Explore, Dream, Discover: Themed RV Road Trips To Ignite Your Wanderlust (2024)

Have you ever considered a themed RV road trip? If you need a little break from the standard RV park trips, you might want to consider a tailored adventure that focuses on your unique interests to feed your adventurous spirit.

Some of these themes provide one-of-a-kind experiences that will get you fired up about your next RV road trip.

If you need some inspiration, check out our five theme ideas, and don’t be afraid to come up with one of your own.

1. Ghost Towns and Mine Tours

Ever since the Partridge Family and believe it or not, even the Brady Bunch, ended up exploring a ghost town in one of their episodes, ghost towns and mine tours have been a favorite RV road trip destination of mine. Abandoned ghost towns can be scary, interesting, or mildly lame, but no matter what, there is always a lesson and some history to be learned.

Why This Themed RV Road Trip Is a Must

Ghost towns and mine tours are a feature of the western half of the US. The history of the West comes alive as you travel to Arizona, Nevada, New Mexico, California, and even Montana. You must make it a bucket list RV road trip to see the West and include ghost town tours in your themed adventure.

Get Inspired To Go

White Oaks, New Mexico

White Oaks was once a thriving gold mining town, and it’s said Billy the Kid’s favorite place to visit. Gold was found in Baxter Mountain, and the town was booming with luxurious Victorian homes. It was once the second-largest city in New Mexico with a population of 4,000 at one point in its history. Explore the cemeteries and the “no scum allowed” saloon, as well as other historic sites.

Tombstone, Arizona

Arizona is replete with old ghost towns and mine tours. You cannot be on an RV road trip in Arizona without checking out Tombstone. The town is truly from the Wild West, and you can see history come to life by watching a gunfight reenactment or exploring the many historic buildings and museums.

Goldfield Ghost Town and Mine Tour in Apache Junction, Arizona

Goldfield Ghost Town is considered the gateway to the Superstition Mountains and is approximately 40 miles east of Phoenix. You can check out one of the many saloons, a boarding house, a blacksmith shop, a general store, and a schoolhouse from the 1890s. Catch a live reenactment of a gunfight, ride the narrow gauge train, and pan for gold. You can also tour a gold mine, go zip lining, horseback riding, or target shooting.

Oatman, Arizona

I spent an afternoon in Oatman a few years ago and experienced the wild burros that roam the streets. Know that these four-legged freeloaders are out looking for their next snack and will do just about anything to get it. You’ve been warned. This ghost town is on Route 66 and has a rich mining history. You can see the ruins of the old mines, shop, and pay a visit to the old Oatman Hotel, which is said to be haunted by the ghosts of past guests.

Bannack, Montana

You can get your fill of ghost towns in Arizona but this Montana town has been featured on the Travel Channel’s Ghost Adventures. This former mining town was once known as the “Toughest Town in the West” because of its gold wealth, greed, and gunslingers in the 1860s.

Bannack is one of the best preserved of Montana’s ghost towns and some say the ghosts of its victims can still be seen around the town’s 60 remaining structures. It was once Montana’s first territorial capital in 1864 and had some 3,000 residents. By 1940 it was almost abandoned and has been restored into a state park for tourists to explore.

Best Time To Visit

Depending on your elevation, the best time to visit these sites in Arizona and New Mexico is in the late fall, winter, or early spring to avoid the intense heat of summer. They may say the West is a dry heat, but it’s still HOT in the summer.

Plan your RV road trip so you visit Bannack the third week in July for the annual Bannack Days. You can participate in an interactive living history celebration of Montana’s early days with a wagon ride, candle making, gold panning, gunfights, dancing, craft demonstrations, and music.

2. StarGazing at Dark Sky Parks

Simply put, a dark sky location can be a park, reserve, sanctuary, or area with low light pollution that provides a better view of the stars. The International Dark Sky Places program certifies some locations through an extensive application process. Certified places have policies to reduce light pollution, are required to use a particular type of outdoor lighting, and must continue their dark sky practices to continue certification.

Why This Themed RV Road Trip is a Must

I don’t think most realize how much light pollution affects their views of a star-lit night. I’ve lived in places that were “darker” than others but there is nothing like a truly dark night to have an appreciation for the light show we can’t normally see. When you get to see the vivid stars and the Milky Way, you will want that experience again and again.

Get Inspired to Go

Death Valley National Park

Stargazing in Death Valley National Park is the crème de la crème of stargazing. DarkSky International has designated the park as a Gold Tier Dark Sky Park, which is the highest rating of darkness. During the winter and spring months, park rangers have several stargazing events.

