America at 250: State Parks Made for RV Adventures
For many RVers, the experience doesn’t start with bucket-list trips to national parks. It begins closer to home at local parks and beaches or state parks. There’s a good reason for this.
Accessible, affordable, and big on local culture, state park camping puts you in the center of cozy communities and rich history. Even seasoned travelers will find something new to explore as they venture across their home state or set off on the open road to new regions.
The best RV spots in top parks fill up quickly. Book ahead for your summer trip, especially this year, as the US celebrates America 250. State parks represent a roadmap of our country’s journey across 250 years. From battlefields to majestic waterfalls, you’ll find more than just run-of-the-mill hiking trails if you know where to look.
We chose these parks for their history, attractions, and RV accommodations. From the Redwood forests of Northern California to the tip of Long Island, these parks were made for your RV.
Letchworth State Park – Geneseo, NY
Many visitors call Letchworth State Park the Grand Canyon of the East but if you roll up expecting cavernous cliffs rivaling one of the world’s seven wonders, you might be disappointed. Realign your expectations and prepare to be awed, because Letchworth delivers wonders of its own with three majestic waterfalls, 66 miles of hiking trails, and breathtaking views. Stick around until nightfall to see the waterfalls illuminated by LEDs, giving the forest a magical air as technology meets nature.
Treat yourself to dinner at Caroline’s at the Glen Iris Inn; the New York strip or 20-oz prime rib is enough for two people to share. The restaurant is steeped in history, named after Caroline Bishop, executive assistant to William Pryor Letchworth. The businessman and philanthropist ultimately donated his land so it became the state park we know today.
You can learn more about Letchworth’s legacy at the on-site museum near the inn. The museum spotlights Native American history, including the Seneca tribes that once inhabited the land and the Genesee Valley Canal, along with Letchworth’s preservation efforts.
Unhook your toad and head into the nearby town of Geneseo for shopping or a quick bite. The walkable Main Street stretch has vintage stores, art, jewelry and boutique clothing. Aunt Cookies Sub Shop has been in business since 1971 and comes highly recommended by locals and college students.
Deer Run Winery, Conesus Lake’s oldest winery, serves small plates, flat breads, sandwiches, salads, wine flights, and Sunday brunch, perfect for a relaxing afternoon after a morning hike. Finger Lakes wines have a unique, robust taste so you may want to bring a few bottles home.
Hookups: 270 electric sites (30 and 50 amp available)
Amenities: Water fill-ups, showers, dump Stations, restrooms, restaurants
Size limits: None indicated
Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park – Crescent City, CA
Northern California has many vast forests, including Humboldt, Big Basin, and Henry Cowell Redwoods State Parks, to experience giant redwood trees.
For the most RV-friendly accommodations, you’ll want Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park outside of Crescent City, CA. The park holds 7 percent of all old-growth redwoods left in the world, according to the California State Parks website.
The 10,000-acre park has trees standing over 350 feet tall, with trunks 20 feet in diameter. The park has multiple trails of easy to moderate difficulty. As you get deeper into the park, though, it may get harder to navigate.
RedwoodHikes.com recommended the Boy Scout Tree Trail, a 2.8-mile walk through some of the most astounding redwoods along with undergrowth that sets this park apart.
If you want to do more than just look at the trees, drive about 20 miles south to the Klamath Tour Thru Tree in Del Norte County, where you can drive your car through a redwood. This tree is “small” as redwoods go, measuring just 90 feet tall with a 17-foot trunk, according to Atlas Obscura, but able to accommodate a GMC Denali. (Don’t try to bring your camper through!)
It’s worth staying in Crescent City for a bit, including a stop at Crescent State Beach. If you’re doing a California tour, spring for the California Explorer Vehicle Day Use Pass for $195 to visit state parks and beaches with your car.
Play disc golf, visit the North Coast Marine Mammal Center, and stop at the Battery Point Lighthouse and Museum, a site that’s appeared in many movies and TV shows because of its beauty. In 1964, Crescent City was nearly wiped away in a tsunami and the lighthouse played a key role as its keepers watched history in the making in the tumultuous waters.
Hookups: None
Amenities: Dump station, toilets, showers
Size limits: Trailers: 21 feet, Campers: 25 feet
Hither Hills State Park Campground – Montauk, NY
A US road trip that takes you from sea-to-shining-sea would culminate at “The End,” Montauk, Long Island, NY. But where to camp?
The 36-square-mile coastal community includes six state parks, which you can access with an Empire Pass even if you aren’t a New York State resident. Hither Hills State Park campground is recognized by locals as the best site for RV parking, with 190 beachfront sites.
