Here’s what REAL RVers say are their favorite national parks for RV camping…
We recently reached out to our RV Lifestyle Facebook group to get their vote on their favorite national parks for RV camping.
We posted: “My favorite National Park is: _____________!!”
Our members filled in the blank with hundreds of comments, including many of Jennifer's and my favorite national parks. Since we’ve been to most on this list, we’ve included additional links and resources throughout!
If your favorite NP didn’t make the list, be sure to let us know in the comments at the end.
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Best National Parks According to REAL RVers
In this list, we’ve included the national parks that were mentioned multiple times in the comments. We’ve loosely organized them by the number of mentions, starting with the most popular.
It’s definitely worth mentioning that a lot of commenters filled in the blank with “the next one!” or “the last NP I visited!” Clearly, RVers simply can’t get enough of the beautiful national parks in the United States.
One commenter named Christy put it best saying, “They are all so diverse with so much to offer it is impossible to pick just one.” Joyce shared that sentiment saying, “Too hard to pick just one! They all have their own personality and beauty.”
We agree with Robin’s comment, too: “They're like a potato chip, you can't just choose one 😬😊”
1. Yellowstone National Park (Wyoming)
It’s no surprise that RVers listed Yellowstone the most often as their favorite national park for RV camping. Its vast beauty, with multiple iconic attractions and varied wildlife, exceeds even the highest bar set.
We are so captivated by Yellowstone that we visit every year, and it never gets old. We’ve written so many articles on Yellowstone that are definitely worth scrolling through.
We also recommend checking out our RV Lifestyle Yellowstone National Park Adventure Guide. This ebook is a 7-day guided exploration of Yellowstone National Park. PLUS, two bonus days as side trips to Cody, WY and Grand Teton National Park.
We provide a suggested route and itinerary, links to multiple campgrounds and boondocking spots, and the best spots to see along the way.
2. Glacier National Park (Montana)
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Glacier National Park really gave Yellowstone a run for its money in the FB responses. When all is said and done, Glacier National Park is probably our favorite when it comes to dramatic landscapes and the diversity of wildlife.
We recommend adding Glacier NP to Your RV Bucket List and taking an RV Photo Trip to Glacier National Park. You can see our photo trip in the above video.
Like Yellowstone, Glacier National Park is also on our list of the 10 Best National Parks for Wildlife Viewing for RVers.
3. Zion National Park (Utah)
Many RVers emphasize Zion as their favorite national park. It’s certainly high on our list, too. We even name it as one of 12 Surreal U.S. Destinations Worth the RV Trip.
Check out these articles, too:
- The 5 Best Campgrounds in Zion National Park
- Trips: Zion National Park is Indeed a Holy Place
- Zion Canyon by Bicycle
It’s also worth noting that a few people filled in the blank with “any National Park in Utah!” Canyonlands, Arches, and Capitol Reef were also nominated but didn’t quite make this list.
4. Yosemite National Park (California)
Yosemite National Park was right up there with Zion. A group member, Ann, said Yosemite is “more beautiful” than Yellowstone, and it seems quite a few commenters agree with her.
Between Half Dome, El Capitan, Glacier Point, and its many waterfalls, there’s no shortage of stunning sites to see in Yosemite. Here are some helpful articles if you’re planning a visit:
- Yosemite Landmarks: 16 Best Sights & Must-See Attractions
- 6 Best Dog-Friendly Hikes Yosemite National Park
- 8 Fascinating Facts About Yosemite
While you’re visiting Yosemite, try to work in a visit to the Forestiere Underground Gardens in nearby Fresno, CA.
5. Grand Teton National Park (Wyoming)
If you’re headed to Yellowstone, plan a visit to Grand Teton National Park while you’re there. There’s a lot to do!
Read about the Best Grand Teton Sites, Hikes, and More.
The park is known for its pronghorn, which is one of the Animals Unique to North America.
6. Smoky Mountains National Park
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The Smoky Mountains of North Carolina are filled with lots of outside fun, like whitewater rafting and mountaintop zip lining. On one visit, we took a train ride deep into the Nantahala Gorge, drove the Road to Nowhere, and managed some fun shopping and good eating in Bryson City, NC, too.
