The Best RV Destinations in the U.S.

What makes for an ideal RV destination? With so much gorgeous scenery, stunning landmarks and activity-filled cities, it can be hard to narrow it down. But the perfect RV trip takes several things into account: accessibility in a larger rig, on-site or nearby camping, and great access to the outdoors or major events.

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Find inspiration for your next RV trip, from some of the most beloved national parks, to historic roads like Route 66, to budget-friendly and family-friendly ideas, the perfect vacation is just a few clicks away.

National Parks

Some of the best places to take an RV or camper van in the US are the incredible national parks. We recommend visiting as many of these as possible.

Yellowstone National Park

The oldest national park in the country—and one of the most popular RV destinations in the world—Yellowstone National Park is one everyone should see at least once in their life. This park is unique thanks to a collection of hydrothermal wonders. Additionally, the mountainous landscapes, lush pine forests, and crystal clear alpine lakes are absolutely breathtaking, and the variety of animals found in the park is seriously impressive. 

Zion National Park, Utah

Like Yellowstone, Zion National Park is one of those incredibly popular parks that you need to see at least once. The pretty cream, pink, and red canyon has been slowly carved by the Virgin River over the course of millions of years. Zion is perfect for hikers of all skill levels, offering everything from small paved hikes to adrenaline-rushers like Observation Point, the Narrows, and Angel’s Landing (the park’s most famous hike). 

Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona

The Grand Canyon is one of the most visited places in the world, and the South Rim is the easiest side to reach in an RV. Trailer Village is the only in-park campground with full hookups. Mather Campground has no hookups and limits rig length, so check site lengths on Recreation.gov. Book early: Mather reservations open six months ahead.

Sequoia National Park, California

Another one of those awe-inspiring parks that just can’t be described in text is Sequoia National Park. The views here are incredible, and the sequoia trees are mind-blowingly big. Imagine a tree that is big enough in circumference to serve as a small cabin, and you’ll have a good idea of the size of these giant beauties. We especially love that for a large chunk of the year, there is snow on the top of the mountains in this park, meaning snow play can happen even in the late spring and early fall. 

Acadia National Park, Maine

Heading northeast, you’ll eventually come to Acadia National Park. Located primarily on Maine’s Mount Desert Island—the largest island off the coast of Maine, this park is sometimes referred to as the “Crown Jewel of the North Atlantic Coast.” Acadia National Park is home to the highest rocky headlands along the Atlantic coastline of the US, providing guests with the most tranquil views. Additionally, the park has a number of different habitats, meaning plenty of plants and animals to see. Visitors can spend a day at the beach, hike along trails overlooking the ocean, or enjoy one of the best sunrises or sunsets in the country at Cadillac Mountain. 

Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Tennessee and North Carolina

The most visited national park in the country has no entrance fee, but you need a parking tag to park anywhere in the park for more than 15 minutes. You don’t need one at your own campsite. Elkmont Campground is the park’s largest frontcountry campground, with tent and RV sites and no hookups. It closes for the winter and has rig length limits, so confirm your RV fits. Visit in spring for the wildflowers.

Glacier National Park, Montana

The final national park on our list of the best RV vacation destinations is Glacier National Park. This park is so far north that it’s even chilly in the summer months! The mountains in this park are topped with snow year-round, making for some awesome photo opportunities. We love the pristine waters fed by the surrounding glaciers, and adore the pretty drive down the Going-to-the-Sun road.

Crater Lake National Park

According to the RVshare 2026 Travel Trend Report, lesser known national parks are more popular than ever. These include such gorgeous, but less frequented spots as Crater Lake National Park. We highly recommend Rim Drive for some of the best views in the country. Hiking is also a must-do while in the park, and a stay at Mazama Campground really rounds out an RV trip to this amazing destination. 

Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona

Few landscapes in the world rival the Grand Canyon. The South Rim is the most accessible for RVers, with Flagstaff nearby as a base for supplies and day trips. Just outside the park, Horseshoe Bend near Page is an easy and unforgettable stop. For a full itinerary, see our Sedona to Grand Canyon RV road trip guide. Find RVshare rentals near the Grand Canyon.

