13 Weird and Wonderful Reasons to RV to Tucson - RVing with Rex (2024)

When Fodor’s Travel released itsannual Go List inNovember, a favorite of ours was on it. Tucson was one of the 52 places aroundthe world that inspire travel in 2019.

Hey, Fodor’s, tell us something we don’t already know.

The landscape in Tucson can only be described as otherworldly. From the sweeping expanses of arid desert to the mountain ranges surrounding the city and sprinkles of vibrant colors dotting the desert, it’s truly unlike anywhere else on the planet.

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In their list, the editors of Fodor’s barely scratch thesurface ofwhat makes the Old Pueblo such a fun getaway. So we’ll justhave to pick up the slack. Here are our favorite weird and wonderful reasons toRV to Tucson.

One of the most popular attractions in Tucson is theArizona-Sonora Desert Museum and for good reason. It’s an incredibleopportunity to learn about the Sonoran Desert and the diversity of what can befound here, whether that’s the animals, plants, birds, or fish.

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Mission San Xavier del Bac is noted for its elegant Spanishcolonial architecture and colorful art adorning the interior. Shimmering in thesun 10 miles south of Tucson, the “White Dove of the Desert” remains an activeparish.

Birders will enjoy camping at Catalina State Park as much ashikers and mountain bikers do. The park spreads across the foothills of thecraggy Santa Catalina Mountainsnorth of town. Trails like Canyon Loopramble through desert meadowsdotted with cactus, mesquite and ocotillo.Watch for desert bighorn sheep on the mountain slopes.

The giant saguaro cacti grow nowhere else. Growing veryslowly, it may take 50 years or more for branching to begin. These symbols of theSouthwest have lent their name to Saguaro National Park, its two unitsbracketing Tucson on the east and the west.

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Carved into the Santa Catalina Mountains by its namesakestream, Sabino Canyon is a desert oasis supporting riparian habitat including willow,ash, oak, and Arizona sycamore. A paved road runs 3.8 miles into the canyon,crossing nine stone bridges over Sabino Creek. It begins at an altitude of2,800 feet and rises to 3,300 feet at its end.

Plenty of cowboys can be found at Old Tucson Studios. JohnWayne and Clint Eastwood are among the Hollywood legends that starred in someof the 300-plus movies and TV projects that have been filmed at Old Tucsonsince 1939. Today it’s a movie studio and theme park.

Entering the Santa Catalina Mountains northeast of Tucson,you’ll find yourself accelerating at the foot of Mount Lemmon. Climbing to over9,000 feet, with a near 7,000-foot elevation change in a mere 24 miles, theCatalina Highway (also called the Mount Lemmon Highway) is a brilliant ascentwith countless curves, numerous vistas, and three major switchbacks.

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Colossal Cave Mountain Park, 16 miles east of town, has along and storied history.

Hohokam Indians once used the caverns for food storage andoutlaws hid out here between train robberies in the 1880s. During the GreatDepression, the Civilian Conservation Corps built much of the infrastructurestill used by visitors today.

It’s no surprise that authentic Mexican fare is easy to comeby with the border just an hour’s drive away, but there’s a favorite haunt inwhich to indulge in the freshest, spiciest specimens in town.A long-timelocal mainstay, El Charro has been run by the same family for nearly 100 years.Its margaritas are strong and tart and its founder, Monica Flin, is creditedwith inventing the chimichanga.

Displaying more than 250 aircraft of all sizes, shapes anderas, Pima Air & Space Museum covers 150 acres. Many of the docents arepeople who actually flew these planes, and the stories they tell are fascinating.

If you think flowers can’t bloom in the desert, think again.The sandy landscape is awash with multi-hued blooms, especially in the spring.Even the thorny cacti blossom into bouquets of color, the prickly pearsprouting hats of rich fuchsia flowers, the barrel cactus donning clusters ofvibrant yellow and red and the mighty saguaro budding impressive halos of whiteposies.

Embrace the authentic beauty of the Sonoran Desertyear-round at Tohono Chul, Tucson’s charming crossroads of nature, art, andculture. Deemed “One of the World’s Ten Best Botanical Gardens” by Travel +Leisure Magazine, Tohono Chul has been celebrated by Tucson as one of its “bestkept secrets” for over a quarter of a century.

Having visited Tucson on numerous occasions, we have set upcamp at a variety of area RV parks and campgrounds that include Tucson/LazydaysKOA, Valley of the Sun RV Resort, Desert Trails RV Park, Mission View RVResort, and Catalina State Park.

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Worth Pondering…

Tucson had opened my eyes to the world and given me… ataste for the sensory extravagance of red hot chiles and five-alarm sunsets.

—Barbara Kingsolver

13 Weird and Wonderful Reasons to RV to Tucson - RVing with Rex (2024)
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