Best RV Trip Destinations by Region
Recreational vehicle (RV) trips are an exciting way to explore the country. Across the 50 states, there are thousands of campsites, each offering a unique experience and different amenities. Don’t let the long list of possible destinations overwhelm you. Use these tips to help you get started planning your RV vacation.
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When planning your RV trip, start by selecting a region of the country that appeals to you. From hiking the Northern Rim of the Grand Canyon to soaking up some rays on the sandy beaches of Florida, RV trips can be customized to appeal to any traveler. To help you get started, here are a few must-see RV destinations in each region of the United States:
West – Yosemite Pines RV Park, California
Yosemite Pines RV Park mixes the serenity of nature with some fun, family-friendly amenities. Take a short drive to explore the tranquility of the wilderness at Yosemite National Park. But be prepared to liven things up back at the park. Choose from a variety of activities including a pool area, gold mine tour, sand volleyball court, barbecue areas, and fire rings. Full RV hookups (electric, water, and sewer), as well as just water and electric, are available.
Southwest – North Rim Campground, Arizona
As the name indicates, this campground is located along the Northern Rim of the Grand Canyon. Just a short walk to the scenic canyon walls, this destination is ideal to explore the Grand Canyon. This rustic, back-to-the-basics campground doesn’t provide RV hookups, but it does have the essentials: restrooms, showers and laundry facilities.
Midwest – Gull Lake Recreation Area, Minnesota
This campground has something to offer for everyone. Nested on the Gull River, at the Gull Lake outlet, this is the ultimate destination if you enjoy boating, fishing, and swimming. But visitors who prefer to stay dry have plenty to keep them busy, too. Hike part of the 100-mile Paul Bunyan Trail or check out the nearby Native American Indian mounds. Electric RV hookups are available.
Southeast – Emerald Beach RV Park, Florida
If you’re hoping to focus on relaxation during your RV vacation, Emerald Beach RV Park could be just what you’re looking for. Located directly on the Intercoastal Waterway, this tropical destination offers plenty of rest and relaxation any way you’d like it. Grab a lounge chair by the pool, back your RV right up to the private beach, watch the sunset on the tiki deck, or set sail to relax. No matter how you choose to unwind, you won’t have a care in the world with access to full RV hookups.
Northeast – Cherry Hill Park, Maryland
For the history buff, Cherry Hill Park has a lot to offer. It’s the closest RV park to Washington, D.C. and a perfect location to post up while exploring our nation’s political epicenter. It’s also a great starting point to head north and explore the New England states. On-site amenities are plentiful and include a pool, cable TV access, and miniature golf. Full RV hookups are available. If you are going further northeast into New England, do not miss some of the epic RV parks in Maine (especially in the fall!). If you are heading that way, here are 4 RV trips to take.
What about you? Have an RV Park recommendation or tip?
I want to go on a road trip now!
I saw a special on RVs recently and its true the are making a big comeback! Who’d of thought to totally bling them out in full luxury!? If I’ll be traveling in one like that and not something the Griswold’s would of driven…. Then by all means take me wherever you want to drive. Lol!!
Emerald beach looks amazing! This is me and my husband’s dream someday, to retire and be able to travel in an RV all over the United States. Thanks for all the wonderful tips!
Wow…your pictures are awesome. You must have a great camera or a great eye. The sky in the first is fabulous. Hubby and I would love to have an RV and travel but not anytime soon…too much other on the top of the wish list. Of course, I’m totally down with picking up and moving to that beach in Florida.
Our goal is to own an RV and visit every Texas State Park! Lake Tawakoni is already crossed off of our list (we tented it!), so we’re on our way.
@Heather, that sounds like a blast!
Beautiful pictures! I’ve always wanted to do an RV trip …it’s what I think is the perfect way to travel. Road trips are in my blood and being able to sleep and dine in my vehicle is the be-all-end-all for me.