Redwood National and State Parks, California

Home to the tallest trees on Earth, Redwood National and State Parks feels like stepping into a fairy tale. Make time for nearby Eureka, where Sequoia Park has even more giant trees and an excellent zoo. Find RVshare rentals near Eureka, CA.

Best Scenic Drives

If you’re looking for a true road trip, this next list is for you. In addition to the ones briefly mentioned above, here are our top picks for the best scenic drives the US has to offer. 

Blue Ridge Parkway

An absolutely gorgeous 469-mile drive that connects Shenandoah National Park in Virginia to Great Smoky Mountains National Park in North Carolina, the Blue Ridge Parkway is the perfect opportunity to take the road trip of a lifetime. During your drive, you’ll snake through miles of Appalachia surrounded by a huge array of plants and gorgeous, sweeping mountain views—plus some serious fall foliage when the weather starts cooling down! 

Big Sur, California

Big Sur is one of the best drives you can take in the US, stretching 90 miles along the coastline of Highway 1 (also known as the Pacific Coast Highway) from San Simeon to Carmel-by-the-Sea. The drive is a true gem for those looking to experience expansive ocean vistas, redwood forests, and seaside cliffs. There’s not a whole lot of civilization along this route, but trust us, the majestic views are totally worth disconnecting for! 

Columbia River Highway, Oregon

The Columbia River Highway makes for an excellent RV road trip in the Pacific Northwest region. The historic route begins near Portland, Oregon and continues approximately 75 miles alongside the renowned Columbia River Gorge. Throughout the trip you’ll find plenty of scenic points of interest, from dense forests to rocky waterfalls. 

Route 66

Route 66 is the penultimate cross-country road trip route, and the Mother Road’s 100th birthday is this year! The road stretches all the way from Illinois to Southern California, but while Route 66 does still exist, it’s no longer one single road. Fortunately, more than 80% of the original route can still be driven in sections. You’ll encounter plenty of cultural landmarks, quirky shops, and diners along the way—plus countless campgrounds, of course.

Scenic Byway 12, Utah

Best for red-rock scenery between two national parks. Utah’s only All-American Road runs 124 miles between Bryce Canyon and Capitol Reef national parks, passing Red Canyon, Kodachrome Basin and Anasazi state parks, Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument, and Dixie National Forest. The byway ends in Torrey, about five miles west of Capitol Reef.

Enchanted Circle Scenic Byway, New Mexico

Best for mountain towns and alpine scenery in the high desert. This 84-mile loop circles Wheeler Peak, New Mexico’s highest point at 13,161 feet, and links Taos, Questa, Red River, Eagle Nest, and Angel Fire through Carson National Forest. Taos Pueblo, a short drive from Taos, makes a good first or last stop.

Creole Nature Trail All-American Road, Louisiana

Best for wildlife watching. The 180-mile route crosses the marshes, prairies, and Gulf beaches of southwest Louisiana, an area known as Louisiana’s Outback. Look for alligators, roseate spoonbills, and hundreds of other bird species, with several wildlife refuges along the way, including Sabine National Wildlife Refuge. Start at the western gateway in Sulphur (I-10, Exit 20) or the eastern gateway in Lake Charles (I-10, Exit 36).

Cape Flattery Scenic Byway, Washington

Best for reaching the northwesternmost point of the contiguous U.S. This 12-mile route on the Makah Reservation was the first tribal road to receive national scenic byway status. At the end, a short boardwalk trail leads through coastal forest to cliffside viewing platforms over the Pacific. Buy a Makah Recreation Permit in Neah Bay and display it in your vehicle. Overnight parking isn’t allowed at the trailhead.

Best RV Trips for Beginners

Are you a total RV beginner? Choosing a destination is likely even more overwhelming for you. We’ve picked out some of the very best RV trips for beginners and listed them below. 

