Are you planning an RV adventure in 2025? You’re in for a great time with some of America’s best travel trailer destinations.
This guide highlights five top spots: Grand Canyon National Park, Yellowstone National Park, the Florida Keys, the Pacific Coast Highway, and the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Our selection process analyzed official national park websites, RV travel blogs, and campground directories to identify popular destinations with strong RV camping options and significant search interest. Data collected on March 17, 2025, focused on locations with natural beauty, outdoor activities, and solid RV infrastructure, considering user reviews and expert recommendations.
Grand Canyon National Park
The Grand Canyon in Arizona is a must-see for its large, colorful views created by the Colorado River. RV travelers can go hiking, enjoy scenic drives, and stargaze. Inside the park, you can camp at Mather Campground (without full hookups) or Trailer Village (with full hookups). Nearby, Williams, AZ, has more RV parks for added convenience.
Yellowstone National Park
America’s first national park, spanning Wyoming, Montana, and Idaho, is famous for Old Faithful and diverse wildlife. RV options include Fishing Bridge RV Park (full hookups, hard-sided RVs only) and other campgrounds like Madison. Activities range from geothermal tours to winter sports, with nearby towns like West Yellowstone, MT, providing extra amenities.
The Florida Keys
This tropical island chain off Florida’s southern tip is ideal for beach lovers and water sports enthusiasts. RV campgrounds like Sunshine Key RV Resort and Bahia Honda State Park offer full hookups and ocean views, perfect for snorkeling, fishing, and relaxing. Book early, especially during peak season (December to April).
Pacific Coast Highway
The PCH, a scenic route along California’s coast, offers breathtaking ocean views and stops at places like Big Sur and Santa Barbara. RV camping is available at state parks like Pismo State Beach and private parks like Ventura Harbor RV Park, with activities including hiking, wine tasting, and surfing. Plan for narrow roads and book campsites in advance.
Great Smoky Mountains National Park
Straddling North Carolina and Tennessee, this park is America’s most visited. It is known for its lush forests and Appalachian culture. RV campgrounds like Cades Cove (no hookups) and private parks in Gatlinburg, TN, cater to hikers and history buffs. Expect crowded roads during peak seasons, so plan early visits.
Destination Details:
Grand Canyon National Park
- Overview: Located in Arizona, the Grand Canyon is one of the seven natural wonders of the world. It spans 1,904 square miles and attracts over 6 million visitors annually. Its geological history and scenic beauty make it a top RV destination.
- Why Visit?: The park’s vast landscapes, colorful rock formations, and the Colorado River offer a unique blend of history and recreation. RV travelers benefit from proximity to campgrounds and easy access to activities.
- Activities: Hiking ranges from easy rim walks to challenging backpacking trips, with scenic drives providing panoramic views. Rafting on the Colorado River and stargazing under dark skies are additional highlights.
- RV Camping Options:
- Mather Campground: Over 300 sites, open year-round, suitable for tents, RVs, and trailers, with water and electricity at some sites but no full hookups.
- Trailer Village is the only in-park RV park with full hookups (water, sewer, electricity), offering pull-through sites for RVs up to 50 feet, located in Grand Canyon Village.
- Desert View Campground: This rustic campground, with no hookups, is open from mid-April to mid-October and is ideal for a quieter experience.
- Private RV Parks: Towns like Williams, AZ, offer parks with additional amenities, such as pools and more significant sites, enhancing comfort.
- Photos: Imagine a sunrise photo of the canyon’s rim, casting golden hues, or an RV parked at Mather Campground with the canyon backdrop.
- Tips for Visitors: Due to high demand, reservations are crucial, especially from May to September. Respect environmental guidelines, plan your itinerary for the park’s size, and stay hydrated, given the extreme climate.
Yellowstone National Park
- Overview: Established in 1872, Yellowstone is the first national park in Wyoming, Montana, and Idaho. It covers 3,500 square miles and is known for its geothermal features and wildlife.
- Why Visit?: Its iconic geysers, like Old Faithful, and diverse ecosystems, including forests and meadows, make it a bucket-list destination for RV travelers, with multiple camping options.
- Activities: Geothermal tours feature geysers and hot springs, while wildflower viewing and fishing in rivers and lakes are popular. Winter offers snowmobiling and skiing, adding seasonal variety.
- RV Camping Options:
- Fishing Bridge RV Park: Hard-sided RVs only, full hookups, near Yellowstone Lake, open early May to late September.
- Other Campgrounds: Mammoth, Madison, and Canyon offer basic amenities (water, flush toilets, no hookups) and cater to tents and some RVs.
- Private RV Parks: Towns like West Yellowstone, MT, and Cody, WY, provide full hookups and amenities like pools, ideal for extended stays.
