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Planning an RV vacation can be overwhelming! There are so many great places to explore in the United States, that it can be tough to choose where to visit. We have picked some of our favorite spots for our list and they are nothing short of amazing. Here is our list of RV Vacation Destinations in the USA.
1. Yellowstone National Park
When most people imagine an epic RV vacation, Yellowstone is at the top of the list! With its beauty, wildlife, and miles of parkland to explore, Yellowstone’s reputation as the most spectacular national park is well deserved. It certainly deserves to be listed first on our list of the 7 Best RV Vacations in the USA.
There is so much to see in the park, and surprises await you around every turn. An excellent first stop on your adventure is the Upper Geyser Basin. Here you will find Old Faithful along with hundreds of other geysers. This area has the highest concentration of geysers in the entire world. You can check estimated geyser eruption times online or at any Visitor Center. If you have bikes with you, consider biking along the geyser basin trail. There is also a boardwalk trail that is a must-do for anyone wanting to check out a wide variety of geysers.
Once you’ve had your fill of geysers, it is time to look for some animals! A drive to Lamar Valley or Hayden Valley is sure to give you a glimpse of some of the thousands of bison that make their home in Yellowstone. These incredible creatures are fascinating to watch. Just make sure you enjoy their beauty from a safe distance. Twenty-five yards is the minimum safe viewing distance for bison.
Other Yellowstone must-see sites include the Grand Prismatic Spring at the Midway Geyser Basin and Yellowstone Falls. Both of these natural wonders will leave you awestruck at their beauty.
Covering nearly 3,500 square miles, Yellowstone is tremendous and almost impossible to see in one trip. If you choose to stay outside of the park, it can take you several hours to get into the park and drive to many of the main points of interest.
For a more enjoyable stay, we recommend camping inside the park. Twelve campgrounds within Yellowstone can accommodate rigs of up to forty feet. Five of the campgrounds accept reservations while the other seven campgrounds are first-come, first-served. Generators are allowed in the campgrounds during designated hours. Dump stations are located throughout the park as well.
Camping in the park allows you to get up early and go right to the areas of the park you want to see before the crowds arrive. It is also the most affordable way to experience the wonders of Yellowstone.
2. Las Vegas, Nevada
Las Vegas is well known for its fabulous entertainment, nightlife, and of course, the casinos! For RVers, Las Vegas is also the perfect home base for exploring the National Parks of the Southwest. While Las Vegas itself isn’t one of the 7 Best RV Vacations in the USA – from Las Vegas, you can easily reach eight National Parks in just a few hours.
The day trip possibilities from Las Vegas are nearly endless. In less than five hours, you can be standing on the South Rim of the Grand Canyon. Along the way, you can stop at the Hoover Dam and check out a humanmade wonder along with the natural wonder of the Canyon.
Do you prefer hiking through spectacular geologic formations? Head toward Utah, and in just a few hours, you can be hiking through Zion National Park or checking out the hoodoos in Bryce Canyon National Park. The other amazing Utah national parks are just a short drive from Bryce or Zion.
A day trip to Joshua Tree National Park or Death Valley National Park is well within your reach from Las Vegas. In less than three and a half hours, you can get to either of these spectacular national treasures.
Be sure to take a day or two to explore Las Vegas itself. Even if you aren’t much of a gambler, there is something for everyone in Las Vegas. Check out a world-class performance or wander down Fremont Street. Either way, you are sure to have fun.
RV vacationers visiting Las Vegas will find no shortage of RV parks to host their stay. Whether you are seeking a full-service, amenity-filled resort or simply a place to park for the night, Las Vegas has it all. There is also plentiful Bureau of Land Management (BLM) land in the area for those wishing to dry camp and save their money for the casinos.
3. RV Vacation at Crater Lake National Park
Located in beautiful Oregon, Crater Lake is the deepest lake in the United States. It is also considered one of the most beautiful lakes in the world. The depth of 1,943 feet gives Crater Lake its incredible blue color.
Crater Lake sits inside of a dormant volcano. Old-growth forests and volcanic features are some of the fantastic wonders you can explore while visiting the park.
