Boondocking through Arizona & Utah

Anna Sharp
May 6
3 min read

Updated: May 7

During our first winter traveling, we primarily hung out in the desert, exploring southern Arizona, Nevada, and parts of Utah.

Ben taking in the sunset views just outside of Zion National Park

When we initially set out in our RV, we anticipated that winter would become one of our favorite aspects of this new way of life. Is a snowstorm approaching? We can relocate! Strong winds? Hop in, let's go! Now, having completed our first full winter of travel—mostly boondocking in the deserts of southern Arizona—we can genuinely say: yep, we were right.

We wandered among towering saguaro cacti in Gold Canyon, sipped old-timey sarsaparillas in the Wild West streets of Tombstone, tackled the quirky staircases of the Bisbee 1000, and stepped back in time on the Mezcal Movie Set—where Tombstone and dozens of other Westerns were filmed—all while soaking up endless sunshine and that unbeatable Arizona warmth.

Gold Canyon, Arizona

If camping among towering saguaros and spiky cholla sounds like your kind of adventure, Gold Canyon delivers. With stunning mountain views and the convenience of town (Apache Junction) just a short drive away, it strikes a great balance between wild and accessible. That said, if your visit overlaps with the Arizona Renaissance Festival, expect weekend traffic to back up fast—especially along the main roads. And fair warning: the desert dust here doesn’t mess around. It finds its way into everything. But hey, that’s part of the charm, right?

Bisbee, Arizona

Bisbee was unlike any other stop on our desert route—equal parts history, art, and eccentric charm tucked into the Mule Mountains near the Mexico border. Once a booming copper mining town, today it’s a colorful, creative haven full of character and unexpected surprises around every corner.

We stayed right in town at the local RV park, which gave us front-row access to everything Bisbee has to offer—no long drives or tricky parking required. Being able to walk straight from our site into the heart of town was a game changer.

One of the highlights was the Bisbee 1000, a unique stair-climbing adventure that snakes through the town’s steep hills and historic homes via more than 1,000 steps. Equal parts workout and walking tour, it’s a must-do for anyone wanting to truly experience the layout (and the leg burn!) of this hillside haven.

Bisbee is packed with personality: eclectic shops, offbeat museums, vintage bookstores, and unexpected art installations are everywhere you look. There’s a creative energy here that makes it feel like nowhere else in Arizona. I definitely left a little bit of my heart in Bisbee.

Tombstone, AZ

Our stay in Tombstone was short, but just enough. We checked out the historic courthouse, went on a ghost mine tour, and soaked up the sights, stories, and the fun, over-the-top touristy vibe.

I wasn’t much of a Western movie fan growing up—and had never seen the movie Tombstone— but being in the town inspired me to finally dive into it. Just a few weeks before Val Kilmer’s passing, I watched his unforgettable portrayal of Doc Holliday for the first time, right after walking the same dusty streets where the story took place.

That said, a day or two in Tombstone felt just right. The town leans hard into its Wild West persona, with staged gunfights, costumed actors, and souvenir shops on every corner. It’s a fun stop if you embrace it for what it is—a theatrical, larger-than-life tribute to the legends of the past.

Mescal, AZ

After Tombstone, we headed to Mescal and boondocked within view of the Mescal Movie Set. This old facade of a Western town has been used in tons of films, including Tombstone, The Outlaw Josey Wales, and The Quick and the Dead. Waking up to that backdrop felt like stepping onto a movie set… because we basically did.

We took a tour while we were there and had a blast learning about all the movies filmed on-site and seeing the buildings up close. It was laid-back, informative, and just a fun change of pace.

The camping was quiet, the views were great, and the movie set added a unique twist. Definitely a fun stop if you're in the area!