National Parks in the South for RVers with Kids
TL;DR: Southern national parks offer family-friendly RV adventures with trails, water activities, and campgrounds. Top parks include Shenandoah, Big Bend, Great Smoky Mountains, and New River Gorge, each with unique natural beauty and activities. Nearby Harvest Hosts locations add to the experience.
With their sweeping mountain views, rushing rivers, and rugged canyons, the national parks in the southern states beckon families not only with a myriad of beautiful landscapes, but also plenty of gentle hiking trails, water-based activities, and camping fun for children. Here’s a peek at some top national parks in the south for RVers with kids, plus some suggestions for where to camp.
Shenandoah National Park, Virginia
Skyline Drive stretches more than 100 miles along the Blue Ridge Mountains through Shenandoah National Park, whose visitor entrance is just 75 miles from Washington, D.C. You can travel the entire length of the road, or just bits and pieces, depending on your time frame. Note: Marys Rock Tunnel, at mile marker 22.2, has a clearance of just 12 feet 8 inches, so be aware if you’re road tripping with a big rig! More than 500 miles of hiking trails wind their way through rocky crags, towering forest, and open meadows — most leading to stellar viewpoints and some to cascading waterfalls. For little legs, consider these hikes for kids that are under 2 miles round trip. There are five main campgrounds at Shenandoah, with a mix of reservable and first come, first serve sites available. Sites are wonderfully wooded, with some backing right up to hiking trails.
Nearby Harvest Host: Backroom Brewery is in Middletown, Virginia, not too far from Front Royal, which is where you’ll find the park’s North Entrance Station. There are over 100 Harvest Hosts RV Camping in Virginia opportunities!