5 Boondocking Locations in Arizona With Great Views

by Gabrielle DeSantis

Sometimes, when we want to experience nature to its fullest, there’s nothing like getting away from it all with some boondocking. And as one of the most scenic states in the nation — and one of the states with the most public land — Arizona has something to offer every camper.

To help you find the best boondocking spots in the Grand Canyon State, we’ve put together a list of some of our favorites. Best of all, because you’ll be off-grid in these parks, there’s a decent chance you’ll get to enjoy camping for free. 

Mogollon Rim: Breathtaking boondocking

Bell Rock in Sedona, Arizona, is inside the Mogollon Rim | MyLoupe/Universal Images Group via Getty Images

Located in Apache Sitgreaves National Forest, the Mogollon Rim rises to some 7,000 feet of elevation. At 2,000 feet higher than the land around it, it makes for some truly impressive scenery. 

RV Share reports that boondocking locations are plentiful here. Forest Service Roads 300 and 171, right at the top of the rim, make for popular stops with boondockers. At lower elevations, Fire Control Road also offers some great spots. 

While you’re there, Visit Arizona invites you to enjoy the historic hiking and horseback riding trails. You can also bike, rock climb, and more.  

Quartzsite: Stunning sunsets

Quartzsite offers the chance to truly get away from it all at Kofa National Wildlife Refuge. Well off the beaten path, this beautiful spot doesn’t offer any amenities, but few who come here care about that.  

Campsites here are hidden away in cliffs. The Dyrt says the sunset views you’ll enjoy here are “some of the most stunning sunsets you’ll see in the states.”

At Quartzsite, you’ll never need to worry about battling the crowds or noise. There’s plenty of room for all, and those who come here often use solar power to keep generator noise in check.

Mittry Lake Dispersed: Scenic backdrop of 3 mountain ranges

Located about 18 miles northeast of Yuma, this spot offers peaceful free camping and the opportunity to enjoy Mittry Lake. You can park your RV right by the lake for easy access.  

Amenities are few and far between, but the scenic backdrop of three mountain ranges, along with the lake, more than makes up for it. Enjoy kayaking, fishing, or exploring the nearby trails. 

Florence Box Canyon: An off-roader’s paradise

A box canyon is a canyon with steep, basically vertical walls on three sides that allows for entry and exit only on the fourth side. Florence Box Canyon, located southeast of Phoenix, is a unique example of this geological phenomenon. It’s a great place for off-roaders to explore. 

The majority of boondocking spots here are found along Cottonwood Canyon Rd going east from AZ-79. While you’re there, you may enjoy exploring some of the old mines that dot the landscape. (Just remember that you do so at your own risk.) You’ll need to obtain an Arizona State Trust Land permit before camping there. Permits cost $15 for an individual or $20 for a family. 

Snyder Hill: Boondocking lite

Snyder Hill is located just outside Tucson, south of Saguaro National Park. The Dyrt reports that this spot offers free camping and is popular with boondockers who might not have the time to get farther away from the city. Given its relatively urban location, you can expect it to be more crowded than some other spots on this list. 

Stays are allowed for up to 14 days. During that time, you can enjoy the desert scenery and views of the city lights at night. 

RELATED: Is RV Boondocking Safe?

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2022 Hyundai Tucson Earns Highest IIHS Top Safety Pick, but That’s Not All It Offers

by Gabrielle DeSantis

The 2022 Hyundai Tucson is a highly anticipated SUV hitting the market this year. When the Hyundai Tucson was rated by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), there was one significant improvement for the SUV. Hyundai says the new Tuscon is “built for the modern adventure,” but what exactly does that mean for buyers?

Why the IIHS loved the 2022 Hyundai Tucson

2022 Hyundai Tucson Earns Highest IIHS Top Safety Pick | Hyundai

In recent years, the IIHS has been paying extra attention to headlights on vehicles. Headlight technology has been improving in recent years, but not all automakers have been paying attention. The IIHS TOP SAFETY PICK+ award isn’t easy to achieve. Vehicles must earn high scores in all six crashworthiness evaluations.

These evaluations include driver-side small overlap front, passenger overlap front, side-impact, roof strength, and head restraint tests. The 2022 Hyundai Tucson scored high in all of these categories. Some other essential safety features include crash prevention systems. This is required for both vehicle-to-vehicle and vehicle-to-pedestrian classes.

