Spring Break is the unofficial start to the camping season. RV owners will ready their rigs and pack their bags for their next adventure. After spending weeks under gray winter skies, spring offers the first chance to see nature move out of hibernation and come back to life. The weather is warming up, and summertime crowds are nowhere to be found – leaving you plenty of room to explore your destination.
Whether you have a motorhome, fifth wheel or travel trailer, it is time to bring your RV out of storage and gear up for an adventure. From coastal coves to desert destinations, here are some of our top camping destinations for Spring Break.
Jetty Park, Florida
If you’re looking to make out-of-this-world memories, then Jetty Park may be your dream destination. The park is uniquely located outside Cape Canaveral, Florida, so you can watch cruise ships and submarines arrive and depart. If you get lucky, you might catch a rocket or a space shuttle launch from nearby Kennedy Space Center or the Space Force Station. You can even visit the Exploration Tower. The captivating architectural landmark provides visitors with seven floors of exhibits and interactive activities.
Galleries highlight the wonders of the Space Coast, from the man-made inventions that allow for space travel to the protected environment located around the Cape. The coast is a perfect place to dip your toes in nature and spot wildlife. The beach is a local hotspot for fishing, especially in the early mornings. Anglers will be able to catch a wide variety of fish while enjoying the sunrise over the Atlantic Ocean.
General RV, Florida’s largest family-owned RV dealer, now boasts six Supercenters throughout the Sunshine State. Located in Winter Garden near Orlando, General RV’s newest store adds to its current statewide network that includes Supercenters in Orange Park (near Jacksonville), Dover (near Tampa) and Ocala, along with the recently opened Fort Pierce (near Port St. Lucie) and Fort Myers locations.
First Landing State Park, Virginia
Are you looking to learn more this Spring Break? First Landing State Park may be your next destination. This park is home to the site where English colonists first landed in 1607. Native American canoes, Colonial settlers, 20th-century schooners and modern cargo ships have all navigated the waterways. Legend has it that Blackbeard used the park as a hideout. The park was built in part by an all-African-American Civilian Conservation Corps from 1933-1940. First Landing is a National Natural Landmark and is on the National Register of Historic Places.
As Virginia’s most-visited state park, it’s an oasis within urban Virginia Beach. The park has 20 miles of trails and 1.5 miles of sandy Chesapeake Bay beach frontage. First Landing offers many recreational and educational activities and has many unusual habitats including bald cypress swamps, lagoons and maritime forests, as well as rare plants and wildlife.
General RV is Virginia’s largest family-owned RV dealer, with a Supercenter located in Ashland (Richmond). Featuring 40 service bays and a multi-million-dollar parts and accessories inventory, General RV carries dozens of the top brands with up to 600 RVs available.
Arches National Park, Utah
Perhaps one of the most photographed national parks, Arches is beautiful year-round. The landscape of contrasting colors, landforms and textures is unlike any other. North of Moab and bordered by the Colorado River in the southeast, it is known for more than 2,000 natural sandstone arches including the massive, red-hued Delicate Arch in the east. This red-rock wonderland includes hundreds of soaring pinnacles, massive rock fins and giant balanced rocks.
Spring Break travelers will have near-perfect weather for their vacation. In March and April, daytime temperatures sit between 60 to 80 degrees making it the perfect temperature to hike. After a day in the park, you can still enjoy the sunset before the temperature drops too much. And no need to worry about the water systems on your RV, temperatures typically stay above freezing throughout the night.
General RV is Utah’s largest family-owned RV dealer with a Supercenter in Draper, with another slated to be open in late 2024 in South Weber.
Skidaway Island State Park, Georgia
Encircled by rivers and creeks, Skidaway Island is often called Savannah’s best-kept secret. Located just outside the historic coastal city, Spring Break campers will find themselves in a charming Southern escape. Nature lovers can hike through the maritime forest, underneath the canopy of Live Oaks and Spanish Moss, before walking through the salt marsh to the boardwalk and observation tower. Along the way, you may also catch a glimpse of the local wildlife including deer, fiddler crabs and much more.
If you want to get a taste of Southern hospitality, take a ride north to downtown Savannah. Consistently named one of the “world’s friendliest cities” by travel magazines, this coastal town has an excellent reputation for hospitality and grace. Enjoy coastal cuisine and cocktails while walking through historic neighborhoods and learning about art and haunted stories.
Carlsbad Caverns National Park, New Mexico
Around this time of year, park rangers at Carlsbad Caverns National Park dust off their caving gear and get reacquainted with the complex cave system located underground. The park’s namesake cave, Carlsbad Cavern, is one of over 300 limestone caves in a fossil reef that was carved by an inland sea about 265 million years ago. Even though these caves have been explored for thousands of years, modern scientists continue to dive deeper and learn more about the vast system.
Underground people can get a glimpse of the past million years, above ground you can see new life take root. Spring Break gives travelers a chance to witness the season of rebirth and new beginnings. The yuccas begin to bloom along with other native plant species and the park prepares to welcome back the Brazilian free-tailed bats. Spring is early enough that you won’t get caught in the flock of people who come to see this national park every year.
