Best RV Campgrounds to Spend Thanksgiving

The best RV Campgrounds to spend Thanksgiving is a list you will surely be grateful for! Thanksgiving is a holiday that is best spent with friends and family you hold dear. It’s a time of year that brings out a sharing, caring, and a jovial spirit in everyone. A tradition brought into being that symbolizes the hard work, trials, and successes of the harvest, Thanksgiving is a favorite holiday for many of us to this day. The traditional take on this holiday is to get the family together and eat, eat, eat. That’s a wonderful tradition and one of the reasons this holiday is a favorite but there are many different ways to go about celebrating Turkey Day.

If you’re an RVer, Thanksgiving on the road can be just as magical and memorable as anywhere. If you really love RVing, Thanksgiving on the road can be even more magical and memorable than one in a sticks and bricks house. If you’ve never taken the family out for a motor home Turkey Day, I would highly suggest giving it a go. Attempting all of your favorite recipes from the comforts of your RV is challenging but oh so satisfying when you pull it off. Here is a look at some favorite RV campgrounds across the nation to spend this giving season.

South Padre Island KOA, South Padre Island, Texas

Any time you can camp on or near the beach, you’re in for a treat. Anytime you can park your RV and camp next to the beach, you’re in for a very memorable stay. South Padre Island KOA on the beautiful and serene shores off the Gulf of Mexico offers every opportunity for you and the family to truly enjoy the RV lifestyle. You may be thinking how is it possible to get an RV onto an island? Well, South Padre actually has a highway leading right to the KOA and the RV park itself is capable of handling virtually the largest RVs out there with pull through sites up to 98-feet long.

This KOA has everything you would expect from a fully accommodating RV campground. Amenities include a hot tub, excellent restaurant on the pier, exercise room, playground for the kids and designated pet area. On the Thanksgiving holiday, the resort offers a free buffet with all of the fixings, turkey, pie and stuffing you would expect for a traditional feast. Guests are encouraged to bring a dish, potluck style, to the celebration and the warm and inviting atmosphere on the water makes for an unforgettable way to spend Thanksgiving. This RV park can get really busy so be sure to book reservations in advance and plan your trip ahead of time to insure you get it.

Chula Vista RV Resort, Chula Vista, California

This is another option for anyone looking for a warmer seasonal RV experience this time of year. Chula Vista RV Resort is set in the superb surroundings just outside of San Diego and is a lovely RV destination any time of year but due to the legendary weather the region is known for, colder months in other parts of the country attract many to southern California. This resort offers amenities including bike trails, a swimming pool and a spa as well as live music and entertainment.

Thanksgiving at Chula Vista RV Resort involves a lovely potluck dinner with all of the guests. It’s a great environment to make some new friends and enjoy the company and location with those you love and those you’ve just met. The day after the potluck, the resort turns on all of their Christmas lights to keep the holiday vibes alive into the next occasion.

Highlands Hammock State Park, Sebring, Florida

Highlands Hammock State Park is one of the oldest parks in Florida and its humble roots provide and calm and comfortable setting for visitors to this day. The magic of this park is found in the old-growth trees that surround the property and include Oak trees that are over 1,000 years old. You might not think a Florida forest even exists but one visit to Highlands Hammock and you’ll be sure to understand the allure. There are plenty of options for nature lovers to enjoy here and an elevated boardwalk over the swampy terrain offers excellent wildlife viewing opportunities. Fishing and picnicking are also popular activities among visitors here.

Thanksgiving in the State Park is a memorable as the fall season in this Florida forest is simply beautiful. The weather is temperate and warm, different than most Autumns you might be used to. You will probably need to be prepared to cook your own Thanksgiving, RV style, when visiting the park this time of year but there is an annual 5k race dubbed the Turkey Trot that is popular among visitors and locals alike.


Emerald Desert RV Resort, Palm Desert, California

Emerald Desert RV Resort is wonderful resort which fully caters to RVers and it is an amazing location to spend Thanksgiving. The resort really has the feel of an oasis in the desert and is set in the heart of southern California in the well-known and often visited Coachella Valley. The 33 acres that make up Emerald Desert offer an exotic setting at any time of the year and many different amenities are available to accommodate your personal preference. There are over 250 RV sites available and guests can enjoy spa services, a putting green, pickle ball courts, and even luxury villas if you need a night or two away from your RV. Just outside of the resort you can find fine dining options, excellent hiking in the surrounding desert and full-sized golf courses.

On Thanksgiving this year, you can celebrate the holiday in RV resort fashion by attending a Friendsgiving Potluck celebration on 11/26. This potluck style dinner is open to all guests for free. Emerald Desert will be providing the turkey, mashed potatoes, stuffing and gravy and guest will sign up to bring a special side dish.