Most RV friendly States
Table Of Contents
Are you an RV enthusiast looking for your next adventure? Look no further! This article highlights the top ten American states that are the most accommodating and accommodating-friendly for full-time RV living. With over 11% of households owning recreational vehicles, the American RV market is the largest globally.
The best RV-friendly states in America are Florida, Texas, Montana, Oregon, Arizona, Utah, Colorado, South Dakota, New York , and California. What determines these criteria is their safety and RV-friendly activities. These states offer a wealth of natural wonders, including stunning national parks like Yellowstone and Sequoia, scenic routes and other attractions.
Tight laws and regulations are in place in these states to minimize crime rates and juvenile delinquency, making them a safe and welcoming destination for RVers. So, whether you plan to spend a month or a year on the road, these top ten RV-friendly states will surely provide you with many unforgettable experiences.
Overview of the popularity of RV travel in the US
In the U.S., some states are proving to be particularly RV friendly. Each state averages around 50 federal parks, making them great options for anyone who enjoys exploring the great outdoors. But which states should be at the top of your list? Let us take a closer look.
First, it’s important to consider the time of year when deciding where to set up your on-the-go domicile. Florida is a good choice if you are looking for a year-round warm climate. Florida has been named the best state for RV living by RVshare, with an average temperature of 70 degrees Fahrenheit in winter and plenty of sunshine year-round.
Texas is another excellent choice if you are looking for a state with a wide variety of landscapes and activities. The state has about 80 and more than 20 national parks and historic sites, making it an ideal destination for those who enjoy hiking, fishing, and exploring the great outdoors.
What about the other States on our list? We have compiled some must-see national parks for each of the top 10 RV-friendly states so you can start planning your next adventure.
Top 10 RV-Friendly States
California
California RV camping has the widest variety of sites in any state. RV camping locations range from the desert to the Sierra Nevada Mountains and Death Valley to the Pacific Ocean. RV parks are everywhere, and California has the most popular State and National Parks. They are throughout California on the state, national forest, BLM, and some National Park Service-managed public lands.
Private RV parks are everywhere in California. Find one that meets your expectations, and to improve your odds of finding the right campground, research California RV parks as much as possible. The camping directory will take you to the best information sources for finding RV parks and campgrounds in California (Rv-camping.org).
California contains user-friendly summaries of laws. The law of California consists of several levels, including constitutional, statutory, and regulatory law, as well as case law. California allows the construction of more affordable housing and climate-friendly neighbourhoods by eliminating unnecessary parking requirements.
Highway 1, Pacific Coast Highway, a road trip that passes through Big Sur on California’s Central Coast is the most famous scenic drive in the Golden State. It delivers almost 656 miles of ocean views along with plenty of nature.
Highway 395 is a stretch of highway that connects Southern California with the Eastern Sierra mountains up north. Start this iconic road trip in L.A., to the natural world of lakes, hikes, and bizarre roadside attractions.
Pay a visit to Alabama Hills, a formation of rounded rocks at the base of the Sierra Nevada, or the area’s famous Mobius Arch, which frames Mount Whitney. Before leaving, drop by the Manzanar National Historic Site, a memorial of the American concentration camp where more than 110,000 Japanese Americans were incarcerated during World War II.
Amongst the attractions are Disneyland Park, the Golden Gate Bridge, Joshua Tree National Park, Yosemite National Park, and many more. Yosemite National Park is one of the top attractions in California. The wilderness is gorgeous and rests along the Sierra Nevada mountains. Its granite cliffs and waterfalls are immense, majestic, and breathtaking.
Florida
Florida is one of the most popular destinations for RVers, especially in the winter. RV parks in Florida are easy to find, from rustic retreats to high-end private resorts. Discover your lifestyle, hitting the road on weekends and vacations. Touring around Florida is affordable and fun with places like Florida Caverns State Park where you see colourful stalagmites, stalactites, and other formations on the cave tour. Hiking, biking, equestrian camping, and kayaking on the Chipola River are done at the park.
Gregory E. Moore RV Resort has one of the most unbelievable beaches in the state. Hiking trails showcase Morris and Campbell Lakes. At Anastasia State Park, you have plenty of time to relax in the park. Hit the beach, and the trails or relax in camp. Fort Pickens Campground offers 200 sites between the Gulf of Mexico and Pensacola Bay, offering a location for hiking, beach activities, and other military gun batteries nearby.
