Transwest Logo
Automotive Groups Automotive Groups
Horse & Livestock Trailers Horse & Livestock Trailers
RVs RVs
Commercial Trailers Commercial Trailers
Trucks Trucks
Transwest RVs Logo
  • Transwest RVs Logo
  • Find RVs
    • Find RVs
    • Class/Types
    • Makes
    • Models
    • Used RVs
    • View all RVs
    Class/Types
    • Class A RV Icon Class A
    • Class B RV Icon Class B
    • Class C RV Icon Class C
    • Super C RV Icon Super C
    • Bus Conversion RV Icon Bus Conversion
    • Toy Hauler Trailer Icon Toy Haulers
    • Travel Trailer Icon Travel Trailers
    • 5th Wheel Trailer Icon 5th Wheel
    • Hauler Truck Icon Haulers
    Used RV
    Find Used RVs All pre-owned RVs complete a rigorous inspection process to ensure the absolute best in quality and customer satisfaction.
    View all RVs
    Makes
    • Antero Adventure Motors Logo
    • Emerald Logo
    • Newmar Logo
    • Renegade Logo
    • Tiffin Logo
    • Winnebago Logo
    Used RV
    Find Used RVs All pre-owned RVs complete a rigorous inspection process to ensure the absolute best in quality and customer satisfaction.
    View all RVs
    Models

    Featured Models

    • Winnebago EKKO Winnebago EKKO
    • Antero Kakadu Antero Kakadu
    • Winnebago Revel Winnebago Revel
    • Winnebago Solis Winnebago Solis
    • Winnebago Navion Winnebago Navion
    • Newmar Ventana Newmar Ventana
    • Newmar King Aire Newmar King Aire
    • 2023 Renegade Verona 2023 Renegade Verona
    Used RV
    Find Used RVs All pre-owned RVs complete a rigorous inspection process to ensure the absolute best in quality and customer satisfaction.
    View all RVs
    Used RV
    Find Used RVs All pre-owned RVs complete a rigorous inspection process to ensure the absolute best in quality and customer satisfaction.
  • Sell My RV
  • Find Haulers
  • Financing
  • Service
  • Parts
  • Locations
  • Careers
  • Blog
  • Videos
Transwest.com uses cookies to provide you the best experience. Learn more.
Blog / 5 Bucket List RV Trips in the U.S.A.

5 Bucket List RV Trips in the U.S.A.

Travel
The Transwest Team
The Transwest Team
Aug 09, 2022
View across the water of Lake Superior of the lighthouse at Copper Harbor, Michigan

Spanning an incredible 3.797 million square miles of land, the U.S. is the fourth-largest country in the world by area. The terrain of the U.S. is as varied as the cultures and food. From the rugged mountains of the West to the painted deserts of the Southwest to the emerald beaches of the Florida coast to the rich fertile farmlands of the Midwest. Canvases of colossal landscapes throughout this alluring country lure travelers young and old.

For the RV enthusiast, the U.S. is an unending wealth of opportunities for adventure and exploration. With so many miles to cover and places to see, it can be hard to know where to begin! So, we’ve put together our top five bucket list RV trips in the U.S. to help you plan your bucket list.

Bridge across a creek with yellow foliage in the background in Great Smoky Mountain National Park

#1: Great Smoky Mountains National Park in North Carolina & Tennessee

Forests abound in America’s most visited national park. Known for its incredible diversity of plants and wildlife, the Great Smoky Mountains National Park is shared between Tennessee and North Carolina. Not only is this park a must-see due to the incredible beauty of the Smoky Mountains, but the park still holds remnants of the Southern Appalachian mountain culture, allowing visitors a glimpse into an incredibly unique and important part of the history and culture of the U.S.

Plan to hike to waterfalls, picnic in valleys with wildflowers in bloom, ascend to the top of Clingmans Dome, and watch wildlife in their natural habitat. This park is beautiful year-round with the spring, summer, and fall months offering the best weather and driving conditions.

Where to Stay

Great Smoky Mountains National Park features numerous campground options. Smokemont and Cades Cove campgrounds are the best fit for rigs up to 40 feet in length. For smaller motorhomes, Elkmont, Balsam Mountain, Deep Creek, and Cosby campgrounds are also a good fit.

Bison looking across a field in Yellowstone National Park

#2: Yellowstone National Park - Idaho, Montana, & Wyoming

In 1872, Yellowstone National Park became the first national park in the U.S. This incredible park features over 2.2 million acres of natural beauty. The landscape is nearly untouched by humans and the wonders of Yellowstone make it a true bucket-list destination. Watch active geysers, such as Old Faithful, explode and explore boiling pots of mud. The colors of the geothermal landscape of Yellowstone will transport you to another world.

In addition to the incredibly unique and unrivaled landscape of Yellowstone, the park is also home to beautiful mountain hikes, stunning valleys, and abundant wildlife that includes bison, grizzlies, and wolves.

Where to Stay

To get the most immersive experience, stay in the park at one of the many campgrounds. Be sure to book well in advance as the summer months book out early.

