Top 10 state parks for camping and RVing

Image courtesy of Getty Images/gradyreese

The United States is home to more than 10,000 state parks, and they attract more than 700 million visitors annually. As more and more travelers seek out the open roads and open spaces, these numbers have continued to grow. Many of these parks cater to tent campers and RV travelers, with campgrounds, full hookups, and other amenities available. To find the best, a panel of experts partnered with the top 10 editors to select the initial nominees, and the top 10 winners were determined by popular vote. Read on to find out more about the winners.

Photo provided by Ranger Aaron Webster, Cape Disappoint State Park

No. 10: Cape DeBampiente State Park – Illwaco, Washington

The Pacific Ocean meets the Columbia River in this Washington state park. Explore the lighthouses, military bunkers, and natural habitats within the park (beaches, ancient forests, freshwater lakes, and saltwater swamps). The campground has 50 full hook-up sites and 18 partial hook-up sites, as well as a dump station, restrooms, and showers.

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No. 9: Lost Dutchman State Park – Junction, Arizona

Lost Dutchman State Park is located in the Sonoran Desert in Arizona, about 40 miles east of Phoenix. RV camping is available at 138 sites, 68 of which have hook-up water and electricity; Bathrooms and showers are located nearby. Year-round hiking, mountain biking and wildlife viewing opportunities are available to guests.

Image courtesy of Wyoming State Parks

No. 8: Curt Gowdy State Park – Cheyenne, Wyoming

10 Best Contributor Chez Chesak tells us about this state park, “Just 25 minutes west of downtown Cheyenne, this natural gem lies in the pine-covered foothills of the Rocky Mountains and offers seven sections of richly diverse landscape.”

There are many outdoor adventures in the park, including a shooting range, mountain biking, fishing, boating, hiking, horseback riding, canoeing, and more. Both rear-wheel drive and tow RV sites are available, with an additional fee for electrical hookups.

Image courtesy of iStock / tonda

No. 7: Custer State Park – Custer, South Dakota

Located in the rugged Black Hills, South Dakota, Custer State Park protects 71,000 acres of terrain and a herd of about 1,300 bison—one of the largest publicly owned herds on the planet—that are known to stop traffic along the Wildlife Loop Road of the park. From time to time. The park has nine campgrounds to choose from, including the popular Sylvan Lake Campground. Many sites include electrical hookups and dump stations.

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No. 6: Tishomingo State Park – Tishomingo, Mississippi

Mississippi RV campers looking for a state park full of history and scenic beauty should consider visiting Tishomingo. The park is located directly off the famous Natchez Trace Parkway and in the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains. Over 60 campsites are available for RVs. Each paved campsite has water and electrical hookups, picnic tables, grills, and has direct access to Heinz Lake.

Nearby are two bathrooms with toilets and showers and a central unloading station. Some of the park’s many activities and attractions include hiking trails, disc golf courses, playgrounds, a volleyball court, swimming pool, canoeing, fishing, and rock climbing.

Image courtesy of the Georgia Department of Natural Resources

No. 5: Vogel State Park – Blairsville, Georgia

Vogel, one of the oldest state parks in Georgia, is located at the base of Blood Mountain within the Chattahoochee National Forest. The park is especially popular during the fall months when the Blue Ridge Mountains put on a colorful display of foliage. RV campers can choose from 90 campsites with electrical hookups.

Photo provided by Delilah Aguilar

No. 4: Great Plains State Park – Mountain Park, Oklahoma

For RV campers looking for a variety of nature and history experiences to appreciate and explore, Great Plains State Park in southwest Oklahoma may be the perfect destination. History buffs will love exploring the abandoned 20th century Gold Bells Mill and Mine, while others may want to spend their time at Tom Steed Lake enjoying skiing, fishing, and swimming.

Concrete and gravel RV sites surrounded by shady trees are scattered throughout the park, complete with hookups, picnic tables, fire pits, and grills. Rest stations with restrooms, as well as boat ramps and playgrounds are located nearby. Numerous hiking and mountain biking trails run throughout the park, and rock climbing is a favorite activity.

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No. 2: Gulf State Park – Gulf Shores, Alabama

This Alabama state park promises that you will never be bored if you bring your family’s RV to camp. Nearly 500 enhanced RV sites are available at Gulf State Park, with drive-thru, waterfront and ADA access. All RV sites offer full hookups as well as Wi-Fi. Eleven modern pools dot the park, and some sites are near the pool, playground, tennis courts, and hiking trails.

Swim and kayak in the Gulf of Mexico or Lake Shelby, or check out the fishing and educational pier. 10 Best Contributor Chez Chesak recommends, “Get a bike at the front door, pedal over a footbridge, and cycle around the swamps, trails, sand dunes, coastal wildlife, and nine different ecosystems available here.”

Photo provided by the Missouri Department of Natural Resources

No. 1: Johnson’s Shut-Ins State Park Campground – Middle Brook, Missouri

RVers can choose between basic, electric, or sewer/electric/water sites at the Shut-Ins State Park campground in Johnson’s. Stock up on essentials at the camp store. Other amenities include showers, restrooms, laundry facilities and a playground.