2020 Summer Vacation Ideas
We understand that times are difficult and for many, vacation plans are hard to make due to all kinds of airline restrictions, travel bans, etc. However, one type of vacation that you can still take advantage of is a road trip in an RV. We have several suggestions for you and your family for the best summer vacation ever. Make 2020 a year to make good memories!
The U.S. has an abundance of outstanding wilderness and less wild destinations that are easy to explore in your RV. Once you’ve decided to take a big trip, it’s time to plan where you want to go. If you need inspiration for some RV trips, we are here to help. Check out the following National Parks and other locations for a remarkable summer of great adventures and making great lifelong memories.
The U.S. has an abundance of outstanding wilderness and less wild destinations that are easy to explore in your RV. Once you’ve decided to take a big trip, it’s time to plan where you want to go. If you need inspiration for some RV trips, we are here to help. Check out the following National Parks and other locations for a remarkable summer of great adventures and making great lifelong memories.
1. Alaska! Have you ever thought about going on a really long driving trip to Alaska? This may be the perfect year to do that trip. You’ll likely drive through British Columbia, the Yukon and eastern Alaska coming from most regions of the contiguous U.S. You’ll find striking views of surrounding mountains and valleys like in no other place. Spend some time in Anchorage where you’ll have the chance to learn about Alaska native cultures, go flight touring, or enjoy one of the incredible Alaska National Parks. The best time to visit is any time between May and September. In this land of the midnight sun you will find 24 national parks, one National Heritage Area, 50 National Historic Landmarks, and one World Heritage Site. For more information, see the National Park Service pages.
2. South Dakota: The location of a recent July 4th celebration, Mt. Rushmore is a must-see in South Dakota, but don’t let that be your only stop during your RV trip. Check out the Black Hills National Forest which showcases incredible rock formations and panoramic views. Also check out Bear Country USA, a seasonal drive-through wildlife park with bears, wolves, elk and other animals native to North America. You’ll find fair weather in most of South Dakota any time between May and October. The Black Hills rise from the adjacent grasslands into a ponderosa pine forest. Described as an “Island in the Plains,” the Forest has diverse wildlife and plants reaching from the eastern forests to the western plains. The Forest is a multiple-use Forest with activities ranging from timber production, grazing, to hiking, camping, mountain biking, horseback riding, rock climbing, mining, wildlife viewing and many others. The Black Hills, in western South Dakota and northeast Wyoming, consists of 1.2 million acres of forested hills and mountains, approximately 110 miles long and 70 miles wide.
3. Acadia National Park is renowned for its northeastern beauty, and is known as the Crown Jewel of the North Atlantic Coast. The park protects the natural beauty of the highest rocky headlands along the Atlantic coastline. It also includes an abundance of habitats and a rich cultural heritage. RVers can enjoy 27 miles of historic motor roads, 158 miles of hiking trails and 45 miles of carriage roads. The best time to visit the park is between late spring to early fall, though the park does get very busy in summer, so expect crowds. Camping is not open yet in the park and the website announces the soonest they will open is August 1st.
4. However, there are lots of other places to explore in the northeast. Vermont and New Hampshire offer some striking beauty. Check out Green Mountain National Forest in Vermont and of course the White Mountains of New Hampshire. The Green Mountain National Forest and the Finger Lakes National Forest are Vermont's and New York's only public, federally managed national forests. Memorial Day to mid-October are great times to visit this area. Don’t forget to check out Vermont’s famous breweries, like The Alchemist Stowe, during your RV trip.
5. Glacier National Park offers some of the most unbeatable scenery in the U.S. Make sure to drive along Going-to-the-Sun Road, Lake McDonald and Logan Pass. Glacier National Park is an excellent RV trip, but the summer season doesn’t last long because the park is so far north. The best time to visit Glacier is between July and August. Days are warm and sunny, but nights can get chilly and drop into the 40s. Make sure to reserve your stay at an RV park as far in advance as possible. Check their website to learn about what parts of the park are open and which remain closed.
6. Yellowstone National Park and The Tetons are just 40 miles from one another, so it’s easy to see a lot of beauty in just a few days. Both parks offer incredibly diverse scenery. Yellowstone National Park is as wondrous as it is complex. Established primarily to protect hydrothermal areas that contain about half the world's active geysers, the park also forms the core of the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem. At 28,000 square miles, it is one of the largest, nearly intact temperate-zone ecosystems on Earth. It preserves a great variety of terrestrial, aquatic, and microbial life.
7. Grand Teton National Park has some of the most striking mountain scenery in the country, while Yellowstone’s geyser basin hosts a series of incredible Technicolor hot springs. Rising above a scene rich with extraordinary wildlife, pristine lakes, and alpine terrain, the Teton Range stands as a monument to the people who fought to protect it. These are mountains of the imagination. Mountains that led to the creation of Grand Teton National Park where you can explore over two hundred miles of trails, float the Snake River, and enjoy the serenity of this remarkable place. We recommend buying an annual national park pass to make seeing all the parks a part of your to-do list. The best time to visit Grand Teton and Yellowstone is between mid-May to late September.
8. Great Smoky Mountains National Park is famous for its diverse plant life and the beauty of its ancient mountains. You’ll never get bored on an RV trip to this national park. Ridge upon ridge of forest straddles the border between North Carolina and Tennessee in Great Smoky Mountains National Park. World renowned for its diversity of plant and animal life, the beauty of its ancient mountains, and the quality of its remnants of Southern Appalachian mountain culture, this is America's most visited national park. You’ll find opportunities to hike, picnic, go on horseback rides, see waterfalls and so much more. The best times to visit the park are summer and fall. Fall offers incredible autumn foliage.
El Monte RV offers a variety of RV’s to rent for your 2020 summer vacation. Check our Special Offer this summer of 5% off on 5 days, 10% off on 10 days plus 50 free miles per day, and 20% off on 20 days plus 50 free miles per day. See Summer “Vacay” Promotion for details. We also have many more tips to help you plan for and have a very happy and safe trip!