RV camping in Arizona is a dream come true for many. The warm weather in winter, gorgeous landscapes, and plentiful natural areas all make it an ideal place for a camping escape. Of course, the awesome cities scattered across the state don’t hurt either!
Still, it’s good to have some sort of guide to help you out when planning your first Arizona RV trip. That is where this article can help. Below, you’ll find everything you need to know when planning your Arizona RV getaway so you can plan the trip of a lifetime.
Preparing for RV Camping
First and foremost, you will need to prepare for the camping aspect of your trip. This means you’ll need both a well-equipped RV and a complete packing list so nothing gets left behind. Don’t have either of those? Don’t worry! We can help by offering an amazing collection of rental RVs and a packing list that covers it all.
Choosing the Right RV for Your Needs
Not sure what kind of RV you should rent? Usually, we recommend starting by asking yourself whether you prefer to have the RV delivered or drive it yourself. If you want to drive the rig, you’ll need to make sure you rent a drivable RV or have a truck that can tow the trailer you wish to rent.
Besides choosing between drivable RVs and trailers, you’ll also want to consider things like size, floorplan, and amenities. Keep in mind, some campsites won’t be able to accommodate huge rigs, so bigger is not always better!
Packing Essentials for a Successful Trip
Next step? Figuring out what you should pack. You see, packing for an RV trip is a bit different than packing for a trip to a hotel room. Besides your toothbrush and clothes, you’ll also need camping gear, outdoor equipment, and more.
Below is a basic packing list for your Arizona RV camping trip:
- Clothes
- Toiletries
- Medications
- First aid kit
- Bug spray and sunscreen
- Tools
- Entertainment (books, games, movies, toys for kids)
- Outdoor recreation gear
- Electronics and chargers
- Pots, pans, and Dishes
- Paper towels
- Groceries
- Flashlights
- Folding chairs
- Bed sheets
- Pillows
- Blankets
- Pet gear
- RV leveling blocks
- Sewer hose and adapter
- Freshwater hose
- RV surge protector
For a more complete list, check out this blog post on the subject. This will ensure you have absolutely everything you could possibly need during your trip.
Considerations for Camping in Arizona
It’s important to note that while the winter weather in Arizona tends to be perfect for RV camping, the state can get unbearably hot during the summer months. Therefore, if you plan to go on a summer camping trip in Arizona, we highly recommend booking a campsite with an electric hookup and renting a rig with an A/C unit. You might also consider finding a campground with a swimming pool while you’re at it!
Another thing to know about RV camping in Arizona? The laws surrounding driving and towing RVs.
In Arizona, no rig is allowed to be longer than 65 feet total. Trailer width is limited to just 8 feet, and motorhome width cannot exceed 8.5 feet. A breakaway switch and brakes are required on trailers over 3,000 lbs. Additionally, triple towing is allowed, but only with a fifth wheel with brakes and only when the weight of the fifth wheel exceeds the weight of the third unit.
Finding Campgrounds
Finding a campsite in Arizona is easy peasy. The whole state is chock-full of campgrounds, including luxury campgrounds , campgrounds in cities, and rustic campgrounds out in the desert wilderness.
In this section, we will help you find the very best campsite for your needs.
Exploring Public Campgrounds in Arizona
First, let’s discuss the many public campground options in the state. These include campgrounds in state parks, national parks, and national forests, as well as campgrounds located on land owned by the Bureau of Land Management (aka “BLM land”—more on this further below).
Generally speaking, public campgrounds are an excellent value, even if they are a bit more rustic than some private campgrounds. They also tend to put you in beautiful natural environments.
National Park Camping
Arizona is home to three totally amazing national parks (as well as a number of other wonderful NPS sites). All three of these parks are well worth seeing. They include:
Grand Canyon is the only one of these parks to offer in-park RV camping, and we very highly recommend heading there and staying in the Trailer Village RV Park onsite.
Want to visit Saguaro and Petrified Forest? You absolutely should! There are plenty of camping options right outside of both of these parks, including some free dry camping sites.
National Forest Camping
In addition to the amazing national parks in Arizona, you’ll also find several beautiful national forests in the state. These include:
- Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest
- Coronado National Forest
- Kaibab National Forest
- Prescott National Forest
- Tonto National Forest
One of the coolest things about these amazing national forests? They offer some of the best camping in the state. From the lovely Rustler Park Campground in Coronado National Forest to the always-wonderful Hilltop Campground in Prescott National Forest, you’re sure to find something you love.
