Road Trips Starting from Mesa, AZ
Best National Parks Near Mesa, AZ
Located in the Sonoran Desert, about 100 miles southeast of Mesa, Saguaro National Park is famous for the towering saguaro cactus. There are two distinct mountain ranges that you can explore inside the park: Rincon Mountain District and Tucson Mountain District. For the ultimate hiking experience, you can explore beautiful routes like the Tanque Verde Ridge Trail and the Desert Ecology Trail. Driving around the Bajada Loop Drive or the Cactus Forest Loop Drive will take your breath away. You'll enjoy stunning panoramas of saguaro trees, rocky mountains, and beautiful desert scenery dotted with wildlife, including coyotes, javelinas, and the world-famous Gila woodpecker.
About 190 miles northeast of Mesa, you can see a massive collection of petrified wood in Petrified Forest National Park. Embark on the Blue Mesa Trail, a 1-mile loop trail winding through colorful badlands. Explore historic sites such as the Painted Desert Inn National Historic Landmark, showcasing Pueblo Revival architecture and Native American art.
Roughly 230 miles north of Mesa is Grand Canyon National Park, which is famous for its incredible landscape and magnificent vistas created by the Colorado River. The Bright Angel Trail is a famously difficult hike that descends down the canyon and provides views of breathtaking geological formations on its way to the Colorado River. You'll find lots of nearby shopping adventures at places like the Grand Canyon National Park Bookstore and Mountain Sports Flagstaff. Some of the best places to go sightseeing in the area are Glen Canyon National Recreation Area and the Navajo Village Heritage Center.
Popular State Parks Near Mesa, AZ
Take a 26-mile trip northeast of Mesa to Lost Dutchman State Park and enjoy a nice escape from the city. The Siphon Draw Trail is a challenging trail that leads hikers to the Flatiron rock formation, offering panoramic views of the Superstition Mountains and the desert. Treasure Loop Trail is a moderate loop trail that winds through desert terrain, showcasing views of saguaro cacti and brittlebush.
50 miles southeast brings you to McFarland State Historic Park, where you can explore the grounds of McFarland State Historic Park on a self-guided walking tour. The focal point of the park is the McFarland House, a restored 1878 adobe home that once belonged to Ernest McFarland, a former Arizona governor and U.S. Senator. Adjacent to the McFarland House is the Pinal County Courthouse, a historic building that now serves as a museum.
Loading up the family and traveling 46 miles southeast will bring you to the Boyce Thompson Arboretum. Ayer Lake, a man-made lake located within the arboretum, provides opportunities for wildlife viewing and peaceful reflection. The Main Trail Loop is a 1.5-mile loop trail that winds through the botanical gardens, showcasing a variety of plant collections and natural features. The High Trail is a more challenging 2.5-mile loop trail that ascends to higher elevations within the arboretum, giving you panoramic views of the desert landscape and the Superstition Mountains.
Must-see Monuments and Landmarks Near Mesa, AZ
Located near Coolidge, just 24 miles from Mesa, the Hohokam Pima National Monument preserves ancient Hohokam archaeological sites. Visitors can learn about the advanced irrigation systems, earthen mounds, and other archaeological features that once characterized Hohokam settlements. Nearby museums include the Chandler Museum and the Huhugam Heritage Center. As a result of the rugged terrain in the area, RV travelers visiting this monument may need to park their RVs at nearby campgrounds and explore the monument on foot. The monument primarily offers day-use facilities and does not have developed camping areas or RV accommodations. However, you can stay overnight at the Usery Mountain Regional Park Campground, only 35 miles away.
Casa Grande Ruins National Monument, also situated in Coolidge, is another site protecting the ruins of an ancient Hohokam village. If possible, you should visit during the Tohono O'odham Nation's annual O'odham Tash celebration. It's a cultural event that features traditional dances, music, arts and crafts. The monument features paved parking lots and pathways leading to the main ruins, making it accessible for RVs. Located in Casa Grande, the Valley of the Sun RV Resort offers full hookup sites, including electric, water, and sewer connections. It's approximately a 20-minute drive from Casa Grande Ruins National Monument.
The Tonto National Monument near Roosevelt, 100 miles away, features well-preserved cliff dwellings built by the Salado people. Come to the Full Moon Hike event and go on a guided hike to the Lower Cliff Dwelling under the light of the full moon. You can learn about the history and archaeology of the site from knowledgeable rangers. The monument's visitor center and trailheads are on narrow, twisting roads over a severe desert landscape. RVs can park at the monument, but bigger vehicles may struggle with narrow curves, steep climbs, and restricted parking. Apache Junction, a city east of Phoenix, offers several RV parks and campgrounds with hookups, including Lost Dutchman State Park and several private RV resorts.
RVshare’s Top Picks for Nearby RV Parks & Campgrounds
Located approximately 10 miles southeast of Mesa in Chandler, Hacienda Solano Resort offers amenities such as full hookups, laundry facilities, swimming pools, and clubhouse activities. Attractions nearby include the Gila River Casino, Rawhide Western Town, and Chandler Fashion Center for shopping and dining.
Five Star RV Park is also located in Chandler and provides amenities for RV travelers, including 31 RV sites, some with full hookups. If you stay at this campground, don't forget to experience the past at Goldfield Ghost Town, which is only 30 miles away. It's a recreated ghost town that transports you to another era with its restored buildings, mining tours, and Old West-themed attractions.
About four miles east of Mesa, Twin Palms RV Park provides amenities like full hookups, Wi-Fi, and laundry facilities. The Superstition Mountains, Lost Dutchman State Park, and the gorgeous Apache Trail are all close by and make for great day trips. Usery Mountain Regional Park, a short drive away, is a terrific area to hike, mountain bike, and picnic.
RV Dump Stations Near Mesa, AZ
Several places throughout Mesa have dump stations for RVs, including Gander RV & Outdoors of Mesa, Usery Mountain Regional Park, and the Desert RV Parts & Service Center. Gander RV & Outdoors of Mesa provides free dump station services and puts you near many of the city's best attractions, including tubing down the Salt River.
The dump station at Usery Mountain Regional Park is for registered guests only, but it gives you convenient access to some of the area's more popular fishing spots, like the Water Users Recreation Site (located along the Salt River within the park). The Desert RV Parts & Service Center provides a dump station with a $5 dump fee. One of the best nearby places to visit if you use this dump station is Saguaro Lake, where you can spend a day boating, fishing, kayaking, and paddleboarding on the sparkling waters of the Salt River.
