The 4th of July is just a few weeks away! If you’re planning to take the holiday as an opportunity for an RV trip, it’s important to start planning early, especially if you’re looking to attend a celebration at one of the more popular destinations in the Southwest. Even if you’re planning to travel to a city or town that has a relatively large number of campgrounds and RV parks, spaces fill up fast around the 4th of July, so you’ll want to make your reservations early!
There are lots of ways to celebrate the 4th of July, but if you’re looking for traditional, All-American fun, three Southwest cities you may want to consider are St. George, Flagstaff, and Tucson. Here’s what you can expect on the Fourth of July at each destination:
- St. George, Utah
St. George celebrates the 4th of July in the Town Square, where you can enjoy a traditional carnival that includes games, food booths, contests, and live music. There’s also an annual parade, and (for the athletically inclined) a 4K race. You can also spend the afternoon watching (or participating in) a talent show! For RV travelers, there are several RV parks within the city itself, as well as a few outside of town if you want to get away from it all and spend your evening at a quiet campground and wake up for a hike the next morning.
- Flagstaff, Arizona
The 4th of July in Flagstaff features several All-American events. The day starts early with the 22nd Annual Greater Flagstaff Chamber 4th of July Parade at 9am. In the afternoon, families come together under the Ponderosa Pines to enjoy “A Flag Fourth,” the annual concert by the Flagstaff Symphony Orchestra in the Pepsi Amphitheater at Fort Tuthill Park. Alternatively, you can head to the Continental Country Club, which features a carnival atmosphere with food and live music until the fireworks display starts at night. It’s one of the few fireworks shows in the state, given the current drought conditions, so Flagstaff is a great option for fireworks enthusiasts. But make sure to make one final check on that status before travelling.
- Tucson, Arizona
As always, festivities abound in Tucson around the 4th of July, so you’ll have lots of choices if you decide to point your RV south for the holiday. Early risers can take part in the 5K Freedom Run at the Golf Link Sports Complex (6:30-8:30am) or the Colossal Fourth Parade at Christ Lutheran Vail (9:00am). From there, you can get your All-American fix in Old Tucson at the Old West 4th of July, which features entertainment, rides, tours, food, and contests. Then, you can end your night at Naranja Park in Oro Valley, where you can grab dinner at a food truck. There won’t be any fireworks in Tucson this year, but there will be no shortage of activities and live entertainment from 5:30pm to 9:30pm.
Are you planning an RV trip in the Southwest this summer? Safe RV Storage is here with travel tips and ideas for events you may want to hit up this season.