As the COVID-19 pandemic continues, summer recreation, in particular, seems to be at risk. Many local governments remain focused on getting the most vital parts of the economy back up and running while managing public health concerns close to home, rather than reopening pools, waterparks, and golf courses. As a result, it’s a better time than ever to check out the outdoor activities and racing events that are currently available across the country.
The best way to get there with minimal contact? Renting an RV.
Why Is RVing a Safe Option?
As mentioned, the benefits of renting an RV are numerous. Most significantly, you and your family can travel together in one vehicle, preventing you from encountering the crowds at the airport. Better yet, you can prepare your food, either within your RV or outside on the open fire, saving you money and ensuring your food has minimal human contact before serving.
If you choose to utilize a full-size Class A models or fifth wheels, RVing even beats out traditional camping when it comes to safety. Once you’re at your destination, you’ll be able to live and sleep in an enclosed space controlled by you while you’re on vacation—no more wondering if in-park bathroom facilities have been disinfected. Overall, while you’ll still need to put in some time cleaning the interior of your RV to make sure that your accommodations are clean and free from other people—especially compared to the traditional airline, hotel, and restaurant amenities—RVing wins the day.
Where Can You Go RVing?
If the COVID-19 pandemic has taught us anything, it’s the benefit of appreciating the great outdoors and all the beautiful spaces Mother Nature provides. Most state and national parks offer recreational opportunities off the beaten path and well within the social distancing requirements mandated by the CDC. However, most parks took a phased approach to closing back in late February and early March, and according to the National Park Service, have taken the same approach to reopening now, depending on local and regional concerns.
As a result, while most state and national parks have at least begun opening to visitors—including drivers, hikers, bike riders, and more—not all are open for camping. Even fewer have had the resources allocated to reopen successfully, staff, and maintain on-site facilities like visitors’ centers, guide stations, restrooms, and high-contact activities like boat rentals and tours. With this in mind, refer to our chart of major national parks and current reopening information (current as of June 30, 2020):
- Acadia (Maine)
Open: Yes
Amenities: No
Camping: No (Potentially 8/1/20) - Arches (Utah)
Open: Yes
Amenities: No
Camping: Yes (7/19/20) - Badlands (South Dakota)
Open: Yes
Amenities: Limited
Camping: Yes - Big Bend (Texas)
Open: Yes
Amenities: Yes
Camping: Yes - Biscayne (Florida)
Open: Yes
Amenities: Limited
Camping: No - Black Canyon of the Gunnison (Colorado)
Open: Yes
Amenities: Limited
Camping: Yes. - Bryce Canyon (Utah)
Open: Yes
Amenities: Limited
Camping: Yes - Canyonlands (Utah)
Open: Yes
Amenities: Slightly Limited
Camping: Yes (7/1/20) - Capitol Reef (Utah)
Open: Yes
Amenities: Yes
Camping: Yes - Carlsbad Caverns (New Mexico)
Open: Yes
Amenities: Limited
Camping: Yes - Channel Islands (California)
Open: Yes
Amenities: No
Camping: No - Congaree (South Carolina)
Open: Yes
Amenities: Limited
Camping: No - Crater Lake (Oregon)
Open: Yes
Amenities: Limited
Camping: No - Cuyahoga Valley (Ohio)
Open: Yes
Amenities: Slightly Limited
Camping: No Camping Available - Death Valley (California)
Open: Yes
Amenities: No
Camping: No - Denali (Alaska)
Open: Yes
Amenities: Limited
Camping: Yes - Dry Tortugas (Florida)
Open: Yes
Amenities: Yes
Camping: Yes - Everglades (Florida)
Open: Yes
Amenities: Yes
Camping: Yes - Gates of the Arctic (Alaska)
Open: Yes
Amenities: No
Camping: Yes - Gateway Arch (Missouri)
Open: Yes
Amenities: Yes
Camping: No Camping Available - Glacier (Montana)
Open: Yes
Amenities: Limited
Camping: Limited to East Park - Glacier Bay (Alaska)
Open: Yes
Amenities: Limited
Camping: Yes - Grand Canyon (Nevada)
Open: Yes
Amenities: Slightly Limited
Camping: Yes - Grand Teton (Wyoming)
Open: Yes
Amenities: Limited
Camping: Yes - Great Basin (Nevada)
