10 Must-See National Parks When RVing Through the USA

Planning an RV trip? Make sure these 10 National Parks are on your bucket list. Each offers unique landscapes and RV-friendly facilities, making them ideal for travelers seeking the freedom of the open road.

From the wild animals in Yellowstone to the stunning mountains in Grand Teton, these parks are top picks for your journey. We'll guide you through what makes each park a must-visit, including tips on campgrounds and key attractions.

Get ready for unforgettable adventures and spectacular sights that await in each of these fantastic national parks.

Yellowstone National Park

Yellowstone National Park is a pinnacle destination, home to vast wilderness areas, geothermal features, and abundant wildlife.

The most RV-friendly campgrounds within the park include Bridge Bay, Canyon, Fishing Bridge, Grant Village, and Madison, all reservable through the park's lodges website or recreation.gov​.

All sites typically require reservations except for Mammoth Campground, which offers first-come, first-served spots from October 15 to April 1.

Ideally, set aside at least a week for an in-depth exploration, but if you're short on time, we recommend staying at least three days to cover the main attractions.

Your journey should include the renowned Old Faithful geyser, which erupts like clockwork every 90 minutes — watch it from a safe distance or join a guided tour to learn about the park's geothermal features.

Don't miss other highlights like the Grand Prismatic Spring and Yellowstone Lake, and for stunning sunrise or sunset views, head to the Grand Canyon of Yellowstone.

Grand Teton National Park

With over 300,000 acres of pristine wilderness, there's no shortage of activities to keep you busy in Grand Teton.

You can reserve sites at Colter Bay RV Park, Gros Ventre Campground, and Colter Bay Campground, each offering unique amenities in scenic settings.

These campgrounds can be reserved up to six months in advance, allowing stays ranging from 14 to 30 nights, enhancing your wilderness experience.

You might also want to explore the 42-mile scenic loop drive, which offers breathtaking views of the Teton Range and numerous opportunities to spot wildlife such as elk, bison, and moose.

Along the way, you'll find over 20 stops to take in the scenery, hike, or have a picnic.

Glacier National Park

The beauty of Glacier National Park in Montana, characterized by its snow-capped mountains, turquoise lakes, and diverse wildlife, is a haven for those who love nature.

The park boasts 13 front-country campgrounds, providing various options for tent or RV camping, which also varies in use and setting, offering a unique experience amidst Glacier's natural beauty.​

When planning your RV camping trip to Glacier National Park, it's important to note that most campgrounds are reservation-only and can be booked on Recreation.gov.

Given the park's popularity, booking your site before arriving is recommended, as cell service is spotty and unreliable throughout the park.

Campgrounds such as Apgar, Fish Creek, Sprague Creek, Avalanche, St. Mary, Many Glacier, and Two Medicine can be reserved in advance, while a few smaller ones operate on a first-come, first-served basis.

If you're seeking a memorable RV journey, this 3-day Glacier National Park itinerary is a must-read!

Yosemite National Park

With its towering granite cliffs, cascading waterfalls, and giant sequoias, Yosemite offers some of the most breathtaking landscapes in the country.

The park accommodates RVs in several campgrounds, such as North Pines, Lower Pines, Upper Pines, Crane Flat, Wawona, White Wolf, and Tuolumne Meadows, most suitable for RVs up to 35 feet.

While these campgrounds lack electrical or water hookups, they offer basic amenities, including dump stations, toilets, and drinking water, with public showers available in Yosemite Valley.

Reservations, highly sought after, can be made up to five months in advance, with the best chances of securing a spot by booking right when reservations open.

Engage in Jeep, winery, or biking tours around the area. The wine trails are particularly popular for adult-only trips​.

You can also embark on hiking trails past Yosemite Falls and the Merced River or explore the majestic Sequoia & Kings Canyon and Mariposa Grove.

Arches National Park

Arches National Park, known for its 18 miles of scenic driving within the park and its location in Moab, is an ideal RV base camp for a classic American Southwest adventure.

The park features the Devils Garden Campground, the only campground within its boundaries, accommodating RVs up to 40 feet long.

Due to its popularity, reservations are required between March 1 and October 31, with sites being first-come, first-served from November 1 to February.

We recommend spending at least two days in Arches National Park to fully appreciate its beauty and explore its attractions.

