By taking a Great Falls to Scottsdale road trip, you’ll get to see awesome scenery between Montana and Arizona. In addition to having the chance to view some of America’s most compelling red rock national parks, you’ll have the opportunity to explore some excellent mountains, caves, geysers, geothermal springs, and more at multiple national parks. There are plenty of great state parks along your route as well; a ghost town, pink sand dunes, lovely trails, and more await you. You’ll also get to pass through some lovely cities that are full of fun destinations to put on your road trip itinerary from Great Falls to Scottsdale.
Yellowstone National Park
America’s first national park is just an hour and 40 minutes west of Spencer, Idaho, so you should definitely explore the wonders of Yellowstone National Park on your road trip from Great Falls to Scottsdale. Visitors flock here to see sights like Old Faithful, Grand Prismatic Spring, Upper Falls, and Lower Falls, but there are plenty of other stunning places to visit here. Geysers, hot springs, waterfalls, mountain vistas, and more are all on display at this popular national park.
Great Basin National Park
Whether you want to walk among ancient bristlecone pines, trek through some mysterious caves, or explore the Northern Hemisphere’s southernmost glacier, you can do so and more at Great Basin National Park. The park’s entrance is two hours west of Holden, Utah, so it’s within reasonable driving distance of your route. Over 60 miles of trails cross the park, but you can also set off on your own for a multiple-day backpacking adventure. The stargazing is stunning here thanks to the park’s remote location, which is why the park is designated as an International Dark Sky Park.
Bryce Canyon National Park
The entrance to otherworldly Bryce Canyon National Park is a mere 20 minutes from Panguitch, Utah, so it’s a must-see on your Great Falls to Scottsdale RV road trip. Between the spire-shaped hoodoos and other unusual rock formations here, you might think that you’ve landed on Mars when you reach the park. Hiking and stargazing are both popular here due to the park’s remote nature and lower popularity than some other national parks. If you come in the winter, you can explore this unique landscape via snowmobile, skis, or snowshoes.
Zion National Park
Not too far down the road is one of those more popular national parks: Zion National Park. One of the park’s entrances is just 15 minutes from Orderville, Utah. Visitors flock here to take the park’s unique wading hike down the Virgin River through the Narrows, which is the thinnest section of Zion Canyon with walls a thousand feet high. If you’d prefer to keep your feet dry on your visit, you can hike on other trails that take you along Zion Canyon’s rim and into the surrounding countryside. Biking, canyoneering, and climbing are other fun activities you can do here.
Grand Canyon National Park
Grand Canyon National Park is arguably America’s most iconic national park, so how could you miss the opportunity to experience its wonders when it’s only half an hour from Cameron, Arizona? This enormous canyon and powerful river provide ample places for hiking, rafting, biking, backpacking, and much more. Even if you don’t want to embark on a grand adventure, you can still see some outstanding sights from the paved, accessible trails that go through some of the most popular areas of the park.
Bannack State Park
If you wanted to place a ghost town on your road trip itinerary from Great Falls to Scottsdale, then Bannack State Park is an excellent addition to your list. Sixty of this mining town’s original 19th-century buildings remain, so you’ll be able to step back in time to the days of the gold rush. Reenactors sometimes perform living history shows, adding to the feeling of being back in the 1800s. If you’re looking for some spooky fun, you can go on a guided ghost walk. Another exciting activity here is panning for gold; maybe you’ll strike it rich at this interesting state park 25 minutes from Dillon, Montana.
Massacre Rocks State Park
Half an hour west of Pocatello, Idaho, is Massacre Rocks State Park. No massacre is known to have taken place at this state park, but once you get there, you’ll understand why Oregon Trail travelers might have expected an ambush due to the lay of the land. You’ll get to experience that land yourself on multiple hiking trails. You can view Register Rock, which holds the signatures of many Oregon Trail immigrants. Other fun activities here include fishing and stargazing.
