Dollywood
TENNESSEE
Whether or not you’re a fan of Dolly Parton, a visit to Dollywood in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, is a must. Even if you’re passing through on your RV road trip, Dollywood’s diverse range of attractions, which are a testament to its popularity among tourists and family vacationers, will pique your interest. From entertaining dinner shows and thrilling amusement parks to engaging tours and luxurious resorts, Dollywood has something for everyone.
There is no RV park in Dollywood, but there are plenty of options nearby—such as Up the Creek RV Camp, which has full hookups, 30/50 amp power, and a picnic table at each campsite.
Plan your adventure: Dollywood
St. Augustine
FLORIDA
St. Augustine is over 450 years old, making it the oldest town in the United States. If you want to focus on history, you can explore the Spanish colonial architecture throughout the city. On the other hand, if you spend quality time on the water, you can try deep-sea fishing.
The nightlife is also ready and waiting for you, with many nightclubs and restaurants available. The Anastasia State Park is a popular place for RV travelers and road trip vacationers to stay when they visit this city. It would help to consider the North Beach Camp Resort and the Compass RV Resort.
Plan your adventure: St. Augustine
Rocky Mountain National Park
COLORADO
Adding Colorado to your bucket list of RV vacation ideas is nearly impossible without writing down Rocky Mountain National Park. As you head towards the Bear Lake Trailhead, you can enjoy the abundance of lily pads in Nymph Lake.
Adventurous retirees may enjoy a little quality time whitewater rafting during their stay. If you simply want to enjoy the sights and shops, Downtown Estes Park is a perfect location to consider. Another perk is that this national park comes with its own RV campground accommodations—especially within the Manor RV Park.
Plan your adventure: Rocky Mountain National Park
Key West’s Mallory Square Dock
FLORIDA
You have seen a sunset when you have seen the sunset at Key West. Key West’s Mallory Square Dock is the perfect place to experience it firsthand. Crowds of people will join you, but it is also the central location of several festivities. You never know which street artist, conch vendor, acrobat, or even professional clown you will run into while you are there. It will also allow you to enjoy all Florida offers – perhaps even looking for your next retirement home.
Consider Boyd’s Key West Campground when you are ready to find a campground or RV park. It offers deluxe waterfront views, excellent cell reception, and a short drive away from restaurants, shops, and museums to enhance the excitement of your trip.
Plan your adventure: Mount Rainier
Glacier National Park
MONTANA
You may need to spend more time driving on the road than you originally planned, but a trip to Glacier National Park is worth the trip. The park is captivating and fantastic to witness firsthand. Historically, it is a cornerstone of the first international peace park worldwide – helping to celebrate the peace and friendship between the U.S. and Canada.
Your jaw will likely drop when you see the Going-to-the-Sun Road for the first time and look over the 50 miles of glaciers, landscapes, and cascading waterfalls along the way. Depending on the length of your RV, you may need to park at the entrance.
Plan your adventure: Grand Canyon National Park
Smithsonian Museums
WASHINGTON DC
You do not need to be a history fanatic to put the Smithsonian Museums on your bucket list of RV road trips. The fact that there are 11 different museums and galleries within the Smithsonian area alone is a significant selling point. From American history and air & space to the Archives of American Art and African-American history, there are so many gems you can dig up during a single trip to the Smithsonian.
For a hassle-free visit to the Smithsonian, we recommend parking your RV or travel trailer as close to Washington DC as possible and then taking the metro to the museum. Cherry Hill Park, the closest campground to Washington DC, offers full hook-up sites all year round, making it a convenient and comfortable base for your visit.
Plan your adventure: Smithsonian Museums
Hoover Dam
NEVADA
You may not be interested in seeing the Hoover Dam. However, once you stand in front of the highest concrete arch dam in the country, you will change your mind. Nearly 7 million people visit the Hoover Dam each year. In addition to its height of 726’, this amazing tourist attraction contains 4.4 million cubic yards of concrete and generates 2,080 megawatts of power with its 17 hydraulic turbines.
If you want an amenity-filled campground where you can park your RV, consider Lake Mead RV Village or the Boulder Beach Campground.
Plan your adventure: Hoover Dam
Mount Rushmore National Memorial
SOUTH DAKOTA
You may have seen Mount Rushmore on TV or in the history textbooks. However, those images pale in comparison to the real-life experience. There is so much history wrapped up in this massive sculpture. For instance, the artist Gutzon Borglum died seven months before it was completed, but his son finished it. The presidential faces are 60’ high, and dynamite was used to remove 90 percent of the granite from their rock faces.
The Rushmore Shadows RV Resort is only 20 minutes away. This pet-friendly campground includes a convenience store, playground, restaurant, bar, and the Coon Hollow Trailhead.
Plan your adventure: Mount Rushmore National Memorial
Garden of the gods
COLORADO
A highlight of Colorado Springs is known as the Garden of the gods. In addition to its awe-inspiring beauty and captivating appeal, you can turn your visit into an adventure. For instance, you can participate in a Jeep tour that will take you through the beautiful sandstone rock formations. You could even climb or hike within the Garden of the gods to literally live life on the edge. Even during the winter months, the snow-capped peaks in this area are still worth the trip.
This natural attraction also has its own RV resort with comfortable accommodations. You could also stay at Barr Camp, Lone Duck Campground, or Fountain Creek RV Park.
Plan your adventure: Garden of the gods
Crater Lake National Park
OREGON
Nearly 500,000 people travel to the Crater Lake National Park annually. If you genuinely want to see the marvelous side of this tourist site, you must go during the 3-4 months when there is no snow on the ground. The park has old-growth forests, volcano remnants, and evergreen trees. However, the main attraction is Crater Lake – the deepest lake in the U.S. You can also get a good look at Phantom Ship, an ancient rock formation in the middle of the lake that stands 170 feet above the water.
The park also has two separate campground areas: Mazama and Lost Creek. RVs are only allowed at the Mazama campground, while Lost Creek is a tent-only campground.
Plan your adventure: Crater Lake National Park
