Arizona by RV: Wild Horses, Route 66 Burros, and One Very Big Canyon

You could plan an Arizona RV trip around the Grand Canyon and have a great time. But you’d miss some of the stops that make people come home with stories.

If Arizona is on your travel list, I’d make room for these three.

1. Look for wild horses along the Salt River

East of Mesa, horses roam near the Lower Salt River. Coon Bluff is one place to try your luck: bring a camera, take a walk toward the river, and see who shows up. It’s a wildlife sighting, so there are no guarantees—but that’s part of the fun.

Give the horses plenty of space, even if they wander toward you. Keep at least 50 feet away and don’t feed or touch them.

2. Meet the burros of Oatman

Oatman is a little former mining town on Historic Route 66 with wooden sidewalks, Old West character, and burros that roam through town. Yes, you may find yourself waiting for a burro to clear the street. I’d consider that a pretty good reason to stop.

If you’re traveling in a larger RV, check your route and parking before heading into town. The Route 66 drive through the Black Mountains is winding.

3. See the Grand Canyon from the South Rim

It’s famous for a reason. Give yourself time to walk between viewpoints instead of treating the canyon as a quick photo stop. If you’re arriving in an RV, plan your parking ahead: the park has designated RV parking, but space for larger rigs is limited. From the parking areas, you can use the free shuttle to see more of the South Rim.

Wild horses by a river, burros on Route 66, and a view that makes everyone stop talking for a minute—that sounds like a good Arizona trip to me.

Before you head out, make sure your RV coverage fits the trip you’re taking and the way you use your RV. If you’d like us to review it, start here with Twin Peaks Insurance.