What RV Renters Know
- Casa Malpais Archaeological Park: guided tours of 13th-century Mogollon ruins built on volcanic lava flow
- Coronado Trail Scenic Byway (US-191): 123 miles of switchbacks from 3,500 to 9,000 ft — spectacular but slow
- 7,000 ft plateau: surrounded by the world's largest ponderosa pine forest
- Lyman Lake State Park (18 miles north): petroglyph tours, RV camping, fishing lake
- Remote and uncrowded — less visited than the Flagstaff or White Mountains corridor
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Casa Malpais?
Casa Malpais ('house of the badlands') is a 14th-century Mogollon pueblo built on a basalt lava flow with 50+ rooms, a Great Kiva, and a unique spiral solar calendar. The site is only accessible by guided tour through the Springerville Heritage Center in town — tours depart at scheduled times and involve a moderate walk over uneven lava rock. The site is less visited than Montezuma Castle or Tuzigoot, making for a quiet, uncrowded experience.
Can I drive the Coronado Trail in an RV?
The Coronado Trail (US-191) is not recommended for large RVs over 30 feet. The road has 460 curves in 123 miles, grades up to 8%, and narrow lanes. Small to mid-size Class C motorhomes and truck campers can manage it if you take it slowly — allow 4–5 hours for the full drive from Springerville to Clifton. The scenery is exceptional, but this is not a road to attempt in a large Class A or fifth-wheel.
What is Lyman Lake State Park?
Lyman Lake State Park, 18 miles north of Springerville on US-180, is a reservoir with RV camping, a boat ramp, and one of the best accessible petroglyph sites in eastern Arizona. The Buffalo Petroglyph site trail leads to panels carved by Ancestral Puebloan people. The lake is stocked with bass, catfish, and walleye. Hookup sites are available and reservable at azstateparks.com.