Hitting the road in a camper van is one of the most intimate – and exciting – ways to experience the USA.
Which is why I set off on a two-year road trip with my husband and dog in 2017. We camped in 48 states, hiked countless national parks, ate in local towns and drove from coast to coast in our 1996 retro camper van.
As our trip unfolded, we learned that certain states suited us van campers better than others. The states of the Southwest, for example, contain a wide diversity of landscapes within their free public lands. The East Coast amazed us with stunning fall colors and historic towns we had previously only seen in books.
While every state added something unique to our adventure, a few really stood out. Having now crossed the entire continental United States, we’re delighted to share the 10 best US states that are perfect for your next camper or RV trip.
Where to find the best US national parks for RV campers this summer
1. Maine
Pine forests and craggy coasts
Driving into Maine from its northwest side brings tall pine trees, skinny roads and no cell phone service for miles. This was the stuff of a novel by famous Mainer Stephen King – and to us West Coast folks, it was the unfamiliar territory that made the trip that much more exciting. In northern Maine, the entire landscape smells like Christmas trees. (We learned from a fellow camper that balsam fir collected from Maine provides the largest supply of Christmas wreaths in the country.) Heading toward the coast, we reached Acadia National Park, where the mountains meet the ocean. We were happy to find that this is one of the most dog-friendly parks in the USA, which meant we got to bring our travel companion along many of the trails.
The 10 best parks in Maine to hike, snowshoe or swim
2. New York
Forget the city, and head upstate
Putting New York State on our top-10 list was a tough call, since it shares so many things we loved about Vermont and New Hampshire as well, like incredible fall foliage. Yet New York makes the cut thanks to its surprising (to us) range of geography. From Eternal Flame Falls in the state’s far west to wineries in the Finger Lakes and watchtower hikes high in the the Adirondacks, we barely had enough time to check off everything on our must-visit list. And that’s not to mention the more well-known Lake Placid Olympic sites, Niagara Falls and Letchworth State Park. What’s more the hiking trails all over the state really impressed us. Now that we’ve sampled a bit of all the state has to offer, it’s at the top of our itinerary for future road trips.
6 Hudson Valley road trips for every type of traveler
3. Tennessee
The Great Smoky Mountains are especially beautiful in fall
Great Smoky Mountains National Park is the most visited one in the whole country – and for good reason. As we visited the park and drove through Tennessee in the fall, we took in the rolling mountains and waterfalls that dot the landscape, finding countless surprises around each corner of the twisty back roads.
Traveling in a camper van, we’re always on the lookout for affordable things to do. The mountain town of Gatlinburg is the perfect gateway for enjoying free trails in and around the national park. We spent the majority of our visit hiking through the colorful forests and climbing fire towers to get the best viewpoint.
Where to celebrate Dolly Parton in Tennessee
4. California
Experience a little bit of everything
If we had to pick one state to experience a little bit of everything, it would be California. Its ecosystems are so varied that you don’t need to drive too far to witness something new; in fact, the place is so large and diverse that it shouldn’t even count as a single state. Despite the state’s famous popularity, the vast size of its public lands made finding campsites easy. Within the space of a few days, we spent evenings under the famous redwood trees, had picnics by the ocean and wandered aimlessly among the cacti of Death Valley National Park. Oh, and rock climbed in Joshua Tree National Park, took a dip in Lake Tahoe and hiked among the rocks of Lassen Volcanic National Park.
Here’s what you need to know before your trip to California
5. Pennsylvania
A cradle of American history
Pennsylvania turned out to be one of the most memorable states we visited, thanks to its role in the USA’s story. We spent an entire day taking an auto tour around the Gettysburg National Military Park, and seeing the battlefields in person brought to life the history we had read in school. Eastern State Penitentiary and Valley Forge National Historic Park were other stops we hadn’t considered before rolling into Pennsylvania. While federal public land is sparse here, Pennsylvania has numerous state parks that offer free, easily accessible camping.
The 5 best road trips in the Poconos
6. Michigan
Great Lakes and pristine beaches
From its southern stretches to the Upper Peninsula, Michigan has a surprising number of pristine beaches that are not packed with tourists like the ones we visited in California. One of my favorite memories is camping on the shore of Lake Superior, having dinner on a pebble beach after several days of visiting Great Lakes lighthouses.
We were able to find camping spots all the way north to the UP, feasting on whitefish and pasties (meat pies) along the way. In the summer months, bushes brim with fresh berries to pick, and farmers markets abound with fresh produce.
11 of the best places to visit in Michigan
7. Minnesota
See the northern lights on a fall night
We just loved Minnesota, which rarely makes the list of top road-trip spots in the USA. Known as the state of 10,000 lakes, Minnesota had no shortage of fishing holes and quiet campsites by the water. We were able to travel all the way north to the border of Canada and take a canoe trip in the Boundary Waters. While Minnesota winters are exceptionally cold, fall is lovely here. And the chances are high that you can see the northern lights on a cloudless night.
Minnesota’s best – and most underrated – state parks
8. Arizona
Natural wonders for everyone; off-grid travelers most welcome
For outdoor enthusiasts who love mountain biking, rock climbing and stunning hikes, Arizona is a gem. While most people (rightly) associate the state with the Grand Canyon, all of it is ripe for adventure. Free campsites are scattered in the forests surrounding Sedona, Flagstaff and southern Arizona, which makes it one of the most budget-friendly places to visit year-round.
We loved Arizona’s warmth and hospitality toward explorers from elsewhere. Indeed, the state is a magnet for anyone interested in off-grid living. Each February, the town of Quartzsite swells to accommodate nearly 2 million travelers, who visit in camper vans, RVs and converted school buses. Workshops and community events held on the outskirts of town teach travelers about van life, provide help with solar-panel installations and bring people together to share tips on future road trips. All these services for nomads provide a sense of community – which, together with the fair weather, make Arizona the perfect launchpad for an epic road trip.
Introducing Arizona’s national parks and monuments
9. New Mexico
Do you prefer red or green chile?
Starry nights. Predictable (even if chilly) temperatures. Few flying bugs. What’s not to love about camping in the desert? And when it comes to spectacular desert vistas, New Mexico is in a class of its own. Endless trails lead through spire-like hoodoo rock formations, while a lack of trees in the north allows for excellent landscape visibility, and some of the most magnificent sunsets we’ve ever seen. It’s also home to our favorite cave system, Carlsbad Caverns National Park, on the state’s southern border.
New Mexico’s camping logistics are appealing, too. Large swaths of Bureau of Land Management (BLM)–managed areas allow free camping, and the state generally flies under the radar, which makes it less crowded even in the most scenic areas. And we ate vibrant cuisine at affordable prices all over the state, an underrated food haven. Red or green chile? We’ll take both.
How to take a perfect spring-break road trip through New Mexico
10. Utah
Come for the national parks. All five of them
Home to five national parks, Utah might be the most picturesque state we visited. Our goal? Getting to all of the Mighty 5: Capitol Reef National Park, Canyonlands National Park, Arches National Park, Bryce Canyon National Park and Zion National Park. An essential tip we picked up along the way: get to the national parks early. By following this advice, we were able to beat the crowds; it often felt like we had the park to ourselves. Climbing Angels Landing in Zion had always been a goal of mine – but the trail can be overly packed by 10am. Arriving early made all the difference; here was a fantastic way to take advantage of the mobility a camper van affords you.
