I recently published another article about RVers’ favorite state parks. At the bottom of that article, I asked you to share your favorite state parks, and you did not disappoint! Wow, what a variety—from riverfront campgrounds in Washington to desert oases in Arizona and mountain escapes in North Carolina.
I’m excited to share these state park recommendations with you. I’ve organized them by region, added practical tips on amenities, provided reservation considerations, and even suggested must-see nearby attractions. Whether you crave water views, wildlife encounters, or star‑filled skies, these parks promise memorable RV adventures.
Pacific Northwest
Wanapum State Park (Washington)
Reader “John the Road Again” writes: “Wanapum State Park is our go‑to when traveling along I‑90 to and from the coast. Beautiful, well‑maintained campground with beautiful views of the Columbia River. Just be forewarned that it can get windy during the day or night.”
Located on the banks of the Columbia River just off Exit 149, Wanapum offers more than 27,000 feet of shoreline, paved sites with water and electric hookups, restrooms and showers, and a boat launch—perfect for river fishing or boating. Windy afternoons are common, so secure awnings and plan early morning hikes along the sandy beaches.
South
Poverty Point State Park (Louisiana)
Steve: “If you find yourself traveling on I‑20 in Louisiana, don’t miss Poverty Point State Park. It’s a few miles south of Poverty Point World Heritage Park. Both are well worth your time.”
Just south of the UNESCO World Heritage site, Poverty Point SP features 33 full‑hookup RV pads, nature trails, a campground store, and picnic shelters. Be sure to tour the ancient earthworks at the adjacent Archaeological State Historic Site.
Desert Southwest
Usery Mountain Regional Park (Arizona)
Chris O: “Usery Mountain Regional Park near Mesa, Arizona. Part of the Maricopa County Parks system (so not really a state park). Electric and water; has a dump station. Beautiful campground in a mountain desert environment.”
While technically a county park, Usery Mountain offers 73 RV sites with water, electric, and a central dump station. Hike the Wind Cave Trail for sunsets over the Valley of the Sun and enjoy nearby Salt River tubing and Saguaro-fringed desert vistas.
Book is a must-have for state park campers!
This book, “50 States: 500 State Parks,” is a must-have for all state park campers and explorers. The book is a beautiful visual journey through America’s best state parks. Whether you’re looking for stunning vistas, rare wildlife, a dose of history, or an enjoyable hike, the state parks offer an array of experiences. Learn more or order.
Midwest and Plains
Custer State Park (South Dakota)
Richard: “Custer State Park in South Dakota. Great wildlife, but tough to get a reservation.”
Renowned for its bison herds along the Wildlife Loop Road, CSP offers several campgrounds with water/electric, showers, and laundry. Reservations open six months out—book early or try for cancellations. Nearby Needles Highway and Crazy Horse Memorial add cultural interest.
Itasca State Park (Minnesota)
PerryB: “Itasca State Park in Minnesota is our favorite. We’ve easily spent 30 weekends when working, and now spend a week there since we’re retired. Great hiking, biking, and fishing. Plus, the campgrounds are not near noisy highways.”
As Minnesota’s oldest state park at the headwaters of the Mississippi River, Itasca features 168 campsites (water/electric), miles of bike trails, paddling routes, and fishing along the Big and Little Itasca lakes. Don’t miss the iconic “headwaters” marker.
Southeast
Stone Mountain State Park (North Carolina)
Riley: “Stone Mountain State Park, 3042 Frank Parkway, Roaring Gap, NC 28668, offers camping, with 41 sites on one loop with electricity and water, a heated bathhouse, dump station, a stream running through the loop, and great hiking on a huge 600‑feet high granite dome, plus in various trails and streams. Several notable waterfalls are close to the campground within the park, which is close to the Blue Ridge Parkway.”
Stone Mountain State Park offers visitors a variety of activities. There’s something fun for everyone with hiking, horseback riding, photography, birdwatching, fishing, and more!
Ozarks and Heartland
Johnson’s Shut‑Ins State Park (Missouri)
Bruce Tanner: “Johnson’s Shut-Ins State Park in Missouri is one of our favorites. So much so that we have been camp hosts there for the past seven years. Beautiful, clear rivers and streams, and loads of hiking trails all within the park and short drives. Awesome campground with very spacious sites with varying amenities.”
