Whether you’re a full-time RVer or a weekend camper, your travel involves a lot of research. Where’s the best place to park the RV? What is the best combination of scenery and amenities while keeping the campsite affordable?
Whether you’re just starting or need new destinations, here are some great spots for RVs and campers.
Yellowstone National Park
Yellowstone is one of the most popular national parks in the United States for RV camping and for a good reason. It’s home to some of the most spectacular scenery in the country, including Old Faithful Geyser, which erupts on average every 90 minutes.
The park has over 2,000 campsites at nine locations throughout its 3,472 square miles. The largest facility is Canyon Campground, with over 1,000 campsites and room for RVs up to 35 feet long. This location also offers over 200 sites with full hookups. Other campgrounds offer tent sites as well as RV sites.
Florida Keys
The Florida Keys are the most southern portion of the continental United States. They are a chain of islands that stretches from the Atlantic Ocean to the Gulf of Mexico. The area is known for its beaches and water sports, but it also has many great camping spots.
The best way to experience camping in the Florida Keys is by RV or camper van. You’ll find plenty of campgrounds to park your vehicle overnight and explore the area on foot or by water taxi. If you have time, plan to spend at least two weeks exploring this wonderful part of Florida.
Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve
Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve is a United States National Park in the San Luis Valley, surrounded by the Sangre de Cristo Mountains. The park includes Great Sand Dunes, which rise to heights of 750 feet above sea level and are spread across 30,000 acres. The park also includes Medano Creek and T-Rex Playground.
Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve was established on March 17, 1932, as Great Sand Dunes National Monument under President Herbert Hoover. On June 12, 2004, it was redesignated as a national park and preserved by President George W. Bush.
The park contains over 32 miles of hiking trails, ranging from easy to strenuous. Visitors can hike along Medano Creek or visit the T-Rex Playground, where they can walk through dinosaur tracks left behind by ancient dinosaurs millions of years ago.
Glacier National Park
This quintessential American park has lakes, mountains, and wildlife. You’ll find grizzly bears, wolves, and moose, and there are more than 1,000 miles of hiking trails.
Glacier National Park is located in northwestern Montana near the Canadian border. It’s a relatively small park with just over 1 million acres (405 square miles) of protected land — less than half the size of Yellowstone. But what it lacks in size, it makes up for in beauty. The mountains are stunningly majestic and covered in snow year-round. The most popular area for camping is at Two Medicine Lake, where you can rent cabins or tent sites.
Rocky Mountain National Park
Rocky Mountain National Park is one of the most popular places in Colorado. This national park has many activities, including hiking, sightseeing, and camping. There are many campgrounds available for all budgets. Some popular sites include Moraine Park Campground, Glacier Basin Campground, and Aspenglen Campground. These campsites are close to the main attractions in Rocky Mountain National Park, making it easy for visitors to enjoy their trip even more. The parks also offer other activities, such as mountain biking, fishing, and kayaking on some lakes. Visitors can also see wildlife like elk or deer while exploring the park’s trails or driving along its roads.
Yosemite National Park
Yosemite National Park, located in central California, offers some of the most breathtaking views of nature. The park covers nearly 1,200 square miles and is home to mountains, valleys, waterfalls, and many other natural wonders.
Camping at Yosemite offers more than just a place to sleep overnight. Many campgrounds throughout the park provide amenities like fire pits and picnic tables for your convenience. If you enjoy hiking, there are over 800 miles of trails to explore on foot or by bicycle. The park also has a variety of wildlife, including black bears and mountain lions that call this area home.
Olympic National Park
Olympic National Park is a United States National Park in Washington, on the Olympic Peninsula. It features many different ecosystems and landforms within a small area, with some of the largest temperate rainforests in the world. The park service runs three significant campgrounds: Kalaloch, Sol Duc, and Heart of the Hills. All three allow RVs and campers. Sol Duc Campground is open year-round; Kalaloch and Heart of the Hills are closed during winter (November through March).
Grand Teton National Park
Grand Teton National Park is an excellent place to camp. It offers scenic views of the mountains, wildlife viewing, and some of the best hiking in the region. The park is located on the northern edge of Jackson Hole and is one of the most popular destinations in the area.
The park has numerous campgrounds with sites accommodating up to 35-foot-long RVs. The largest campground, Signal Mountain, has over 300 sites available for reservation. Reservations can be made up to six months before your arrival date, so plan accordingly.
The park also offers other overnight camping options, including cabins and yurts, which are great alternatives for those who don’t have an RV but still want to enjoy the outdoors.
Acadia National Park
Acadia is one of America’s most famous national parks, and it’s easy to see why. The park is home to rugged mountains, sandy beaches, pristine lakes, and hiking trails. Located on the central Maine coast, Acadia National Park offers a variety of experiences for visitors, including stunning vistas, historic lighthouses, and rocky coastlines. The park has more than 100 miles of hiking trails that wind through forests and up mountainsides, offering views of the sea below.
Zion National Park
West of the Grand Canyon, Zion National Park is one of the most beautiful places in the United States. The park has hundreds of miles of trails that wind through canyons, slot canyons, and along ridges.
Zion is especially well-known for its natural rock formations. Angels Landing Trail is a challenging hike leading to a spectacular viewpoint at Angels Landing. The Narrows hike travels through a canyon where hikers are forced to wade through water up to their chests. If you want to see the park from above, check out the Emerald Pools Trail, which takes you past several waterfalls and pools in the middle of spring runoff season. The Virgin River flows through Zion National Park and offers fantastic whitewater rafting opportunities if you’re looking for an active vacation experience.
No matter what you’re looking for out of a camping experience—the freedom of the open road, a crackling campfire, beautiful natural surroundings, or something else—there are destinations across the country that will meet your needs. Whether you’re in it for the long haul or just looking to enjoy a few days away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life, these national and state parks will indeed offer you an unparalleled adventure in nature.