14 Jul The Top Motorhome-Friendly Vacation Destinations In U.S.A.
A motorhome makes going on vacation as easy as asking, “Where to next?” However, you do need to think about a few things before heading off, like, is there a parking spot when you reach your destination? Luckily, other booking plans won’t be an issue, as staying at one of the top motorhome-friendly vacation destinations makes it a snap to take your hotel room with you. Where should you go if you find yourself in the U.S.A.? Add one of these five hotspots to your itinerary.
Why A Motorhome Is the Ultimate In Vacation Fun
Let’s face it — schlepping all your stuff in and out of a hotel room is one of the worst parts of any vacation. With a motorhome, you can pack as you go, and there’s no need to load and unload what you don’t need. You can keep the staples in the vehicle so departure requires little more than running down a pre-trip checklist before you hit the road.
You can still go out to eat while on vacation, or enjoy healthier, more affordable refreshments from your motorhome’s kitchen. Forget rounding up the troops, aka herding cats, to head to the National Park in the morning. You can sleep within its borders and enjoy hikes just moments from your home-away-from-home’s doorstep.
Planning The Perfect Motorhome Getaway: 3 Tips
The secret to the perfect motorhome getaway begins with planning. Follow these tips to make your trip memorable for all the right reasons.
Pack Road Trip And Outdoor Essentials
You’ll need everything you’d take for a typical day in the sun and a road trip, all rolled into one. Your sun-safe supplies should include:
- Sunscreen
- Bug repellant
- Plenty of water
- A hat and sunglasses
- A first aid kit, including supplies for heat-related illness
- You’ll also need these road trip supplies:
- A basic toolkit
- A headlamp or flashlight
- Triangles and road flares
- A jack and socket wrench set
- Spare tire, engine oil and antifreeze
- Comfort items, such as blankets, snacks and small toys to occupy children
Suggested Reading: Camping Essentials For An Epic Trip: A Beginner’s Guide To (Luxury) Camping
Inspect And Prep Your Motorhome
A breakdown can quickly turn your motorhome vacation into a nightmare. You should change the oil in your RV every 3,000 miles / 4,800 kilometers, similar to a car. Additionally, you should replace the filters, fuel and coolant each season, and have your brakes professionally checked if it’s your first trip of the year. Bring a tire pressure gauge and an air pump — while you might want to lower the pressure temporarily on rough roads, proper inflation ensures the best gas mileage on freeways.
Share Your Itinerary With Those You Trust While Keeping It Private
You should always share your itinerary with someone you trust. If you have cellular reception, share your location with a trusted contact back home. Otherwise, advise your contact of your planned destination and return date. Establish a regular check-in schedule if traveling solo so that someone knows to contact the authorities if you fail to touch base.
However, keep your plans — and photos — off social media until you return. Many thieves use this method to case houses and plan burglaries when unsuspecting travellers aren’t home.
5 Top Motorhome-Friendly Vacation Destinations In U.S.A.
Set your sights on your next vacation for one of these top motorhome-friendly destinations.
Blue Ridge Parkway
The Blue Ridge Parkway runs 469 miles from Rockfish Gap, Virginia, to Cherokee, North Carolina. There are ample campsites along the route, which feature some of the best scenery the East Coast has to offer. Did you think New England got all the color? Although you may have to vacation a bit later in the fall, you’ll see plenty of red and gold adorning the trees around your campsite.
The Parkway is perfect for those who prefer modern amenities, as all official campgrounds offer restrooms, drinking water, picnic tables and grills. To reserve a site, go to Recreation.gov. There are also multiple private campgrounds with varying amenities.
Williamsburg, Virginia
History lovers will adore a motorhome-friendly vacation to Williamsburg, Virginia. You can explore four centuries of Americana at the many museums located merely a hop, skip and jump away from your RV. With 27 locations nearby to park your ride, you can find a spot for your motorhome even in the busy summer season.
Visit the original Jamestown settlement, or get spooked on an autumn ghost tour before returning to your campsite to tell tales around the campfire. Alternatively, go cultural with a trip to the symphony or the Williamsburg Library Gallery and Theater. Little kids can soar on roller coasters at nearby amusement parks, and adults looking for romantic getaways can relax with a couple’s massage at an area spa before retreating to their motorhome.
The Verde Valley, Arizona
If you can’t get away until the cooler months, make the Verde Valley, Arizona, your camping destination. While summer temperatures don’t rival those in Death Valley, they often hit triple digits in July — but winter rarely dips below freezing. When they do, the light dusting of snow against the red rocks of Sedona looks heavenly until it melts in the afternoon sun.
The Verde Valley offers outdoor adventures galore, with fascinating Native American ruins and real-life rodeos to explore amid hiking and canoeing. It’s fast becoming America’s second Napa Valley, with copious wineries along the Verde Valley Wine Trail — book a van tour so you can savour every drop safely. Art also abounds, so visit one of the many galleries for a one-of-a-kind souvenir of your journey, leaving the native flora for other guests to enjoy.
Various National Parks
A trip to one of 63 National Parks in the contiguous United States fills many a bucket list, and having a motorhome means you could visit every single one. Making reservations is necessary, as is inquiring about site size — some campsites only accommodate Class Bs, while others are more spacious.
While outlining the highlights of each one would take pages, some of the most visited parks and their signature attractions include:
- Yosemite: The half-dome is a must for serious climbers, although any photographer adores snapping pictures of the valley at sunrise and sunset.
- Yellowstone: If it’s bison you seek, you’ll find herds of them here — but please refrain from trying to pet them. They may look fluffy, but they’re still wild.
- Glacier: You could be among the last generations to see the signature glaciers, so don’t delay.
- Denali: Your motorhome protects you from the cold and grizzly bears as you visit the tallest mountain in North America.
Big Sur
The California coast offers something for everyone, from the southernmost point to the northern redwoods. Big Sur State Park offers 189 RV and tent campsites, making it a must-see destination for motorhome enthusiasts. However, it still fills up fast and limits your stay to seven nights at a stretch during the busiest season.
This site is popular because of all you can do. Sit on Pfeiffer Beach and meditate as you breathe in time with the waves. Visit the hidden Salmon Creek Waterfall or explore Sunny Jim and Rum Runners caves, once used to smuggle moonshine during the prohibition era. Stop by the Henry Miller Library for a show or poetry reading at this unique venue.
Visit These Top Motorhome-Friendly Destinations
If you’re over camping but still want the adventure, a motorhome is the ultimate vacation vehicle, letting you easily transport everything with you. It combines the comforts of home with the freedom of the open road.
Add one or all of the top motorhome-friendly destinations above to your upcoming U.S.A. itinerary, so you can see more of the country while still sleeping in a familiar bed at night.
Author bio: Jack Shaw is a freelance lifestyle writer and dedicated traveler. His writing focuses on exploring the food, culture and beautiful views of wherever life decides to throw him. Stories of his travel can be seen in Modded, Trekaroo, The Travel Magazine and more. Jack has a love of all things outdoors, and spends much of his free time taking on local hiking trails and state parks.
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