The season for RV adventures is year-round if you plan accordingly. Most national parks are accessible all year but we are focusing on the fair weather options that are ideal for RVing during Thanksgiving. You can still drive to Yellowstone but the walls of snow and freezing temperatures are less than ideal for RV-specific trips.
While many southern destinations can still experience cold nights, you can enjoy warm, sunny days, desert vistas, and quiet beaches at these wonderful destinations. November is often a very nice month in the desert and southern climate zones. The National Park and National Monuments available are extensive and there are tons of amazing places that see far fewer visitors than the most popular park destinations.
Death Valley National Park
Avoid the summer months here unless you want to experience record-high temperatures. A few summer visitors come just to feel the scorching record heat but winter is really the best time to arrive. Thanksgiving is perfect because the park is typically not nearly as busy as December and January. This is a VERY REMOTE destination so bring plenty of water and a communications system for emergencies.
Climate
Although night temperatures remain in the triple digits during summer, they can plummet into the 30's during winter. November nights tend to hover around the low 40's which is super comfortable in an insulated RV. Don't underestimate the cool desert nights however and bring a few layers and extra blankets. Daytime temperatures are fantastic with many days being sunny in the 70's. Rain is rare but check the forecast before visiting. A rain event can shut down roads and wash out access to many areas in the park.
Things to Do
Sand dunes, stargazing, off-road tracks and great hikes are all part of the Death Valley experience. Just seeing the unique landscape from camp and the primary roads makes for a great visit. Hit Dante's View for a broad view of a beautiful valley. Consider hiking Darwin Falls for the ultimate environmental contrast. The small waterfall is situated in one of the harshest, driest places on the planet.
Campgrounds
Some campgrounds have size restrictions so always double-check your ability to fit in advance. Texas Springs and Mesquite Springs are both fantastic for RVs under 35 feet. Furnace Creek is one of the most popular campgrounds and it accommodates larger rigs with 100-foot parking spaces. Sunset Campground has no size limits for Class A travelers who may also be towing a trailer or second rig.
Death Valley is a large park with more than 5,000 square miles of remote desert. There are great RV campgrounds on the park perimeters in towns like Lone Pine and Pahrump.
Arches and Canyonlands National Parks
I'm bundling these two because they are so close together. You can really cover Arches in a single day while Canyonlands has a lifetime of remote desert expanse to explore. The general region here is a giant playground in November (and throughout the year). Many adventurous RVers make Moab a winter basecamp to capitalize on the abundance of outdoor opportunities in the area.
Climate
Temperatures swing a fair bit during winter around Moab but November holds onto those comfortable 60-70 degree days and nights that aren't yet freezing. The days are shorter and canyon country can cast shadows and cool off quickly in the evenings. You won't be buried in snow and the climate is still great for outdoor activity at Thanksgiving.
Things to Do
Everyone should see the delicate arch while it's still standing. Balanced rock is another must-see geological feature. There are numerous arch formations throughout the park with self-guided trails and guided tours. The Windows is a wonderful hike and the Fiery Furnace is a great location for hikes. You can see the big features in a single day or spend a few days hiking to really take your time in Arches.
Canyonlands is over 250k acres and has everything from mountain biking trails to world-class rock climbing. The Island in the Sky, Horseshoe Canyon, and the Needles are all iconic places to visit. Although this is a desert, it also has major river corridors. Take a paddle down the Green River or Colorado but come prepared for cold water! You might want to rent a wetsuit or dry suit for late-season river expeditions.
Campgrounds
Moab serves as the base for both parks and you can find services, hotels and local campgrounds in town. Arches is difficult to secure for camping as it has only one campground. Winter is busy and the campground fills up quickly. If reservations seem impossible here, head to Canyonlands where the Needles and Island in the Sky campgrounds have spaces for rigs up to 28 feet.
The park campgrounds don't have hookups so plan on dry camping. Otherwise, you will find quite a few excellent options in town and the surrounding area. For most RVers, private campgrounds are the best option while visiting these parks. It also helps to tow a second vehicle so you can really get out and explore the backcountry in Canyonlands.
Big Bend National Park
The border region has some fascinating geology and stunning landscapes. Big Bend is a favorite for RVers because it offers great infrastructure and huge wild spaces. Visitors can take a scenic drive, hit the beautiful overlooks or they can dig deeper with hikes and paddling adventures.
Climate
Pleasant is one word that pretty much sums up the Thanksgiving climate. Highs in the 60/70 degree range and lows in the 40s are practically made for outdoor activity. It's not too hot and not too cold but you can generally expect to enjoy sunshine. Like many desert parks, rain is not common but it does fill the washes and can lead to road closures. Keep an eye on the forecast when visiting.
Things to Do
The park is practically made for hiking. It has 150 miles of trails to walk on day trips or overnight journeys. Walking the river provides a unique experience. You can also head for the mountain trails on warm days and the desert trails on cooler days.
Scenic drives are another way to enjoy the vistas and rock formations between hikes. RVers with a vehicle in tow can hit the primitive dirt roads while their RVs stay at camp. The paved roads are perfect for exploring as well. You can easily spend a few days hitting the viewpoints on the 100 miles of paved park roads.
Campgrounds
The facilities are perfect for RVers with full hookups within the park. The Rio Grande Village RV Park has 25 sites with full services. You can call ahead to reserve a site for your stay. Additionally, Chisos Basin can handle smaller RVs in 24-foot and smaller ranges. Rio Grande Village has excellent reservation-only sites with shade from cottonwood groves. Hookups are not available at the sites but they have dump stations in the area.
Everglades National Park
If you prefer a warm breeze to the cold desert nights, head for the Everglades. The remote national park is a giant wetland just teeming with wildlife and excitement. It's a direct drive from Miami but couldn't feel farther away from the city once you arrive.
Climate
Winter is the perfect climate for anyone who prefers moderate temperatures. The days are warm and not overly humid. High 70s are pretty consistent across the winter days. Nights cool off just enough, dropping into the low 60's and high 50's. You can easily snowbird for the entire winter in this region, taking advantage of the ideal temperatures.
Things to Do
You can go biking and hiking (hit the Gulf Coast Trails) in the park but water-based activities are the real highlight. Grab a boat tour or go kayak/canoe your way through the backcountry. Bring a pair of binoculars for bird and wildlife watching. Don't forget, the Everglades are a large freshwater area with saltwater on the edges as well. Bring some fishing equipment and chase the largemouth bass and numerous other species living in these waters.
Campgrounds
Camping is essentially separated between backcountry and frontcountry options. The park itself has two RV-accessible campgrounds with dump stations and facilities. The Flamingo Campground is one great option with 41 sites having electric hookups. Long Pine Key is the other and larger campground with 108 total RV sites. You can reserve sites in advance to make things smooth on arrival.
Outside of the park camping, you won't find much for services and alternative camping until Florida City. Wintering in the Florida Keys and visiting the park on occasion is another great option for long-term camping.
Are You Ready for Thanksgiving RV Adventures?
Don't let the changing seasons slow you down this winter! Hit the road with your compass pointed south to find amazing national parks with idyllic climates. While the northern parks are covered in snow and ice, you can spend this Thanksgiving cooking turkey and exploring in full sunshine. So what are you waiting for, hit the road and extend your RV travels this holiday season!
