Sponsored by Thousand Trails
Earlier than you write it off, right here’s what to know, the place to camp—and why that FOMO may be justified.
Memorial Day weekend is the official begin of RV season for a lot of vacationers—and the stats again it up. In keeping with a 2024 RVIA-commissioned survey, 18 million Individuals deliberate an RV journey over the vacation weekend. That’s loads of propane tanks, garden chairs, and campsite reservations.
It is smart. The climate’s warming up, there’s an extended weekend on the calendar, and persons are itching to shake off the final of winter. However with all that momentum comes a query each RVer faces this time of 12 months: Is a Memorial Day RV journey well worth the hype—or simply asking for stress?
It’s true that the vacation weekend has a rep for crowds, site visitors, and hard-to-find campsites. But it surely doesn’t have to return with the same old complications and scrambling. With the best vacation spot, a strong plan, and instruments that make it easier to journey smarter—not tougher—this could really be one of the vital energizing weekends of the 12 months. You don’t must have booked months in the past or be a logistics wizard. You simply want a little bit inside information—and that’s what this information is for.
The Actuality of Memorial Day RV Journey (and Why Individuals Nonetheless Present Up)
If you happen to’ve been RVing for some time, you already know—Memorial Day weekend isn’t precisely low-key. Campgrounds refill. Children are all over the place. The grill smoke is fixed. And actually? That’s a part of the appeal.
For a lot of RVers, this weekend isn’t nearly squeezing in a couple of days off—it’s about reconnecting. With nature. With household. And with the a part of your self that’s happiest exterior, espresso mug in hand, watching the dawn out of your favourite camp chair.
Sure, it’s busy. It’s social. And it’s one of many few weekends of the 12 months when campgrounds actually really feel alive. There’s a buzz within the air, and in the event you lean into it as an alternative of resisting it, you would possibly end up having a greater time than you anticipated.
5 Campgrounds That May Save Your Memorial Day RV Journey
If you happen to’re able to get on the market however nonetheless want a spot to land, listed here are 5 Memorial Day-friendly campgrounds that provide full hookup RV websites and loads of house to unfold out.
All of them are a part of the Thousand Trails and Encore community, which implies they’re a part of a nationwide system of campgrounds and resorts that RVers can entry by memberships or nightly charges. You’ll discover them throughout the nation—from quiet corners of California to family-focused spots close to main points of interest. Whether or not you’re after lakeside downtime or splash pads and exercise boards, there’s most likely one inside vary of wherever you’re headed.
Bethpage Camp-Resort – Urbanna, VA
A Large, Buzzy Vacation Weekend Spot on the Chesapeake Bay
In case your thought of an excellent Memorial Day RV journey contains sunshine, water, and plenty to do with out leaving the campground, Bethpage Camp-Resort suits the invoice. That is a kind of locations that appears like a full-on summer time occasion—and that’s a part of the draw. Positioned close to the Chesapeake Bay, the campground presents full hookup RV websites and a sprawling record of actions that make it simple to ditch the schedule and simply roll with the enjoyable.
There’s a lake with a seashore, a full water park, mini golf, hay wagon rides, and all of the high-energy household enjoyable you’d count on from a preferred vacation weekend vacation spot. You’ll additionally discover yoga periods, crabbing and fishing charters, stay leisure, and a surprisingly respectable meals lineup—from the Poolside Café to the ice cream stand with 20 flavors on faucet.
It’s a long-weekend playground for households, pal teams, and RVers who don’t thoughts a little bit vitality within the air. If you would like your first journey of the season to really feel like a celebration, Bethpage delivers.
“This place is like its personal metropolis with a restaurant, ice cream store, golf cart gross sales and leases, RV/boat wash station and much more. The workers are extraordinarily pleasant and useful. There are numerous actions and delightful grounds…”
Memorial Day RV Journey at Yosemite Lakes – Groveland, CA
A No-Fuss Basecamp Simply Minutes from One of many Most Well-known Parks within the Nation
If you wish to spend Memorial Day weekend exploring Yosemite NationalNationla Park with out roughing it, this campground hits a candy spot. Positioned simply quarter-hour from the park entrance, Yosemite Lakes presents the proximity you need with the total hookups and creature comforts your RV appreciates. The websites are tucked right into a quiet, wooded space with a peaceable river working by—excellent for cooling off after a day on the paths or simply stretching out within the shade.
There’s a small retailer for necessities, on-site gas, laundry, and even Wi-Fi if it is advisable to verify in or pull up a map. For households, there’s a playground and loads of house for the youngsters to burn off vitality. For the nature-minded, count on deer sightings, strolling trails, and that first-morning-coffee type of calm. Yosemite Lakes is a perfect mixture of comfort and nature, particularly for RVers who desire a true Yosemite expertise with out battling the crowds inside the park for lodging.
“We liked this park. It’s 10 min from the west entrance to Yosemite, really easy entry to the park for day journeys. The campground had websites proper within the river, with people organising chairs behind their RVs to take pleasure in it. We opted for a extra open website so we might make the most of Starlink.”
