The Ultimate Guide to the Top 10 Best RV Road Trip Routes in the USA

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Embarking on an RV road trip is an adventure like no other, offering families the chance to explore the diverse landscapes and scenic beauty of the United States. From winding coastal highways to rugged mountain passes, there’s a road trip route for every type of traveler. In this guide, we’ll delve into the top 10 RV-friendly road trip routes in the USA, highlighting the must-see attractions and suggesting three top RV/campsites along each route. If you’d like to dig deeper into the scenic roads in the USA, this guide is top notch.

1. Pacific Coast Highway (California)

Start: San Francisco, California

Photo by Venti Views on Unsplash

Highlights:

• Big Sur coastline: Marvel at the breathtaking cliffs and ocean views along this iconic stretch of highway.
• Redwood National Park: Encounter towering ancient trees and explore pristine forests.
• Monterey Bay Aquarium: Discover marine life and enjoy interactive exhibits in Monterey.

Top RV/Campsites:

• Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park: Camp among the redwoods and enjoy hiking trails and scenic vistas.
• Morro Dunes RV Park: Located near Morro Bay, offering beach access and full hookups.
• San Elijo State Beach: Camp right by the ocean with stunning sunset views.

2. Blue Ridge Parkway (North Carolina and Virginia)

Start: Shenandoah National Park, Virginia

Photo by Clay Banks on Unsplash

Highlights:

• Stunning mountain vistas: Experience breathtaking views of the Blue Ridge Mountains.
• Appalachian culture and history: Explore charming mountain towns and learn about the region’s heritage.
• Hiking trails and waterfalls: Discover hidden gems along the parkway, including scenic trails and cascading waterfalls.

Top RV/Campsites:

• Julian Price Park Campground: Nestled along the parkway, offering picturesque lakeside camping.
• Mount Pisgah Campground: Enjoy RV camping near the summit of Mount Pisgah with stunning views.
• Rocky Knob Campground: Located in Virginia, offering peaceful camping surrounded by forests and meadows.

3. Going-to-the-Sun Road (Montana)

Start: West Glacier, Montana

Photo by Tevin Trinh on Unsplash

Highlights:

• Glacier National Park: Experience the rugged beauty of Glacier NP, including alpine scenery and abundant wildlife.
• Alpine scenery and wildlife: Drive through mountain passes and encounter grizzly bears, mountain goats, and more.
• Logan Pass: Stop at this iconic viewpoint for panoramic views of the surrounding peaks.

Top RV/Campsites:

• Apgar Campground: Situated within Glacier NP, offering scenic camping near Lake McDonald.
• St. Mary Campground: Located near the eastern entrance of the park, providing easy access to Going-to-the-Sun Road.
• West Glacier KOA Resort: Enjoy full-service RV sites and amenities near the park entrance.

4. Historic Route 66 (Multiple States)

Start: Chicago, Illinois

Photo by Mick Haupt on Unsplash

Highlights:

• Iconic Americana: Experience the nostalgia of Route 66 with vintage diners, roadside attractions, and classic motels.
• Grand Canyon National Park: Make a detour to witness the awe-inspiring beauty of the Grand Canyon.
• Petrified Forest National Park: Explore ancient petrified wood and colorful badlands.

Top RV/Campsites:

• Canyon Gateway RV Park (Williams, Arizona): Located near the Grand Canyon’s south rim, offering full hookups and shuttle service to the park.
• Enchanted Trails RV Park & Trading Post (Albuquerque, New Mexico): Experience a taste of Route 66 nostalgia with vintage trailers and cozy campsites.
• Grand Canyon/Williams KOA Journey (Williams, Arizona): Enjoy family-friendly amenities and easy access to both the Grand Canyon and historic Williams, AZ.

5. Alaska Highway (Alaska and Canada)

Start: Dawson Creek, British Columbia, Canada

Photo by Grace Simoneau on Unsplash

Highlights:

• Rugged wilderness and wildlife: Encounter pristine landscapes, including mountains, forests, and rivers teeming with wildlife.
• Northern Lights viewing: Experience the magic of the Aurora Borealis in the vast Alaskan wilderness.
• Yukon Territory landscapes: Drive through stunning landscapes and explore historic gold rush towns.

Top RV/Campsites:

• Teslin Lake Campground (Teslin, Yukon): Enjoy lakeside camping and stunning views of the surrounding mountains.
• Tok RV Village (Tok, Alaska): A convenient stopover in Tok, AK, offering full hookups and amenities.
• Denali RV Park & Motel (Denali National Park, Alaska): Basecamp for exploring Denali National Park, with scenic views and modern facilities.

6. Beartooth Highway (Montana and Wyoming)

Start: Red Lodge, Montana

Photo by Trevor Vannoy on Unsplash

Highlights:

• Beartooth Pass summit: Drive one of the highest paved roads in the Northern Rockies, reaching elevations over 10,000 feet.
• Absaroka-Beartooth Wilderness: Explore rugged mountain terrain, alpine lakes, and meadows dotted with wildflowers.
• Yellowstone National Park: Discover geothermal wonders, wildlife, and iconic landmarks like Old Faithful.

