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6 Reasons Why You Need To Visit Arizona

This post was updated on March 15th, 2024

If you’ve never visited Arizona, you’re missing out. This beautiful state is a prime RVing location that every RVer should see at least once, and we have more than one reason for thinking that. In fact, we have 6 fabulous reasons for saying that Arizona is a must-see place.

Below, we’ve listed these reasons. Hopefully, they will not only help you see why you need to plan a trip to the state of Arizona but also what you must look for while there.

1. Free camping

First, we need to point out that Arizona is chock-full of free camping opportunities. That’s right, you can camp in this amazing state without paying a single dime. How? Boondocking on land owned by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM).

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The BLM owns land all across the US, and free campgrounds—as well as free dispersed camping areas—are available throughout all of it. An enormous amount of this land is located in Arizona, making Arizona an ideal place to do some boondocking.

Whether you’re looking to stay in a canyon or a desert, there is a BLM location for you. Check out this website to learn more about your BLM camping options and start planning your Arizona camping trip.

2. Warm winters

If you live in your RV, or even if you just want to be able to camp year-round, finding warm places to be during the winter is essential. Many RVers head down to Florida or into Southern California, but many others head for the warm sunshine of Arizona.

It is important to note that not all of Arizona is warm in the winter, and the state can definitely get a bit colder than Southern Florida does. Still, with a bit of planning, you can stay relatively warm and keep your water lines from freezing.

We recommend sticking to the lower elevations for the warmest temperatures and going in prepared with jackets, hats, space heaters, and a heated water hose just in case.

The Grand Canyon really is grand! Photo by editor (Nikki Cleveland)
3. Incredible National Parks

For most people, the first thing that comes to mind when thinking about Arizona is the Grand Canyon. This is, of course, an amazing park, and one that everyone should make time to see. However, the Grand Canyon isn’t the only awesome national park in the state. Other national parks you will definitely want to see during your time there include Petrified Forest National Park and Saguaro National Park. There are also another 21 National Parks Service sites that are worth seeing if time allows.

We recommend investing in an “America the Beautiful” pass in order to see as many of these sites as possible without spending a fortune doing so.

4. Beautiful State Parks

In addition to some amazing national parks, Arizona is also home to gorgeous state parks. These offer some wonderful hiking opportunities as well as chances to ride bikes, take photos, and soak in the beauty of the state.

Some of the best state parks in Arizona include Kartchner Caverns State Park, Slide Rock State Park, and Cattail Cove State Park.

Fortunately, the Arizona State Parks also offer an annual pass, meaning you can enter these parks without paying day-use fees each time. Depending on how many parks you visit, this could be a serious money saver.

5. Awesome attractions

The parks mentioned above are absolutely incredible and make a visit to the Copper State well worthwhile. That said, they aren’t the only great things to see and do in the state. Arizona has many other wonderful attractions you might want to check out.

Here are some of our favorites:

Heard Museum

This internationally acclaimed museum features exhibits on the cultures of the American Indians of the southwest. Art and history come together to create an interesting museum experience unlike any other.

Hoover Dam

The Hoover Dam is a modern marvel. It’s an enormous dam, 660 feet at its base. The dam stores enough water to irrigate 2 million acres of farms. It also generates enough power for 1.3 million people each year. This amazing dam sits on the Arizona/Nevada border and is a must-see.

Arizona
Hoover Dam – Photo by editor (Nikki Cleveland)
Navajo Nation Tribal Parks

The Navajo Nation Tribal Parks include Lake Powell, Tseyi Heritage Center, the Four Corners Monument (where you can stand in four states at once), and the iconic Monument Valley. All are worth seeing, so be sure to leave time for them.

Lowell Observatory

Pluto was first discovered in 1930 by Clyde Tombaugh, a young scientist working in this very observatory. Guests of the observatory can check out museum exhibits, attend lectures, and participate in night sky viewings. This place offers a unique experience that people of all ages can enjoy.

It can get chilly while stargazing at night here, so be prepared for that!

6. Great food

Besides all the amazing things to see and do, Arizona also offers some memorable culinary delights. Hash Kitchen, Burger Therapy, and Wandering Horse Buffet all represent Scottsdale well, and Los Dos Molinos in Phoenix serves up a mean burrito. If you’re looking for donuts, you’ll want to head to Young Donut Shop in Tucson, while Prescott Farmers Market in Prescott is the place to go for fresh foods.

As you can see, there are tons of amazing reasons to pay Arizona a visit in your RV. Why not start planning your trip today?

See also: 5 Surprising Things I Learned About Winter RVing In The Desert Southwest