With summer well under way, it's time to get out your itinerary and plan your RV destinations this July. Whether you want to celebrate Independence Day at a historic location, hang on the beach and soak up some rays, or camp in a national park, pick your pleasure for our list of the top RV destinations for July 2022 and then hit the road for your summertime adventures!

Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge, Tennessee

Just 20 minutes from each other, both Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge have more than enough things to do and places to go to fill your July itinerary. Both cities are a short distance from the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, which is an adventure unto itself with miles of trails to hike, streams to fish, and rivers to canoe.

In Gatlinburg, make your way to these exciting attractions.

• Ober Scenic Chairlift


• The Gatlinburg Space Needle


• Ripley's Aquarium of the Smokies


• Hollywood Star Cars Museum


• Gatlinburg Arts and Crafts Community

Pigeon Forge has its own points of interest for all ages to experience.

• Dollywood


• Titanic Museum


• Rocky Top Mountain coaster


• Beyond the Lens Interactive Museum

Campgrounds

For convenience to both Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge, consider one of the frontcountry RV campsites available in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. There are also RV campgrounds in Gatlinburg and nearby Cosby and Pigeon Forge campgrounds also offer a variety of RV camping destinations.

Charleston, South Carolina

If you're planning to spend a lot of time at the beach, Charleston has the climate with July being the hottest month with an average high of 90 degrees. If you're a sun-seeker, this is your destination for enjoying sea breezes while strolling the beach, building sandcastles, fishing, sailing, taking boat cruises, jet skiing, and other water sports.

If your plans have you camping during the 4th of July, join in the celebratory festivities at the Annual Independence Day event at Patriots Point Naval Maritime Museum or the Mount Pleasant Pier with food, dancing, and live music. There's plenty more going on with a calendar full of Charleston events throughout July, from seafood and music festivals to live shows and bar crawls.

Campgrounds

RV campgrounds are plentiful in and around the city. Several to consider are Fain's RV Park in North Charleston, Campground at James Island County Park and for active and retired military personnel, Charleston AFB Military RV Park both in Charleston.

Everglades National Park, Florida

Florida has plenty of coastline with the Atlantic Ocean on the east coast and the Gulf of Mexico on the west coast to enjoy the state's miles of sugar-sand beaches. Florida is also known for its rich wilderness and wetlands in the Everglades National Park.

Among the park's 1.5 million acres of wetlands, hundreds of animals make the glades their homes, such as the Florida panther, alligators and crocodiles, leatherback turtles, assorted bird species, and the West Indian manatee. One of the best ways to experience the wildness and beauty of the glades and appreciate the natural habitat it provides for wildlife is aboard a traditional boat or an airboat with a guide.

Campgrounds

The Everglades National Park receives an estimated one million visitors each year, so make your reservation ahead of time to ensure your RV camping spot.

Zion National Park, Utah

Zion National Park is an ideal destination for hikers, as well as anyone who enjoys beautiful scenery. From forest trails and waterfalls to desert-like terrain, the landscape in Zion is ever-changing. Some activities to enjoy include:

• The Zion Canyon Scenic Drive


• Zion-Mount Carmel Highway


• Human History Museum


• Hiking


• Horseback riding


• Rock climbing

For visitor convenience, there is shuttle transportation throughout the park, so there is no worry about driving. The shuttle starts operations as early as 7 a.m.,

Campgrounds

There are campgrounds in Zion and several nearby.

Denali National Park and Preserve, Alaska

Yes, it's Alaska, but because of pleasant weather conditions without scorching temperatures, Denali National Park offers a pleasant oasis with plenty of activities to fill the day. July is one of the busiest months, but that's okay because there is just so much to do within its 6 million acres.

One of the activities for viewing the scenic landscape and observing assorted wildlife is a bus tour of the 92-mile Denali Park Road. Hiking is always a popular activity, and the park has numerous trails to explore suitable for all skill levels. Visitors can also book kayaking and rafting excursions for a refreshing break on the river.

Campgrounds

While visiting, consider one of the campgrounds inside the park as your base of operations.

Badlands National Park, South Dakota

For RVers who plan to haul their favorite vehicle along to use for day trip excursions, one road not to be missed is the Badlands Loop Road (Highway 240) that runs in the Badlands National Park. The park itself is a popular destination for travelers from around the world.

Throughout the drive, the scenery is a smorgasbord of colorful landscapes featuring cliffs, buttes, rock formations, and spectacular views plus a variety of free-roaming wildlife. There are numerous overlooks along the loop to take pictures. Hiking is also an option with trails suitable for novice to expert hikers.

Other points of interest are Custer State Park, just an hour from the Badlands, and Mount Rushmore National Memorial, a little over an hour's drive from Badlands National Park and 45 minutes from Custer State Park.

Campgrounds

Camping is available inside the park. Outside the park, there is Minute Man RV Park and Lodging.

Redwood National and State Parks, California

For travelers interested in enjoying summer without the sizzling temperatures, step into the magical world of the Redwood National and State Parks system.

With temperatures that average 65 degrees as the high temperature in July, these parks offer a cool and refreshing respite from stifling heat and humidity. This means hiking, biking, and walking the trails are comfortable activities versus getting overheated.

Within the World Heritage Site, consider these three parks for a day with nature - Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park, Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park, and Del Norte Coast Redwoods State Park.

Campgrounds

Click the link for information about camping in the parks and to make a reservation.

Outer Banks, North Carolina

With temperatures in the mid-80s during July, the Outer Banks offer visitors a refreshing atmosphere to explore, experience, and discover what each of the barrier islands has to offer. The islands include Roanoke, Hatteras, Ocracoke, and the Northern Beaches. The Outer Banks is the place to go to relax, unwind, enjoy the quiet, revel in the island's natural beauty, which includes exceptional beaches, and be removed from crowds of tourists and all the noise and hype that are part of a tourist-oriented city. Just a few things to do on the Outer Banks include:

• Aero Tours


• Surfing, diving, kayaking


• Kiteboarding and hang gliding


• Eco-tours


• Wright Brothers Memorial


• Jockey's Ridge State Park

Campgrounds

After a day touring the islands, settle down for the night at one of the campgrounds and be lulled to sleep by the rolling surf just a short distance from RV campsites.

Assateague Island, Maryland/Virginia

Assateague Island National Seashore is an adventure and a must for travelers who enjoy the great outdoors, natural settings, a variety of wildlife and birds, miles of sandy beach with panoramic ocean views, and, oh yes, wild horses. This is the environment of the 37-mile-long barrier island known as Assateague Island. The northern portion resides in Maryland and the southern portion in Virginia, which is home to the Chincoteague Wildlife Refuge.

There's a lot to do on Assateague Island. A few examples include:

• Kayaking


• Swimming


• Sunbathing


• Hiking


• Biking


• Touring the Assateague Lighthouse


• Observing (only) the wild horses

Campgrounds

Campsites are available in the Maryland portion of the state park only.

Galveston, Texas

Galveston has a little something for everyone to enjoy during the summer. With its pristine beaches along the Gulf of Mexico, historic downtown to explore, parks and museums, tours, water activities, and more, July in Galveston can be a chance to create unforgettable memories. Some of the top-rated things to do and attractions to see include:

• Galveston Island State Park


• Schlitterbahn Galveston Waterpark


• Stewart Beach


• The Strand National Historic Landmark District


• Historic Pleasure Pier


• Galveston Naval Museum


• Moody Gardens

Campgrounds

There are several choices for Galveston RV camping parks and resorts, each with a variety of amenities to enjoy while visiting this coastal island.

With so many options across the country, we're sure your July will be full of memory making RV adventures.