Top RV/Campsites:

• Red Lodge KOA Journey (Red Lodge, MT): Located at the gateway to the Beartooth Highway, offering scenic campsites and easy access to Red Lodge.
• Chief Joseph RV Park (Cody, WY): Nestled in the Absaroka Mountains, providing a serene setting for RV camping.
• Yellowstone Grizzly RV Park (West Yellowstone, MT): Just outside Yellowstone’s west entrance, offering full hookups and proximity to the park’s attractions.

7. Pacific Northwest Loop (Washington and Oregon)

Start: Seattle, Washington

Photo by Joshua Woroniecki on Unsplash

Highlights:

• Olympic National Park: Explore diverse ecosystems, including temperate rainforests, rugged coastlines, and snow-capped peaks.
• Mount Rainier National Park: Witness the beauty of the Pacific Northwest’s tallest peak and its surrounding wildflower meadows.
• Columbia River Gorge: Drive along the scenic gorge, stopping to admire waterfalls, hike trails, and enjoy outdoor recreation.

Top RV/Campsites:

• Kalaloch Campground (Olympic National Park, WA): Situated on the Olympic Peninsula’s coast, offering beachfront camping and stunning sunsets.
• Paradise RV Campground (Ashford, WA): Located near Mount Rainier NP, providing full hookups and beautiful mountain views.
• Bridge RV Park & Campground (White Salmon, WA): Enjoy riverside camping near the Columbia River Gorge, with easy access to hiking trails and water activities.

8. Great River Road (Multiple States)

Start: Itasca State Park, Minnesota

Photo by Karsten Winegeart on Unsplash

Highlights:

• Mississippi River views: Drive along the mighty Mississippi, enjoying scenic vistas and historic river towns.
• Historic river towns: Explore charming towns like Natchez, Memphis, and St. Louis, each with its own unique charm and history.
• Creole and Cajun culture: Experience the vibrant culture of Louisiana’s bayous, with delicious cuisine and lively music.

Top RV/Campsites:

• Natchez State Park (Natchez, MS): Located on the Mississippi bluffs, offering serene camping and panoramic river views.
• Tom Sawyer’s RV Park (West Memphis, AR): Situated on the banks of the Mississippi in West Memphis, providing full-service RV sites and riverboat views.
• Bayou Segnette State Park (Westwego, LA): Experience Louisiana’s bayou country with RV camping near New Orleans, including hiking trails and a wave pool.

9. Utah’s Scenic Byways (Utah)

Start: Salt Lake City, Utah

Highlights:

• Arches National Park: Marvel at over 2,000 natural sandstone arches, including the iconic Delicate Arch.
• Canyonlands National Park: Explore vast canyons, towering mesas, and the confluence of the Green and Colorado Rivers.
• Monument Valley: Discover iconic red rock formations and stunning desert landscapes.

Top RV/Campsites:

• Archview RV Resort & Campground (Moab, UT): Conveniently located near Arches National Park, offering full hookups and views of the surrounding red rocks.
• Dead Horse Point State Park (Moab, UT): Camp on the edge of a breathtaking canyon with panoramic views of the Colorado River.
• Goulding’s Campground (Monument Valley, UT): Stay in the heart of Monument Valley with RV sites offering views of the iconic rock formations.

10. Florida Keys Scenic Highway (Florida)

Start: Key Largo, Florida

Photo by Julius Hildebrandt on Unsplash

Highlights:

• Overseas Highway views: Drive over 100 miles across the sparkling waters of the Florida Keys, with views of the Atlantic Ocean and Gulf of Mexico.
• Coral reefs and marine life: Explore the underwater wonders of the Florida Keys with snorkeling, diving, and glass-bottom boat tours.
• Key West’s historic sites: Visit landmarks like the Ernest Hemingway Home and Museum, Mallory Square, and the Southernmost Point in the continental United States.

Top RV/Campsites:

• John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park (Key Largo, FL): Camp in a tropical paradise surrounded by mangroves and coral reefs, with opportunities for snorkeling and kayaking.
• Bahia Honda State Park (Big Pine Key, FL): Relax on sandy beaches and enjoy water activities like swimming and fishing at one of Florida’s most beautiful state parks.
• Boyd’s Key West Campground (Key West, FL): Experience waterfront camping near downtown Key West, with amenities including a pool, marina, and beach area.

Embarking on an RV road trip is an unforgettable experience, and these top 10 routes in the USA offer some of the most scenic and diverse landscapes in the country. Whether you’re exploring the rugged beauty of the Pacific Coast, the majestic mountains of the Rockies, or the tropical paradise of the Florida Keys, there’s something for every traveler to enjoy. With careful planning and the right RV/campsites along the way, your road trip adventure is sure to be a memorable one. Happy travels!

If you’re looking for a comprehensive guide with the top 300 scenic roads in the USA, this is a great one.

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