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Camping in an RV is the best lodging option when exploring America’s national parks and public lands. RVs are more comfortable than tents and more affordable than hotel rooms. RVs also allow you to have all the comforts of a home, while staying just steps away from the trails and attractions. Below is our complete guide to RV camping. If you are looking for just the list of best national parks for RV camping, jump here.
Otherwise, use the table of contents below to see RV camping options in a specific park or read the whole article if you are still deciding where you want to travel. We have information on the availability of RV camping in all U.S. National Parks except overseas parks in Hawaii, Samoa and the Virgin Islands. Parks are listed in alphabetical order.
Contents
- 1 Renting an RV
- 2 Best National Parks for RV Camping
- 3 Tips for RV Camping in National Parks
- 4 Acadia National Park
- 5 Arches National Park
- 6 Badlands National Park
- 7 Big Bend National Park
- 8 Biscayne National Park
- 9 Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park
- 10 Bryce Canyon National Park
- 11 Canyonlands National Park
- 12 Capitol Reef National Park
- 13 Carlsbad Caverns National Park
- 14 Channel Islands National Park
- 15 Congaree National Park
- 16 Crater Lake National Park
- 17 Cuyahoga Valley National Park
- 18 Death Valley National Park
- 19 Denali National Park
- 20 Dry Tortugas National Park
- 21 Everglades National Park
- 22 Gates of the Artic National Park
- 23 Gateway Arch National Park
- 24 Glacier National Park
- 25 Glacier Bay National Park
- 26 Grand Canyon National Park
- 27 Grand Teton National Park
- 28 Great Basin National Park
- 29 Great Sand Dunes National Park
- 30 Great Smoky Mountains National Park
- 31 Guadalupe Mountains National Park
- 32 Hot Springs National Park
- 33 Indiana Dunes National Park
- 34 Isle Royale National Park
- 35 Joshua Tree National Park
- 36 Katmai National Park
- 37 Kenai Fjords National Park
- 38 Kings Canyon National Park
- 39 Kobuk Valley National Park
- 40 Lake Clark National Park
- 41 Lassen Volcanic National Park
- 42 Mammoth Cave National Park
- 43 Mesa Verde National Park
- 44 Mount Rainier National Park
- 45 North Cascades National Park
- 46 Olympic National Park
- 47 Petrified Forest National Park
- 48 Pinnacles National Park
- 49 Redwood National Park
- 50 Rocky Mountain National Park
- 51 Saguaro National Park
- 52 Sequoia National Park
- 53 Shenandoah National Park
- 54 Theodore Roosevelt National Park
- 55 Voyageurs National Park
- 56 White Sands National Park
- 57 Wind Cave National Park
- 58 Wrangell-St. Elias National Park
- 59 Yellowstone National Park
- 60 Yosemite National Park
- 61 Zion National Park
Renting an RV
If you do not already own an RV, it is best to rent a rig for your national park camping trip. RVezy allows you to rent fifth wheels, travel trailers and motorhomes directly from local owners.
They have every type of rig available, and you can filter by price and features to pick the perfect RV. Every rental includes full insurance coverage and you can pick up the RV or have it delivered to your campground. Click here to search for a rental RV for your road trip.
Best National Parks for RV Camping
The following are the 10 best national parks for RV camping. These national parks offer a large number of RV-friendly campsites with beautiful campgrounds or epic views. Click the park name for more details.
- Acadia National Park
- Badlands National Park
- Big Bend National Park
- Death Valley National Park
- Grand Canyon National Park
- Grand Teton National Park
- Joshua Tree National Park
- Mammoth Cave National Park
- Mesa Verde National Park
- Yellowstone National Park
Tips for RV Camping in National Parks
Check Size Limits: Most RV campsites in national parks are made for smaller RVs. Many parks have a max length of 35 feet for RVs, but several park campgrounds have shorter limits. The max length for trailers is shorter at most campgrounds as campers will also need space for a tow vehicle. Always check recommended sizes on the park’s website before traveling.
Bring a Stamp Book: Track your national park adventures with a passport book. Each national park has stamps in their visitor centers so you can track your progress in visiting all of the parks.
Book in Advance: During the summer peak season, many national park campgrounds fill up every day. Fortunately, many campgrounds allow you to book a site months in advance through the Reserve America system. If you are planning to stay at a first-come, first-served campsite, call in advance to check when openings are likely and always have a backup plan.
Check Seasonal Closures: Some national park campgrounds close during the winter off season. Check seasonal dates and other closures on the park’s website before traveling.
