If you’re looking for a place to pick as your next RV road trip end point, we’ve whittled down the list of prospective destinations to just 5 top-tier options that will all but guarantee a good time for you and your brood.

Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming: Geysers and Wildlife Adventures

Yellowstone National Park offers an unforgettable experience for families seeking adventurous activities. 

Here’s what makes it a top RV destination:

• Geysers Galore: Witness the iconic Old Faithful geyser erupting on schedule, thrilling both kids and adults.
• Wildlife Encounters: See bison roaming freely, spot elk grazing, or even catch a glimpse of wolves in their natural habitat.
• Educational Opportunities: Head to the park’s visitor centers to learn about geothermal features and the area’s rich history through interactive exhibits.
• Hiking Trails for All Ages: Enjoy easy-to-moderate hikes like the Fairy Falls Trail or explore more challenging paths with older kids.
• Junior Ranger Program: Engage children in learning about nature through hands-on activities that earn them badges as Junior Rangers.

You can set up your RV at one of Yellowstone’s campgrounds, such as Madison Campground, which is equipped with essentials but still offers that wild outdoor feel. With its diverse ecosystems and countless attractions packed into nearly 3,500 square miles, Yellowstone guarantees family memories that’ll last a lifetime.

Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona: Spectacular Views and Hiking Trails

Grand Canyon National Park is a dream come true for families looking to explore one of the natural wonders of the world, as well as being a great day trip if you’re visiting Las Vegas. Here’s why it’s a must-see RV destination:

• Breathtaking Vistas: Marvel at panoramic views from popular lookout points like Mather Point or Yavapai Observation Station.
• Family-Friendly Hikes: Enjoy accessible trails such as the Rim Trail, perfect for strollers and little feet, or take on more adventurous paths like Bright Angel Trail with older kids.
• Ranger-Led Programs: Participate in guided tours that delve into the park’s geology, history, and ecology, making learning fun and engaging for all ages.

In terms of overnight stays, there’s Trailer Village RV Park within Grand Canyon Village. It offers full hookups while keeping you close to major attractions. You’ll be just steps away from shuttle stops that make exploring this vast landscape easier.If this all sounds incredible but you’ve yet to purchase an RV, it’s sensible to seek out models from dealers with good reputations that are local to you. You can buy new & pre-owned RVs in Denver, Detroit, Dallas, and every other major city nationwide – and rentals are also an option if you don’t want to commit to full-blown ownership until you’ve experienced your first family trip in one.

Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort, Florida: Theme Parks and Nature Combined

Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort in Florida blends the magic of Disney with the great outdoors. It’s perfect for families, as you’d expect, so here’s why it should be on your RV itinerary:

• Close to Magic Kingdom: Hop on a boat or bus to reach Magic Kingdom in minutes. It’s an easy way to blend theme park thrills with campground chills – and is home to one of the top free things to do during your visit.
• Resort Activities: Enjoy archery lessons, canoeing on Bay Lake, horseback riding at Tri-Circle-D Ranch, and campfire sing-alongs with Chip ‘n’ Dale.
• Pools and Recreation: Splash around in Meadow Swimming Pool featuring a water slide and splash zones perfect for kids of all ages.
• Scenic Trails: Explore nature trails either by foot or rent bikes and golf carts to cover more ground within this expansive resort.

There are plenty of well-appointed campsites that are capable of accommodating even the largest RVs, and each comes with BBQ grills and picnic tables. Plus, you have access to modern comfort stations complete with showers.

The icing on the cake is that evenings end beautifully here, as you can watch fireworks from the beach area or enjoy a movie under the stars.

Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Tennessee/North Carolina: Scenic Drives and Waterfalls

Great Smoky Mountains National Park offers a mix of natural beauty and family-friendly activities over its 500,000 acre expanse. Here’s why it stands out as an RV destination:

• Scenic Drives: Cruise along the Blue Ridge Parkway or Newfound Gap Road for stunning vistas that are sure to captivate everyone.
• Waterfall Wonders: Visit popular spots like Laurel Falls, easily accessible via a short hike, or explore the more secluded Grotto Falls.
• Wildlife Watching: Spot deer, black bears, and a variety of bird species throughout the park. Aspiring naturalists will have their passions kindled with each glimpse.
• Educational Programs: Attend ranger-led talks on local flora and fauna or take part in guided hikes to learn about this diverse ecosystem.

Position your RV at Elkmont Campground or Cades Cove Campground. Both provide excellent facilities while immersing you in nature’s splendor.

If you’re curious about what else you can do, the park’s Junior Ranger Program engages kids with hands-on learning activities that help them earn badges. Plus, historic sites like Mingus Mill offer glimpses into the region’s past.

Zion National Park, Utah: Rock Formations and Family-Friendly Trails

Zion National Park is a family paradise, combining striking rock formations with accessible outdoor activities. Each year it welcomes over 4 million visitors, so here’s what makes it a top RV destination:

• Spectacular Scenery: Marvel at towering sandstone cliffs in vibrant reds and oranges, which are truly a photographer’s dream.
• Kid-Friendly Hikes: Enjoy trails like the Riverside Walk or Pa’rus Trail that offer easy terrain and stunning views suitable for all ages.
• Junior Ranger Program: As with the other national parks, you can get your kids involved in fun, educational activities that teach them about the park’s geology, flora, and fauna while earning badges.
• Shuttle System: Use the free shuttle buses to navigate key areas of the park easily. This is ideal for families with young children.

