Admin on May 4, 2015 0 Comments If you want to sleep under the stars in one of the United States’ national parks, there are plenty of spectacular places to create your temporary home in nature. Whether you want to backpack through adventure-filled backcountry, camp out under the tall pines in the forest, or enjoy the seashore, there are lots of places to choose from. Here are ten must-see national parks to put on your RV bucket list. 1. Glacier National Park, Montana Montana’s Glacier National Park is a haven for serious hikers who want to embark on multiday adventures in the backcountry. In this million-plus acre park, there are many primitive campsites where you can pitch your tent, or less remote areas where you can park your recreational vehicle. Be prepared to bring your own water and a safe way to secure your food, because you’ll be sharing the natural wonderland with mountain lions and bears. 2. Assateague Island, Maryland There’s something about feeling the sand under your feet that makes a camper relax. If you’re up for pitching your tent or parking your RV near the ocean on an island, you’ll want to check out Assateague Island. The park is actually located in both Virginia and Maryland, but camping is only allowed in Maryland. To camp in this area, you’ll need to bring firewood, containers to hold the collection of seashells you’ll find, sunscreen, and mosquito repellant. If you’re a sportsperson who likes to catch fish, don’t forget to bring your fishing gear, as well. 3. Bryce Canyon National Park, Utah Bryce Canyon National Park is a beautifully unique national park in Utah. This park is full of hoodoos, which are reddish-brown rocky spires that look like gigantic chess pieces. The area reaches 2,000 feet in elevation, which includes Pinyon pines, Ponderosa pines, and spruce. There is a paved trail leading to Sunset Point, which can be walked by hikers of all abilities and physical fitness levels. Be sure to pack your camera to this area, because you’ll see sights you’ve never seen before. 4. Voyageurs National Park, Minnesota For those who like a bit of privacy, Voyageurs National Park is a park that has 200 private campsites. Because these areas are so remote, you won’t have luxurious RV hookups or minimarts to shop in, but there are boat-launch facilities. If you opt for this memorable Minnesota campground, bring your fire ring, food locker, and picnic table. 5. Yosemite National Park, California photo credit Yosemite National Park is a great option for those of you who don’t want to leave the comforts of home back at your permanent address. At Yosemite, you’ll find bathrooms, food lockers, and fire pits. Although there are ten campgrounds with lots of space for trailers and recreational vehicles, spots fill up quickly, so it’s important to make reservations well ahead of time, especially during the tourist season, which occurs between April and September. If you decide to camp in Yosemite Valley, you an unload your RV and settle into Lower, Upper, or North Pine campgrounds to take in the iconic rock formations towering above you. There are multiple hiking trails to easily access near Upper and Lower Yosemite Falls. 6. Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona There are plenty of campsites to choose from in the Grand Canyon area. In this national park, there are places where you can rough it, as well as luxurious lodging options and restaurants. You can explore Cape Royal at the North Rim, which overlooks immense space, natural arches, and horizontal rock layers. The South Rim is nearly a thousand feet lower in elevation making it a warmer region, which can be a plus depending on the season. Be prepared to view wildflowers, pine trees, wildlife, and astounding views of red and yellow cliffs. 7. Zion National Park, Utah If you want to park your RV in an awe-inspiring paradise, consider Kolob Canyon in Zion National Park. This canyon is approximately an hour drive from the Zion Visitor Center. The area is home to wildlife, plant life, majestic natural rock formations, narrow slot canyons, and red cliffs. While visiting Zion, be prepared to see a wide variety of bird species. At last count, there were 300 different types of birds, making it a bird-watcher’s extravaganza. If you’re a hiker, you can travel the Taylor Creek Trail, which will take you to Double Arch Alcove, a mere three miles away. Zion’s campsites are equipped with picnic tables, pit toilets, and stunning views in all directions. 8. Shenandoah National Park, Virginia Take the Skyline Drive for 105 miles along the upper Appalachian Mountains. This is one of the oldest ranges of mountains in the world. Along the way, you’ll see historic sites, stunning views, and an assortment of wildlife. This park is approximately 40% wilderness, so you’ll find turkeys, raccoons, bobcats, deer, and black bears inhabiting the region. There aren’t any hookups, but you’ll find food, supplies, gasoline, and four campgrounds on this route. Three of the four campgrounds have showers and dump stations. 9. Yellowstone National Park, Montana Montana camping is gorgeous in Yellowstone. In 1872, this national park became the first one designated as such in the world. There are plenty of historic trails in this region, inside and outside the park. For example, you’ll run across the famous Lewis and Clark Trail, Old Forts Trails, Nez Perce Trail, and the Whoop Up Trail. You’ll also experience wildlife such as antelope, mule and whitetail deer, turkey, and elk. If you’re up for fishing, you’ll find small-mouth bass, Chinook salmon, and walleye. 10. Acadia National Park, Maine Although Acadia National Park is gorgeous year round, the time when it is most spectacular is autumn when the trees turn red, orange and yellow. If you want to check out the fall foliage, travel with your RV to Acadia in the later portion of September through October. In addition to autumn colors, there are more than 100 miles of biking and hiking trails. You’ll see cobblestone bridges, streams, cliffs, and waterfalls along your route. A 290-yard sandy beach is also in the park, with sand made from crushed seashells. When you’re ready to get away from it all, take advantage of some of the most beautiful national parks that America has to offer. These ten beauties are well worth driving for, and you’ll want to return again to each one.
