RV Rental Surprise, AZ

Surprise, Arizona RV Rentals

The story of how Surprise, Arizona got its name is a funny and ironic one. Apparently, it was named as a sort of joke by the town’s founder, Flora Mae Statler in 1938, when she quipped that she “would be surprised if the town ever amounted to much.” Well, surprisingly enough, the city shrugged off its cynical start and is doing quite well by today’s standards. So there.

It’s now the sixth-fastest growing city in the state. With 20 golf courses, tennis, hiking, mountain biking, and more, Surprise is an outdoor enthusiast’s dream. The perfect combination of majestic mountains, sunny and warm weather, a regional lake, and iconic Sonoran nature all add to the appeal of this welcoming town.

An RV road trip is the perfect way to explore Surprise and its surrounding region. RV rentals in Surprise are numerous and easy to find. There are also several scenic and well-appointed campgrounds in which to park your rig. Our informative guide will help you start planning what we’re sure will be a vacation that comes as a pleasant surprise (see what we did there?).

Popular RV Destinations in Surprise

Surprise Stadium

The Surprise Stadium is one of the busiest baseball stadiums in the Southwest. It’s the spring training home of not one, but two major league baseball teams. The Texas Rangers and the Kansas City Royals both practice here during the colder months.

It’s also home to the Arizona Fall League Surprise Saguaros. The stadium boasts a fun and family-friendly atmosphere with an eclectic menu of locally-inspired food offerings. Try the tamale dog, a jumbo hotdog inside a green chile tamale that’s topped with salsa and jalapeno relish. 

Or, if you’re craving something with a little more kick, try the sriracha-infused ketchup and the Caribe pepper-infused mustard. There’s also authentic Mexican and Chinese fare to satisfy any craving. Games sell out fast when the Arizona Diamondbacks or the Chicago Cubs come to town.

White Tank Mountains

An RV road trip is an ideal opportunity to drive the short 15 miles from Surprise to White Tank Mountain Regional Park. If you’re lucky enough to hike the easy 1.8-mile Waterfall Trail after a rare heavy rainstorm, you might see an actual waterfall. The falls cascade over a steep craggy rock face and are certainly something to see. 

Even though the falls may elude you during your visit, you’ll still be awed by scenic vistas. The Waterfall Trail also passes alongside a series of large boulders that feature rich prehistoric artistic carvings from the ancient Hohokam Tribe. This area of the park is called Petroglyph Plaza. 

After that trail, be sure to explore some of the 30 miles of other trails that range from easy to challenging. Just a heads up, there is a small fee to enter this park.

Championship Golf

Located just outside the bustling and big city of Phoenix, Surprise is home to some of the most challenging and world-class golf courses in the country. With more than 60 courses to choose from in a 20-mile radius, there’s something to suit every skill level and budget. You could golf every single day of your vacation and still not play all the courses.

There are at least eight top-quality golf courses close to downtown Surprise. Choose from Coyote Lakes Golf Club, Arizona Traditions Golf Club, Desert Springs Golf Course, Granite Falls Golf Courses, all right in Surprise. Or, feel free to venture further afield to numerous other scenic courses.

Uptown Alley

For a break from the heat and a guaranteed fun time, you’ve got to go to Uptown Alley. This huge venue offers 40 lanes of bowling. But that’s not all; you also get two stories of laser tag 80 video games, billiards tables, and a sports theater.

There is no shortage of awesome options to keep your entire family entertained for hours here. Uptown Alley is a hot spot for birthday parties and group gatherings. Watch your favorite sporting events on one of the 10-foot projection screens.

You can get a bite to eat and a cold drink at the center’s onsite bar and grill. You can also find a bunch of high-quality restaurants offering all kinds of cuisines, as well as fun breweries just outside the doors of this large event space.