Plymouth Rock Campground – Plymouth, WI
Vacation Vibes, Yard Camp Video games, and a Lake for Good Measure
This place was made for Memorial Day weekend. Positioned by Little Elkhart Lake, Plymouth Rock packs in all of the campground classics after which some: three swimming pools, 4 playgrounds, a scorching tub, mini golf, stay music, themed occasions, and even an outside film display. If you happen to’re touring with children (or the young-at-heart), it’s a choose-your-own- journey type of place.
There’s no scarcity of house to unfold out or stuff to do. Lease a kayak or paddleboard, seize a seat on the dance corridor or basketball court docket, or simply instrument round on a rented golf cart. The workers retains the exercise board full, however it’s also possible to simply hang around at your website and take in the full of life, social environment.
“We booked this go to for Mom’s Day weekend and it was so organized and useful workers. We have been escorted to our website and no points with discovering firewood. Wonderful retailer and workers. We will certainly keep right here once more.”
Memorial Day RV Journey at O’Connell’s RV Campground – Amboy, IL
All-Ages Motion, Lake Entry, and Campground Neighborhood
There’s nothing over-the-top about O’Connell’s RV Campground—besides the exercise record. And over Memorial Day weekend, that’s a successful combo. There’s a little bit little bit of every thing: swimming swimming pools, paddleboarding on the lake, mini golf, themed weekends, and fishing spots for individuals who’d reasonably decelerate.
It’s in style with households and large teams, so count on a gentle hum of exercise all through the campground. The format is spacious, so that you’re not packed in except you need to be. You’ll discover pleasant workers, well-maintained grounds, and a strong lineup of weekend enjoyable. For RVers who desire a basic vacation weekend tenting expertise—full with cookouts, cannonballs, and children on scooters—this Illinois spot suits the invoice.
“…you’ll be able to see the galaxies within the sky at night time!! It’s enjoyable to attend the weekend actions or watch the embellished golf carts zip round. Beloved kayaking the lake…and swimming within the lake with a seashore…”
Encore Tropical Palms – Kissimmee, FL
Poolside Tenting Close to the Magic, With out the Theme Park Worth Tag
Planning to combine in a little bit Orlando enjoyable over the lengthy weekend? Tropical Palms places you near the motion with out dropping you in the midst of it. Simply 10 minutes from Walt Disney World and strolling distance to Outdated City Kissimmee and Enjoyable Spot America, this Encore resort is extra about comfort and luxury than nature—however that could be precisely what you need.
Websites are full hookup, and the grounds embrace a pool, shuffleboard, canine park, mini golf, and an exercise middle that leans into the Florida sunshine with poolside video games, crafts, and occasional stay music. It’s pet-friendly and kid-ready, with simply sufficient programming to maintain issues full of life in the event you’re hanging round for a day without work from the parks.
“This park has every thing you want. We loved the pool and video games on website. It’s strolling distance to outdated city Kissimmee which has bars eating places and a automotive present each weekend. Its additionally a ten minute drive to Disney. We didn’t need to depart…”
Tricks to Take the Chaos Out of a Memorial Day RV Journey
Even the very best campground received’t save your weekend if getting there may be chaotic otherwise you’re dashing round when you arrive. Listed below are a couple of methods to take the sting off and preserve your Memorial Day RV journey working easily:
- Alter your timing to beat the push. If you happen to can swing it, depart a little bit earlier or later than peak journey hours. Campground arrivals are often smoother mid-morning or midweek, and off-peak journey might help you keep away from the worst of the site visitors.
- Make meals simple (and produce greater than you assume). Even in the event you plan to grill, have some low-effort meals and snacks available. Visitors, climate, or check-in delays can shift mealtime quick. Bonus tip: pre-prep sides, marinate forward, and retailer issues in grab-and-go containers to make setup smoother.
- Pack for surprises—not simply sunshine. Memorial Day climate has a thoughts of its personal. Carry layers, additional towels, and a fan or heater, relying on the place you’re tenting. You might begin the day in shorts and finish it bundled up.
- Use RV-specific instruments that truly assume like an RVer. With RV LIFE Journey Wizard, you’ll be able to construct a customized route primarily based in your rig’s top, weight, and preferences—so that you skip the low-clearance surprises and awkward gas stops. Pair it with the RV LIFE GPS app to get turn-by-turn instructions that observe your plan and keep away from sketchy reroutes. You’ll additionally get alerts for main climate techniques like storms and wildfire zones earlier than they turn into an issue.
So… Is a Memorial Day RV Journey Actually Value It?
It depends upon what you’re in search of—however in the event you’re craving contemporary air, a change of tempo, and the type of campfire chatter you solely get when everybody’s out of hibernation, then sure, it simply may be. Memorial Day weekend isn’t the quietest or calmest time to hit the street, however it’s a shared kickoff that brings RVers collectively from coast to coast.
With a little bit flexibility, the best campground, and some sensible instruments in your again pocket, it’s completely doable to show essentially the most crowded weekend of the season into among the finest. So if that rig is prepared, perhaps it’s time to cease questioning if it’s price it—and simply go.
Examine availability at your favourite Thousand Trails or Encore campground, hearth up the journey planner, and make this 12 months’s Memorial Day RV journey one to recollect.