Exploring national parks from the comfort of an RV can be fabulous. You’ll find pure geological drama, old-growth forests, tooth-and-claw wildlife, tranquil lakes, seemingly endless beaches and cloud-piercing peaks. Truly, there’s so much waiting to be discovered. But, to be able to fully immerse yourself in the beauty of these lands, you have to know about U.S. national parks that are RV friendly.
Unfortunately, not all RV parks in the US are RV-friendly, mainly because of narrow roads and camper-size restrictions. To make your travels more convenient and safer, we have compiled the best U.S. national parks that are RV-friendly by region.
Best U.S. National Parks That Are RV Friendly in the West
If you’re planning to travel to the West, here are some of the best national RV parks in that area.
Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming, Montana, and Idaho
Established in 1972, Yellowstone National Park is the oldest and one of the most iconic national parks in the United States. It’s a pristine wilderness stretching over 3,500 miles, meaning RVers can spend weeks exploring the place. The park is best known for its spouting geysers, colorful hot springs, and free-ranging herds of bison and elk.
In addition, over 67 different species of mammals call the park home. You’ll also be impressed by the numerous waterfalls and 1000+ miles of hiking trails. RV campers will love the fact that there are no height or length restrictions, although rigs under 40 feet are recommended. There are 12 designated campgrounds with 2,000 established campsites available for booking. Most have dump stations and potable water, but electric hookups are rare.
Grand Teton National Park, Wyoming
Just south of Yellowstone, you’ll find Grand Teton National Park — a stunning landmass of roughly 310,000 acres. Here, the snow-capped Teton Ranges rise abruptly and overlook a scene rich with golden-green grasses, spectacular turquoise lakes, incredible wildlife, and over 250 miles of hiking trails.
Grand Teton has eight RV campgrounds, and six of them are RV-friendly. Even better, most accommodate rigs up to 45 feet long. Some also offer full hookups and standard amenities like metal fire grates, picnic tables, and metal bear boxes. Note that all park campgrounds are by reservation only, so make sure you book at least six months in advance.
Yosemite National Park, California
Famous for its daunting granite cliffs, millennia-old sequoia trees, and 21 epic waterfalls, Yosemite National Park is a great destination for RV camping. On top of the 1,200 square miles of sheer awe, the park supports more than 400 species and has over 750 miles of trails.
Yosemite has 10 designated campgrounds that can accommodate motorhomes and travel trailers. The maximum length for motorhomes is 40 feet, and 35 feet for towables. While you won’t find electrical, water, and sewer hookups, there are dump stations and potable water.
Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado
Tucked in the heart of the Colorado Rockies, Rocky Mountain National Park stretches over 415 square miles, preserving the untamed natural beauty of the American West. Cloud-piercing peaks, alpine meadows, forested valleys, glittering lakes, and 350 miles of trails converge to create a haven for adventure seekers.
RMNP has 3 RV-friendly campgrounds on the east side and one on the west side, all available by reservation only. Note that these campgrounds are only open in the summer months. Most campgrounds have potable water, a dump station, vault toilets, tent sites, food storage lockers, trash service, ice for sale, and on-site staff. Trailers and motorhomes up to 40 feet long are permitted, but some campgrounds will only welcome RVs with a maximum of 30 feet.
Sequoia National Park, California
Perched in the southern Sierra Nevada Mountains of California, Sequoia National Park awes visitors with its towering sequoia trees, including the world-famous General Sherman Tree, which is the largest living tree on Earth. In addition, this escape boasts soaring granite domes, thundering waterfalls, stunning underground caves, and a scenic byway perfect for soaking in vistas from the comfort of your RV.
There are 14 campgrounds between Sequoia and the neighboring Kings Canyon National Park, but only 10 can accommodate RVs. Two of them are open year-round, and nearly all sites require advanced reservation. Amenities include potable water, dump stations, food lockers, picnic tables, fire rings, and trash service. Lodgepole Campground offers easy access to laundry facilities, showers, a market, and a visitor center. Note that many points of interest restrict vehicles longer than 22 feet.
Best U.S. National Parks That Are RV Friendly in the Southwest
If you’re planning to travel to the Southwest, here are some of the best national RV parks in that area.
Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona
One of the country’s most treasured sights, Grand Canyon National Park is one of those places you must see to believe. Its most majestic feature is the canyon that stretches 277 miles long, spreads up to 18 miles across, and is etched a mile deep. Visitors will also be overwhelmed by the dramatic rock formations, vibrant geologic colors, and the mighty Colorado River.
