Ready for a series of spectacular – but not overrun – bucket list adventures in Arizona? This guide is packed with spectacular but not too heavily-trodden hikes; less-visited bike trails; paddle-worthy waterways; and historic sites brimming with stories waiting to be uncovered.
Designed with Arizona Snowbirds, RVers, and active travelers in mind, these 25 Arizona bucket list experiences will inspire you to explore and discover more. Plus, you’ll find camping suggestions nearby to keep the adventures going long.
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Looking for unique bucket list adventures in Arizona?
Think beyond the obvious hotspots of the Grand Canyon, Sedona, or Phoenix. We’ve got a list of 25 unique bucket list adventures that are perfect for Arizona Snowbirds, RVers, active travelers, or anyone who loves the Grand Canyon State.
Anyone with a yen for something outside of ordinary – whether you’re in Arizona for a week or a month or the entire winter – can use this list to actively travel throughout this amazing state.
#1 Boondock near the wilderness
Free camping – what’s not to like? Boondocking at Arizona’s Saddle Mountain, west of Phoenix, is a big step beyond mere like. The area’s proximity to outdoor adventures and prehistoric sites in the Eagletail Wilderness takes free camping in Arizona to near perfection in our books.
#2 Step into Sedona’s prehistoric past
Looking for unbeatable Arizona adventures? Try camping at Dead Horse Ranch State Park for biking, hiking, and historic travel fun. The location is perfect for exploring Tuzigoot, Honanki, and Palatki.
#3 Explore Kingman inside and out
Need more reasons to explore Kingman, Arizona beyond the obvious Route 66 connection? This post will take you off the road, inside museums and out biking and hiking on a few trails that make Kingman so much more than a quick pitstop on a historic travel route. Camp at Sunrise RV Park for ease of travel adventure.
#4 Seek stories at Castle Dome Mining Museum
Castle Dome Mining Museum is a captivating glimpse of life in a circa 1878 mining ghost town. Renovated and re-created buildings bring the past to life in a southern Arizona mountain and desert landscape that is itself timeless. If you love history, this is a bucket list adventure near Yuma and the scenic camping areas around Kofa National Wildlife Refuge.
#5 Follow in the footsteps of the Chiricahua Apache
Chiricahua National Monument in southeastern Arizona may be one of the less-visited geological wonders in the Grand Canyon State, but it is a “wonderland of rocks.” Join us for a little hiking laced with history in this monumental adventure. Plan to stay a couple nights with a campground reservation for Bonita Campground in the monument.
#6 Paddle Lake Pleasant
First-time camping at Lake Pleasant, Arizona? This Maricopa County Regional Park wasn’t on our radar until friends said they were heading back that way again. Again? Must be some good adventures there if they’re going back again! Join us as we discover Lake Pleasant’s rather pleasant camping, hiking, and kayaking.
#7 Bucket list adventures from Tombstone RV Park?
Explore the Dragoon Mountains, go deep into a cave in Kartchner Caverns, or walk in the hills of Bisbee – all from your surprisingly perfect base camp close to the historic town itself at Tombstone RV Park.
#8 Wander the historic Empire Ranch
Southern Arizona’s Empire Ranch began as a small homestead. The Empire Ranch headquarters grew large enough over the passing decades to attract the attention of corporate owners. Eventually, it became a gem in the crowning glory of Las Cienegas National Conservation Area. Join us as we wander and explore Empire Ranch’s rich past and camp in the conservation area nearby.
#9 Hike the border country
Friends were meeting us in southern Arizona for a few days of camping and exploration. “Where should we go?” they asked. “Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument,” we answered, its rugged beauty still forged in our minds from our first visit 20 years earlier.
Hiking in Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument is worth a repeat. In the past we’ve done easy walks like Desert View Trail near Twin Peaks campground, stretched our legs on Red Tanks Tinaja Trail and gone for the gusto ascending Mount Ajo in one long day. On a second stay, we explored three completely new-to-us hiking adventures. Camp, hike, rinse, and repeat!
#10 Investigate Ironwood National Monument
Exploring Arizona’s Ironwood Forest National Monument and the Los Robles Archaeological District for the first time was an adventure! This multi-use zone includes everything from livestock grazing and mining to motorized off-road travel and human-powered recreation – but tucked away within its boundaries are not one, not two, but three archaeological districts listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
It may be a little off the beaten path, but this hidden gem is worth a visit from your base camp in Tucson Mountain Park.
#11 Get Lost – figuratively not literally – in Valley of the Falls
Thinking about camping at Lost Dutchman State Park? If you like outdoor adventures – from hiking to biking to paddling – you’re going to want to stay here! Not convinced? Check out our top 7 reasons for choosing Lost Dutchman State Park campground as your adventure base – including the slightly more challenging hike into Valley of the Falls.
