The Top 10 Places Add to Your RV Camping Bucket List

RV camping can open so many amazing opportunities to enjoy the outdoors. It allows you to stay for extended periods of time in comfort and style, which frees you to do what you intended to do in the first place when you packed everything up to go camping: enjoying the outdoors!

But one of the most challenging parts of RV camping is finding a quality spot. RVs demand a relatively level ground and must be able to have hook-ups like electricity and water at the site or be able to reach them nearby. That way, you’re able to get the most out of your RV camping experience!

Of course, there are tons of spots all over the US to choose from. That’s why we decided to help you narrow down your choices by researching some of the best places to camp in your RV!

1. Sylvan Lake State Park, CO

Number of Campsites: 44

Recommended Time of Year to Visit: May through September

Best Known For: Fishing, stand-up paddle boarding, and hiking

One of the best places to go camping in the beautiful area of Eagle County Colorado is Sylvan Lake State Park. With access to trout stocked Sylvan Lake as well as several scenic hiking trails within walking distance of the campground, outdoor enthusiasts of all types will enjoy camping here.

While the best times to visit are between May and September, it’s definitely recommended that you make a reservation here at least 2 or 3 months in advance of when you plan on visiting. That way you’ll be sure to have a spot locked up for your stay at Sylvan Lake!

2. Grand Tetons National Park, WY

Number of Campsites: Over 1,000

Recommended Time of Year to Visit: May through September

Best Known For: Stunning views of Grand Tetons, hiking, wildlife viewing

The Grand Tetons are some of the most iconic peaks in the US. They jaggedly rise up out of the ground, creating a dramatic contrast with the flat plains that make up the rest of Wyoming! With that sort of view, it’s no wonder why there are so many campsites available to RVers here.

Don’t get too sucked into the phenomenal views of the mountains, though. You have to make sure you’re also looking out for the wildlife that calls the Grand Tetons home! From Red Fox to Grizzly Bears, Bison to Beavers, the Grand Tetons is sure to delight the wildlife lover in your camping group!

3. Death Valley National Park, CA

Number of Campsites: Over 500

Recommended Time of Year to Visit: October through April

Best Known For: Stunning geological formations, dramatic elevation changes, desert landscape

For those of you that want to try something a bit different and camp comfortably in the winter, look no further than Death Valley National Park. While the name makes it sound a bit scary, Death Valley is anything but scary!

The contrast of color and elevation is one of the best parts about this park. There are hues of color in the rocks that make you wonder about the power that thousands of years of geological can produce. That combined with the fact that Death Valley is one of the lowest points on Earth and is also surrounded by peaks that go over 10,000’ in elevation makes you feel like you’ve visited another planet all together!

4. Yosemite National Park, CA

Number of Campsites: Over 200

Recommended Time of Year to Visit: May through October

Best Known For: Giant granite rock formations, wildlife viewing, hiking, waterfalls

A can’t miss spot to go camping in your RV is Yosemite. The features that draw the crowds here are the monolithic granite rock formations that tower over the valley floor. Formed through millions of years of subterranean activity, these monoliths create spectacular waterfalls that dramatically descend thousands of feet into the Merced River below.

Keep in mind that Yosemite is world famous and that reservations can be made up to 6 months in advance. There are several campgrounds to choose from at Yosemite, but none of them come with hookups. Filling stations and dump stations are present at Yosemite, which can be helpful to extend your trip if you need to use them. However, it’s important to make sure you have a generator and a strong battery when you camp here!

5. Onion Creek Campground, UT

Number of Campsites: 21

Recommended Time of Year to Visit: September to November and February to May

Best Known For: Off roading, beautiful red sandstone cliffs, access to Colorado River

If you’re more interested in going off-roading, then Onion Creek Campground is the spot you want to stake your claim at! Located just 20 miles outside of Moab, UT, Onion Creek is scenically built along the Colorado River. The red sandstone cliffs that border the river help the sounds of rushing water reverberate around you, which is an excellent way to fall asleep each night!

The off-roading opportunities are endless just outside of Onion Creek Campground! With trails that range from easy to very difficult, there is something to suit just about everyone. And what’s better is that these trails go through some of the most remote and rugged terrain in the US! Be sure to leave plenty of time to go back to camp after a day tearing up the trail to have a campfire and soak in the light from the stars and the Milky Way above you!

6. Tamarack RV Park, ID

Number of Campsites: 107

Recommended Time of Year to Visit: May through September

Best Known For: Access to Lake Coeur d’Alene, hiking, wildlife viewing

As one of the few non-government run campgrounds on this list, Tamarack is one of the best spots to camp. With access to a playground and a clubhouse on site, Tamarack is ideal for families with kids of all ages. Tamarack also includes Wi-Fi-access, which makes it an ideal location for those who are trying to work or stream a movie while enjoying the great outdoors.