Catalina State Park, Arizona
Photo Credit: Arizona State Parks & Trails[/caption]
Catalina State Park sits at the base of the majestic Santa Catalina Mountains. The park is a haven for desert plants and wildlife and nearly 5,000 saguaro cacti. You can enjoy camping and picnicking throughout the 5,500 acres of foothills, canyons and streams. Catalina is a haven for bird watchers because more than 150 avian species call this region home. The park also boasts miles of trails and have trails dedicated to birding, hiking, biking, and even horseback riding. Along those trails you can gaze at the beautiful mountain backdrop, desert wildflowers and a plethora of cacti.
The park is located a short drive from Tucson, but make sure you come hungry. Tucson is a “city of gastronomy.” The city earned this title from the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) because the food tells a story that dates back 4,000 years. Spend your Spring Break enjoying the city’s rich culinary heritage, enjoying Mexican and Native American cuisine. Eating local means honoring history, and each bite is an experience.
Buccaneer State Park, Mississippi
Sitting on the Mississippi Gulf Coast, a trip to Buccaneer State Park is like taking a step back in time. The French buccaneer, Jean Lafitte, used this strip of coastline. Lafitte is one of the most famous people in New Orleans history known as a pirate, smuggler and war hero. Historians say his crew used the old Pirate House along the Mississippi Gulf Coast as a hideout. Alongside the history, you can explore the vast variety of indigenous plants including many species of oak trees, Sweet Bay Magnolias and native plants. The greenery can also be enjoyed from the Jackson’s Ridge Disc Golf course, which has courses for everyone from amateurs to pros.
Campers who find themselves missing the city can take a day trip to Louisiana and enjoy the sights, smells and sounds of New Orleans. A visit to the “Big Easy” isn’t complete until you visit the Crown Jewel of the city, the French Quarter. The historic neighborhood is home to a vibrant nightlife scene where you can enjoy live music pouring from local clubs and potent drinks served alongside Cajun delicacies. After all the fun, make sure you pick up a beignet before you continue your stroll along Bourbon Street. The location is perfect for Spring Break travelers who want to relax during the day, then party at night.
Mammoth Cave National Park, Kentucky
Mammoth Cave National Park is home to thousands of years of human history. Known for rolling hills, deep river valleys, and the world’s largest cave system this park is home to a rich diversity of plant and animal life. UNESCO has named this park a World Heritage Site and an International Biosphere Reserve. Spring at Mammoth Caves is a sight to behold. Nature wakes up from its long winter slumber. Young deer fawns can be spotted taking their first steps through the forest while the forest floor comes alive with a colorful show of wildflowers in all shapes and designs.
The warmer spring temperatures are a welcome relief from the crisp winter air. As the days grow longer, temperatures stay in the mid-60s and can even reach up to the 70s during the day and seldom drop below freezing at night. Spring Break is the perfect time to explore. The crowds have yet to arrive, but the park is active as plants and animals get ready for the warmth of summer.
Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park, California
Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park is a place where the land, sea and forests meet in a rugged landscape jigsaw puzzle. Nestled on the western slope of the Santa Lucia Mountains, hikers can enjoy many trails. Walk along the lush riverbanks and stroll through the vibrant redwood forests. Hikers may even catch a glimpse of some of the forest’s residents including bobcats, black-tail deer and a handful of bird species.
Head south to dip your toes into the Pacific. Along with Bixby Creek Bridge and McWay Falls, Pfeiffer Beach is one of the top spots in Big Sur. It has been named one of the most beautiful beaches in Monterey County. The coast is famous for the “purple sand beach” and the beautiful Keyhole Arch, which is one of the most photographed spots in the region. Spring Break is also the perfect time to enjoy because wildflowers begin to pop up, adding even more color to the picturesque landscape.
Olympic National Park, Oregon
Olympic National Park is an adventurer’s paradise. It sprawls across several different ecosystems, from the dramatic peaks of the Olympic Mountains to old-growth forests. The summit of glacier-clad Mt. Olympus is popular with climbers and hiking and backpacking trails cut through the park’s rainforests and along its Pacific coastline.
Spring Break is the perfect time to visit. The incredible range of precipitation and elevation make the park home to diverse wildlife. After a long, wet winter, spring welcomes travelers with an abundance of waterfalls, wildlife and wildflowers. The park teems with life – see baby whales begin their migration and watch as the lush, green landscape transforms the region into an extraordinary sight. Olympic National Park is the seventh busiest park in the U.S. but most people visit the park from July through September. Enjoy traversing the trails without having to share it with hundreds of other visitors.
Plan Your Spring Break Trip Today
There is plenty of fun to be had this spring! Make sure you pull your RV out of storage, and get a jumpstart on your camping season!
Ready to take your RV adventures to the next level? Let General RV help you discover the RV lifestyle. We offer a huge selection of new motorhomes, travel trailers and fifth wheels, as well as used RVs for sale. Need RV parts? We’ve got those, too. And our highly trained technicians can help with all your RV service needs. Visit our RV Virtual Showroom to start browsing now. Or find a General RV dealer near you. Whether you shop online or in store, our experts will help you camp with confidence.