RV Road Trips from Salt River Valley: 3 Epic Routes into Arizona’s Wild Lands
Salt River Valley, located in Central Arizona’s Phoenix Metropolitan Area, is often referred to as “Valley of the Sun,” attracting RVers, Snowbirds, and adventure seekers from all over the nation. It’s surrounded by mountain ranges and open skies that create a rugged beauty not found elsewhere.
Ideally situated, Salt River Valley’s proximity to Phoenix offers big-city conveniences, while its distance from the bustling metro makes it feel like the start of something wilder. From this base, Salt River Valley becomes a perfect launch pad for RV destinations, including Canyon Lake, Apache Lake on the lower Salt River, and Roosevelt Lake.
Arizona’s six national forests—Apache-Sitgreaves, Coconino, Coronado, Kaibab, Prescott, and Tonto—invite visitors to a variety of outdoor sports and unique adventures. The state’s 21 parks, preserves, and wilderness areas, from the legendary Grand Canyon to Saguaro and Canyon de Chelly, offer endless opportunities for exploration.
Tonto National Forest
Distance from Salt River Valley: 80 miles.
Drive time: approx. 1.5 hours.
Best Season: Fall through spring for cooler temps.
Tonto National Forest, the largest in Arizona at 2.9 million acres and the closest to the Salt River Valley, serves as a gateway to adventure. It spans from Arizona’s Upland region of the Sonoran Desert near the Superstition Mountains to alpine peaks near Payson. The drive from Salt River Valley to the forest leads through Queen Creek and Apache Junction, gateway towns to the Superstition Wilderness.
Throughout your travels, you’ll encounter three breathtaking lakes along the way: Canyon Lake, Apache Lake, and Roosevelt Lake. Canyon Lake and Roosevelt Lake are ideal for skiing, fishing, kayaking, wakeboarding, and waterskiing, with boat rentals available. While Apache Trail (AZ-88) is restricted to vehicles less than 40 feet long, many consider it to be one of Arizona's most scenic roadways. It was built in 1904 as an access road during the construction of the Roosevelt Dam. Some parts of the road are better suited for an SUV side trip, as this historic road is rugged. But RVers report that Highway 60 is a wide-paved road suitable for longer RVs as long as you’re comfortable with a few hairpin turns and several switchbacks. There are still campgrounds with full hookups on the paved portion.
Tonto National Forest RV Camping Options:
- Lost Dutchman State Park (Apache Junction): Full hookups, stunning views of Superstition Mountains.
- Canyon Lake Marina & Campground: Reserve early to grab one of the few lakeside campsites with direct water access.
- Tonto National Forest campgrounds near Roosevelt Lake: Great boating, waterskiing, kayaking, paddling, and great amenities for long stays.
Sitgreaves National Forest
Distance from Salt River Valley: 136 miles.
Approx. Drive time: approx. 2.5 hours.
Best Season: Late spring through early fall.
Next, consider the Sitgreaves National Forest, 136 miles from the Salt River Valley, for cooler summer camping, where the Mogollon Rim divides Arizona's rugged high country from its desert lowlands. Towering pines, crisp mountain air, and sparkling lakes set the scene for kayaking, fishing, and hiking at Woods Canyon and Willow Springs Lakes. Cruise along the scenic Rim Road for sweeping views and dispersed camping, or explore the Heber-Overgaard area for small-town charm and easy access to Rim Country, a favorite destination for hiking, angling, and camping.
Sitgreaves National Forest RV Camping Options:
- Houston Mesa Campground (near Payson): Lots of trees, pull-through sites, water, 30 amp hookups, dump station, pet friendly, and big-rig friendly.
- Rim Campground (Woods Canyon Lake): Forested campsites, lake access (best for mid-size RVs).
- Forest Road 300 Dispersed Sites: Free boondocking with epic Rim views (no hookups).
Coronado National Forest
Distance from Salt River Valley: 180 miles.
Approx. Drive time: approx. 3.5 hours.
Best Season: Year-round for mild winters and refreshingly cool summers.
Heading further south, Coronado National Forest awaits 180 miles from the Salt River Valley. You'll pass through Florence and Tucson before reaching the Sky Islands in the Coronado National Forest. The mountains rise dramatically from the desert basin and are known for their diverse ecosystems, plants, and animal life. The Coronado National Forest is a playground for outdoor adventure, offering everything from hiking, mountain biking, and rock climbing to off-highway vehicle (OHV) exploration. But it's the breathtaking views along these scenic drives that truly capture the essence of RVing.
Coronado National Forest RV Camping Options:
- Catalina State Park (Oro Valley): Big-rig friendly, electric and water hookups, close to hiking and mountain biking trails.
- Rose Canyon Lake Campground: High-elevation pine forest camping near Mount Lemmon (vans and smaller RVs only).
- Kartchner Caverns State Park (Benson): Full hookups, showers, and proximity to the underground caverns.
Tips for RV Camping in Arizona's Salt River Valley
Before your RV journey, keep in mind that the Salt River Valley includes Saguaro Lake, Canyon Lake, the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community, Tempe Town Lake, and the Theodore Dam and Lake. When it comes to RVing, travelers generally fall into two groups: those who plan months in advance—especially when visiting a National Park—and those who prefer a more spontaneous approach, getting behind the wheel to see where the road takes you.
From Class A motorhomes and fifth wheelers to Sprinter vans, keep in mind that the size of your recreational vehicle significantly influences the type of campsites available for both short and long stays.
- Suburban amenities: Staying so close to Phoenix means easy access to grocery stores, restaurants, shops, and more.
- Reserve ahead: No matter when or where you're traveling, you know desirable RV spots fill up, so reserve early if getting the best spots in the campground is important.
- Peak seasons: Spring and fall are often ideal times to explore the outdoors in Arizona. Summer temps typically average 100°F to 105°F during the day, with highs frequently exceeding 104°F. Nights remain warm, often above 70°F in the Sonoran Desert.
- Spacing & big-rig suitability: Check for full-hookups (30-amp, 50-amp, water, and sewer) and whether the RV parking space accommodates your rig's length.
- Gear storage/access: Your RV is just one piece of the adventure gear puzzle—we're thinking kayaks, mountain bikes, SUPs, etc. So ask about security and on-site gear storage.
- Access to outdoor recreation: RV parks are sometimes located near or in suburban areas, so be sure to check your destination's proximity to trails (for hiking/biking) or to open desert access, rather than being surrounded by houses.
- Dust & desert conditions: Even in a resort-style park, desert wind and dust can damage your recreational vehicle and toys—bring gear covers, door mats, outdoor rugs, and have something to secure your equipment and awnings. An air purifier is also highly recommended by RV pros.
Your Next RV Adventure Starts with StorQuest
Make storage simple and stress-free with StorQuest. You can find convenient RV and Boat storage near Salt River Valley, Arizona, featuring upscale amenities such as 24/7 rentals and support, convenient seven-day-a-week access, and secure electronic gate entry. Whether you're storing your RV, boat, or vehicle, you'll always be ready to hit the road for your next adventure. When you need a reliable place to park your recreational vehicle, StorQuest has you covered.