Community Forums

Craig36 · 03-10-2015, 10:48 PM

We are planning a motorhome trip from northern CA into AZ and then up through NV, and back. As we have never RVed in AZ or NV, I would like suggestions on "must see" places along the way. Of course we want to see the Grand Canyon (where is the best place to stay nearby?)

We are also into antiques, so those kinds of towns are a must. Are any of the mining town in NV worth visiting in an RV?

I am trying to plan a route, so any suggestions on towns to visit, and great campgrounds would be appreciated.

Thanks,

Craig

Dutch Star Don · 03-11-2015, 11:11 AM

Craig....we've been all over the west and I think you'll have more to see than you have time. The only thing I would mention is there is probably not a lot to see in Nevada (major points of interest). If you could route your trip to catch part of Utah, Bryce/Zion is a must see.

In Az, there are many shops you might like along the Route 66 stops. Grand Canyon has a perfect campground inside the park called Trailer Village and is booked thru Zanterra. The campground is high end, but I guarantee you'll see Elk walk through the campground at dinner time. If Trailer Village is booked, there is a campground about a 1/2 mile outside the south gate called Camper's Village. Not the prettiest campground, but a good base camp. You can also pick up the park shuttle in front of the campground.

The gateway town for the Grand Canyon is Williams, it's about 65 miles from Williams into the park. It has two nice KOA's and a couple of other nice campgrounds, but you would have to commute into the park. Williams has a lot of antique shops. You may want to stay there a night or two before going into the park.

I'm sure many others will have favorite spots for you to visit.

Arizona Lizards · 03-11-2015, 08:08 PM

How far south in Arizona do you want to go? There is a cool little town near the Southeast corner - Bisbee. Has a small RV park, artsy, antiques, and it is a mining town. You can take a small train down into part of the mine. It is a funky mixture of hippie and old miners.

twogypsies · 03-11-2015, 08:39 PM

Wickenburg, AZ has a neat western town with western antique shops. There's a lot of gold panning done north of nearby Congress off Hwy 89.

You might be tempted to take 89 north to Prescott but it's not big rig friendly - steep and curvy. Instead, from Congress take Skull Valley Rd which runs west of 89. It's a pretty drive.

From Prescott, Sedona is a must stop if you like hiking in gorgeous red rock areas. We always stay at Dead Horse Ranch State Park in nearby Cottonwood.

For Grand Canyon, Trailer Village IN the park is the best. It's near the Rim and the free shuttle stops at the RV park entrance. You can ride all day long, do a hike, pick up the shuttle again whenever you want. It's very convenient.

Sunset Crater Nat'l Monument is very pretty and if you drive the loop getting on at Hwy 89 in Flagstaff (at this area 89 IS big rig friendly), there a nice forest service campground (dry) at the park entrance. Drive the loop to awesome Indian ruins.

t55watson · 03-11-2015, 08:48 PM

AZ towns are fun, for the most part. The towns to visit would change from summer to winter. Mountains in the summer, desert in the winter.

Scottybdivin · 03-11-2015, 09:38 PM

Jerome is one of the coolest places I have been. It is an old copper mining town that was once full of bars and brothels, now bars and shops. It is litterally hanging off the side of a mountain. Oak Creek Canyon is a beautiful drive from Flagstaff to Sedona. Flagstaff has a good feel, especially in the summer.

Jerome

t55watson · 03-11-2015, 09:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Scottybdivin

Jerome is one of the coolest places I have been. It is an old copper mining town that was once full of bars and brothels, now bars and shops. It is litterally hanging off the side of a mountain. Oak Creek Canyon is a beautiful drive from Flagstaff to Sedona. Flagstaff has a good feel, especially in the summer.

Jerome

Jerome is cool. But DO NOT take the RV. That town and the road to it barely handles a pickup.

CampDaven · 03-11-2015, 09:46 PM

The entire SW is loaded with nifty stuff to see and do. AZ and NV both have plenty!
Many of them here:
http://davenola.blogspot.com/?m=1
It's the obscure gems that make it all worthwhile, and make the tourist traps weep.

kalynzoo · 03-11-2015, 09:57 PM

Great place to visit, we've done so innumerable times. Just west of Williams (Grand Canyon) is a little hole in the wall town called Seligsman (or something like that) on the I-40. Great antique stop. Sedonna is artsy, we enjoyed the Hummer rides into the canyons. In Williams AZ, there is a drive through animal park Bearazona. Fantastic, we spent the whole day, driving through twice and staying for the demonstrations. North of Flagstaff is Sunset Crater, a national park with a museum and walking tour. Keep going north through Monument Valley, you can overnight at Gouldings RV and Lodge. Historic, fantastic, majestic, (I can go on and on with adjectives.) For antiquing it is hard to beat Farmington, NM. Just about 45 minutes from Durango, CO. Then a bit farther to Silverton, CO. I'm just getting starting, but these are all really do not miss location.

Mike and Cha · 03-11-2015, 10:43 PM

If you go to Jerome don't miss the Junk yard. This guy who has lived there for years charges $5 to get in and from the outside it looks like a joke, but once you get inside this guy has hundreds of old cars and they all still run. He walks around and starts them up if you ask. It's been a few years since we have been there so hopefully he is still alive. There is also a lot of other collectable stuff in his "junk yard". Also if you can get to Tombstone that is a really cool town to visit. They have left the town as it was, and they have characters in dress who walk the town as it was back in the day. They also do the shootout at the OK Corral, and you can go to Boot Hill which is a real cemetery. Make sure you bring the Wyatt Earp/Tombstone Movies with you to watch on the way.

Craig36 · 03-12-2015, 03:10 PM

Thanks to all who replied.

We will try to hit as many of the recommended stops as time will permit.

Craig & Susan

Coulter · 03-16-2015, 12:06 PM

I love NV and am a little biased because of that, but NV is mostly because it is a whole lot of nothing! Staying away from LV, if you are interested in seeing things rarely seen by others: Great Basin NP, eastern NV, including natural cave tours. The Loneliest Highway (will take you back to the Bay Area) and follows a lot of the original Pony Express Trail. Along with historical monuments, you can visit Ely, maybe see the elk, visit the train museum and pick up garnets on Garnet Hill (not suitable for RVs, but free and no gimmicks). As you continue more westerly, you have the chance to see Indian petroglyphs at Toquima Cave (and a great boondocking spot, but about 8 miles off the paved highway), or more convenient, Hickison Petroglyphs (paved parking lot right of US50.

If you like hot springs, central Nevada has several, including Spencer's (7 miles off US 50 in Monitor Valley), most are ala natural meaning no improvements, signs or other people (usually). Austin and Eureka are on the cusp of becoming ghost towns, but have lots of historical sites to see including mining exhibits and Stokes Castle.

If you travel the Loneliest Highway, unknown to many is the fact that NV has 7 mountain ranges that you will traverse between Great Basin and Carson City, each separated by massive alluvial (high desert) plains, so if you are thinking lots of flat, that isn't always the case. On most of US 50, you can stop, shut off your engine, step outside, and the only sound you will hear is the sound of the window.

Farther south in NV, there is the Extra Terrestrial Highway (although most of the signs have been stolen) Highway 375. A stop in Rachel, NV is a must and the only place to stop is Little A'Le'Inn. Food is so-so but the memorabilia on the walls and ceiling make the stop worthwhile.

And I haven't even touched on the beauty of Highway 395 in the spring, with the vast expanses of wildflowers framed by the snow capped mountains in the background. If you do not enjoy wide open spaces uninterrupted by anything other than nature, NV might not be your cup of tea.