Memorial Day Weekend is right around the corner. If you’re still trying to figure out what to do or where to go, don’t worry. We’ve got you! With information from our just-released Memorial Day travel trends report, we’ve put together this list of the top destinations for Memorial Day travel along with a cool RV you can rent from each destination.
And we understand that you might be worried about costs. However, RV trips are still a great way to vacation without spending an arm and a leg. In fact, although inflation has increased the cost of other types of vacations like cruise vacations and theme park vacations, our average trip price on Outdoorsy has only gone up $5 over the last year!
Top Destinations for Memorial Day travel
1. Denver, Colorado
Outdoor enthusiasts will fall in love with Denver and all it has to offer. The biggest nearby attraction is Rocky Mountain National Park, with 415 square miles of majestic peaks that soar up to 14,000 feet and more than 350 miles of trails. Within Denver, you will also find plenty of green space. City Park is Denver’s most visited urban park and it’s also home to the Denver Zoo and the Museum of Nature and Science.
5-star Denver RV rental: 2018 Dodge Sprinter Van
2. Los Angeles, California
Los Angeles isn’t just glitz and glamor; there are many outdoor activities that you can enjoy as well. Head to the beach or visit Angeles National Forest, with over 500 miles of multi-use trails and dozens of streams, creeks, and lakes. Topanga State Park is also nearby and has hiking trails, a museum, and a nature center.
5-star Los Angeles RV rental: 2018 Chevy Four Winds
3. Seattle, Washington
Seattle is a fun city to explore! The city hosts some of the best festivals and events in the Pacific Northwest and has amazing museums like the Seattle Art Museum, the Museum of Flight, and the Chihuly Garden and Glass. To experience the great outdoors, visit Mount Rainier National Park, one of the oldest parks in the country. You can try to reach the peak of the mountain or you can hike, bike, kayak, or go fishing.
5-star Seattle RV rental: 2020 Runaway Camper
4. Portland, Oregon
Portland is known for its lush greenery, incredible outdoor escapes, and great food. If you want to enjoy some of the beautiful nature near the city, drive over to Mt. Hood National Forest. It has great trails to hike and bike, plus lakes and streams to enjoy. It also has 28 RV campgrounds to choose from.
5-star Portland RV rental: 2022 Winnebago Solis
5. Salt Lake City, Utah
As the capital of Utah, Salt Lake City is a big city with a small-town feel. Visit the Natural History Museum of Utah or watch bison, bighorn sheep, and pronghorn antelope roam freely at Antelope Island State Park. Just east of the city you’ll find Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest with 2.1 million acres of diverse landscape to enjoy.
5-star Salt Lake City RV rental: 2018 Forest River Rockwood
6. Phoenix, Arizona
With over 300 days of sunshine per year, Phoenix is a haven for snowbirds from the midwest. Golfers also love the area as there are more than 200 golf courses. For RVers, Phoenix is also a great base for visiting Grand Canyon National Park. This awe-inspiring sight truly is grand and offers activities like hiking, whitewater rafting, guided mule rides and horseback rides, and stargazing parties.
5-star Phoenix RV rental: 2017 Ram Promaster
7. San Diego, California
San Diego has 70 miles of beautiful coastline, making it the perfect spot for water activities. Surfing is a popular pastime, as well as wildlife viewing. The city is also home to attractions like SeaWorld, the San Diego Zoo and Safari Park, and Legoland. Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve is also within the city limits. Birdwatching, hiking, and fishing are the most popular things to do here.
5-star San Diego RV rental: 2021 Airstream Bambi
8. San Antonio, Texas
San Antonio is the second biggest city in Texas, so there’s a lot to see and do. It’s home to the River Walk, a network of walkways along the river known for its romantic atmosphere, award-winning culinary scene, and exotic nightlife. San Antonio also has a zoo, aquarium, botanical gardens, and underground caverns.
5-star San Antonio RV rental: 2019 Grand Design Imagine
9. Riverside, California
An hour’s drive east of Los Angeles is the charming city of Riverside. Its downtown is pedestrian-friendly and has a variety of restaurants and bars. There’s also a local amusement park with rides, slides, miniature golf, and performances. Continuing east, you’ll find San Bernardino National Forest. It’s the perfect place to go hiking, fishing, and even ATV-riding.
5-star Riverside RV rental: 2022 StarCraft Autumn Ridge
10. Dallas, Texas
As a modern metropolis in north Texas, Dallas offers its visitors a little bit of everything. There are world-class museums, high-end shops, and five-star restaurants. There are also plenty of natural attractions. Top spots include Boulder Park for great mountain biking, Eisenhower State Park, and the Joppa Preserve, where you can see exotic birdlife.
5-star Dallas RV rental: 2020 Wayfarer Motorhome
Hit the road this Memorial Day weekend
According to our Memorial Day travel trends report, first-time RV renters account for 79% of Memorial Day rentals on the platform. We’re so happy that more and more people are getting out on the road and experiencing the great outdoors in RVs.
The report also shows that the most popular search filter for Memorial Day bookings is “Pet-friendly” RVs. So if you’re wanting to go camping with your pets, you’re not alone.
With all of this in mind, it’s best to rent your RV as soon as possible. Take advantage of early-bird deals, get everything on your camping checklist, and plan your route ahead of time. That way you can relax and look forward to all of the memories you’ll make this Memorial Day weekend.