Walt Disney World Resort

Every family should visit Walt Disney World Resort at least once, and choosing to stay in an RV in Disney’s Fort Wilderness Campground will make your getaway even more magical. The sites in Fort Wilderness are paved and level, making parking the camper a breeze. Full hookups mean you don’t need to worry about leaving your site to dump tanks or conserving electricity or water, and the amazingly clean bathhouses make staying clean easy. 

Williamsburg, VA

History buffs will adore Williamsburg, VA, and if they happen to be beginner RVers, they might just love it even more. Williamsburg is relatively easy to navigate and offers all of the amenities RVers need for a comfortable stay. You’ll also appreciate the abundance of nearby campgrounds and attractions such as Colonial Williamsburg and Yorktown Battlefield. We especially love the campground in nearby Machicomoco State Park, which features 27 well-spaced campsites, many with electric and water hookups. 

New Orleans, Louisiana 

With a melting pot of cultures and rich history, New Orleans is a top RV destination for many good reasons. While there, be sure to visit the famous French Quarter for all the food and music your heart desires, or spend a day at the iconic City Park.Our favorite place to stay is Bayou Segnette State Park. Here you’ll find large, relatively level campsites with water and electricity. Bathhouses are available, as are laundry facilities, and cool little trails running through the park. 

Niagara Falls

The perfect place for your first ever RV trip, Niagara Falls offers the excitement of an amazing adventure without the hassle that can come along with many equally exciting destinations. While in the area, make sure to ride the Maid of the Mist tour boat into the falls, check out Cave of the Winds, and book a stay at Four Mile Creek State Park. Like so many other state parks, this campground offers large sites that are relatively easy to back into. Most sites are level and most include water and electricity.

The Florida Keys

Last but not least, we couldn’t finish this list without mentioning the Florida Keys. The Keys give guests opportunities to snorkel, boat, swim, and kayak. There are also countless attractions in the area, and a few national parks—namely, Everglades National Park, Dry Tortugas National Park, and Biscayne National Park—are all nearby. We recommend staying in Bahia Honda State Park campground or one of the other amazing state parks down there. 

Best Regional Road Trips

Not every great RV trip centers on a single park. These regions reward a slower pace.

Texas Hill Country

Covered in wildflowers in spring and known for its wineries year-round, the Texas Hill Country makes a scenic drive, especially if you’re already visiting Austin or San Antonio. Don’t skip the River Walk in San Antonio. Find RVshare rentals near San Antonio.

Michigan’s Upper Peninsula

The UP is an often-overlooked gem of the Midwest, home to Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore and a trip back in time on Mackinac Island. Cars aren’t allowed on the island, so leave your RV on the mainland and take the ferry. Summer is the best season unless you’re prepared for cold-weather RVing. Find RVshare rentals in the Upper Peninsula.

Finger Lakes, New York

Upstate New York offers far more than city skylines. The Finger Lakes region is a classic getaway for wine lovers, and nearby Letchworth State Park, often called the “Grand Canyon of the East,” is worth the detour. Find RVshare rentals near the Finger Lakes.

White Mountains, New Hampshire

A top spot for summer hiking and fall foliage, the White Mountains are a good RV destination in any season. Winter RVing is possible if you’re prepared, including a heated water hose so your lines don’t freeze. Find RVshare rentals near the White Mountains.

Cheap Travel Destinations

One of the greatest things about traveling via RV is that you have the ability to see amazing things without spending much money. Below are some of the best budget-friendly RV travel spots in the US. 

Galveston, Texas

Galveston is an adorable little seaside town that has all the quaint shops and eateries you might expect from a beach town. That said, you’ll find Galveston is significantly less expensive than many other beach destinations. One of the things that makes this place most affordable is the fact that the island plays host to Galveston Island State Park, a gorgeous park that offers relatively affordable partial-hookup RV campsites. This means you can camp right on the beach without spending an arm and a leg and the beach itself offers free fun that is sure to keep the whole family happy. 

