Saturday, April 21 officially kicked off National Park Week, and the National Park Service is celebrating by offering free admission to all its serviced parks and sites – including the 118 that charge entrance fees. It’s the perfect time to take that long awaited trip to the Grand Canyon, or cross climbing Yosemite’s El Capitan off your bucket list. If you are looking for some travel inspiration, we’ve rounded up a list of the our top 6 National Parks!
Tuweep, North Rim, Grand Canyon National Park – Arizona
This is the perfect camping spot for the Winnebago Revel. The stunning view from Toroweap Overlook can only be reached by negotiating difficult roads. At 3,000 vertical feet (880 m) above the Colorado River, the sheer drop from Toroweap Overlook offers a dramatic view. The volcanic cinder cones and lava flows in this ancestral home of the Southern Paiute people make this area unique. Tuweep does not allow vehicles longer than 22 ft. so the Revel’s 19’5” are perfect, you will certainly put the off-road tires to use to get to this campsite.
You are in for some serious views when you reach your camping site. Learn more here.
Pinon Flats, Great Sand Dunes National Park – Colorado
Pinon Flats Campground is located in Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve in southern Colorado. The huge dunes are the tallest in North America and comprise about 11 percent of an enormous sand deposit that covers more than 330 square miles. The dunes have long stood as a landmark for travelers from ancient North Americans to Southern Ute, Jicarilla Apaches, Navajos, early explorers, gold miners, homesteaders, ranchers, farmers and migrant field workers, to you – today’s park visitor.
Pinon Flats is located one mile north of the Great Sand Dunes NP visitor center and is open April thru October each year. Pinon Flats is a bit more “RV friendly” than Tuweep. There are 3 loops of camping spots, loop 1 and 2 are for tents and RVs up to 35 feet. There are no hookups, but there are local dump stations and a local camping supply store between loop 1 and 2.
Expect to see wildlife at Pinon Flats including black bears! Learn more here.
Savage River Campground, Denali National Park – Alaska
Home to North America’s tallest peak, Denali has been a mecca for mountaineering and adventuring for more than a century. Today, the park continues to enchant climbers, pack-rafters, skiers, dog mushers and athletes seeking to test themselves against the raw, unchecked power of a truly wild landscape.
This campground is near the end of the paved, publicly-accessible portion of the Denali Park Road. You may drive a car or RV to and from the campground any time of the day or night when the campground is open. There are 32 spots available in Savage River Campground and RVs (with tow cars) under 40 ft. are allowed in Savage River Campground. Learn more here.
Fruita, Capital Reef National Park – Utah
The Fruita Campground is often described as an oasis within the desert. Adjacent to the Fremont River and surrounded by historic orchards, this developed campground has 64 RV/tent sites and 7 walk-in tent sites. Each site has a picnic table and firepit (walk-in sites have a grill instead of a firepit), but no individual water, sewage, or electrical hookups. There is a RV dump and potable water fill station near the entrance to Loops A and B. Restrooms feature running water and flush toilets, but no showers. Accessible sites are located adjacent to restrooms. Learn more here.
Seawall, Acadia National Park – Maine
Seawall Campground is located in breathtaking Acadia National Park on the western side of Mount Desert Island on the Maine Coast. The campground is approximately 18 miles from Bar Harbor and the park loop road. Visitors venture to Acadia for its picturesque scenery, historic sites and recreational activities, including hiking, biking and canoeing. Southwest Harbor is located on the west side of Mount Desert Island. The west side of the Island is considered the “quiet side” of Mount Desert Island. All the sites at Seawall Campground are wooded and within a 10-minute walk to the ocean. There are many beautiful and quiet hiking trails on this side of the Island, as well as Echo lake, a wonderful lake for swimming, fishing, canoeing, kayaking and picnics. Acadia is comprised of a cluster of islands on the Atlantic coast of Maine. Mountains, lakes, streams, wetlands, forests, meadows and beaches are all found within roughly 45,000 acres comprising Acadia. Explore Acadia here.
Slough Creek, Yellowstone National Park – Wyoming
Slough Creek Campground is located in Lamary Valley near some of the best wildlife watching opportunities in the park. Located at the end of a two-mile graded dirt road, this campground is best suited for tents and small RVs. Slough Creek is a very popular stream for fishing. The famous, scenic Beartooth Pass is a short drive away. There are plenty of hiking opportunities nearby, including the Slough Creek Trail which begins nearby. Nighttime offers a quiet, unimpeded view of the stars and the possibility of hearing wolves howl.
Visit Yellowstone and experience the world’s first national park. Marvel at a volcano’s hidden power rising up in colorful hot springs, mudpots, and geysers. Explore mountains, forests, and lakes to watch wildlife and witness the drama of the natural world unfold. Discover the history that led to the conservation of our national treasures “for the benefit and enjoyment of the people.” Learn more here.