Is a cross country RV trip on your bucket list? Maybe you only have time to visit one destination and are looking to stay safe during the pandemic. RV travel is the preferred travel choice for many because of its unique potential. Let's take a peek at the ten most popular RV destinations according to the RVshare Travel Sentiment Survey.
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The Most Popular RV Destinations In 2020
Most RV trips and staycations are in these ten metro areas
- Salt Lake City, UT
- Denver, CO
- Houston, TX
- Phoenix, AZ
- San Bernardino, CA
- Portland, OR
- Sacramento, CA
- Fort Worth, TX
- San Diego, CA
- Orlando, FL
Salt Lake City
The Great Salt Lake and Big Cottonwood Canyon are two of the most popular outdoor landmarks near Salt Lake City. Both Arches National Park and Bryce National Park are an approximate four-hour drive away from the city if you want to see the great outdoors.
Denver
The Denver area can also be your basecamp to visit Estes National Park and Rocky Mountain National Park. One outdoor attraction that's open in Denver is the Denver Botanic Gardens. Nearby Boulder can be a great place to see the fall foliage as you embark on the 55-mile "Peak to Peak Scenic and Historic Byway."
Houston
You might go to Houston this fall to escape the colder climates once the leaves turn colors back home. Consider finding a spot near Galveston or another Gulf Coast location to enjoy the beach. Austin and San Antonio are also two nearby road trip ideas.
Phoenix
Arizona is a pleasant Rv destination for fall, winter and spring. You can venture toward Flagstaff and the Grand Canyon National Park to escape the heat and enjoy epic views. Tucson is not far away either. Or, you might stay around Phoenix to enjoy the Sonora Desert and potentially work on your golf swing.
San Bernardino
Enjoy sunny Southern California while avoiding the bustle of Los Angeles and San Diego. San Bernardino is a hidden gem letting you easily access the Pacific Ocean or inland landmarks, including Joshua Tree National Park. One must-see attraction is the 101-mile long World of the Rim Highway going from San Bernardino to Big Bear Lake. Americana fans can see the original McDonald's restaurant in San Bernardino too.
Portland
There's plenty to see and do in the greater Portland area. For one, consider hiking in the Columbia River Gorge. Wine tasting in the Willamette Valley is a fun outing too. Mount Tabor Park is built on an extinct volcano in Portland and open to foot traffic.
Sacramento
Sacramento is a great place to start exploring northern California. Yosemite National Park is three hours east, and Lake Tahoe is two hours away. There are other nature trails and historical landmarks to visit in and around Sacramento to learn more about early California history and the state's green scenery that many love.
Fort Worth
Going to Fort Worth lets you enjoy the best of historic Texas and modern Texas. For instance, you might go to the Fort Worth Stockyards to see "the world's only" twice-daily cattle drive. Everything is bigger and better in Texas, right? You might also enjoy relaxing at one of the nearby lakes or have fun at the Six Flags Over Texas amusement park that's now open on weekends.
San Diego
There's never really a wrong time to visit San Diego, although some attractions are open for virtual tours only. You might enjoy the Pacific beaches, Coronado Island or the area's naval history. Biking and paddle boarding can be fun excursions too.
Orlando
Orlando has plenty of theme parks to visit, including Disney World with advance reservations. Besides theme parks, airboat adventures let you tour the Florida Everglades or you can reach the Atlantic Ocean in an hour if you go to Cocoa Beach. If you prefer the clear waters of the gulf, the greater Tampa area is two hours away.
Renting An RV
It's possible to rent an RV or self-contained travel trailer that can be delivered to your destination. You don't have to a heavy-duty pickup, special license or past towing experience to enjoy this travel option. More importantly, you don't have to buy an RV or camper before you can hit the road.
The convenience makes it possible to visit new places while you attend school and work virtually. You might also rent an RV to visit family but maintain social distancing.
RVshare's Travel Sentiment Survey indicates that 69% of respondents plan on traveling in the next three months. Most hope to be away for seven to ten days.
Self-Contained Travel Is The Way To Go
While RV travel has always been popular, self-contained tow-behind campers and drivable motorhomes are extremely popular this year.
The primary reason is for the self-contained kitchen and bathroom. Some campgrounds may still not have the community bathrooms and kitchen stations open that are vital to tent campers and basic pop-up campers.
Although most hotels require face masks in public areas and offer to-go breakfast instead of a continental buffet, you're more likely to come into contact with other guests. Being in your own unit can be more relaxing, even if it's different than your regular lodging habits.
It's possible to find a large rental for under $100 per night that fits several guests. More luxurious accommodations, like a Class A motorhome, will cost more. These nightly costs can be cheaper than vacation rentals or a quality hotel room. You can also enjoy going on a travel adventure as you try something different.
Monitor Local Travel Restrictions
Although some of these RV destinations are quite popular, you will need to observe local travel restrictions. As usual, stay home if you don't feel well or have come into recent contact with a person who tests positive for COVID-19.
None of these top 10 destinations have a mandatory quarantine for out-of-state tourists, at least at the time of publication. However, anything can change at the last minute, as we know all too well this year. Having your own RV or trailer at least makes it easy to change your travel trajectory to find an RV-friendly destination.
Summary
These places let you see impressive natural treasures across the United States. Staying in an RV can give you more privacy and flexibility than flying or taking the train to reach your destination. You may even visit an old favorite and see it in a different light as you camp instead of staying at a hotel or homestay.
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