What are the most popular summer RV trips? While plenty of us have a basic idea of the top RV destinations in summer, like national parks and the beach, RVshare has gathered data that doesn’t lie. As the top-rated RV rental website, we’re an authority in this field, and we’ve scraped our bookings to learn which destinations stand out during the busy summer travel months.
Summer is peak travel season, so whether you’re hitting these uber-popular destinations or heading somewhere a bit further afield, early planning is key to ensuring you get the RV and the campsite you want. (Plus, it’s just plain fun to browse the listings.)
How We Identified the Most Popular Summer RV Destinations
Below, you’ll find data pulled from real-deal RVshare bookings. We focused on the peak summer months (July and August) and based our ranking on RVshare booking volume. That means these trends reflect real traveler demand, not assumptions.
Whether you’re looking to avoid the crowds or be right in the center of the party, these figures can help you achieve your goals.
Quick Snapshot: Most Popular Summer RV Destinations
At a quick glance, here are the most popular RV summer destinations using real RVshare booking data.
| Destination | Peak Month | Average Monthly Stays | Best Time to Book |
| Black Rock City, NV | August | 1,900 | May – June |
| Yellowstone National Park | July | 1,400 | April |
| Oshkosh, WI | July | 750 | April |
| The Gorge Amphitheatre, WA | August | 580 | April – May |
| Glacier National Park, MT | July | 415 | April |
5 Best Summer RV Destinations to Book Early
The top destinations all have something unique to offer visitors — and they’re all destinations you should book immediately if you want to go this year. Here’s a closer look at each of these must-see summer spots.
Black Rock City, NV (Burning Man)
As soon as we saw Black Rock City at the top of the listing, we knew exactly why. For one thing, Black Rock City isn’t even a city until Burning Man swoops in annually. It’s just a gorgeous playa.
Although the event usually technically starts in September, plenty of revelers book their RVs starting in August to make sure they’ll have enough time to drive to the lakebed, get set up, and make other preparations before they leave. With 1,900 average stays each August, this destination shot to the tip-top of our booking data — and if you’re planning on attending a Burn yourself, an RV is the best way to do so while maintaining comfort, independence, and the opportunity for a great night’s rest between festivities.
Yellowstone National Park
We couldn’t think of a more iconic family summer destination if we’d tried. While all the national parks are great options for traveling families, Yellowstone really does hold a special place as the first designated national park in not just the U.S., but the world.
With some of the most unique wildlife (think: bison, grizzly bears, elk) and geothermal features that truly cannot be seen anywhere else, it’s no surprise that the peak demand in this park was a whopping 1,400 stays in July. And while there’s nearly endless backcountry to explore in this park, having an RV makes it that much cozier to stay up close and personal to all the goodness this park has to offer
Oshkosh, WI (EAA AirVenture)
It may not boast epic beaches or mountains. In fact, for many, Oshkosh, Wisconsin might initially seem like a bit of a fluke on the list. But this small midwestern city is home to the annual EAA AirVenture celebration, the biggest aviation shebang all year. In fact, in some circles, the event itself is simply known as Oshkosh.
That’s why we saw a peak demand of 750 stays in this Wisconsin burg in July: an RV makes it easy to experience the conference and celebration while maintaining all the luxuries of home. While the ideal booking window is April, there’s still time to snag a rental RV for yourself if you and your kids are curious about this one-of-a-kind, wing-filled adventure.
The Gorge Amphitheatre, WA
There are a lot of incredible music venues in the U.S. There are a lot of incredible outdoor vistas, too. But The Gorge Amphitheatre, tucked along the Columbia River in central Washington State, is one of the best places to visit if you’re looking for both in one.
That’s why we were, again, not at all surprised to see it close to the top of this list, with 580 stays on average booked each August. The yearly concert calendar regularly includes late summer festivals and several-day stays featuring superstars like Dave Matthews and Brandi Carlile. And this is not a situation where you can easily book an Airbnb or hotel down the way in the nearest city. The venue is about an hour away from town in any direction, which means camping is the way to go — which, of course, means an RV is the way to go. We recommend booking this month (May) if you’re curious!
Glacier National Park
Each and every one of America’s national parks are truly special. But for the most serious outdoorsy folks, Glacier National Park holds a unique place in the roster. A truly alpine wilderness that’s so high-elevation, the season is really only two months long (July and August), it makes sense that this was one of the most popular destinations for RV bookings. Once you see it for yourself, you’ll understand that there just isn’t quite anything else like it on earth.
Staying in an RV gives you the opportunity to be close to the mountains and hiking opportunities while still sleeping in a real bed, which can make those long uphill hikes a whole lot easier. While the ideal booking window is April, there’s likely still some availability if you act fast — and aim your stay at August rather than July!
When to Book Your Summer RV Trip
As you can see from the chart at the top, each of these tip-top summer destinations is best booked at least two, and sometimes up to four, months in advance. National parks especially fill early and predictably, and yearly events like Burning man create sharp demand spikes that can fill RV campgrounds, book out RV rentals, and make everything more expensive to boot.
Our recommendation? When you know you have a serious idea for a trip, even if it’s months ahead of time, go ahead and book it. Here’s what the leading-up-to-summer and summer months look like for RV bookings generally speaking:
- April: Critical month for national parks (though it’s a good idea to book even earlier if you can)
- May – June: Final window for booking late-summer events
- July & August: Limited availability, higher prices
Tips for Booking High-Demand RV Destinations
Want to be right in the middle of the action? Here are our top tips for booking high-demand RV destinations with both ease and success.
- Book early for best selection and pricing
- Be flexible with travel dates
- Consider nearby pickup locations (rather than narrowing your search only to the destination itself)
- Look for alternative campgrounds near major destinations
- Choose the right RV size for your group (each RVshare listing will explain how many a given motorhome or travel trailer sleeps)
Browse RV rentals early to lock in your plans.
Start Planning Your Summer RV Adventure
These destinations — and so many others — are popular for a reason. And experiencing them in the comfort of a rental RV makes them that much better.
Planning ahead helps ensure you have the perfect RV and the opportunity to stay close to the action. RVshare offers the largest nationwide selection of RVs (of all shapes and sizes), flexible options including delivery and set-up, and support throughout the journey.
We’ll be with you every step of the way — so start planning your unforgettable summer RV trip today.
FAQs About Summer RV Travel
The earlier, the better. That said, we recommend at the very least booking two to four months in advance for top destinations, including national parks and cities holding major events.
According to real RVshare booking data, the most popular RV destinations in the summer include Black Rock City, Nevada; Yellowstone National Park; Oshkosh, Wisconsin; The Gorge Amphitheatre, Washington; and Montana’s Glacier National Park.
Yes, especially in July and August. Book early and plan ahead!