For many people, summer is the prime time to go RV camping when the weather is nice and warm, the kids are out of school, and more roads and campgrounds are open for the season. If you’re not sure where to travel this summer, check out some of these scenic destinations across the U.S.
1. Lake Erie
Where to stay: Cedar Point – Lighthouse Point Campground
Lake Erie has miles of glistening shoreline in Ohio, Pennsylvania, New York, Michigan, and Ontario. The long stretch in Ohio is especially popular during the summer, with beautiful sandy beaches and islands that you can access by ferry.
Drive up to Cedar Point, a peninsula that juts out over the lake, and check out the amusement park that’s dubbed as the Rollercoaster Capital of the World. Aside from their 17 thrilling rollercoasters, Cedar Point has an excellent campground where you can park your RV, as well as 150+ other rides and attractions.
While you’re by the lake, set a couple of days aside to explore everything the city of Cleveland has to offer, including the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame.
2. Finger Lakes, New York
Where to stay: Hickory Hill Family Camping Resort
New York’s Finger Lakes region has everything you need for a great summer: excellent wine, a variety of local food, and plenty of opportunities to get out on the water. The crystal blue lakes are perfect for swimming, boating, kayaking, and canoeing.
Restaurants of every type are peppered throughout the region, from diners to taverns and cafes. Or if you’re just looking to kick back and taste Riesling, there’s plenty of places to do that too.
Local wineries and vineyards are located all over the area, many of which you can visit in a row on a Wine Trail. Plus, in July, the region hosts an International Finger Lakes Wine Festival where you can try new exquisite blends.
3. Long Beach Peninsula, Washington
Where to stay: Cape Disappointment State Park
Washington’s Long Beach Peninsula is a slice of heaven. In the southwestern corner of the state, the peninsula lies between the ocean, Willapa Bay, and the Columbia River (which separates the Oregon border).
Many small towns are dotted up and down the coastline, but Long Beach draws in the most visitors. In July, the quaint town hosts a Sand-Sculpting Competition, and by August the International Kite Festival features colorful kite designs of all varieties.
The area’s famous for its 28-mile-long sandy beach that you can walk, bike, or even drive your car on year-round. There’s a range of fun local shops to browse, including our favorite, Marsh’s Free Museum.
The curiosity shop sells an assortment of quirky souvenirs and features antique machines that you can still play with nickels and quarters (like old “Love Tester” machines). There are several RV parks across the area, including the cozy Sou’Wester Lodge, or you can find hiking and camping on the southern end of the peninsula at Cape Disappointment State Park.
4. San Diego, California
Where to stay: Campland On The Bay
If you’re going to visit any big city this summer, San Diego should be it. The Pacific coastline and world-famous zoo are some of their main draws, but this sunny Southern California paradise has much more to offer.
Pull up to a beachfront spot at Campland On The Bay and you’ll be just a short drive from all of the city’s key attractions. We recommend seeing Balboa Park, the beaches in La Jolla, and the dining and shopping options in the Little Italy neighborhood.
5. Lake Tahoe, California & Nevada
Where to stay: Sugar Pine Point State Park
Deep in the Sierra Nevadas along the California-Nevada border, Lake Tahoe has been a popular destination for years. The massive lake has several RV parks and campgrounds dotted along its pristine shoreline. Everything from boating to fishing can be enjoyed on the lake, while miles of hiking trails offer spectacular views of the crystal clear water.
SamRushing, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Stopping in South Lake Tahoe is a must. There’s biking trails as well as a wide variety of local restaurants. Several parks along the lake provide great locations for hiking and camping, like Emerald Bay State Park (pictured), Ed Z’berg Sugar Pine Point State Park, and D.L. Bliss State Park.
6. Traverse City, Michigan
Where to stay: Traverse City State Park
On the shores of Grand Traverse Bay, this town on Michigan’s Lower Peninsula has a lot to offer during the summer: beautiful sandy beaches, excellent local wineries, shops, boating, and the National Cherry Festival every July.
Traverse City State Park provides idyllic camping right by the water. Biking trails are close-by, as well as beach access and tons of local restaurants to choose from.
7. Panama City Beach, Florida
Where to stay: St. Andrews State Park
To be fair, Florida is an oasis year-round. But how could you resist camping here during the summer? With the temps climbing and the sun shining, nothing sounds better than strolling the sugar-white sandy beach and swimming in the warm Gulf water.
