and told us that he needed a vacation that he was under a lot of stress but that had nothing to do with us so we took that with a grain of salt .that old man need to be out of there he ruined basically the rest of our morning! needless to say we obviously won’t be back! side note the resort was nice people were nice other then sales part we had fun for a free 2 night stay! Also there water hole they have people fishing in looks like a big puddle of dirty muddy water they should fix that along with the old man attitude then they should be okay maybe?

We confirmed reservations through Colorado River Adventures for March 14, 2014. When we got there, we were given our tour time of 1:00 pm on Sunday. That particular time was very inconvenient for us, seeing that we were planning on departing on Sunday morning. I called down to the sales office to see if we could get our tour time changed. They told us no and that if we didn’t take the tour at the time they scheduled us for, we would have to leave. This goes against what they promote and what their contract says. To make a very long story short, once they realized we were not happy with their horrible customer service tactics and we were most likely not going to invest our money in such a poorly ran establishment, we were kicked out of the campground on the spot. They cancelled our appointment, not us and refused to let us have a tour or even stay on the property.
Do yourself a huge favor and don’t waste your money or time at this place. Its old and run down, their supposed pond is nothing more than a puddle, they don’t have Wi-​Fi at the camp sites and no way to hook up cable… and it appears to be ran by a bunch of inbred uneducated hicks. Even the old lady in the office as well as the young girl were amongst the most rude people I’ve ever encountered in my 50 years.
KQ Ranch and their staff are HORRIBLE… Pinezaneta is a real nice establishment right down the street… I would definitely consider that place over KQ Ranch.
John the unqualified Sales Manager and Marty, the uneducated Park Manager, are both bullies and should probably be fired!

Perhaps too rustic/​run down for us. Is it possible to be too kid friendly, if so, this park is over the top! Unsupervised kids flying around in golf carts, atv’s, riding lawnmowers, whatever! Prior comments about screaming kids is no joke! Almost called child protective services a few times.
Perhaps the commotion was intensified by the fact it was a three day weekend. We enjoy CRA, but we probably won’t be back to this park.

We absolutely love KQ Ranch Resort! We go every chance we get. The staff is amazing, the scenery beautiful and its extremely quiet and relaxing. Full hook ups also make it even better. The town of Julian is only a few minutes from the camp ground too.

Great place if you like loud trucks going past your site, car alarms going off over and over and over, crying babies, unsupervised children yelling and shining flashlights. barking dogs and meowing cats running loose around your RV.
This Hillbilly Country Club is a place of dreams. Bad dreams.