There’s almost nothing better than a lakeside vacation. Who doesn’t want to spend their time off lounging in the sun, swimming in cooling waters, or fishing and boating and taking advantage of other water-related sports?
Of course, all those reasons are exactly the same ones that lead to overcrowding, packed campgrounds, heavy traffic, and fully booked reservations.
Fortunately, RV travelers have the flexibility to discover quieter lakes where the journey — and the destination — is more relaxed. Camping lakeside means you have direct access to the outdoors, and to all the comforts and conveniences of home.
Below, we’ll offer you some specific destinations picked out especially for RVers, with scenic waterfront RV sites, peaceful campgrounds, and excellent access to outdoor recreation without peak-season crowds. (And, of course, we’ll cover all the deets you need to get the perfect rental RV in which to pull it off.)
Let’s go!
What Makes a Lake Great for an RV Vacation?
The best lakes for a lakeside RV vacation combine scenic surroundings with practical camping amenities. Below, we’ll show you destinations with RV-friendly campgrounds with spacious sites, reliable hookups, easy road access, nearby outdoor recreation, and enough campground capacity to avoid peak-season congestion.
Each of these factors can make or break an RV lakeside experience.
- Campground availability speaks for itself. If you can’t get a reservation, your vacation is sunk from the start.
- Road accessibility. Especially for bigger RVs, you don’t want to aim for a campground that’s going to be nigh impossible for you to access.
- RV site sizes. Big-rig-friendly campgrounds make it easy to stretch out and take up space.
- Hookups. Sure, rugged experiences like boondocking can be fun — but often, when you’re lakeside, you want to return to all the amenities that shore connections to power and water bring.
- Dump stations help ensure you don’t have to spend brain space worrying about whether you’re creating too much waste water.
- Nearby groceries and fuel make it a lot easier to re-up on goodies like beer and snacks when necessary.
- Outdoor recreation is the whole point of a lakeside trip — so of course, you want a campground that puts it within easy reach!
- Shoulder-season appeal means the option of enjoying a lakeside destination when others might not be able to (like spring or fall), giving you the chance for even fewer crowds (and often, lower prices).
Best Lakes for an RV Vacation That Aren’t Overcrowded
While you can apply the metrics above to discover lakes in your own area, here are some of our personal favorite lakeside destinations specifically for RVers.
Lake Ouachita, Arkansas
One of the largest lakes in the South, Lake Ouachita is surrounded almost entirely by Ouachita National Forest — which means peace and quiet for campers. Its shoreline grows and shrinks between 690 and more than 900 miles, and dozens of islands mean even on busy weekends it’s surprisingly easy to find quiet coves and uncrowded water.
Why RV Travelers Love It
If your ideal lake day is, say, paddling crystal-clear water, swimming from a secluded shoreline, or anchoring in a quiet cove, Lake Ouachita delivers. It’s also one of the clearest lakes in Arkansas and offers excellent fishing, hiking, boating, and easy access to Hot Springs National Park (just under an hour away).
Best RV Campgrounds Nearby
We recommend Brady Mountain Campground, a Corps of Engineers campground with electric hookups at every RV site, plus a dump station, hot showers, boat ramp, swimming beach, and marina nearby. If you prefer a quieter, more rustic setting, Joplin Campground sits on a scenic peninsula but has smaller, uneven sites that aren’t recommended for large RVs or rigs with multiple slide-outs.
Best Time to Visit
Late April through early June or late September through October
RV Travel Tips
Brady Mountain is the better choice for larger motorhomes and fifth wheels. If you’re staying at Joplin, check individual site dimensions carefully before booking—pads are unpaved and vary considerably because of the terrain.
Wallowa Lake, Oregon
We’ll be real: If you visit this stunning lake during peak season (July and August), it can get crowded, especially because the on-site campground is so beautiful, well-appointed, and close to both the lake and hiking trails. But Wallowa Lake is just such a great spot for RVers, we had to include it. We recommend bringing a rig with onboard heating and visiting during the late spring or early fall to avoid crowds.