The best feature of Tamarack is its proximity to Lake Coeur d’Alene. As one of the largest lakes in the state of Idaho, Lake Coeur d’Alene is a great place to either prop up on the beach and enjoy the sun or to speed around on a boat or jet ski! In either case, you’re not going to want to forget your swimsuit when you visit!

And when you’re all done at the lake for the day, be sure to hit up the Coeur d’Alene Resort for one of their famous giant ice cream sundaes before you head back to camp for the night! Trust me, your tastebuds will thank you later.

7. Mount Rushmore KOA, SD

Number of Campsites: Over 20

Recommended Time of Year to Visit: May through October

Best Known For: Access to Mount Rushmore, fun family activities in the Black Hills, hiking

Another great privately owned campground to go RVing at is the Mount Rushmore KOA. Located just outside of Rapid City, SD, the KOA at Mount Rushmore offers tons of amenities like full hook-ups and a laundry facility, which means you can stay almost as long as you like!

And why wouldn’t you want to stay for as long as possible?! Mount Rushmore is just a quick 3-minute drive from the campground and is a must-see spot for anyone visiting the area. Make sure to take lots of pictures in front of this impressive national monument before you take a short walk around the base of the mountain.

When you’re all done at Mount Rushmore, there are tons of family friendly places to check out nearby. Bear Country USA, the Reptile Gardens, and the Mystery Zone are all fun places that everyone is sure to enjoy!

8. Mount Rainier National Park, WA

Number of Campsites: Over 400

Recommended Time of Year to Visit: May through September

Best Known For: Hiking, wildlife viewing, amazing views of Mount Rainier

As the tallest point in Washington, Mount Rainier is the main attraction for those who love RV camping! Ascending to a dizzying height of over 14,400 feet, Mount Rainier provides a beautiful backdrop to all the hiking and fishing that is available inside of the park.

In addition to the gorgeous views, Mount Rainier is also home to a ton of wildlife. Deer, black bear, and the elusive mink all call the park home. Be sure to remember your binoculars and cameras to maintain your distance from these beautiful creatures as well as take lots of pictures to save for years to come!

9. Wahweap RV Campground, AZ

Number of Campsites: 251

Recommended Time of Year to Visit: Year-round

Best Known For: Boating, hiking, off-roading

The final privately owned campground on our list is located just outside of Lake Powell. As one of the largest man-made lakes in the US, Lake Powell offers a ton of fun activities to do all year long. With the popularity of recreating on the lake, Wahweap offers competitive rates to the other campgrounds in the area as well as access to plenty of campsites with electrical hook-ups.

When you’re all done setting up at the campground, consider renting a boat, iSUP, jet ski, or kayak to explore Lake Powell. The endless numbers of inlets around the lake all beg to be explored. Open stretches of water are yours to tear up on a jet ski or while being towed behind a boat in a tube. The possibilities for year-round fun at Lake Powell are seemingly infinite!

10. Great Sand Dunes National Park, CO

Number of Campsites: 91

Recommended Time of Year to Visit: April through October

Best Known For: Off-roading, hiking, sand dune sledding

One of the most unique areas to visit on our list is located in the heart of Colorado. The Great Sand Dunes ascend out of the San Luis Valley, creating a dramatic contrast between the high desert that makes up most of the valley and the high mountain peaks of the Sangre de Cristo range behind them.

A unique activity to try out when visiting the Great Sand Dunes is sand dune sledding! Hike up as far as you feel comfortable and sit down on a plastic sled. Hang on tight and enjoy the ride down! Dune sledding is a lot of fun when temperatures are cool, as the hot sand can burn you if you visit during the middle of the summer heat!

One of the best times of year to visit is in late April and early May. During that time, the spring snow run-off is running at peak conditions. Temporary creeks run through the sand and create interesting features in the sand as they make their way through the park. From time to time, sand dams get created as sediment piles up, only to break under the pressure from the temporary creeks. This creates satisfying ripples in the creeks that just have to be experienced in person! 

Final Thoughts

As you can see, there are tons of amazing places to visit all over the US! From the shores of Lake Powell to the snowcapped peaks of the Tetons, there is a great RV campground to suit the desires for everyone.

Wherever you go, be sure to pack all the essentials so that you don’t end up having to cut your trip short! From sleeping bags to kitchen utensils, make sure your RV is ready to go for as many nights as you plan to camp. Consider creating a checklist of all your essential gear items.

Additionally, be sure to thoroughly check all your RV’s important components like propane tanks and batteries. Ensure your propane tanks are full and that your battery is fully charged. A great thing to consider doing is changing out your battery after a few years of use. A great battery that is long lasting and sure to meet all your power needs can be found at BlueNova Lithium!

Now that you have the ultimate bucket list for RV camping, go forth and adventure! And don’t forget to let us know where you go and what your favorite spot was! Where will you go first?