Explore its extreme landscapes during the day on a scenic drive before watching the stars put on a show for you at night. You can see celestial objects that are not visible elsewhere in the world. Some say you can even see the Milky Way. Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes, Harmony Borax Works, Badwater Basin, and Ubehebe Crater are all recommended locations for stargazing.

Joshua Tree National Park in Twentynine Palms, California

Joshua Tree National Park, located in Twentynine Palms, California, encompasses the Colorado and Mohave Deserts. Designated areas for stargazing include the parking lots of Quail Springs, Hidden Valley, Cap Rock, and Ryan Mountain. Cottonwood Campground has some of the darkest skies in the park.

Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona

This national park icon has spectacular daytime views, but don’t forget to look up and take in the night views as well. Popular stargazing vantage points include Desert View, Moran and Lipan points on the South Rim, Bright Angel Point, and Cape Royal on the North Rim.

On your RV road trip, don’t miss the Grand Canyon Star Party. Held yearly in June, this event includes a nightly evening program, followed by telescope viewing behind the Visitor’s Center. Park rangers also offer constellation tours later in the evening.

Big Bend National Park, Texas

Big Bend National Park is a great RV destination overall. Its desert landscape contains geological marvels, from sea fossils and dinosaur bones to volcanic dikes. It is also another awesome dark sky destination, with more than one million acres protected under DarkSky International.

Check out the variety of regularly scheduled, free night sky interpretive programs. Programs range from star parties to moonlight walks, which encourage discussion about the importance of dark night skies. You can also grab your lawn chair and binoculars, find a spot away from developed areas, and enjoy an evening of meteor showers, constellation spotting, Milky Way viewing, or night sky photography.

Waterton-Glacier International Peace Park and World Heritage Center

Waterton-Glacier International Peace Park and World Heritage Site straddle the northern Rocky Mountains in Montana and Canada. There, you can view snowcapped mountains, high-altitude lakes, and rivers cascading from glaciers. Many nighttime activities, including nightly astronomy programs, allow you to enjoy the views after dark.

At the St. Mary Visitor Center, the park service maintains the Dusty Star Observatory for use by astronomers and to host visitor stargazing programs. On the Canadian side, Waterton Lakes National Park provides stargazing at Cameron Bay, along the Red Rock Parkway, and at the Bison Paddock Overlook. The Waterton National Park Service also presents a weekly “Dark Sky Sights” program at the Visitor Center.

Best Time to Visit

The best time to visit these places for stargazing can be any time of the year, depending on what you want to see. Winter air is usually clearer with less haze, and it gets dark earlier. Constellations such as Orion and Taurus are more prominent in the winter.

In May and June, the Milky Way is more visible as it arches over the eastern horizon just after dark. In summer, the Milky Way is often more visible in the Northern Hemisphere.

3. America’s Majestic Waterfalls

If you enjoy a great hike with a reward at the end, visiting some of the best waterfalls in the US could be your next themed RV trip. Waterfalls are formed as streams flow from soft rock to hard rock. As the soft rock erodes, a hard ledge is left over which the stream falls.

Waterfalls are formed from rainfall, snowmelt, or underground springs.

Why This Themed RV Road Trip is a Must

Simply spending time enjoying the visual beauty of a waterfall with its cascading water and mist can surely calm your body, heighten your senses, and give you an overall peaceful feeling. Studies show they may even reduce stress and depression. It is even said that the movement of the water can affect the rhythm of your brain waves.

Combine that with a challenging hike, the lush greenery, the smell of the forest, and the view of towering cliffs and you have a recipe for a beautiful time in nature.

Get Inspired to Go With These Points of Interest

Niagara Falls

Although the Niagara Falls area is somewhat commercialized, if you haven’t been there, it is a must-see on your bucket list.

When you go to Niagara, you must see three falls: two on the American side and one on the Canadian side. They mark the point at which the Niagara River runs over the Niagara Escarpment.

You can also find plenty of things to do at Niagara Falls, including a journey behind the falls, the Maid of the Mist boat tour, which takes you close to the falls via the water, the White Water Walk, a 300-meter boardwalk that follows the whitewater rapids and includes information boards, the Cave of the Winds, which provides easy access to the lower part of the falls, and much more.

Bridal Veil Fall, Yosemite

An easy 20-minute hike on a paved trail will bring you to the base of Bridal Veil Fall in Yosemite National Park. The fall is fed mainly by melting snow and rises to a height of 620 feet. It is one of the most scenic features in the park. When the water is at its peak in the spring, you can expect to get wet. You might be unable to access the trail’s end if the spray is too strong. Look for its characteristic light, swaying flow.

Bridal Veil Fall is one of Yosemite’s most iconic waterfalls, flowing year-round. It is also the one that Ansel Adams made famous in his shot of Yosemite Valley from Inspiration Point.

