On arrival, make your own way to your hotel in Scottsdale for a relaxing start to your adventure.

Depending on your arrival time you can spend the afternoon exploring Old Town Scottsdale, where Western saloons, boutique shops, and Native American art galleries set the mood for the trip ahead. If time allows, take a jeep tour into the Sonoran Desert or visit the Western Spirit Museum.

Pick up your motorhome in Mesa and drive south to Tucson, Arizona’s gateway to the Wild West and Sonoran Desert landscapes.

Spend the afternoon visiting Mission San Xavier del Bac, a stunning Spanish mission dating back to 1692. Then, explore the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum, a fascinating mix of zoo, botanical garden, and museum showcasing local wildlife and plants. (115 miles)

Suggested Stops:
Mission San Xavier del Bac (historic Spanish mission)
Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum (wildlife, desert plants, and geology)
Overnight near Tucson:
Comfortable: Sentinel Peak RV Park (close to downtown)
Scenic: Gilbert Ray Campground (in Tucson Mountain Park, beautiful desert setting)

Leaving Tucson, head southeast to Tombstone, the most infamous Wild West town, where Wyatt Earp, Doc Holliday, and the Cowboys faced off at the OK Corral. Walk the wooden sidewalks, catch a gunfight reenactment, and visit Boothill Graveyard, where outlaws and lawmen alike were laid to rest.

After soaking in the true spirit of the Old West, continue east into New Mexico, crossing into a desert landscape filled with ghost towns and frontier history. Stop at Steins Ghost Town, an abandoned 1880s railway settlement where remnants of Old West life still stand.

Arriving in Las Cruces, explore Old Mesilla, where Billy the Kid was put on trial. Wander through historic adobe buildings, quirky shops, and Spanish-style plazas before enjoying an authentic New Mexican dinner at La Posta de Mesilla, a former stagecoach stop-turned-legendary restaurant. (270 miles)

Suggested Stops:
Tombstone (OK Corral, Boothill Graveyard, saloons)
Steins Ghost Town (abandoned frontier town)
Old Mesilla (Billy the Kid history, plaza, and shops)
Organ Mountains-Desert Peaks National Monument (short hikes & scenic views)

Overnight near Las Cruces:
Comfortable: Hacienda RV Resort
Scenic: Leasburg Dam State Park (desert camping, great stargazing)

Head northeast towards Santa Rosa, a classic Route 66 town with a rich 1950s Americana feel.

Stop at White Sands National Park in the morning for a short hike or sand sledding down brilliant white dunes before continuing the drive. In Santa Rosa, visit the Blue Hole, a stunning deep natural swimming hole in the desert. (230 miles)

Suggested Stops:

White Sands National Park (morning stop for dunes and sledding)

Blue Hole (natural spring-fed pool, great for photos and a swim)

Route 66 Auto Museum (vintage cars and Route 66 memorabilia)

Overnight near Santa Rosa:
Comfortable: Santa Rosa Campground and RV Park
Scenic: Santa Rosa Lake State Park (beautiful lake setting)

A short drive to Santa Fe, the oldest capital city in the USA, known for its adobe architecture, arts scene, and Pueblo history.

Spend your time exploring the historic Santa Fe Plaza, visiting the Georgia O’Keeffe Museum, and driving the Turquoise Trail to the art town of Madrid. (120 miles)

Suggested Stops:

Historic Santa Fe Plaza (shops, markets, and Pueblo history)

Georgia O’Keeffe Museum (Southwest-inspired art)

Bandelier National Monument (ancient cliff dwellings)

Overnight near Santa Fe:

Comfortable: Rancheros de Santa Fe RV Park

Scenic: Hyde Memorial State Park (mountain views, forest setting)

Santa Fe, the oldest capital city in the U.S., is a place where Pueblo heritage, Spanish colonial history, and vibrant arts culture blend seamlessly. With a full day to explore, you can wander through historic streets, discover world-class museums, and take a scenic drive into the surrounding mountains.

Start your day in the Santa Fe Plaza, the heart of the city for over 400 years. Here, you’ll find adobe buildings, Native American jewelry vendors, and charming cafés. Just off the plaza, visit the Georgia O’Keeffe Museum, which showcases works inspired by the landscapes of New Mexico.

For history lovers, Bandelier National Monument (a short drive away) offers hiking trails through ancient cliff dwellings once inhabited by the Ancestral Puebloans. Alternatively, take the Turquoise Trail Scenic Byway to the quirky ghost town-turned-art colony of Madrid, known for its local crafts, unique shops, and funky roadside charm.

