Roadtrip with RVshare Tucson to White River National Forest

When you take a road trip from Tucson to White River National Forest, you travel from an arid desert area to a massive 2.2-million-acre series of high peaks that fosters 12 ski resorts. It is a journey that takes you through extremes. While Tucson is famous for its saguaro cacti, the White River National Forest provides activities in one of the most visited forests in the land. Most visitors come to the forest for its skiing opportunities, but many others come for its wildlife which includes deer, elk, mountain sheep, mountain goats, mountain lions, bobcats, lynx, bears, and moose to name a few. Along your route, there are several national and state parks that deserve a visit. To see as much as possible during your journey, follow this road trip itinerary from Tucson to White River National Forest.

Nearby National Parks

Petrified Forest National Park

When you reach Flagstaff, AZ, 260 miles into your road trip from Tucson to White River National Forest, take a 90-mile detour east to visit Petrified Forest National Park. Covering 221,391 acres of desert, the park includes an astounding display of forest fossils. Many visitors come to enjoy the surreal landscape, which consists of the section lovingly referred to as the "Painted Desert," where ancient rivers carved away lands to reveal layers of limestone deposits of different colors. Hikers who wander through the park come across several petroglyphs carved by Native Americans thousands of years ago.

Grand Canyon National Park

Returning to Flagstaff from the Petrified Forest National Park, travelers find themselves a short distance from the main entrance to the Grand Canyon National Park. Known for its intense beauty, the park features more than a deep canyon. Hiking, biking, and horseback riding trails take visitors to the canyon floor, where they can fish the Colorado River. Guided whitewater rafting tours are available. Protected wildlife flourishing in the park include bighorn sheep, mule deer, mountain lions, gray foxes, an extensive array of reptiles, and numerous bird and rodent species.

Canyonlands National Park

When you reach Monticello, UT, you are 529 miles into your Tucson to White River National Forest road trip. Here, you find the doorway to Canyonlands National Park. It covers 337,598 acres of picturesque canyons and high buttes carved by the Colorado River over millennia. Hiking trails venture amongst the thousands of canyons, taking visitors into depths where they find intriguing rocky outcrops, pools full of native fish, and spectacular multicolored cliffs. 

Arches National Park

Immediately north of Moab, UT, 583 miles into your road trip from Tucson to White River National Forest, sits Arches National Park. The park features over 2,000 natural arches within its borders. Covering 76,679 acres, the park presents an eroded desert landscape that beckons visitors to explore its hills and valleys. The arches are considered so delicate that federal regulations require aircraft to bypass its airspace to avoid damage via vibration. 

Nearby State Parks

Catalina State Park  

Catalina State Park is located 24 miles north of Tucson, just off the direct route for your Tucson to White River National Forest RV road trip. Over 5,000 saguaro cacti live in this 5,493-acre park. Located at the base of the majestic Catalina Mountains, the park offers miles of hiking and biking trails that lead into the foothills of the mountain range. It is a great place for bird watchers as over 150 bird species live inside the park. Desert wildflowers cover the hillsides during spring months while the cacti stand silent guard over an incredible array of wildlife.

Homolovi State Park

Stop at Homolovi State Park on your detour to see the Petrified Forest National Park. It is located near Winslow, AZ, just 33 miles from the national park. Homolovi is the home of several Native American Hopi tribe structures built in pre-Columbian times. Active archaeological digs reveal much of the way of life of these people who survived in a harsh arid environment for hundreds of years. Evidence suggests that the climate during those times was much as it is now. Adventurous hikers find many trails in this park that venture into the desert, some of which wander past petroglyphs left by Hopi artists hundreds of years ago. 

Rifle Falls State Park

After hundreds of miles crossing the Arizona and Utah deserts, you will love stopping at Rifle Falls State Park to take a dip in the river pools. Located near Rifle, CO, this park is 755 miles into your road trip from Tucson to White River National Park. The park features a triple waterfall with caves beneath the cascading waters that are a spelunker's dream. Wildlife, including mule deer, elk, coyote, and the elusive golden-mantled ground squirrel, use this 70-acre park as a watering hole. Hiking trails run throughout the park under a dense canopy of deciduous trees.

Along the Way

Presidio San Agustin del Tucson Museum

Before embarking on your Tucson to White River National Forest RV road trip, stop at the Presidio San Agustin del Tucson Museum to learn about Tucson's history. Founded in 1775, the Presidio, or fort, protected citizens for nearly 90 years before the Spanish withdrew from the area in favor of the United States. The museum's exhibits include Native American artifacts from over 8,000 years ago and items left from the Spanish occupation of the area. At the museum, visitors explore virtual history as well as real-life reenactments of events.

Museum of Northern Arizona

Located 260 miles into your Tucson to White River National Forest, the Museum of Northern Arizona is dedicated to preserving the Native American cultures that inhabited the area for over 8,000 years. The museum exhibits historical items that reveal the lives Native Americans experienced in the harsh conditions of the Arizona deserts. 

Museum of the West

Located south of Grand Junction, CO, 696 miles into your Tucson to White River National Forest road trip, the Museum of the West focuses on the history of western Colorado. Displays include artifacts over 1,000 years old that were discovered on the Colorado Plateau. A special exhibit contains one of the most complete collections of old west firearms ever assembled.

Main Cities You Will Pass Through

Phoenix, AZ

Phoenix, AZ, is on the direct route of your Tucson to White River National Forest road trip. The city is the largest in Arizona and features spectacular scenery, high rises, and a fascinating history. Visiting museums like the Heard Museum, the Martin Auto Museum, and the Arizona Latino Arts and Culture Center provides a vivid reminder of the array of civilizations that have called this area home. While you are here, take advantage of one of its dump stations. To take in the city’s sights, stay a few days at one of the many campgrounds near the city.

Prescott, AZ

Before you reach Flagstaff on your road trip from Tucson to White River National Forest, you pass near Prescott, AZ. A slight detour west to visit the city is worth your time. Prescott was the first capital of the Arizona Territory, as the sites that enliven the town demonstrate. Here you find some intriguing restaurants with a mix of cuisines, including Native American, Mexican, and American. While you are in the city, take advantage of the numerous dump stations and campgrounds that surround it.

Grand Junction, CO

Grand Junction, CO, lies at the confluence of the Colorado and Gunnison Rivers, which in the days before the construction of highways made it a vital crossroads for trade in the area. Maintaining its position as a crossroads, Grand Junction today is a major intersection for traffic from the east and the west. Restaurants of nearly every cuisine occupy the streets of the town. Visiting eateries like Bin 707 Foodbar and 626 Onroad gets you back into your RV and down the road quickly. RV traffic is heavy, which increases the demand for the dump stations and campgrounds that Grand Junction provides.

Find Adventure from Tucson to White River National Forest

Find your One-Way Rental

When you follow this road trip itinerary from Tucson to White River National Forest, you will enjoy historic locations and beautiful scenery along the way. If you want to travel in comfort and style, consider an RV rental from RVshare. From large motorhomes to compact campervans, there is a rig that will meet your travel and budget needs. Once you hit the road, you are protected by our renter guarantee and 24/7 roadside assistance. Find the perfect vehicle for your travel needs in Tucson or White River National Forest.