With a climate conducive to year-round travel and breathtaking surrounding terrain that includes stark deserts, wind-torn rock formations and thick mountaintop forests, Scottsdale provides the perfect balmy haven for those who want to escape the cold of winter and those who enjoy basking in the heat all summer long. The city’s mix of upscale shopping and charming Old West architecture makes it an appealing backdrop for an extended stay. Its bars, restaurants and roadside eateries are practically legendary for a fun night out.
Scottsdale’s reputation as an art mecca is unparalleled in the Phoenix region, with much of the city’s retail shops featuring work by local artists and an entire section of the city devoted to galleries. The Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art is a great way to see the highlights of residents’ artistic endeavors. For visitors in town on Thursdays, the Scottsdale Art Walk offers snacks, music and a chance to enjoy the creative talent showcased in the gallery district.
The number of sunny days each year makes Scottsdale a haven for outdoor sports enthusiasts, particularly golfers. The city features a number of excellent courses for those who want to get a game in, but if golf isn’t at the top of the list, the nearby hiking trails on Piestewa Peak, mountain biking along the canals, desert Jeep tours or horseback riding in the style of the Old West may prove irresistible. For the even more adventurous, there are hot air balloon tours or ATV rentals that offer a unique way to experience the beauty of the surrounding rugged landscape.
Campgrounds Near Scottsdale, Arizona
Eagle View RV Resort at Fort McDowell caters to every need RV campers have, offering full hookups, easy dumping facilities, a dog park, a fitness center, a pool, basketball court, Wi-Fi and showers. The location offers natural desert beauty and convenient amenities like on-site restaurants.
Mesa Sunset RV Resort gives visitors plenty of reasons to stay longer than planned, offering amenities like a swimming pool, laundry, a dog run, pickleball and fitness equipment. All sites offer full hookups and access to restrooms and showers.
Scottsdale Trailer Corral offers guests excellent accessibility to the heart of Scottsdale, where they can easily reach the Old Town shopping and restaurant district when it’s time to take in the town. There are spaces and hookups for most RVs, although longer rigs may struggle to fit in certain campsites.
State Parks Near Scottsdale, Arizona
Lost Dutchman State Park is nestled in the heart of the mythic and mysterious Superstition Mountains, the iconic peaks a favorite subject of hikers and photographers alike. The allure of a lost gold mine drew fortune hunters to the area for decades, but the real gold to be found is in the stunning Arizona sunsets enjoyed from the peaks. The area of the park is just over 300 acres and features hiking, picnicking, wildlife viewing and mountain biking. RV camping is available on-site, with dozens of campsites offering full hookups, fire pits and picnic tables. The park makes an excellent base for exploring the nearby Tonto National Forest, with some trailheads in the park leading onto National Forest land.
McFarland State Historic Park brings the era of the Old West alive with many preserved buildings dating to the late 1800s, including the courthouse and jail. Fans of this historical era will enjoy touring the buildings and viewing related artifacts. RV visitors will find excellent parking at the site, with nearby RV parks the best place to set up camp for a visit to the area, as the site itself closes for the evening and on Sundays.
Fool Hollow Lake Recreation Area is in the heart of the White Mountains and provides a cooling respite from Arizona’s famously sizzling summers. This clear mountain lake features camping right on the edge of the water and offers all the classic water sports, like fishing, kayaking, swimming and boating. There are activities for all ages, including a Junior Ranger program for kids. There are 82 RV sites that offer electric hookups and are appropriate for rigs 40 feet in length and under.
National Sites Near Scottsdale, Arizona
Casa Grande Ruins National Monument encompasses a site built by the ancient peoples who lived in southern Arizona for more than a thousand years. Their dwellings and buildings included the four-story structure that gives the site its name today. Standing for more than six centuries, the “Big House” is the focal point of any visit, along with ancient irrigation canals and other ruins. The visitors center provides extensive information and ample parking while enjoying the park. There are nearby RV campgrounds for those wanting to stay in the vicinity, as the site itself closes for the evening and has no camping facilities.
Hohokam Pima National Monument belongs to the Gila River Indian Community and is all that is left of a once flourishing village named Snaketown that housed thousands of inhabitants for centuries. Excavated artifacts can be viewed at the nearby Casa Grande National Monument and the Heard Museum in Phoenix, although the site itself has been covered over for its own protection. RV visitors can find nearby campsites for lodging while visiting Casa Grande and area museums.
Tonto National Monument is a fascinating cliffside dwelling dating to 1200 A.D. Used for centuries by the Native peoples, the structures remain in an excellent state of preservation today, offering a glimpse of life as it was lived almost a thousand years ago in the vicinity of what is now Phoenix. Visitors can tour the site, enjoy learning about native plants and find plenty of information in the adjacent visitors center. The parking area has ample space for RVs and there are campsites in the nearby Superstition Mountains.
National Forests Near Scottsdale, Arizona
Prescott National Forest protects more than 100,000 acres of forest and desert land, offering almost 1,000 miles of maintained trails for hiking and biking, horse riding and ATV use. The many streams and small lakes are perfect for fishing and various other water activities. Visitors can picnic in designated areas and enjoy scenic drives on preplanned routes. RV camping is available at many of the campgrounds, but visitors should be aware that most don’t offer hookups and restrict vehicle length to 40 feet. The toilets are vault-style and most campsites offer a fire pit or grill and picnic area.
Tonto National Forest is the largest national forest in Arizona and one of the top 10 largest in the United States. Almost 3 million acres beckon visitors with promises of stunning rock formations, desert vistas, sparkling lakes and archeological wonders. Hiking, fishing, climbing and biking top the list of popular activities, with camping available close to sites of particular interest. Most campgrounds welcome RV travelers but offer only basic services. The Tortilla Flat campground has sewage hookups and a nearby restaurant. There are also boat rentals available for Roosevelt Lake.
Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest offers astonishingly beautiful scenery from mountaintop heights that often remain cool even in the otherwise blazing heat of an Arizona summer. The Alpine terrain is perfect for hiking, winter sports, fishing, swimming, horseback riding and enjoying ATVs. As the elevation at some of the campgrounds is above 9,000 feet, larger vehicles can struggle to make the climb up the winding mountain roads. Many of the campsites limit vehicle length to no more than 16 feet. The Luna Lake campground allows vehicles up to 32 feet in length and offers toilets, drinking water and picnic areas.
