McFarland State Historic Park RV & Campground Guide
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In October 1979, McFarland State Historic Park, found in Florence, Arizona, was officially dedicated and opened to the public. This historic park is home to the First Pinal County Courthouse, a nationally recognized Historic Place, which has been transformed into a museum that centers on the Arizona Territory period of the state’s history. During the late 1800s to early 1900s, the courthouse additionally served Pinal County as a sheriff’s office, jailhouse, and hospital.
The Historic Park itself was named after Ernest McFarland, a former U.S. senator, governor of Arizona, and chief justice of the Arizona Supreme Court who lived from 1894 to 1984. McFarland himself purchased the former courthouse of Pinal County and donated it to the state to become the park it is today. McFarland is also credited as the founder of the Arizona State Parks system, which was created in 1957.
Nearby Cities:
Florence, AZ
Chandler, AZ
Queen Valley, AZ
Gold Canyon, AZ
Spring 46-76 F
Summer 76-105 F
Fall 57-88 F
Winter 39-67 F
RV Resorts & Campsites in McFarland State Historic Park
There is no campground at McFarland State Historic Park.
Rancho Sonora Inn & RV Park
Rancho Sonora is a fantastic place to stay no matter how you get there. A combination inn and RV park, there's a little something for everyone here. Tons of amenities for RV campers make this a welcome respite from the desert sun and days full of fun.
• Full hookups
• Large spaces for big-rig access
• Clubhouse and community areas
• Laundry and shower facilities
• Full communal kitchen
• Dump station
• Propane seller on-site
• Pet-friendly environment
Cottonwood Canyon Road
While this is not an RV park in and of itself, many of the outdoorsy campers in the Florence area like to stay out on the open prairie at Cottonwood Canyon Road. To call the sights in the area beautiful would be an understatement; the natural wonder of this area is well-documented and the main reason to stop by. Given that it's not a true campground, you'll be roughing it without any real amenities outside of your RV, but the experience of camping here is sure to be worth it.
• Great view
• Tent camping space
• Ability to camp anywhere off the road
• Close to town and various other attractions
Schnepf Farms Campground
Schnepf Farms Campground is an extension of Schnepf Farms, a local pick-and-eat farm and event venue. This camp markets itself as a "glamping" experience, so you can enjoy the luxury of a fine hotel from the comfort of your RV. If you're looking for a luxurious break on your road trip, this might be a nice change of pace.
• On-site mobile homes
• Fresh food packages
• Massages
• Gorgeous outdoor communal spaces
• Wi-Fi and cellphone coverage
• Full hookups including water and sewer
• Pet-friendly campsite
• General store on-site
Desert Gardens RV Resort
As the name says, Desert Gardens RV Resort is like an oasis in the desert. A park specifically for people 55 years of age and older, it has a ton to offer seniors. The fun doesn't have to stop just because you're getting older, and this campground is a testament to that mentality in all sorts of ways.
• Full hookups
• Laundry and shower facilities
• Wi-Fi connection
• Trails for both walking and biking
• Pool and spa
• Weekly bingo nights, poker nights, horseshoe tournaments and other fun community activities
• Game room
• Glass-blowing and woodworking shops plus quilting study area
What to Do at
McFarland State Historic Park
After checking out all of the historical exhibits at McFarland State Historic Park, visitors can explore the park's gift shop, which is full of items made by local artisans. Children ages 6 to 12 can also become a Junior Ranger during their visit to this state park by taking a ranger pledge, completing an activity sheet, and receiving a Junior Ranger badge. All visitors can also speak to park staff to learn more about the park's history and the town of Florence's history, plus there are typically staff-led events hosted by the museum on certain Thursdays. Past events have included "Ernest Talks," which are informative chats about local history and ecology, including about Arizona's waterways and deserts. Florence's Farmers Market is also held at the park on the museum's porch on select Saturdays of the year, and these markets feature food items as well as artisan pieces.
