So you have your RV or Trailer packed and you are ready to go. But where?
These beautiful locations are on the must-do list for RV travelers.
The Oregon Coast
For about 362 miles from the Columbia River to the California border, the Oregon Coast is a mobile vacationer’s paradise. It doesn’t matter if you’re in a car, on a motorcycle or in an RV, this trip is amazing. Make your way through the 11 lighthouses that line the coastline. Visit the abandoned military facilities at Fort Stevens or check out the sand in Florence. The Oregon Coast is a great place to pull off Route 101 and take a summer sunset photo on the cliffs.
There are plenty of RV-friendly Oregon State Parks along the coast alone. It’s just a matter of where you want to be. Nehalem Bay State Park is about an hour from Portland and puts campers right next to the small but unique coastal towns of Wheeler and Nehalem. It’s within a short drive of the creamery in Tillamook and the Columbia River Maritime Museum in Astoria. RV spots with electric and water hookups start around $31, but if you want to play around at Bandon Dunes or tour the Rogue Ales brewery in Newport, reserve your spot early. Even by February, the summer pickings get slim.
Route 66
The original Route 66 an from Chicago to Santa Monica, California, and was featured in John Steinbeck’s 1939 novel “The Grapes of Wrath”. It is no longer part of the U.S. highway system but is now divided into various National Scenic Byways.
There are a lot of great sites to see along old Route 66. The National Route 66 Museum in Elk City, Oklahoma, the Cadillac Ranch in Amarillo, Texas, and Santa Monica Pier at the end of the line are all worthy of your time. Look for RV-friendly stops such as the St. Louis West/Route 66 KOA, which starts around $30 a night, depending on RV size.
California’s Central Coast
You can either make the run from San Francisco to Los Angeles or take it from Santa Barbara to Monterey. Either way, you’ll see the towns between San Simeon and Pismo Beach, watch the fishing villages, otters and elephant seals, Be sure to check out the Hearst Castle, and of course, see Big Sur.
The RV resorts right off the 101 have tons of spots. The Pismo Sands has 133 for $65 a night and includes electricity, Wi-Fi, cable, and laundry. Pismo Coast Village has 400 sites starting at $54 a night and offers electric, water, and sewer hookups, laundry, and entertainment for the kiddos (pool, arcade, mini-golf, etc.). For more of a laid-back, funky shore town, Bella Vista by the Sea near Cayucos offers full hookups and Wi-Fi starting at $38 to $42 a night depending on the season.
Zion National Park
If you want to hike the Zion and Kolob canyons, visit the Zion Human History Museum, hike Kolob Arch, or take in the mountains, you should plan to stay awhile. You could drive around to Bryce Canyon National Park to the north or the Grand Canyon to the south, but there’s really plenty to do here and you would need a permit to go through the Zion-Mount Carmel Tunnel. Save that for another adventure.
The South and Watchman Campgrounds in the park itself have RV access, but only Watchman has electric hookups. Neither has sewer, water, or Wi-Fi just so you know ahead of time. Other places like the Zion River Resort along the Virgin River in Virgin may be something to consider. It offers water, sewer, electric, and cable for rates starting at $39 a day. You also get access to a spa, a fully air-conditioned social hall, and a concierge.
Yosemite National Park
Yosemite is nearly as large as Rhode Island and has 800 miles of trails that accommodate the rugged hiker as well as the leisurely walker. It has more than 100 lakes tons of waterfalls, mountains and even a few beaches, there will be enough choices to satisfy even the hard to please traveler. Yosemite has nine campgrounds that accommodate RVs. You’ll need a reservation between April and September and there are no electrical, water or sewer hookups (though there are dump stations).
The drive-in is gorgeous but can seem a bit spare in spots. Try to hit the Whoa Nellie Deli in nearby Lee Vining, California. It has live music and serves breakfast, lunch, and a collective dinner menu.
The Grand Canyon
Nearly 280 miles long and up to 18 miles wide, the Grand Canyon and its national park are full of hiking, donkey riding, and whitewater rafting. Be aware the North Rim of the canyon is closed until mid-May, the South Rim is open all year. Try Trailer Village, where RV sites start around $50. Once again, Reservations are recommended.
It’s only about four hours from Las Vegas to the Grand Canyon site in Arizona, so why not plan to Las Vegas. Temperatures are in the 60s and 70s most days during the winter. Try the Canyon Motel & RV Park in Williams just below the South Rim. It’s near it all the and hotel rooms are in old rail cars.
Albuquerque, New Mexico
The 2.7-mile Sandia Peak Tramway just a small part of this place’s natural beauty. Be sure to check out the Petroglyph National Monument and Cibola National Forest. Simply not to be missed. With around 18 RV parks to choose from, it’s also an ideal destination for your home on wheels.
I can tell you, the best reason to go to New Mexico is the Balloon Fiesta. It’s well known around the US, as they put hundreds of hot air balloons over the city. Not only can you park your RV right near the Fiesta site, but you can stay overnight for $40 to $250 and watch the balloons from right outside your front door. Take in the sites, smell the roasting chiles, and enjoy the festivities from your own accommodations. Just be prepared to stay the minimum three-night and they sell out almost a year ahead.
Napa and Sonoma
It seems as if every state now has its own “wine country,” but the Napa and Sonoma valleys are still the nation’s wine country. California produces more than 80% of U.S. wine and does so in a place where you can drive through the redwoods and hike the coast all in the same weekend.
RVs are everywhere on Wine Country roads and Sonoma and Napa enjoy encouraging visitors to stay outdoors and enjoy the natural beauty. There are tons of RV parks to choose from like Calistoga RV. It is within walking distance arts center, many wineries, and a golf course. The Sonoma County Events Center has an RV Park amid Russian River wineries on the site of the Harvest Fair, the largest regional wine competition in the U.S.
