State Parks near Payson, AZ

The Agua Fria National Monument is located near Black Canyon City, Arizona, which is in the central portion of the state. The park is situated in a very rural portion of this arid state. The nearest larger town is Anthem, at is around 25 miles to the south. The nearest large city is Phoenix, which is around 50 miles to the south, while the larger town of Flagstaff is about 90 miles to the north.Agua Fria National Monument is located just off of I-17, so it is very easy to find. This portion of Arizona consists of a flatter, grassland area, surrounded by rugged, arid mountains. There are a number of outdoor recreational activities that can be enjoyed …

Situated in southern Arizona is Boyce Thompson Arboretum State Park. This state park is believed to be one of the oldest botanical gardens in the United States. It was originally founded in 1924 as a desert horticultural research facility before being converted into a public garden.Boyce Thompson Arboretum State Park is known for its numerous plants and contains one of the largest Eucalyptus trees in the country. Thanks to its location within the Sonoran Desert, the park is often visited by a vast amount of wildlife, which ranges from hummingbirds to Gila monsters.

The Casa Grande Ruins National Monument is located near Coolidge, Arizona, which is in the south-central portion of the state. The nearest large city is Phoenix, which is also the capital of the state and is over 50 miles to the northwest. In addition, the city of Tuscon is around 70 miles to the southeast.The ruins are situated in the flat, desert ecosystem that is common to this portion of the state. They are in a rural area that offers many recreational opportunities, including hiking and stargazing. With two large cities within an easy days-drive, there are also restaurants and museums, and other historical sites easily available.

The 100-year-old massive Coconino National Forest sprawls out over more than 1.8 million acres in northern Arizona just south of Flagstaff. The terrain here varies, offering dessert at lower altitudes, but as you climb up, a rich forest is budding with life. Since it is so large, the Coconino National Forest is split into three distinct ranger districts (Flagstaff, Mogollon Rim, and Red Rock). Each area is home to some pretty rad natural wonders that you may not think that exist in this type of environment.Consider booking an RV rental to Coconino National Forest to see the decades of growth and development this land has endured. In 1908, President Roosevelt officially consolidated what was the San Francisco Mountains …

A cool climate, sunny disposition, and picturesque waterways make Dead Horse Ranch State Park one of the top outdoor recreation destinations in Arizona. Spend your days picnicking by the river, hiking through cottonwood forests, and exploring scenic paddling routes. Venture outside the park and you can discover local attractions like the Tuzigoot National Monument and Clemenceau Heritage Museum.Planning your next adventure? RV rentals in Yavapai County make it easy to discover the Grand Canyon State. Spend a few days camping at Dead Horse Ranch State Park, then move on to other gems like the Prescott National Forest or Grand Canyon National Park. At less than a two-hour drive from the state capital, Dead Horse Ranch State Park is popular …

Fool Hollow Lake Recreation Area is in east-central Arizona, close to the towns of Snowflake, Whiteriver, and Show Low. Fool Hollow Lake Recreation Area lies on, as the name suggests, Fool Hollow Lake. This man-made freshwater lake was created in 1957 with the damming and impounding of both Show Low Creek and Fool Hollow Wash. The park also lies in one of the largest contiguous belts of ponderosa pine forests in the world. Sitting on the lakeshore of Fool Hollow Lake Recreation Area and enveloped by the lush pine forests of southwestern America, it is easy to see why so many choose to spend their vacations here.From its appealing location, its fantastic fishing and boating, Fool …

The name Homolovi means 'Little Hills' in Hopi, which is the original name of Winslow, AZ. Although the park is a fantastic way to get outdoors and explore the dramatic landscape of Arizona, it primarily serves as the center of research of the Hopi from 1200 to the 1300s. Archaeologists study the many archaeological sites in the area while also providing those that rent an RV in Navajo County with the chance to see the sites and learn more about the history of the area.There are a number of trails waiting to be explored, as well as several pull-outs on the road that allows visitors to observe wildlife in the park, which covers over 4000 acres. When exploring …

Honey Bee Canyon Park is situated toward the southern edge of Arizona. This park spans 77 acres long and is filled with unique areas that visitors can explore, including a secluded spot filled with ancient petroglyphs. In addition to this, Honey Bee Canyon Park is a popular area for wildlife, and visitors can often see colorful hummingbirds flying around.Honey Bee Canyon Park tends to be very hot year-round with temperatures sometimes reaching into the 100s in the middle of the summer. This park is a short drive away from Tucson.

When you’re aiming to touch the sky, book an RV rental in Kachina Peaks Wilderness. Within its 18,960 acres of forests and mountains, you’ll reach heights that are found nowhere else in Arizona. The wilderness area is not accessible by vehicle and encompasses many of the upper peaks of the San Francisco Peaks. This includes the state’s highest point, Humphrey’s Peak, which hovers at an impressive 12,643 feet. Kachina Peaks Wilderness is actually a part of the Coconino National Forest, which is one of six national forests in Arizona.The name “Kachina” comes from the area’s indigenous people as this land is sacred to them. The Kachinas, or Hopi deities, are said to live within the Kachina Peaks Wilderness …

Just the name alone of Lost Dutchman State Park conjures up romantic visions of buried treasure and the mysteries of the desert. This small 320-acre park 40 miles east of Phoenix packs in loads of history and activities, and supposedly a wealth of gold underneath the red dirt. In addition to great hiking and mountain biking, it's also an excellent spot for wildlife enthusiasts, bird watchers, and stargazers. It's a must-see park if you're going to book an RV in Pinal County.Native Americans inhabited the Superstition Mountains for thousands of years, up to the 19th century. Signs of their cliff dwellings are still visible in the area. Gold prospectors searched for their fortunes in more recent times, and …

Lyman Lake State Park, in east-central Arizona, is a wonderful place to visit when you book an RV in Apache County. Lyman Lake was originally created to be an irrigation reservoir by damming up the Little Colorado River and has grown into a popular recreation destination. The lake covers 1,500 acres at regular levels and typically rests at an elevation approximately 6,000 feet. Motorhome camping near the lake will put you between St. Johns and Springerville, both good towns to visit for supplies and activities when visiting Lyman Lake State Park.Lyman Lake is fed by the Little Colorado River, which in turn is part of a 790-square mile watershed that extends throughout Arizona and even into New …

The McDowell Sonoran Preserve in the state of Arizona is considered amongst the country’s largest urban parks, covering a massive 30,500-acres. Located in the city of Scottsdale, the preserve is great for an RV rental vacation. The scenic McDowell Mountains are located within the preserve, adding to the rugged scenic beauty. Renting an RV is a convenient way of accessing and moving around McDowell Sonoran Preserve on your motorhome camping trip. For visitors without their rig, RV rentals in Maricopa County make it easy to explore the surrounding areas.  McDowell Sonoran Preserve is one of the most sought-after outdoor recreation spots in Arizona, considering the range of adventure activities available for thrill-seekers to immerse themselves in. In addition to …

The Petrified Forest National Park is located near the tiny town of Adamana, Arizona, which is in the northeastern portion of this state. The nearest larger town is Holbrook, which lies around 20 miles to the west. The nearest larger city is Flagstaff, at over 100 miles to the west. The park also sits less than 50 miles from the border the state shares with its neighbor to the east, New Mexico.Petrified Forest National Park is conveniently situated directly off of I-40, so you should have no trouble finding it. This portion of the state is comprised mostly of dry deserts and scrub brush, so it is quite rural. Fortunately, you will find plenty of gas stations …