Know the Rules for your Pets: Most (but not all) U.S. national parks allow pets in the campgrounds, but pets are often banned from other park areas including trails. Read our list of the Best National Parks for Dogs to choose a destination that is pet-friendly.
Stay Limits: Most national parks with RV camping limit stays to 14 days. Check the stay limits for your desired campground before booking a trip.
Comply with Generator Hours: Many national parks do not offer RV hookups. Where generators are allowed, there are often set hours to prevent noise during quiet hours. Make sure to check and comply with all posted limits.
Acadia National Park
Acadia National Park has three campgrounds with RV friendly campsites. Schoodic Woods is the most convenient campground as it is on the mainland and offers sites with electricity and water hookups.
Blackwood and Seawall campgrounds, both located on Mount Desert Island have RV campsites with no hookups. All of the campgrounds at Acadia have dump stations and potable water.
Arches National Park
Arches National Park only has one campground, but luckily RVs are permitted. Devils Garden Campground is located 18 miles from the park entrance below picturesque rock outcroppings. The campground does not offer any hookups or a dump station, but potable water is available.
Badlands National Park
Badlands is probably one of the most photographed RV camping sites in the country, which is why it made our list of best national parks for RV camping. Cedar Pass Campground offers RV sites with electric hookups, but the best views can be found boondocking.
While the famous boondocking spot, often referred to as “The Wall” is technically in Buffalo Gap National Grasslands, it offers incredible views of the Badlands below.
Big Bend National Park
Within Big Bend National Park, a private concessioner operates the Rio Grande Village RV Campground. The RGV RV Campground offers full hookups.
The park’s three other campgrounds (Chisos Basin, Cottonwood and Rio Grande Village) also permit RV camping, but do not have any hookups. There is a dump station in the Chisos Basin Campground.
Biscayne National Park
Since the campgrounds in Biscayne National Park are only accessible by boat, there is no RV camping in the park. Travelers can camp nearby at the Miami Everglades RV Resort.
Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park
There are RV friendly campgrounds on both rims of Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park. The South Rim Campground is better suited for RVs as it offers electric hookups and larger sites. The North Rim Campground is smaller and more remote.
Bryce Canyon National Park
Bryce Canyon National Park has two campgrounds, Sunset and North, which are both suitable for RV camping. Sunset Campground is just cross the street from the park’s famous Sunset Point. Neither campground offers hookups, but there is a dump station located near the North Campground.
Canyonlands National Park
There are two small campgrounds in Canyonlands that both allow RV camping. Islands in the Sky Campground (also known as Willow Flat) offers just 12 campsites, but the lucky few who claim them are just steps away from an amazing sunset view at Green River Overlook.
The Needles Campground in the southern portion of the park offers 24 RV friendly campsites. Neither campground has hookups or potable water.
Capitol Reef National Park
Fruita Campground, the only campground in Capitol Reef National Park, offers RV campsites. The campground has 71 sites in a variety of sizes up to 52 feet long. There are no hookups at the Fruita campsites, but a dump station and potable water are available to campers.
Carlsbad Caverns National Park
Carlsbad Caverns does not have any campgrounds within the park boundaries and overnight RV parking is not permitted. RVers can camp on nearby BLM land or the nearby White’s City RV Park.
Channel Islands National Park
Since its campgrounds are only accessible by boat, Channel Islands is definitely not one of the best national parks for RV camping. If fact, RV camping is not possible in this national park. Campers can book at site at Evergreen RV Park, which is a short drive to the park’s boat transportation.
Congaree National Park
Congaree National Park does not offer any RV camping. However, RVers can find campsites with water and electricity at the nearby Poinsett and Santee State Parks.
Crater Lake National Park
One of Crater Lake National Park’s campgrounds, Mazama, offers RV camping. The Mazama Campground has 75 RV only campsites, but only 18 of these campsites have electric hookups. The campground has laundry, a store with basic groceries and supplies and a dump station.
Cuyahoga Valley National Park
There is no RV camping allowed within Cuyahoga Valley National Park. RV campers can reserve a site at the nearby Streetsboro/Cleveland SE KOA.
Death Valley National Park
Death Valley has several campgrounds that can accommodate RVs and trailers making it one of the best national parks for RV camping. Furnace Creek Campground is the only national park campground offering electric hookups.
The privately operated Stovepipe Wells RV Park, adjacent to the park’s primitive Stovepipe Wells Campground, offers 14 full hookup RV sites. The private RV park also provides campers access to a swimming pool and Wi-Fi at the hotel next door.
