Los Angeles to Phoenix Road Trip Guide

One hour east of Palm Springs lies California's largest inland lake and one of the most unique ecosystems in North America. The Salton Sea's high salinity creates an otherworldly environment supporting over 400 bird species.

This fascinating destination offers 14 miles of trails and shoreline access, making it perfect for photographers and nature enthusiasts. The lake's unusual ecosystem supports unique fish species and provides critical habitat for migratory birds along the Pacific Flyway.

The state park provides RV camping with hookups, restrooms, and shower facilities. Evening visits offer spectacular sunsets over the water, creating mirror-like reflections of the surrounding mountains.

A slight detour south of I-10 leads to this vast wilderness in the heart of the Sonoran Desert. Covering 665,400 acres, Kofa provides habitat for desert bighorn sheep and the rare native palm groves hidden in remote canyons.

The refuge showcases classic desert landscapes with saguaro cacti, desert ironwood, and the historic Kofa Mountains. Visitors often spot wildlife, including desert tortoises, roadrunners, and the elusive desert bighorn sheep.

Dispersed camping is allowed throughout most of the refuge (avoiding waterhole areas), offering incredible stargazing opportunities far from city lights.

Located in Buckeye, AZ, this 8,700-acre mountain wilderness nestled in the White Tank Mountains offers a perfect final stop before Phoenix. The park features seven campsites with ramadas and 17 trails of varying difficulty levels.

Popular activities include mountain biking, hiking, and horseback riding through diverse desert terrain. The elevation changes provide cooler temperatures and scenic vistas of the surrounding valley.

Trail options range from easy nature walks to challenging mountain climbs, making it accessible for all fitness levels. Dogs are welcome, making it perfect for travelers with pets.

After a two-hours drive from Los Angeles, you’ll reach Palm Springs, CA, an entire city made up of hot water spas. One of the most beautiful attractions of this majestic city is the Tahquitz Canyon. The canyon is also culturally significant.

What makes it really spectacular is the waterfall that it boasts that lies right in the middle of the desert. This 60-foot waterfall in the canyon creates a neat little oasis that any person seeking solitude would come to love.

It also boasts rock art, native wildlife, and plant life as well as an ancient irrigation system. The Canyon can be reached after a two-mile hike. The Tahquitz Canyon is situated in the Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians reservation.

Since this area is historically and culturally important, you’d be required to pay a fee, and are also expected to leave the place as you found it. Unlike other canyons of L.A., this one is free of graffiti.

After a two-hour drive from Los Angeles, Palm Springs serves as the perfect introduction to desert life. This oasis city offers hot springs spas, trendy restaurants, and the stunning Tahquitz Canyon waterfall—a 60-foot cascade creating an unexpected oasis in the desert.

The canyon holds cultural significance for the Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians and features a moderate 1.8-mile hiking trail suitable for most fitness levels. The visitor center provides interpretive exhibits about desert ecology and Native American heritage.

For RV parking, several resorts cater to visitors, including Desert Paradise RV Resort and nearby Acton/Los Angeles North KOA for those preferring mountain settings.