Traveling in a camper van is a great way to see the USA.
I traveled with my husband and dog for two years. We camped in 48 states, hiked countless national parks, ate in local towns and traveled from coast to coast in a camper van.
Some states were more favorable to van life than others. There is a wide variety of landscapes in the Southwest USA. We had only seen books on the East Coast.
There were definitely a few highlights on our itinerary. Here are the top ten states in the US that are perfect for camping or RVing.
There are national parks for RV campers in the US.
It is enjoyable to camping in the desert because of the weather and the stars. The desert landscape of New Mexico is unlike anything I have seen before. Hoodoo rock formations, an endless trail system and large swaths of BLM areas allow free camping. Even in the most scenic areas, New Mexico is less crowded than other places. Some of the most magnificent sunsets we have seen can be seen from a lack of trees. New Mexico provided us with affordable and vibrant cuisines that could be found in every town. The Carlsbad Caverns National Park is located on the state's southern border.
How to go on a road trip during spring break.
Arizona is a great place for outdoor enthusiasts who like mountain biking, rock climbing and hiking. A lot of people think of the Grand Canyon when they think of adventure. It is one of the most budget-friendly places to visit throughout the year because of the free campsites. The reception to outsiders was one of the things we loved about this area. Arizona is a great place to live off- grid. In February, the town ofQuartzsite swells to accommodate nearly 2 million travelers in camper vans, RV and school bus conversions. Travelers can learn about van life, get help with solar panel installations and plan out future road trips if they attend workshops and community events on the outskirts of Quartzsite. Arizona is a great place to start a road trip due to the weather, services and sense of community.
Arizona has national parks.
Get more travel inspiration, tips and exclusive offers sent straight to your inbox with our weekly newsletter.
Utah is home to five national parks. It was a goal of ours to hit all five of them. It's a good idea to get to the national parks early. We beat a lot of the tourists and ended up with the park to ourselves. I have always wanted to climb Angels Landing in Zion National Park, but the trail can be crowded by 10 am. The best way to maximize the mobility of a camper van was to arrive early.
There are 15 unique activities to do in Utah.
It's almost unfair to say that California is so diverse. Despite being a popular tourist destination, California has a large amount of land. We spent evenings under the famous redwood trees, had picnics alongside the ocean and were wandering aimlessly in Death Valley National Park. We could be occupied for a long time. California would be the perfect place to experience a bit of everything. You don't need to travel a long way to see something new. We were able to rock climb in Joshua Tree National Park, take a dip in Lake Tahoe, and hike among the volcanoes of Lassen Volcanic National Park within a few days.
California's scenic Highway 395 is a good place to drive.
Minnesota was a good alternative from the west coast. We traveled all the way to the border of Canada and took a canoe trip in the Boundary Waters. Minnesota was known for its fishing holes and quiet campsites. Minnesota is not usually included in a top 10 list of road trip destinations, but that is what made it so special. You can see the northern lights on a cloudless night if you travel in the fall.
State parks are the best in Minnesota.
From the southern part of the state to the Upper Peninsula, it's very different. There are many pristine beaches in this state that are not filled with tourists like the ones in California. There are many farmers markets in the summer. We camped all the way north to the Upper Peninsula and feasted on whitefish and pasties. I remember camping on the shore of Lake Superior. After visiting lighthouses, we had dinner on the beach.
There are 11 places to visit in Michigan.
Driving through Tennessee in the fall is a special experience. There are a lot of waterfalls in the landscape. There were many surprises around each corner. We are always on the lookout for cheap things to do. We hiked through the colorful forests and climbed fire towers in order to get the best view of the mountain town of Gatlinburg.
There is a way to spend a weekend in Franklin.
New York shared many of the same things we loved about Vermont and New Hampshire so it was hard to pick it out of the top 10. New York has a lot of geography to see in the fall. We were quickly running out of time to check out everything on our list. The Lake Placid Olympic village is not the only one. New York was not on our radar for hiking, but now that we have been, it is at the top of our itinerary.
Every type of traveler can take a road trip in the Hudson Valley.
When it comes to history, Pennsylvania is one of the most remembered states. We took an auto tour around the national military park. Seeing the battlefields brought to life the history books we had read in school and made us appreciate past accounts in a different way. Visiting Eastern State Penitentiary was one of the stops we hadn't considered. Pennsylvania has many state parks that are easy to access for free camping.
You want to live the RV life. You need to know what to look for.
Driving into Maine from the northwest side, we experienced tall pine trees, skinny roads and no cell phone service for a long time. The setting of a Stephen King novel made the trip that much more exciting. The landscape in northern Maine smells like christmas trees. The largest supply of Christmas wreath in the country comes from Maine, according to a fellow camper. The mountains meet the ocean in the national park. We were happy to find that this is one of the most dog-friendly parks in the US, so we were able to take our travel companion along many of the trails.
There are 10 best parks in Maine.
The article was first published in June of 2020.
All Rights Reserved © 2024
