From Mountain Resorts to Coastal Destinations, These Are The Best RV Getaways in the Country

RVing has always been one of America’s favorite vacationing options, but the love for RVs has exploded over the past few years. According to the RV Industry Association, manufacturers delivered over 600K RVs in 2021, representing a 39% increase from 2020 and a 19% increase compared to 2017, which was the previous delivery peak.

There are numerous advantages associated with RVing — you’re closer to nature and you can travel with your entire family without incurring major additional costs. Also, with so many people now working remotely, the RVs provide the means to comfortably work from your “on the road” office.

Whether you are planning an RV family vacation this summer, or you are ready to hit the road for months, working and enjoying new sights every day, finding the perfect itinerary can be challenging. After all, there are so many amazing natural wonders (and amazing cities) in the US — which ones do you pick?

StorageCafe ranked the best RV destinations in the country based on a combination of factors such as the number of campsites, their amenities and costs, air quality, WiFi, grocery availability and prices.

So, while you’re preparing for your next RV getaway, put at least some of these top 10 amazing RV destinations on your bucket list:

Mountain retreats take the lead, with Branson, Missouri, ranking first

Nestled in the Ozark Mountains, Branson, Missouri, makes an excellent vacation spot, combining green rolling hills, natural springs, and caves with the right type of tourist-oriented infrastructure. Besides the 25 campsites where you can book a spot, you’ll also find concert venues, museums, theaters, and restaurants.

Second in line, and not too far away from Branson, is Hot Springs, Arkansas. It’s another mountain city, this time in the heavily forested Ouachita Mountains. As its name clearly states, there are thermal waters in the area, which you can enjoy in one of the city’s many spas. Tourists can also choose between various theme parks, a zoo, plus music and film festivals.

Hot Springs, Arkansas

The gorgeous Smokie Mountains and the nearby Dollywood theme park are just some of the draws of the third-ranking destination — Pigeon Forge, Tennessee. There are 16 campsites in the area, with many of them also featuring swimming pools and excellent WiFi.

Another mountain destination that makes it to the 10 best RV destinations in the country is South Fork, Colorado, ranking eighth. South Fork attracts visitors with numerous hiking trails, beautiful natural landmarks, excellent air quality and 13 easily accessible campsites.

Although Grants Pass, Oregon, ranking fifth, is not a mountain destination, it definitely features many attractions for those with an adventurous streak. Located along the Rogue River, Grants Pass is one of the best whitewater rafting spots in the country. You can also tour Hellgate Canyon to enjoy the scenery and watch the wildlife or take a short drive to visit the ancient cave system of the Oregon Caves National Monument.

Your ideal vacation includes access to beaches? Head to these Florida and Texas RV destinations!

If you’re more into waves than forests and mountains, Zephyrhills, Florida, ranking fourth from the top, is just an hour away from the amazing beaches around Dunedin and Honeymoon Island. You’ll also have plenty of shopping, dining, and entertainment options at your disposal, as Zephyrhills is a suburb of Tampa. The destination offers 19 campsites and most campsites have pools.

However, if you prefer to be right on the coast, you could choose Fort Myers, Florida, ranking 10^th from the top. It’s a destination that has the best of two worlds – urban fun and beach fun. Fort Myers has gorgeous beaches, such as Crescent Beach or Lani Kai, but you can also indulge in fine dining and cultural experiences. The 15 campsites in the area provide high internet speed and pools, among other amenities.

Fort Myers, Florida

The Gulf Coast’s Northwest Florida panhandle is also an excellent destination. There are numerous RV campgrounds including Topsail State park and Grayton Beach state park both located along scenic Highway 30A. A bonus that both of these parks offer is that they are located on the beach and near rare coastal dune lakes.

Rockport, Texas, lands in the sixth spot. Located on the Gulf of Mexico’s coast, not too far away from Corpus Christie, Rockport is an excellent destination for boating and water sports aficionados. The city hosts the Texas Maritime Museum and its shipbuilding (and pirate) exhibits. The area is also a veritable birdwatching paradise. There are 30 campsites in the area, so visitors have their choice of camping spots. Houston, Texas, ranking ninth, is the only large city that also qualifies as an excellent RVing getaway. With 15 camping spots in the area, Houston provides affordable deals and excellent amenities for travelers, including high-speed internet.

Another coastal destination that makes it to the top 10 of the best RV getaways is Gulf Shores, Alabama, ranking seventh. From dolphin watching and ocean fishing to snorkeling, kayaking or bird watching, there’s plenty to do here. Many of the 12 campsites in the area offer WiFi and cable TV.

Interest in RV storage is highest among Las Vegas, Colorado Springs, and Phoenix residents

Your RV can take you to all these amazing spots — but what do you do with it when you’re not hitting the roads? Owners need to park their RVs in safe spaces while not in use. As most cities don’t allow long-term street parking for RVs or blocking driveways for months on end, a storage facility is usually the best option.

An analysis of Google searches reveals that residents of Las Vegas are the most interested in RV storage, scouring the internet for information related to this topic. The people living in Colorado Springs and Phoenix follow pretty closely.

Fortunately for the local RV owners, there are plenty of options for RV storage in all these cities, and in many others across the country. A significant portion of the self storage facilities offer large, 10’x30’ units suitable for storing RVs. These units can be completely enclosed or they can be covered parking spaces. Prices vary depending on location — for example, a 10’x30’ storage unit in Las Vegas rents for around $300, almost the same rate as a unit in Phoenix. A similarly sized storage unit in Colorado Springs, on the other hand, is less expensive and goes for around $240 per month.

And, if you want to try the lifestyle but don’t own an RV yet, check out RVBlogger. They have RV rentals by city and state, so you’ll be able to get one easily, regardless of where you live

The recent uptick in RV sales means that we might soon experience even more interest, nationwide, in RV-related services, from campsites to storage — and more people will travel to popular RV-suitable vacation spots. Have you decided on an itinerary yet? Let us know in the comments!