Havasu Falls, Supai, Arizona

On your waterfall-themed RV trip, make a point to check out Havasu Falls in Supai, Arizona. This fall is a beautiful site as the aqua water spills over the deep orange travertine cliffs to the desert oasis below. Note the contrast between the arid desert landscape and the lush vegetation near the water. It is a tropical paradise.

The five Havasupai Falls—Navajo Falls, Havasu Falls, Mooney Falls, and Beaver Falls—are all located on the Havasupai Indian reservation in a side canyon of the Grand Canyon.

Arkansas Waterfall Loop

Arkansas is a beautiful state to hike and enjoy the natural wonders. It is called the “Natural State,” after all. It has an abundance of waterfalls, 10 of which you can see in seven or eight hours, including hike time. Make Arkansas a place to spend some time in your RV and check out this plethora of waterfalls. Start your tour at Spainhour Falls in the Ozark National Forest.

Best time to visit

The best time to visit waterfalls is in the spring, when they are sure to be flowing at maximum capacity. Plenty of rain or a good winter snowfall makes all the difference in how much water is flowing. Take some time to do your research and make sure you won’t miss anything. It’s no fun to plan a hike with a waterfall at the end and find a dry cliff.

4. U.S. Beach Hopping

Beach lovers are a breed all their own. They love the sun, the sand, and the water like no other. Finding the best beaches is a quest. Planning a beach-themed RV trip means finding the best features of a great beach, such as white, smooth sand and clear, blue water.

Why This Themed RV Road Trip is a Must

Visiting a beach is good for your health. Swimming can boost your endorphins and increase your Vitamin D levels, which helps to strengthen your bones and teeth and improve your sleep. It is also said that breathing ocean air can help you to breathe more deeply.

Beaches are also good places to improve your mood and reduce stress and anxiety. The ocean can also be relaxing, fun, and romantic. However the beach moves you, check out some great places to spend some beach time.

Get Inspired to Go

Gulf Shores

Sink your toes into the white quartz sand on the Gulf of Mexico. Just 50 miles southeast of Mobile, you can find time year-round to work on your tan and beach mental health. Gulf Shores’ main public beach offers amenities such as showers, a volleyball court, and picnic pavilions. Gulf State Park has some 3-plus miles of uncrowded coastline and a public fishing pier.

Destin

Destin is situated on the Florida Panhandle and has great fishing, particularly for grouper and red snapper. So great that it’s been called the “World’s Luckiest Fishing Village.” If you like to swim and sunbathe, you can choose Crystal Beach Park. Henderson Beach State Park and Grayton Beach State Park offer nature trails and Crab Island is unique and beautiful because it’s a sandbar that is only accessible by boat.

Siesta Key

Siesta Key is a barrier island off the coast of Sarasota, Florida. With 8 miles of white sand, you can relax and work on your tan. Crescent Beach has an area for snorkeling. Siesta Beach has tennis and volleyball courts, a playground, and a concession stand, and Turtle Beach has some great beachcombing opportunities. Avoid parking fees and use Siesta Key’s free trolley service.

Malibu

While considering your next beach-themed trip, see what this coastal destination has to offer. Just west of Santa Monica, California, you will find plenty of sandy shoreline for all your beach-loving adventures. Zuma Beach extends nearly 2 miles and features great surfing waves and whale-watching opportunities. Surfrider Beach is another popular spot for surfing and is near Malibu Pier.

Head north of Zuma to El Matador State Beach for striking views of cliff formations. Point Dume State Beach offers a short trail to the nature preserve for views of the Pacific Ocean and surrounding mountains.

Outer Banks

The Outer Banks span some 200 miles along the coast of North Carolina. You can fish or boat at Hatteras Island or check out the beaches in Kitty Hawk or Kill Devil Hills for sunbathing, swimming, surfing, and skimboarding. Check out the pier at Nags Head to watch the sunset.

Best Time To visit

The best time to visit a beach is when you need the smell of the salty air and the crash of the waves to bring peace to your weary soul. If you like to swim, summer is the best time for tanning, surfing, and relaxing. Don’t count out other seasons to get your salty fix. Summer may be a busy time, so to avoid crowds, opt for late spring or late summer. Also, go in the early morning or late afternoon for a quieter time on the beach.

5. Route 66

U.S. Route 66 was one of the original highways built in the U.S. Highway System. It was established on Nov. 11, 1926, and has become one of the most famous roads in the United States. Its original route took travelers west, particularly those migrating from the Dust Bowl states of the 1930s. It runs through eight states from Illinois to California and is 2,448 miles.