Start by driving along the scenic park road and stopping at the many viewpoints to take in the breathtaking vistas. Don't miss the iconic Delicate Arch, best viewed at sunset or sunrise!

For the more adventurous, we recommend hiking some of the park's numerous trails, such as the Devil's Garden Trail or the Fiery Furnace.

Zion National Park

Zion National Park offers three campgrounds for RV camping: Watchman, South, and Lava Point.

Reservations for Watchman are available up to six months in advance, for South Campground up to two weeks, and Lava Point is first-come, first-served.

Zion's 6-mile Scenic Drive offers stunning views of the park's natural beauty. Along the way, you'll find numerous pullouts and overlooks where you can stop and take in the scenery.

We recommend spending at least two days in Zion to fully explore the park and experience its wonders.

If you're up for a challenge, we suggest hiking the Angels Landing Trail. This 5.4-mile round-trip trail offers incredible views of the park but requires a bit of a climb.

The trail is steep and narrow, but the panoramic views of the canyon are worth the effort!

Grand Canyon National Park

Mather Campground and Trailer Village on the South Rim and Desert View and North Rim Campground provide options for staying within the Grand Canyon National Park.

All park campgrounds book up in advance, so reserve a spot early!

It offers a range of experiences. You can start with a walk along the Rim Trail, which is about thirteen miles along the South Rim and offers numerous viewpoints.

If you're looking for something more secluded, the Ribbon Falls hike is a hidden gem worth the effort. 

In addition to hiking, there are plenty of other activities to do in the park. You can take a scenic drive along the Grand Canyon South Rim Scenic Drive, which spans 55 miles and offers epic canyon views.

Ranger-led programs, museums, and cultural demonstrations provide an in-depth look at the park's history and geology.

Everglades National Park

This park is home to a wide variety of wildlife, including alligators, manatees, and crocodiles, making it a must-visit destination for nature lovers.

It offers three campgrounds, each with a picnic table, grill, and access to restrooms and showers.

The largest campground is Flamingo, which has 234 sites and is located on the park's southern end. Long Pine Key and Shark Valley are smaller and offer a more secluded camping experience.

There are plenty of scenic drives to enjoy! The Tamiami Trail, for example, is a 64km (40 mile) road that takes you through the heart of the park.

Along the way, you'll see some of the park's most iconic landmarks, such as the Shark Valley Observation Tower and the Anhinga Trail.

Discover more about the best campgrounds, scenic trails, water activities, and wildlife viewing in this national park by reading our ultimate guide!

Great Smoky Mountains National Park

With over 800 miles of hiking trails and abundant wildlife, you'll want to spend at least a week in the park to fully experience all it has to offer.

The park caters to RV campers with several campgrounds, such as Elkmont, Look Rock, Cosby, and Big Creek, accommodating various RV sizes.

Though full hookups are rare, ADA sites provide limited electricity, and primitive campgrounds are available for a more rustic stay. Also, Facilities are basic, with no showers and a 14-night stay limit.

One of the must-see spots in the park is Cades Cove. Along the way, you'll see historic cabins, churches, and other structures that give you a glimpse into what life was like for the early settlers in the area.

Another popular spot in the park is Clingmans Dome. This is the highest point in the park, offering stunning views of the surrounding mountains.

In addition to hiking and sightseeing, it's also an excellent place for fishing. The park has over 2,100 miles of streams and is home to various fish species, including trout and bass.

Badlands National Park

This park's rugged beauty draws visitors worldwide, and it's easy to see why! Its striking geologic deposits contain one of the world's richest fossil beds, and ancient horses and rhinos once roamed here.

Badlands National Park offers RV camping at Cedar Pass Campground, which is equipped with electric hookups and showers, and the more primitive Sage Creek Campground, which is for smaller RVs.

You'll want to spend at least two days exploring the park's 244,000 acres of mixed-grass prairie, badlands formations, and deep canyons.

The park is open year-round, but the best time to visit is from late spring to early fall when the weather is mild and dry.

During your visit, be sure to drive the Badlands Loop Road, a 39-mile scenic drive that offers breathtaking views of the park's unique landscape!

Wrapping Up Your RV Journey Through the Best National Parks

Before you hit the road, ensure you have all the necessary equipment and supplies. Double-check your RV's maintenance, bring plenty of water, and pack enough food for your trip.

Don't forget to respect the parks and follow Leave No Trace principles to help preserve these beautiful landscapes for generations to come!