Best Parks in Arizona for Hiking, Camping, & RVing This Spring

Arizona is home to some of the best parks. The state is full of stunning desert landscapes, deep canyons, and towering red rocks. Spring is the perfect time for RVers to visit, as the weather is mild and the wildflowers are in bloom. Plus, Arizona is a hiker’s dreamland. From the Grand Canyon to hidden gems like Vermilion Cliffs, spring offers excellent conditions for camping and sightseeing. Visit some of the best parks in Arizona this spring for an unforgettable year. 

Why Arizona is a Top Spring Travel Destination for RVers

Best National Parks in Arizona for Spring RV Trips

Grand Canyon National Park 

The Crown Jewel of Arizona Parks

When it comes to the best parks in Arizona, the Grand Canyon is at the top of the list. It’s one of the most visited national parks in the country. Here you can enjoy RV camping, and hiking, with jaw-dropping canyon views. Harem you can stay at Trailer Village RV Park on the South Rim of the canyon. This RV park has full hookups and easy access to scenic viewpoints of the national park.

🌿 Must-Do Activities:

• Hike the Bright Angel Trail or South Kaibab Trail for stunning canyon views.
• Take a scenic RV drive along Desert View Drive for panoramic overlooks.
• Watch the sunset at Mather Point, one of the most iconic viewpoints in the park.

 Petrified Forest National Park

A Unique Geological Wonderland

One of the most underrated parks in Arizona is the Petrified Forest National Park. It’s a must-visit in spring. Known for its colorful badlands and 200-million-year-old petrified trees, it offers one of the most unique destinations in the Southwest. There are no campgrounds in the park, but you can park nearby in Holbrook. 

🌿 Must-See Attractions:

• • Walk through The Painted Desert for breathtaking views.
  • Visit the Rainbow Forest Museum to learn about fossilized trees.
  • Check out the Agate House, a Puebloan structure built with petrified wood.

Saguaro National Park

The Best Park in Arizona for Cactus Lovers

If you love desert landscapes, the Saguaro National Park is a must-visit. It’s home to the largest concentration of saguaro cacti in the world. These saguaro cacti bloom in late April-May with beautiful white flowers and some being over 40 feet tall. Plus, the park has more than 128 miles of hiking trails. As one of the best parks in Arizona, you’ll be able to disconnect from the busy city. While visiting, you should stay at Gilbert Ray Campground which is only minutes away from the park. 

🌿 Best Things to Do in Spring:

• • Take Bajada Loop Drive for scenic views.
  • Hike Valley View Overlook Trail for panoramic desert terrains.
  • Visit in late spring to see saguaro cacti blooms.

🌿 Top Attractions:

• • Take a guided Jeep tour with a Navajo guide.
  • Drive the 17-mile scenic loop to see The Mittens and John Ford’s Point.
  • Stay overnight at The View Campground for unforgettable sunrise and sunset views.

Vermilion Cliffs National Monument 

Arizona’s Hidden Gem

If you’re looking for off-the-beaten-path adventures, Vermilion Cliffs National Monument should be on your list. The Wave is one of the world’s most stunning rock formations. This national park has comfortable hiking weather with daytime temps being between 60-70°F. Formed over 190 million years ago, this destination is a once-in-a-lifetime experience. It requires a hard-to-get permit to visit but is worth the effort. This is a remote destination with no campgrounds, so it is perfect for those who want to explore untouched land. Rvers should plan to boondock camp here.

🌿 Must-See Attractions:

• • Explore White Pocket, a nearby hidden gem with otherworldly rock formations that don’t require a permit.
  • Trek through Paria Canyon for incredible slot canyon hikes and desert scenery.

Phoenix Mountains Preserve

The Best Urban Park in Arizona

The Phoenix Mountains Preserve offers some of the best hiking trails in Arizona. Hiking these mountains is more comfortable in the spring. While it’s still close to urban attractions, here you can check out Piestewa Peak and Camelback Mountain and still easily enjoy the city. Both have blooming wildflowers and challenging hiking trails. The mountain preserve is over 7,000 acres and Camelback Mountain’s summit is 2,704 feet above sea level. As one of the best parks in Arizona, it’s perfect for experienced hikers who will need to climb boulders and rocks. Within the large city, you’ll have plenty of nearby RV parks and campgrounds to choose from. 

🌿 Top Hikes in the Preserve:

• • Take a steep challenging hike on Camelback Mountain.
  • Enjoy a moderate hike with fewer crowds to Piestewa Peak.

Explore the Best Parks in Arizona This Spring

Spring is the perfect season to hit the road in your RV and explore some of the best parks in Arizona. This is especially true if you love to hike, love the desert, or if you’re a photographer. In Arizona, you can get a glimpse of towering saguaro cacti in Saguaro National Park or hike the depths of the Grand Canyon. Arizona’s diverse landscapes offer something for every traveler. Whether you prefer remote adventures like Vermilion Cliffs National Monument or scenic urban hikes in the Phoenix Mountains. Visiting this spring provides mild temperatures and blooming flowers, perfect for an RV trip. With countless RV campgrounds and scenic drives, it’s a must-visit state. So plan your route and head to experience the beauty of Arizona’s best parks.