The Top 10 National Parks in the US for RV Camping
If you're eager to connect with nature and spend more time at a US national park, RV camping is an ideal choice to fully appreciate the breathtaking expanses of the US national parks.
Camping in an RV inside a national park offers a cozy retreat, allowing you to soak in the park's beauty from dawn until dusk (and even longer for incredible stargazing). These campsites foster a vibrant community among RV campers who exchange everything from vehicle tips to travel advice, BBQ recipes, and s’mores by the fire.
The national parks highlighted below are prime spots, not just for their numerous and high-quality RV campsites but also for the accessibility RVs have to explore the parks along wide, paved roads with key attractions easily viewable from the roadside.
1. Acadia National Park, Maine
Total RV Campsites: 3 campsites offering 160 RV spotsReserve your RV spot here: Acadia’s Recreation.gov website Scenic RV Route in the Park: The 27-mile Park Loop Road provides breathtaking views of mountains, ocean, lakes, and forests, with numerous nearby trailheads for hiking. Acadia National Park can get quite busy during the summer, so consider a visit in the fall to dodge heavy traffic and enjoy some fantastic leaf-peeping in Maine.
An RV passes through a red arch in Bryce Canyon National Park, heading towards Arches National Park. Getty Images2. Arches National Park, Utah
RV Campsites Available: 1 campground featuring 51 sitesReserve your RV spot here: Arches’ Recreation.gov websiteMost Scenic RV Route in the Park: The Main Park Road of Arches National Park stretches 18 miles from the entrance to Devils Garden Campground, featuring a smoothly paved roadway with multiple pull-out areas for stunning views of the park’s iconic rock arches. After exploring here, you can extend your journey to southern Utah’s Bryce, Canyonlands, Capitol Reef, and Zion for an unforgettable Utah national parks RV adventure.
A bull moose makes its way across the road in Denali National Park, Alaska. S.J. Krasemann/Getty Images3. Denali National Park, Alaska
Total RV Campsites: 3 campsites offering 207 RV spotsReserve your RV spot here: Reserve Denali (NOT Recreation.gov)Most Scenic RV Route in the Park: The sole RV-accessible route in Denali National Park covers the first 15 miles of Denali Park Road. RV campers at the Teklanika River Campground can extend their journey another 14 miles along a gravel road. Both sections offer breathtaking views of Denali’s stunning mountainous terrain.
Two individuals paddle a canoe through Everglades National Park. Douglas Rissing/Getty Images4. Everglades National Park, Florida
Total RV Campsites: 173 sites across 2 campgroundsReserve your RV spot here: Flamingo Adventures (Not Recreation.gov) Most Scenic RV Route in the Park: Enjoy numerous pull-offs along the way to take in the incredible biodiversity of Everglades National Park. The well-kept 40-mile stretch from the Eastern Homestead Entrance to the Flamingo Visitor Center is home to vibrant bird species and lurking alligators amid the lush green wetlands of the Everglades.
Vistas to behold at Glacier National Park, Montana. Brent Doscher/Getty Images5. Glacier National Park, Montana
Total RV Campsites: 5 campgrounds featuring 631 RV spotsReserve your RV spot here: Glacier’s Recreation.gov pageMost Scenic RV Route in the Park: While Glacier National Park’s iconic Going-to-the-Sun Road is off-limits to vehicles over 20 feet, RV travelers can enjoy a wonderful scenic drive along Highway 2 on the park's edge. Travel to the eastern side via Many Glacier Road to witness numerous glaciers, as the name suggests.
A stunning view of the Grand Canyon with an RV parked in the mountain heights at sunset. Getty Images6. Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona
Total RV Campsites: 4 campgrounds with 519 RV spots availableReserve your RV spot here: Grand Canyon’s Recreation.gov page and the Trailer Village concessionaire website The most scenic RV route through the park: The 23 miles of Desert View Drive, extending east of Grand Canyon Village, offers breathtaking views of the canyon along with various pull-outs for photography and short trails within Grand Canyon National Park. RV parking is available at the Desert View Services area located at the park's East Entrance.
Navigating the Linn Cove Viaduct on Grandfather Mountain along the Blue Ridge Parkway in North Carolina. Getty Images7. Great Smoky Mountains National Park, North Carolina & Tennessee
Number of RV campsites: 9 campgrounds with 924 RV spotsReserve your RV spot here: Great Smoky Mountains National Park's Recreation.gov pageMost scenic RV route through the park: Newfound Gap Road spans 31 miles of hilly terrain between Tennessee and North Carolina within the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. The diverse forests transition dramatically from southern hardwoods to northern pines along the route, leading the park service to liken it to a drive from Georgia to Maine.
8. Joshua Tree National Park, California
Total RV Campsites: 8 campgrounds with 495 RV spots availableReserve your RV spot here: Joshua Tree’s Recreation.gov pageMost scenic RV route through the park: Traveling from the West Entrance Station to the south on Park Boulevard provides stunning views of the park's iconic trees along with landmarks like Skull Rock and the Jumbo Rocks. As you continue southward on Pinto Basin Road, observe the transition from the Mojave to the Colorado desert ecosystems.
Two American bison wander in front of a motorhome in Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming, United States. Getty Images9. Yellowstone National Park, Montana & Wyoming
Total RV Campsites: 12 campgrounds with 2147 spots (which often fill up quickly)Reserve your RV spot here: Yellowstone’s Recreation.gov page and Yellowstone National Parks Lodges websiteThe most scenic RV route through the park: Grand Loop Road is the iconic route of Yellowstone National Park, showcasing major attractions like Mammoth Hot Springs, Old Faithful, and the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone River. This 140-mile journey can easily take a whole day, so it’s best enjoyed in segments, such as the Lower Loop near Old Faithful and its fascinating hydrothermal features.
In summer, escaping the crowds in Yosemite National Park is simple—just head out on a walking trail. Aleksei Potov/Shutterstock10. Yosemite National Park, California
Number of RV campsites: 9 campgrounds with 1231 spaces available for RVsReserve your RV spot here: Yosemite’s Recreation.gov websiteThe most scenic RV route through the park: To escape the hustle and bustle of Yosemite Valley, take the scenic Tioga Road, which traverses Yosemite National Park from west to east. This 46-mile stretch showcases Yosemite’s highlights, including majestic mountains, streams, forests, lakes, and meadows, along with stunning views of Half Dome, complete with numerous pull-offs for photos.
Essential tips to keep in mind for RV camping at US national parks
- Most national parks utilize Recreation.gov for campsite reservations. Each park has its own specific rules and timelines for booking, so be sure to review their guidelines before making a reservation.
- Book your reservations as early as possible. RV campsites in national parks can fill up quickly, often within minutes of becoming available, especially during the busy summer season and holiday weekends.
- When choosing your RV campsite, check for length restrictions and the availability of hookups for water, electricity, and sewage disposal. Avoid any unpleasant surprises upon arriving late at a remote site.
- If you can't find an RV site within a national park, remember that many commercial RV parks are located just outside park boundaries. These campgrounds typically have more availability and offer additional services compared to those inside the parks.
- Bringing bicycles or a towed vehicle with your RV can significantly enhance your ability to explore the park, especially in areas with limited RV access. Additionally, consider parking your RV at the campground and utilizing park shuttle services when available.
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