Why RV Travelers Love It
This lakeside destination has it all: snow-capped mountain peaks, access to wild backcountry areas, classic lake activities, and a sweet nearby town to explore (Joseph, OR). The state park campground is located immediately adjacent to the lake itself and is both affordable and excellent.
Best RV Campgrounds Nearby
To stay as close to the lakeshore as possible (affordably and comfortably), we highly recommend Wallowa Lake State Park.
Best Time to Visit
Late spring (May and June) or early fall (September and October)
RV Travel Tips
Make sure you’re traveling in an RV with hard sides and heating if you’re coming in the shoulder season, as nighttime temperatures can drop.
Lake Jocassee, South Carolina
Lake Jocassee feels wonderfully remote because nearly all of its shoreline is protected public land, with very few public roads allowing for lakeside access. Much of the shoreline can only be reached by boat, helping preserve the lake’s famously clear water and uncrowded feel.
Why RV Travelers Love It
This isn’t the only reason, but it does count: It’s just plain pretty. Waterfalls tumble directly into Lake Jocassee, the water is exceptionally clear, and kayaking, boating, and even scuba diving are all popular. It’s one of the most beautiful freshwater lakes in the Southeast, yet still feels remarkably wild.
Best RV Campgrounds Nearby
Your best option is Devils Fork State Park, the only campground located directly on Lake Jocassee. RV sites offer water and 30-amp electric hookups, along with modern bathhouses, boat ramps, and easy access to the lake.
Best Time to Visit
May through early June or late September through October
RV Travel Tips
We love this lake for those interested in water sports, especially if you can bring along your kayak or paddleboard to find your own private, quiet nook along its shoreline.
Lake Alamanor, California
Lake Almanor somehow remains under the radar despite offering more than 50 miles of shoreline and spectacular views of Lassen Peak. Many visitors use it as a jumping-off point for Lassen Volcanic National Park, and it’s a great, quieter alternative to popular nearby Tahoe.
Why RV Travelers Love It
Situated a quick drive from one of the least crowded national parks, this spot is a fantastic home base for RVers who want to combine lake days with volcanic landscapes. You can spend the morning paddleboarding or fishing, then head toward Lassen for hiking, geothermal features, and alpine scenery — while still having more than enough time to come home and cook dinner.
Best RV Campgrounds Nearby
We recommend Lake Cove Resort, a private RV resort on the lake’s east shore offering full-hookup RV sites and easy access to the water. While the nearby USFS Almanor Campgrounds sit right on the lakeshore, they do not offer hookups.
Best Time to Visit
Late June through early July or September
RV Travel Tips
Highways 36 and 89 provide an easy approach for most RVs. Afternoon thunderstorms can pop up in summer, and nights cool off quickly even in July, so you’ll appreciate having heat if you’re visiting early or late in the season.
Flaming Gorge Reservoir, Utah/Wyoming
At 91 miles long, Flaming Gorge Reservoir is so expansive that it rarely feels crowded, even during peak season. Visitors naturally spread out between Utah and Wyoming, and much of the shoreline remains undeveloped public land.
Why RV Travelers Love It
If your dream RV trip includes dramatic red canyon walls, turquoise water, trophy trout fishing, and endless room to explore by boat or kayak, Flaming Gorge is hard to beat. The scenery feels almost national-park caliber without the crowds.
Best RV Campgrounds Nearby
Lucerne Campground is our top recommendation. Located next to Lucerne Marina, it offers numerous electric hookup sites (30/50 amp), showers, an on-site dump station, boat launch, marina services, and easy access to the reservoir.
Best Time to Visit
June and September
RV Travel Tips
The roads to Lucerne Campground are paved and suitable for large motorhomes and trailers. Shade is minimal throughout the campground, so make sure you’ve got AC (or a whole lot of water and a box fan) if you’re camping during the hottest part of summer!