While there are not many opportunities for outdoor activities at McFarland State Historic Park, there are opportunities for group museum tours, both for children and for all ages. Groups can also reserve the courtroom at this site for events, and this room can seat up to 39 people. Outside in the courtyard, there are also three picnic tables with a grill under shady trees for all visitors to use without any added fees at any time of year.
Inside McFarland State Historic Park
McFarland State Historic Park is a lot more intimate and indoors than you're probably used to, but that doesn't make it any less fun to be there. First and foremost an educational experience, there's a ton to find out about the buildings that make up the park as well as the town surrounding it. Contained inside the former courthouse is a wealth of information and artifacts from the earliest days of Florence. You can find out the history of the buildings and how they changed over the years, including the time they were used as a German POW camp during the war. True to its name, McFarland State Historic Park does have a nice outdoor area for visitors to enjoy. The courtyard contains three picnic tables for people to use during the hours of operation, and there's even a grill conveniently located under a shade tree if you'd like to cookout.
Nature Watching
While in the courtyard at McFarland State Historic Park, visitors may see local wildlife, including local birds. Common bird species that bird-watchers may see while visiting include the blue mockingbird, streak-backed oriole, northern jacana, tufted flycatcher, ruddy ground-dove, buff-collared nightjar, yellow-green vireo, rufous-backed robin, and ruff.
Flora and Fauna
Small mammals and reptiles may be spotted while in the courtyard of McFarland State Historic Park, and other fauna of the area include Gila monsters, ringtails, rattlesnakes, desert cottontails, and tortoises. Flora of the area may include desert plants such as marsh aster, brittlebush, and blue dicks.
Hiking
While there are no outdoor trails found at McFarland State Historic Park, visitors may walk the indoor historical museum and the outdoor courtyard. Inside the building, you can find exhibits on Florence's local history, Florence's POW camps, Florence's historic hospital, and Ernest McFarland.
How to Get to
McFarland State Historic Park
McFarland State Historic Park is located approximately 63 miles from the heart of Phoenix. To reach the park from Phoenix, take I-10 East toward Tucson for 36 miles. From there, take exit 185 for AZ-187/AZ-387 and make a sharp left onto AZ-387 North. After that, turn right onto AZ-87 South and continue for 7 miles. Continue on AZ-287 East for 8 more miles, and then turn left. From there, continue straight onto South Main Street, and then turn left onto Ruggles Street, and the park will be located on the right.
Entering McFarland State Historic Park
Entrance to the park is $5 per person, and children 18 and under may enter free. Parking for the park is only on city streets.
A trip to McFarland State Historic Park is sure to be an unforgettable event for the whole family. RVshare is happy to see people taking an interest in these kinds of amazing natural places. Whether or not you get an RV rental, RVshare would still like to be part of your trip in a small way. Send some of your great vacation pictures to [email protected] so that the team can see what you got up to and join in on the fun. RVshare could even feature your photos in one of its upcoming blogs.
Frequently Asked Questions About McFarland State Historic Park
Perhaps the best time to visit McFarland State Historic Park is between October and May while the park is open for extended hours from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. This park is also closed on Sundays year-round, and the hours of availability are from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. from June through September.
While most of this state park is located indoors, there is not much wildlife that can be seen at the park. However, visitors who use the outdoor picnic area may be able to spot small animals, including squirrels and songbirds, during their visit.
There are no camping sites for RVs at McFarland State Historic Park, and there are few parking spaces at the park that are large enough for RVs to use. Alternatively, those who want to take their RV to this state park should park off-site and walk to the museum entrance for the best access.
There is no campground at this state historic park, so no camping reservations are accepted. Instead, visitors can reserve the park's day-use facilities, including a meeting space inside the museum's historic courtroom, and the cost to reserve this space is determined on a case-by-case basis.
Pets are allowed at the outdoor picnic area at McFarland State Historic Park, but no animals, aside from service animals, are permitted inside the museum building. While using the outdoor picnic site, pet owners are required to pick up after their pets and keep them on a leash at all times.