If you want to visit the Smokies, check out these articles:
- Ask Us Anything – From the Smoky Mountains
- From the Great Smoky Mountains
- The Roadtreking Smoky Mountains Photo Safari
7. Grand Canyon National Park (Arizona)
People across the world know about the Grand Canyon. So, how could it not be on this list? Of course we appreciate how awe-inspiring the Grand Canyon is!
In another article, we answered What to Wear to the Grand Canyon (+ Packing List). You might appreciate this article, too, about our trip to the North Rim.
Oh, and be sure to check out our Arizona RV Adventure Guide.
8. Acadia National Park
Located along the coast of Maine, Acadia National Park is an absolute haven for birdwatchers. No matter the time of year, travelers will find plenty of species to keep them occupied.
How many bird species? A record of 338 different species have been spotted within the park, everything from owls and ducks to raptors and songbirds.
Acadia is one of 6 Great U.S. Destinations for Birdwatching that we covered in our blog.
PSST! Check out our new 7-Day RV Adventure Guide of Coastal Maine!
9. Bryce Canyon National Park (Utah)
Remember earlier, we said that some commenters said “Any Utah National Park” was their favorite. Well, that includes the Spectacular Bryce Canyon National Park.
The canyon is a place where erosion has carved delicate and colorful pinnacles and spires called hoodoos.
It’s part of what is called the Grand Staircase, an immense sequence of sedimentary rock layers that stretch south from Bryce Canyon National Park through Zion National Park and into the Grand Canyon.
Be sure to check out our 7-Day Southern Utah RV Guide.
10. Sequoia National Park (California)
This is one of the few national parks we haven’t written about, but it certainly makes the list with its gigantic Sequoia trees.
Sequoia National Park isn’t too far from Yosemite, about two hours southwest. In addition to the Giant Forest, it’s known for the underground Crystal Cave and Moro Rock.
This park is also within driving distance to the Forestiere Underground Gardens that I mentioned earlier, located in nearby Fresno, CA.
Three More Favorite National Parks
There are three more parks that multiple people claimed as their favorite:
11. Theodore Roosevelt National Park (North Unit)
12. Redwoods National Park (California)
Let us know your vote in the comments below. Please also join our RV Lifestyle Facebook group so you can be a part of these conversations!
Mike and Jennifer Wendland's Yellowstone Travel Guide
At the top of every RVers bucket list, it is a place so majestic, so wild, and so big that it calls us to return, to explore, to get to know the diversity of its land and animals over and over again.
Everywhere you look are waterfalls, fast-moving rivers, geysers, sheer rock faces, towering lodgepole pines, all framed by mountains under the bright blue cloudless sky.
It’s spectacular for those who love the wilderness and getting up close and personal with it. Enjoy Yellowstone for RV travel.
February 05, 2023at10:17 pm, Bonnie Joyce said:
We have been to most of the top thirteen, but would like to add one more, under the category “most unusual.” And that would be Black Canyon of the Gunnison in Colorado. Truly awesome.
February 06, 2023at3:08 pm, Tere Hoffhine said:
We happened upon Black Canyon of the Gunnison when we rerouted our trip one year. We were originally heading southwest and go as far as Aztec New Mexico and it was too bloody hot, so we rerouted and ended up in Colorado. Much cooler, and as we started heading home, that’s when we ran into Black Canyon. What a nice surprise!!
February 06, 2023at3:41 pm, Team RV Lifestyle said:
Black Canyon of the Gunnison is an awesome national park. Thanks for the comment! Team RV Lifestyle
February 05, 2023at8:44 am, Donald Chamberlain said:
My wife’s favorite is Yellowstone and I am torn between Yosemite and Glacier. We have been to all but I think 4 in the lower 48 States and they are all worth visiting for their diversity. Aid you make it to Glacier it’s worth going to Canada and the Columbia Ice Fields which has been my all time favorite
February 06, 2023at3:38 pm, Team RV Lifestyle said:
Going to all but 4 national parks in the lower 48 is quite an achievement! Thanks for adding to the conversation – Team RV Lifestyle
February 05, 2023at7:48 am, susan Macdonnell said:
My favourite Canadian national park at this point in Kouchibouguac New Brunswick. 60 km of biking trails. Beautiful beach. Huge sites. Check it out
February 06, 2023at3:37 pm, Team RV Lifestyle said:
Hi Susan – Thanks for adding a favorite Canadian national park to the list! Team RV Lifestyle