Where to experience the best of the spring season with your RV campervan!
As the sun begins to shine and the warm spring air wipes away the frosts of winter, the incredible shifting scenery of the Southwest suddenly comes to life. Many will look to the oncoming warm weather with growing anticipation for a trip back out into nature. There are so many incredible sights in the Southwest, it’s hard to choose where to drive to first when the camping season arrives. To help you out here’s a guide to the best places in the Southwest to visit with your RV or motorhome in the springtime.
Antelope Valley California Poppy Reserve, CA
The best of the springtime blossoms in California can be found at the Antelope Valley Poppy Reserve. As you approach the valley in your campervan, the desert terrain is slowly replaced by a constellation of colors. The stunning display unfolding before your eyes is only accentuated by the delightful scents of the native flowers that surround you. The naturally fiery colors of the Californian poppy set the hilltops ablaze under the shining sun. You can park your vehicle and walk alongside fields of wildflowers for hours as you soak in the serenity of spring. When you get tired, sit and rest on one of the many benches scattered throughout the reserve. If you’re very still, you have a chance of glimpsing the native meadowlarks or desert mice.
Angeles Crest Scenic Byway, CA
An astonishing route, from start to finish, the Angeles Crest Scenic Byway is the road to take for anyone whose love of campervans extends to the joy of driving. Beginning just outside of downtown LA, this route heads east, twisting through the Angeles National Forest before spiraling along with the staggering San Gabriel mountain range. Every second behind the wheel offers a different breathtaking view out the window, as the woods and peaks are suddenly replaced by the vast indifferent beauty of the Mojave Desert. Driving the Angeles Crest Byway in the spring gives you a chance to see the route as it is highlighted by the hues of the seasonal wildflowers.
Bearizona Safari Park, AZ
If you’re driving in Arizona in the springtime, then you’re lucky enough to be near the Bearizona Safari Park at its best. This incredible drive-through wildlife reserve, to the east of Flagstaff, is home to lots of fascinating species that you wouldn’t normally see on a Southwest road trip. Explore the trails of Bearizona from the safety of your RV camper as you witness the animals roaming free around their wide territories. As promised by its name, Bearizona offers you the chance to see black bears and grizzly bears, but that’s definitely not all. The park is also filled with wolves, bison, otters, bobcats, foxes, and even jaguars. A visit to the reserve in spring means that most of the wildlife will be lazing in the sunlight and you’ll even get the chance to see cubs and kittens along your drive.
Valley of Fire State Park, NV
If your idea of an epic RV road trip involves seeing some of the iconic rock formations that the Southwest has to offer, then an ideal stop would be the Valley of Fire State Park. Named for the vivid red sandstone that covers the park, the Valley of Fire is said to glow in the afternoon sun. Visiting in the heat of the summer will leave you baking with the rocks, so spring is the best season to travel through the vibrant landscape. The wind-faded mountains frame the roads and a lot of the park can be seen from your campervan, but those up for a hike can unearth more secrets along the valley’s trails. The easy Atlatl Rock hike is great for families and features ancient petroglyph carvings. There are also RV campsites available in the state park with panoramic views over the rust-colored valley.
Phoenix Desert Botanical Garden, AZ
Those who prefer the thrill of a cactus to the fragility of a flower must try out the amazing Desert Botanical Garden in Phoenix. This large park shows off the natural beauty of the desert plants, which blossom in the spring amidst the splendid native foliage. There are over 50,000 plants that visitors can see as they stroll along the many nature trails and hiking paths that criss-cross the garden. Art exhibitions take over the park in the spring and you might spot sculptures hidden among the cacti. These evocative pieces accentuate the desert plants, as they reflect their captivating, other-worldly textures and geometry.
Bryce Canyon National Park, UT
This unbelievably beautiful national park has mesmerizing multicolored cliff faces, infinite jagged rock formations, and precious desert flowers that emerge in the spring. It also has the added bonus of being very accessible with an RV or motorhome. While hiking along the mountain trails is encouraged to fully immerse yourself in the unique terrain, there are also many scenic roads that wind along the canyon’s ridges. Most of the park’s greatest geological wonders can be viewed as you drive, with the help of multiple vista points where you can stop for a minute and appreciate the sweeping views.
Time to Travel into the Great Outdoors
The springtime is the perfect season for a campervan adventure. The days warm up as the sun begins to shine, prompting the wildlife and wildflowers to emerge across the ever-changing landscape. The intense heat of summer hasn’t set in yet and nature uses these months to present a spectacular show of colors, smells and sounds to anyone driving through the Southwest.
If you can’t wait to begin your own springtime journey, then browse through our available campervans for rent and make your reservation today. If you have an RV that you aren’t using for a while, chat with us for the opportunity to earn passive income by letting another outdoor enthusiast have an unforgettable adventure with your motorhome. You can also come back this Friday to read our latest guide on how to make the most out of a campervan road trip in the spring!
