Before European and American settlers explored the area, present-day Coolidge, Arizona was populated by the Hohokam Native Americans and other ancient indigenous groups. These early inhabitants used rocks and other materials found in the desert to construct their buildings and elaborate irrigation systems. Some of these building structures still remain standing.
The building of the Coolidge Dam in the 1920s helped to attract American settlers. Founder and first-known settler, R.J. Jones, established the town with an 80-acre lot of land. Named after United States President Calvin Coolidge, this small town quickly became an attractive economic hub. This was due in large part to the rich and fertile soil that was created as a result of the dam. Coolidge began to play a major part in the cotton industry. The community was eventually granted an official city charter in 1945. Today, this city of nearly 15,000 thrives off of its diverse economy. Coolidge’s economic resources now include everything from manufacturing and agriculture to tourism and green energy.
Pay a visit to the Casa Grande Ruins National Monument, and explore the early history of Coolidge and the surrounding regions. Take a tour of the nearby Arizona Railway Museum. The museum showcases the history of the various railroad systems that have been constructed throughout the state of Arizona and the American Southwest.
Enjoy a unique Greek American meal at the Pita Patio Grill. This family-friendly eatery offers a variety of street food options, including gyros, Greek salad, and double cheeseburgers. If you are craving a Chinese-inspired dish, head over to the Dragon City Chinese Restaurant. Here, you can indulge in teriyaki chicken, moo goo gai pan, egg drop soup, and more.
Silverado RV Resort is an ideal option for the 55 and better crew. This quiet community hosts both permanent and short-term residents. With a lovely gazebo and beautiful mountain scenery, you won’t have an issue embracing the great outdoors. This campground provides full hookups, laundry services, hot showers, and Wi-Fi access. Military and AAA discounts are available.
The Picacho/Tucson NW KOA Campground is a pet-friendly facility with an on-site restaurant. Amenities include full hookups, Wi-Fi access, pull-through sites, a swimming pool, and laundry facilities. The site even provides plenty of pet-centered amenities, such as a dog playground and a dog walking field.
High Chaparral RV Park is an adult campground with a variety of nearby entertainment options. There are two golf courses in close proximity, along with an on-site swimming pool and a library. The facility offers full hookups, Wi-Fi access, adequate cell reception, pull-through sites, back-in sites, and laundry facilities.
Located in Florence, Arizona, McFarland State Historic Park showcases structures and artifacts from the Arizona Territory period. Buildings include a jail and a courthouse that were both constructed during the late 19th century. The park was established in order to celebrate the legacy of Ernest McFarland. McFarland served as an Arizona state governor, an Arizona Chief Justice, and a United States Senator. Exhibits include courtroom bench seats, photographs, and old documents. The site also features a gift shop and several nearby attractions, including Roosevelt Lake and the Apache Trail Historic Road.
Picacho Peak State Park encompasses the beautiful Picacho Peak. This large rock formation can be seen from Tucson, Arizona, which is over 40 miles away. The 3,700-acre park consists of several other notable features, including gorgeous wildflowers, a desert area, trails, and views of the Santa Catalina Mountains. Although the park is relatively modest in comparison to the much larger national parks, it still boasts a respectable amount of notoriety. In fact, the peak itself was prominently referenced in The Host, a novel written by American author Stephanie Meyer.
Boyce Thompson Arboretum serves as Arizona’s oldest and biggest botanic garden. This 392-acre Sonoran Desert oasis features more than 2,000 plant species, including agaves, eucalyptus groves, legume trees, cork oaks, and cacti. The animal population is made up of hummingbirds, bobcats, Gila monsters, and hundreds of bird species. Several nature trails provide opportunities for hiking and sightseeing. Trails include the Chihuahuan Trail, High Trail, and the Curandero Trail. Other interesting park features include a butterfly garden, an Arboretum pond, and a greenhouse.
Situated in Coolidge, Arizona, the Casa Grande Ruins National Monument contains ancient ruins that were constructed by the Hohokam Native Americans during the 12th and 13th centuries. One of the most prominent structures is a multi-level home that is referred to as Casa Grande. The caliche sedimentary rock that makes up the building has survived hundreds of years of harsh Arizona weather occurrences. After exploring the breathtaking ruins, check out the other museum exhibits and the on-site bookstore.