St. Louis, Missouri 

St. Louis is chock-full of amazing things to see and do without paying a single cent. Free things to do include the St. Louis Art Museum and the Missouri History Museum (which was actually really great, even for kids). The St. Louis Zoo is one of our favorite zoos in the entire country, and also boasts free admission. The St. Louis Science Museum is fun and free to visit (though you will have to pay for parking), and both the Ulysses S. Grant National Historic Site and Gateway Arch National Park fall into the category of free attractions. To top it all off, Horseshoe Lake State Recreation Area is an awesome little campground right outside of the city that only charges $8 a night. 

Madison, Wisconsin

We found a surprising number of free things to do in Madison. Our favorite free thing to see in Madison is the Henry Vilas Zoo. For a quirky stop that won’t cost anything, consider the National Mustard Museum (yes, as in the condiment). Have a plant enthusiast with you? The Olbrich Botanical Gardens is also free and super cool to explore, even if plants aren’t your favorite thing. Other free attractions in Madison include the Wisconsin Geology Museum and the Wisconsin Veterans Museum. For lodging, we recommend one of the nearby Dane County Parks where you can camp with electric hookups for about $30 a night. 

Washington, D.C.

Free museums keep D.C. affordable: the Smithsonian museums and the National Zoo don’t charge admission. Skip driving downtown. Cherry Hill Park in College Park, Maryland, has full-hookup sites, plus bus and shuttle connections to the Metro.

Tucson, Arizona

Saguaro cacti, desert trails, and Mexican food draw RVers to Tucson. Saguaro National Park has an east and a west district. Gilbert Ray Campground in Tucson Mountain Park sits about 10 minutes from the west side, with electric-only sites, water, and a dump station. The maximum vehicle length is 40 feet. Dogs aren’t allowed in the park but are allowed in the campground.

Moab, Utah

Many people have never even heard of Moab (pronounced MOH-ab), Utah. That said, this little town is easily one of the best and  least expensive places to visit in an RV. The area offers numerous boondocking opportunities, meaning you won’t have to pay any camping fees as long as you’re prepared for dry camping. The town is also home to the fabulous Arches National Park and is very near Canyonlands National Park, both of which are free if you have an “America the Beautiful” Pass. Lastly, the free performances and other artsy events found in town are pretty fabulous as well.

Underrated Campgrounds Worth the Detour

Beyond the big-name parks, some of the most memorable camping experiences come from lesser-known spots. Here are a few worth adding to your list:

• Jumbo Rocks Campground, Joshua Tree National Park, CA — Set among otherworldly rock formations, this 124-site campground fills up fast, so plan to arrive early.
• Olympic National Park, WA — Nearly a million acres spanning rainforest, alpine meadows, and coastline, all reachable within about two hours of driving. From the coast, a short ferry ride (bring your passport) takes you to Victoria, British Columbia.
• Chisos Basin Campground, Big Bend National Park, TX — At 5,000 feet in the Chisos Mountains, this International Dark Sky-certified campground offers some of the best stargazing in the country.
• Bartlett Cove Campground, Glacier Bay National Park, AK — A remote, glacier-carved landscape with kayaking access and wildlife including whales, bears, and wolves.
• Little Beaver Lake Campground, Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore, MI — A quiet, forested spot on Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, often overlooked but one of the best in the Midwest.
• Calpine Fire Lookout, Tahoe National Forest, CA — A converted 1930s fire lookout tower rentable through Recreation.gov, offering panoramic mountain views and prime stargazing. Books up to 6 months in advance.

Best Beach Campgrounds for RVers

Few things beat parking your RV within earshot of the surf. These beach campgrounds welcome RVs, though most are rustic, so expect limited or no hookups and check site-length limits before you book.

Horseneck Beach State Reservation, Massachusetts

On the western end of Buzzards Bay, Horseneck Beach State Reservation pairs a two-mile beach with a campground that welcomes tents, trailers, and RVs. Some sites have electric hookups, there is an RV dump station, and generators are not allowed. Camping runs from early May through Columbus Day.