Carved by ancient volcanic eruptions, the “shut‑ins” (rock‑churned rapids) offer natural water slides and swimming holes. The park has RV sites (water/electric), modern bathhouses, and an interpretive center detailing the 2005 Taum Sauk Dam breach.
North
Denali State Park (Alaska)
Neal Davis: “Our favorite state park is Denali State Park in Trapper Creek (not really, but is nearest town) and its K’esugi Ken Campground. The sites have power but no water or sewer. There are vault toilets but no dump station.”
K’esugi Ken Campground sits 30 miles south of Denali National Park, offering 106 RV sites with electric only. Panoramic views of Denali itself reward clear‑weather campers. Bring extra water and enjoy miles of multi‑use trails alongside the Susitna River.
Rocky Mountains and Red Rocks
Dead Horse Point and Goblin Valley State Parks (Utah)
Jim R: “Custer State Park in SD is amazing, but you need a car to drive through the tunnels. I have also been to Dead Horse and Goblin Valley in Utah. Hard to get a campsite there, but the views are wonderful. I think both are dark sky parks.”
Dead Horse Point SP: Overlooks 2,000‑ft. canyon drops. RV sites have water/electric. Star‑gazers flock here for the International Dark Sky Park status.
Goblin Valley SP: Lunar‑like hoodoo formations make this a desert playground. Campsites are primitive—plan ahead.
Atlantic Coast
Skidaway Island State Park (Georgia)
Christine: “We love Skidaway Island State Park near Savannah, GA. It is full of live oaks draped with Spanish Moss. A beautiful park.”
Located on a tidal island, Skidaway SP offers 87 wooded RV sites (water/electric), biking trails through salt marshes, and interpretive programs. Watch for fiddler crabs and herons along the creekside boardwalk.
Southwest
Kodachrome State Park (Utah)
Christine: “Kodachrome State Park near Bryce Canyon is a very picturesque park.”
Named after the camera film that captured its colorful hoodoos, Kodachrome SP has 21 RV sites with water/electric and flush toilets. Explore the Panorama Trail’s scenic overlooks and star‑studded night skies.
Tips for RVers
If any of these state parks pique your interest, here are some suggestions:
• Book early: Busy parks (Custer , Goblin Valley, Denali) often fill 6 months in advance. Set reservation reminders.
• Know amenities: Check hookups (water, electric, sewer) and dump station availability—especially in remote parks.
• Plan for seasons: Desert parks can be searing in summer; northern parks may lock gates early in winter.
• Embrace mini‑road trips: Many parks sit near historical or scenic sites (Poverty Point, Elephant Rocks, Blue Ridge Parkway).
Now it’s time to hit the road, park your RV, and make memories in these reader‑recommended state parks. Each one offers its own slice of America’s great outdoors!
Let’s keep the conversation going. If you haven’t already chimed in with your favorite state park recommendation (or thought of another you really enjoyed), let me know in the comments below.
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RVT1209
Very interesting 2 articles. it got me thinking because there were no New England parks in either of the articles. I’m not saying there are no good state parks in New England, they just don’t come up when people are asked “What are your favorite”. Like many of us, I started as a tent camper and transitioned to RV camping later in life. I spent the first 50+ years of my life in the CT/MA area. In New England, we found the best state parks in VT (Silver Lake being one of our preferred). Then I moved to MN 5 years ago and was able to experience what other states offer in their parks. I’d be curious what others think about the New England state parks.
It’s actually “Kodachrome Basin” State Park in Utah. It has some nicely screened, but sunny, pull-thru, W/E sites, and other, shaded, W/E sites. Great hikes over big slick-rock outcrops.
Our favorite state park is Ridgway SP, north of Ridgway, Colorado. Pine tree-shaded W/E sites up on Elk Ridge have been our go-to for 12+ years, but there are two other electric-hookup cgs. as well. Good small-mouth bass fishing and a short drive to one of the most iconic, most photographed autumn views of the San Juan Mountains in Colorado. That is the gold aspen-covered slopes of Wilson and Mount Sneffles with a split-rail fence foreground taken from Dallas Divide on CO 62.
Thank you for compiling the list, Gail! We’ll be in K’esugi Ken again this summer, and for 7 nights this time! Have a great week and safe travels!