For RV travelers looking to truly get away from the noise and enjoy a peaceful, scenic retreat, isolated state parks are the way to go. Here’s a list of some of the most remote and serene state parks across the United States where you can park your RV and enjoy some tranquil downtime.
Anza-Borrego Desert State Park, California
Anza-Borrego Desert State Park is the largest state park in California and the third largest in the entire country.
The park is in the Colorado desert and has evidence of humans dating back more than 10,000 years. Look for Native American petroglyphs and pictographs in the park while you explore. It lies in the Salton Trough which has one of North America’s most complete fossil records including evidence of ancient marine environments and Ice Age mammals. In more recent history, the park served as a landing place for César Chávez and union organizers. When Chávez came to the nearby town of Borrego Springs to support workers who wanted to join the National Farm Workers Union, community members pressured local hotels to get them out. The group camped at Anza-Borrego instead.
Getting There
Anza-Borrego is accessible via several state highways, including California Route 78 and County Road S22. It’s two hours from San Diego or Palm Springs, and about three hours from Los Angeles, although traffic can make the drive longer. The roads are generally well-maintained, and you can easily drive an RV to the park campground. There are more than 500 miles of dirt roads in the park, many of which require a 4-wheel drive vehicle or ATV, making it a great place for off-roading.
Things to Do
Anza-Borrego has badlands, slot canyons to explore, palm-lined oases, and lots of cacti to admire. In the spring, the park comes alive with beautiful California desert wildflowers. It’s an International Dark Sky park, so you can stargaze in the evenings away from the Southern California city lights. Learn about the park’s fascinating history and ecology at the Visitor Center, then spend time hiking, mountain biking, exploring the 130 metal sculptures throughout the park, or off-roading. The Borrego Palm Canyon Trail is a popular trek in the park. It’s three miles round-trip and has an elevation gain of 700 feet.
If you plan to hike or enjoy outdoor activities in the park, be prepared for the weather. The park can get very hot in summer months. Bring plenty of water, sun-protective clothing, and sunscreen. Hike very early in the day and plan to be back before the heat sets in.
Camping Options
Borrego Palm Canyon Campground offers RV-friendly sites with hookups, while primitive camping is allowed throughout much of the park. Tamarisk Grove Campground has RV camping but does not have hookups. There is also dispersed camping available in the park and in nearby areas.
About the Area
Anza-Borrego is California’s largest state park, spanning over 600,000 acres of rugged desert beauty. The area can get very hot in summer but is a great option in the winter when other areas of the country are blanketed in snow. Spring brings desert wildflowers. Early fall can still be very hot, but later fall brings pleasant weather for hiking and camping.
Big Bend Ranch State Park, Texas
Big Bend Ranch State Park is the largest state park in Texas. It’s adjacent to Big Bend National Park, so you can get another view of the Chihuahuan Desert. It also gets about 1/10th of the visitors of the national park, so this is a great alternative if you want fewer people around.
You’ll see craggy mountains and canyons that were carved by the Rio Grande, beginning millions of years ago. You can also spot hoodoo rock formations, and desert waterfalls that surprise you in green oases.
Getting There
Because this park is remote and isolated, it’s more of a challenge to reach. Big Bend Ranch State Park can be reached by Texas Farm Road 170, a scenic yet winding route that follows the Rio Grande. RVs can access several campgrounds in the park, but you’ll want a high-clearance vehicle for some of the other park roads.
Things to Do
The park has lots of hiking, and trails vary from well-marked to primitive paths where you’ll need to watch for cairns to stay on track. Watch for desert-loving wildlife including mountain lions, bears, deer, javelinas, rabbits, and coyotes. You can also see a variety of birds, snakes, and lizards that love sunning themselves on warm rocks. You can also enjoy mountain biking, horseback riding, river rafting on the Rio Grande, off-roading, and stargazing at this International Dark Sky Park.
There is also canoeing and kayaking on the Rio Grande.
Camping Options
Big Bend Ranch State Park has several primitive campgrounds where you can stay. They have a picnic table and fire ring, but no other facilities including toilets.
About the Area
Big Bend Ranch State Park is the largest state park in Texas, with over 300,000 acres of wild terrain. It’s a former working ranch and has structures that date back to the early 20th century and the ranching that took place then. You can also see prehistoric sites at the park, with pictographs and artifacts.
