Traveling the Historic Route 66 by RV offers a unique way to experience the Mother Road at your own pace. Whether you begin your journey from California or Illinois, your itinerary can be as flexible as   the season, your interests and your budget will allow. After talking to some travelers who RV for leisure or a staycation, for a longer period of time, they  say the greatest advantage is the freedom to linger in places or take the scenic routes.

You have the luxury to travel and bring your accommodations with you. Spend less time packing and unpacking because your belongings, bedding and kitchen are all with you.

One of the best reasons to travel by RV, is to become a part of nature and gain easy access to national parks, forests, beaches, lakes and outdoor activities. Especially if you have pets, you don’t have to worry about them or the expense of boarding fees.

Most families use this time to bond and see the beautiful places together, creating memories. To celebrate the Centennial Route 66 across Indigenous communities, we have a number of locations you can park your RV overnight or perhaps staycation.

From Santa Monica, Ca to Arizona, a day’s drive, consider visiting Peach Springs in Hualapai community, 50 miles northeast of Kingman, Az. You can park your RV at the Hualapai Lodge and have a river rafting adventure on the Colorado River with Hualapai River Runners. Depending on the tour package you select, you have the option to helicopter straight up to the Grand Canyon West rim.

If you plan ahead, you can obtain a permit from Havasupai Tribe for a 3 – 4 night stay and explore 5 vibrant blue-green waterfalls. Havasupai Falls, the most well-known waterfall towers at 100 feet.

Within a half day drive from Hualapai, you can select a number of RV Parks in Flagstaff, Az. Plenty to do at the high-altitude town, such as visiting Wupatki National Park, Sunset Crater, Walnut Canyon National Park, Montezuma Castle National Monument, Tuzigoot National Monument and Grand Canyon National Monument. If you are on budget, you can park your RV a couple of nights at Twin Arrows Casino located 20 miles east of Flagstaff on exit 219, no fee. Navajo Blue Travel Plaza is located at exit 219, they provide gas, hot food, Navajo Fizz Craft Soda, Navajo Beef Jerky and Navajo BBQ Sauce and great selection of local arts & crafts.

Continuing east on I-40, the Historic Route 66, you can explore Homolovi Ruins State Park near Winslow, Az. Pueblo structures dating from 1200 to 1400, where they offer an RV Park with a beautiful view of the San Fransico Peaks, which includes the highest peak in Arizona.

If you are up to venturing 50 miles south of Flagstaff to Camp Verde, you can enjoy the amenities at Distant Drums RV Resort, tribally owned by Yavapai-Apache Nation. Lots to see in this area, plan to stay multiple nights. Keep yourself busy by visiting: Montezuma Castle National Monument, Montezuma Well, Tuzigoot National Monument, Fossil Creek Waterfall, Verde Canyon Railroad and Cliff Castle Casino.

The next opportune location along Route 66 eastbound will be near Petrified Forest National Park, Gateway to the Petrified Forest RV Park; this location features geological and archaeological sites with plenty to do for a number of days. The Painted Desert is one of the most photographed places and home to 225 million-year-old fossilized logs transformed into colorful quartz.

Approximately 70 miles northeast of Petrified Forest is Hubbell Trading Post National Historic Site located in Ganado, Arizona on the Navajo Nation. It the oldest continuously operating trading post in the Southwest. You can tour the Historic Homestead, buy local products, arts & crafts or watch a Navajo rug weaver as she demonstrates weaving on her loom inside the trading post.

As you continue eastbound into New Mexico, make sure you stop at Chee’s Indian Store near Houck, Az at exit 351. Shop and eat at this unique family-owned store. They showcase a variety of Navajo rugs, jewelry, dolls, blankets, ornaments and Navajo frybread.

Watch for the next blog, it will cover New Mexico and beyond.