What a spectacular country we live in! My husband and I are anticipating buying an RV and soaking in every inch of this beautiful place. For anyone looking for an overlooked beautifully lush are, consider the Rout 6 area of Northern Pennsylvania….National Forests, picturesques, quaint small towns, miles of wooded mountains and hills, lakes, even herds ( if that’s the proper term) of elk.
i love the idea on taking an RV on a road trip so you don’t have to pay for hotels. but gas is so expensive so i don’t know if it would make much of a difference anyway. i would like to go to the mountains to go hiking
I live in SE Idaho and would like to point out that Yellowstone is also a great place to RV with several places in the park to choose from. One time we stayed a week and moved to a different camp each night! RVing with the family is always so fun!
Ok, so my plan is when I retire is to travel. I love to travel by road, you can see so many things. I love the beach but I also love the great outdoors experience.. I also love my comfort.lol So now that I have read your post One of my first places to go, If still there is Emerald Beach RV Park, Florida. The picture took my breath away!
All these places look awesome! I would love to go to Yosemite Pines RV Park.
I would love to go on a big road trip. Having an RV would make it so much more enjoyable. Maybe when I retire (eventually).
I’ve stayed on the North Rim before and loved it! Yosemite is on my bucket list in my new/old vintage Spartan trailer!
I just went to Mesa Verde. I wasn’t in an RV but lots of other people were. Super great park!
xo
I haven’t ever been on a road trip, especially not in an RV! It honestly looks worth it though… I need to get my butt up and out of my state! I feel like such a hermit after seeing all of these beautiful places that are just a drive away! Next time a chance for a getaway occurs, I will definitely keep RV-ing in mind!
I’ve always wanted to rent an RV and travel somewhere where you can hike and enjoy nature! Yosemite sounds like a great place to go! 🙂
Yosemite is amazing! So is Glacier National Park!.. and all of Alaska! 🙂 Can you tell we’re working our way through all the national parks? Its taking years and years but that’s our goal!
My folks have an RV. We all used to go on the road all the time. All over the Midwest and Florida a lot. They are a little older now, so they don’t take out the RV anymore. I miss those fun trips. My tip would be to plan out your stays and know how to upkeep the RV. I am sure they now have an app to help you locate RV parks. They didn’t have them back then.
My husband and I bought an RV about 25 years ago (before kids) and we took a trip across country. Most of all of the other RV couples were elderly. We had a great time meeting new people and obtaining a lot of wisdom from their experiences in life. It was wonderful seeing places that you don’t normally see just passing by in a car. Even though you’re in the comfort of your RV, you’re still enjoying nature. by camping. We live in a beautiful country, we need to take the time to explore and enjoy it! Later when we had kids, we loved sharing the wonderful adventures with them that we still share memories of to this day.
the water in that beach looks absolutely breathtaking.
I’ve never been on an RV trip before but I definitely want to do one in the near future.
We want to take an RV trip so bad and I love that there is a RV park at Emerald Beach that is right next to a private beach! Thanks for the ideas so when/if we ever get to go on our RV trips I will already have some ideas!
We’ve been looking at RV vacations, hitting Yellow Stone or taking a tour along the dinosaur sites. Looks like a great way to vacation with a small family.
The idea of just hopping in an RV and finding a different amazing spot every couple of days really appeals to me. I’d love to see some of the highlights you mentioned above.
O.K… I have a gift certificate to spend on an RV rental. Thanks for the destination advice. For some reason, it never occurred to me that there were RV parks on the beach. The best of both worlds… Beach and Camping!
@Jennifer, it is a fantastic combo, can you imagine having the window open and to fall asleep by the sounds of the ocean.
I’ve recently been into the whole outdoors scenery. I wasn’t too big on it when I was smaller but being outdoors just feels wonderful for me and I definitely want to be able to take a road trip soon.
I have never been camping in an RV before. Growing up in scouts we always did the old fashioned tent. However, my husband won’t camp any other way so it looks like we will be on the lookout for an rv soon.
I couldn’t do an RV trip because I really dislike all the driving. But if you had some driving partners to switch with that would be smart and probably a lot more fun.