The Hohokam Pima National Monument is another site that can be attributed to the Hohokam Native Americans. It is believed that this ancient village dates back to 300 BCE. The area was first excavated in the 1930s. A second excavation followed in 1964. The excavation projects helped to unearth a variety of fascinating finds, including pit houses, an irrigation system, pottery, and jewelry. Although the Hohokam people seemed to have had a complex and thriving village life, they were likely driven away by droughts and over-irrigation practices.
Nestled within the Superstition Mountains, the Tonto National Monument features a group of preserved ancient cliff dwellings. These historic homes were inhabited by the people of the Salado Horizon culture between the 13th and 15th centuries. Contained in the Tonto National Forest, the site is in close proximity to pine forests, native animals, and a flourishing plant ecosystem. Some of these plants include prickly bear, barrel cactus, yucca, mesquite trees, and hackberry trees.
The 2.8-million-acre Tonto National Forest is the biggest national forest in the state of Arizona. The diverse terrain ranges in elevation from 1,400 feet to 7,400 feet. The forest contains a part of the Sonoran desert, ponderosa pine trees, wilderness areas, lakes, and reservoirs. Wildlife inhabitants include white-tailed deer, prairie falcons, bobcats, and black bears. Tubing, swimming, boating, and hiking are permitted in some areas of the forest.
Coronado National Forest is a massive forested area that stretches over 1.7 million acres of land. The forest spreads across portions of Arizona and New Mexico, including the counties of Santa Cruz, Pinal, and Hidalgo. The forest features five distinct districts that include their own separate mountain ranges. The Stafford Ranger District, for example, consists of the Greasewood Mountains, Santa Teresa Mountains, and the Pinaleño Mountains. The Douglas Ranger District is home to the Peloncillo, Chiricahua, and Dragoon mountain ranges. Along with various mountain peaks, the forest also features wilderness areas and public campgrounds. Recreational activities include horseback riding, fishing, and hiking.
Located in central Arizona, Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest covers more than 2 million acres. The forest includes four designated wilderness areas, a healthy wildlife population, and an abundance of lakes. These lakes include Bear Canyon Lake, Big Lake, Willow Springs Lake, and Luna Lake. With its monsoon season lasting from mid-July to early September, it’s probably best to visit between late September and early July.
Saguaro National Park takes up 92,000 acres of land in the southeastern part of Arizona. The park was established in 1994 in order to help preserve the Tucson Mountain District and the Rincon Mountain District. Together, these districts boast portions of the Sonoran Desert, volcanic rocks, designated wilderness areas, mountains, waterways, and ancient artifacts. These artifacts and petroglyphs were left behind by the Hohokam Native Americans who once occupied the land. The animal population includes desert cottontails, mule deer, jackrabbits, white-tailed deer, and gray foxes. Available recreational activities include hiking and backcountry camping.
Petrified Forest National Park is a distinct area that covers more than 221,000 acres of land. This northeastern Arizona park features fossilized wood deposits. Although it has a relatively dry climate, Petrified is home to an extensive animal and plant population. These plant and animal species include blue grama, bunchgrass, lizards, bobcats, and coyotes. Backpacking, hiking, and bicycling are a few of the recreational activities available at this fascinating park. RVers can view petroglyphs and ancient ruins on the Pueblo Puerco trail.
Grand Canyon National Park is one of the most popular and widely recognized national parks in the United States. This 1.2 million-acre northwestern Arizona park houses the magnificent Grand Canyon. The massive canyon is over 250 miles long. Geologists believe that the canyon dates back over 5 million years. In addition to the Grand Canyon, the park features several hiking trails, including Uncle Jim’s Trail, the North Kaibab Trail, and the Widforss Trail. Mule rides, helicopter tours, scenic driving routes, and river rafting activities are also available.
Motorhomes are divided into Class A, B, and C vehicles. On average expect to pay $185 per night for Class A, $149 per night for Class B and $179 per night for Class C. Towable RVs include 5th Wheel, Travel Trailers, Popups, and Toy Hauler. On average, in Coolidge, AZ, the 5th Wheel trailer starts at $70 per night. Pricing for the Travel Trailer begins at $60 per night, and the Popup Trailer starts at $65 per night.
Do you need to be a certain age to rent an RV in Coolidge?Yes. The minimum age is 25 to be eligible to get an RV Rental in Coolidge from RVshare.
Does RVshare have emergency roadside assistance?Yes. Every RV rental booked through RVshare receives 24/7 emergency roadside assistance.
Does RVshare offer one way RV rentals in Coolidge?Yes. Prior to renting any RV, check with the owner since not all will offer this particular option.
