Florida
If you want to escape Canada’s icy winters to enjoy white sand beaches, history and Orlando amusement parks, the Sunshine State should be on your go-to list. And thanks to its location in the southern U.S., you can plan any number of interesting stops along the way.
As you drive south, make one of your first stops Saint Augustine on the northeast coast of Florida. A gem for history buffs, the city is the oldest continuous occupied city in the U.S. by Europeans in African Americans since its founding 1565. Visit the Castillo de San Marcos National Monument, a fortification built by the Spanish to defend Spanish trade interests.
The clear, blue water beaches of the Florida Keys are some of the most beautiful in the U.S. If you love snorkeling, head to Fort Zachary Taylor State Park and Beach, known for its striking coral and colorful fish. If you didn’t make room in your RV for your kayak and paddleboard, you can rent either at Higgs Beach, known for recreation and calm waters. Rest Beach will help you start and end your day right with some of the area’s most striking sunrises and sunsets.
Texas Gulf Coast
Go beach hopping on several beautiful barrier islands off the Texas Gulf Coast — Galveston, Mustang and South Padre. These sunny locations also offer history, nightlife, seafood, arts and culture.
Stroll through the Downtown Cultural Arts District in Galveston to see unique architecture, galleries and boutiques. Mustang Island State Park offers 18-miles of beaches, and the best camping and kayaking. Go birding on the bay of South Padre Island to watch the more than 200 species of migrating birds that visit every spring and fall.
Utah’s National Parks
Drive across southern Utah’s stunning Red Rock Country to explore the state’s Mighty Five national parks. “The total driving time only takes about six-and-a-half hours, but of course you’ll want to spend a few hours at each one to marvel over the deep narrow canyons, natural arches, towering buttes and cliffs,” writes Do it Yourself RV.
Zion, Utah’s first national park, is known for its diverse landscape including red, sandstone cliffs and part of the Mojave Desert. Marvel at the otherworldly landscape of Bryce Canyon National Park, which has a landscape of hoodoos, or red rock pillars, often described as mars-like. View ancient petroglyphs and hike through deep and narrow canyons at Capitol Reef National Park.
Arizona
Due to its millions of miles of Bureau of Land Management land, this far southwestern state is a haven for RV campers who enjoy solitude and off-grid adventures.
Of course, there is the majestic Grand Canyon, but you should also check out the state’s other unique natural areas. And Lake Havasu City is a desert oasis that offers water recreation, gambling, city amenities and desert trail access. If you love gazing at clear, starry skies, visit Lowell Observatory in Flagstaff. Take a drive down the iconic Route 66.