State Park Camping
You’ll also find tons of amazing state parks in Arizona. Our favorites for camping? Dead Horse Ranch State Park may have an off-putting name, but the place is actually quite beautiful and offers some amazing campsites. We also really like camping and enjoying nature’s wonders in Kartchner Caverns State Park, Patagonia Lake State Park, and Buckskin Mountain State Park.
Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Camping
Last on our list of public campgrounds, we really must mention Bureau of Land Management camping in Arizona. Generally speaking, BLM land is an excellent place to find free dispersed camping. That said, the organization does also run several established campgrounds. These are great for someone who’d like to try camping on government land but isn’t prepared for full-fledged boondocking.
Our favorite Arizona BLM campgrounds include Windy Point Campground and Painted Rock Petroglyph Site, but honestly, there are so many great ones out there that it’s hard to choose.
Exploring Private Campgrounds and RV Parks
For some, the amenities offered by private campgrounds mean they outweigh the public camping options in any area. Arizona is no exception, as the state offers plenty of glamping opportunities, as well as more basic private RV parks that still offer simple luxuries such as clean restrooms with showers, laundry facilities, electrical hookups, and dump stations.
If you think you might prefer amenities over the more rustic camping experiences offered by national forests and state parks, we recommend trying one of the following amazing private campgrounds in Arizona:
Verde Ranch RV Resort
Verde Ranch RV Resort is the perfect location for day trips into Sedona, Cottonwood, the Grand Canyon, and Flagstaff. While you’re there, relax in the heated pool or the hot tub, take the kids to have fun in the splash pad, or play on one of the sports courts. No matter what you do, you’re sure to have a blast at this resort!
River Sands RV Resort
This RV park sits on the border of Arizona and California and offers the peace found in the Arizona valleys, as well as the fun found in and on the Colorado River. It’s a great place for a getaway into nature.
Boondocking in Arizona
Need to visit Arizona on the cheap? Boondocking is definitely the best way to go about that. By parking your RV in one of the many free dispersed campsites scattered across the state, you’ll save what you would have otherwise spent on camping fees, so you can camp longer and experience more fun while you’re out.
Not sure where to go boondocking in Arizona? BLM land and national forests in Arizona are full to the brim with great boondocking spots, and those are just the beginning. Some of the best dry camping spots in Arizona include Mogollon Rim, Florence Box Canyon, and the area around Stafford and Mount Graham.
Note: Some of Arizona’s boondocking spots do require a permit, and there is a small fee for some permits. Be sure to do your research before you park!
Researching Campground Options and Making Reservations
We’ve included some really great Arizona campsites in the sections above. That said, those are just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to Arizona campgrounds.
To find even more amazing camping options in the state and to book online, we recommend checking out BookOutdoors, RoverPass, The Dyrt, and Campspot. You can also look at Hipcamp or Harvest Hosts if you want to meet some cool people while enjoying a camping trip, or KOA and Jellystone if you need kid-friendly campsites.
Planning Your Itinerary
Of course, you’ll want to make sure you plan plenty of amazing things to do while RV camping in Arizona. Because there are so many options, this is going to require some research. That’s what this next section is here for. Whether you’re looking for things to do outside of Phoenix, attractions in Tucson, or something else entirely, we have the perfect suggestion for you.
Features and Attractions in Arizona
First and foremost, we have to recommend taking at least one scenic drive while in Arizona. The state is absolutely stunning, and driving through this amazing scenery is wonderful. Our favorite? Route 66, of course!
While you’re out driving Route 66, be sure to stop by any Arizona landmarks you pass, including the aforementioned Petrified Forest National Park. You might also want to make stops at some of Arizona’s national sites like Sunset Crater Volcano National Monument and Walnut Canyon National Monument.
Festivals, Fairs, and Events in Arizona
Why not wrap some awesome Arizona events into your itinerary as well? This state hosts many great festivals, fairs, and other events throughout the year, and planning your trip around one or more of these events adds even more fun to your trip.
One of the best events in Arizona is the Arizona Balloon Classic, which features some amazing hot air balloons that will have everyone feeling like a kid again. We also really appreciate the Quartzite Rock and Mineral Show (which is perfect for geology enthusiasts), and of course, the Arizona State Fair.
Exploring Outdoor Activities
Obviously, you will want to spend a good amount of time exploring Arizona’s beautiful natural areas. Whether you prefer hiking, biking, rock climbing, or kayaking, there is something fun for you to do in Arizona’s great outdoors.
Hiking, Biking and Nature Trails
Hiking and biking are some of our favorite things to do while in Arizona. The trails in the state are plentiful, and many are absolutely stunning.
