RV Life’s Top 10 Places Every RVer Should Visit
Written by Patrick Buchanan (Director of Partnerships) with RV Life
New to RVing or just trying to find new destination ideas? Avid RVers compiled this Top 10 list as places that every RVer should put on their list of must-see places to visit. The list stretches across the country, encompassing some of the most beautiful landscapes you’ll ever happen upon. Whether you see one or all, this list will surely have something for every RVer to “ooh” and “aah” over. So be sure to buckle up and get ready to enjoy the ride!
Be sure to download your free PDF copy of RV Life’s Top 10 Things Every RVer Should Visit by clicking here. Join in on the fun as Randy, Caly and Patrick talk about these great destinations on the RVD Podcast by clicking here!
10. Grand Canyon, Arizona – Whether new to RVing or a seasoned pro, visiting the Grand Canyon is essential. Stop in the Grand Canyon Village and explore the historic buildings, some of which date back to the early 1900s. Though there’s some RV parking in Parking Lot D, leaving your rig at the RV park and driving your toad or truck into the Village to explore would be easier. Try to snag an RV site at the Trailer Village RV Park or Mather Campground inside Grand Canyon National Park. Be sure to explore the south rim by foot or vehicle for epic canyon views, and keep your eyes peeled for wildlife that frequent the area. Visiting the Grand Canyon promises to be an unforgettable experience.
9. Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming – If you can only ever visit one National Park, Yellowstone should be it. Pro tip from RVing experts: Book your campsite extremely far in advance. This is one of the country’s top five visited National Parks, so expect to see a lot of tourists and be stuck in a lot of wild animal “jams” when driving through the park. Yellowstone promises to be everything you hope for: extensive wildlife viewing, the never-ending scenery, Old Faithful and all the geological features that call Yellowstone home. You cannot ask for a better experience than listening to the elk bugle while camping under the stars at night.
8. Devils Tower, Wyoming – If you were a kid in the 1970s, Devils Tower held almost as much of your attention as a Farrah Fawcett poster. The aura around it for folks of this era, due in part to the movie Close Encounters of the Third Kind, isn’t diminished by seeing it in person. Towering at 867 feet high, the rock seemingly juts out of the surrounding landscape as if reaching for the heavens. It’s an unbelievable natural structure, and seeing it for the first time is otherworldly. Spend extra time hiking and exploring the surrounding grounds at the National Monument.
7. Mount Rushmore, South Dakota – Here sits American history at its finest. Though Mount Rushmore may not have the same emotional impact that Yellowstone or the Grand Canyon have, viewing Mount Rushmore elicits a sense of pride. Peering at the granite faces of Washington, Roosevelt, Jefferson and Lincoln carved perfectly into the mountainside is experiencing a part of America. Arrive early to avoid some of the crowds and snag the coveted picture of the Avenue of Flags leading up to the presidents. Here, 56 flags sway in the breeze, representing 50 states, one district, three territories and one commonwealth that comprise the United States of America.
6. Monument Valley, Arizona/Utah – Home to where countless Westerns and other movies were filmed, Monument Valley is an iconic landscape. Sandstone buttes rise off the dusty desert floor, a stark contrast against the bright blue skies that frequent the area. Take a drive or tour around Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park to get up close and personal with the sandstone formations that make this part of the country famous. Seasoned RVers suggest entering the area from the north on Highway 163 for the first time to experience the million-dollar Forrest Gump view you get from entering the site from this direction. And though camping options are limited, most RVers still agree that Goulding’s Monument Valley Campground is the best play to stay, promising easy access to the surrounding sites and a campground with the perfect mix of amenities, all complemented by beautiful views.
5. Albuquerque, New Mexico – Albuquerque may be an oddball on this list. Many RVers agree that Route 66 RV Resort makes staying in Albuquerque worthwhile. There’s plenty in the area to keep visitors entertained, from a National Park, state park, museums covering science, natural history and even rattlesnakes. For those wanting to stay close to their RV, Route 66 RV Resort is a destination in and of itself. Boasting sweeping views of the surrounding landscape, an onsite casino, a resort-style pool, outdoor activities and even a dog wash, visitors may not want to leave. A couple of sites in the park provide uninhibited views of the landscape. The wide-open space and the cool evenings, especially in October, make Albuquerque more than a pass-through destination.
4. Moab, Utah – Like most of Utah, Moab has excellent views and many RV parks. It’s one of the few places a KOA can get $100-plus per night rates. Is it worth it? You bet. The whole town of Moab is fascinating and can be a great base or anchor leg to any tour of Utah’s great parks and monuments. The town is an outdoor lover’s dream come true, with off-roading trails galore, great hiking and white-water rafting, all surrounded by beautiful scenery. Once home to where the dinosaurs roamed, take a tour to see dinosaur tracks perfectly preserved in the rocky landscape. Driving to or from Moab, hit the scenic turnout on Highway 191 to have another look at the famed Wilson Arch.
3. Daniel Boone National Forest, Kentucky – Often overlooked, Daniel Boone National Forest promises visitors a memorable experience. It’s precisely what you’d expect of Kentucky woodlands: wooded, expansive and quiet. Spanning more than 2 million acres and crossing 21 Kentucky counties, the Daniel Boone National Forest offers more than 600 miles of trails for hiking, ATVs, water activities galore and world-renowned rock climbing. The Red River Gorge area of the forest is home to the famed Natural Bridge sandstone formation, as well as Miguel’s Pizza—some of the best pizza you may ever eat.
2. Isle of Palms, South Carolina – If you love the beach, beach towns, beach restaurants, beach walks—you name it—this is a beach town for you. A perfect, quaint beach getaway awaits you on the Isle of Palms. Snag an RV site at a nearby RV park and spend your days beachside and enjoy all that this little beach town has to offer. Though there aren’t any RV parks on the Isle of Palms, several nearby provide easy access to enjoy all this slice of heaven has to offer.
1. Corp of Engineer Parks – Though not one destination, the Corp of Engineer Parks encompasses more than 90,000 camping sites across 43 states. Campgrounds are located on or near water and typically near plenty of hiking trails, providing plenty of outdoor recreation at an affordable per-night price point. Some parks can be challenging to get to, and some parks are nicer than others. Do your due diligence by going to recreation.gov and ferret out the best parks to add to your list of places to visit.
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Views from Slip Road near Kaycee, Wyoming