Seven Days of Arizona Highlights - Off the Beaten Path
This one-week Arizona road trip explores hidden gems like Saguaro National Park, Meteor Crater, Route 66, Lake Havasu, and more!
By Doug Bardwell
Arizona is over-endowed with natural wonders, historic sites, and intriguing back roads, so we set out to explore as much of it as possible in one week.
With a luxurious Thor Quantum LC28 motorhome from Blacksford RV rentals, our adventure started and ended in Phoenix, circumnavigating the state of Arizona in seven days.
Day 1: Saguaro National Park
Our adventure began with a drive down I-10 to Saguaro National Park. At the Red Hill Visitor Center, we picked up one of their informative maps and headed out to explore. The Bajada Scenic Loop showcased towering saguaro cacti, some over 150 years old and standing 40–50 feet tall.
That night, we boondocked among the cacti, enjoying a peaceful desert sunset at a friend’s rural property outside Tucson.
Day 2: Salt River Canyon and Superior
The next leg of our journey led us northeast to see the scenic Salt River Canyon. We made a quick stop at Biosphere 2 in Oracle, capturing photos of the iconic glass structures.
Despite an unexpected road closure in Superior, the Salt River Canyon, with its dramatic switchbacks, was well worth it. Driving down to the river, across, and up the other side made us feel as though we were driving to the depths of the Grand Canyon.
Day 3: Petrified Forest and Painted Desert
We started the day with a visit to Petrified Forest National Park, where ancient logs turned to stone, were scattered across the desert. Highlights included the Blue Mesa and Newspaper Rock's ancient petroglyphs. The Painted Desert Inn provided a glimpse of early 20th-century design with refreshing ice cream cones served in the basement.
That night we camped at Homolovi State Park, located on the site of ancient Hopi Indian homesites. Far from any major cities, the stars were especially brilliant that night and I was able to take some photos of the Milky Way and more stars than I could imagine.
Day 4: Meteor Crater
In the morning light, we explored some of the ancient Hopi ruins, and then ventured further west to the Meteor Crater. The vast crater, almost a mile in width, was formed by a meteorite 50,000 years ago. It was an incredible sight to see through the lens of my drone.
About 50 miles west, we drove into Flagstaff around noon. We had heard that the scenic drive starting in Flagstaff and heading northwest through the San Francisco Peaks would reveal fall colors and stunning mountain vistas, and it lived up to its billing.
Arriving in Valle, we could have gone another 28 miles north to the Grand Canyon, but having been there a few times before, we opted to head south 28 miles back to Historic Old Route 66 in Williams.
Note: For those who haven’t seen it before, a trip to Arizona without adding the Grand Canyon is like Thanksgiving without cranberries. You can travel north via the Grand Canyon Railroad from Williams or drive the 56 miles each way.
See Arizona’s Hidden Gems in a Blacksford RV!
Day 5: Following the Original Historic Route 66, or Not
Starting at mile marker 139 on I-40 you can pick up the old road that gave Route 66 its place in history, but it’s honestly a rather boring drive.
If I were to do it again, I’d save a half hour or more and head via I-40 to Seligman and then on to Kingman, with its famous drive-through Route 66 sign. From there, you can pick up the original route again and follow it all the way into California.
Day 6: Mountain Roads and Burros in the Street
Following Route 66, we navigated the hair-raising turns through Sitgreaves Pass, stopping to grab some photos of the Mount Nutt Wilderness.
Oatman, Arizona surprised us with its wooden storefronts, old-time saloons, and dozens of wild burros roaming freely through the streets. These gentle animals, descendants of miners’ work burros, happily posed for photos and sought treats from visitors.
When Route 66 met the California border, we jumped off and headed south to Lake Havasu City, where we admired the transplanted London Bridge with its authentic historic charm.
We then took the fastest route back to Phoenix and spent our last night at Phoenix Metro RV Park, a cozy retirement community with spacious lots and excellent amenities. Reflecting on our journey, we were amazed by the variety of experiences Arizona offered in just one week.
Day 7: Returning the RV
After a leisurely breakfast and last-minute packing, we returned to Blacksford’s Phoenix rental location. Checking in the RV was completed in minutes and we were transported back to the airport in plenty of time to catch our flight.
Travel in Comfort With Blacksford
The Thor Quantum LC28 provided all the comforts of home: a full kitchen, spacious bathroom, and plenty of storage.
Blacksford’s exceptional service, including pre-stocked essentials and unlimited miles, made this a truly relaxing but fun-filled week.
Arizona offers so much, from history to natural beauty, and the freedom of traveling in an RV made it totally memorable.