On the Florida Panhandle, Panama City Beach draws in people from all walks of life, from retired RVers to partiers during spring break. It’s easy to see why: the scenery is beautiful and there’s a lot to see and do.
j.s. clark/ “Image by jsclark.net.”, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
The city’s packed with shops, restaurants, and family-fun attractions like Gulf World Marine Park. Saint Andrews State Park serves as a perfect home base while you explore the area. RVers can find water & electric hook-ups, great biking trails, and a dreamy sandy beach to watch the sunset.
8. Minnesota’s North Shore
Where to stay: Tettegouche State Park
Thinking about a road trip? Minnesota’s North Shore of Lake Superior makes for a marvelous summer drive.
From Duluth, a scenic drive up Highway 61 will take you past several Minnesota State Parks, like Tettegouche and Gooseberry Falls. The opportunities for hiking, fishing, and camping are almost endless. Plan your route on RV LIFE Trip Wizard to find all of the campgrounds and great attractions along the way.
9. Redwood National and State Parks, California
Where to stay: Jedediah Smith Campground
In northwestern California, Redwood National Park claims home to the tallest trees on Earth, as well as miles of the rugged North Coast. The shade from the towering redwoods makes it a cool place to hike and camp in the blistering summer heat.
The park consists of both federal and state lands. It’s home to Redwood National Park, and three California state parks (Jedediah Smith, Del Norte Coast and Prairie Creek Redwoods). You can go hiking through the woods in all of them, and the coastal section has secluded beaches with amazing ocean views.
10. Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado
Where to stay: Moraine Campground
The cool crisp air of the Colorado Rockies is wonderfully refreshing in the summer heat. This park has in-your-face mountain views and alpine lakes that are so strikingly beautiful they belong on postcards.
There are miles of hiking trails across the park, as well as five campgrounds (four of which can accommodate RVs). Can’t make it by the end of summer? Stop by during the fall and see the famous aspen trees turn golden.
11. Mount Rainier National Park, Washington
Where to stay: Ohanapecosh Campground
Colorful wildflowers bloom across Mount Rainier National Park during the summer. It’s a complete masterpiece with scarlet and magenta paintbrush, purple lupines, and subalpine daisies lining the trails and meadows.
Paradise @ Mount Rainier National Park by Jeff is licensed under CC BY 2.0
Aside from flowers, the park surrounding Washington’s tallest mountain has much more to see and do. There are miles of world-class hiking trails and some of the state’s most dramatic waterfalls. Drive up to Sunrise, the highest point in the park, for sweeping mountain views, or take a trail in the gorgeous Paradise area.
12. Olympic National Park, Washington
Where to stay: Hoh Rainforest Campground
A variety of enchanting landscapes make up Olympic National Park. Rainforest, rugged coastline, mountains, and old-growth forest are just a few of the many features that make this park world-renowned.
In just one day, you can drive from the mountains through the forest, rainforest, and out to the Pacific Coast. Check out our guide here on some of the top places to visit while you’re in the area.
13. Glacier National Park, Montana
Where to stay: St. Mary Campground
Nestled in Montana’s Rocky Mountains, Glacier National Park is a paradise for hikers and photographers alike. Established in 1910, the park preserves glacier-carved peaks, lakes, forests, and valleys all the way up to the Canadian border.
Glacier National Park by Dave Sizer is licensed under CC BY 2.0
Thirteen campgrounds are located across the park total (three of which are primitive), with over a thousand sites total. The sites are mostly first-come, first-served (with no utility hookups), but you can reserve a spot in advance at Fish Creek, St. Mary, and some at Many Glacier. And because the park is in bear country, be sure to properly store all of your food in bear-proof containers.
14. Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Park, California
Where to stay: Hume Lake Campground
Kings Canyon borders Sequoia to the north in California, but the two parks are now just managed together as Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks.
Crd637, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
This photogenic landscape east of the San Joaquin Valley is made up of towering mountains, rugged foothills, and towering old-growth forests. Between the two parks, there are miles of hiking trails and fourteen campgrounds, three of which are open year-round.
15. Banff National Park, Alberta, Canada
Where to stay: Two Jack Lakeside Campground
Up north in Alberta, Canada, Banff is best to visit from June to August when the weather is nice and warm. The national park has acres of mountain scenery in the Canadian Rockies and breathtaking lakes for kayaking & canoeing (like the lovely Lake Louise, and pictured Moraine Lake).
Satoru Kikuchi, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
While you’re in the park, check out the small town named Banff. The main street, Banff Avenue, is lined with shops, art galleries, and amazing restaurants.
You may also want to check out these 8 Northern National Parks while they’re open for the summer season
