From Mountains to Cypress Swamps: Favorite State Parks for RVs

After seven years full-timing on the road, we have learned we love State Parks! They usually offer a quiet, peaceful and gorgeous destination at a great price. Often with a bigger spot than most commercial campgrounds. The backdrop of your day is a place where locals go and enjoy nature so you get a strong sense of place. These camps are places where we say, “Okay, we need to come back here.” And in fact, we have made it to a few multiple times! As I look back on our hundreds of camping experiences, here are a few that stood out and we highly recommend: (the links on the State Parks’ name take you to the campground website)

Lake Guntersville State Park • Guntersville, Alabama

This is one of the first State Parks we went to and it is no exaggeration to say it set the path of our full-time journey. We went to attend the RV Entrepreneur Summit, a three day in-person event for those who were full-timers and working on the road. Not only did we get introduced to the then owner of our future business, The Virtual Campground but we also met the people who would become our community on the road.

While you are unlikely to have the same experience since RVE is no longer there, you can experience the beauty and serenity of this awesome park. Wake to a soft fog drifting across Lake Guntersville, get out on the lake with a paddle board or kayak, and watch for bald eagles and deer. Take a hike or do the zip line if it is available. In late January, they feature Eagle Awareness weekends as the bald eagles nest for the winter. There is even a lodge where you can rent a room or have dinner.

The RV sites sit high above the water, and the views from camp are beautiful. The spaces are spacious, some have concrete pads and nearly all have full hook-ups.

Lake Dardanelle State Park • Russellville, Arkansas

Every fall for the past four or five, we have gone to Lake Dardanelle State Park in the fall. Barry does an annual photography workshop in the area to take advantage of the fall color and waterfalls. The first year, we discovered this wonderful campground, set right on the water and we gone back every year. There are certainly several other parks in the area that offer great beauty as well, but this has become our home base to rest and ready for our trek to Texas for the holidays.

Lake Dardanelle is a bird watchers paradise with a great variety of birds, including two resident eagles who make a nest across the lake. Depending on the time of year, you can see a great many migrating birds such as the pelicans that make their home here in the winter or various duck varieties. I was excited to see blue heron, egrets, American coots and many more.

It is also paradise for fishing enthusiasts. Home to several fishing tournaments, the lake has a variety of species. And a bunch of turtles! Most boaters are there to fish or just enjoy the quiet lake. There is not a lot of recreational boating as it is very shallow – only 8 feet! This makes it a great lake to get out on a kayak or paddle board. There is a marina nearby if you do have a boat or want to rent one. The Park Rangers do a weekly hour-long (and free!) boat tour on their pontoon. Make sure to sign up in the park office as it does fill up.

Speaking of the Rangers, they do a lot of great programming that gives you insights into the local flora and fauna. The office also has exhibts on the history and use of the lake as well as aquariums full of Arkansas fish. They also have a great store for your souvenirs. The staff is very friendly and helpful. Wood is for sale near the office and the campground hosts.

I do wish this park had more trails. There is a short learning trail, but it is a big park with a nice paved area that runs along the lake. The spaces are spacious near the water and get slightly closer together as you venture further away from the lake. They do have a lot of trees that give a feeling of privacy. All 57 sites have electricity and water, with the larger sites having sewer.

The nearby town of Russellville has a good bookstore and coffee shop, but this is not an area vibrant with shopping. There are numerous other parks within an hour with great trails, waterfalls, and views to explore.

Go to Lake Dardanelle when you are ready for a relaxing weekend and to enjoy the water or slow, easy rhythm of Arkansas.

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Lake Ouachita State Park • Mountain Pine, Arkansas

We recently tried Lake Ouachita State Park. It was lovely and more wooded than Lake Dardanelle. We didn’t get a waterfront site, but had a huge corner site amid the fall colored trees. I was able to put my hammock up past the picnic area for a clear view of fall color and the sound of woodpeckers, song birds and the occasional crow.

The water here is very clear, with rock bottom and deeper than Dardanelle. While the lake is down a hill, we were able to walk with our paddle board and kayak to do two paddles on this huge lake. On the night of a supermoon rise, we drove to the other side of the lake for a paddle out to watch the moonrise – beautiful! There are several coves that made us wish we had brought a blanket and picnic to paddle up and enjoy the solitude. With no development crowding the shoreline, the whole place feels untouched. It’s one of the most peaceful lakes I’ve ever spent time on.