Anastasia State Park, Florida

In St. Augustine, Anastasia State Park has 139 campsites a short stroll from four miles of Atlantic beach. Music from the nearby amphitheater can occasionally be heard in the campground, but it must end by 10 p.m.

Kalaloch Campground, Washington

Perched on a bluff in Olympic National Park, Kalaloch Campground has 170 sites, some with Pacific Ocean views. Most sites fit rigs up to 21 feet, with a few up to 35 feet, and there is a dump station but no hookups. Reservations are required from mid-May to late September and first come, first served the rest of the year.

Oceanside Campground, Assateague Island National Seashore, Maryland

Assateague’s Oceanside Drive-In Campground welcomes tents, trailers, and RVs, but there are no hookups. Facilities include chemical toilets, drinking water, and seasonal cold-water showers. Reservations are required March 15 through November 15, and weekend dates tend to fill the day they open.

Ocracoke Campground, North Carolina

On Ocracoke Island in Cape Hatteras National Seashore, Ocracoke Campground has 136 sites and stays open year-round. There are no hookups or shade trees, and mosquitoes can be a problem, so bring bug spray. Reservations are made through Recreation.gov.

Ninilchik View Campground, Alaska

Set on a bluff above Ninilchik Beach on the Kenai Peninsula, Ninilchik View Campground has just 14 first-come, first-served sites with views of Cook Inlet, Mt. Iliamna, and Mt. Redoubt. A stairway leads down to the beach for fishing and clamming.

Want more sand and surf? Bahia Honda State Park in the Florida Keys and Galveston Island State Park, both mentioned above, also put you steps from the beach.

Out-of-the-Box RV Road Trip Ideas

Not all RV road trips have to be focused on camping, hiking, and other outdoor activities. More than ever before, RVers are making use of their vehicles to go on nontraditional road trips. 

Consider the following out-of-the-box road trip ideas:

• Plan a trip to different historical battlefields across the country.
• Plan a trip to a multi-day festival.
• Plan an “urban exploration” RV trip—just park in a campground outside the city and commute in! (We have guides on urban camping in each state to help plan your trip.)
• Plan a culinary road trip. Make a list of the best restaurants across the country (or in certain regions of the country) and travel to each restaurant on the list.

Public Gardens Worth a Stop

A public garden makes an easy half-day stop on a city leg of your trip, and you’ll find great ones on both coasts and in between. City parking is tight for big rigs, so leave the RV at your campground and drive or take transit in.

West

• International Rose Test Garden, Portland, Oregon: More than 10,000 rose bushes in Washington Park, where new varieties from around the world are tested. Admission is free, and peak bloom runs from late May to mid-June. Pair it with a drive on the Columbia River Highway.
• Seattle Japanese Garden, Seattle, Washington: A 3.5-acre garden in the Washington Park Arboretum, with moss, azaleas, cherry blossoms, stone lanterns, and bridges. It’s open seasonally, so check dates before you go.
• Japanese Tea Garden, San Francisco, California: The oldest public Japanese garden in the U.S., built in 1894 in Golden Gate Park, with pagodas, ponds, and a tea house by the water. It’s a good stop before you head south to Big Sur.

Southwest and Midwest

• ABQ BioPark Botanic Garden, Albuquerque, New Mexico: About 1.5 miles of paths that show what grows in the high desert, with plenty of butterflies and birds.
• Missouri Botanical Garden, St. Louis, Missouri: Open to the public since 1859, with a 14-acre Japanese garden and the Climatron conservatory, which holds a tropical rainforest. Add it to a St. Louis stop.