Crater Lake is a fantastic place to vacation, and folks who get to visit are indeed fortunate. Weather in the area can be brutally cold, and snow blankets the region for most of the year.
If you plan to camp at Crater Lake, you will want to visit during their short summer season, which runs from mid-June through September. If you do choose to visit outside of the summer season, be sure to check the weather conditions in advance. Frequent storms lead to road closures, and you certainly do not want to travel all the way there and miss your chance to see the lake!
Crater Lake offers two campgrounds with one, Mazama, that is RV friendly. Mazama Campground can accommodate RVs up to 50 feet in length. The campground is usually open from June 15 to late September, and reservations are accepted from July through September. While there are no hookups in the campground, generators are allowed. There is also a camp store, dump station, laundry facility, restrooms, and showers.
If you are looking for more amenities, there are several RV parks in the area. For those looking to truly get away from it all, check out the National Forest Service land that surrounds the park for dry camping. The nearby towns of Ashland and Klamath Falls offer restaurants, shopping, and fun diversions.
4. Glacier National Park
Glacier National Park is fast becoming one of America’s most popular national parks. Last year over 3 million people visited the park, and more visitors are expected in the coming years. With 25 active glaciers, the park is one of the few places in the lower 48 states where you can view glaciers.
Glaciers are not all that the park has to offer: Alpine meadows, lakes, scenic drives, wildlife, and beautiful hikes make Glacier a favorite with all types of travelers.
One of the most famous and spectacular national park drives can be found in Glacier National Park. The Going-to-the-Sun Road winds through Glacier and takes visitors from the valley floor to alpine meadows and beyond. Allow at least two hours to drive this fifty-mile road as there are many beautiful viewpoints, trailheads, and wildlife viewing areas along the way.
RV vacationers will find excellent options in the Glacier region. There are 13 developed campgrounds in Glacier National Park, seven of which can accommodate RVs and travel trailers. Most of these campgrounds are located along the Going-to-the-Sun Road, which is the main thoroughfare within the park. There are also excellent private campgrounds on both sides of the park for those seeking more amenities.
When choosing a campground, it is essential to know that RV travel is restricted from the Avalanche Campground on the eastern side of the park to the Rising Sun picnic area on the western side of the park. Be sure to check out the vehicle length limits and restrictions before planning your trip. It is easiest to stay in a campground on the side of the park that you plan to enter to avoid a stressful and challenging drive through the park.
No matter where you stay, a trip to Glacier National Park should be on your bucket list. With the glaciers receding more and more each year, a visit to the area is a must if you want to view a glacier in the lower 48 states. From stunning vistas to spectacular drives, Glacier offers something for every camper.
5. Acadia National Park
Located along the rocky coast of Maine, Acadia National Park is known as the Crown Jewel of the North Atlantic Coast. At Acadia, visitors can explore rocky coastal shores, hike miles of trails, or drive through some of the most beautiful mountains and coastlines in the country.
Some of the can’t miss sites in Acadia National Park include the 2-mile Ocean Path trail, an easy walking path along the shore, Cadillac Mountain, which is the highest point in the park, and Bass Harbor Head Lighthouse. Thunder Hole is a small rocky inlet along the shore that has a unique feature. When waves come crashing into Thunder Hole, a thunder-like roar booms along the coast. Thunder Hole is one of the most popular spots in the park and definitely worth a visit.
Popular activities in Acadia include hiking, exploring the shoreline, boat cruises, biking, and ranger programs. The park is home to puffins, peregrine falcons, seals, whales, bears, and moose. Many private tour companies operate boats that will take you offshore. Here you will have the best chance of viewing the puffins, whales, and seals. Moose and bears are rarely seen in the park, but they can be viewed on occasion. To spot these animals, consider visiting outside of the peak season and head to the less crowded backcountry areas of the park.
The National Park Service offers many excellent ranger programs at Acadia National Park. Programs include ranger-led boat tours, bike tours, guided walks and evening programs under the stars.
