Sponsored by Thousand Trails
Earlier than you write it off, right here’s what to know, the place to camp—and why that FOMO is perhaps 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 People deliberate an RV journey over the vacation weekend. That’s numerous 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 yr: Is a Memorial Day RV journey definitely worth the hype—or simply asking for stress?
It’s true that the vacation weekend has a rep for crowds, visitors, and hard-to-find campsites. Nevertheless it doesn’t have to come back with the same old complications and scrambling. With the precise vacation spot, a strong plan, and instruments that enable you journey smarter—not tougher—this could really be some of the energizing weekends of the yr. You don’t must have booked months in the past or be a logistics wizard. You simply want a bit inside data—and that’s what this information is for.
The Actuality of Memorial Day RV Journey (and Why Individuals Nonetheless Present Up)
In case you’ve been RVing for some time, you already know—Memorial Day weekend isn’t precisely low-key. Campgrounds replenish. Children are in every single place. The grill smoke is fixed. And truthfully? That’s a part of the allure.
For a lot of RVers, this weekend isn’t nearly squeezing in just a few days off—it’s about reconnecting. With nature. With household. And with the a part of your self that’s happiest outdoors, 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 yr when campgrounds actually really feel alive. There’s a buzz within the air, and if you happen to lean into it as an alternative of resisting it, you would possibly end up having a greater time than you anticipated.
5 Campgrounds That Might Save Your Memorial Day RV Journey
In case you’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 area to unfold out.
All of them are a part of the Thousand Trails and Encore community, which suggests they’re a part of a nationwide system of campgrounds and resorts that RVers can entry by way of 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 Massive, Buzzy Vacation Weekend Spot on the Chesapeake Bay
In case your thought of a superb Memorial Day RV journey consists of sunshine, water, and plenty to do with out leaving the campground, Bethpage Camp-Resort suits the invoice. That is a kind of locations that looks like a full-on summer season occasion—and that’s a part of the draw. Positioned close to the Chesapeake Bay, the campground provides full hookup RV websites and a sprawling checklist of actions that make it straightforward to ditch the schedule and simply roll with the enjoyable.
There’s a lake with a seaside, a full water park, mini golf, hay wagon rides, and all of the high-energy household enjoyable you’d anticipate from a preferred vacation weekend vacation spot. You’ll additionally discover yoga periods, crabbing and fishing charters, dwell 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, buddy teams, and RVers who don’t thoughts a bit vitality within the air. If you need 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 employees are extraordinarily pleasant and useful. There are lots of actions and exquisite 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 provides the proximity you need with the complete hookups and creature comforts your RV appreciates. The websites are tucked right into a quiet, wooded space with a peaceable river operating by way of—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’s worthwhile to verify in or pull up a map. For households, there’s a playground and loads of area for the children to burn off vitality. For the nature-minded, anticipate 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 need 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 may 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, dwell music, themed occasions, and even an out of doors film display. In case you’re touring with children (or the young-at-heart), it’s a choose-your-own- journey type of place.
There’s no scarcity of area to unfold out or stuff to do. Lease a kayak or paddleboard, seize a seat on the dance corridor or basketball courtroom, or simply device round on a rented golf cart. The employees retains the exercise board full, however you may as well simply hang around at your website and absorb the energetic, social ambiance.
“We booked this go to for Mom’s Day weekend and it was so organized and useful employees. We have been escorted to our website and no points with discovering firewood. Wonderful retailer and employees. 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 checklist. And over Memorial Day weekend, that’s a successful combo. There’s a bit little bit of every part: swimming swimming pools, paddleboarding on the lake, mini golf, themed weekends, and fishing spots for many who’d fairly decelerate.
It’s fashionable with households and massive teams, so anticipate a gradual hum of exercise all through the campground. The structure is spacious, so that you’re not packed in except you need to be. You’ll discover pleasant employees, well-maintained grounds, and a strong lineup of weekend enjoyable. For RVers who need a basic vacation weekend tenting expertise—full with cookouts, cannonballs, and youngsters on scooters—this Illinois spot suits the invoice.
“…you may see the galaxies within the sky at evening!! 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 seaside…”
Encore Tropical Palms – Kissimmee, FL
Poolside Tenting Close to the Magic, With out the Theme Park Worth Tag
Planning to combine in a 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 which may be precisely what you need.
Websites are full hookup, and the grounds embody a pool, shuffleboard, canine park, mini golf, and an exercise middle that leans into the Florida sunshine with poolside video games, crafts, and occasional dwell music. It’s pet-friendly and kid-ready, with simply sufficient programming to maintain issues energetic if you happen to’re hanging round for a break day from the parks.
“This park has every part 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 go away…”
Tricks to Take the Chaos Out of a Memorial Day RV Journey
Even one of the best campground received’t save your weekend if getting there may be chaotic otherwise you’re speeding round when you arrive. Listed here are just a few methods to take the sting off and preserve your Memorial Day RV journey operating easily:
- Modify your timing to beat the frenzy. In case you can swing it, go away a bit earlier or later than peak journey hours. Campground arrivals are often smoother mid-morning or midweek, and off-peak journey will help you keep away from the worst of the visitors.
- Make meals straightforward (and produce greater than you assume). Even if you happen to plan to grill, have some low-effort meals and snacks readily available. Site 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. Convey layers, additional towels, and a fan or heater, relying on the place you’re tenting. It’s possible you’ll 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 may 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 programs like storms and wildfire zones earlier than they change into an issue.
So… Is a Memorial Day RV Journey Actually Price It?
It is dependent upon what you’re on the lookout for—however if you happen to’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 is perhaps. Memorial Day weekend isn’t the quietest or calmest time to hit the street, but it surely’s a shared kickoff that brings RVers collectively from coast to coast.
With a bit flexibility, the precise campground, and some good instruments in your again pocket, it’s completely potential to show probably the most crowded weekend of the season into among the finest. So if that rig is prepared, possibly it’s time to cease questioning if it’s value it—and simply go.
Examine availability at your favourite Thousand Trails or Encore campground, fireplace up the journey planner, and make this yr’s Memorial Day RV journey one to recollect.