Denali National Park
Denali National Park has three campgrounds that are open to RVs. Riley Creek Campground, located less than a mile from the park entrance, is the easiest to access. RVers who want views of Denali, should stay at Savage River Campground, where the mountain can be seen from just below the campground.
Teklanika River Campground allows campers to drive past mile 15, from which point private vehicles are typically banned. However, campers must stay a minimum of three nights to enjoy this special privilege.
Dry Tortugas National Park
There is no way to RV camp at this island national park. RVers should stay in Key West and take a ferry or seaplane for a day trip to Dry Tortugas National Park.
Everglades National Park
There are two RV camping options in Everglades National Park. Flamingo Campground, located directly on Florida Bay, offers 41 campsites in the T loop with electric-only hookups. Long Pine Key Campground has a limited number of rustic RV campsites. Water filling and dump stations are available in both campgrounds.
Gates of the Artic National Park
There are no roads, and therefore no RV camping, in Gates of the Artic National Park. The park is typically accessed by airplane. RVers can park in Fairbanks and fly to the park.
Gateway Arch National Park
There is no RV camping in Gateway Arch National Park, but campers can easily access the park from any private campground in St. Louis.
Glacier National Park
There are several campgrounds at Glacier National Park with RV campsites. Apgar, Avalanche, Fish Creek, Many Glacier, Rising Sun, St. Mary and Two Medicine Campgrounds all offer RV sites.
None of the campgrounds offer hookups, but several have dump stations and potable water access. Consider camping at multiple campgrounds to make exploring different sections of this large park easier.
Glacier Bay National Park
There are currently no RV camping facilities in Glacier Bay National Park or the nearby town of Gustavus. Visit the Gustavus tourism page for lodging options near the park.
Grand Canyon National Park
Grand Canyon is not only one of the most famous national parks, it is also one of the best national parks for RV camping. It has four great RV camping options. The privately owned Trailer Village offers paved RV sites with full hookups near the South Rim.
Also on the south side of the canyon, Mather and Desert View Campgrounds offer rustic RV camping sites. The North Rim Campground also offers RV camping without hookups. A dump station and water are available at the North Rim.
See our list of the 10 best Grand Canyon RV parks for more RV camping options near the canyon.
Grand Teton National Park
Grand Teton is an one of the best national parks for RV camping with six campgrounds available to motorhomes and trailers. For a stay with all the amenities, Colter Bay RV Park offers full hookup campsites and easy access to all the restaurants and stores in Colter Bay Village.
For campers who desire a more rustic setting, Lizard Creek Campground offers sites for small and medium RVs on the shore of Jackson Lake.
Great Basin National Park
There are five developed campgrounds that can accommodate RVs in Great Basin National Park: Upper Lehman Creek, Lower Lehman Creek, Baker Creek, Grey Cliffs, and Wheeler Peak.
There are a few pull-thru sites for RVs available at the Lower Lehman Creek Campground. None of the campgrounds offer hookups, but there is a dump station with potable water near the park entrance.
Great Sand Dunes National Park
Piñon Flats Campground within Great Sand Dunes National Park offers RV camping. The campground is named after the Piñon tress that provide shade for many of the campsites.
All of the sites that are long enough to accommodate RVs are located in loops 1 and 2. There are no hookups, but water and a dump station are available within the park.
Great Smoky Mountains National Park
Five of Great Smoky Mountains’ frontcountry campgrounds allow RV camping: Cosby, Deep Creek, Elkmont, Smokemont and Cades Cove. There are no hookups in the park, but all campgrounds have running water.
Staying at multiple campgrounds is a great way to explore this sprawling landscape that spans two states.
Guadalupe Mountains National Park
Guadalupe Mountains National Park has two campgrounds with RV sites. The Pine Springs Campground, located near the visitor center, has 19 primitive RV sites. There is no dump station, but water is available to fill RV tanks.
Dog Canyon Campground offers cooler temperatures due to its protected location beneath cliff walls. However, there are only four RV friendly campsites available at Dog Canyon.
Hot Springs National Park
Gulpha Gorge, the one and only campground in Hot Springs National Park, is a great option for RV campers. The campground consists of 40 full hookup campsites with picnic tables and grills. Trails allow campers to hike directly from the campground to downtown Hot Springs.
Indiana Dunes National Park
Dunewood Campground at Indiana Dunes National Park offers 53 RV friendly campsites. The campground does not have any hookups, but there is a dump station and potable water onsite. Dunewood is the only campground within the national park, and is located just 1.5 miles from Lake View Beach.
