Top Four Locations for Group RV Trips in the West 

The various adventures available for all ages and fitness levels make Death Valley great for group events.  You can choose to go off-roading, sightseeing by car, or hiking.  It is also a mecca for photographers, especially night sky photography.  

Here are some locations we highly recommend within Death Valley:

For Sunsets - Artist Drive, Artist Palette and Golden Canyon

For Sunrise - Zabriskie Point 

For Unique Formations and Landscapes - Dante’s Peak, Ubehebe Crater, Devil’s Golf Course, and Badwater Basin (282 feet below sea level)

For Off-Roading Excursions - Titus and Echo Canyons

Hiking trails vary in level of difficulty, so be sure to do your research ahead of time. It is also essential to check weather conditions. Be sure to bring enough water and dress appropriately as the temperature can change quickly in the desert.  

Seven families joined us on one of our group off-roading trips at Titus Canyon.  A mix of Jeeps, Trucks, and SUV vehicles caravanned through the canyon. We started in the morning to ensure we would be back before sunset and we packed lunch, water and put on our adventure hats.  This was such a fun day trip for all ages and fitness levels.  Our girls loved it so much that they said it was better than the Indiana Jones ride at Disneyland! The Jeep rentals are always busy, so we were sure to book far in advance.  If you choose not to rent a Jeep, ensure your truck or SUV has a 4-wheel drive (standard cars are not recommended for off-roading).         

Camping in Death Valley 

We enjoyed staying in Furnace Creek Campground because it can accommodate large groups, has spacious sites, and has full hookups. It is located conveniently near a gas station and Farabee Jeep Rentals, where we rented Jeep Wranglers to go off-roading at Titus and Echo Canyons.  

We enjoyed off-roading so much in Death Valley that we repeated the activity in Sedona, but it was with Pink Jeep Tours. The guides drove their modified Jeep for us and it was a crowd favorite. We rented six Jeeps that fit approximately six people in each vehicle. It was quite a bumpy ride, so make sure everyone in your group is aware in case anyone has neck or back issues. Young children also require car seats, so it is a good idea to call the Pink Jeep Tours beforehand so they can accommodate.

Our second favorite activity was sliding down Oak Creek at Slide Rock State Park.  It’s a natural water slide with a red rock backdrop, a must for families with kids.  The water is quite frigid but worth the experience!   

Sedona has many popular hiking trails, but unfortunately due to time constraints, we could only do a short hike on Little Horse Trail to see Courthouse Butte and Bell Rock.  Many trails had limited parking, and it was already hot at the beginning of April, so it's best to start your hikes early in the morning.

Camping in Sedona

We hosted a campout at the beautiful Rancho Sedona RV Park, located conveniently in the heart of downtown Sedona and within walking distance from local shops and restaurants. The campground can accommodate RVs up to 45 feet which is helpful when hosting groups with varying RV sizes.

Horseback riding is available from Memorial to Labor Day weekends at Mammoth Lakes Pack Outfit. This group activity is fun for all ages, experienced riders, and first-timers. They offer trail rides from one-hour to all-day-long excursions. Our group of ten selected the one-and-a-half-hour ride round trip to Lake Mary and back. We went through the picturesque landscape with tall lodgepole pine trees.

Another must-do fun group activity is biking the Lakes Basin path. We began at the Village and caught the town trolley with other bike trailers to Horseshoe Lake. Then, we rode downhill and enjoyed the beautiful path. Another favorite group activity was kayaking and SUPing at Twin Lakes and Lake Mary.  

These activities accommodate all ages and fitness levels, which makes them perfect for group trips. Just go at your own pace and comfort level! We also learned that bears are very active during summer and fall in Mammoth, so be prepared and practice bear safety.

Camping in Mammoth

We camped at Mammoth Mountain RV Park, located right at the entrance of town. The park offers full rv-hookups, as well as tents and cabins for any group members that may not be able to travel via RV. This campground is also open year-round!

Pa’rus Trail

It’s an easy 3.5 miles round trip where you can walk or bike.  It’s a great group activity where you can stop for a picnic to enjoy its beauty.  

Riverside Walk

2 miles round trip scenic walk on mostly paved trails leading to The Narrows' entrance.  Prepare to stop frequently for beautiful pictures!     

The Narrows

We’ve hiked part of the Narrows twice now. We loved it so much that for our second time, we took ten families, 23 adults & 12 kids, to hike the miles and miles of the beautiful canyon. 

The day hike starts at the bottom, where the Riverside Walk ends.  This part of the hike is not difficult. The challenge is the slippery and wet rocks and sometimes strong currents. That’s why we prefer to brave the cold and wear the proper gear instead of going in the summer when it’s too hot and the water level is high.

We avoid the Aug/Sep time frame due to the monsoon season.  The park’s temperature could be in the 50s during October and November, but inside the canyons, it could be ten degrees cooler, and the water temperature was around 40 degrees in November when we were there.  

We rented full gear (suit, socks, boots, and stick) from Zion Adventures across from Zion Canyon Campground, where we camped, to keep warm and dry. The dry suits keep you dry but not warm. The neoprene socks keep you warm but not dry.  For extra protection, we wore thermals and fleece clothing under our drysuit. A warm hat, waterproof gloves, and a dry bag are highly recommended.  All kids must wear dry suits, and they suggest that kids must be a minimum of 54” tall to do this hike. The full suit can also keep the kids afloat if they slip and fall.

Angels Landing

Angels Landing is a 1,488-foot tall rock formation with an elevation of 5,790 feet in Zion National Park. A renowned trail cut into solid rock in 1926 leads to the top of Angels Landing and provides panoramic views of Zion Canyon. This trail is difficult and could be dangerous at certain points depending on weather conditions and the crowd. Tiger hiked this trail with a couple of adventurous hiking friends. Start early in the morning to avoid the crowd, and use your best judgment on the trail to stay safe. 

The view from the top is magnificent and rewarding.  Afterward, you can go to the gift shop and buy yourself an “I hiked Angel’s Landing” shirt for bragging rights. This trail now requires a permit to hike past Scout Lookout, so be sure to secure one in advance. Hiking with kids is generally safe until Scout Lookout, but after that, reasonable prudence and experience/skill levels will help keep you safe.        

Camping in Zion National Park

During this trip we stayed at Zion Canyon Campground, about a mile from the entrance of Zion National Park. We highly recommend staying as close to the entrance as possible to avoid crowds and traffic entering the park.  

Our motto has always been: Thoughtful planning and coordination will result in less stressful and more successful fun group events. However, as much as we plan, we also go with the flow since Mother Nature is unpredictable. Respect Mother Nature, and be prepared, flexible, and open to new experiences since adventure awaits us all. Also, remember to only take pictures and leave nothing behind but footprints!