East

• Atlanta Botanical Garden, Atlanta, Georgia: Thirty acres in Midtown with one of the world’s leading orchid collections and an elevated walkway through the treetops. Come back in winter for the holiday light display.
• Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden, Richmond, Virginia: A 50-acre garden open year-round, with a rose garden, an Asian Valley, a Cherry Tree Walk, and a Children’s Garden.
• Wave Hill, Bronx, New York: Twenty-eight acres of gardens and lawns with a quiet feel that’s hard to find in New York City.
• Old Westbury Gardens, Long Island, New York: One of the best English-style gardens in the country, on the former estate of the Phipps family. It’s open seasonally and charges admission.

Aquariums Worth a Stop

An aquarium is a good rainy-day plan or a break from the heat, and several of the best sit near stops on this list. As with gardens, leave the RV at your campground and drive or take transit downtown.

• Monterey Bay Aquarium, Monterey, California: On Cannery Row, with a three-story kelp forest, rescued sea otters, and a 1.2-million-gallon Open Sea exhibit. Monterey is at the north end of the Big Sur drive.
• Audubon Aquarium, New Orleans, Louisiana: On the Mississippi River at the edge of the French Quarter, with a 400,000-gallon Gulf of Mexico tank full of sharks, sea turtles, and stingrays. Add it to a New Orleans trip.
• Georgia Aquarium, Atlanta, Georgia: The largest aquarium in the U.S., with more than 11 million gallons of water and whale sharks, manta rays, and beluga whales. It’s next to Centennial Olympic Park, so you can pair it with the Atlanta Botanical Garden.
• Shedd Aquarium, Chicago, Illinois: On the Museum Campus along Lake Michigan since 1930. Its Abbott Oceanarium is one of the largest indoor marine mammal habitats in the world.
• Tennessee Aquarium, Chattanooga, Tennessee: Two buildings on the Tennessee River. River Journey follows freshwater rivers from the Appalachians, and Ocean Journey continues into the Gulf. It makes a good stop on the way to or from the Great Smoky Mountains.

RV Vacations for the Whole Family

An RV trip is a great way to bring the whole family together for a memorable trip while enjoying a living space that is reminiscent of the comforts of home. As you plan your next family RV trip, consider the following vacation ideas:

• Plan a trip to an amusement park, water park, or zoo.
• Plan a trip to the beach and rent out water sports equipment.
• Plan a trip to a national park in a region of the country that your family is relatively unfamiliar with.
• If your children have a particular interest they’re very passionate about, plan a trip to a convention relating to that interest.

Weird and Wonderful Roadside Stops

Some of the most memorable stops on an RV trip are the strange ones. These quirky attractions are worth a detour, and several sit near destinations on this list.

• Carhenge, Alliance, Nebraska: A full-size replica of Stonehenge built from 38 vintage cars painted gray. Jim Reinders built it in 1987 as a memorial to his father, and it’s free to visit.
• Mitchell Corn Palace, Mitchell, South Dakota: A building covered in murals made from corn and other grains, redesigned with new murals regularly. It’s right off I-90, so it’s an easy stop on the way to Badlands National Park.
• House on the Rock, Spring Green, Wisconsin: A house built on top of a rock column, filled with enormous, strange collections, including one of the world’s largest carousels. Pair it with a stop in Madison.
• Lucy the Elephant, Margate, New Jersey: A six-story wooden elephant built in 1881 near the beach. You can tour the inside and climb to the howdah on her back.
• Desert of Maine, Freeport, Maine: A patch of sand dunes surrounded by pine forest, left behind by glaciers. It’s a quick stop on the drive to Acadia National Park.
• Marfa Lights, Marfa, Texas: Mysterious glowing lights that appear some nights on the horizon east of town. Watch from the official viewing area on US 90, and add it to a trip to Big Bend.
• Oregon Vortex, Gold Hill, Oregon: A tilted house where balls seem to roll uphill and people appear to change height. It’s about two hours from Crater Lake National Park.
• World’s Largest Ball of Twine Rolled by One Person, Darwin, Minnesota: Francis Johnson spent decades winding this ball, which weighs close to 9 tons and is about 12 feet wide. It sits in a glass gazebo in the center of town.

There you have it, some of the best RV destinations out there. Which one will you check out first?