Smith Mountain Lake, Virginia
Smith Mountain Lake is one of Virginia’s most popular lakes, but thanks to its enormous size — over 500 miles of shoreline — it’s surprisingly easy to find quieter coves away from the main boating areas. Visiting outside peak summer weekends can make a dramatic difference, so lean into the shoulder season travel here, too.
Why RV Travelers Love It
This lake really does have it all. You’ll get sweeping views of the nearby Blue Ridge Mountains (and easy access to Shenandoah National Park, just over two hours away), along with all the classic lakeside activities you’re craving (paddling, fishing, swimming, and simply relaxing by this lake’s multifaceted shore). Oh yeah, and did we mention this lake is in one of Virginia’s best wine regions? Talk about the perfect end to a perfect day.
Best RV Campgrounds Nearby
We recommend Smith Mountain Campground in Penhook. It offers spacious back-in and pull-through sites with full hookups (water, sewer, and 30/50-amp electric), making it an excellent base for exploring the lake.
Best Time to Visit
May through early June or September through October
RV Travel Tips
Most roads around the lake are paved and suitable for RV travel, but they can be winding as they follow the shoreline. If you’re bringing a larger fifth wheel or Class A, try and arrive during daylight. Many campground entrances and lakeside roads are easier to navigate when visibility is good.
Torch Lake, Michigan
Torch Lake is famous for its Caribbean-blue water, and several excellent RV campgrounds sit just minutes away. During hot Michigan winters, this lake is a balm to locals and those who’ve traveled from further afield alike.
Why RV Travelers Love It
Situated just inland from Grand Traverse Bay, this is a lake frankly surrounded by lakes, including day-trippable views of both Lake Huron and Lake Michigan. You also won’t want to miss the opportunity to paddle out to the famous Torch Lake Sandbar, where, it’s true, crowds can gather… but good thing you’ll be headed home to your quiet RV park afterwards.
Best RV Campgrounds Nearby
Barnes Park Campground offers electric-only hookups, but they do go up to 50 amps of service. With Grand Traverse Bay waterfront, you’ll get the best of two different stunning waterways with this option.
Best Time to Visit
June or September
RV Travel Tips
Even in the off-season, you’ll want to reserve early, as there are limited campgrounds in the area (and it is a popular midwestern destination).
Guntersville Lake, Alabama
Sprawling across nearly 70,000 acres, Guntersville Lake is Alabama’s largest lake — which means you can still find peaceful corners away from the busiest boating areas. For a quieter stay, we recommend camping on the eastern side of the lake rather than near the city of Guntersville.
Why RV Travelers Love It
Nestled in the Appalachian foothills only a short way away from destinations like Chattanooga or even Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Guntersville Lake offers a home base for laid-back exploration between more classic Southern road-trip destinations. Bald eagle sightings are common in winter, and there are plenty of opportunities for kayaking, hiking, and scenic drives in addition to boating.
Best RV Campgrounds Nearby
For full amenities, Lake Guntersville State Park Campground is the top choice, offering hookups up to 50 amps and 30-amp sites with water and sewer. It also has modern bathhouses, laundry, and easy lake access. If you’re looking for a quieter atmosphere, Honeycomb Campground on the eastern shore offers water and electric hookups, a dump station, marina access, and tends to feel more removed from the busiest areas of the lake.
Best Time to Visit
April through May or October
RV Travel Tips
Both campgrounds are easily accessible via paved roads and can accommodate large RVs. Honeycomb’s sites are water and electric only (no sewer), but they do offer a Honey Wagon pump-out service.
Lake Pend Oreille, Idaho
It’s famous and, yes, a popular destination — but Lake Pend Oreille is also large enough that it can feel tranquil and serene even during the high season. Situated in the Idaho panhandle, it’s also close to some of the most wild environments left in the United States, including incredible backcountry camping opportunities and natural hot springs a bit further south in the center of the state.