End the day with a traditional New Mexican dinner, featuring enchiladas smothered in red and green chile sauce before catching a stunning sunset over the Sangre de Cristo Mountains.

Suggested Activities:
Explore Santa Fe Plaza (history, shopping, street performances)
Visit the Georgia O’Keeffe Museum or New Mexico History Museum
Day trip to Bandelier National Monument (hiking & cliff dwellings)
Scenic drive on the Turquoise Trail to Madrid (quirky shops, ghost town vibes)
Sunset at Canyon Road, known for its galleries and sculpture gardens

A short drive south takes you to Albuquerque, a city rich in Route 66 nostalgia and Southwest history.

Visit Old Town Albuquerque, ride the Sandia Peak Tramway for spectacular views, and check out Petroglyph National Monument for ancient rock carvings. (65 miles)

Suggested Stops:

Old Town Albuquerque (Spanish colonial buildings and museums)

Sandia Peak Tramway (incredible city and desert views)

Petroglyph National Monument (ancient rock carvings and short hikes)

Overnight near Albuquerque:

Comfortable: American RV Park

Scenic: Coronado Campground (overlooks the Rio Grande)

A scenic stretch of Route 66 takes you to Gallup, a town famous for Native American trading posts and Hollywood’s Western film history.

Stop at the El Rancho Hotel, where actors like John Wayne stayed while filming Westerns. Explore Red Rock Park, known for its rugged desert scenery and ancient petroglyphs. (140 miles)

Suggested Stops:
Route 66 nostalgia in Gallup (vintage diners and neon signs)
El Rancho Hotel (classic Western film history)
Red Rock Park (desert hikes and petroglyphs)

Overnight near Gallup:
Comfortable: USA RV Park (great location for Route 66 travelers)
Scenic: Red Rock Park Campground

Drive west into Arizona’s Navajo Nation and visit Canyon de Chelly National Monument, where ancient cliff dwellings are carved into deep red rock canyons. (100 miles)

Take a Navajo-guided Jeep tour for an in-depth experience of Ancestral Puebloan history.

Suggested Stops:

Canyon de Chelly National Monument (White House Ruins, Spider Rock)

Navajo-guided tour into the canyon (optional)

Overnight near Chinle:

Comfortable: Cottonwood Campground

Scenic: Spider Rock Campground

After a morning exploring Canyon de Chelly, take a scenic drive west into Monument Valley, one of the most iconic landscapes of the American West. This vast expanse of towering red rock formations, sweeping desert plains, and buttes rising from the valley floor has been the setting for countless Western films and Navajo legends.
Before leaving Chinle, take a Navajo-guided Jeep tour into Canyon de Chelly, offering a unique perspective on the ancient cliff dwellings and petroglyphs left by the Ancestral Puebloans. Afterward, hit the open road, passing through the high desert of Navajo Nation as you make your way toward Monument Valley.
Arrive in the afternoon and take time to explore the Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park. For the best experience, consider joining a Navajo-guided sunset tour, where you’ll travel off-road into restricted areas of the park, learning about Navajo traditions, myths, and the significance of the rock formations.
As night falls, relax under one of the darkest, clearest night skies in the Southwest, where countless stars fill the desert sky. (100 miles)

Suggested Stops:
Morning Navajo Jeep tour in Canyon de Chelly (White House Ruins, Spider Rock)
Scenic drive through Navajo Nation toward Monument Valley
Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park (Visitor Center & scenic viewpoints)
Sunset Navajo-guided tour (optional, for deeper access into the park)
Overnight near Monument Valley:
Comfortable: Goulding’s RV Park (best location, full amenities, stunning views)
Scenic: The View Campground (unbeatable sunrise views over the buttes)

Today, you’ll continue along the

Wake up to a stunning sunrise over Monument Valley, where the first light of day casts golden hues over the iconic buttes. Before leaving, take a short hike or capture final photo stops along the Monument Valley Loop Drive, one of the most recognizable landscapes in the American West.

Leaving Monument Valley, follow Highway 160 west, passing through Tuba City, a Navajo community rich in history. Stop at the Dinosaur Tracks site just outside town, where real fossilized dinosaur footprints remain embedded in the sandstone.

Continue toward Grand Canyon National Park’s South Rim, arriving in the afternoon. Head straight to Mather Point or Desert View Watchtower for your first glimpse of the breathtaking canyon vistas. Take time to explore the Visitor Center, enjoy a leisurely walk along the Rim Trail, or, if time allows, catch sunset at Hopi Point, one of the best viewpoints along the South Rim. (180 Miles)

Spend the night inside the park, allowing for a full day of adventure tomorrow.

