National Parks and RV travel go hand in hand. There’s nothing quite like rolling into a park, setting up camp, and stepping right into some of the most breathtaking landscapes in America. But which parks are the most popular among RV travelers? We’ve got the numbers straight from the National Park Service, and here are the Top 10 Most Visited National Parks by RVers!
These parks come from all of the 433 National Park Service sites, not just the big 63 parks, and they’re ranked by the number of nightly stays in the park by RVers in 2024.
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10. Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore:
68,065 RV campers, 2.55% of total visitors
This Michigan treasure is known for its towering sand dunes on the beautiful Lake Michigan, as well as some lush forests. RVers love it because the Platte River Campground offers spacious sites, and it’s a perfect spot for a summer road trip. These are some of the best freshwater beaches in the world. And, nearby, the M-22 scenic highway takes you through charming lakeside towns filled with great food and local breweries.
9. Death Valley National Park:
87,760 RV campers, 3.28%
RVers love Death Valley because of its wide-open spaces, dark skies, and out-of-this-world landscapes. It’s the largest national park in the Lower 48, meaning there’s plenty of room to explore. Death Valley is the hottest place on earth, and the Furnace Creek Campground is one of the few campgrounds in the park system to offer at least some sites with full hookups, making it one of the few places where you can RV camp in really extreme conditions. But the best time to visit is from November to March when you can comfortably explore spots like Badwater Basin—the lowest point in North America—and the colorful Artist’s Palette drive.
8. Cape Hatteras National Seashore:
88,926 RV campers, 3.33%
This is a true paradise for RVers who love the beach! Located along North Carolina’s Outer Banks, Cape Hatteras offers beachside campgrounds where you can fall asleep to the sound of the waves. There’s also plenty to do, from off-roading on the sand to historic sites to fresh seafood at the local fish shacks. Cape Hatteras is home to the tallest brick lighthouse in the United States! The Cape Hatteras Light Station stands at an impressive 198 feet tall, and in 1999, it was actually moved over half a mile inland to protect it from erosion—a massive engineering feat.
Check out our RV travel recap of Cape Hatteras National Seashore on episode 330 of the RV Miles Podcast.
7. Olympic National Park:
92,181 RV campers, 3.45%
Few parks offer as much variety as Olympic. You can wake up to the misty coastline, hike through a rainforest, and then drive up to the snowy peaks of Hurricane Ridge—all in one day. While the campgrounds here are more rustic, they offer incredible scenery and access to places like the Hoh Rainforest, which looks like something out of a fantasy movie. If you love the Pacific Northwest, this park is a dream.
RV with us to Olympic and learn about one of the best boondocking spots we’ve ever encountered on episode 281 of the RV Miles Podcast.
6. Zion National Park:
94,744 RV campers, 3.54%
Zion is a magnet for RVers, and for good reason. Its towering red cliffs, deep canyons, and famous hikes like Angel’s Landing and The Narrows make it an unforgettable destination. Watchman Campground is one of the best places in the world to park your rig, and it’s right near the shuttle stop that takes you into the heart of the park. Just be aware that Zion’s tunnel from the East entrance has size restrictions, so check before you go!
We’ve stayed at Watchman Campground twice. Here RV travel recap on episode 40 of the RV Miles Podcast.
5. Joshua Tree National Park:
111,471 RV campers, 4.17%
Joshua Tree is the ultimate desert escape. It’s a favorite among RVers who love boondocking, as there are endless BLM lands surrounding the park. But there are campgrounds in the park, too, among the unique rock formations, surreal landscapes, and some of the best stargazing in the country.
4. Glacier National Park:
129,858 RV campers, 4.86%
If you want jaw-dropping mountain views, Glacier is the place to go. But be warned—Going-to-the-Sun Road is only accessible to smaller campervans, so if you’re in a big RV, you’ll need to park and take the shuttle. The payoff? Unbelievable alpine scenery, crystal-clear lakes, and tons of wildlife, from grizzlies to mountain goats. This is a park that deserves to be on every RVer’s bucket list.”
Alright, we’re getting into the top 3 most popular national parks for RVers! But before we do, I want to know—what’s the most breathtaking place you’ve ever camped in your RV? Drop your answer in the comments!
3. Gulf Islands National Seashore:
159,502 RV campers, 5.97%
Snowbirds, this one’s for you! Stretching across Florida and Mississippi, this park has a range of ecosystems to explore. The white sandy beaches and warm Gulf waters make the Fort Pickens area in Pensacola a perfect winter destination. Plus, there’s tons of history here. The historic fort is a short walk from the campground. And the Davis Bayou area in Ocean Springs, Mississippi, is full of marshes teaming with exotic birds and gators.
Fort Pickens is one of our favorite National Park campgrounds, and you can hear our RV travel recap on episode 94 of the RV Miles Podcast.
2. Great Smoky Mountains National Park:
176,473 RV campers, 6.60%
This is overall the most visited national park in the country, and RVers are a big part of that! The Smokies offer stunning fall colors, epic hiking, and plenty of campgrounds; just don’t expect much in the way of hookups unless you stay outside of the park at a private resort in Gatlinburg or Pigeon Forge. You can get your dose of nature and then hit up Dollywood or an all-you-can-eat pancake house.
Learn about the best (and secret) road to drive in the park and other ways to avoid the crowds in the most visited park on episode 192 of the RV Miles Podcast.
1. Yosemite National Park:
211,216 RV campers, 7.90%
And the number one most popular park for RVers – Yosemite. Yosemite is legendary, with towering granite cliffs, massive waterfalls, and ancient sequoias. Yosemite has 10 campgrounds that can accommodate RVs, there are very few sites that can accommodate big rigs. If you’re lucky enough to snag a site in the valley, you’ll be camping right in the heart of it all. Just be sure to book early—this is one of the hardest places to get an RV campsite.
While we didn’t stay inside the park, you can check out our RV travel recap of our time visiting Yosemite on episode 274 of the RV Miles Podcast.
