When it comes to checking off your bucket list of national parks, there are many to choose from. That’s why we did some of the picking for you to zero in on these 10 must-see national parks.
In no particular order, the 10 national parks that are must visits:
- Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park
- Joshua Tree National Park
- Zion National Park
- Acadia National Park
- Big Bend National Park
- Voyageurs National Park
- Great Smoky Mountains National Park
- Shenandoah National Park
- Theodore Roosevelt National Park
- Grand Tetons National Park
RVs For Rent Near You
1. Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park, Hawaii
Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park is a must-visit destination on the Big Island, featuring two of the world’s most active volcanoes—Kīlauea and Mauna Loa. The park showcases dramatic volcanic landscapes, scenic drives, and hiking trails that lead through rainforests, lava fields, and craters. It’s the perfect place to experience the raw power of nature and explore a one-of-a-kind ecosystem.
When to Visit
The park is open year-round, but the dry season from May to October offers the best weather conditions for exploring. Evening visits can be exceptionally amazing if lava flows are visible during active eruptions.
What to Drive
Most vehicles, including smaller RVs, can navigate the park with ease. While there are no full-hookup RV campgrounds inside the park, nearby Hilo and other areas on the Big Island provide private campgrounds with RV accommodations.
RVs for rent near Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park
2. Joshua Tree National Park, California
There’s just something about those iconic Joshua Trees that captivate all who visit — they seem like an other-wordly mix between a cactus and a palm tree and are stunningly beautiful. Apart from the park’s namesake trees, you’ll enjoy world-class hiking, bouldering, and camping at this one-of-a-kind spot.
When to Visit
Winter is the most popular time to visit the park because summer temps often soar over 100 degrees.
What to Drive
Most campgrounds in the park allow a maximum combined vehicle length of 25 feet. That means you’ll likely be over length if you’re towing anything — that’s why campervans like this one rule the campsites in Joshua Tree.
That said — Joshua Tree is accessible to the longest of RVs for day visits, just not necessarily for overnight stays.
RVs for rent near Joshua Tree National Park
3. Zion National Park, Utah
Zion sits in the southwestern corner of Utah, one of the most picturesque and adventure-friendly parts of the U.S. At the heart of Zion is its namesake canyon — a spectacularly beautiful and stupendously vast crevice in the earth that features epic hiking, biking, and nature-exploring.
When to Visit
April, May, September, and October feature milder temperatures that are perfect for day hikes and cool camping nights.
Winter offers beautiful scenery that can sometimes be snowy and can sometimes be sunny.
What to Drive
The ideal RVing length for Zion is less than 30 feet combined. There are only two campgrounds in the park itself and many private RV parks in the surrounding areas.
RVs for rent near Zion National Park
4. Acadia National Park, Maine
Mountain, forest, and sea all meet as one at Acadia to delight you and your family with unforgettable RVing experiences. Acadia offers hiking, climbing, horseback riding, cycling, and the chance to swim/fish in lakes and the ocean. To top it all off, Acadia puts you in close proximity to fun New England staples like lobster rolls and quaint, historic towns.
When to Visit
Anytime but the dead of winter makes for a great time to enjoy Acadia. Our favorite time of year there is the fall when the forests explode with that iconic New England color.
What to Drive
Acadia features three park-managed campgrounds that would be a perfect fit for motorhomes like this one. The park is also very accessible for larger rigs as campgrounds can accommodate combined lengths up to 45 feet.
RVs for rent near Acadia National Park
5. Big Bend National Park, Texas
Big Bend may not feature on a ‘typical’ bucket list, but it should be. This park is far removed from civilization and features some of the highest peaks in the Southwest juxtaposed against a seemingly endless prairie. Only about half of the park is in the United States with Mexico’s Parque Nacional Cañón de Santa Elena and Maderas del Carmen making up the other half.
No trip to Big Bend would be complete without a trek around (or through) one of its iconic canyons that feature wonderful hiking, wildlife viewing, and natural beauty.
When to Visit
Fall and spring are the best times of year to visit Big Bend because temps are milder during the day and cool at night.