Isle Royale National Park
There is no RV camping available on this island park. RVers can park their rig at the City of Houghton RV Park before taking a ferry or seaplane over to the national park.
Joshua Tree National Park
Eight of Joshua Tree’s nine campgrounds allow RVs, making it one of the best national parks for RV camping. Sheep Pass Group Campground is for tents only.
Belle, Jumbo Rocks, Cottonwood and Indian Cove Campgrounds can accommodate larger RVs (up to 35 feet). None of the campgrounds within the park have RV hookups, but there is a dump station available at Cottonwood.
Katmai National Park
Katmai National Park is typically accessed by air or boat, so RV camping is not available.
Kenai Fjords National Park
There is no RV camping within Kenai Fjords National Park. RVers can stay at Stoney Creek RV Park in Seward, Alaska.
Kings Canyon National Park
Kings Canyon and Sequoia National Parks which are side by side offer 10 campgrounds with RV friendly sites. While they didn’t make our list of best national parks for RV camping, they were a closer runner-up.
Azalea Campground in the Grant Grove area serves as a great central point for exploring both parks. The campground is a 3-mile drive to the Kings Canyon entrance and within walking distance to the General Grant sequoia grove.
For camping with a view, park your RV at Moraine Campground which offers the best views of Kings Canyon’s steep granite cliffs. There are no hookups in these parks. Dump stations are available at Lodgepole, Dorst Creek and Princess Campgrounds.
Kobuk Valley National Park
There is no road access to Kobuk Valley National Park, so RV camping is not possible. RVers can park elsewhere in Alaska and fly to Kobuk Valley.
Lake Clark National Park
Like several other Alaskan parks, Lake Clark is primarily accessed by air, so RV camping is not feasible. RVers will need to park in Anchorage or another town in Alaska and fly to the park.
Lassen Volcanic National Park
Lassen Volcanic National park has six campgrounds suitable for RV camping. Manzanita Lake is a popular RV campground located just 1 mile from a park entrance. The campground offers lake access for swimming, kayaking and fishing.
Butte Lake is a more remote campground in the northeast corner of the park that is close to several hikes and Bathtub Lake. None of the campgrounds have RV hookups, but a dump station is available at Manzanita.
Mammoth Cave National Park
The Mammoth Cave Campground is the perfect place to park your RV and explore Kentucky’s only national park. The campground is located within walking distance to the visitor center, cave entrance and several hiking trails.
There are no hookups at this main campground, but a dump station is available. Maple Springs Campground on the north side of the park offers more secluded RV campsites. Two of the eight campsites at Maple Springs offer electric hookups.
For RV and tent camping options outside of the park see our complete guide to camping near Mammoth Cave.
Mesa Verde National Park
Mesa Verde made our list of best national parks for RV camping. Morefield Campground is one of the more spacious national park camping areas with 267 sites. Camping is open to RVs and there are 15 full hookup sites available.
Conveniently located, the campground is next to a full service village with a gas station, laundry and a café. Several of the park’s best hikes also leave from Morefield and climb to spectacular views of surrounding valleys and mountains.
Mount Rainier National Park
There are three campgrounds with RV friendly campsites at Mount Rainier National Park. Each of the campgrounds is located in a different area of the park. In the southwest section, Cougar Rock is a large campground with a dump station.
Ohanapecosh and White River Campgrounds are each located on rivers and have direct access to hiking trails. None of the campgrounds offer water or electric hookups.
North Cascades National Park
North Cascades National Park has five car campgrounds that allow RV camping: Newhalen Creek, Goodell Creek, Gorge Lake, Colonial Creek and Hozomeen. The Newhalem Creek Campground is the best location for larger RVs and trailers.
For an international adventure, stay at the Hozomeen Campground, which sits deep in the mountains and can only be reach by road from Canada. None of the campsites at North Cascades offer RV hookups.
Olympic National Park
Olympic National Park has RV camping options at eight park-operated campgrounds and two concession-operated campgrounds. Fairholme, Heart O’ the Hills, Hoh, Kalaloch, Mora, Ozette, Sul Doc and Staircase Campgrounds all have RV sites available.
None of the park campgrounds have hookups, but many of these campgrounds offer dump stations. Kalaloch is a particular scenic campground as some sites are on a bluff directly above the Pacific Ocean.
The concession-operated Sol Duc Hot Springs Resort and Log Cabin Resort offer RV sites with water and electric hookups.