#12 Hike Picacho Peak
From the top of Picacho Peak in southern Arizona, you can see the world once inhabited by the Hohokam people. What you can’t see are the fading traces of their existence – from silted in canals to buried points and broken shards of pottery to faded petroglyphs.
Join us on a trip to the peak and peek into the past as we explore the Picacho Mountains from a base camp set up in Picacho Peak State Park.
#13 Hunt for geoglyphs near Quartzite
Desert rock art in southwestern United States is abundant. Pictographs and petroglyphs abound. But this trip added a third rock art element we’d never seen before – intaglios (also known as geoglyphs). Join us for a geo-hunt as we search for this rare art form along the Colorado River. Quartzite makes a good adventure base.
#14 Bike the Secret Valley Loop near Bullhead City
Choosing Davis Camp in Bullhead City, Arizona as an adventure base is a fantastic idea! Setting up camp – directly below Mojave Lake – we explored bits and pieces of the past. We biked and hiked. And we did it all while camping cheaply with the Colorado River on our doorstep. This is a surprisingly excellent location for Arizona RV travellers and adventure seekers alike.
Plan your trip and journal your adventures with this handy 2025 RV Trip Planner. Created for RV enthusiasts, adventurers, and Snowbirds, this 45-page printable RV trip planner is your key to seamless, well-organized travel whether for a month or three or the entire year. It’s your one-stop shop for staying organized, making camping plans, and recording your adventures.
#15 Arizona Snowbirds flock to Patagonia Lake State Park
Where is Patagonia Lake State Park – and why should you visit? Patagonia Lake is in southern Arizona, approximately 30 minutes north of the town of Nogales on the U.S/Mexico border. This high desert oasis offers everything from camping and boating, to hiking and birdwatching. Join us for a few outdoor adventures… lakeside!
#16 Bike, hike, and tour from this Cactus Country Locale
Looking to bike Fantasy Island trails? Want to hike in Saguaro National Park East? Thinking of a driving tour up Mount Lemmon? Cactus Country RV Resort is a perfect base for every one of these adventures and more.
#17 Make a day of it in Catalina State Park
Catalina State Park, north of Tucson, Arizona offers miles of hiking trails, musical interludes, perfect picnic spots, and dark sky nights. You’ll want to book a campsite as early as you can, but once set up, you’ll want to stay as long as possible!
#18 Mountain bike the McDowell Trails near Greater Phoenix
McDowell Mountain Regional Park – located under an hour northeast of Phoenix, AZ – is the perfect base camp for outdoor adventures. Bike, bike, and bike some more – or take a break and take an outdoor art walk in nearby Fountain Hills!
#19 Check out Crane – previously V Bar V Ranch – Petroglyphs
Arizona’s landscape is rich with prehistoric wonders. Double up on your stay at Dead Horse Ranch State Park by visiting Montezuma’s Castle and Montezuma’s Well and Crane Petroglyph Heritage Site. While Montezuma’s Castle is on the busy end of the scale, Monetezuma’s Well is a little more off-the-beaten track. Crane Petroglyphs – previously called V Bar V Ranch – holds one of the best-preserved collections of petroglyphs in the Verde Valley.
#20 Hike Mount Wrightson
For any Arizona Snowbirds or active travelers looking for a physical challenge near Tucson, the Mount Wrightson hike is no ordinary walk in the park. It’s taking bucket list adventures to new heights! Grab your boot grips, poles, and gaiters, and other cold weather gear and leave the cosy RV Park behind… or at least get inspired to try something outside your comfort zone!
#21 Paddle Saguaro Lake
Usery Mountain Regional Park is located near Phoenix, Arizona. This Maricopa County Regional Park is the perfect base camp for outdoor adventures from hiking to mountain biking to paddling. Join us as we pitter, paddle, pedal and camp in this “needs to be repeated” RV adventure!
#22 Bike a section of the Arizona Trail
Try mountain biking the Arizona Trail… or a least a short section of it! We had yet another unique adventure day close to our camp in Cactus Country RV Park. Drive a few miles, park, and cycle to a winery and back along the AZT.
#23 Walk around Sears-Kay Ruins
Cave Creek Regional Park sits on the doorstep of the Greater Phoenix area in the heart of Arizona. With hiking, camping, and cultural quests such as the hilltop Sears-Kay Ruins, it’s a perfect base for your next RV adventure.
#24 Bike into New Water Mountains Wilderness
Free camping, mountain bike riding, desert hiking, ancient rock art – what’s not to love? Come explore New Water Mountains Wilderness near Quartzsite, Arizona.
#25 Hike and bike from a Hipcamp base
Looking for a new adventure for camping in Arizona? Try a Hipcamp. This option for RV stays has us thinking the camping version of an Air BnB is a great thing. Read on for all Catalina Vista adventures right from the trailer steps.
What bucket list adventures will you be adding to your Arizona stay? Be sure to let us know in the comments!
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