Finally, the headlights must score good or higher in the evaluation. The 2022 Hyundai Tucson offers LED projectors on the Limited trim. These earned a “good” rating. The LED reflector headlights scored an “acceptable” rating on the other trims. For the 2021 model, these were one of the only issues that kept the 2021 Hyundai Tucson from getting the TOP SAFETY PICK+ award.

How much will the 2022 Hyundai Tucson cost?

Just because the 2022 Hyundai Tucson has excellent safety features and a new design doesn’t mean the price is through the roof. The starting MSRP for the base trim is only $24,950. It gets 33 mpg on the highway and offers 187 hp. Plus, you can opt for all-wheel drive now.

Remember how Hyundai said the Tucson was built for modern adventure? The company meant it. With the new HTRAC all-wheel drive option, the Tucson is more prepared for off-the-wall experiences. It also comes in both a hybrid and plug-in hybrid option to keep you on the road longer.

A new 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster adds some pizzaz to the odometer. The new infotainment screen is just as large and offers both Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The interface is clean, modern, and easy to use.

The coolest new feature on the Hyundai SUV

The 2022 Hyundai Tucson is joining the ranks of modern luxury vehicles. Hyundai has outfitted the Tucson with optional Remote Smart Parking Assist. Like the Tesla vehicles on the road, the Tucson can help park and pull out of tight spots without you in the driver seat.

You press the Smart Key button while standing nearby, and the Tucson parks itself. Or, you can press the button, and the 2022 Hyundai Tucson will back out of the spot for you. This impressive feat shows Hyundai is paying attention to what buyers want out of new vehicles.

With so much competition on the market these days, Hyundai has stepped up the game. It also offers wireless charging, a new digital smart key, and Smart Cruise Control. Driver Attention Warning, Lane Keeping Assist, Surround View Monitor, and Rear Occupant Alert are options. So you could say the 2022 Hyundai Tucson is fully loaded and ready for whatever you throw at it.

RELATED: Used Trucks and SUVs That Cost More Than New Trucks and SUVs

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The 2021 Toyota Venza Stole the Best Hybrid SUV Award

by Gabrielle DeSantis

We’re starting this morning with a bit of an upset. Sorry, Toyota RAV4 Prime, Honda CR-V Hybrid, and Jeep Wrangler 4xe. There is a new champion in town. The 2021 Toyota Venza Hybrid just swooped in and stole the best hybrid SUV award. 

The 2021 Toyota Venza Hybrid wins best hybrid SUV 

2021 Toyota Venza | Toyota

Wow, tell the champs to move over. There is a new best hybrid SUV in town, and it’s the 2021 Toyota Venza. These rankings are provided by Roadshow, and to be specific. The Toyota Venza won the category for the Best Midsize Hybrid SUV. 

The Toyota Venza won for undergoing a much-needed transformation from a frumpy crossover to a prover SUV that provides comfort and efficiency. The Vanza is well insulated and provides a quiet ride, while competitors such as the RAV4 Hybrid are known for a loud engine whine. 

Plus, the Venza provides an incredibly smooth ride over dips and bumps. It handles in a similar way to the luxury performance of a Lexus SUV. The front seats are comfortable and supportive. Also, you can opt for heated and ventilated seats, and the dual-zone climate control system is quick and efficient. 

How does the Venza Hybrid perform? 

Roadshow praises the 2021 Toyota Venza for having a 2.5-liter Atkinson-cycle 14 engine that’s paired with three electric motors to provide 219 hp and 163 lb-ft of torque. These numbers may seem low, but the Venza can accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in about 7.6 seconds. 

This speed is average. It’s one second behind the Honda Passport but faster than the V6 Jeep Grand Cherokee. But the Toyota Venza isn’t rated for towing. This could be a deal-breaker for those looking to haul campers or trailers. 

But on a positive note, all-wheel drive comes standard. The electronic on-demand AWD system will automatically kick in if slippage occurs. You should be able to traverse through snow and other slippery conditions just fine.

The 2021 Venza gets an EPA-estimated 40 mpg in the city and up to 37 mpg on the highway. The driving modes include EV, ECO, Sport, and Normal, allowing you to match optimal performance to various conditions. 