If hiking is your thing, we highly recommend donning your boots and hitting one of the following trails:
Prefer to bike your way through the places you visit? These bike trails are great choices:
Fishing, Boating, and Water Activities
Worried about the Arizona heat? Why not plan to cool off in the water? No, Arizona isn’t exactly known for its bodies of water, but it does have some.
If beaches are your thing, we recommend heading to one of the state’s lakeside beaches in places like Lake Havasu and Lake Powell. You’ll be able to swim, sunbathe, and enjoy water sports while you’re there.
Prefer fishing? There’s plenty of fishing in Arizona as well, believe it or not. Roosevelt Lake is a favorite of fishermen, but many also enjoy fishing in Patagonia Lake and Lake Powell, among others.
Of course, you could just go chasing waterfalls. That’s right, Arizona is home to waterfalls, and many of them are absolutely stunning! We especially love Havasu Falls, but you do have to have reservations to hike there. If that’s not possible, check out the untouched beauty of Beaver Falls instead.
Wildlife Viewing and Photography
Another great thing to do while enjoying nature in Arizona? Wildlife watching, of course. Arizona is home to a wide variety of animals, including ringtail cats, coyotes, bobcats, Gila monsters, and even bears!
Thanks to the hot weather, many of the animals that call this state home are nocturnal, so some avid wildlife watchers like to take night vision binoculars along to see some nighttime critters.
Family-Friendly Activities and Attractions
RV camping in Arizona with the kids? Not to worry, there are plenty of things to do as a family in this amazing state. Explore Prescott, Phoenix, or any one of the other Arizona cities for museums, zoos, parks, and more.
Historical Sites and Museums
We love adding a little learning to our family vacations. If this is something you’d like to do, we highly recommend adding stops at local museums and historic sites to your travel schedule.
Arizona is home to a number of great historic sites and monuments. One of our favorites is the amazing Montezuma’s Castle National Monument, which presents the perfect opportunity for learning about Arizona’s native peoples.
As far as museums go, Phoenix’s Heard Museum is the perfect place to learn even more about local native cultures. The Pima Air and Space Museum in Tucson is fun for flight enthusiasts of all ages, and the Arizona Museum of Natural History in Mesa is a great way to step back in time.
Amusement Park, Zoos, and Wildlife Refuges
Amusement parks, zoos, and wildlife refuges provide even more fun for families. Fortunately, Arizona has all three!
Arizona’s amusement parks include traditional amusement parks as well as waterpark options. Castles-n-Coasters is a Phoenix favorite, Big Surf Waterpark in Tempe will help you stay cool, and Funtasticks Family Fun Park in Tucson offers even more fun.
When it comes to places to see animals, we highly recommend the Wildlife World Zoo, Aquarium & Safari Park located in Litchfield Park. We also really like Phoenix Zoo, Reid Park Zoo, and OdySea Aquarium.
Safety and Preparedness when RV Camping in Arizona
Obviously, you will want to stay safe while RVing in Arizona. Generally, this is easy enough to do as long as you apply a bit of common sense. That said, there are some things you should know before you go.
Weather Conditions and Natural Disaster Preparedness
We’ve already mentioned the Arizona heat a few times. During the summer months, this is no joke. No matter when you plan to visit, be sure to give yourself plenty of breaks while being active in the outdoors. Additionally, you will want to pack plenty of water and seek out shade whenever possible.
It’s also important to mention that the Arizona desert has been known to see some serious thunderstorms and flash flooding. For this reason, it’s important to avoid camping in desert washes and choose to park on high ground whenever possible. If rain is in the forecast and you are unsure your location is safe, get out of there, and if a flash flood warning comes up in your area, follow all safety guidelines.
We recommend downloading a couple of weather apps that will send you severe weather alerts in real time.
Wildlife Encounters and Precautions
Arizona is home to a good number of animals that could hurt a person if they saw fit. These include bears, rattlesnakes, and coyotes.
The thing is, most of these animals will never bother you as long as they don’t feel threatened. For this reason, it is very important that you always give wild animals their space and never feed them or touch them. If you see an animal that needs help, report it rather than trying to help it yourself, and always carry bear spray when hiking where bears are known to live.
More Inspiration for Your Arizona Travels
- The Top 8 Amusement Parks in Arizona
- Urban Camping in Arizona
- Top 10 Waterfalls in Arizona
- Luxury Camping in Arizona
- Glamping in Arizona
- Fishing in Arizona
- Top 10 Beaches in Arizona
- Top 24 Bucket List Destinations in Arizona
- Boondocking in Arizona
- Top 10 Landmarks in Arizona
- Top 10 Places to See in Your RV in Arizona