Petrified Forest National Park
There is no RV camping with Petrified Forest National Park. Outside the south entrance of the park, at the junction of the park road and Highway 180, two privately owned gift shops allow overnight parking for fully self-contained vehicles.
Pinnacles National Park
The Pinnacles Campground, the only campground within this national park, offers RV camping. Several RV sites in the campground have electric hookups. Water and a dump station are also available in the campground. As an added bonus, there is a swimming pool that is open in late spring and summer.
Redwood National Park
RV camping is available at four developed campgrounds in Redwood National Park and the connected state parks. None of the campgrounds offer hookups, but Jedediah Smith and Mill Creek Campgrounds have dump stations.
Smaller RVs can access the Gold Bluffs Beach Campground that features easy access to a secluded stretch of beach and frequent Roosevelt Elk sightings. If you are traveling to Redwood National Park with your pet, check out our guide to visiting the Redwoods with dogs.
Rocky Mountain National Park
Rocky Mountain National Park has four campgrounds with RV camping: Aspenglen, Glacier Basin, Moraine Park and Timber Creek. The Moraine Park Campground has the longest RV sites in the park and offers views of the surrounding mountains. All of the campgrounds except Aspenglen have dump stations.
Saguaro National Park
There is no RV camping allowed in Saguaro National Park. RVers can book a site at the nearby Desert Trails RV Park.
Sequoia National Park
See Kings Canyon section for details about camping in Sequoia.
Shenandoah National Park
There are four RV friendly campgrounds at Shenandoah National Park: Matthews Arm, Big Meadows, Lewis Mountain and Loft Mountain. All of these campgrounds offer some pull-thru sites and long sites that can accommodate most RVs.
None of the campgrounds have hookups, but all of the them except Lewis Mountain have a dump station. Big Meadow campground is in a prime location within walking distance to three waterfalls.
Theodore Roosevelt National Park
Theodore Roosevelt National Park’s two campgrounds both permit RV camping. Cottonwood Campground is located in the park’s south unit and Juniper Campground is located in the north unit. Neither campground has RV hookups, but they both offer potable water and Juniper has a dump station.
Voyageurs National Park
There is no RV camping at Voyageurs National Park where all campsites are accessed by water. Travelers should consider parking their RV and renting a houseboat to explore this park.
White Sands National Park
There are no campgrounds that can accommodate RVs at White Sands National Park. RV campers can stay nearby at the Alamogordo/White Sands KOA.
Wind Cave National Park
The Elk Mountain Campground at Wind Cave National Park offers 48 RV sites. The campground, which sits on the edge of a ponderosa pine forest and open prairie, allows campers to view the diverse flora and fauna of the Black Hills. The campground does not have hookups or a dump station, but it does offer potable water.
Wrangell-St. Elias National Park
There is one park service campground in Wrangel-St. Elias National Park. Kendesnii Campground, located on the Nabesna Road, offers 10 primitive campsites that can accommodate small or medium RVs.
There are also several pullouts on Nabesna and McCarthy Roads that allow overnight RV parking. No fuel is available on these roads, so RVers should fuel up before heading into the park.
Yellowstone National Park
All 12 campgrounds within Yellowstone National Park permit RV camping, making it one of the best national parks for RV camping. Fishing Bridge Campground, easily accessible from the east entrance, is the only park campground with full hookups.
Pebble Creek Campground is another great option for RV camping. The campground offers views of the Absaroka Mountains and some long pull-thru sites for RVs. See our complete guide to camping near Yellowstone for more RV camping options inside and outside the park.
Yosemite National Park
Yosemite has 10 campgrounds that can accommodate RVs and trailers. RV hookups are not available in Yosemite, although dump stations and water are available at Upper Pines Campground, near Wawona Campground and near Tuolumne Meadows Campground. Lower Pines and North Pines are the best campgrounds for longer RVs.
Zion National Park
Zion National Park has two RV friendly campgrounds. The Watchman Campground and the South Campground are both located near the south entrance to the park. The Watchman Campground offers sites with electric hookups in loops A and B. Dump stations are available to campers at both campgrounds.
Visiting a national parks with RV camping make for a great vacation! Which are the best national parks for RV camping? Share your picks with us in the comment section below.
Happy Camping!
Christina Pate is a seasoned full-time RVer who, along with her husband Justin, has journeyed across the US, Canada, and Mexico. Drawing from her extensive travels, RV repairs and RV renovations, she founded Travels with Ted to guide and inspire fellow RV enthusiasts. Christina is also the co-author of The Owner’s Guide to RV Maintenance and the creator of My RV Log Book.