Montauk is also known for its surfing and fishing. If watersports are your thing, you’ll have plenty to keep you busy. For an ocean view at Hither Hills, try to secure a spot in the J loop; other sites are behind the dunes.
History enthusiasts and Stranger Things fans should venture 10 miles east to experience Camp Hero. The state park was an Army coastal defense station disguised as a fishing village from 1942 until the ‘80s and then an Air Force Radar Station. The building widely known as the site of The Montauk Project is steeped in conspiracy theory that inspired the Netflix series and Broadway play, Stranger Things. A half-mile hike through the trails puts you in clear view of the building, although you can also glimpse it from the road. And yes, it looks as creepy as the lore surrounding it.
Make sure to stop at the Montauk Lighthouse to visit the museum and climb to the top of the tower for breathtaking views. The “Second House,” a Montauk staple greeting vacationers and locals since 1797, is also worth a stop. In June 2026, the building will open the Revolutionary Montauk exhibit to celebrate the site’s role in the Revolutionary War.
Montauk’s Main Street area is a short, walkable strip with boutiques, bars and restaurants. But you’ll want a car or bicycle to travel between state parks, beaches and into town.
If authentic New York bagels are on your list, stop into Goldberg’s Famous Bagels for the true experience – including the long lines during the summer months.
For the best, affordable seafood, stop at Hooked on Etna Ave. The owners are friendly and food is cooked fresh. Try the tuna bites, lobster mac and cheese, or a traditional cold lobster salad roll. Portions are huge, so grab a few dishes for your family to share and eat them on the picnic tables outside. The lobster bisque might be the best you’ll ever taste.
Hookups: None
Amenities: Dump site, potable water fill stations, showers, restrooms, playground, restaurants
Size limits: None indicated
Staunton River State Park – Scottsburg, VA
You’ll find Civil War battlefields preserved as state parks across the south. Not all allow RV camping, though, so you’ll want to camp at a nearby state park and take your car to the battlefields.
While many people know the battlefields on the historic “Lee’s Retreat” path, including Sailor’s Creek Battlefield State Park, a lesser known gem is tucked deep in the heart of Virginia.
Park your RV at Staunton River State Park and enjoy 2,400 acres of woodlands, meadows and waters. The park is a designated International Dark Sky Park, so pack your stargazing gear or rent a telescope on site.
During the day, head over to Staunton River Battlefield State Park and walk the trails to learn about a small yet significant battle, where 700 Confederate soldiers held off 5,000 Union cavalry.
You can also tour Mulberry Hill, the plantation home of Founding Father Judge Paul Carrington, combining Revolutionary and Civil War history in one trip.
Hookups: Water, electric
Amenities: Picnic shelters, playgrounds, tennis and volleyball courts, watersports, horse stalls, boat launches
Size limits: Up to 55 feet
Santee State Park – Santee Cooper County, SC
Revolutionary War enthusiasts will want to extend their trip further south to experience American history on the banks of Lake Marion. Santee State Park in the Great Lakes region of South Carolina blends history and natural beauty, with cypress trees, 10 miles of hiking trails, and a unique limestone sinkhole. It’s conveniently located off I-95, making it easily accessible to large RVs.
In addition to varied wildlife (watch out for alligators in the lake!) you’ll find historic battleground sites in the area. Although the state park is better known for its natural wonders than US history, you’ll find historic sites nearby.
Drive roughly 20 minutes along the coastline of Lake Marion and you’ll reach Eutaw Spring Battlefield, part of the historic Palmetto Trail and the site of the final major Revolutionary War battle in the state. Continue northeast to reach the burial site of General Francis Marion, known as the Swamp Fox for his wily battle tactics that baffled the British.
Make sure to head into the town of Santee for local shopping and eats. You’ll find American cuisine, southern seafood, and classic American chains. Visit Kelley Anne’s Boutique in the Bradford Village Shopping Center for your fashion fix or gifts and souvenirs. Locals also love Coast convenience store and candy shop, formerly Smith’s Super Store. Pick up pecans and pralines, fresh fudge, and all the necessities you need to stock your RV for your vacation.
Hookups: Water, electric (30 amp and 50 amp)
Amenities: Picnic tables, restrooms, showers
Size limits: Up to 40 feet
America 250 is a reminder that the journey matters just as much as the destination, and the right RV can help you experience both with options to explore on RV Trader. With more than 10,000 state parks across the U.S., including over 280 in California alone, the most of any state, RV travelers have endless opportunities to explore history, nature, and local culture across the country.
Dawn Allcot