Acadia National Park welcomes over 3.5 million visitors per year, making it one of the most visited national parks. The park is popular year-round, with many visitors coming in the fall to view the spectacular fall foliage. Cross-country skiing and show shoeing are popular activities during the winter months.
Acadia’s popularity has led to severe crowding during the peak summer season. To reduce stress and improve your experience, leave your car behind and take the Island Explorer bus into the park. This bus is free and will take you to all the major attractions. If you do bring your car, prepare for delays. Arrive early in the day to find parking at points of interest.
Another excellent way to explore the park is by bike. Acadia features 45 miles of carriage roads that are off-limits to motor vehicles. The carriage roads are scenic and peaceful. They are also typically less crowded. You can bring your own bike or rent one in one of the nearby towns.
There are four developed campgrounds in Acadia. Some sites have electric and water. If the weather is nice, campsites in Acadia are impossible to find. You will most likely need a reservation to obtain a campsite in the park. Reservations can be made up to six months in advance online at reservation.gov.
Outside of the park, nearby towns offer private campgrounds and hotels along with restaurants and other attractions. Cell service is extremely limited in the park, so do not plan on having connectivity during your stay.
One nice feature of the trails at Acadia is that pets are welcome! Most trails are pet-friendly so that you can bring your leashed dog along on your adventures.
6. Disney World
Disney World may not be the first place that comes to your mind when you think about an RV vacation. However, with its perfect year-round weather and abundance of RV parks, the Orlando area is an excellent location for your RV getaway.
Disney World is not the most affordable place to vacation, and bringing your RV can really help to offset the cost of a Disney getaway! Even the most luxurious RV resorts in the area cost less per night than an average hotel room. You won’t have to give up any amenities either, as these RV resorts are designed for fun!
The most sought-after campground in the Orlando area is the Fort Wilderness Resort at Walt Disney World. Fort Wilderness is considered by many RV travelers to be one of the best RV parks in the United States.
With multiple pools, restaurants, tons of free activities for all ages, and private campsites, it is tough to beat. To access the parks, you can take the Walt Disney World shuttle buses or hop on the boat at the campground to head to the Magic Kingdom.
You may be surprised at how affordable it is to stay at Fort Wilderness. Campsite rates start at $60 per night. Sites with hookups range from $90 to $118 per night. While this is pricy compared to the average RV resort, Fort Wilderness is far from ordinary.
If you are traveling with friends or family, there are also cabin rentals available in the campground.
Keep in mind that Fort Wilderness is one of the most popular resorts in all of Walt Disney World, and the campground fills up as much as a year in advance. You will need to book ahead to secure a spot.
If you are looking for something a bit more laid back, there are many excellent RV resorts outside of Disney World. It is also a good idea to book these sites in advance as well since so many RVers frequent Florida RV parks.
7. The Great Lakes Region
Camping along the shore of a beautiful lake is a quintessential American camping experience. There is no better place to bring this dream to life than an RV vacation in the Great Lakes region during the summer months. With perfect camping temperatures and miles of picturesque shoreline, you may never want to leave!
The Great Lakes span over 750 miles and border eight U.S. states as well as Canada. Altogether, the area is larger than the state of Texas, and there are thousands of places to camp in the region. Whether you are seeking a campsite along the shore or a quiet spot nestled in the woods, the Great Lakes have you covered!
The Great Lakes region offers a variety of camping experiences, from state parks and national lakeshores to RV resorts. For those looking to enjoy the peace and quiet of nature, check out Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore. Located west of Traverse City along Lake Michigan, Sleeping Bear offers RV camping, beautiful scenery, and excellent opportunities for recreation.
Exploring the sand dunes or relaxing by the shore can keep you busy for weeks. For those looking for more adventure, consider renting a kayak, paddleboard, or even a boat! If you prefer to have someone else do the driving, private fishing and lake tour charters are plentiful in the area.
Conclusion
We hope you enjoyed our article about the 7 Best RV Vacations in the USA! There are so many great places for a great RV vacation but we think these 7 are really special.
Where was your favorite RV vacation location in the USA? Leave us a comment below and let us know!
