Top Destinations for the Ultimate Vanlife Experience
The van life offers us amazing opportunities to visit some of the most spectacular destinations throughout the USA and Canada. Many vanlifers have a long bucket list of fantastic routes and destinations they want to see.
There are so many wonderful places to explore throughout North America; our own bucket list just keeps growing. In this article, we’ll take a look at 10 bucket list destinations you’ll want to add to your own itinerary. You’ll find everything from theme parks to natural wonders that will leave you in awe. We’ll include nearby places to camp too.
1. Disney World
Disney has created a destination resort that is pretty much guaranteed to put a smile on anybody’s face, young or old. Disney World is one of the largest destination resorts in the world. It’s made up of 4 separate theme parks that cover a massive area of 43 square miles. That’s 25,000 acres, packed with activities, rides, and all kinds of attractions. It’s really an amazing place to visit.
Whether you love all things Disney or just want a fabulous, family-oriented experience, you’ll want to put it on your bucket list. Disney boasts a convenient, well-appointed campground at its Fort Wilderness Resort, but there are also good campgrounds nearby that are close enough to allow convenient access to Disney amenities.
Nearby RV Parks
- Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground
- Orlando / Kissimmee KOA Holiday
- Outdoor Resorts at Orlando, Inc.
2. Graceland
Graceland is all about the late great Elvis Presley, an American icon who was perhaps the single greatest influence on the music and pop culture of the 20th century. The Graceland mansion, built by the King of Rock And Roll as a home for his family and where he raised his children, is just one part of a much larger and more diverse complex.
While tours of the mansion are perhaps the most popular activity at Graceland, there’s another part of the Graceland Complex that’s worth exploring. Elvis Presley’s Memphis is a 200,000-square-foot museum where you can see how Elvis was influenced by the local culture of Memphis.
In the museum, you’ll find artifacts and costumes the King wore for his stage performances. Both the Graceland Mansion and Elvis Presley’s Memphis should definitely be on your bucket list, especially if you have an interest in music. Graceland has its own well-appointed RV park, where you can stay while you find out about all things related to Elvis.
Nearby RV Parks
Graceland RV Park & Campground
3. Florida Keys
The Florida Keys are a string of tiny islands that are a must-see destination for vanlifers. With more than 40 keys and 110 miles of highway, the Florida Keys are one of the most scenic destinations in the US for travelers. The Florida Keys are beach lovers’ wonderland.
They’re also a great place to view many species of birds and animals that you won’t find anywhere else. Coral reefs and mangroves make the keys a habitat for fish, crustaceans, and other sea creatures. If you’re into nature, the Florida Keys is definitely a bucket list destination you won’t want to miss.
RV Parks in the Florida Keys
4. Grand Teton National Park
Scenic Grand Teton National Park encompasses the Teton mountain range in Northwest Wyoming, including the 4000-meter Grand Teton Peak. The park’s jaw-dropping beauty makes it a popular destination for hikers, mountain climbers, and anyone into outdoor activities with a spectacular mountain backdrop. A $35 entrance fee is good for a week and doesn’t require a reservation. The park has multiple campgrounds, with campsites available by reservation only.
RV Camping in Grand Teton National Park
5. Icefields Parkway
The absolutely stunning Icefields Parkway connects Lake Louise and Jasper, Alberta, via a well-maintained two-lane highway through the Canadian Rockies. True to its name, the Icefields Parkway offers vistas of the Icefields as well as the impressive mountain range that surrounds them. If this drive isn’t already on your list of bucket list destinations, it should definitely be. Numerous moderately-priced campgrounds are available along the way.
RV Camping Along the Icefield Parkway
6. Vancouver Island, BC
Vancouver Island, BC, is a 285-mile-long island off the coast of British Columbia. BC’s charming capital city, Victoria, is located at the southernmost tip of Vancouver Island and is accessible via the Washington State Ferries from Anacortes or BC Ferries from Tswaassen. That being said, Victoria is a gateway to many other destinations on Vancouver Island.
On the West Coast, the popular Pacific Rim National Park offers miles and miles of natural beaches and plenty of beachfront camping. However, for a truly West Coast experience, it’s well worth traveling up the island to Cape Scott Provincial Park at the North tip.
There is also a lot to see and do along the way there. Much of the journey is along a scenic, well-maintained forest-lined highway. You’ll find many campgrounds and RV parks along the way. Rathtrevor Beach Park makes a nice beachfront camping destination about halfway along the easy drive to Cape Scott. Another possibility is the wonderful Seal Bay RV Park near the small town of Courtenay, BC.
RV Parks on Vancouver Island
7. Haida Gwaii/Queen Charlotte Islands, BC
If you are destined for British Columbia, it’s well worth hopping on a ferry from Prince Rupert to Haida Gwaii, otherwise known as the Queen Charlotte Islands. With its lush rainforests, ancient First Nations Totem Poles, and abundant wildlife, Haida Gwaii offers an epic west coast experience that you’ll never forget.
RV Parks on Haida Gwaii
Hidden Island RV And Campground, Masset
8. Alaskan Canadian Highway
The Alaskan Canadian Highway (a.k.a. Alcan Highway) is a 1387-mile route that connects Dawson Creek and Delta Junction, Alaska. The highway traverses amazing wilderness and passes through the Canadian territory of Yukon along the way. Although it goes over an easy-to-drive paved road, the Alcan route is for adventurous vanlifers who are well-prepared for an expedition that’s out of cell phone range.
RV Parks Along the Alaskan Highway
9. Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona
Although this park is intensely popular, it still gets on our list of must-see bucket list destinations because well-it’s just so epic. There is no other place like the Grand Canyon for ancient rock formations and sheer expansiveness. In spite of its popularity, it’s worth having a look at.
RV Parks Near Grand Canyon National Park
- Grand Canyon Railway RV Park, Williams, AZ
- Trailer Village RV Park, Grand Canyon National Park
10. Cadillac Ranch, Amarillo, Texas
Cadillac Ranch near Amarillo, Texas, is the last but definitely not the least on our bucket list destinations. The art installation was built in 1974 and consists of 10 1950s Cadillacs, gaudily graffitied and buried hood first into the Texas soil, angled to catch the sun like some monument to the sun.
The cars are ordered in ascending order of their age along with the evolving size of their tailfins. The Cadillac Ranch made our list not just because it’s still a poignant metaphor. This place is just a really cool art installation that any vanlifers with an interest in art will want to see.
RV Parks Near Cadillac Ranch
Big Texan RV Ranch, Amarillo, Texas
Hit the Road to Adventure
Navigating the fascinating routes of van life offers a unique lens on travel, unveiling an array of stunning landscapes, historical landmarks, and offbeat attractions. As you map out your next adventure, remember to use RV LIFE Campground Reviews to ensure a seamless journey. Their user reviews offer insightful advice for your stay at these must-visit destinations. So, gear up for your next trip, savor the journey, and let the open road guide you to new unforgettable experiences. Happy travels!
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