St. George Island State Park is in a section of Florida known as the Forgotten Coast. It is one of the best RV parks in Florida, where you can bring boats, swim trunks, and plenty of sunscreens. Check out a crystal clear freshwater spring, and set up camp at Juniper Springs in the Ocala National Forest. Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort is family-friendly and pet friendly too. It is an affordable lodging choice if you want to visit theme parks. You’ll have easy access to the Magic Kingdom and see fireworks right from the campground.
Many RV parks throughout the state offer long-term stays, and there’s no shortage of beautiful places to set up camp. Before setting up camp in your RV, research the rules and regulations in Florida (Lodgesout.com). Each city and county has different laws governing where RVs can be parked overnight. Some places only allow RVs to stay in designated campgrounds, while others restrict how long you can stay in one spot.
Texas
Big Bend National Park is one of the most intriguing scenes that should be number one on your bucket list. That is where desert visits and canyons carved by the Rio Grande offer a wide range of natural beauty. Texas consists of 65 Federal Parks, and the best time of the year to visit is Spring. There is a lot to see and good weather for most of the year, making Texas a top pick for full-time RVers.
Texas’ lack of income tax and easy access to mail-forwarding services make it one of the most accommodating places to stay. Be aware that Texas auto insurance rates are on the higher side. Take your pick of full-service RV parks in Texas and take the time to visit its beautiful parks.
You can take your RV to Palo Duro Canyon State Park Campground, Pedernales Falls Campground, Inks Lake State Park Campground, McKinney Falls State Park Campground, Huntsville State Park Campground, Garner State Park Campground, Chisos Basin and Dinosaur Valley State Park Campground.
Texas’ state park campgrounds can fit RVs up to at least 45 feet, but site sizes vary per campground. The reservation system allows searches by RV length. The average cost to live in an RV park ranges from 500 to 1500 per month, with your electricity as an added cost.
Resorts in Texas offer a variety of activities and amenities to make your stay more enjoyable. There is plenty of space to hike, bike, sunset-watch and stargaze. Texas allows you to live in your RV as long as you hold a valid license and register it. Park your RV in your driveway without facing any charges.
Oregon
Crater Lake National Park is a must-see in Oregon that you shouldn’t miss. Oregon features 48 federal parks. Start your drive from the rugged coastline to the high desert to the snow-capped mountains. Oregon has a wide range of natural beauty to experience. When looking forward to big purchases to upgrade your RV, it is the ideal place since there’s no sales tax. If you like camping, there is a strong camping culture that ensures a warm welcome to those that live on the road.
Pass through the blue water of Crater Lake National Park edges. Since Oregon is known for rainy weather, travel during the late summer and early fall since these are the driest and warmest parts of the year. Oregon auto insurance is competitively priced and essential for full-time RV travellers.
Pass by the Crater Lake National Park, Mount Bachelor, Silver Falls State Park, Oregon Zoo, Lan Su Chinese Garden, John Day Fossil Beds National Monument, and the International Rose Test Garden.
The Coos Bay region has vast museums, wineries, restaurants, and state parks for guests to explore. The RV resort offers on-site amenities to make your stay even greater. These include everything from a Crab Shak and free WiFi to beach access, a convenience store, a dog park, and more.
Arizona
Arizona features 37 federal parks. You may struggle to have a bucket list for your RV lifestyle that doesn’t include some time spent visiting the Grand Canyon since it’s Arizona’s top attraction and one of the most visited national parks in the country.
Full-time RVers spend the winter months that are too cold up north. If the heat is too much for you in the summer, spend the spring here. The weather in the northern part of the state is cooler, and the Grand Canyon can see snow. Compare Arizona auto insurance if you plan to reside in Arizona full-time. Spring will give you the best combination of weather across the state.
Arizona is the ideal vacation spot for adventure or a calming spa day. It accommodates road trips for all vacation types. RV camping is deeply rooted in memories and adventure, and Arizona’s state parks are a great place to set up your home base, regardless of the season. There are campsites of various sizes to accommodate a wide range of RV makes and models. Arizona has beautiful places to relax and hang out. Take a look at a few of the options in the state parks. Free Arizona RV Camping is available on public lands administered by the BLM (Bureau of Land Management) and the USFS (US Forest Service). State parks, the US Army Corps of Engineers, Fish and Wildlife Service, and more allow free RV camping.
Montana
Montana has 40 federal parks. Begin your drive from the wide-open ranch land in the east to snow-capped peaks in the west. Montana has something to offer everyone, making touring affordable and accommodating.
