The Best 8 Places to Visit on an RV or CamperVan Road Trip
Whether it’s some sleek, modern camper or a clunky old VW chugging down the road, no adventure can match the freedom of travel by campervan. No one will bind you up except perhaps the limits on your sense of adventure.
Zealand—Thousands of visitors throng along the potholed roads of North America, Australia, and New Zealand- partly because it is so obvious, which isn’t such a bad thing—to keep accommodation prices from shooting through the roof. The holiday Best RV Destinations or Outdoors RV proves infinitely richer for those brave enough to take the hard, bumpy roads of the main highways.
Here are eight of the most rewarding stops for RV travelers.
1. North Coast 500, Scotland: The Ultimate Camper Van Adventure Through Europe
Scotland’s Route 66 could hardly be farther removed from its namesake in America. Yet, this 516-mile scenic route stretches through Highland beauty, against which the weathered fishing villages, ancient castles, and remote distilleries are nestled into the wild heather landscape.
It’s pockmarked with campsites and involves a thrilling drive over Bealach na Bà, Scotland’s highest mountain pass, before rounding John o’ Groats, the northernmost point on mainland Britain. And don’t forget your swimsuit—the beaches of Scotland can be surprisingly gorgeous in good weather.
Most tourists embark on and end their tour here in Inverness, the largest city in the Highlands. Cozy pubs warm the traveler, a beautiful 19th-century cathedral presents itself, and an impressive castle offers a fantastic ending to the wonderfully scenic road trip.
2. Route 1 in California, USA—Ideal for Beach Goers
Authors and filmmakers have celebrated the American road trip, from The Grapes of Wrath to Thelma and Louise. California is the perfect place to craft your adventure. From the cinematic landscapes that put this state on the map to the legendary Highway 101 to the rugged paths of Death Valley, the most iconic route would be Route.
Hug the enduring toll road as it follows the beautiful California coastline for over 143 kilometers among San Simeon and the Carmel Highlands, observed with the aid of campsites.
3. East Coast Australia
Best for Party Goers
Like koalas to eucalyptus trees, road trippers have long been drawn to Australia’s East Coast-surfing towns for hedonism, coral reefs to snorkel with, and paradisiacal beaches offering an excuse for campervan hire.
Buckle up in Sydney, where the explosive market in used camper vans should produce reliable wheels for those looking to buy. Of course, the Opera House disappears in the rearview mirror as the East Coast unfurls with all its stunning national parks, offbeat islands, and difficult-partying towns like Brisbane, Cairns, and Surfers Paradise. Not all beach party vibes, however. Quiet camping grounds are found along the East Coast, with many free sites.
There are all of the East Coast road journey routes that you can take depending on how much time you have and which of the many stunning Australian sites you most want to see.
4. Overlanding in Namibia—a suitable area for nature enthusiasts.
From crowded towns to desolate, stark desert features, Namibia is as vast and varied as the seemingly endless plains. Plant life is extensive and fauna-rich countrywide parks; there’s just no need for anything else as far as a 4WD goes—with surreal landscapes.
Most self-drive adventures start in Windhoek, where quaint Bavarian-style pubs are perfect for studying maps and plotting your route. Don’t forget to punch your GPS coordinates into Etosha National Park, about the size of Belize. From there, take self-drive safaris around and camp inside the park so you can see the rhinos, elephants, and lions early in the morning before all the crowds come.
End your adventure with scenic driving in the shifting dunes of the Namib Desert and a visit to the ironclad shipwrecks along the Skeleton Coast. One caveat: roads in Namibia are usually loose gravel, and towns may be primarily a long way apart, so cautious pre-making plans are critical, which include making reservations for campsites. You can also even need to go on some other overlanding journey in Africa after you’ve had a flavor of the journey fashion.
5. Japan—the paradise for cultural tours.
Japan is a great country to go on the road. Unless you meet an occasional speedster, Japanese motorists are generally considerate of other people on the road; further, it has replaced many of the stressors associated with navigation by modern GPS systems. Traveling in an RV will save you money on accommodation, which is among the highest in Asia.
Japan’s highways open onto areas few travelers have ever seen: snow-topped summits, palm-lined beaches, glinting lakes, and primeval forests. On your way through this country, you will notice daily life, visiting bustling metropolises, secluded temples, and traditional villages.
6. New Zealand
Best suited for hikers
Campervan hire often claims New Zealand is the ultimate destination for a holiday—and it’s challenging not to agree. From glistening glaciers to wave-lashed shorelines, its landscapes bring grandeur to road trips, while its hiking trails and a legion of campsites make the scenery eminently accessible.
If you prefer mountain peaks, head west across the North Island’s volcanic heartland and hike in the untouched paradise of Tongariro National Park. If rugged seashores are more your style, take a ferry south to the South Island and follow the windswept West Coast down to Milford Sound and Franz Josef Glacier.
7. Chile’s Pan-American Highway: Ideal for the Thrilling Wanderer
There is little more a campervan and outdoor travel RV Hamilton Ontario holiday to Chile could offer in planning, as the humble Pan-American Highway runs roughly through the country’s middle. The Route takes people on road trips across vibrant colonial cities, arid deserts, and lush national parks.
Landscapes’ diversity: One place on Earth is as marvelously diversified in landscapes as this country. It is hard to believe that the driest place on Earth, the Atacama Desert, and the vineyard-covered Elqui Valley with the fascinating ice-blue glaciers of Patagonia stay under one roof: Chile.
8. Alberta, Canada—Ideal for Family Excursions
The Icefields Parkway is a glorious 230km drive through the Canadian wilderness where glaciers glisten, wildflower meadows bloom, snow tops the mountains, and water falls cascade down sheer walls.
Visit Banff and Jasper National Parks by campervan rental in May. These are simply at their best as when the blooms start appearing, and RV outdoor kitchen Skiing is still going on at higher elevations. Visit in April for ice skating on picturesque Lake Louise.
Before returning to the Best RV Destinations, detour Alberta’s Badlands to see the unique sandstone hoodoos and some of the rarest dinosaur fossils ever found. Families can enjoy great service provided by Airhub systems, a great campsite, and an engaging visitor center to learn about the area’s prehistoric inhabitants.