Open: Yes
Amenities: Limited
Camping: Yes - Great Sand Dunes (Colorado)
Open: Yes
Amenities: Limited
Camping: All but Group Loop - Great Smoky Mountains (North Carolina/Tennessee)
Open: Yes
Amenities: Limited
Camping: Limited to Cades Cove, Deep Creek, Elkmont, and Smokemont - Guadalupe Mountains (Texas)
Open: Yes
Amenities: Extremely Limited
Camping: No - Haleakala (Hawaii)
Open: Yes
Amenities: Limited
Camping: No Camping Available - Hawai’i Volcanoes (Hawaii)
Open: Yes
Amenities: Limited
Camping: No Camping Available
- Hot Springs (Arkansas)
Open: Yes
Amenities: Most are open, except the Visitors’ Center
Camping: Yes - Indiana Dunes (Indiana)
Open: Yes
Amenities: Yes, except for Central Ave and Lake View Beaches
Camping: Yes - Isle Royale (Michigan)
Open: Yes
Amenities: No visitor ferry, lighthouse, or lodge services
Camping: No - Joshua Tree (California)
Open: Yes
Amenities: Yes
Camping: Yes, except group campsites - Katmai (Alaska)
Open: Yes
Amenities: Limited until 7/1/20
Camping: Backcountry only until 7/23/20 - Kenai Fjords (Alaska)
Open: Yes
Amenities: Yes
Camping: Backcountry only until further notice - Kings Canyon (California)
Open: Yes
Amenities: No
Camping: No - Kobuk Valley (Alaska)
Open: Yes
Amenities: No
Camping: Yes - Lake Clark (Alaska)
Open: Yes
Amenities: LimitedCamping: Yes - Lassen Volcanic (California)
Open: Yes
Amenities: Limited
Camping: Yes - Mammoth Cave (Kentucky)
Open: Yes
Amenities: Yes
Camping: Yes - Mesa Verde (Colorado)
Open: Yes
Amenities: Limited—cliff dwellings and Visitors Center remain closed
Camping: Yes - Mount Rainier (Washington)
Open: Yes
Amenities: Limited
Camping: Backcountry and day use only - North Cascades (Washington)
Open: Yes
Amenities: Limited
Camping: Limited to non-group camping - Olympic (Washington)
Open: Yes
Amenities: Limited
Camping: Limited—some remain closed - Petrified Forest (Arizona)
Open: Yes
Amenities: Yes
Camping: Yes - Pinnacles (California)
Open: Yes
Amenities: Limited traffic and biking past entrance points
Camping: Yes - Redwood (California)
Open: Yes
Amenities: Limited- no Visitors Centers are open
Camping: Yes - Rocky Mountain (Colorado)
Open: Yes
Amenities: Limited to 60% capacity
Camping: Yes - Saguaro (Arizona)
Open: Yes
Amenities: Limited
Camping: Yes, in groups under 10 - Sequoia (California)
Open: Yes
Amenities: No
Camping: No - Shenandoah (Virginia)
Open: Yes
Amenities: Yes
Camping: Yes, at reduced capacity - Theodore Roosevelt (North Dakota)
Open: Yes
Amenities: No
Camping: No - Voyageurs (Minnesota)
Open: Yes
Amenities: Limited with no Visitors’ Center or houseboat tours
Camping: Yes, for tents only - White Sands (New Mexico)
Open: Yes
Amenities: Limited
Camping: No - Wind Cave (South Dakota)
Open: Partially, though the cave is closed
Amenities: Limited
Camping: Limited - Wrangell-St. Elias (Alaska)
Open: Yes
Amenities: Limited to self-service
Camping: Backcountry only - Yellowstone (Montana/Wyoming/Idaho)
Open: Yes
Amenities: Yes
Camping: No - Yosemite (California)
Open: Yes
Amenities: Yes
Camping: Yes - Zion (Utah)
Open: Yes
Amenities: Yes, beginning 7/1/20
Camping: No Camping Available
Can You Camp in State Parks During COVID-19?
Much like the National Parks System, states have been allowed to address their state parks on a case-by-case and state-by-state basis. However, aside from California, Connecticut, Florida, Hawaii, Massachusetts, New Mexico, and Rhode Island—which are either limiting or closing state parks to RV camping—most states appear to be well on their way to fully reopening campsites. Be sure to visit each state’s parks site or a comprehensive list of state availabilities before traveling.
Whether you prefer a deliverable RV brought straight to your door, or prefer to customize a trip (even right here in Arizona), renting an RV is the perfect way to travel during COVID-19. Peruse our list of national parks, find one that suits your vacation fancies, and get back on the road today.
Jenny has a passion for learning and sharing what she learns. She has researched, written and published hundreds of articles on a wide variety of topics, including: SEO, design, marketing, ethics, business management, sustainability, inclusion, behavioral health, wellness, autos and work-life balance.