RVers will love the fact that you can soak in the gorgeous views from virtually any roadside pull-out. You’ll also be impressed by the wide roads around the park. There are four developed campgrounds inside the park, and one — the trailer village — has full RV hookups. The campsites can also fit rigs between 30 and 50 feet long.
Zion National Park, Utah
Steer your rig to Zion National Park, and the 2,000-foot-high red sandstone cliffs will awe and inspire you. There are also forests that sprout along the banks of the Virgin River, sparkling emerald pools, miniature waterfalls, and a hanging garden.
From kayaking, canyoneering, and horseback riding to hiking and biking, there’s so much to keep you thoroughly entertained. Zion has two campgrounds that welcome recreational vehicles. Although they have no full hookups, dump stations are available. There are also restrictions for rigs over 40 feet long.
Related: Best Campground in Zion National Park
Best U.S. National Parks That Are RV Friendly in the Southeast
Traveling to the Southeast? Here are some of the best national RV parks in that area.
Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Tennessee and North Carolina
The Great Smoky Mountains is America’s most visited National Park, and there’s little wonder why. Here, tree-laden mountain ridges rise and fall on the horizon, mist flows amidst rolling valleys, and cascading waterfalls add to the park’s mystique. For the active camper, there are over 800 miles of scenic hiking trails.
Nine reservable campgrounds in the Smoky Mountains accommodate RVs of varying lengths. While no in-park campground has full hookups, 5 of them have dump stations with potable water. Even better, the stay limit is generous, allowing campers to hang around for 14 days.
Everglades National Park, Florida
Known as the River of Grass, Everglades National Park is a unique ecosystem that cannot be found anywhere else on Earth. You get a chance to see the rare manatee, the American crocodile, the Florida panther, and 360+ bird species. While the reptile-laden waters may tempt you to stay away, this unusual landscape is safe to explore and worth discovering.
Certainly, the best way to visit the Everglades is in the safety and comfort of a wheeled home. RV camping options are available on two sites, and both have a maximum camper length of 35 feet. They don’t have full hookups, but there are showers, dump stations, and water-filling spots.
Also: 11 Best RV Parks for Camping on the Beach in Florida
Best U.S. National Parks That Are RV Friendly in the Northeast
If your plans include traveling to the Northeast, here are the best national parks in that area.
Acadia National Park, Maine
Boasting islands teeming with life, a coastline graced with rugged cliffs, picturesque granite peaks, and beautiful forested valleys, Acadia National Park is stunning to behold. Even better, its most scenic RV route — the 27-mile Park Loop Road — unveils diverse and sweeping panoramas of the landscape.
The park has three RV-friendly camping areas. Schoodic Woods is the most convenient option as it’s on the mainland and has power and water hookups. There are no restrictions on camper length at any of the RV sites.
Best U.S. National Parks That Are RV Friendly in the Midwest
And finally, if you’re traveling to the Midwest, don’t miss out on Badlands National Park. Here’s why.
Badlands National Park, South Dakota
Undoubtedly one of the most photographed RV camping sites in the country, Badlands National Park is a dream vacation destination for road trippers. You’ll find two distinct landscapes — a rugged section of eroded pinnacles and buttes and the largest mixed-grass prairie in the nation.
Badlands has two official campgrounds, one bookable and the other first-come-first-served. Even more exciting, back-country camping, also known as boondocking, is available almost anywhere in the park. It’s also worth noting that most roads are accessible to rigs under 40 feet.
Explore America’s Most Iconic Symbols in an RV
There you have it, the top national parks for camping in an RV. Many of the roads in these parks are generally safe for RVing, and they have campgrounds that welcome campers. To snag a spot in any of the campgrounds in these national parks, make sure you book more than six months in advance.
More From RV Top Tips
Cynthia Measom is the founder and main content creator of RV Top Tips. Not just a writer, she’s a dedicated RV owner and enthusiast, alongside her husband, Joe, who is an experienced RV tech. With their joint knowledge, the two are up on the latest trends and technologies in the RV industry, as well as practical camping and lifestyle tips.
The couple own a 2020 Coachmen Chaparral fifth-wheel that they absolutely love. Their secret to being so satisfied? They purchased the model after a solid year of researching different fifth-wheel campers in person and online to find the perfect fit for their family of three.
- Cynthia Measomhttps://rvtoptips.com/author/admin_rvtoptips/
- Cynthia Measomhttps://rvtoptips.com/author/admin_rvtoptips/
- Cynthia Measomhttps://rvtoptips.com/author/admin_rvtoptips/
- Cynthia Measomhttps://rvtoptips.com/author/admin_rvtoptips/
