Arizona for Beginners

Hitting the open road in an RV and exploring Arizona’s great outdoors is nothing short of incredible. This state has it all for anyone who loves nature, and the variety is stunning. It's easy to drive the open roads and fantastic for those that love dark skies.

Starting in Northern Arizona, the cool pine forests and endless plateaus are a refreshing escape. You feel like you're breathing in pure wilderness up here. Then, rolling into Central Arizona, the scenery changes dramatically. The iconic red rocks of Sedona and the lush Verde Valley take center stage—trust us, there’s nothing like waking up to those views from your RV window. There are so many different types of vehicles that regardless of whether you are a solo traveler a couple or a family, the right vehicle is available for you to rent.

Lake of the Woods - Image credit Arizona Office of Tourism, AdventurePiece 2020

As we continued south, the desert landscapes opened up to endless stretches of towering saguaros, and the rock formations—both above and below ground—are awe-inspiring. In Western Arizona, surprisingly, you'll find yourself at the beach, enjoying water sports along the Colorado River. Don't you think travel is about being surprised by contrast? that's certainly the case in Arizona.

Catalina State Park - Image credit Arizona Office of Tourism

Eastern Arizona is the perfect mix of everything. One moment you're driving through thick green forests, and the next, you’re surrounded by ancient petrified wood and centuries-old petroglyphs. It’s like every corner of Arizona has its own unique experience, and you will love that RV rental let you take it all in at our own pace and at a price that will mean you have the budget left to do all the activities on offer.

Pro tip: make sure to check each State and National park’s website for hours, fees, and services. Some parks are pretty remote, which is great for peace and quiet, but you’ll want to be well-prepared, especially if you're heading into the backcountry. Also, if you're visiting parks on tribal lands, plan ahead for permits or guides.

Arizona has so many parks to explore, from the iconic cacti to the hidden gems in the Sky Islands down south. We’ve been using the Arizona Parks Passport to make sure we don’t miss a thing. And while you're at it, share those epic RV moments with #AZParksPassport—you might even get a little surprise from them! If you are visiting more than just Arizona buy the America the Beautiful National Parks pass.

Tombstone - Image credit Arizona Office of Tourism

An RV trip through Arizona will without doubt be the adventure of a lifetime, and we’ve barely scratched the surface. We will put more detailed post about each of the major national and state parks for you to explore, We didn't even mention The Grand Canyon yet!! To plan your trip go to the states tourism site - Visit Arizona for lots more detail.

Look at this interactive guide to parks and sights in Arizona

Every stop offers something new and unforgettable!

Remember when you travel in these unique and fragile environments to only take photos and only leave foot prints.