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. 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).
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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! (Check out our guides on urban camping in each state when planning this 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.
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.
There you have it, some of the best RV destinations out there. Which one will you check out first?
