8 Ways to Have Fun While Traveling in an RV

Traveling in an RV may just be the most enjoyable way to see and explore America up close. As opposed to having to fly and stay in hotels or rentals, an RV allows travelers to drive their home-on-wheels to vacation destinations, with plenty of fun places to see along the way. Once they have arrived, RVers can set up camp and return to their own bed each night after a day out exploring. In addition, those traveling in an RV have access to their own bathroom and kitchen, a real treat that can make traveling much more comfortable.

However, when traveling in your RV, some may still wonder how to go about planning a fun vacation and fun stops along the way. Here, we will go over eight ways to add some extra enjoyment to your next RV vacation. We can’t wait to see you out on the road creating memories, so let’s get started!

1. Visit a national park

For many, national parks are a premiere vacation destination. With sixty-three to choose from, as well as hundreds of additional nationally-designated places and attractions, these places are the perfect fun addition to your next trip.

While you could plan an entire trip based around a specific park, it’s equally possible to leave your RV in a nearby campground and visit a nearby park for a day trip. Likewise, many national parks have multiple RV-friendly campgrounds to choose from. Many RVers even stop at a national park on the way to another destination. Most national parks and nationally-protected areas have a designated place for RV parking, and some even have shuttles for getting around the park. The options and possibilities are endless, so consider the nearby national parks when planning your next fun trip.

2. Play tourist in a city

Nature is so fun to explore, but new cities can be equally exciting! However, the logistics of visiting a city or large town with your RV can be a bit tricky. Many people set up camp at a local RV park and drive their tow or towed vehicle when playing tourist, while others utilize public transportation to get to and around cities.

Choosing which city or cities to explore can also be part of the fun. Take a look at your driving route and check to see if there are any cities on your route or near any of your destinations. Next, research fun things to do in those cities, which can include trying local foods, visiting museums, exploring local parks, photographing famous buildings and landmarks, and so much more. Be sure to plan your day as efficiently as possible so that you have time to pack in as much fun as you can!

3. Explore a state park

While we mentioned exploring national parks and sites above, state parks can be equally exciting, yet typically cheaper in entrance costs and less crowded. Many are also very dog-friendly, which is not as commonly-seen in national parks. Every US state has at least one state park, while many states have dozens or more! Some of these state parks even have campgrounds for RVs, with some campgrounds having hookups available. Even the state parks that do not have their own campgrounds often have other nearby campgrounds and/or RV parking available. Be sure to check along your route or near your vacation destinations to see if there are any worthwhile state parks nearby.

4. Take a road trip style vacation

Every RV trip is a road trip of some sort, but many people simply drive to their intended destination, spend a week or two relaxing and exploring, and then drive home. With a road trip style vacation, there is no specific or set destination, but moreso stops along a route. Not planning one specific destination as the central event allows RVers to explore even more places and see even more things. Likewise, a road trip vacation may allow you to travel in a loop, seeing new things with every drive, instead of taking the same route to and from a central destination. While this may not be ideal for every RVer, it may be fun to try and switch things up! Consider this for one of your future RV trips.

5. Visit a Harvest Hosts location

Harvest Hosts locations make a great addition to any RV trip! With [total_locations] possible locations to choose from, there has to be at least one nearby almost anywhere you may choose to visit! The host map search features make it easier than ever to find your next Harvest Hosts locations. The region and location search functions allow you to search by state or in proximity to a specific location, such as a city or a park. The route search feature allows you to put in starting and ending points for a specific driving route, allowing you to see any and all Harvest Hosts locations along this route. Adding a winery, farm, brewery, museum, golf club, or any of our other host locations to your trip is sure to make your vacation better than ever!

6. Travel to see family or friends

It can be so hard to live far from family or close friends, especially over the past eighteen months of travel restrictions and stay-at-home orders. Many folks are still uncomfortable flying, and long road trips can be tricky, especially with kids. Having an RV can make visiting cross-country loved ones so much easier!

With an RV, the drive is more comfortable, and everyone has more room, while the on-board bathroom and refrigerator make stopping for breaks much simpler. When you arrive, you also have the option of maintaining some privacy in your own space if that is more your speed. However, it is equally easy to just move your things into your relative’s house and stay with them for your vacation. No matter how you make your trip happen, visiting your family in an RV can make the journey so much more fun and enjoyable for everyone.

7. Go somewhere you’ve never been before

Many maintain the goal of visiting new places with each vacation, while some folks tend to choose the same few favorites to visit year after year. While this is more a matter of preference, sometimes choosing a brand-new and never-before-visited destination can make your trip so much more fun and epic. Something about traveling to entirely new places together as a family can transform a standard vacation into even more of a bonding and memory-building experience. Next time you’re looking for some RV fun, consider planning a trip to somewhere you have never been. Be sure to check out all the best stops along your route for even more fun!

8. Let each family member choose a stop

Each family is made up of different people, and many times we have different interests than other members of our families. SInce vacations are a fun time for each family member, it can be fun to allow each person to choose a fun stop along a future road trip. Instead of planning out all the stops on your own, allow your spouse, children, parents, friends, or whoever else may be joining you to join and and choose stops together. Not only will this make the trip more fun for everyone, but it will also help to make planning easier, as well.

Allowing everyone to participate in planning will also lead to more excitement leading up to the trip. Kids especially will take pride in having been able to help plan, especially when some of the stops are their own personal choices. This will add to the fun and enjoyment for everyone!

Traveling in an RV is a ton of fun, and these tips will help to make your future trips even better. With fall upon us and just a few weeks of summer left, now is the time to squeeze in a few more trips. Use this list and your Harvest Hosts membership to plan the most epic end-of-summer trips of all!