If you are looking for a great way to have a staycation this year, try out some of these Arizona state park road trips! You don’t have to travel far and wide to find beauty and majesty! There are tons of great options right here in Arizona.

One of the best things about a road trip is that you get to travel at your own pace! There’s no need to rush, you can stop when you feel like it, explore hidden gems and anything that pops up along the way.
There are options here that will give you a wide variety of choices for timing. If you need a weekend getaway or a longer journey, there’s something for everyone.
Where To Stay:
If you want to get the full Arizona state park road trips experience, reserve a campsite at any of the state parks you decide to visit!
Another option is to check out AirBnB locations along the way. Most are working hard to offer advanced cleaning and exceptional safety during the pandemic.
Of course you can also check out some hotels and plan in advance! Many hotels are offering discounts during the off season so that people can do staycations just like this at more affordable rates!
Arizona State Park Road Trip Destinations:
Let’s take a look at some options for state park road trips here in Arizona. There’s something for everyone from historic locations to those in all major parts of the state!
Historic State Park Road Trip
There are a few historic locations that you can explore via road trip here in Arizona. Check out any of these spots for a rich and diverse experience that’s a little more informative than a regular trip to a state park!
- Fort Verde State Historic Park (Phoenix Area)
- Jerome State Historic Park (Phoenix Area)
- McFarland State Historic Park (Tucson Area)
- Tubac Presidio State Historic Park (Arizona’s very first state park)
- Colorado River State Historic Park
- Yuma Territorial Prison State Historic Park (Yuma Area)
Northern Arizona Road Trip:
Want to explore northern Arizona? This is the road trip for you! There are a bunch of state park locations in Northern Arizona that you’ll want to visit and explore. The great thing about Northern Arizona road trips is that they’re geared towards the outdoors. Nature really shines in Northern Arizona so pack your hiking shoes and get out to see all that mother nature has to offer.
This trek through the Northern Arizona state parks is just what you need to unwind, connect to nature, and let go of some of the stress from this year!
- Dead Horse Ranch State Park
- Red Rock State Park
- Slide Rock State Park
- Jerome State Historic Park
- Fort Verde State Historic Park
- Lyman Lake State Park
Southern Arizona Road Trip:
Now let’s head South and see what there is to explore in the desert! The gorgeous natural beauty of the Sonoran desert is hard to beat so if you’ve never given it a close look, this is the time!
Here’s the first Southern Arizona road trip option, it’s perfect for anyone who really wants to dig in and explore the Sonoran desert!
Here’s another option for those looking to explore in the scenic mountain backdrop of Southern Arizona. This is the scenic route through the Southern Arizona road trips! If you’ve never taken a minute to fully take in the Sky Island region of the state this is your chance!
- Tombstone Courthouse State Historic Park
- Kartchner Caverns State Park
- Patagonia State Park
- Tubac Presidio State Historic Park
Western Arizona Road Trip:
Looking for a reason to explore the Colorado river region of the state? If so, you’ll want to check out the Western Arizona road trip loop! You’ll have plenty of options for outdoor recreation, and all four of these locations are within an hour of each other so it’s a nice option if you want to hit a bunch of parks in one weekend!

Looking for more posts about Arizona?
Here are some of my favorite posts about Arizona and the Surprise area! If you are new to the region, considering a move, or just want to learn more about this great place to call ‘home’ these posts will help!
- Fall Garden Tips for Arizona
- The Fun & Eventful History of Surprise, Arizona!
- Top Tips To Get Through Your First Summer In Surprise
- Where to see Christmas Lights in Surprise AZ and Surrounding Areas
- Where To Find Public Pools In Surprise, Arizona
- Things To Know Before Moving To Surprise, AZ
- Where To Play Pickleball In Surprise, Arizona
- Surprise Homes for Sale