Be aware of the weather conditions in all parts of Montana. For example, North Dakota has cold winters, but the summers offer long days of warm temperatures. That makes it a place for full-time RVers who prefer to split their time between the northern and southern parts of the country.
Glacier National Park has sheer beauty and incredible mountain vistas. Note that some of the mountain roads aren’t too RV-friendly. Consider having a vehicle towed behind your RV, for exploring the furthest reaches of the park. It’s also a great jumping-off point for a visit to Canada’s section of the Rockies. With those beautiful, dangerous mountain roads, Montana auto insurance is more expensive than the national average, but it is worth it for the place that is so inspiring.
Utah
Utah is a better spot for winter sports. Do skiing and snowboarding. It features three world-class ski resorts 20 minutes from downtown and 450 inches of powdery snow each season. Find the skiing adventure you want here, even if it is your first time.
For non Ski winter sports, look forward to hiking, alpine and Nordic skiing, tubing, and snowshoeing. Start with Capitol Reef National Park. Staring out at one of Utah’s trippiest landscapes, rounded white domes, spires, and a tropical reef can be the best experience ever. Continue cruising along the Waterpocket Fold, a water-free buckle of land that serves as the backbone of the park. Take lots of pictures.
You can pass by the Island in the Sky, where you can get an aerial view of Utah’s remix of the Grand Canyon. Have a look at the Dinosaur National Monument. If you have loved Jurassic Park 6, you may enjoy visiting the real-deal dinos in Vernal. There is a history of feathered reptiles that died a long time ago.
Stroll through Devils Garden or claw your way out of the Fiery Furnace if you’re a person who enjoys exploring over 2,000 mind-bending natural arches backed by brilliant blue skies. Living in an RV in Utah is legal, but you must adhere to any restrictions on parking your RV imposed by local government bodies, such as zoning laws and regulations. If you want to park on your property permanently, you should have access to water and sewage.
Colorado
Colorado has plenty of free activities for everyone in the family, including hikes, walking paths, bike trails, brewery, winery, distillery tours, window shopping on Pearl Street, and exploring the University of Colorado’s cultural museums. You can take advantage of exciting events during summer, including the Colorado Shakespeare Festival, Summer Concert Series, and Music Festivals.
For adventure, you may go to the Royal Gorge Region of Colorado. There are vast outdoor activities for every level of adventurer. The Royal Gorge Bridge and Park for aerial gondolas feature breathtaking views, thrilling zip line rides, and other exciting activities. Also, try water rafting, four-wheeling, rock climbing, and mountain biking, and stay at the Royal Gorge.
For an adventure with a side of relaxation, try Glenwood Springs. Unwind at the nearby natural hot springs and vapor caves and enjoy more daring activities. Enjoy water sports like kayaking, fishing, and paddle boating, hit the hiking trails, play a round of golf, mini-golf, or disc golf, and explore the White River National Forest, all within a short drive of Glenwood Springs.
There are state guidelines regarding RVs in Colorado. These codes ensure its citizens’ safety by ensuring waste from any home is managed correctly. As a buyer of raw land for your camper or RV, consider that in addition to state zoning rules, that counties, cities, and HOAs also will have rules.
South Dakota
South Dakota offers multiple outdoor activities such as tent camping, RV sites, glamping, cabin rentals, and more. Camping enthusiasts can find locating some of the finest facilities for your South Dakota camping vacation exciting.
South Dakota features striking landscapes, state and national parks, historic monuments, and many remote open spaces. It is home to over 60 state parks and recreation areas. These protected lands full of nature offer year-round recreational activities and campgrounds to RV travellers.
Camping reservations are available in most state parks and recreation areas within 90 days of arrival. Camping is welcome all year in most parks, although some are closed due to eagle nesting. The ideal time weather-wise to camp in a tent is spring and summer months when it is warm.
It is ideal for hiking and camping. Look out for Badlands National Park, Custer State Park, Black Hills National Forest, Lewis & Clark State Recreation Area, Spearfish Canyon State Nature Area, Palisades State Park, Big Sioux Recreation Area, Lake Herman State Park, and Spring Creek State Recreation Area.
New York
Speaking of New York, you cannot have a tour without looking at Niagara Falls. This is a national treasure since it is rated 4.5 and ranked No. 4 in the Best Cities’ parks and outdoors subcategory and No. 1 in the overall promotion category (Niagara Falls Business.ca).
