Good old RV trips are once again America’s favored family getaway. With many still unable to travel abroad in 2021, what better way to spend the summer months than in an RV, exploring the vast home country, with your family in tow? But, with boundless stretches of the country to explore, it can be difficult to decide exactly which way to drive. Here are our top picks for the best RV trips for families, to help you decide which direction to go!
The Rocky Mountains
The Rocky Mountains is the perfect region to explore in your RV, particularly if you’re looking to do plenty of hiking. Encapsulating Idaho, Montana, Wyoming, and Colorado, a trip through the Rocky Mountains leads you through the most breathtaking national parks. From Sawtooth National Forest to Great Sand Dunes National, you’ll find a variety of walking trails of different terrains.
With over 3,000 miles of road, you can stretch your RV trip through the mountain range over the course of a few weeks. It is recommended that you spend 4 days in the Yellowstone National Park, to take it all in! The road, from New Mexico to British Columbia, is very safe and is made up of the interstate highway.
Niagara Falls
Niagara Falls has plenty to offer to RV vacationers, including breathtaking vistas, the great outdoors, and fun-filled campsites. With plenty of parking lots within the locality of this iconic landmark, families can get out, stretch their legs, and take a boat ride down the Niagara River. Some boat tours even go right under the falls!
There are plenty of RV-friendly campsites that families can traverse between, including Branches of Niagara Campsite and Resort. This accommodating campsite offers bike rentals, kayaking trips, fishing, and even boasts a heated pool.
What makes Niagara Falls one of the best RV trips for families is that you can jump between the U.S. side and the Canadian side with ease. Passport-dependent, of course!
Route 66
Take your family on this classic road trip to let them experience the quaint side of America. Route 66 starts in Chicago and takes cruisers on a journey through the history of the U.S. Such awe-inspiring sites on the trip include Lincoln’s Tomb, Arizona’s Meteor Crater, and the Grand Canyon.
In between the old diners and idyllic scenery, you’ll find several fascinating museums, sure to pique the interest of all family members. Some of the best museums include the Vintage Iron Motorcycle Museum and the Route 66 Association Hall of Fame Museum. Travelers will also come across a plethora of off-beat stores and gift shops, including the Tee Pee Curious Shop.
Take in the sights and sounds of Americana, and rest at night at one of the numerous RV campsites found along the road. Route 66 RV Campground has plenty of on-site activity, with a pool and many sports facilities.
Gulf Shores, Alabama
For families looking for a beachy getaway, Alabama is a hotspot for RV explorers, with several campsites dotting its coast. What makes Alabama’s coast one of the best RV trips for families is that it’s warm nearly all the time. The Gulf Coast boasts a subtropical climate and stays warm all year round. This makes almost every day a beach appropriate day!
The City of Gulf Shores offers a lot of family-orientated activities, including the Bon Secour National Wildlife Refuge, the Gulf Coast Zoo, Alligator Alley, and Waterville U.S.A. – a mega-sized waterpark!
A lot of the RV campsites can be found along the coast itself, including the Bueno Vista Coastal RV Resort and the Dockside RV Resort.
California Loop
The California loop contains several different landscapes and terrains in one. Starting outside San Diego, the route leads you through the Arthur B. Ripley Desert Woodland State Park, and along the Californian Coast. The views of the coast are contrasted sharply by the dramatic trees of the Redwood Forest.
The loop later circumnavigates around Lake Tahoe and proceeds through Yosemite National Park, full of imposing granite cliff-edges and the instantly recognizable Bridalveil Fall. The route continues through John Muir Wilderness, Death Valley, and Joshua Tree National Park.
One for the families who love the great outdoors, the California Loop offers many opportunities to get out there and hike. There are plenty of spots along the way to camp, with plenty of campsites to be found throughout the various national parks.
The Grand Canyon
The Grand Canyon can be done as part of Route 66, but with much to see and do, it’s well worth spending a bit of extra time in this National Park. Besides gazing at the awe-inspiring Grand Canyon itself, the surrounding National Park boasts many fun activities for the whole family. From walking trails to skywalks, to river rafting- it’s well worth spending a week or two inside the park.
You can base yourself at one of the Park’s many campsites, which includes the North Rim Campgrounds and the Trailer Village RV Park.
Texas
Springtime or fall, Texas is one of the best RV trips for families. Austin is a thriving city, with plenty of things to see and do, and is the perfect place to base yourself to explore the Lone Star State.
The main attractions of Texas are pretty spread out, which makes turning it into an RV adventure a great idea. Plus, a lot of people head to Texas to live the full-time RV lifestyle, so you can rest assured the state has more than enough facilities for your trailer home vacation.
You can explore the boundless desert, hike through Dinosaur Valley State Park, and admire the ridges of the Guadalupe Mountain.
Texas has several family-friendly ranches you can take the RV to, to give your family a proper taste of the prairie lifestyle and enjoy a spot of horse-riding. Top-rated RV campsites include the Fredericksburg RV Park and the Texas Ranch RV Resort, located in Alvarado.
We hope you enjoyed our list of the seven best RV trips for families! Enjoy your trip.