RV Rental Chandler, AZ

Chandler, Arizona RV Rentals

If you’re looking for a warm-weather destination to camp in that offers a blend of outdoor activities, beautiful scenery, and exciting activities, it’s time to plan an RV trip to Chandler, Arizona. Though it isn’t as well-known as Arizona hotspots like Phoenix and Tucson, Chandler is a vibrant city that’s home to 330 days of sun every year. And Chandler RV rentals give you the opportunity to hit the road and explore all of the fun under the desert sun Arizona has to offer. 

When you experience Chandler from an RV rental, you get the chance to see firsthand stunning landscapes and vistas, indulge in fun from hiking to horseback riding, and camp in some one-of-a-kind campgrounds throughout the region. 

Popular RV Destinations in Chandler

San Tan Mountain Regional Park

As one of the best regional parks in the Phoenix area, San Tan Mountain Regional Park is the perfect place to drive your RV if you want to hike, and there’s enough gorgeous scenery to keep absolutely anyone busy. And if you love being active, you can even try mountain biking, horseback riding, or other outdoors activities within the park’s boundaries.

At San Tan Mountain Regional Park, you’ll find a number of different hiking trails that range from short to long, easy to difficult. Each trail stretches anywhere from 1.5 miles to 5 miles long, giving you options for absolutely everyone — and mountain bikers and horseback riders can try different trails, like rocky mountain slopes or multiple trails. You can visit locals’ favorites, like Malpais Hills Trail which takes you along the scenic Malpais Hills and Rock Peak, or lower trails that show off the Sonoran Desert’s landscape.

Paseo Vista Park

If you’re looking for something different, something you can’t do at home or even in your hometown, then you’re going to want to visit Paseo Vista Park while you’re visiting Chandler. This park stretches over 64 acres, and though you’d never know it today, it actually used to be a working local landfill. Now, however, this park is one of the highest points in the city, and it offers a wealth of cool activities.

At Paseo Vista Park, you’ll find over a mile of walking trails, a playground, and attractive desert scenery with the city sprawling beneath the park. However, what makes this a must-visit destination are two features: the disc golf course and the archery range. You can play a game of disc golf or join one in action. You can also try your hand at archery, shooting arrows over the competition-grade archery lanes. 

Veterans Oasis Park

Another park that you’ll want to visit while in Chandler is Veterans Oasis Park. This isn’t your average park and playground — it’s actually a multi-use outdoor spot that features different habitats, recreation spots, and activities to try. You can spend multiple days exploring everything this park has to offer, and it’s located right at the edge of the Sonoran desert, bringing together the city and the desert in one meeting point.

Veterans Oasis Park spans more than 100 acres and sits on wetlands and desert land, and it’s filled with hiking and biking trails, including the self-guided Chandler Solar System Walk that teaches visitors about the solar system along a 2,500-foot-long path. A lake sits at the center of the park, and it’s made for fishing; it’s filled with a variety of different types of fish. There are also urban birding opportunities, picnic areas, and so much more waiting at Veterans Oasis Park.

The Chandler Crayola Experience

Here’s something you really can’t experience anywhere else: the Chandler Crayola Experience. This truly unique destination allows kids of all ages (including kids who are all grown up) to immerse themselves in an interactive Crayola crayon attraction with 19 different hands-on activities. Designed for kids and entire families, the Chandler Crayola Experience is a whole lot of colorful — and coloring — fun.

At this special center, you can participate in activities like wrapping and naming your own color of Crayola crayon, creating spin art from melted crayon wax, starring in your very own coloring page, and even created 4D art that pops into existence within seconds. The Chandler Crayola Experience is a great place to spend an afternoon if you need a break from camping and the great outdoors, and it’s a ticket-based attraction.

Koli Equestrian Center

For those who want to experience and explore the Sonoran Desert up close, the Koli Equestrian Center is just the place to head. Whether you’re camping at a desert campsite or staying closer to the city, this horseback riding outlet offers the perfect opportunity to navigate the stunning sights around Chandler and delve into a bit of regional history. Located at the center of the Gila River Indian Reservation, you can ride along miles of incredible scenery, follow varied riding trails, and so much more.

The beauty of the Koli Equestrian Center is it’s run by qualified wranglers who can offer as much — or as little — guidance as you’d like. All of the horses are well-trained, and you can ride alone or with a guide. Different experiences are suited for different levels of riders, and there’s no need to ride in a single line; at this equestrian center, you can spread out, chat with fellow riders, and venture far into the desert. 

Events and Entertainment in Chandler

The Ostrich Festival

Did you know the ostrich is a special icon within the city of Chandler, Arizona? The city loves ostriches so much that they actually celebrate them each and every year with the Ostrich Festival, which takes place over three days in March. It’s part county fair, part ostrich party, and this event brings together the city’s history of ostrich ranching and a whole lot of fun for people of every age.

During the Ostrich Festival, which welcomes between 250,000 and 300,000 people annually, you can learn about Chandler’s early ostrich ranches, watch live ostrich races, and even participate in ostrich-themed activities. There’s a carnival midway filled with games, a wealth of local food to try, a selection of upscale arts and crafts to browse, and even an ostrich parade. And you won’t want to skip the live entertainment, which includes popular local and regional musical groups as well as nationally-known acts. 

