Exploring the West: Family RV Trip from Arizona to Montana

Epic Family RV Road Trip Through the West (With Beanies in Tow!)

Have you ever wanted to take an epic RV road trip with your family but weren’t sure where to start? Our full-time traveling family of five did—and it turned out to be one of the best decisions we’ve ever made. We packed up our RV in Tucson, Arizona, and drove more than 3,200 miles all the way to Montana, stopping at bucket-list destinations and making family memories that will last a lifetime.

And yes… somewhere between Arizona’s red rocks and Utah’s national parks, we pulled out our beanies and hoodies —because even in late spring, those chilly mountain mornings are no joke.

Starting Out in Arizona

After spending spring in Tucson, Arizona at the KOA, our first big stop was Dead Horse Ranch State Park in Cottonwood, AZ. This gem is perfect for families—camping, paddle boarding on the lake, and kayaking along the Verde River. It’s also a short drive to Sedona, where we hiked Soldier’s Pass and explored the charming town of Cottonwood.

From there, we made our way to Williams, AZ and camped at the Grand Canyon KOA—just a short drive to the South Rim. Pro tip: cell service is spotty here, so if you’re running a business on the road like I do, plan your work around it.

Page, AZ: Red Rocks and Adventure

Next up was Page, Arizona, one of our favorite stops of the trip. We stayed at Wahweap RV Park and even spent a night boondocking at Beehives Campground. With jaw-dropping views of Lake Powell, this stop gave us endless outdoor adventures:

• Hiking Wire Pass Trail to Buckskin Gulch Slot Canyons

• Kayaking Lake Powell

• Family hikes into Lower Antelope Canyon

• Beach days by the lake

We quickly learned that the best way to beat the crowds at popular spots like Horseshoe Bend was to get there early in the morning—coffee in hand, kids bundled up, and sometimes a slouchy beanie on my head.

Into Utah: Beanies + Hoodies Required

Once we rolled into Monument Valley, Utah, the weather shifted. Chilly evenings and early mornings meant our family was layering up—this is when our beanies really came in handy. We stayed at Monument Valley KOA and then made our way to Goosenecks State Park, where we boondocked under a blanket of stars.

From there, it was on to Moab, Utah for a few days of exploring Arches National Park and Canyonlands, before heading over to Capitol Reef National Park and Bryce Canyon. We loved our stay near Torrey, Utah at Wonderland RV Park—it’s a cozy little basecamp close to incredible hikes.

For a free boondocking spot, Tom’s Best Spring Road was a favorite. It’s just a short drive to Bryce Canyon, and waking up there felt like pure magic.

Midway, Idaho, and Montana

Our route took us north through Midway, Utah and into Victor, Idaho, where we stayed at Teton Valley Resort. Between mountain views, lakes for fishing, and access to Grand Teton National Park, this stop was unforgettable. We even squeezed in a visit to Jackson Hole, Wyoming.

A few more miles on the road brought us to Lewis & Clark Caverns State Park in Montana, where we explored breathtaking limestone caves.

And finally, we wrapped up this epic adventure at West Glacier RV Park—the perfect launching point for exploring Glacier National Park. The mix of stunning mountain views, small-town charm, and endless trails made this the perfect ending to our westward journey.

Why We Travel Simply

Through every stop—whether we were paddling on a lake, hiking slot canyons, or stargazing from our campsite—what mattered most wasn’t a packed schedule or perfect plan. It was the simple moments together as a family.

Traveling full-time taught us to pack light, embrace flexibility, and always keep a beanie handy for those unexpected chilly mornings. It also reminded me why I built my business to be simple and flexible [LINK to your Shopify bootcamp/Shopify services]—so we could homeschool, travel, and spend time making memories instead of being tied to a desk.

Ready to Plan Your Own Epic RV Trip?

If you’re dreaming of taking your family on a westward RV adventure, I can tell you—it’s absolutely worth it. From Arizona’s red rocks to Montana’s mountains, every stop offered a new chance to explore and grow together.

And don’t forget to pack the essentials: your RV, your hiking shoes, and yes… a cozy beanie for those mountain mornings.

Below are our list of stops with distance: 

Tucson, AZ to Cottonwood, AZ

• Dead Horse Ranch State Park
• 225 miles

Cottonwood, AZ to Williams, AZ

• Grand Canyon KOA
• 97 miles

Williams, AZ to Page, AZ

• Wahweap RV Park
• boondocked one night at Beehives Campground
• 177 miles

Page, AZ to Monument Valley, UT

• KOA Monument Valley
• 131 miles

Monument Valley, UT to Blanding, UT

• Boondocked at Goosenecks State Park

Blanding, UT to Moab, UT

• Moab KOA
• 72 miles

Moab, UT to Torrey, UT

• Wonderland RV park
• 160 miles

Torrey, UT

• Boondocked at Toms Best Spring Rd

Torrey UT to Midway, UT

• Deer Creek State Park
• 266 miles

Midway UT to Victor ID

• Teton Valley Resort
• 328 miles

Victor, ID to Three Forks, MT

• Lewis and Clark Caverns State Park
• 188 miles

Three Forks, MT to West Glacier

• West Glacier RV Park
• 284 miles

West Glacier to Billings, MT

• Billings KOA
• 416 miles

 Billings, MT to Akron, IA

• Lazy H RV
• 720 miles