Eloy is a quiet, beautiful town situated between Phoenix and Tucson. Originally a settlement for people working on the railroad, the town, which now has a population of about 20,000 people, took its name from the East Line of Yuma, the railway its initial residents helped to create. Often thought of as an excellent stopping place along a road trip, Eloy also provides plenty of its own entertainment. The area is surrounded by the gorgeous landscape of the Sonoran Desert, and there are dozens of opportunities for hiking, horseback riding, rock climbing, mountain biking, photography, and wildlife viewing. More adventurous visitors can also do some skydiving. Eloy is home to the world’s largest skydive drop zone, and the town is sometimes thought of as the skydiving capital of the world.
Eloy is also situated near Picacho Peak State Park and is not too far from Saguaro National Park, so visitors will have plenty of outdoor recreation opportunities to choose from. Although Eloy itself is relatively quiet, several major cities are only about an hour away, so there are many nearby options for dining, shopping, and entertainment. Visitors can also spend some time working on their golf skills at the Robson Ranch Golf Club, which is located right in Eloy. Hot air balloon rides are also available during specific seasons, and this unique form of transportation allows visitors to take in the area’s stunning scenery in a new way. Families also often enjoy a stop at the nearby Rooster Cogburn Ostrich Ranch, which is an ostrich farm that also houses sting rays, parrots, goats, rabbits, donkeys, and antelope.
Thanks to its many nearby natural areas, Eloy is a popular camping destination and is home to many RV parks and campgrounds, including the Silverado RV Resort. The resort, located right in Eloy, offers both long- and short-term stay options. You will need to be 55 or older to vacation here, however. The park, which has 350 sites, also provides full hookups, a pool, restrooms, and showers.
The Picacho/Tucson NW KOA Campground is another great camping option. The campground offers 89 sites with full hookups. Pets are welcome, and there is a large fenced dog walking field. A nearby restaurant offers excellent dining options, and the campground also features showers and a laundry area.
For a less rugged camping experience, the High Chaparral RV Park in Casa Grande offers 171 sites and provides daily, weekly, or monthly rates. Six-month and yearly stay rates are also offered at a discounted price. Guests of the park can also enjoy a pool, hot tub, and nearby golfing options.
One of Eloy’s closest attractions, Picacho Peak State Park is the site of the only Civil War battle to take place in Arizona. Aside from its historical importance, this park, which is only about 15 minutes outside of Eloy, provides many recreational opportunities. Visitors who explore the area during the spring months will be welcomed by fields of wildflowers. There are several hiking and mountain biking trail options, and many people choose to horseback ride through the park. The peak also provides beautiful views.
A different sort of state park, McFarland State Historic Park is located in the nearby town of Florence, which is about a 35-minute drive from Eloy. The park encompasses several historic buildings, and visitors can learn more about the town’s settlement and history, including a period when the town and its buildings were used as German POW camps. Although the majority of the park is made up of indoor exhibits and buildings, there are also several places to picnic, and visitors can enjoy the area’s beautiful weather while walking around the town.
For more natural beauty, head to Boyce Thompson Arboretum State Park. As the name suggests, the park encompasses about 390 acres of gardens and greenery. Visitors can meander along a short trail while viewing desert plant species. Some plants are native to the area, while others are from around the world. The park, which is about an hour’s drive from Eloy, also provides exceptional views of the nearby landscape and rock formations.
A fascinating monument that is only about 20 minutes from Eloy, Casa Grande National Monument is a great place to learn about the people who inhabited the area from 1350 to 1450 C.E. The monument is home to a large four-story structure and parts of an irrigation system and walled compound. Historians are unsure of the building’s exact purpose, but visitors can gather facts about the building and the surrounding site by meandering through the area and reading the many interpretive signs.
Hohokam Pima National Monument is another monument dedicated to the history of ancient native cultures. The site, which is located in the Gila River Indian Community, is home to an ancient Hohokam village. Visitors can explore the area to learn more about the Hohokam, Pima, and Gila River Native Americans. There are also several nearby hiking, horseback riding, and mountain biking trails. For more information about the area’s history, the nearby Chandler Museum and Huhugam Heritage Center are excellent stops. The monument itself is only about 50 minutes from Eloy.