In terms of camping, you can check out Watchman Campground or Lava Point Campground within Zion. These sites offer close proximity to trailheads along with necessary amenities such as picnic tables and fire rings.

In terms of other great activities, don’t miss stargazing! Zion boasts some of the darkest skies in Utah. Bring a telescope or just lie back on a blanket, as either way you’ll be dazzled by constellations overhead.

Final Thoughts

Whether the belching geysers of Yellowstone have caught your eye, or the wildlife-packed expanse of the Great Smoky Mountains are calling you, these family-friendly RV destinations definitely won’t disappoint. Start planning now, and your whole clan will come home with experiences they’ll be recounting for years to come.

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Yellowstone National Park is an amazing place and the world’s first national park. Many years ago the kids and I spent a long weekend camping in our RV there. We stayed inside the park at the Fishing Bridge RV Park and spent our time hiking, biking, and exploring. We saw geysers, waterfalls, and much more. I cannot wait to take them back this summer and have been planning our next visit for quite a while!

As I’ve researched and read through the Yellowstone & Grand Teton Moon Guide I have found tons of helpful info. For example, I didn’t realize the entrance fee to Yellowstone was $30 per vehicle now and that the entrance fee covered 7 days. Military members get free a National Park pass, which means Yellowstone is free for military.

The last time we went to Yellowstone we stayed in an RV and camped. This time when we go we are going to stay at one of the hotels. There are two reasons for this decision besides the fact that I no longer own an RV. The first reason I do not want to tent camp in Yellowstone. When we were there bears were all over the place and I do not want the hassle of worrying about bears. The second reason is that the RV camp spots are not cheap. I feel like by the time you have rented an RV, paid for gas and paid for your camping spot you are out just as much money as you would have been staying at one of their hotels. Not to mention RVs are a lot of work, hence why I no longer own one.

We will stay at Gray Wolf Inn and Suites during our next visit. It’s set up great for families and just outside the West Entrance.

 

6 Things to do in Yellowstone National park

1. Visit Old Faithful

There are many geysers in the park, but none of them are more famous than Old Faithful. You can bike around this area and go to the visitor center to learn more about Old Faithful. Chances are extremely high you can catch it when it is blowing water. If you want to visit more geysers there are tons listed in the Yellowstone & Grand Teton Moon Guide. Yellowstone supposedly has over 500 geysers.

2. Bike Lone Star Geyser Road to the Lone Star Geyser

Lone Star Geyser Road is an easy bike ride for kids or for parents pulling a bike trailer. The Lone Star geyser goes off around every three hours for 30 minutes at a time and reaches heights of 35 to 40 feet in the air. I suggest that you pack a picnic to have here while you wait for it to erupt. If you are wondering if I visited this particular geyser because it was named Lone Star, and that is Texas’ nickname, the answer is yes. I assumed it was going to be bigger and better than all the other geysers. Turns out it was named this because it was the only geyser around when two dudes found it.

• Fairy Falls is also a nice bike ride.

3. Hike to a waterfall

There are at least 45 waterfalls inside of Yellowstone and many of them have hiking trails that will take you to them. Yellowstone has 900 miles of hiking trails. I recommend going to see Lower and Upper Falls. When we visited Noah and Eden were quite young, ages 4 and 1.5. Obviously, children, this young are not up for long lengthy hikes. If you have younger kids as I did, I recommend sticking to trails that you can bike and hike. The more of the trail you can bike the easier the hike will be on them, since they will be sitting in a bike trailer! 

4. Mammoth Hot Springs

You simply cannot go to Yellowstone and not see Mammoth Hot Springs. It is like going to another world. You walk along a wooden walkway to see them. Be careful with younger kids because you do not want them falling into any of the hot water. People get killed that way.

5. Swim in Boiling River Hot Springs

Where the Boiling River meets the Gardner river you can swim during the day. There is a place to park, but the parking lot cannot accommodate an RV. Practice caution when getting in the water. The water coming off the Boiling River is scalding and will hurt you. You will want to wear water shoes to walk through the water. Also, do not put your head underwater because of microorganisms living in the water.

6. Fly Fishing

Typically, kids love to fish and there are many places in Yellowstone to fish. You can fish in Yellowstone Lake if you do not want to fly fish, but I think kids will enjoy fly fishing on one of the rivers instead. However rivers can be a little intense for younger children, so take them into smaller creeks to fly fish. The guide book suggests the picnic areas at the Gardner River or Lava Creek. Anyone 16 or older will need a fishing license to fish here. Also, keep in mind that there are many, many rules associated with fishing in Yellowstone like kids cannot fish without adult supervision. Be sure to find out the fishing rules as well as recommendations on where to rent a boat, since fishing is not allowed from a dock.

Have you visited Yellowstone with kids? What was your favorite thing to do?

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