- Photos: Picture Old Faithful erupting against a clear sky or an RV at Fishing Bridge RV Park with Yellowstone Lake in view.
- Tips for Visitors: Bear safety is paramount; store food properly and maintain distance from wildlife. Check road conditions for closures, adjust to high altitude, and consider guided tours for deeper insights.
The Florida Keys
- Overview: A chain of islands off Florida’s southern tip, the Keys are known for their tropical climates, beaches, and marine life. They stretch 120 miles, with Key West as the southernmost point.
- Why Visit?: The tropical paradise offers relaxation and adventure, with RV campgrounds providing ocean views and access to water sports, making it a top choice for beach lovers.
- Activities: Snorkeling and diving explore the third-largest coral reef, fishing targets snapper and tarpon, and beachcombing offers sunset cruises. Cultural visits include the Ernest Hemingway Home and Museum in Key West.
- RV Camping Options:
- Sunshine Key RV Resort and Marina: On Ohio Key, full hookups, swimming pool, tennis courts, and marina, a premier destination.
- Sugarloaf Key / Key West KOA: Variety of options, including RV sites and luxury trailers, with resort-style pool and café.
- Bahia Honda State Park: Ocean-view sites known for beaches and snorkeling, offering a state park experience.
- Private Campgrounds: Numerous parks with unique amenities, from oceanfront to wooded settings, cater to diverse preferences.
- Photos: Envision an RV on a beach with palm trees or snorkelers exploring vibrant coral reefs.
- Tips for Visitors: Due to high demand, book early, especially from December to April. Be hurricane-aware from June to November, explore by boat, and use reef-safe sunscreen to protect marine life.
Pacific Coast Highway
- Overview: The PCH, or Highway 1, runs along California’s coast from Dana Point to Leggett. It is a 650-mile scenic route famous for ocean views and coastal towns, part of a larger 1,650-mile journey from Washington to California.
- Why Visit?: Its stunning vistas, from Big Sur to Santa Barbara, offer a memorable drive for RV travelers. Numerous campgrounds for stops enhance the journey with natural beauty.
- Activities: Scenic drives highlight landmarks like the Golden Gate Bridge, hiking in state parks like Point Lobos, wine tasting in Napa Valley, and surfing at spots like Mavericks.
- RV Camping Options:
- State Park Campgrounds: Pismo State Beach, Morro Bay State Park, and Richardson Grove State Park offer RV sites with varying amenities, including some beachfront.
- Private RV Parks: Ventura Harbor RV Park and Santa Cruz KOA Holiday provide full hookups, pools, and additional comforts.
- Beachfront Camping: Sites like those at Refugio State Beach allow ocean-side stays, enhancing the coastal experience.
- Photos: Imagine an RV overlooking the ocean or the iconic Bixby Bridge in Big Sur, framed by cliffs.
- Tips for Visitors: Plan your route in segments, prepare for variable weather with layers, drive carefully on narrow roads, and reserve campsites early, especially in summer.
Great Smoky Mountains National Park
- Overview: Straddling North Carolina and Tennessee, this 522,427-acre park is the most visited in the U.S., with over 14 million annual visitors, known for its Appalachian beauty and cultural history.
- Why Visit?: Its diverse flora, fauna, and historic sites, like Cades Cove, attract RV travelers. Campgrounds offer access to hiking, fishing, and scenic drives.
- Activities: Hiking over 800 miles of trails, including the Appalachian Trail, fishing in streams, exploring historic communities, and driving scenic routes like Newfound Gap Road.
- RV Camping Options:
- Frontcountry Campgrounds: Ten campgrounds, including Cades Cove, Elkmont, and Smokemount, offer RV sites with basic amenities (picnic tables, fire grates, water, flush toilets, no hookups).
- Private RV Parks: Towns like Gatlinburg, TN, and Pigeon Forge, TN, offer full hookups and amenities like pools, ideal for family stays.
- Photos: Picture an RV at Cades Cove with mountain views or fall foliage in vibrant colors.
- Tips for Visitors: Ensure bear safety by storing food properly, plan early visits to avoid peak season crowds, use shuttle services for traffic management, and dress in layers for changing mountain weather.
Research shows that RV travel plans are expected to increase by 60% in 2025. National parks and coastal areas, like the Florida Keys and the Pacific Coast Highway, will be in high demand. It’s important to book your trip early, especially during peak seasons. Travelers should also pay attention to weather patterns, such as hurricane season in the Keys or winter conditions along the Pacific Coast Highway. Many first-time travelers can benefit from the growing trend of RV delivery, as 72% of vehicles on platforms like RVshare offer this. This makes it easier to access these popular destinations.
If you’re inspired to explore these top 5 RV destinations, consider buying a travel trailer—your perfect home on wheels for turning these dream spots into unforgettable adventures with ease and comfort.