Roadtrip with RVshare Las Vegas to Amarillo

When you're making a Las Vegas to Amarillo road trip, you'll be immersed in the American southwest, so taking your time to enjoy the sites throughout your trip is well worth it. Along the way, you'll be able to experience three national parks, and you'll also have stops in cities like Albuquerque. There will be plenty of opportunities to stop at RV parks and campgrounds to rest and refuel. This trip will take you at least 15 hours, but if you're going to be making stops at some of the more iconic places, set aside a week or so to allow you and your family time to really enjoy the trip.

Nearby National Parks

Zion National Park

Zion National Park is full of canyons, cliffs, and crags that will make a very picturesque background for a photo. For hikers, there are miles of land that you can trek. This includes the small Weeping Rock Trail that is only about 0.3 miles in length, as well as the East Rim Trail, which is a much more strenuous 10.8 miles with elevation changes that could make it more difficult to traverse for beginners. If you don't mind getting wet and really digging in when it comes to taking a trail, the Narrows is 16 miles in length, and it winds through the canyon, making you wade through the Virgin River at times. In addition to hiking, you can try your hand at climbing the cliffs or rappelling into the canyon. Horseback riding, biking, and kayaking are also activities that you can enjoy in this national park.

Grand Canyon National Park

One of the most iconic stops that you will want to include on this road trip itinerary from Las Vegas to Amarillo is Grand Canyon National Park. While the entirety of the park covers more than 1.2 million acres, but the most admired aspect of the park is the giant canyon carved by the Colorado River. There are hundreds of miles of trails that you can hike and explore, but if your feet are not up to a long hike, some options allow you to rent a mule to ride down trails. If you would like to travel down to the bottom of the canyon, rafting or kayaking in the river is a fun option that can add a bit of excitement to your trip to the park. There are also jeep and helicopter tours of the canyon that you can enjoy.

Petrified Forest National Park

The final national park that you will encounter during this road trip is Petrified Forest National Park. This park gives you a close view of the 220 square miles of the Arizona Desert that make up the park, including fossilized wood, petroglyphs, and several paleontological exhibits. In the southern part of the park, you will find a large concentration of petrified wood. The northern half of the park is more of a painted desert that will provide colorful hills for your pictures. While in the park, visit Tiponi Point and the Jasper Forest Overlook. If you are into hiking, try to traverse the Blue Forest Trail to see some fantastic colors.

Nearby State Parks

Valley of Fire State Park

The first state park that you will cross during your road trip from Las Vegas to Amarillo is Valley of Fire State Park. This park covers approximately 46,000 acres, and the rocks and sandstone formations have a brilliant red color when they are hit by the sun. This is the oldest state park in Nevada, and hiking through the area is a great way to see rock formations such as the Beehives, Elephant Rock, the Pink Canyon, and the Fire Waves.

Blue Water State Park

Blue Water State Park is a rare New Mexico state park because it has a lake, making it an ideal stop for anglers. There is plenty of trout, catfish, and tiger muskie in the lake that you can fish for year-round, and boating is also permitted in the lake. If you get tired of fishing, there are trails nearby that you can explore.

Palo Duro Canyon State Park

As you enter Texas, make a stop at Palo Duro Canyon State Park. The park is about 25 miles south of your destination, so it will most likely be one of the last stops on this road trip. Hiking, horseback riding, and biking are great ways to explore the park. If you enjoy gazing at the stars, the dark skies in this park make it an ideal place to stop, especially if you have a telescope.

Along the Way

Hoover Dam

One of the Hoover Dam's best features is its vastness; this is a truly immense man-made point of interest that spans 220 acres in total. The dam is located in the Black Canyon and is positioned on the Colorado River along the border of Nevada and Arizona. During your Las Vegas to Amarillo RV road trip, also visit nearby Boulder City; this city of 15,840 residents started as a means to house the 5,000 workers that were constructing the dam in the 1930s.

Meteor Crater

Throughout the Earth's history, it has been constantly bombarded by space rocks, and Meteor Crater, which is outside of Flagstaff, is the site of one such impact. At Meteor Crater, you'll notice that the shape of the impact zone is reminiscent of the craters that dot the landscape of the moon. While you're there, you can book a guided tour around the area. You won't be able to hike into the crater itself, but places like Barringer Space Museum will provide you with memorable experiences.

Cadillac Ranch

Located in your final destination of Amarillo, TX, the Cadillac Ranch is an art lover's dream. Originally established by hippies, including Stanley Marsh 3, this point of interest is an art installation in the middle of Historic Route 66. Cadillacs are a major part of the art experience here, and you'll find several buried nose-down into the sand painted in bright, vibrant colors. 

Main Cities You Will Pass Through

St. George, Utah

Located in the southwestern portion of Utah, St. George is located in Washington County and is a family-friendly location to visit along your road trip. Places like Snow Canyon State Park and the Tuacahn Center for the Arts are located here, and there are plenty of day trips to make in and outside of the city when you visit. Like many of the cities in Utah, St. George has a decisively desert climate and has a higher elevation of 2,760 feet. 

The St. George area also has some excellent RV parks and campgrounds. Two that can be found within the city limits include St. George RV Park and Campground and Temple View RV Resort, and there are several dump stations around as well. 

Flagstaff, Arizona

Named for the flag-raising ceremony that started in 1876, the city of Flagstaff is rich with history. Positioned 7,000 feet above sea level, the city has a large population of over 72,000 people. Flagstaff's Lowell Observatory was the facility that discovered the planetesimal Pluto, so while you're in town, pay it a visit.

There are several RV campgrounds like Fort Tuthill County Park and Bonito Campground to consider. Each has full hookups, and there are a few Arizona-area dump stations to use as well.

Albuquerque, New Mexico

Known colloquially as ABQ, the city of Albuquerque is a vibrant location to visit in the high desert of New Mexico. This is the largest city in the state, and the area has a rich history and vibrant arts scene. While here, try the Sandia Peak Tramway, which runs from the city to the summit of the Sandia Mountains.

Albuquerque campgrounds consist of options like Balloon View RV Park and El Rancho RV Park. Places like Albuquerque Central KOA even allow pets. There are also a few dump stations in the area so that you can keep your RV clean.

Find Adventure from Las Vegas to Amarillo

Find your One-Way Rental

When you follow this road trip itinerary from Las Vegas to Amarillo, 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 Las Vegas or Amarillo.