Why This Themed RV Road Trip Is a Must

Even if you don’t want to travel all of Route 66 on your themed RV road trip, there is so much to do along the way. From swinging footbridges to unusual art, you can learn some history, be inspired, and see the lighter side of America as you travel.

Get Inspired To Go

Eastern Terminus of Route 66 in Downtown Chicago

Several relics of Route 66’s heyday remain near Grant Park, including Route 66 signage and the Clarence Buckingham Memorial Fountain. This is one of the largest fountains in the world, constructed one year after Route 66 was completed. The fountain has lights at night and live music.

Head southwest to Pontiac, Illinois, and visit the Route 66 Hall of Fame, or take a rest stop and see the historic Swinging Foot Bridges.

Uranus Fudge Factory near Springfield, Missouri

As you travel through Missouri, you can’t miss Uranus Fudge Factory and General Store. Located just off I-44 between St. Louis and Springfield, Missouri, this is a must-see on your Route 66-themed trip. “Welcome to Uranus” will greet you as you walk in the door, as well as the smells of some of the daily-made fudge. Did you know, the best fudge comes from Uranus? You can even try a free sample so you know which ones to purchase.

The shop also sells many kinds of candies, including 80-plus flavors of taffy, candy made from bugs, drinks, hot sauce, t-shirts, gifts, Ozark novelties, and more.

“Cars on the Route” in Galena, Kansas

Route 66 only covers 13 miles through Kansas, so on your RV road trip, be sure to check out the Route 66 attractionCars on the Routein Galena for souvenirs. The old Kan-O-Tex service station at the north end of Main Street was restored by four women and was dubbed “Four Women on the Route. It opened as a tourist attraction, which helped lead to the rebirth of Galena’s stretch of Route 66.

It is now called “Cars on the Route,” and the emphasis is on the connection to the movie Cars. The place sells sandwiches, snacks, antiques, Route 66, and Car’s items, as well as items by local artists. See several cars, including a mining boom truck that inspired the character “Tow Mater.”

National Route 66 Museum in Elk City, Oklahoma

Oklahoma is home to the longest drivable stretch of Route 66, covering 426 miles. Just off I-40 and halfway between Elk City and Clinton are two museums dedicated to all things Route 66. The National Route 66 Museum in Elk City is one of the most comprehensive, with a journey through all eight states and plenty of memorabilia, including antique cars and Popeye memorabilia.

Just down the road at the Oklahoma Route 66 Museum, located in Clinton, you can learn about the road’s construction, see vehicles from that time, and take part in interactive activities. At the end of the museum, you can stop by the drive-in theatre or check out the gift shop.

Cadillac Ranch, Amarillo, Texas

Near Amarillo, be sure to wander the famous highway and see the Cadillac Ranch, one of Route 66’s most popular attractions. The sculpture is made up of ten old Cadillacs, half-buried nose down, standing as a monument to America’s “Golden Age of the Automobile.” Graffiti is encouraged, with passersby allowed to leave their mark.

Don’t miss the galleries, antique shops, and historic saloons in the Route 66 Historic District just west of downtown Amarillo. The MidPoint Café in Adrian marks the halfway point of the road trip.

Western Terminus in Santa Monica, California

The original western terminus of Route 66 was in downtown Los Angeles, but the route was extended to Santa Monica in 1935. A sign at the end of the Santa Monica Pier marks the “End of the Trail,” with a Ferris wheel, arcades, street performers, and plenty of restaurants and bars.

Best Time To Visit

Depending on your route, this could be a great fall trip. You want to avoid the West in the hot summer, but you don’t want to encounter snowstorms in the Midwest after around November.

Every themed RV road trip needs a good plan. Download the RV Life App and RV Life Trip Wizard for tools that will not only show you an RV-friendly route but will help you plan your overnights, gas stops, and more.

RV Life Campgrounds will help you find places to stay and you can check out reviews, photos, and more before you book your stay.

RV Life Maintenance helps you keep on top of your RV maintenance schedule, keep track of your spending, and also allows you to add two additional vehicles such as your tow car and four-wheeler. You receive emails based on your maintenance schedule to remind you of tasks that need to be completed.

Get all of this and more with RV LIFE Pro.

Where Will You Go?

Make sure, as you plan your themed RV road trip, that you take the time to explore your destination without rushing. Flexibility is key as travel schedules, weather, and unexpected delays can try to put a kink in your plans.

Pack appropriately for your chosen theme. You’ll want to pack hiking gear for a waterfall trip or stargazing equipment for those Dark Sky Parks. Always stay safe while exploring remote areas, and leave no trace as you pack out everything you brought in. These practices help to preserve the environment and keep wildlife safe as well.

I hope you found an RV road trip that you can’t wait to plan. Let us know about a themed road trip you took or plan to take in the comments below.