RV-Friendly Scenic Drives Near Phoenix
Buckle up for the best scenic drives near Phoenix for RVs: desert highways, canyon overlooks, and memorable stops perfect for a fall, winter, or spring road trip.
Phoenix is a great starting point for RV-friendly scenic drives, with desert, canyon, and mountain landscapes just a short distance away.
October through April is the best time to travel, when temperatures are mild and most roads are dry. Snow can affect higher elevations in winter, so always check conditions before you go.
Read on for some of our customers’ favorite RV-friendly routes within two hours of Phoenix, each with unique views and experiences.
Apache Trail Scenic Drive
From Fish Creek Overlook/Nicholas Hartmann, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Main Roads: State Route 88
Location: Begins in Apache Junction, east of Phoenix
Distance from Phoenix: 40 miles, 50 minutes
Scenic Drive Length: 40 miles, 1 hour
Road Conditions: Watch for significant elevation changes, sharp curves, and sections without guardrails. Apache Trail starts with paved roads, then turns to unpaved sections beyond Tortilla Flat. Not recommended for large RVs. Smaller, high-clearance RVs and cars may navigate it with caution.
Notable Stops
Goldfield Ghost Town: Reconstructed 1890s town with mine tours and historic exhibits.
Lost Dutchman State Park: Hiking trails with views of the Superstition Mountains.
Canyon Lake: Fishing and a great place to stop for a picnic.
Tortilla Flat: Historic stop with a saloon and general store.
Read our complete blog What to See on Arizona’s Apache Scenic Trail Drive
Desert Foothills Scenic Drive
Main Roads: Scottsdale Road
Location: Starts at the intersection of N. Scottsdale Road and E. Happy Valley Road
Distance from Phoenix: 30 miles, 40 minutes
Scenic Drive Length: 6 miles, 15 minutes
Road Conditions: Paved and well-maintained; suitable for all RV sizes. Minimal elevation changes and gentle curves make it ideal for RVs.
Notable Stops
Pinnacle Peak Park: Hiking trails and panoramic views.
Marked signs along the drive describe natural features of the area.
Salt River Canyon Scenic Drive
Phillip Capper from Wellington, New Zealand, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Known as the “Mini Grand Canyon,” Salt River Canyon is 2,000 feet deep and full of rugged beauty. It is a wonderful scenic drive that promises wild landscapes and plenty of spots to pull off and take it all in.
Main Roads: US Highway 60
Location: East of Phoenix, between Globe and Show Low
Distance from Phoenix: 110 miles, 2 hours
Scenic Drive Length: 84 miles, 1.5 hours
Road Conditions: A fully paved highway. Suitable for RVs, with some steep grades and curves.
Notable Stops
Salt River: Go whitewater rafting or fishing for bass and trout.
Salt River Canyon Overlook is at milepost 42 with panoramic views of the deep, rugged canyon carved by the Salt River.
South Mountain Scenic Drive
Main Roads: Summit Road
Location: South Phoenix, within South Mountain Park
Distance from Phoenix: 10 miles, 30 minutes
Scenic Drive Length: 5.5 miles (one way), 20 minutes
Road Conditions: Fully paved and suitable for small RVs and camper vans; no large RVs due to switchbacks. The road will be closed to motorized traffic the fourth Sunday of every month (5AM–7PM) in observance of Silent Sundays.
Notable Stops
Dobbins Lookout is the highest viewpoint on the drive, overlooking Phoenix.
Mystery Castle: Three-story historic building open for tours October–May
Holbert Trail: Challenging, 4.5-mile scenic hike and an alternative route to Dobbins Lookout.
Take a scenic drive in a Blacksford RV!
Bartlett Lake Scenic Drive
Main Roads: Bartlett Dam Road
Location: Northeast of Phoenix; Cave Creek to Bartlett Lake
Distance from Phoenix: 50 miles, 1 hour
Scenic Drive Length: 20 miles, 40 minutes
Road Conditions: Some steep ascents and descents, with winding curves toward the lake; best suited for experienced RV drivers.
Notable Stops
Cave Creek Regional Park: Hiking trails with great desert scenery.
Bartlett Lake Marina: Boating, fishing, and picnic areas with gorgeous water views.
Rattlesnake Cove: Scenic picnic spot along Bartlett Lake.
Tonto National Forest Scenic Drives
Tonto National Forest // USDA
Both drives pass through the Globe-Miami area in the eastern Tonto National Forest, with one heading north toward Roosevelt Dam and the other climbing into the Sierra Ancha Mountains.
Gila-Pinal Scenic Road
Roads Traveled: Highway 60 and Highway 188
Location: Miami and Globe to Roosevelt Dam
Distance from Phoenix: About 90 miles east, 1.5 hours
Scenic Drive Length: 40 miles, about 1 hour
Road Conditions: Fully paved and well-maintained. Suitable for all RV sizes.
Notable Stops
Besh-Ba-Gowah Archaeological Park: Ancient Salado pueblo ruins near Globe.
Tonto National Monument: Cliff dwellings overlooking Roosevelt Lake.
Roosevelt Dam: Historic masonry dam with panoramic lake views.
Desert to Tall Pines Scenic Road
Highway 288 climbs dramatically from desert basin to forested mountain terrain. Expect scenic overlooks, wildflowers in summer, and a peaceful mountain feel as you approach the remote town of Young. Best suited for smaller vehicles or adventurous travelers comfortable with unpaved roads.
Distance from Phoenix: About 90 miles east, then north from Globe
Scenic Drive Length: 47 miles, approximately 1.5 hours
Road Conditions: Paved for the first 11 miles, then transitions to graded gravel. Not recommended for large RVs beyond the paved portion.
Notable Stops
Workman Creek Falls Overlook: Scenic viewpoint above a seasonal waterfall.
Parker Creek Trailhead: Forest access point for short hikes and birdwatching.
Young, Arizona: Quiet mountain town with limited services.
Verde Valley Scenic Drive
Main Roads: State Route 260 & 89A
Location: Connects Camp Verde, Cottonwood, and Sedona, AZ
Distance from Phoenix: 90 miles, 90 minutes
Scenic Drive Length: 40 miles through the Verde Valley, 1 hour
Road Conditions: Paved and well-maintained, though some areas have winding curves. Most of the route is accessible for all RV sizes, but large rigs should use caution on the steep grades near Sedona.
Notable Stops
Montezuma Castle National Monument: Ancient cliff dwellings of the Sinagua people.
Dead Horse Ranch State Park: Excellent for RV camping, hiking, and birdwatching.
Tuzigoot National Monument: Well-preserved pueblo ruin with incredible valley views.
Red Rock Scenic Byway
Credit: Jared on Flickr // CC BY 2.0
Main Roads: State Route 179
Location: Between Interstate 17 and Sedona, AZ.
Distance from Phoenix: 115 miles, 2 hours
Scenic Drive Length: 7.5 miles, 15 minutes
Road Conditions: Paved and well-maintained. Some elevation changes and curves; however, the road is designed to accommodate larger vehicles; suitable for all RV sizes.
Notable Stops
Bell Rock and Courthouse Butte: Iconic red rock formations with nearby trails.
Chapel of the Holy Cross: Architecturally unique chapel built into the red rocks.
Cathedral Rock: 1.2-mile out-and-back trail to this stunning rock formation.
Red Rock Visitor Center: Get maps and information on nearby trails.
See the Red Rock Scenic Byway website for more information.
Enjoy Your Scenic Drive in a Blacksford RV
Whether you drive one or all of these amazing scenic drives, your road trip through Arizona is sure to leave you with lots of memories along with a few stories to tell!