If your RV adventure through Arizona has you craving something a little off the beaten path, perhaps a quirky stop is in order.
These three unusual Arizona museums deliver fun, history, and information you won’t find in other museums. Each stop pairs perfectly with nearby RV parks, so you can explore without rushing. Take a peek!
The Thing Museum
The Thing Museum has drawn curious travelers for decades. This museum is one of those classic Americana attractions, anchored by “The Thing”—a sensational oddity that visitors still debate.
Promoted with iconic billboards you’ll see all along Interstate 10, the museum blends kitschy Americana, conspiracy stories, and, well, just plain weirdness. This stop is pure roadside fun, perfect for RVers who enjoy offbeat history and colorful photo ops.
The museum blends mystery, humor, and odd artifacts in a way that invites plenty of questions and laughs. You’ll spend more time than you expect poking around the exhibits and snapping photos, trust me.
The Thing Museum is located just off Interstate 10 at exit 322 between Benson and Willcox, Arizona. The address is 2631 North Johnson Road. It’s easy to spot if you follow the iconic billboards.
Two RV campgrounds nearby
• Cattlerest Saloon and RV Park: This is a lively RV park with full hookups and a saloon right on site. It’s a great place to unwind after exploring The Thing Museum, with food, games, and often live music. The combination of camping and entertainment makes it a fun stop in southeastern Arizona.
• Willcox/Cochise, AZ KOA Holiday: A more traditional campground option with reliable services and hookups. It’s close to Willcox and its local restaurants, giving you options for downtime and dinner after your museum visit.
Titan Missile Museum
At the Titan Missile Museum, you can explore one of the only remaining Titan II intercontinental ballistic missile launch complexes in the United States.
During guided, underground tours, you’ll descend into the historic missile control rooms. There, you’ll get a rare behind-the-scenes look at what life was like for the crews who stood watch during the Cold War. It’s truly fascinating! You’ll also witness the engineering genius that powered this era of nuclear deterrence.
This immersive, underground experience makes history tangible in a way few museums can. Instead of just seeing artifacts, you step into the operational heart of Cold War strategy. The Titan Missile Museum is a great stop for history buffs, tech fans, and curious RV explorers, too.
The museum is located south of Tucson near Green Valley/Sahuarita at 1580 W Duval Mine Road. It’s easily reached from Interstate 19. Only timed tours take you below ground to the control center. Group sizes are also limited. Call 520-934-1863 for information and to secure reservations.
Two RV campgrounds nearby
• Green Valley RV Resort is a full-service RV resort within easy driving distance of the museum. Spacious, level sites and amenities like a clubhouse and pool make it a comfortable base for exploring. (Check out the nearby wineries and desert landscapes while in the area.)
• DeAnza RV Resort is located along the I-19 corridor between Tucson and Green Valley. This campground offers easy freeway access, pull-through sites, and proximity to dining and groceries. It’s a practical choice if you’re visiting the missile museum en route through southern Arizona.
Poozeum
The Poozeum in Williams dives deep into the science of coprolites. These are fossilized feces that reveal what ancient animals ate and how they lived. The Poozeum houses thousands of specimens collected from around the world, turning something unexpected into an educational and often amusing learning stop.
Whether you’re grossed out, intrigued, or somewhere in between, this museum is a fascinating look at paleontology through a lens most people never consider. (I certainly didn’t!) It’s fun, informative, and makes for a great conversation starter around the RV campfire.
The Poozeum is located along historic Route 66 in Williams, Arizona. It fits into a northern Arizona itinerary that might also include a visit to the Grand Canyon.
Two RV campgrounds nearby
• Grand Canyon Railway RV Park is a well-located RV park right in Williams. It’s just blocks from Route 66 and local dining. The park offers full hookups, Wi-Fi, and easy access to the historic train depot if you’re also planning a scenic ride into the Grand Canyon.
• Canyon Gateway RV Park is a relaxed campground atop a hill near Williams with peaceful spaces and lovely views. It’s just minutes from the Poozeum and gives you a restful base for exploring northern Arizona.
Tips for RVers
Before you arrive, double-check hours and tour reservations. The Titan Missile Museum requires timed ticketing. The Thing Museum’s hours can vary with the season, and the Poozeum occasionally adjusts open times for events or holidays.
Planning ahead helps you make the most of your day without racing the clock. Many of these quirky stops make perfect half-day trips from your campground.
Have you visited these quirky Arizona museums? Can you suggest additional unusual museums? Do so in the comments below.
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RVT1245
Hobo Museum in Britt Iowa.
Camp Algona POW Museum in Algona Iowa.
Kit Carson County Carousel Museum, Burlington CO.
We stumbled across these hidden gems on one of our cross country trips. We love finds like these and are constantly on the lookout for them.
Article was about Arizona.
As a Gary I feel it’s only fair to chime in and say thank you Gary Roman for taking the time to list a few more unusual museums a traveling rv’r might encounter on our travels in other states !
Titan II Museum in AZ is a fantastic step back into the cold war era. My hometown in suburban Milwaukee had one of three Atlas Missile bases that surrounded Milwaukee. After the missiles were removed the F.D. got to go into the silo complex. Quite a place, The Titan II complex is a GREAT place to see what we had to protect us during the cold war. It’s a GIANT rocket! Well worth the time.