Road Trip: Four Fabulous Summer Vacations Perfect For Your RV

You just bought your new, luxurious RV, and it's time to hit the open road. You could just start driving, destination unknown, since your recreational vehicle has all the amenities of home, but why not consider one of these great RV vacation destinations for your maiden voyage?

Mount Rushmore

You can sleep in the shadow of giants when you head to this national memorial in South Dakota. Just a couple of miles down the road lies the Horsethief Lake Campground in the Black Hills National Forest, operated by the U.S. Forest Service. When you've finished visiting Mount Rushmore, nearby Rapid City has plenty of attractions, like a spectacular drive through wildlife park that features a large collection of black bears, grizzlies, buffalo, and elk. They also have a visitor center where you can see baby animals up close and personal.

South Padre Island

Enjoy miles of beaches on this long barrier island in the Gulf of Mexico, near Brownsville, Texas. When you're not just kicking back enjoying the sun, sand, and surf, you can take a dolphin and whale watching cruise, visit the world's largest sand castle, or simply enjoy the fresh seafood and variety of cuisine choices at any of the dozens of restaurants that call South Padre home. The island offers several different RV friendly campgrounds to choose from.

Colonial Williamsburg

History comes alive in this living museum situated on over 300 acres in Williamsburg, Virginia. There are dozens of authentically restored or recreated buildings, such as blacksmith shops, taverns, and churches. Costumed employees work at various sites on the grounds, including restaurants. There are also merchants that sell their Colonial wares to tourists. When you have had your fill there, head to nearby historic Jamestowne, the site of the first permanent settlement in America. You can take a special archaeological tour to see firsthand the antiquated treasures still being unearthed.

The 23 miles scenic highway, Colonial Parkway, connects travelers between Williamsburg, Jamestowne, and Yorktown, where Civil War reenactments can be seen. Yorktown is the perfect spot to celebrate Independence Day. There are also a couple of nearby theme parks with rides and water slides. There are several nearby campgrounds that range from roughing it to all the extra amenities.

Mackinaw City, Michigan

Situated on the endless sand dunes of Lake Huron, Mackinaw City has a few different campgrounds that are perfect for enjoying the beach and frolicking in the waves. You can visit a working 18th century sawmill, tour Colonial Michilimackinac, which is a reconstructed fort that belonged first to the French and later the British, complete with reenactments between Native Americans and the French, or you can hop on the ferry for a day trip to nearby Mackinac Island. Step back in time on this island that still uses horse and buggy travel or bicycles rather than motorized vehicles. Go kayaking in their protected cove, visit the butterfly arboretum, or just enjoy exploring the island, which is mostly comprised of a state park. There is also a majestic old hotel that offers fabulous fine-dining.