Why RV Travelers Love It
This is one of the most spectacular mountain lakes in the West. You’ll find crystal-clear water, forested shorelines, excellent paddling and fishing, and easy access to charming Sandpoint — all without the crowds or prices of more famous alpine lakes.
Best RV Campgrounds Nearby
Farragut State Park is located on the lake’s southern end and offers hundreds of campsites, including RV sites with water and electric hookups, as well as some full-hookup sites. You’ll also find ADA accessible facilities, fire rings, charcoal grills and a dump station, all at affordable prices.
Best Time to Visit
June or September
RV Travel Tips
Due to local weather and other conditions (including wild fires), it’s important to check for road closures ahead of your trip.
Toledo Bend Reservoir, Texas/Louisiana
Straddling the Texas/Louisiana border, Toledo Bend Reservoir offers a reprieve for a huge swath of the Southern population, and, of course, those traveling through this region of the country. Despite its reputation as a world-class bass fishing destination, its sheer size means it rarely feels crowded outside of major tournament weekends, and there are dozens of quiet coves and campgrounds to choose from.
Why RV Travelers Love It
Whether you’re casting for trophy largemouth bass, paddling through quiet coves, or simply watching the sunset from your campsite, Toledo Bend offers a classic lake getaway without the bustle of more developed vacation destinations.
Best RV Campgrounds Nearby
Campers love Pleasure Point Park on the Louisiana side of the reservoir. Operated by Sabine River Authority, it offers full-hookup RV sites (including monthly site rentals) directly on the lake, along with bathhouses, fish-cleaning station, and a dump station.
Best Time to Visit
April through May or October
RV Travel Tips
Most campgrounds around the reservoir are easily reached via paved highways and can accommodate large RVs. Because the lake spans two states, it’s worth comparing campgrounds on both the Texas and Louisiana sides — you’ll often find different rates and availability for very similar scenery (with slightly different flavors).
Fort Peck Lake, Montana
Fort Peck Lake is so remote — and so enormous — that it’s one of the few places in the Lower 48 where you can genuinely feel like you have a lake to yourself. With a shocking 1,520 miles of shoreline, much of it bordering the Charles M. Russell National Wildlife Refuge, serious solitude is built right into the experience.
Why RV Travelers Love It
If your idea of the perfect RV trip involves big skies, incredible fishing, wildlife viewing, and star-filled nights rather than restaurants and souvenir shops, Fort Peck is hard to top. This is the kind of place you go when you’re really trying to get away from it all — and see some incredible stars while you’re at it.
Best RV Campgrounds Nearby
We recommend Downstream Campground. It offers 71 electric-hookup sites, showers, a dump station, playgrounds and corn hole, and easy access to both Fort Peck Lake and the Missouri River below the dam.
Best Time to Visit
June or early September
RV Travel Tips
Distances here are substantial, so fuel up before arriving and don’t expect nearby grocery stores or RV services. Roads to the main campgrounds are paved and suitable for larger rigs, but you’ll definitely want to ensure you have everything you need for the journey.
Pymatuning Reservoir, Pennsylvania/Ohio
A backwards-C-shaped reservoir hanging over Pennsylvania’s border into Ohio, Pymatuning Reservoir is one of the Midwest’s classic family lake destinations. While it draws plenty of visitors in summer, multiple campgrounds make it easy to escape the busiest day-use areas, especially if you visit in the shoulder season. (Noticing a theme?)
Why RV Travelers Love It
Truly, what’s not to love on a hot Midwestern day? Spend the day kayaking, fishing, biking, or birdwatching, then settle into one of the reservoir’s well-maintained campgrounds. Don’t miss the famous Linesville Spillway, where thousands of carp gather at the surface.
Best RV Campgrounds Nearby
We recommend Jamestown Campground in Pennsylvania’s Pymatuning State Park. It offers full-hookup and electric sites, modern bathhouses, laundry facilities and playground, all within easy reach of the reservoir’s trails and beaches.