Steens Mountain Wilderness (Adjacent to State Park Lands), Oregon
The Steens Mountain Wilderness is a region of BLM land in southeastern Oregon. It covers more than 170,000 acres and ranges in elevation from 4,200 to 9,800 feet. You’ll find terrain from sagebrush-dotted deserts to mountains to subalpine meadows and lakes to gorges. Steens Mountain is the biggest fault block in the U.S., and you can enjoy one of Oregon’s most remote regions with lots of outdoor activities.
Getting There
You can get to this wilderness area via the Steens Mountain Loop Road. Portions of the road are primitive, with rugged gravel. A high-clearance or 4×4 vehicle is recommended in some areas, and RVs should proceed cautiously. The nearest big town is Burns, Oregon about 60 miles away. The very small town of Frenchglen is at the base of Steens Mountain. Because this area is so remote, you’ll want to make sure your vehicle is in good condition. Bring plenty of water and a map or GPS device. If you’re using GPS, you may want to download a map in case there is no cell service.
Things to Do
There are lots of outdoor activities to do in the area. Hike trails like Big Indian Gorge Trail, Wildhorse Lake Trail, or Little Blitzen Gorge Trail and see canyons, meadows, and waterfalls. You can drive the scenic 66-mile Steens Mountain Loop Road, and pull over to see views at Kiger Gorge and the East Rim. There’s fishing and birdwatching for much of the year, and in winter you can snowshoe or cross-country ski. Watch for wildlife year-round, including bighorn sheep, pronghorn antelope, elk, and wild horses.
Camping Options
Page Springs Campground offers RV-accessible sites at the base of Steens Mountain, but amenities are limited. There are vault toilets and drinking water available. Dispersed camping is available throughout the area on BLM land as well. If you want more amenities, Steens Mountain Wilderness Resort in Frenchglen has full hookups, showers, laundry facilities, and a small general store.
About the Area
This remote location is a paradise for solitude seekers, offering some of Oregon’s most breathtaking views in the high desert. While there is no visitor center for the area, there is a BLM office in Hines, near Burns, that has information on road conditions, maps, permits, and more. This region also has some of the darkest skies in the U.S. so you can do some stargazing in the evenings.
Cimarron Canyon State Park, New Mexico
Cimarron Canyon State Park is 40 miles east of Taos, New Mexico. It has a variety of natural features including the Cimarron River, the Palisades Sill Cliffs, woods in the Colin Neblett Wildlife Area, and more. This is a popular area for birdwatching and wildlife spotting.
Getting There
You can access the park via U.S. Route 64, nestled within the Sangre de Cristo Mountains. The roads are paved and well-maintained, so RV access is relatively easy.
Things to Do
The park’s cliffs and canyons create a dramatic backdrop for outdoor activities. There is fishing in the Cimarron River which holds a variety of trout. You can also hike Flume Canyon Trail, Clear Creek Trail, or Chase Canyon to Indian Writings Trail among a variety of other hikes. Watch for wildlife at the park, including elk, bears, mountain lions, coyotes, porcupines, beavers, and more along with a wide variety of birds. The clear skies also make this a great place for stargazing at night.
Camping Options
Maverick Campground and Tolby Campground are in the state park. They have RV sites with basic amenities including restrooms, potable water, picnic tables, and fire rings. There are no hookups. Angel Fire RV Resort is about half an hour from the park and has full hookups, a clubhouse, a hot tub, shower and laundry facilities, a playground, and more. Dispersed camping is also available outside the park for those seeking solitude.
About the Area
The park’s serene setting makes it a hidden gem in northern New Mexico. In a little over an hour, you can visit the charming town of Taos. This area is also along the Enchanted Circle Scenic Byway, a loop that connects Taos, Arroyo Seco, Angel Fire, and other quaint northern New Mexico towns.
Fort Robinson State Park, Nebraska
Fort Robinson State Park is on the site of the fort, built in 1874 as a temporary camp. It was turned into a permanent fort in 1878 and became a state park in 1962. There are original and reconstructed buildings to give visitors a sense of how the fort would have looked in its heyday. This is the site of battles during the Sioux Wars, the Fort Robinson Massacre, and the Battle of Warbonnet Creek.
Today, this is a popular spot for family reunions, and visitors can learn a lot about history and enjoy outdoor activities at the park.
Getting There
The park is in northwest Nebraska and is accessible via U.S. Highway 20 near Crawford. Roads are paved and generally easy for RV travel.
Things to Do
You can explore the historic fort buildings including the 1887 Adobe Officers’ Quarters, the 1906 Blacksmith Shop, and the site that marks the death of Sioux Chief Crazy Horse. There is a history center and museum where you can learn more about the fort’s past – everything from its role in the Sioux Wars to when it served as a WWII German POW camp.