Suggested Stops:

Sunrise in Monument Valley (unforgettable views)

Monument Valley Loop Drive (photo stops at The Mittens, John Ford’s Point)

Tuba City Dinosaur Tracks (Navajo-guided site with real fossilized footprints)

Grand Canyon Desert View Drive (scenic approach to the South Rim)

Sunset at Hopi Point (one of the most spectacular canyon viewpoints)

Overnight at Grand Canyon National Park:

Comfortable: Trailer Village RV Park (full hookups, inside the park)

Scenic: Mather Campground (wooded setting, great stargazing, no hookups)

Leaving Grand Canyon National Park, take a scenic drive south through Oak Creek Canyon, one of Arizona’s most breathtaking routes, before arriving in Sedona. Known for its towering red rock formations, spiritual vortex sites, and thriving arts scene, Sedona is a perfect place to slow down and soak in the scenery.

After arriving, take a short hike to Cathedral Rock, one of Sedona’s most photographed landmarks, or explore the Chapel of the Holy Cross, a striking church built into the red cliffs. If you’re feeling adventurous, hop on a Pink Jeep Tour, which takes you off-road through rugged red rock landscapes.

In the evening, relax with wine tasting at Page Springs Cellars or enjoy a sunset dinner with incredible views. (110 miles)

Suggested Stops:
Drive through Oak Creek Canyon (stunning red rock scenery)
Cathedral Rock hike (easy but spectacular views)
Chapel of the Holy Cross (architectural marvel)
Pink Jeep Tour (off-road adventure through the red rocks)
Tlaquepaque Arts and Crafts Village (Mexican-style shopping district)

Overnight in Sedona:
Comfortable: Rancho Sedona RV Park (close to town, shaded sites)
Scenic: Cave Springs Campground (set along Oak Creek, great for nature lovers)

A short drive west brings you to Cottonwood, a historic town with a Wild West past that has evolved into a hub for Arizona wineries and outdoor adventure.

Start the day at Dead Horse Ranch State Park, a great place for an easy hike or a peaceful morning by the Verde River. Next, visit Jerome, a quirky ghost town-turned-artist enclave, once a booming copper mining town and now home to historic hotels, haunted buildings, and fascinating museums.

Take a stroll through Jerome’s winding streets, stopping at the Jerome State Historic Park to learn about the town’s booming mining days and Wild West legends. End the day with wine tasting in Cottonwood or a classic cowboy cookout. (40 Miles)

Suggested Stops:
Dead Horse Ranch State Park (scenic hikes and river views)
Jerome Ghost Town (haunted hotels, mining history, quirky shops)
Jerome State Historic Park (excellent museum on the town’s past)
Page Springs Cellars (wine tasting with a view)

Overnight in Cottonwood/Jerome:
Comfortable: Verde Valley RV and Camping Resort (close to wine country)
Scenic: Dead Horse Ranch State Park (peaceful, nature-filled setting)

The final stretch of your journey takes you back towards Phoenix, with a stop at Montezuma Castle National Monument, one of the best-preserved cliff dwellings in the Southwest. This 5-story structure built by the Sinagua people over 800 years ago is an easy and fascinating roadside stop.

If time allows, stop at Goldfield Ghost Town, a recreated Old West mining town near the Superstition Mountains. Walk through historic-style saloons, pan for gold, or take a narrow-gauge train ride through the rugged desert terrain.

Arriving in Mesa, spend your last evening enjoying a relaxing desert sunset hike at Usery Mountain Regional Park or dining at a classic Arizona steakhouse before returning your RV the next morning. (100 miles)

Suggested Stops:
Montezuma Castle National Monument (ancient cliff dwellings)
Goldfield Ghost Town (fun stop for Old West experiences)
Usery Mountain Regional Park (great last-night camping and sunset views)

Overnight near Mesa/Phoenix:
Comfortable: Monte Vista RV Resort (full hookups, pool, and modern amenities)
Scenic: Lost Dutchman State Park (beautiful Superstition Mountain views)

After two unforgettable weeks exploring the Wild West, return your motorhome in Mesa and transfer to Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport for your flight home.

If time allows before your flight, grab breakfast at Matt’s Big Breakfast in Phoenix for one last taste of Southwest flavors or take a quick morning walk through the Desert Botanical Garden to soak in the beauty of the Sonoran Desert one last time.