Community Forums

michguy · 03-06-2015, 02:38 PM

Heading out March 31 from Apache Junction, AZ, and would like to drive through Petrified Forest National Park with my 37' DP and Toad. Any advice re: Route 60 and especially the road through Petrified Forest NP and the Painted Desert would be appreciated .

glennb100 · 03-06-2015, 02:53 PM

The best way is to head north on AZ-87 to Payson, then east to Heber and north to Holbrook, then I-40 on to Albuquerque.

There is a top notch rock shop just before you get to Holbrook that's worth a stop.

There are a couple of RV parks in Holbrook. We've stayed at the KOA and it's fine. Spend two nights there and use the day in between to explore Petrified Forest and Painted Desert.

Holbrook is almost exactly half way between the Valley and Albuquerque.

Tom3205 · 03-07-2015, 11:27 AM

The "park road" through the desert/forest is just fine . blacktop, with pull outs for sightseeing, and trails to walk .. The Homomlovi state park, in Winslow is a nice campground. Just a bit west of Holbrook. But if you take rte 60 it may be out of your way.

skigramp · 03-08-2015, 02:44 PM

According to "Mountain West Directory for Truckers & RVs" ... there are several longer 6% climbs and descents on the US 60 route ... with several 25, 35, an 40 mph curves.

A person who lives in AZ suggested that I travel through Payson and Heber on my way to Show Low. ... I am just passing that advice on ... it was a beautiful drive, I should add

twogypsies · 03-08-2015, 10:30 PM

From Apache Junction you can take Hwy 60 through Superior/Globe and to Show Low. There are some steep grades but many RVers do it, as we have multiple times. It just depends how your motorhome does on uphills and downhills - or how you do

.

Alternatively, you could take the Usery Regional Park road (207 I think) from Apache Jct. which will take you to Hwy 87 and north into Payson. You'll have a steep uphill to Payson but as soon as you get there Hwy 260 eastward isn't bad to take you to Show Low.

Try to do either drive mid-week. There are a LOT of RVers going & coming both routes during the weekend.

Once you get to Show Low take 77 north and pick up 180 before I-40 and drive about 20 miles on 180 SE to the Petrified Forest Rd.

At the intersection of Hwy 180 and the park road are two gift shops. The one on the south side of the park road is the Crystal Rock Shop (I think that's the name). They welcome overnighters for dry camping and they even have a couple electric hookups. We've stayed there a few times.

Then you could drive the Petrified Forest park road in your towed vehicle or if you don't want to stop overnight you can easily take your motorhome on the park road for a drive-through tour which ends at I-40.

Have a good trip!