There are three sections for RVs with at least one being more on the water. However, it is more crowded than our section which was full of tall pines. We managed to set the Starlink so it mostly had clear skies for when we needed it. The sites were very long with a huge area for a tent and picnic area with your table, grill and campfire pit. We had full hook ups and the pad was level.

There is a great 4 mile hike on the peninsula so that you get lake views for most of the hike. It is well marked and only has a couple of spots that are steep. The steeper spots are also short so most people can do it. The nearby town is small with not much to offer so you are really here to enjoy the Park and the Lake. Both of which are relaxing and peaceful.

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Ridgway State Park • Ridgway, Colorado

Colorado State Parks are excellent. And one of my favorites is Ridgway State Park. With amazing views of the San Juan Mountains, spacious campsites, and nearby must-see spots, I highly recommend this, not only as a campground but as a destination. In fact, I chose it as one of my top cities.

The campground is near to Ouray (one of the cutest and quirkiest towns!), Telluride and Montrose, home to Black Canyon of Gunnison National Park. The area is full of great hikes, amazing photography options, and cinematic history. True Grit with John Wayne was filmed in the area and there are many markers and signs to help you find the various settings. You can find breweries, skiing in winter, off-roading, restaurants, and so much more here.

The State Park itself has three sections with about 300 campsites. Two sections (Elk Ridge, Dakota Terraces) are closer to the reservoir. Camp at Elk Ridge if you like shade, Dakota Terraces for views of the reservoir. We have only stayed in the Pa-Co-Chu-Puk camp. And while the other campgrounds look nice, I really like the easy in and out of Pa-Co-Chu-Puk, as well as the larger sites and full hook ups. This campground would be ideal if you have a group with its great pavilion and multiple offerings. We wanted to hold Camp Carpe Diem here but it was not booking groups at that time.

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Watkins Glen State Park • Seneca, New York

We are not the only ones that think Watkins Glen is pure magic. This State Park routinely makes the lists for best state park and best hike. Featuring the well-know Watkins Glen Gorge, this wonderful campground amid the finger lakes is a great experience and starting point to explore the area.

The gorge has cascading waterfalls, moss-covered stone, arching bridges and just enough steps to make you know you got a good workout. You go up one side and down the other for ease and a different view. And you can reach it from the campground without having to repark. It just adds a few more steps to your hike. The visitor center at the bottom is in the middle of town and features a great store, complete with bathrooms and water to replenish for the hike up.

Located nearest to Seneca Lake, this area has wineries and local eateries that are a blast to explore. A beautiful blend of nature and charm, this area has something for everyone. You can get out on the lakes, drive the scenic area, go to a great farmers market in Ithaca or enjoy one of the fantastic wineries. This area specializes in Riesling, which I didn’t think I liked until I tried theirs.

The campground sits above the gorge in a peaceful forest. You truly feel like you are camping in the woods with barely a sign of your fellow campers. This is an extremely wooded campground with large sites and electricity only.

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Caddo Lake State Park • Uncertain, Texas

Caddo Lake is another campground we have been to many times for a photography workshop. It is one of the most unique campgrounds we visit. Sitting next to a Louisiana-style swamp, it offers a beautiful, other worldly atmosphere. The cypress trees tower over the still water, draped in Spanish moss that sways gently in the breeze. Birds and animals are abundant and nights come alive with frogs and crickets.

You definitely need to get on the water. Rent a boat or go on a tour to explore this unusual space. There are heavily wooded trails to explore the area and some very good playground and pavilion areas. The nearby towns of Jefferson and Marshall are great to explore, especially during the holidays. Marshall lights up in holiday decor starting right around Thanksgiving and Jefferson has a variety of shops to find great gifts.

The RV sites are also wooded and private, with large, sanded tent sites and a good picnic area. The bathrooms are well kept and firewood is available right in camp (except during burn bans).

This is Texas as you have never seen it.

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Palo Duro Canyon State Park • Canyon, Texas

This was the very first State Park we stayed in during our exploratory RV trip to see if we could really live in a rig full-time. Texas State Parks always rank highly on lists of best state parks for their amenities and beautiful surroundings. And Palo Duro is one of the best.

