Summer inspires thoughts of family vacations. While the kids are off school, what better time to organize for RV summer family vacations? The temperature is warm and suitable for swimming and water activities. Everyone is out having fun, and the roads are accessible. RVers know summer is the perfect time to choose fascinating places and set off on the road!
My enjoyable family vacations are always in the summer. I travel with my family and frequently run into other RVer families. People often share their favorite RV summer vacation spots with me since I enjoy discussing the different areas I’ve been to.
Consequently, I recommend five beautiful places in this article. You will find at least one excellent destination, whether traveling with young children, adolescents, adult children, or grandparents. Finally, I give tips on how to prepare for a summer RV vacation with the family.
RV Vacations Destinations
Not all activities will be appropriate for the entire family. Therefore, you should consider the ages of the family members when planning a family trip. If you have young children, they would prefer park themes to adventure sports like ziplining or hiking.
I’ve classified the places to visit by age group based on the range of activities the family members will enjoy.
Disney World Theme Parks, Orlando, Florida- For The Small Kids
The Disney World Theme Parks in Orlando, Florida, is among the best family trip ideas for small kids. The theme parks include the Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Hollywood Studios, and Animal Kingdom.
Not far from Disney’s theme parks, you can take your kids for a tour at Universal Studios and explore the world of Harry Potter.
Where to stay: Less than 15 minutes by car will get you to Disney World’s theme parks if you stay at Fort Wilderness Resort & Campgrounds. RVs longer than 45 feet are acceptable at the resort.
The table below shows what Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort offers regarding amenities and activities.
| Activities | Amenities |
| Swimming-heated pools, whirlpool spas, water slides | Shuttles to the parks |
| Electrical water pageant | Golf carts for rent. Use them to explore the campground with ease |
| Chip’ N’ Dale’s Campfire Sing-A-Long | Canoeing & Fishing |
| Holiday sleigh rides, pony rides | Cable television |
| Fort Wilderness archery experience | Charcoal grill and picnic table |
| Canoeing & fishing | Privacy enhancing landscape |
| Tennis courts | Restaurants and stores |
| Private carriage rides |
You can check out other campgrounds on Florida’s east coast.
Gatlinburg SkyPark, Tennessee- For The Adventurous Teens
Surprise your teenagers with a visit to Gatlinburg SkyPark. In addition to serving as the entrance to the most popular national park, it offers many summertime activities for tweens. Aim to visit the following locations.
- The Great Smokey Mountains National Park
- The Ripleys Aquariums
- Great Smoky Arts And Crafts Community
- Alpine slide
Apart from the various sites, Gatlinburg’s Smokey Mountain National Park has 800 miles of hiking trails, biking and horse riding trails, and white water rafting.
Where to stay: Smoky Bear Campground & RV Park is a great place to stay. The camp has 45 full hookup sites with water, WiFi access, 30/50 amp power, cable TV, and sewer. They have a book and movie library for those days your family wants to stay indoors and a general store selling RV essentials and souvenirs.
You can also camp at the Twin Creek RV Resort or Camp le Conte.
In his YouTube channel, RoadtripDave, Dave describes the Smoky Mountain Alpine Coaster in Pigeon Forge, TN.
International Balloon Fiesta, Albuquerque, New Mexico-For The Grown-Up Kids
Alt: Albuquerque, New Mexico.
Your adult children will undoubtedly appreciate the grand circle tour of national parks and monuments in Albuquerque. Explore New Mexico’s different attractions and camp in Albuquerque. You can rent an RV from RV rental sites in Albuquerque.
The town is home to the International Balloon Fiesta, though you might have to visit in the fall for this event. However, don’t miss the Fractal shows held on the first Friday of every month. Other activities you and your adult kids can enjoy here include.
- The Ghost Tour of Old Town, New Mexico’s oldest ghost walk
- Hot Air Balloon Tour in New Mexico-Albuquerque, New Mexico
- ABQ City Guided History Tour – Albuquerque
- Scavenger Hunt Adventure in Albuquerque by Zombie Scavengers
- Casa Rondena Winery
Where to stay: Balloon View RV Park is near the famous Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta grounds. The park accommodates even the most giant RV rigs. Campsites have full-hook and are spacious. They are designed for pull-through and exit; you won’t have difficulty navigating.
Restrooms, laundry facilities, showers, a free WiFi hotspot, a seasonal pool (closed in the winter), and an on-site fitness center are available in the park. Pets are welcome but should be under the owner’s control and on a leash.
If you miss a slot at Balloon View Park, head to Koa Campgrounds Albuquerque, Coronado Village, or American RV Park. This trip promises to be one of the best family trips you’ll ever take.
Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park, Telluride, Colorado-RV Vacation Without The Kids
Here is a vacation we look forward to without the kids, even if it’s only for one week! My wife and I had a wonderful time in this historic mining town at the beginning of summer. We started with a visit to the Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park. The next day, we headed over to the Arches National Park.
We could only participate in a small number of the many activities in Telluride. However, it would be best to visit the following places when you visit Colorado.
- Basin Trail
- Bear Creek Trail
- Durango Hot Springs
- Cornet Creek Falls
- Canyonlands National Park
- Bridal Veil Falls
- Garden Of Gods Park
Where to stay: RV camping is only possible at the Telluride town park campground. Easy walking distance from downtown Telluride, the camp is between the San Miguel River and Bear Creek on the east end of town. However, RV camping is only allowed during the summer.
There’s a 30-foot limit for the RVs—unfortunately, there are no dump stations or hookups at the camp. But no worries, you can find free RV dump stations around. However, showers, bathrooms, a pool, and tennis courts are available. Reservation is online, and there is limited availability.
Dollywood Theme Park, Pigeon Forge, Tennessee- For The Grandparents And The Grandkids
You must be wondering where the kids were, as my wife and I enjoyed the start of the summer in Colorado. Our parents, great RVers, took them to the Dollywood Theme Park. If you have yet to go to this park, you haven’t had the best American family road trip possible!
The park has over 50 world-class rides and a friendly theme park atmosphere. There are activities that grandparents will enjoy with their grandkids.
| Activities | |
| Tailspin racer | Bear Mountain Fire Tower |
| Raging river rapids | Mountain twist |
| Little Creek Falls | Swift water run |
| Slick rock racer | River rush |
| The cascades | Wild River Falls |
| Downbound float trip | Big Bear plunge |
Where to stay: Dollywood’s DreamMore Campground, 10 minutes from the theme park, is fantastic. The campground provides a selection of RV sites with full hookups, including cable TV, electric service, water, and sewer. The campground also features a swimming pool, a picnic area, and a free shuttle service to nearby parks.
Your family can also stay at the Yogi Bear’s Jellystone Park Pigeon Forge | Gatlinburg or Pigeon Forge Koa Campgrounds.
Tips for Planning An RV Summer Family Vacation
Planning is the first step to choosing a location. It would be wise to involve the other parties unless you are a single RVer and are already aware of what you want to do. Although kids might not contribute financially, they will have ideas for what they want to do on their vacation.
Let me show you my family trip planner.
Involve The Other Parties
Allow your children to express their choices for activities. The suggestions might vary if you have more than two children, significantly if their ages differ. However, if you have a list of their activities, you can look for areas the majority favors or split the groups on certain days.
Determine What Kind Of Trip It Is
Is it intended for exploration or relaxation? Find a campground with lots of activities for relaxation, and stay there. Moving every two days might be necessary if it’s for exploration. Have a detailed itinerary of all the places you’ll be seeing and the campsites you’ll be staying at. Be sure to reserve early.
Research
Go through the different activities and conduct in-depth research on the places that can offer the family the best opportunity to have fun. Research the numerous RV campgrounds, activities, and attractions surrounding the area. The location should be as close to many attractions and activities as possible.
Look for family-friendly campgrounds; you don’t want to bring your kids to a place that allows crazy drinking and partying. Whenever I want a vacation that isn’t too far away, I always search for “vacation ideas near me” on the internet.
Budgeting
You already know where to find most of the activities on your list of destinations. Find out about the rate of the campgrounds, sightseeing and activity fees, the distance, the best mode of transportation, and RV rental options if you’re not using your own. I always keep aside 40% on top of the overall amount to cover emergencies.
Booking and reservations
Specific campsites and locations demand bookings months in advance. If you want to go at a popular time of year, like the summer, make reservations early.
Pack On Time
By starting to pack early, you give yourself time to consider what is essential and what is not. If the trip is long, plan snacks and easy meals. Even though you’re going on a summer vacation, you should pack cold-weather gear just in case. You can avoid having to buy more clothing this way.
Ensure All The Systems Are Working
Ensure all the RV’s parts are working and you know how to use them if you’re new to RVing. Do you know how to work the furnace and the AC, turn the water on, empty the waste water tanks, and turn the table into a bed? Get RV rental insurance, preferably from your existing car insurance provider.
The length of your vacation will also impact how you plan. Is the trip brief? Do you plan to travel for a year with family? If you intend to travel for an extended period, you must make arrangements for the upkeep of your house. Who will look after your pets, or will you take them on the trip? Look into pet-friendly campgrounds if you take your pets on a camping trip.
Conclusion
The best way to unwind during the summer is with fun family trips, and by providing you with suggestions for beautiful locations, we hope you and your family can make the most of the summer break.
Remember to budget early, make reservations, and ensure everything runs smoothly to have the ideal family vacation.