View across the desert including cacti and the mountains in the distance in Saguaro National Park

#3: Saguaro National Park - Tucson, Arizona

On the edge of Tucson, Arizona sits Saguaro National Park. In the heart of the Sonoran desert, this park is home to the largest cacti in the U.S. The giant saguaro is perhaps one of the most iconic cacti, commonly associated with the American west.

A visit to Saguaro National Park will not only allow you the chance to see these incredible cacti up close and personal, but it will afford you stunning views of the beautiful deserts of the Southwest. The eastern portion of the park also boasts a sky island, where bears, cougars, and coati live. Not only will you find Saguaro National Park a unique experience unlike that found in most of the U.S., but it will also afford you the chance to explore the neighboring city of Tucson. Home to a vibrant arts scene, delectable cuisine, and lively nightlife, Tucson is a sparkling gem buried in the depths of the earthen desert.

Where to Stay

The national park itself does not offer camping, but you can book a stay at Gilbert Ray Campground on the edge of Tucson. This campground is located only three miles from the park entrance and makes it easy to also explore the nearby city.

View across the water of Lake Superior of the lighthouse at Copper Harbor, Michigan

#4: Lake Superior - Copper Harbor, MI

The Upper Peninsula of Michigan is famed for its sprawling forests, crystal clear springs and rivers, and access to the banks of the sea-like Lake Superior. Head to the uppermost tip of the peninsula to spend some time soaking in nature in Copper Harbor, Michigan.

Copper Harbor is a small shorefront town with ample opportunity to hike nearby trails and to head out onto the lake via boat. For the mountain biking enthusiast, the Copper Harbor Bike Trail System will challenge and excite with mountain bike festivals taking place each summer. At the end of a long day spent in nature, enjoy dining at one of the many restaurants in the town, sampling the hearty cuisine of the Midwest.

Where to Stay

For more amenities, opt for a stay at Lake Fanny Hooe Resort and Campground. For a more rustic experience, stay at Trails End Campground. Both options offer you easy walkability into town.

Northern lights over Denali National Park

#5: Denali National Park - Denali, Alaska

No U.S. RV bucket list would be complete without mentioning the incredibly rugged and wild Denali National Park. A trek that few will take, reaching Denali, Alaska, requires a commitment of time and a touch of bravery.

The park itself has only one road and only one road entrance. The 92-mile park road runs from east to west and provides you with incredible views of forests, mountain passes, and alpine tundra. Around 6 million acres in size, most of Denali National Park remains untouched by human development. This is a park for the nature enthusiast to truly get away. And, of course, no trip would be complete without laying eyes on the tallest mountain peak in North America, Mount Denali at 20,310 feet.

Where to Stay

Camp in the park at one of the many campgrounds available. Be sure to book well in advance for a summer visit to the park.

Stop by Transwest to Find Your Next Adventure

If you have been inspired to head out to the must-see locations on your bucket list, we are here to help. Stop by a Transwest location to find out more about our vast selection of quality RVs. We look forward to helping you find the perfect fit for wherever the road takes you next.

RVs for Sale

Check out the best in RVs.

Find RVs
  • 2021 Winnebago

    2021 Winnebago

    Revel 44E

    Used Class B

    $217,429 Frederick, CO
    View details
  • Transwest | Image Coming Soon

    2023 Tiffin

    Allegro Bus 45 OPP

    New Class A

    $619,605 Belton, MO
    View details
  • Transwest | Image Coming Soon

    2024 Winnebago

    Vita 24P

    New Class C

    $192,842 Fountain, CO
    View details
  • 2023 Newmar

    2023 Newmar

    Bay Star 3629

    New Class A

    $240,962 Belton, MO
    View details
  • 2023 Winnebago

    2023 Winnebago

    Solis 59PX

    New Class B

    $132,065 Frederick, CO
    View details
  • 2023 Winnebago

    2023 Winnebago

    Revel 44E

    New Class B

    $157,687 Fountain, CO
    View details
  • 2022 Renegade

    2022 Renegade

    Vienna 25VFWS

    Used Class C

    $167,234 Fountain, CO
    View details
  • 2022 Newmar

    2022 Newmar

    New Aire 3545

    Used Class A

    $357,105 Belton, MO
    View details
  • 2024 Winnebago

    2024 Winnebago

    Vita 24P

    New Class C

    $192,842 Frederick, CO
    View details
  • 2023 Newmar

    2023 Newmar

    Dutch Star 4071

    New Class A

    $575,476 Grand Junction, CO
    View details
Find RVs

Tags

  • Travel
Transwest RVs Logo

At Transwest, we only carry the best quality RV makes. Not only can we help you find exactly what you’re looking for, but we also offer financing, parts, and service. Think of us as your one-stop-shop for RVs. Find the perfect RV for you

Share

Email

Email

Facebook

Facebook

SMS

SMS

Twitter

Twitter

Keep Reading

National Park Service sign

Travel

Top 5 National Parks to Visit by RV

There’s nothing quite like America’s many national parks to explore the great outdoors, and there’s no better way to experience many of them t...