Wasatch Mountain State Park
You can find Wasatch Mountain State Park 35 minutes northeast of Orem, Utah. This 21,000-acre park provides visitors with plenty of awesome opportunities for hiking, fishing, skiing, bird-watching, and more. Those in search of a round of golf can play on the Wasatch Mountain Golf Course. History buffs can explore historic locations like the Huber Grove apple orchard, the Tate Barn, and the Snake Creek Hydroelectric Power Plant.
Coral Pink Sand Dunes State Park
Even in an area known for unique formations, the pink dunes of Coral Pink Sand Dunes State Park stand out. Photographers love taking pictures of the pink Navajo sandstone rock formations and the dunes that have formed around them. Another favorite pastime here is off-roading since you can take your ATV across nearly 90% of this fascinating state park that’s 15 minutes from Mt. Carmel, Utah.
Dead Horse Ranch State Park
Dead Horse Ranch State Park is an awesome place to camp if you want to explore this park and the surrounding area; it’s only half an hour from Camp Verde, Arizona. Spaces have water and electric hookups, and there’s a dump station on the premises. In the park, you’ll be able to walk on some beautiful trails through forests and swamps and along the river. The Verde River is a great place to go boating, fishing, and more.
Gates of the Mountains, Inc.
If you want to explore the Gates of the Mountain Wilderness on your road trip from Great Falls to Scottsdale, then you should check out Gates of the Mountains, Inc., which is five minutes from Helena, Montana. This marina on Upper Holter Lake offers boat tours of this stunning section of the Missouri River that captivated Meriwether Lewis during the Lewis and Clark Expedition.
The World Museum of Mining
The World Museum of Mining is 10 minutes from Interstate 15 as it goes through Butte, Montana. In addition to viewing the 50 exhibit buildings at the museum, you can take an underground mine tour of the Orphan Girl Mine.
Idaho Falls Zoo
Five minutes from your route as it passes through Idaho Falls, Idaho, is the Idaho Falls Zoo. Over 300 animals live at this zoo, so you’ll get to see plenty of animals from Africa, North America, Asia, South America, and other parts of the world.
Liberty Park
If you desire to add Salt Lake City’s oldest park to your road trip itinerary from Great Falls to Scottsdale, then you’ll want to visit Liberty Park, which is just 10 minutes from your route in Salt Lake City. This historic park contains great attractions like the Tracy Aviary & Botanical Gardens, the Chase Home Museum, and Liberty Park Pool.
Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument
The entrance to Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument is right off your route as it passes through the Kanab area in Southern Utah, so you should definitely pay a visit to this gorgeous stretch of land that’s nearly a million acres large. The wonders of the Grand Staircase, the Kaiparowits Plateau, and Escalante Canyon await you at this rugged, unspoiled natural area.
Helena, Montana
The capital of Montana contains excellent places to visit, including the Cathedral of St. Helena and the Montana State Capitol. You’ll be able to find a bevy of high-quality dump stations and campgrounds close by.
Idaho Falls, Idaho
While exploring Idaho Falls, you can stroll along the Idaho Falls River Walk and tour the Museum of Idaho. There are some nice dump stations and campgrounds in the area.
Salt Lake City, Utah
Utah’s capital is home to awesome destinations like Red Butte Garden and Temple Square. There’s no shortage of great dump stations and campgrounds in Salt Lake City.
Provo, Utah
Brigham Young University, Provo Canyon, and more call this Utah city home. Plenty of top-notch dump stations and campgrounds can be found nearby.
Flagstaff, Arizona
When you visit Flagstaff, be sure to visit interesting locations like the Lowell Observatory and Walnut Canyon National Monument. You’ll easily be able to find some nice spots to park your RV at the local campgrounds, and Arizona dump stations are nearby.
When you follow this road trip itinerary from Great Falls to Scottsdale, you will enjoy historic locations and beautiful scenery along the way. If you want to travel in comfort and style, consider an RV rental from RVshare. From large motorhomes to compact campervans, there is a rig that will meet your travel and budget needs. Once you hit the road, you are protected by our renter guarantee and 24/7 roadside assistance. Find the perfect vehicle for your travel needs in Great Falls or Scottsdale.