What if you could wake up in some of the most awe-inspiring landscapes in the United States? If you have an RV, it’s easy to make this a reality.
Throughout the country, there are many gorgeous national parks with RV campgrounds. There are so many, in fact, that it may be hard to choose just one. To help you with your RV travel plans, we’ve compiled a list of the top seven national parks for RV camping, including how many hookups are available and the maximum RV size for their campsites.
1. Yellowstone National Park in Wyoming/Idaho/Montana
Summer is a great time to visit Yellowstone. It boasts 2.2 million acres of land filled with wildlife, forests, and geothermal areas. In fact, Yellowstone contains more than half of the world’s active geysers, including Old Faithful. It’s also home to a variety of wild animals that you can view from almost anywhere in the park, such as elk, bison, wolves, and bears.
If you want to bring your RV to Yellowstone National Park, you should reserve one of their 346 full-hookup campsites, as it does get busy throughout the warmer months. However, only hard-sides RVs with a maximum size of 40 feet are allowed on site.
2. Grand Teton National Park in Wyoming
If you and your family want to view spectacular mountains, Grand Teton National Park is the ultimate destination. Named after the iconic peak, Grand Teton National Park spans the 40-mile-long Teton Range in Wyoming, with approximately 310,000 acres to explore. After all, hiking is the most common recreational activity in this park.
September is the best month to visit Grand Teton, when the mountains pop with splashes of red and orange. Campgrounds are by reservation only, but there are 142 full-hookup sites with unlimited maximum RV size for pull-through sites and 30 feet
for back-in spots.
3. Grand Canyon National Park in Arizona
Anytime is a great time to drive to Grand Canyon National Park with your RV in tow. Often considered one of the Wonders of the World, people from all over come to the Grand Canyon to see this gorge of the Colorado River. Popular activities include hiking, mule rides, and whitewater rafting.
This national park is the second most visited national park in the U.S., so it is smart to make a reservation before making the trek. There are 29 full-hookup sites for RV’s up to 28 feet long and 50 full-hookup sites for those up to 50 feet long.
4. Death Valley National Park in California
Don’t let the name scare you. Contrary to what many believe, Death Valley National Park is home to an abundance of biodiversity: fields of wildflowers, verdant oases, and rich wildlife. Spring and winter are the best times to visit as the temperature is much more mild and rarely dips below freezing. It is often dangerous to recreate here during the summer as temperatures typically exceed 100°F, but when the temperature drops, it becomes a fantastic place for hikers, bikers, bird watchers, and more.
There are three main campgrounds in Death Valley. Furnace Creek has 18 full-hookup sites with a maximum RV size of 36 feet. Stovepipe Wells has 14 full-hookup sites and Panamint Springs has 6 full-hookup sites, both of which have a maximum RV size of 60 feet.
5. Big Bend National Park in Texas
For those seeking solitude, Big Bend National Park is an excellent place for isolation. Containing both mountains and desert, Big Bend is home to hundreds of bird species, making it a prime destination for bird watchers. It’s not limited to bird watchers though. It’s also a fantastic place for hiking, camping, river running, horse riding, mountain biking, birding, and jeep touring.
Fall and spring are the best times to visit, as the temperatures are mild during the day and cool at night. There are 20 full-hookup sites for reservations only and 5 hookup sites for walk-ups. Depending on occupancy load, the maximum RV size for these sites is 40 to 50 feet.
6. Badlands National Park in South Dakota
If you are seeking a unique RVing experience, consider Badlands National Park, which contains one of the world’s richest fossil beds of ancient horses and rhinos. This park has something for everybody: a fossil exhibit trail for the family, a social trail for experienced hikers, and the Badlands Loop Road for viewing wildlife.
To avoid crowds, it is recommended that visitors come April to May or September to October. There are only 20 electric hookup campsites with a maximum RV size of 70 feet.
When it comes to RVing in national parks, some will always be better than others. But overall, most provide easily navigable roads, full-service hookups, and accessible campsites, making them ideal for RV owners looking to get away. While these are just a few of the most notable parks, keep in mind that there are 423 national parks in the United States that you can explore. Before you go, ask for the campsite’s maximum RV size and make reservations to ensure you get a spot. And don’t forget that national parks typically don’t allow dogs in any areas that are car can’t go.
Happy travels from all of us here at Grand Design RV!