Best Time to Visit
May through June or September through early October
RV Travel Tips
The roads around the reservoir are flat, paved, and easy to navigate with any size RV. If you’re hoping for a waterfront campsite, reserve well ahead of time — those sites are among the first to book each season.
RV Lakeside Destination Options: A Side-by-Side Glance
Tips for Planning a Quiet RV Lake Vacation
While choosing from the destinations laid out above will help, there are other tips you can follow to help make any lakeside vacation a quiet and rejuvenating one:
- Travel midweek. If you can swing it, avoiding the weekends means you’ll get the very sparsest crowds, no matter when you travel.
- Visit during shoulder season. You’ll notice that again and again above we’ve recommended late spring and early fall rather than high summer.
- Book state park campgrounds early. No matter when you’re going, these well-appointed sites at affordable rates can go quick, so book as soon as possible.
- Arrive before dark. If you’re traveling to a campground that’s first-come, first-served, you’ll be a lot more likely to be served if you arrive early. (Plus, it’s just less hassle to set up camp in the daylight.)
- Check length restrictions before booking. Not all campgrounds (or rental rigs) are created equal!
- Confirm water levels if boating or fishing is a priority. These days, a lot of areas see drought.
- Download offline maps for remote destinations. Also be sure to fill up on water and fuel so you won’t get stranded between communities.
What to Pack for a Lakeside RV Trip
You already know you need your bathing suit and sunscreen — but some RV-specific items to add to your packing list include:
- Leveling blocks
- Freshwater hose
- Surge protector
- Portable grill
- Kayak or paddleboard storage solutions
- Fishing gear
- Folding chairs
- Outdoor rug
- Bug control
- Extra drinking water
- Portable cell phone power station
- Bike rack
- Wheel chocks
If you’re renting from RVshare, be sure to double-check the listing to see what might already be included. Plenty of our owners pack in lots of included extras, such as outdoor camping chairs.
Best Lakes for RVing: Frequently Asked Questions
There are many! Some of our favorites include Lake Ouachita in Arkansas, Wallowa Lake in Oregon, Lake Jocassee in South Carolina, Lake Almanor in California, Flaming Gorge Reservoir in Utah/Wyoming, Smith Mountain Lake in Virginia, Torch Lake in Michigan, Guntersville Lake in Alabama, Lake Pend Oreille in Idaho, Toledo Bend Reservoir in Texas/Louisiana, Fort Peck Lake in Montana and Pymatuning Reservoir along the Pennsylvania/Ohio border.
There are many lakeside campgrounds with full hookups. Some of our favorites include Brady Mountain Campground near Lake Ouachita, Smith Mountain Campground near Smith Mountain Lake, Pleasure Point Park near Toledo Bend Reservoir and Wallowa State Park near Wallowa Lake in Oregon. You can always check ahead of time to see where full hookup sites are available.
Generally speaking, late spring and early fall give you the opportunity to visit even popular lakeside destinations without having to put up with too many crowds (or find yourself without a campsite). Because most RVs are temperature controlled, swings in outdoor temperature between the daytime and nighttime can be easily made up for and you can stay comfortable.
They can be. Because waterfront destinations are popular, we recommend booking as early as possible. It can also help your chances to travel during the shoulder season, or, if you have to travel during peak season, traveling during the weekdays instead of on the weekends.
Some lakeside destinations with well-paved roads and plenty of spacious campground accommodations include Smith Mountain Lake, Guntersville Lake, Flaming Gorge Reservoir and Toledo Bend Reservoir. However, no matter where you’re traveling, always be sure to double-check length restrictions ahead of time.
Quieter lakes mean all the magic of a waterside adventure with fewer crowds, less noise, and more ahhhh. Choosing the right destination makes a lot of difference, but so does traveling during non-peak hours — and prioritizing your peace when choosing a campground.
Browse RV rentals near these scenic lake destinations and start planning your next lakeside getaway with RVshare.