Wildlife World Zoo

Less than 10 miles outside of Surprise, you’ll find Litchfield’s Wildlife World Zoo, Aquarium, and Safari Park. These three venues house Arizona’s largest collection of endangered and exotic animals. There are more than 600 different species and 3,000 fascinating animals here.

The zoo specializes in African and South American animals, including hyenas, baboons, African lions, ostriches, and many more. There is also the very cool Dragon World, which houses gila monsters, green anacondas, sailfin dragons, and bearded dragons. Some of these animals can’t be found anywhere else in the state.

The four-building aquarium is filled with hundreds of fish, reptiles, amphibians, and invertebrates. You can see the longest acrylic tunnel in all of Arizona at the aquarium’s South Pacific Reef tunnel tank. It provides some very out-of-the-ordinary viewing experiences. 

The 15-acre Safari Park features a new African lion habitat and several varieties of African birds. You can walk around the park on foot or take a fun tram ride to several of the animal exhibits. Make sure to bring cash, as the park doesn’t take credit cards.

Surprise Aquatic Center

Smack dab in the heart of the downtown Surprise City Center is the state-of-the-art Surprise Aquatic Center. For a very reasonable $5 entry fee, you and the whole family can escape the heat and play all day. The venue is a great place to take small children, as it is heavily monitored by qualified lifeguards.

Enjoy swimming in the Olympic-sized pool or the vortex whirlpool. Test your skills on the diving boards or race down one of the numerous water slides. A zero-depth area is perfect for teeny beans.

Once you’re fully waterlogged, you can take a rest on the shaded bleachers. In case you get hungry or thirsty, the center also has a well-equipped snack bar. 

Surprise Women’s Heritage Trail

Women have played a pivotal role in the development of the town of Surprise all the way back to the town’s founder, Flora Mae Statler, in 1938. The town decided to honor that heritage with the Surprise Women’s Heritage Trail that was launched in 2013. The trail features a self-guided tour with about 15 stops around town where women have left their impressions.

See the side of the old Saylor’s Root Beer Stand, where Nellie Saylor played an important role in establishing and managing the family business that also included a trading post and skating rink. Go through Bicentennial Park, whose land was donated to the city by Flora Mae’s own daughter. This educational trail is an excellent way to explore the city by foot and get a real feel for the town’s proud history.

Wickenburg

While Surprise has the market cornered on a top-notch urban experience, you should take your RV 35 miles northwest to the slow-paced town of Wickenburg. Wickenburg is known as the town of “horses, hats, history, and hospitality.” It’s an old-timey contrast to the newer and more modern Surprise.

With roots dating back to the 1860s, this is a historic ranching and gold-mining town. It showcases several reminders of the time, including the Jail Tree Walkway and Outlaw Avenue, where you can see a tree and sculpture that marks the spot where outlaws would be chained. Stroll through the quaint town streets and grab a bite to eat or a refreshing drink at one of the open-air cafes and fun bars.

Wickenburg was also once known as the “dude ranch capital of the world.” Today, many of those historic guest ranches remain, including the famous Flying E Ranch and the Rancho de los Caballeros. You can also get your western gear at one of the well-outfitted stores in town.

Events and Entertainment in Surprise

Spring Eggstravaganza

Every spring, just before Easter, Surprise hosts its weeklong Spring Eggstravaganza. It’s a fun and family-friendly festival that welcomes spring in all its glory. With many diverse activities and presentations, there’s something for everyone to enjoy.

Kids love participating in the egg coloring contest, the Easter egg hunt, and meeting the Easter Bunny. Adults enjoy cooking demonstrations, bingo games, DIY egg coloring hacks, and more. And people of all ages love cookie decorating with Mrs. Bunny at one of the local bakeries.

Lots of fun arts and crafts and a cornucopia of food and beverage offerings from some of the city’s top restaurants and chefs round out this all-inclusive event.

Surprise Spring Training

If you plan your visit to Surprise in February or March, you have to go see a spring training game at Surprise Stadium. Catch some excellent pre-season Major League Baseball at this modern and well-designed venue.