You can also enjoy outdoor activities like hiking and biking. There are horseback riding trails and guided Jeep tours are available. Stagecoach rides are available for families, and there are pony rides for small children. The park also has fishing, swimming, and an Activities Center with crafts.
Camping Options
Soldier Creek Campground is just outside the park and is first come first served. It has picnic tables and vault toilets. There are no hookups. Red Cloud Campground is inside the state park and has the same amenities. The Sage Motel and Sioux RV Campground has 12 campsites with full hookups. There is also a horse motel if you need to board your horse.
About the Area
Once a military outpost, Fort Robinson is now a vast park offering a glimpse into history, plus beautiful natural landscapes. It’s in Nebraska’s Pine Ridge region, which has forested buttes and canyons, reminiscent of the Black Hills. You’ll find wildlife like elk, bighorn sheep, and wild turkeys in the area.
Palmetto Island State Park, Louisiana
Palmetto Island State Park is surrounded by Louisiana swampland and the Vermilion River. It’s also surrounded by palmettos, cypress trees, and other green, native Louisiana plants. It’s atmospheric and mysterious, like many Southern swamp areas. Native Americans used palmettos to make the walls and roofs of their homes. You can also see lots of wildlife in the area.
Getting There
Palmetto Island State Park is located deep in the Louisiana Bayou near Abbeville. Several local highways can get you to the park, and the area’s remoteness provides a serene escape. Roads are paved and easy for RVs to navigate.
Things to Do
You can kayak or canoe along the Vermilion River. There is also hiking along the boardwalk trails in the park, fishing, and lots of birdwatching in the lush wetlands and swamps at the park. Kids can splash at the water playground at the park, and there are bike trails as well.
Camping Options
The park offers RV campsites with water and electrical hookups. Primitive camping is also available for those wanting a more rustic experience. Betty’s RV Park in Abbeville has full hookups, a covered pavilion area, a playground, and a barbeque pit.
About the Area
The park’s swampy terrain and rich wildlife make it a unique destination for those seeking an off-the-grid experience. Wildlife in the park includes squirrels, armadillos, wild hogs, and even bears. You might spot alligators, snakes, or turtles in and around the bayou. Abbeville, Egan, and New Iberia are the closest cities to the park.
Wildcat Mountain State Park, Wisconsin
Wildcat Mountain State Park is in western Wisconsin, on a ridge that overlooks the Kickapoo River Valley. It has sandstone bluffs, and the park’s Mount Pisgah is covered in white pine and hemlock trees and has never been logged or grazed. There is lots of wildlife at the park, plus a wide variety of birds.
Getting There
The park is located near Ontario, Wisconsin, and accessed via Wisconsin Route 33. The drive offers beautiful views of the surrounding hills and valleys. Roads are paved, and this is an easy park for RVs to access.
Things to Do
Visitors can kayak or canoe on the Kickapoo River, and rentals of these boats are available in nearby Ontario. There are more than 20 miles of hiking trails in the park, and you can fish for brown trout, smallmouth bass, and panfish. In winter, you can go cross-country skiing or snowshoeing. Clear skies and very little light pollution also make this a great park for stargazing or watching cosmic events at night.
Camping Options
The park offers RV sites with electric hookups, as well as primitive campsites for those seeking extra seclusion. La Farge Village Park has RV sites with electrical hookups. There are showers and potable water, and the park has a playground. Leon Valley Campground has water and electrical hookups, hiking trails, and a playground.
About the Area
The Wildcat Mountain and Kickapoo River area ecosystems include old-growth white pine and hemlock trees, sandstone bluffs, and prairies. Lots of wildlife lives in the area, including deer, beavers, river otters, and more. A variety of birds make their home in the park as well, including bald eagles, red-tailed hawks, and wild turkeys. The park’s remote location and peaceful environment make Wildcat Mountain a hidden gem in the Midwest.
For those RV travelers yearning for peace and quiet, these remote state parks offer a chance to reconnect with nature and enjoy some well-deserved relaxation away from crowded campgrounds and bustling cities. Make sure your RV is ready for off-the-beaten-path adventures and enjoy the journey!
If you don’t have your own RV, check out RVshare’s rentals – you’re sure to find one that will suit your group! And if you’re looking for more off-the-beaten-path campgrounds, check out our destination dupes series. You’ll find alternatives to lots of popular parks and attractions.