Niagara Falls, a spectacular waterfall in the Niagara river, is the world’s greatest waterfall by volume at 2832 m3. Niagara Falls is beautiful and the combined height and volume of water make it a natural wonder. What makes it beautiful is the blue-green colour of the water flowing. A combination of its algae and sunlight on the water’s surface contributes to the unusual hue. Pulverised rock, known as rock flour, also adds to the tint of the water. The look is priceless.
New York has 43 national parks. While some will say springtime is the time to be in New York, others will insist it’s the holiday season in New York City, for a full-time RVer, the time to see this state in the fall. Winter is a bit too cold for RV life, and spring brings a lot of rain. Fall, on the other hand, brings foliage throughout the through.
If your plans bring you to upstate New York to visit Niagara Falls, fall will help you avoid the crowd. If you want to visit the Big Apple, you’ll find many RV parks with easy access. New York auto insurance is more expensive on average than the rest of the country but you might find a good rate if you shop around. Stay farther out and use public transportation if you don’t want to sit in traffic.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the above ten RV-friendly states offer a range of all-year-round activities that will occupy most of your time traveling around America. These range from beautiful scenic places to adventurous activities. Look out for places surrounded by vast activities so that you explore more in one location. Look forward to hiking, skiing, walking, crawling, dining and wining, shopping, and many more. Make a list of places to visit in a state so you do not miss exciting things to do and see. Visit these states and explore their RV-friendly travel.
Quick recap, Here are the top 10 states for RV living in the US:
Florida – With an average of 50 federal parks and an average temperature of 70 degrees Fahrenheit in winter, Florida is the top state for RV living, according to RVshare.
Texas – Boasting around 80 state parks and over 20 national parks and historic sites, Texas is an excellent choice for those who love the great outdoors.
California – Home to Yosemite National Park, Joshua Tree National Park, and many more stunning natural wonders, California is a must-visit destination for RV enthusiasts.
Arizona – From the Grand Canyon to Saguaro National Park, Arizona offers some of the most breathtaking scenery in the country.
Colorado – With its beautiful mountains and stunning national parks, Colorado is a paradise for outdoor enthusiasts.
Utah – From Zion National Park to Bryce Canyon National Park, Utah offers some of the most dramatic landscapes in the US.
Oregon – With over 300 miles of coastline and numerous state parks and national forests to explore, Oregon is a great choice for RV living.
Washington – From Olympic National Park to Mount Rainier, Washington State has plenty of natural wonders to explore.
Montana – Known as the “Treasure State”, Montana is home to Yellowstone National Park and a wealth of other natural wonders.
New Mexico – From Carlsbad Caverns to White Sands National Park, New Mexico offers some of the most unique and beautiful landscapes in the US.
Whether you’re looking to spend a month or a year on the road, there’s something for everyone in these top 10 RV-friendly states. So why not start planning your next adventure today?
FAQs
Q: How do I find RV parks and campgrounds in these states?
A: To find RV parks and campgrounds in these states, you can use online guides and applications such as Campendium, iOverlander, and Recreation.gov. These resources offer information on RV parks and campgrounds and reviews and ratings from other RVers.
Q: Are there any special regulations or laws I should be aware of when RVing in these states?
A: Yes, each state has its laws and regulations concerning RVers. For example, some states have specific length and weight restrictions for RVs, while others have rules about where to park and camp overnight. It’s important to research the laws and regulations of each state before you start your RV trip to avoid any issues.
Q: Are there any RV-friendly routes or scenic drives I should take in these states?
A: There are many RV-friendly routes and scenic drives in these states. RV Trip Wizard is a great resource for finding these routes, as it offers a comprehensive guide to RV-friendly roads and highways across the US. You can also check out state tourism websites for information on scenic drives and routes in each state.
Q: Are there any RV-specific events or rallies I can attend in these states?
A: Yes, hundreds of amazing RV events and rallies are happening in the US every year. These events range from small local gatherings to large national rallies, and they offer a great opportunity to connect with other RVers and explore new destinations. You can find information about upcoming events and rallies on RVillage and Go RVing.
Q: What are some must-see attractions for RVers in these states?
A: There are many must-see attractions for RVers in these states, including Yellowstone National Park, Sequoia National Park, and many more. Each state has unique attractions and natural wonders to explore, so it’s worth researching to find the best places to visit in each state. State tourism websites are a great resource for finding information on must-see attractions and activities in each state.