The stadium is home to two MLB teams — the Texas Rangers and the Kansas City Royals — that use this state-of-the-art facility to get back into tip-top shape. Games are numerous throughout the two-month training period, so you’ve got plenty of opportunities to see one. Tickets are reasonably priced.

This is a great way for you to see your favorite team go head-to-head. One of the best parts about this stadium is the fun and funky food options that they offer, so be sure to go hungry.

Surprise Festival Days

The annual Surprise Festival Days is held downtown over the course of four days each spring. It attracts more than 10,000 locals and tourists to partake in the lively events. The festival hosts some of the most exciting attractions and a diverse mix of works by legendary and up-and-coming artists. 

The festival includes two separate stages that offer all manner of local and regional live arts, music, and dance performances that will keep you entertained throughout the entire four days. Enjoy a modern and well-stocked mid-way full of carnival rides and games, including the fun Kiddie Zone. Be enraptured by evening hot air balloon glows.

Check out the West Valley Pet Fest that features lots of dogs, reptiles, and birds to see and learn about. There’s also the large Open Road Show that showcases some incredible cars, trucks, bikes, and off-road vehicles. Hit up the Good Living Expo for all the latest in fitness and health and wellness.

When you’re hungry or in need of something to wet your whistle, the wide variety of food trucks offering eclectic street foods and gourmet wine, beer, and cocktails won’t fail to satisfy. Don’t leave without seeing some exhilarating culinary battles at the Taste of Home Zone.

Surprise Fine Art & Wine Festival

The Surprise Fine Art & Wine Festival is a highly anticipated and well-attended event that’s been taking place annually since 2005. Set in the 180-acre Mark Coronado Park, the festival goes for three days in January and is a great way to kick off the new year. The festival chooses a different local or regional artist to focus on each year.

The chosen artist or artists showcase some of their best works throughout the festival grounds. There are also special demonstrations and workshops to help hone your own artistic skills. Locals and tourists love touring through the wide array of juried artworks. 

When you get hungry, you can fill your belly by sampling some of the delicious and innovative food truck offerings. You can also relax and enjoy the ambiance provided by some of the best live musicians and bands in the region.

FAQs

Q: What are RV rentals?

RV rentals work much like any other vehicle rentals. You pay a daily or weekly rate. You can expect these rates to fluctuate based on the time of year and the geographic location that you're renting. Naturally, rates tend to increase during peak seasons. You can get an RV for a certain period and enjoy all its benefits while traveling without the hassles and large cost of owning an RV. It’s also a great way to try out some different RV models if you’re considering purchasing your own.

Q: How much are RV rentals?

RV rentals in Surprise can range between $75 and $150 per night for most small to medium-sized trailers and campervans. Larger RVs and travel trailers can cost from $100 to $250 per night, depending on the season and the RV’s year, make, and model. Some companies offer a discount if you rent for longer than a week.

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

The legal age to rent a vehicle in Arizona is 21. This usually doesn’t apply to RV rentals, however. Most RV rental agencies require you to be at least 25 years old to rent from them. You may be able to find some agencies or owners who are willing to rent to younger individuals, but they’ll also usually charge a hefty surcharge for that privilege, so double check with your particular rental agency or owner.

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

Yes, you'll need insurance to rent an RV in Surprise. It's meant to cover the vehicle in case of an accident and is mandatory in most states. Most rental companies will have RV-specific insurance that you can purchase.

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

This policy varies among rental agencies, but most RV rental facilities in Surprise will expect you to return the vehicle with a full tank of gas. At the very least, the fuel should be at the same level as when you picked up the vehicle. 

Q: Are RVs pet-friendly in Surprise?

Many RV and camper rentals in Surprise are pet-friendly, and there are even vehicles specially designed for accommodating animals. Still, it’s important to double-check the policy with your chosen rental agency before renting a particular vehicle.