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We took a road trip through Arizona in the summer. Meteor Crater RV Park was one of the many places we van camped.
We never thought we’d camp so close to a cosmic crash site! Down the road, you’ll find Meteor Crater Natural Landmark.
I’ll tell you about our experience, what to know and expect, and share some photos from our relaxing stay. You might want to sleep overnight under starry skies too!
Getting There
On a road trip to the Midwest, we drove the I-40 East through Arizona. Coming from California, it took us several hours to reach Flagstaff.
After eating dinner in Flagstaff, we headed to Meteor Crater RV Park. It’s in the city of Winslow, 30 miles east of Flagstaff.
This was our first overnight stop on our long road trip. We made reservations ahead of time.
And good thing… By the time we arrived, it was well into the evening, and the office was closed.
Camping at Meteor Crater RV Park
The office is open from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., and we arrived late. It’s right behind some gas pumps, so you can fill up here too.
You can’t miss the office, it’s rounded like a giant golf ball half. But I think it’s supposed to be an asteroid.
There is a wall surrounding the property, so you can’t see inside the RV park. And that leads me to how we checked in.
Checking In
When we arrived after the office closed, we thought we were out of luck. The front gate was locked, and there was no security guard around.
But then we saw a sign a little past the office for late arrivals. Whew!
So we followed the directions and drove around the back of the property. We opened the gate and drove in.
It was really dark, but we found our reserved spot.
Keep your email confirmation handy in case you arrive late like we did. Then you’ll at least know where to park.
Not all campgrounds and RV parks will accommodate late arrivals. We found this out the hard way.
Of course, if you come during office hours, you won’t have to worry about this. But it’s good to know that you can still exit and re-enter from the back.
RV Park Vibes
When we pulled into the back gate, the campground had plenty of openings. After we settled into our spot, we walked around a bit.
Other campers waved and smiled as we strolled past them to check out the facilities. Under the dark sky, I used a flashlight to find my way around.
The insects sang in the background as we looked at stars twinkling in the clear night sky. This is a great place to stargaze and relax.
The RV park was peaceful and quiet at night, and it sits in a beautiful landscape.
We slept well through the night as it had cooled down a bit. However, the sun rose the next day, bringing intense heat.
RV Park Amenities
The RV park has a few amenities, and I wouldn’t mind camping there for a couple of days. But we had to hit the road.
Our spot had full hook-ups for electricity and water. We camped in our van and had a spacious, well-kept area.
You can also get a dry spot (with no hook-ups). They also have spots for tent camping.
While strolling around, I saw two playgrounds, a basketball court, and other games. They had a recreation room for social activities.
I didn’t see any kids running around, but they would have fun at this RV park.
The clean bathrooms had large showers and good lighting. We didn’t have to wait in line to use them either.
Checking Out
When the office finally opened in the morning, I paid for our camping spot. The man at the register had a stack of unpaid reservations, so we weren’t the only ones.
The man at the register gave me a discount coupon for visiting Meteor Crater. This wasn’t in our plan, but he said we should check it out.
So, if you’re planning to visit, be sure to get your coupon. It was a couple dollars off, but every bit helps.
The office is a little convenience store too. You can buy snacks, cool drinks, and other basic travel and camping supplies there.
At this time, we filled up on gas and then headed down the road to explore this interesting landmark he spoke about. And that was a separate adventure!
Travel Notes
When we stayed, there weren’t many people camping out. Many people seemed to be stopping over like us, taking off early in the morning.
This may have been due to the heatwave sweeping across the country at this time. It was hot like an oven!
So, bring a sunhat and water if you travel through Arizona during the summer. The desert cools down some at night, but not always by much.
What I do like about the camping spots is that they’re very spacious. We had more than enough room to spread out, which isn’t the case in all RV parks and campgrounds.
I wish we had more time to spend in the area. It makes a nice getaway if you want some peace and quiet.
Final Thoughts
Meteor Crater RV Park was a nice place to stay on our road trip. I’m glad they accommodate travelers after hours.
You’ll be able to see stars under a clear, dark sky at night. Plus, they’re right down the road from a massive natural landmark!
More Travel Adventures
I have more related posts on my blog. You might want to check them out.
- If you stay at the RV park, visit Meteor Crater Natural Landmark, a cosmic impact zone. It’s rightdown the road.
- Speaking of craters, we hiked Diamond Head in Oahu and saw beautiful views.
- By the way, if you head south from Meteor Crater, you’ll want to explore Biosphere 2.
I’d love to hear about your travel adventures!
Originally published: November 25, 2024
