Benson, Arizona: Wild West Lessons, Cranes, and Sunsets

By the time we rolled into Benson, Arizona, we were ready to slow down a little—and this was the spot where we learned one of RV life’s best-kept secrets: monthly stays. Up until now, we’d been hopping around week to week (sometimes every few days), which was fun but added up quickly. Turns out, staying for a full month saves you a ton of money, not to mention the sanity of not constantly packing up and moving. Lesson learned: sometimes longer is better.

Getting Schooled in the Wild West

Benson also came with an unexpected education in Wild West history. I’ll admit it: before this stop, I had no clue who half these famous “cowboys” were. Wyatt Earp? Doc Holliday? The “I’m your huckleberry” thing plastered on every T-shirt? Yeah, I was clueless. But apparently, the Wyatt brothers are buried nearby, and Tombstone history is alive and well. After a few days, I was at least confident enough to know the huckleberry line wasn’t about fruit.

Whitewater Draw and the “Spielberg Sighting”

We took a day trip to Whitewater Draw, where thousands of sandhill cranes were stopping over on their migration all the way from Siberia. Standing among them was surreal—nature on a scale you rarely see. And then came our “celebrity encounter.” As we were walking in, a woman stopped a man nearby and asked, “Excuse me, sir, are you Steven Spielberg?” His deadpan reply: “I cannot confirm or deny.” And then he walked away quickly. Honestly? He really did look like him. Plus, the guy had VERY expensive camera equipment slung over his shoulder, which only made us more confident it had to be him. So, we’re counting it as our Spielberg sighting.

I couldn't believe the amount of Sandhill cranes that were here!

Tombstone: Shootouts and Shadows

A short drive from Benson brought us to the legendary town of Tombstone, the site of the infamous Gunfight at the O.K. Corral. Back in 1881, Wyatt Earp, Doc Holliday, and the Earp brothers squared off against the outlaw Cowboys in a 30-second shootout that became one of the most famous events of the Wild West. Today, the town leans into its history with daily re-enactments of the shootout, complete with actors in dusty hats and long coats firing blanks in the streets. It’s part history lesson, part performance, and surprisingly fun to watch.

But Tombstone isn’t just for show. Walking into the old saloons and theaters, you can feel the energy shift. The Bird Cage Theatre in particular is said to be haunted, and I believe it. Stepping inside felt heavy, like the walls themselves had soaked up every story, fight, and heartbreak that ever happened there. Whether you believe in ghosts or not, Tombstone gives you chills—and not just because of the costumes.

This is how Tombstone looked and there were a ton of people dressed in character.

Bisbee, Arizona: A Town That Time Froze

Then there’s Bisbee, a former mining town turned quirky, artsy community tucked into the Mule Mountains. Once one of the richest copper mining sites in the world, Bisbee has reinvented itself into a haven for artists, writers, and free spirits. The old mine tours still give you a glimpse of its gritty past, but the real charm is in the town itself.

Walking the streets, you’ll find vintage cars lined up like they never left, neon signs glowing from a bygone era, and brick storefronts that feel frozen in time. At the same time, the town buzzes with art galleries, antique shops, and murals tucked into every corner. It’s a place where history lingers in every alleyway, but creativity keeps it alive.

Browse the great shots Patrick captured in Bisbee: Classical America and 3 Lions.

This was one of the cars that was on the street in Bisbee

The Chiricahua Mountains: Hiking with Family

One of our absolute highlights was the Chiricahua Mountains, where we spent a lot of time exploring with Andrew, Patrick’s brother. Known as the “Wonderland of Rocks,” the Chiricahuas are filled with dramatic volcanic formations, towering pinnacles, and trails that twist through otherworldly landscapes. Hiking there with family made it even more special—we climbed through narrow passes, admired sweeping desert views, and soaked in the peaceful beauty that felt a world away from the Wild West reenactments down the road.

It was the kind of place where you could wander for hours and still feel like you barely scratched the surface. And to share it with Andrew made it even more meaningful—one of those memories that sticks.

We stopped for sunset in the mountains.

Saguaro National Park: Giants of the Desert

We also visited Saguaro National Park, and I’ll admit—I went in with low expectations. I thought it might just be a bunch of “big cactus.” But I was blown away. These saguaros are living giants, some towering over 40 feet tall, each one with its own quirky shape and personality. Standing among them felt like walking through a desert cathedral.

What amazed us even more was learning that each saguaro is microchipped. Rangers can track them, study them, and even identify their exact age and health. These aren’t just plants—they’re living history, standing for hundreds of years through desert winds, monsoons, and scorching summers. To see them up close was unforgettable, and we left with a new appreciation for these desert icons.

Totally blown away by these Saguaros.

The White Dove of the Desert

One recommendation came from my uncle: go see the Mission San Xavier del Bac, also known as the “White Dove of the Desert.” Patrick’s reaction at first was, “Really? A church?” But I have to give my uncle credit—he nailed this one. The mission was stunning.

Built in the late 1700s, the mission is considered one of the finest examples of Spanish Colonial architecture in the United States. Its white façade gleams against the desert backdrop, and stepping inside feels like stepping back in time. The ornate carvings, vivid frescoes, and intricate details were jaw-dropping, and the sense of history in that space was powerful. It’s still an active parish today, blending its centuries-old past with living tradition.

What struck me most was how serene it felt. After days of dusty towns and ghostly saloons, walking into the White Dove of the Desert felt like a deep breath—a reminder that beauty and faith often endure long after everything else changes.

Definitely worth the stop if you are in the Tucson area!

Sunsets, Surprises, and Food

And then there were the Arizona sunsets. They have a way of stopping you in your tracks. Bold oranges, pinks, and purples stretching across the desert sky—they make you never want to miss a single one.

Piper got to enjoy the sunsets with us!

And the Mexican food? Absolute perfection. From enchiladas to tacos to fresh salsa that lit up our taste buds, every meal was a reminder that Arizona takes flavor seriously. We may have walked extra trails just to justify eating more.

Benson gave us so much more than we expected: lessons in RV life savings, a crash course in Wild West legends, birds migrating from across the world, a possible Spielberg sighting, haunted saloons, timeless mining towns, epic hikes with family, towering desert giants, breathtaking missions, unforgettable sunsets, and Mexican food that was worth every calorie. Arizona, you really outdid yourself.