Friday Night Live

If you’re visiting Chandler for an RV vacation during the third week of the month, you’re going to want to make sure to head downtown once the sun sets. On the third Friday night of the month, downtown Chandler hosts Friday Night Live, an event that brings together local businesses for a free concert series. Held at Dr. AJ Chandler Park, this event features performances from local and national acts — Black Beard’s Delight and Rock Lobster have played Friday Night Live events in the past.

And it’s a great chance to check out all the city’s downtown area has to offer. You can roll your RV out of camp and into the city, bring along a blanket and some chairs, and enjoy the live music. There are other events happening at the same time too, like life-sized Jenga, corn hole games, and face painting for kids. 

Chuck Wagon Cook-Off

Step back into the Old West without leaving Chandler — when the Chuck Wagon Cook-Off is in town, you can indulge in some old-fashioned fun and try out some authentic 1880-style chuck wagon cooking. This annual event is a fun and totally different kind of culinary competition, as teams of cooks whip up five courses, cooking from traditional chuck wagons to create bread, beans, meat, potatoes, and a dessert. Judges pick the winners, and they even judge competitors on the authenticity of the wagons they’re cooking in.

For visitors, the Chuck Wagon Cook-Off is an event you won’t find anywhere else. It gives you the rare opportunity to learn about the history of Old West Chandler, try local food and some of the competitors’ dishes, and enjoy live entertainment along with a host of fun activities. For example, you can use period cooking equipment and methods, check out period costumes, and so much more. 

Tumbleweed Tree Lighting

Heading to Chandler for an RV trip during the winter means you’ll get warm weather and sunny days — but it also means you can take part in a totally unusual holiday tradition. Each December, the Tumbleweed Tree Lighting comes to the city and lights up the holiday season in a weird and wacky homage to its Old West roots. During the Tumbleweed Tree Lighting, the city literally turns holiday lights on its version of a Christmas tree: 1,000 spray-painted tumbleweeds that are coated in 65 pounds of glitter and 1,200 lights.

Experiencing the Tumbleweed Tree and the lighting ceremony is really something you can’t do anywhere else. The event takes place in Dr. AJ Chandler Park on the first Saturday of December, and it’s accompanied by a festival called the Parade of Lights. You can check out the tree, visit with Santa Claus, enjoy live musical performances, and see the whole downtown area decked out in holiday lights.

102.5 Knix Barbeque and Beer Festival

A Chandler tradition for over a decade, the 102.5 KNIX Barbeque and Beer Festival is a celebration of all things barbecue mixed in with a country music festival. Hosted by local radio station 102.5 KNIX at Tumbleweed Park, it’s an opportunity to taste the best local barbecue, try local breweries’ beers, and listen to country music acts on two different live music stages. This festival is actually the largest barbecue event in the entire state of Arizona.

At the 102.5 KNIX Barbeque and Beer Festival, you’ll be able to try a wealth of finger-licking barbecue and check out continuous, uninterrupted country music all day long. Both local and larger acts come to town, making it a headlining event for the city. Anyone who’s in town for this festival will certainly want to leave the campground behind to indulge in this kind of local fun.

FAQs

Q: What are RV Rentals?

RV rentals are essentially the same as car rentals. You can choose a rental company, pick out the perfect motorhome for your family and your needs, and once you arrive in Chandler, Arizona, you can pick up your RV and hit the road for a few nights, a week, or even longer. Renting an RV allows you to enjoy all of the perks of motorhome ownership, giving you the freedom and fun of traveling in a cozy camper. But you don’t have to make a huge initial investment or worry about upkeep, maintenance, and other woes of actually owning an RV.

Q: How much are RV rentals?

RV rentals can vary pretty significantly in price, depending on where you’re renting and what time of year you’re planning to rent. The price also fluctuates based on the size of the motorhome and the number of nights you’re renting for. On average, however, you can expect to spend between $75 and $125 per night for a small camper and between $150 and $250 per night for a larger motorhome. Keep in mind that renting for longer can come with a per-night discount; RV rental companies often offer lower prices for longer-term rentals.

Q: Do I need to be a certain age to rent an RV in Chandler?

Most RV rental companies require you to be at least 25 years old in order to secure an RV. However, you can shop around — some rental agencies will rent to drivers as young as 21 years old. You just may have to pay a higher per-night cost or purchase additional insurance if you’re younger than 25 years old.

Q: Do I need insurance when I rent an RV?

You’ll definitely need to make sure you have the right kind of insurance and coverage when you decide to rent an RV. It’s very likely that your current auto insurance doesn’t cover you for RVs or RV rentals. So, you’ll want to check with the company you’re renting from to see what insurance is required. Typically, you’re able to buy the coverage you need in the form of a short-term policy that’ll offer exactly what you need for the length of your RV vacation when you pick up your motorhome.

Q: Do I need to return my rental RV with a full tank?

You’ll likely need to bring your motorhome back to the rental company with a full tank of gas. However, you should definitely check your rental agreement, which has all of the specifics. Some RV companies have different policies — for example, some may offer to refill your tank for you (for a price, of course) while others may only require you to return your camper with the same amount of fuel it had when you drove off the lot. Double-check the details to make sure you don’t get charged for the wrong amount of fuel. 

Q: Are RVs pet friendly in Chandler?

It’s definitely possible to find pet-friendly RVs available for rent in Chandler, Arizona. However, you’ll want to check the policies of the rental companies you're considering, as not all agencies are pet-friendly. While some will welcome furry friends without any worry, others may charge a pet deposit or higher per-night prices if you plan to bring your pet along for the ride.