What to Drive
If you’re looking for full-hookups, there are a few private RV parks around Big Bend that can fit larger rigs. If you want to camp inside the park, make sure you’re in a boondock-ready rig like this one. Rigs less than 30 feet will also have the easiest time finding camp spots within the park itself.
RVs For Rent Near You
6. Voyageurs National Park, Minnesota
Over 40% of Voyageurs is water, making this place a watersports dream. You can literally kayak or canoe your way through a series of interconnected water highways that’ll take you by beautiful sights and sounds. When you’ve had your fill of boating, you can beach your craft and tackle one of the park’s many hiking trails.
When to Visit
Anytime but the winter unless you’re really brave! Fall is our favorite season here due to the crisp weather and colorful trees.
What to Drive
All campsites within the park are only accessible via watercraft, but there are two public campgrounds just outside the park that would be great places for a trailer like this Jayco Flight.
RVs for rent near Voyageurs National Park
7. Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Tennessee
This park sees more annual visitors than Yellowstone, Yosemite, and Grand Canyon combined. That’s because its generally mild climate, ancient mountains, and pristine waterways make the perfect backdrop for a camp-venture.
Smoky Mountains is also centrally located to many of the largest population centers in the U.S. — making it more accessible to more people. RVing to this national landmark opens the door to waterfall watching, black bear spotting, backpack packing, and much more.
When to Visit
Every season in The Smokies brings with it a special sense of wonder. Summers can get hot during the day but cool at night. Winters are generally mild but can bring the occasional deep freeze.
What to Drive
This is one of the more RV-friendly national parks, so you could venture in something like this spacious Class B or even a large Class A motorhome.
RVs for rent near Great Smoky Mountains National Park
8. Shenandoah National Park, Virginia
While you might not have heard of this park, that doesn’t mean it’s any less breathtaking than the others. 105 miles of the Appalachian Trail cut through this wooded wonderland that’s packed with over 70 overlooks where you can peer over the Blue Ridge Mountains.
Shenandoah is visitable any time of year and each season packs its own special punch. While there, you can enjoy its multitude of waterfalls, serene hikes, and one-of-a-kind geological features.
When to Visit
Fall is especially fun because of the foliage, but any time of year will offer a special set of activities in the park.
What to Drive
This national park can accommodate rigs with combined lengths up to 100 feet, meaning you’ll be set to travel in a fifth-wheel trailer like this one.
RVs for rent near Shenandoah National Park
9. Theodore Roosevelt National Park, North Dakota
Good ol’ Teddy is the father of our national parks system, so it’s only fitting that he’d have a space of his own. This park is a special space to explore the badlands of North Dakota — a landscape where the central plains explode in jagged rock formations that tower above the grounds below.
The Dakota Badlands are also a natural haven for such animals as bison, elk, and prairie dogs — all of which can be spotted from the windows of your RV.
When to Visit
Spring and summer are best because fall and winter can be fairly harsh this far north!
What to Drive
Wide open and expansive spaces in the park make rigs like this travel trailer a great pick.
RVs for rent near Theodore Roosevelt National Park
10. Grand Teton National Park, Wyoming
Sitting just outside Yellowstone, The Tetons are a sight in and of themselves that everyone should see before they kick that bucket. The towering, scraggly peaks that make up this range are nothing short of breathtaking.
You could take a week in Yellowstone and still not see it all, but The Tetons can be taken in in a short trip. With a few short days in this park, you could see pristine alpine lakes, take a glacial hike, watch bison roam, bike along the paved trail that follows the mountain range, and much much more.
When to Visit
Late spring, summer, and early fall are the times to go because winter comes on strong and fast in the Teton altitude.
What to Drive
Campgrounds within the park are equipped to handle rigs up to 45 feet in length. You could go full-luxe in this decked out Class A or roll in vintage style in this VW campervan.
RVs for rent near Grand Teton National Park
Hit The Road to These Parks
A road trip to one (or all) of these 10 national parks will not disappoint because they offer the very best in outdoorsy adventuring. Check out our RVs for rent right here so you can soak up these national landmarks in the way they were meant to be enjoyed.
