Holiday Cheer - How to RV with Kids this Holiday Season

Happy Holidays! So, you have decided to take to the road in an RV with the kids and have some fun for the holidays. This is a great time of year to do that, but where do you want to go and what do you do with the kids in tow?

There are lots and lots of activities you can bring along to keep the kids entertained in the RV but the best might be to visit an RV Park that makes that easy. If they provide holiday decorations and activities it will be much easier to get your kids in the spirit of Christmas no matter where you are.

While wintertime RV travel might not be the norm in many parts of the country, it doesn't mean it's not happening. In fact, lots of RV’ers decide to rent an RV in late December and search for a campground that offers holiday cheer in the form of twinkling lights, carolers, a campground Santa, and the like — but finding an RV park that's not only open, but celebrating the holidays can feel like finding a needle in a haystack. We found 10 resorts and parks across the country offering a bit of campground cheer. 

1) The Campsites at Disney's Fort Wilderness Resort |  Lake Buena Vista, Florida

Jason Miller of the RV travel blog Getaway Couple says that he and his wife Rae like this RV park during the holidays because, "They go all-out in traditional Disney fashion to completely immerse you in the holidays." It's not just the campsite that gets festive. "The campers in Fort Wilderness decorate their spots, too," Miller adds. "You can even explore the campground and its many decorations via horse-drawn sleigh ride.

2) Flying Flags RV Resort & Campground | Buellton, California

Located northwest of Santa Barbara, this very modern resort features lounges, a café, a general store, a playground, and lots more. It gets tons of great reviews on TripAdvisor, including those from visitors who drop in around the holidays, where one camper noted that resort employees got his family a Christmas tree and set it up for them. It's also really close to the town of Solvang, known for its Danish-style architecture, which has a Christmas-y feel year-round and really goes all out for the holidays with Julefest, which will be happening Nov. 27 until Jan. 1, 2022.

3) Wales West RV Park & Light Railway | Silverhill, Alabama

This RV park has 77 sites, a catch-and-release pond, a playground, shops, a barn, and, best of all, a train station from which The Arctic Express departs during the holidays for a journey to "The North Pole" and Santa. Wales West even has snow machines at the ready in case the weather doesn't cooperate. As if that's not enough, there are over a million twinkling lights in the trees and elsewhere in the park. The park confirmed that the show will go on this year, starting Thanksgiving weekend — visit the website for more details and to buy tickets. 

4) James Island County Park Campground & Cottages | Charleston, South Carolina 

Located in the same park where this South Carolina city holds its annual lights festival, this campground features miles of trails, a climbing wall, freshwater lakes, playground, an off-leash dog park, and more. From Nov. 13-Dec. 31, the nearby Holiday Festival of Lights offers s'mores, train rides, a carousel, and visits with Santa. TripAdvisor reviewers love staying here during the holidays. "The best drive/walk-through light display I have ever seen," raved one visitor.

5) San Carlos RV Resort & Marina | Fort Myers Beach, Florida

Located on Hurricane Bay, this is a well-rated RV park year-round, but those who've stayed here over Christmas note carolers stopping by their rigs as well as being invited to neighboring campers' holiday parties. "During my stay, a very large, lighted, decorative tree was installed in the front of the park," wrote one reviewer, "which added to an already festive look for the Christmas season." Another San Carlos camper wrote: "Within two hours of being there we were invited to a Christmas party." Other winter amenities include shuffleboard, horseshoes, kayaking trips, and live music.

6) River Rocks Landing Resort and Venue | Gadsden, Alabama

Loaded with sites and amenities along the Coosa River and Black Creek, River Rocks Landing is a popular summertime destination, but campers say that, with its "beautiful lights and lovely rustic clubhouses," it's also a great destination for the holidays. One Trip Advisor review noted that the park "is decorated like a winter wonderland." over the holidays, and another RV’er noted that her family had stayed "twice during the Christmas period, and the experience both times was magical."

7) Yosemite Lakes RV Resort | Groveland, California

Located just five miles from Yosemite National Park's west entrance, this resort rents RV sites, cabins, and yurts. In addition to plenty of hiking, fishing, and other outdoor activities, Yosemite Lakes is a festive place to park your rig over the holidays. One reviewer noted that staff allowed him to decorate his rented cabin with lights, and that the lodge offered a cookie decorating activity on Christmas Eve. Other reviewers noted the park's incredibly friendly staff, and, with low average December temps in the 20s at night, it's possible RV’ers could get a white Christmas here, too. 

8) Sunshine Key RV Resort & Marina | Big Pine Key, Florida

It might be tough to get into the holiday spirit in the Florida Keys, but this resort does what it can to fix that. One reviewer who stayed at Sunshine Key recently noted that Santa toured the resort on Christmas, handing out presents to those around the pool. Another recent review noted that the resort staff are "a great example of team enthusiasm, coordination, communication and friendliness! They all make you feel you are part of their family!"

9) Palm Canyon Hotel & RV Resort | Borrego Springs, California

This luxury RV resort located about an hour east of San Diego made Drivin' and Vibin's list of the best RV parks for Christmas due in no small part to its proximity to Julian, California. The town hosts multiple Christmas events each year and, if you get your fill of holiday lights there, you can head back to Palm Canyon to take in twinkles of the more naturally occurring variety — the area is a certified Dark Sky Community. The resort also has a restaurant and saloon, pools and hot tubs, live music, an espresso bar, and more. A perfect place to enjoy the holidays!

10) Parkers Crossroads RV Park and Campground | Yuma, Tennessee

This former-KOA park between Jackson and Nashville is located in a bucolic setting featuring a pond, garden, and gorgeous sunrises and sunsets. Unlike some other parks that rely on nearby light festivals for their holiday cheer, Parkers Crossroads does its own decorations each year, which many visitors commented were "fantastic," and "looked great at night." The owners note that spots are often booked, so reservations are recommended. This year the park is offering a limited-contact check-in but does not require staff or guests to wear masks.  

Wherever you decide to go for your family holiday RV adventure, make sure you contact your closest El Monte RV Rentals location to reserve the perfect RV for your family vacation.