Last Updated on May 2, 2023 by Christina
National parks hold a special allure drawing visitors to them year after year. From coast to coast, the parks’ diversity and abundance of natural beauty make them a popular destination for every type of traveler — sightseers, adventure junkies, weekend warriors, families and everyone in between.
It’s no secret that national parks became a refuge during the pandemic as travelers flocked to wide-open spaces in record numbers. According to the National Park Service, 312 million people visited national parks in 2022 — a 5% increase from 2021.
Camping in an RV within a national park provides a comfortable base to immerse yourself in a park’s beauty from sunrise to sunset. National park campsites also create a fun sense of community between RV campers, who share everything from vehicle advice to travel tips, BBQ recipes and S’mores around the campfire.
As more people discover the benefits of traveling in an RV, it’s no surprise that national parks have become a popular destination for those who love the great outdoors. RV travel allows you to explore the beauty of nature at your own pace, with all the comforts of home right at your fingertips. In this article, we’ll explore the top national parks to visit by RV and the benefits you can expect.
Top National Parks in California
Yosemite National Park
Yosemite National Park, which spans nearly 1,200 square miles, is one of the most famous national parks in the U.S. among locals as well as international travelers. It is renowned for its giant sequoia trees, waterfalls, backcountry hiking as well as wildlife – black beers, deer, bobcats and many more.
This central California park just under two hours north of Fresno welcomed 220,100 RV campers in 2022. While no RV hookups are available onsite, Yosemite Valley has dump sites open year-round. We highly recommend booking five to six months in advance as these campsites sell out very, very fast!
Joshua Tree National Park
Camping within Joshua Tree’s unique desert ecosystem, where the Mojave and Colorado deserts meet, is an experience like no other. Based in southern California, it is the perfect destination for hikers and rock climbers! The park features several National Park Service campgrounds. This iconic park’s 2022 visitors included 97,494 RV campers. It’s a lovely region for desert walks to see the famous twisted and spikey Joshua trees and late-night stargazing.
Death Valley National Park
East of the Sierra Nevada mountain range, Death Valley National Park sits on the California and Nevada border. While many think Death Valley means scorching temperatures, there’s more to this magnificent desert landscape that spans 3.4 million acres.
As the sixth most popular park for RV camping in 2022 and the national park with the largest wilderness in the contiguous United States, Death Valley National Park welcomed 95,799 campers. Visitors can pick between several developed, primitive and private campgrounds scattered throughout the area.
Top National Parks in Washington
Olympic National Park
Featuring nearly a million acres of vast wilderness and diverse ecosystems in Washington, it’s no wonder Olympic National Park is one of the United States’ most enjoyable destinations for camping and exploring. With a 3-hour drive from Seattle, it’s ideal for day trips and long weekend camper van and RV adventures.
There are a variety of campgrounds and RV parks to set up your base and explore the mountains, lakes, oceans or forests. Last year, more than 100,000 RV campers made a trip to Olympic National Park. If you want to visit the area, arrive early to snag one of the first-come, first-serve RV camping sites.
Top National Parks in Utah
Zion National Park
Zion National Park is a relatively small park, located in southwest Utah and around a 5-hour drive from Salt Lake City. It is most famous for its hikes, varying from easy to very challenging options. Among the most popular trails are Canyon Overlook, the Narrows Bottom Up, Angel’s Landing and much more.
In 2022, this Utah park tallied 93,947 RV camping visits. Peak season runs from February to November, so campers who can brave the cold may want to visit in winter to find the best campsites.
Top National Parks in Arizona
Grand Canyon National Park
The Grand Canyon is at the top of almost everyone’s bucket list and comes in at a massive 1.2 million acres in size. It is based in Arizona and around a 5-hour drive from Las Vegas. Grand Canyon National Park showcases spectacular skies, unforgettable sunrises and the unrivaled geographic scale of the American West.
This popular park hosted 56,759 RV campers in 2022. Open year-round, the South Rim Village’s Trailer Village provides full hookups and free shuttle service. Campsites can be booked out months in advance, so long-term planning is essential.
Top National Parks in Colorado
Rocky Mountain National Park
The Rocky Mountains are the quintessential mountain camping experience. Located in Colorado, Rocky Mountain National Park offers up to 350 miles of hiking trails and more than 150 lakes to explore. It’s open 24/7, yet its RV parks and campgrounds are top-rated and busy, so pre-booking up to 6 months in advance is recommended!
Rocky Mountain National Park welcomed 55,326 RV campers in 2022. Four of the park’s five campgrounds accommodate RVs, with the Moraine Park Campground allowing RVs and trailers up to 40 feet long.
Timber Creek Campground
Top National Parks in Montana
Glacier National Park
The apple of Montana’s eye, Glacier National Park is the main attraction of the Big Sky. Bordering Canada, the park brings thousands each year to explore and witness the beauty of northwestern Montana. Formed by glaciers, the exquisite mountain peaks and valleys give its guests the luxury of exploring more than 700 miles of hiking trails. Not to mention, the park offers some of the most picturesque views in the world, such as those at Going-to-the-Sun Road, Hidden Lake and many other unparalleled gems of Glacier National Park. With wildlife calling the park home, you are sure find to a wide variety of wild animals – just make sure you pack accordingly to stay protected!
Offering both “first-come, first-serve” and reservation campgrounds, Glacier National Park hosted 112,485 RV campers in 2022. A handful of the park’s campsites even accommodate RVs up to 40 feet long.
Top National Parks in North Carolina
Great Smoky Mountains National Park
The Smoky Mountains of North Carolina are filled with lots of outside fun, like whitewater rafting and mountaintop zip lining. Close to major population centers and free to enjoy, Great Smoky Mountains National Park has an abundance of visitors. But with hundreds of miles of hiking trails, historic sites and more than half a million acres to explore, there’s plenty of room to roam.
Forested mountains stretch across North Carolina and Tennessee at Great Smoky Mountains National Park. The park offers 10 front-country camping locations within its boundaries. Nearby scenic drives helped this site draw in 158,750 RV campers in 2022.
Top National Parks in Virginia
Shenandoah National Park
Just 75 miles from the bustle of Washington, D.C., Shenandoah National Park is a land bursting with cascading waterfalls, spectacular vistas, fields of wildflowers and quiet wooded hollows. With more than 200,000 acres of protected lands that are haven to deer, songbirds and black bear, there’s so much to explore.
Mostly forested, the park features wetlands, waterfalls and rocky peaks like Hawksbill and Old Rag mountains. More than 65,000 RV campers visited Shenandoah National Park in 2022.
When it comes to national parks and RVs, size matters
While most national parks have campgrounds that accommodate RVs, there are various size restrictions. Before you book, make sure to read the size restrictions carefully. If your RV is over the size limit, you may be turned away. Even worse, you may not be able to make the tight turns necessary to get to the campground.
Reserve your campsite as early as possible
National parks are popular and usually have large crowds. Book campsites early. There are usually a number of campgrounds available just outside of national parks that can also accommodate RVs.
Ready to start your RV camping adventure?
Let General RV help you discover the RV lifestyle. We offer a huge selection of new motorhomes, fifth wheels and travel trailers, as well as used RVs for sale. 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.