San Diego to Albuquerque Road Trip Guide

Just 2 hours and 45 minutes from San Diego lies this 800,000-acre desert wonderland where two ecosystems collide. The higher Mojave Desert meets the lower Colorado Desert, creating ideal habitat for the park's namesake Joshua trees—those otherworldly, Dr. Seuss-like plants that define the landscape. Joshua Tree National Park offers exceptional rock climbing, stargazing (International Dark Sky Park designation), and hiking through surreal boulder formations.

Must-see spots include Skull Rock (easy roadside stop), Keys View lookout (panoramic desert vistas), and Hidden Valley (moderate 1-mile loop). Nine developed campgrounds offer 500+ sites, mostly first-come, first-served, October through May. The park warns that summer temperatures exceed 100°F—visit from September through May for comfortable conditions.

Park at Palm Springs/Joshua Tree KOA for resort amenities including natural hot springs pools, miniature golf, and full hookups. This elegant campground puts you 25 minutes from the park's west entrance.

RV Note: Belle Campground inside the park restricts RVs to 35 feet maximum. Larger rigs should use the KOA as a base camp.

This 45-mile-long desert oasis provides welcome relief from I-10's hot asphalt. Lake Havasu's blue-green waters attract boaters, swimmers, and water sports enthusiasts year-round, though summer weekends see heavy crowds. The famous London Bridge (yes, the actual 1830s bridge relocated from England) spans the lake in Lake Havasu City—a quirky roadside photo op worth the 20-minute detour.

Lake Havasu State Park offers two campgrounds with water and electric hookups. The Mohave Campground accommodates RVs up to 45 feet with lakefront sites providing stunning sunset views. Reserve 2-3 weeks ahead for March-May peak season; summer heat (110°F+) means lighter crowds and same-day availability.

Before reaching Flagstaff, stop at this drive-through wildlife park where North American animals roam in natural habitats. Drive your RV through 160 acres observing black bears, wolves, bison, and bighorn sheep from your vehicle's safety. The Fort Bearizona walk-through area lets you observe smaller animals, including otters, badgers, and porcupines, up close.

Bearizona opens year-round (weather permitting) from 9 AM, making it a perfect late-morning stop. Budget 2-3 hours for the complete experience. Located directly off I-40 Exit 171, it's impossible to miss and offers RV parking.

Stay nearby at Williams/Exit 167/Circle Pines KOA, nestled in ponderosa pines with go-karts, miniature golf, and hot tub. This campground serves as an excellent Grand Canyon base camp—the South Rim entrance sits just 60 miles north.

A road trip through Arizona practically demands a Grand Canyon stop. The South Rim stays open year-round with full services, unlike the seasonal North Rim. Grand Canyon National Park stretches 277 miles long, up to 18 miles wide, and plunges over 6,000 feet deep—statistics that fail to capture its breathtaking reality.

Start at the Grand Canyon Visitor Center near Mather Point for orientation and ranger program schedules. The Rim Trail offers paved, accessible walking with jaw-dropping views every few feet—walk as little or as much as you want. Desert View Watchtower (25 miles east) provides 360-degree panoramas and Native American cultural exhibits.

Mather Campground inside the park offers 327 sites accommodating RVs up to 30 feet. Reservations open 6 months in advance and sell out within hours for summer dates. Alternatively, Flagstaff KOA sits 80 miles south at 7,000-foot elevation among ponderosa pines, offering full hookups, barrel train rides for kids, and a jumping pillow.

Budget Tip: The South Rim entrance fee ($35) is included with your National Parks Annual Pass.

Step back 225 million years at this park, preserving one of the world's largest concentrations of petrified wood. Ancient trees transformed into rainbow-hued stone lie scattered across painted desert badlands. Petrified Forest's 28-mile scenic drive (suitable for any RV size) connects multiple overlooks, short trails, and 800-year-old petroglyphs at Newspaper Rock.

The Painted Desert section showcases striped badlands in purples, reds, and grays—otherworldly landscapes that seem borrowed from Mars. Crystal Forest Trail (easy 0.75-mile loop) brings you closest to massive petrified logs. Blue Mesa Trail (moderate 1-mile loop) descends into blue-gray badlands for an immersive experience.

No campgrounds exist within the park, but nearby Holbrook/Petrified Forest KOA accommodates rigs up to 110 feet with 50-amp service. This full-service campground sits just 20 miles from the park entrance with basketball courts, volleyball, playground, and evening campfires.

Pro Tip: Stop at both the north (Painted Desert) and south (Rainbow Forest) visitor centers—each offers unique exhibits about the park's 200-million-year history.

Spanish for "badlands," El Malpais preserves a volcanic landscape frozen in time. Massive lava flows, cinder cones, lava tube caves, and natural arches create a stark, beautiful moonscape. The park's centerpiece—the El Calderon area—features accessible lava tubes you can explore with a flashlight (bring two backup light sources and wear sturdy shoes).

The 17-mile El Malpais Scenic Byway (NM-53) passes spectacular volcanic formations including La Ventana Natural Arch, New Mexico's second-largest arch. Pull off anywhere along the byway for photos—the black lava contrasts dramatically against blue skies and yellow rabbitbrush.

Joe Skeen Campground within the monument offers primitive camping with pit toilets but no water. Most RVers prefer staying in nearby Grants (30 minutes east) for full hookups before continuing to Albuquerque.

Before reaching Albuquerque, visit "Sky City"—America's oldest continuously inhabited settlement, occupied since 1150 AD. Acoma Pueblo sits atop a 367-foot sandstone mesa with spectacular valley views. The Sky City Cultural Center & Haak'u Museum preserves Acoma traditions while sharing 1,000+ years of history.

Guided walking tours (required for mesa access) depart Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays. Tours include the stunning San Esteban del Rey Mission, built in 1629 without nails or metal hardware. The Cultural Center shop sells authentic Acoma pottery—renowned worldwide for intricate geometric designs and paper-thin walls.

Cultural Respect Note: Photography is prohibited inside the pueblo and during ceremonial dances. Dress modestly (no shorts or sleeveless tops recommended) and wear comfortable walking shoes for the steep mesa access.

As you approach Albuquerque, the Sandia Mountains tower 5,000 feet above the city's east side. The Sandia Peak Tramway—one of the world's longest aerial trams—whisks you 2.7 miles from desert landscape at 6,559 feet to alpine forest at 10,378 feet in just 15 minutes.

From the summit, panoramic views span 11,000 square miles across central New Mexico. High Finance Restaurant at the top offers fine dining with unbeatable vistas. Dozens of hiking trails depart from the summit for forest exploration. In winter (December-March), Sandia Peak Ski Area operates North America's most urban ski resort.

Park your RV at Albuquerque KOA or Albuquerque North/Bernalillo KOA with seasonal pools, hot tubs, and close access to both the tramway and downtown attractions.