Joshua Tree to Flagstaff Road Trip Guide

Before hitting I-40, spend a morning exploring your starting point. Joshua Tree National Park is a 790,000-acre wonderland that showcases two distinct desert ecosystems—the higher Mojave Desert (home to namesake Joshua trees) and lower Colorado Desert (featuring jumping cholla gardens and fan palm oases). The park sits at the junction where these worlds collide, creating habitat for a fascinating variety of desert wildlife and plants.

Must-see spots: Keys View offers panoramic vistas across the Coachella Valley to the Salton Sea (on clear days, you can see Mexico). Skull Rock provides iconic photo ops accessible via a short trail. The Hidden Valley loop (1 mile) reveals why rock climbers worldwide flock here—towering granite formations create natural amphitheaters perfect for exploration. Cap your visit at Cholla Cactus Garden during golden hour when the setting sun illuminates jumping cholla spines like fiber optic wires.

Plan 3-4 hours minimum for a meaningful visit. Nine developed campgrounds offer RV camping; book well ahead or arrive midweek for first-come, first-served sites. October through April sees perfect desert hiking weather. For extended stays, consider Reflection Lake RV Park & Campground near Aguanga, providing full hookups and easy access to both Joshua Tree and the route north.

Best for: Rock climbers, desert photographers, stargazing enthusiasts, families with adventurous kids

If you stop at Lake Havasu, you can leave your RV at a local campground and head north on Highway 10 to Oatman, Arizona, or take a side trip off of Interstate 40 as you pass and head southwest on Highway 10 from McConnico, for 20 miles, to visit what is described as a “Living Ghost Town”. The highway is a remnant of historic Route 66, and is not particularly well maintained, with washouts and sharp turns, so you will need to take it slow and leave low clearance vehicles at more appropriate locations.

This iconic “old wild west” town won't disappoint and is well worth the side trip. The town of Oatman is small, with a population of only 200, and about 150 yards of street front, but packed with historical buildings, and plenty of nostalgia. The town comes complete with wild burros wandering through the streets, the descendants of beasts of burden once used in local gold mining activities, and then turned loose to fend for themselves.

Also, watch out for gunfights. Two groups, the Bitter Creek Outlaws and the Ghostriders have “mock” gunfights several times daily, by simply walking out into the street and putting on an improvised show. The entertainment is free but donations are accepted for a local charity. Gunfights during the offseason are only held on weekends.

This unexpected Colorado River oasis offers a perfect lunch stop or overnight break 140 miles into your journey. Yes, that's the actual London Bridge—purchased, dismantled, shipped, and reconstructed stone-by-stone in 1971 by chainsaw magnate Robert McCulloch. The transplanted Victorian-era bridge now spans a man-made channel, creating Arizona's second-most-visited tourist attraction after the Grand Canyon.

Beyond the novelty, Lake Havasu City delivers genuine recreation. The lake itself—actually a dammed section of the Colorado River—stretches 45 miles with 400 miles of shoreline. Rent kayaks or paddleboards from the beach near the bridge. In summer, locals flock here to escape inland heat (ironic, since temps still hit 110°F). The Havasu Riviera feels like mini-Miami with palm trees, outdoor cafes, and waterfront promenades.

RVers appreciate the easy access and amenities. Park near the bridge for an hour or settle in at lakeside campgrounds for swimming, fishing, and watersports. The visitor center (tucked under the bridge's London side) offers clean restrooms and fascinating bridge history exhibits. Don't miss the kitschy English Village adjacent—it's full-on Tudor theming in the Arizona desert.

Best for: Bridge enthusiasts, watersports lovers, families seeking a swim break, quirky roadside Americana fans

About 20 miles north of Flagstaff off Highway 180, this natural lava tube offers a unique underground adventure to cap your desert-to-mountains journey. Formed roughly 700,000 years ago when molten lava flowed beneath a hardening crust, the tube stretches nearly a mile—one of Arizona's longest.

The cave maintains a constant 42°F year-round, providing natural air conditioning after hot desert driving. Bring jackets, sturdy shoes (the floor is uneven, cooled lava), and powerful flashlights or headlamps (the cave is pitch black beyond the entrance collapse). The self-guided exploration descends via steep stairs at the collapsed entrance, then follows the surprisingly circular tunnel downstream.

What makes it special: Unlike commercialized cave tours with lights and handrails, Lava River Cave delivers authentic spelunking. You'll navigate by your own light, touch 700,000-year-old lava formations, and experience true darkness if you extinguish lights (try it—the absolute blackness is rare and memorable). The tube's almost perfect circular shape appears machine-bored rather than naturally formed.

Open seasonally (roughly April-October, weather depending). No fee, no reservations—just show up. The Forest Service maintains basic facilities (vault toilets, parking), but nothing else. Arrive before noon on summer weekends when the small parking area fills. Allow 1.5-2 hours for exploration—the round trip covers about 1.5 miles.

Safety notes: The cave stays just above freezing year-round, creating ice in the first 200 feet during winter/spring. Wear layers. Bring backup light sources. The uneven floor requires attention—twisted ankles happen to distracted visitors. Not recommended for very young children or those with mobility limitations.

Best for: Adventure-seeking families with older kids, geology enthusiasts, anyone wanting a unique natural experience, travelers escaping desert heat