The EV mode enables the vehicle to operate in electric-only for low speeds and shorter distances while the Sport mode sharpens throttle response. You can also select the level of regenerative breaking you would like. 

The Toyota Venza excels in tech 

2021 Toyota Venza interior
2021 Toyota Venza interior | Toyota

Roadshow also enjoys the 2021 Toyota Venza because it’s loaded with modern tech features. For example, the optional electrochromic sunroof provides transparency or opacity at the click of a button. 

An 8.0-inch touchscreen comes standard, but you can upgrade to a 12.3-inch unit. Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Amazon Alexa come standard. The larger screen comes with in-dash navigation and a nine-speaker JBL premium stereo system. 

Inside the gauge cluster, there is an available 7-inch multi-information display that delivers crucial driving info, safety alerts, and more. Plus, the Head-Up Display (HUD) projects your speed and safety alerts on the windshield. 

Standard safety features include automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, lane-departure warning with lane-keeping assistance, and adaptive cruise control. 

If you’re in the market for a highly rated hybrid SUV, you can get started in the 2021 Toyota Venza for about $32,670. It’s rated as the best hybrid midsize SUV, so it’s worth giving a shot. 

RELATED: The 2021 Toyota Venza Just Proved Its Quality

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The Tesla Cybertruck Is Officially Delayed Until 2022

by Gabrielle DeSantis

The Tesla Cybertruck has been making the news ever since Elon Musk threw a rock through its window at the official announcement. But the Cybertruck has officially been delayed until 2022 as Tesla struggles to get production ramped up. Or, perhaps Tesla is struggling to get production started at all.

When can I expect my Tesla Cybertruck?

The Tesla Cybertruck is delayed until 2022 | Frederic J. Brown/AFP via Getty Images

Unfortunately, buyers can expect to wait a little longer now. The Tesla Cybertruck was expected to get delivered later this year, but that is no longer the case. Last month, the Tesla Model S deliveries started getting delayed across the board. Now, Tesla has delayed Cybertruck deliveries until 2022, according to Electrek.

Cybertruck buyers started receiving notice that if you placed a deposit, you would be able to complete the configuration “as production nears in 2022.” Tesla had hoped to build the Cybertruck at the Gigafactory Texas location during 2021. It isn’t clear if production won’t start at all or just be delayed until later in the year.

Unfortunately, that means plenty of reservation holders might not see the Cybertruck until 2023. Even if Tesla works out the kinks by early next year, actual production is going to take a while to ramp up. With so many reservations to fill, the Tesla Cybertruck is a long way away from regular deliveries.

How much is the Tesla Cybertruck going for?

There are three different models of the Tesla Cybertruck. The single motor rear-wheel-drive option started at $39,900. The dual-motor all-wheel drive Cybertruck started at $49,900. Finally, the tri-motor AWD option started at $69,000. All of these offered full self-driving for an extra $10,000.

Previously, Tesla said that the factory would produce the two higher-end models first. The delay seems to be for all three of the options regardless of motor choice. Buyers only had to put down a $100 deposit to get in line for the Cybertruck last year, which means there is quite a long line of people hoping to get the truck.

Since production continues to get delayed, the Tesla Cybertruck will be worth a ton of money to those at the front of the list. Tesla has an unusual delivery game that sometimes places those close to the factory at the front of the list. Those who have purchased a Tesla before might get bumped to the front as well.

The electric truck game is ramping up

Since Tesla doesn’t have anything like the Cybertruck in production, there was a lot of work put into the design. Not to mention the fact that the Cybertruck is like nothing else on the market. The brand only recently confirmed that the engineering for the Tesla Cybertruck was completed. Since the frame is essentially a steel exoskeleton, Tesla had to create a new manufacturing process.

Right now, there is a mad dash to bring an electric pickup to the market. Lordstown Motors was working on one, but that fizzled out. The Ford F-150 Lightning is popping up in places recently and might be the first one actually to reach mainstream markets. Rivian delayed the R1T electric pickup truck until September now.

With pandemic delays, semiconductor chip issues, and just general supply and demand problems, automotive production has not been smooth this year. If you planned on rolling into 2022 with your fresh new Tesla Cybertruck, you might need to rethink those plans.

RELATED: Elon Musk Confirms Tesla Was Not Invited to the White House Electric Vehicle Event

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