Located about two hours from Eloy, Tonto National Monument celebrates yet another Native American culture. The monument sits in the Superstition Mountains and was once the home of the native Salado people. Visitors can explore the desert area and take in the beautiful sights created by the Salt River. The area is also home to cliff dwellings, and several areas allow visitors to observe artifacts such as pottery and woven cloths. There are also some beautiful hiking trails throughout the monument.
One of the largest national forests in the U.S., Tonto National Forest covers 2.8 million acres. It’s bisected by the Salt River, which creates six reservoirs, and the Verde Wild and Scenic River also crosses sections of the forest. Because of these rivers and the size of the forest, visitors can explore diverse landscapes, including desert, mountain, and forested areas. There are also many opportunities for camping, hiking, boating, swimming, and fishing. Many of the area’s trails offer stunning views. The forest is located near Phoenix.
Coronado National Forest, which is located near Tucson, is marked by several jagged canyons. These canyons create amazing sightseeing opportunities and also make for excellent hiking and rock climbing options. The forest provides opportunities for fishing, mountain biking, boating, and camping as well. In addition, visitors can view wildlife or take in gorgeous desert plant and cacti species, some of which are not found anywhere else on the planet. Birds of prey, coyotes, rabbits, deer, snakes, songbirds, and lizards are all common sights.
Located near the Mogollon Rim and the White Mountains, Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest offers several wilderness landscapes for visitors to explore. Although parts of the forest are desert, other parts are mountainous or covered in dense trees. The area is also home to gorgeous lakes and meadows. During the warmer seasons, hiking, mountain biking, swimming, and fishing are popular activities. Snow activities such as cross-country skiing and snowshoeing are common during the winter months. The forest is also home to several lovely campgrounds.
Located only about 40 minutes from Eloy, Saguaro National Park is a fantastic way for visitors to explore the exceptional desert environment surrounding Eloy and the nearby towns and cities. The park is popular with hikers and mountain bikers, and there are also several rock climbing opportunities. Other visitors seek out the park to take in cacti species, such as the park’s namesake saguaro, as well as chollas, prickly pears, and ocotillos. Many animals, such as snakes, lizards, jackrabbits, coyotes, hawks, quails, roadrunners, javelina, and bobcats, also call the park home.
For a different sort of scenery, many visitors head to Petrified Forest National Park. The park shares many desert features of Saguaro National Park, but it also lets visitors glimpse colorful rocks, which are scattered throughout the area. These rocks were once trees that grew millions of years ago and have turned to stone. The park is also home to other historically important sites, including petroglyphs and more than 600 archeological sites. Visitors can also spot wildlife, hike, or enjoy many photography opportunities. The park is about four hours from Eloy.
Grand Canyon National Park is about a four drive from Eloy, but it’s worth the road trip. The park is home to the longest canyon in the world, and visitors will be able to take in stunning views and enjoy unparalleled photography opportunities. This gorgeous park also provides many options for challenging hikes, rock climbing locations, horseback riding, rafting, and camping. Weather and temperatures fluctuate throughout the park’s 1.2 million acres, so always check the weather before heading out.
Motorhomes are divided into Class A, B, and C vehicles. On average expect to pay $185 per night for Class A, $149 per night for Class B and $179 per night for Class C. Towable RVs include 5th Wheel, Travel Trailers, Popups, and Toy Hauler. On average, in Eloy, AZ, the 5th Wheel trailer starts at $70 per night. Pricing for the Travel Trailer begins at $60 per night, and the Popup Trailer starts at $65 per night.
Do you need to be a certain age to rent an RV in Eloy?Yes. The minimum age is 25 to be eligible to get an RV Rental in Eloy from RVshare.
Does RVshare have emergency roadside assistance?Yes. Every RV rental booked through RVshare receives 24/7 emergency roadside assistance.
Does RVshare offer one way RV rentals in Eloy?Yes. Prior to renting any RV, check with the owner since not all will offer this particular option.
