| The distinctive beauty of America's Southwestern | | | | Pueblan ruins was the very first archaeological site |
| States is celebrated in dozens of National Parks. Why | | | | protected by the US government. |
| not plan this season's RV camping itinerary around a | | | | Back in Tucson, you'll find a national treasure in the |
| few you've never visited? By breaking down the | | | | form of Saguaro National Park, home to thousands |
| Southwest into easily-driven itineraries, RV campers | | | | of this region's giant cacti. Not only will you |
| can get the most from their miles. Here are two | | | | experience the beauty of this Giant Saguaro forest, |
| suggestions for routes you may want to travel this | | | | you'll also be surrounded by the jaw-dropping scenery |
| year by motorhome. | | | | of two mountain districts. Tucson and Rincon |
| Itinerary I: Albuquerque to Ramah, New Mexico | | | | Mountain Districts both serve up spectacular scenery |
| Petroglyph National Monument, located just west of | | | | and are well worth the round-trip drive. For a true |
| Albuquerque, New Mexico, is a fascinating start to | | | | high-desert camping experience, try Catalina State |
| this Southwest National Parks itinerary. Hundreds of | | | | Park just north of Tucson. |
| ancient carvings or "petroglyphs" are visible along the | | | | To complete your Southern Arizona National Parks |
| trails that snake through canyons, volcanic cinder | | | | education, make the loop southeast of Tucson to |
| cones and Pueblo ruins. | | | | Fort Bowie and Chiricahua National Monuments. There |
| Plan to spend enough time to take more than one | | | | you'll experience both stunning desert beauty and a |
| trail from start to finish. Not only will you leave | | | | taste of the bitter conflict between Native |
| knowing more about the ancient Pueblo tribes, you'll | | | | Americans and early settlers. By the way, there's |
| also be treated to views of the Sandia Mountains and | | | | "no-hookups" camping available at Chiricahua and you'll |
| the Rio Grande Valley. There's no camping allowed | | | | find full-service RV campgrounds nearby in Willcox, |
| inside the Monument, but Albuquerque has abundant | | | | AZ. |
| RV parks waiting for your reservations. | | | | Once you've explored these two parks to your |
| When you're ready for more National Parks RV | | | | heart's content, swing south to the Southern edge of |
| camping adventures, head southwest of Albuquerque | | | | Arizona to Coronado National Monument. The |
| to El Malpais National Monument. This unforgettable | | | | fascinating Coronado Cave Tour, numerous hiking |
| Park features lava tube caves, cinder cones and | | | | trails and scenic motorhome camping in surrounding |
| other volcanic formations to experience from its trails | | | | Coronado National Forest make this site |
| and scenic overlooks. The Bureau of Land | | | | commemorating the Spanish explorer's journey north |
| Management runs a campground onsite, and there | | | | unforgettable. |
| are numerous RV campgrounds in nearby Grants, | | | | Complete the Southern Arizona loop by heading |
| New Mexico. | | | | northwest from Coronado to Tumacacori National |
| Don't leave the region without making the forty-two | | | | Monument. Three Spanish colonial mission ruins can be |
| mile drive farther west to Morro National Monument. | | | | visited within this Park's boundaries. Learn about the |
| This ancient watering hole near Ramah, NM preserves | | | | work and influence of Jesuit and Franciscan |
| the carvings and other evidence of ancient Pueblans, | | | | missionaries in the former New Spain region of |
| seventeenth century Spanish explorers and later | | | | Pimiera Alta in Arizona and Sonora, Mexico. Nearby |
| Anglo settlers. Hike the trails or just spend an | | | | Amado, AZ offers two RV campgrounds right off |
| afternoon in the visitor's center; you'll leave with a | | | | the highway. |
| deeper respect for America's early inhabitants. | | | | There you have it: two possibilities for experiencing |
| Itinerary #2: Southern Arizona National Parks | | | | the fascinating American Southwest by RV. The |
| If your trips to Arizona have only encompassed the | | | | National Parks and Monuments there will have your |
| Grand Canyon, it's time you learned the beauty of | | | | cameras clicking and your minds expanding as you |
| Southern Arizona's National Parks. About an hour | | | | explore this region's beauty and history. Choose your |
| south of Phoenix (or an hour north of Tucson) RV | | | | route now and plan to enjoy the road not taken this |
| campers with a thirst for ancient Native American | | | | season on yet another American Southwest RV |
| culture will find Casa Grande Ruins National Monument. | | | | adventure. |
| This Park preserving the history of the "Big House" | | | | |