The colors of Palo Duro Canyon – reds, golds, rusts—shift as the day progresses.The second largest canyon in the country, it is a great place for photography and hikes. With 30 miles of trails, you can find one that is perfect for you. The Lighthouse Trail is one of my favorites – wide-open views, quiet stretches, and that delicious sense of space you get in Texas. At night, the stars make star gazing a must.

The rock walls tower above the campgrounds in a way that feels both humbling and nurturing. The sites are wide apart and well-packed. Most have electricity.

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Honorable Mentions

Here are a few more State Parks that we have really enjoyed:

St. Vrain SP • Longmont, Colorado

Maybe it is because it is the closest to our son, but I think it is for the great bike and walking path. This is a great place to stay whenever you are in the Denver area. Cherry Creek SP in Denver is also very nice, but hard to get a reservation.

• Best Sites: There are a few with full hook ups, we usually go for those on the outer loop
• Best Time to Visit: Spring and summer
• Don’t Miss: Trips into Boulder or Fort Collins for great breweries and restaurants

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Glacier View • Stanley, Idaho

We were blown away by the Sawtooth Mountains and had the best week in this campground which is just above the Redfish Lake. The lake is gorgeous and crystal clear. While you camp among trees, the sandy beach is not far away and the Redfish Lodge is adorable. It feels wonderfully remote without ever being inconvenient.

• Best Sites: All were great. We were in #44, perfect access to bathrooms and road to lake
• Best Time to Visit: Summer and early fall for lake activities and hikes
• Don’t Miss: Sunrise on the lake—still, glassy, and beautiful, breakfast at Redfish Lodge or just hang out on the chairs with a coffee looking at the lake

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Bayou Segnette SP – New Orleans, Louisiana

If you want to see New Orleans while RVing but are not comfortable driving into the city, this is a great spot. About a 30 minute drive from the French Quarter, this park is isolated from the surrounding city and suburbs, yet easy access. Make sure to ask about the senior discount as it starts at the young age of 62 and the America the Beautiful passholder discount.

• Best Sites: Exterior sites on the ends of the loops
• Best Season: Anytime other than summer if you don’t like hot and humid
• Don’t Miss: Bike around and over to the Day Pass area, Drive into New Orleans

Keith J. Charters Traverse City – Traverse City, Michigan

Michigan has a lot of great state parks. In fact, seventy two. This is where I really grew my appreciation for these campgrounds. Most of the campgrounds here are pretty rustic with no water or sewer, but with electricity in many sites. My only complaint is the spaces are tightly packed in. Probably to handle all the state residents who come out to enjoy the short summers. This one was special for the area which is rich in things to do and see.

• Best Sites: Shaded interior loops
• Best Season: July and August for peak Michigan summer
• Don’t Miss: Dark Chocolate cherries at Cherry Republic, the wineries and Sleeping Bear Dunes

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Cape Blanco • Port Orford, Oregon

I loved this park. In fact, it made my favorite campground of year in 2023. It was on a cliff above a gorgeous beach, had a lot of history including a cool lighthouse, and felt like we were blanketed by spruce and pine trees. Just watch out for the wind out on the cliffs, you will feel like you can sail away! The hikes around the park were awesome. In fact, one is part of the Pacific Coast Trail. Do it and then brag you did the PCT!

The biggest drawback was lack of cell service. We set up Starlink and might have had the ONLY campsite where it could work based on how it faced and the lack of trees in that direction.

• Best Site Types: Check out #26 – Starlink worked and close to trail to bathroom. No sewer but electrical and water in most sites.
• Best Season: Late summer/early fall though I think I could do the Oregon coast nearly any time of year.
• Don’t Miss: Sunset on the bluff, campfire on the beach

Why I Keep Returning to State Parks

State Parks have a quiet, relaxed air. Many of the campers are locals who use it as a get away to enjoy the beauty in their own backyard. I have enjoyed many quiet mornings, postcard views, friendly neighbors, and hammock days. For one more park located in FL, visit our guest blog on Sebastian Inlet SP.

These places are the reason we RV – to enjoy places of beauty and joy. Just don’t forget to Leave No Trace so others can enjoy the parks as well!

Wherever your road leads next, I hope at least one of these parks makes its way onto your list—they’re absolutely worth the journey.

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