Williams, Arizona: Trains, Outlaws, and Family Adventures

When my parents came to visit us in Williams, Arizona, it felt like our RV trip had turned into a full-on family road show.

Williams, Arizona Adventures

We parked the fifth wheel at the Grand Canyon Railway RV Park, which was perfect because you can literally hop on a train from the campground that takes you right into the Grand Canyon. Naturally, we had to do it with my parents. The ride itself was fun—though a little hokey, with live cowboy skits and corny jokes—but it made the adventure feel even more like we’d stepped back into the Old West.

The highlight of the train ride? The staged “robbery.” A little cowboy bandit came storming down the aisle demanding money. My mom, fully committed to the experience, elbowed my dad and whispered, “Give him the money!” My dad, in peak Dad form, rolled his eyes and said, “What do you want me to do, Beth—shove it in his waistband?” The whole car cracked up, and Mom got the full Wild West show she wanted.

The Grand Canyon View this time with my parents

Here's a picture of all of us on the train ride!

Antelope Canyon & Holbrook Revisited

Since my parents were with us, we revisited some of the spots we’d loved with Andrew. Back at Antelope Canyon, it was just as magical as before, but totally different. The way the sunlight cut through the canyon walls changed everything—the colors, the shadows, the photos. Watching my parents stand there in awe made it even better.

We also drove them back out to Holbrook to share our favorite stop: Mister Mastro’s and the Petrified Forest National Park. Except, in true “our trip never goes according to plan” fashion, the restaurant wasn’t open that day. So instead, we consoled ourselves with—what else—another incredible Mexican restaurant in Holbrook. Arizona was making sure we never left hungry.

Montezuma Castle: Life in the Cliffs

Another highlight was visiting Montezuma Castle National Monument. Despite the name, it has nothing to do with the Aztec emperor Montezuma—the Sinagua people around the 1100s actually built it. This five-story, 20-room cliff dwelling is tucked into the limestone like an ancient desert apartment complex. Standing there, staring up at the castle glowing in the afternoon sun, we couldn’t believe so many people actually lived in those cliffside homes. It’s a true testament to human resilience and ingenuity.

I continue to be amazed at what humans can create

Sedona & Tuzigoot

We also made it to Sedona, with its iconic red rock formations glowing under the Arizona sun. It was breathtaking—though we unfortunately picked spring break to visit, so we were shoulder to shoulder with what felt like the entire state. We thought about visiting the Chapel of the Holy Cross, but trying to wedge our massive F-350 into that jam-packed parking lot? Hard pass.

We will visit this place again, maybe not with our F-350 or during spring break.

Not far away, we stopped at Tuzigoot National Monument, another fascinating Sinagua site perched on a ridge above the Verde Valley. The pueblo once had more than 100 rooms and was home to a thriving community nearly 1,000 years ago. Honestly though, the first thing I fell in love with was the name. Tuzigoot. It just sounds like a cartoon sidekick. I immediately told Patrick we should name our next dog “Tuzigoot.” He gave me that look and said, “Yeah, but then I’m just going to call it Gooter.” And I had to admit… “Here, Gooter!” doesn’t exactly have a ring to it.

These are the ruins that remain at Tuzigoot.

Meteor Crater: One Giant Hole in the Ground

One day we drove out with my parents to see the Meteor Crater, and let me tell you—no picture or postcard prepares you for it. Over 50,000 years ago, a meteor the size of a house slammed into what was then flat desert, leaving behind a massive hole nearly a mile wide and 600 feet deep. Standing on the rim, it was surreal—just this enormous scoop out of the Earth, like someone took a cosmic ice cream spoon to Arizona.

My dad, being the science guy in the family, was utterly fascinated. While I was standing there thinking, “Wow, that’s a huge hole,” he was happily pointing out little details about what we were seeing. I may not have followed every fact he rattled off, but I loved watching him light up—it was like watching a kid in a candy store, only his candy happened to be giant craters caused by space rocks.

Walnut Canyon: Cliffside Beauty

We also explored Walnut Canyon National Monument, and this place was pure magic. The canyon walls are dotted with cliff dwellings built by the Sinagua people hundreds of years ago, tucked into rocky alcoves with sweeping views of pine-studded ridges. Walking the Island Trail felt like stepping into a time capsule—you can almost picture the families who once lived here, climbing ladders up and down the cliffs with baskets of food. It was absolutely gorgeous.

Sunset Crater: Training for the Moon

Just down the road, we visited Sunset Crater Volcano National Monument, a surreal landscape of jagged lava flows and black volcanic rock. It felt like walking across another planet, which made sense once we learned that NASA actually trained Apollo astronauts here in the 1960s to get them ready for walking on the moon. Standing there, looking out at the frozen rivers of lava, it was easy to see why—they didn’t even need a Hollywood set.

Jewelry Trouble with Mom

One of my favorite parts of having my mom with us? Stopping at all the Native American jewelry stands. If I thought I was in trouble before, I was really in trouble now. She was just as into the turquoise and silver as I was, and we egged each other on at every booth. Patrick and my dad just stood back watching us with that “there goes the budget” look, but honestly? Some temptations are worth it.

So many dang rings to choose from!

Our time in Williams was packed with train rides, Wild West antics, jaw-dropping landscapes, and family laughs we’ll never forget. From Mom trying to pay off a train bandit to Dad geeking out at a giant meteor crater, from jewelry splurges with Mom to crowded red rocks in Sedona, it was the perfect mix of history, humor, and heart. Sharing it all with my parents made this stop one of the most memorable of the trip.