Consider adding these often-overlooked places to your RV travel list.
By Scott & Van Russell, F505257
May/June 2025
Are you looking for an epic off-the-beaten-path adventure in your RV? Sure, many popular tourist destinations await, but what about exploring some hidden-gem locations to discover something truly unique? We have recommendations for several unexpected places to add to your RV travel plans.
SOMETHING SPECIAL IN EVERY STATE
The United States is truly a beautiful country, full of scenic treasures to discover. From the majestic mountains out west in Colorado to the sunny beaches of Florida and the charming small towns of the Midwest, there is no shortage of diverse landscapes to explore. Even though popular tourist destinations seem to take the spotlight, we have found that every state offers special places worth visiting. Each state’s treasures are just begging to be explored by RVers. Are you up for the challenge?
When we hit the road to travel full-time in our RV, we had the goal of visiting every state in the lower 48. Even though some states see more exciting than others, we found something astonishing during our time in 42 states: A few of the states we least expected to enjoy ended up becoming our favorites! Let’s dive into some surprising locations to add to your RV bucket list.
BECKLEY, WEST VIRGINIA
The New River Gorge Bridge in West Virginia spans 3,030 feet and is 876 feet high.
West Virginia may not be thought of as a top RV travel destination, but those who have visited the state probably would agree that it should be! Nestled in the heart of the Appalachian Mountains, the town of Beckley is a hidden gem that offers a blend of fascinating U.S. history, natural beauty, and outdoor adventures.
This charming town holds a rich coal-mining heritage, highlighted by the must-visit Beckley Exhibition Coal Mine. Visitors step back in time as they board an authentic mine train and descend into the depths of a re-created coal mine experience. During our visit, we had a guide who spent his entire life coal mining and came from a long line of coal miners. He related many fascinating personal stories as we rode the coal train through the dark tunnels. Just by spending a short time in the mine, you will gain a greater understanding of how hard the job of a miner was.
In Beckley, West Virginia, a re-created coal mine experience shows the difficulties miners faced.
Once you’ve finished absorbing the area’s history, it’s time to appreciate the beauty of the mountains and the river landscape. The New River Gorge Bridge is a must-see spot inside New River Gorge National Park. The sight of this colossal steel structure spanning the rugged landscape is breathtaking.
If you are interested in a more daring adventure, you will want to experience the Bridge Walk during your visit. Here, thrill seekers strap on a harness and walk the narrow catwalk below the bridge. As you move across the gorge, you will have panoramic bird’s-eye views, along with an adrenaline rush. Not into heights? There are plenty of other incredible ways to enjoy this beautiful park, such as hiking and white-water rafting. Spending time amidst the wild beauty of West Virginia may result in this becoming one of your treasured RV travel destinations.
DOOR COUNTY, WISCONSIN
Nestled along the eastern shores of Wisconsin lies a hidden gem that quickly becomes a favorite of RVers who visit. Door County is a destination that combines breathtaking natural beauty, maritime history, and delicious cherry delights. This charming peninsula offers picturesque Lake Michigan views around every corner, stunning hikes along the Niagara Escarpment, and the timeless allure of its many lighthouses.
As soon as we parked our RV in Door County, we knew we had arrived somewhere unique. In fact, if it weren’t for a local’s travel recommendation, we would have never even heard of this spot. Always talk to locals for the best advice!
Door County, Wisconsin, is known for its cherry production.
Door County is known for its abundant sweet and tart cherry production. You will notice right away that everything under the sun seems to have cherries in it, from desserts to alcohol and from salsa to cheeses. Yes, even cheese! Cherry cheese is famous here and combines the best of Wisconsin cheese with the tart cherries that Door County is known for. It comes in many varieties, and although this may sound like an unusual combination, it is scrumptious.
Door County boasts some 300 miles of rugged Lake Michigan shoreline, which means it is also packed with scenic and historic lighthouses to explore. One of our favorites is the Cana Island Lighthouse. This unique location has a shallow waterway between the island and the mainland. Lighthouse visitors are transported through the water on a tractor-pulled wagon. Also, check out the Sturgeon Bay Canal North Pierhead Light, which has an elevated walkway that leads visitors out to the lighthouse.
Nature lovers will want to visit Peninsula State Park. This is the site of the Eagle Bluff lighthouse and our favorite hike in Door County, the Eagle Trail. This difficult hike takes you along a lake ledge against the stunning rock formations of the Niagara Escarpment. The difficulty is due in part to the many rocks and tree roots on the trail. For a panoramic view of the park, don’t miss the Eagle Tower observation platform.
Whether you’re a nature enthusiast, a history buff, or a food lover, Door County is the ultimate Midwest RV getaway. Immerse yourself in the allure of cherry orchards, marvel at Lake Michigan’s beauty, hike along the Niagara Escarpment, and uncover the stories of the region’s iconic lighthouses. One visit and Door County’s charm will leave you longing to return to this hidden treasure of the Midwest.
RAPID CITY, SOUTH DAKOTA
South Dakota is home to Mount Rushmore National Memorial.
When it comes to RV travel, Rapid City, South Dakota, might not be the first destination that comes to mind. However, this region hidden within the Midwest will captivate you with its beauty. From the rugged scenery of Badlands National Park and the iconic rock sculptures of Mount Rushmore to the herds of wild buffalo in Custer State Park, there is so much to see in this area.
RVers who don’t place Badlands National Park high on their travel list certainly are missing out. The striking landscape of jagged rock formations, expansive prairies, and abundant wildlife make this area one of a kind.
In South Dakota’s Badlands National Park, the most popular hike is the 1.5-mile round-trip Notch Trail.
Sedimentary rock formations reveal millions of years of geological history, and hiking among them within the park feels unworldly. Don’t miss the adventure hike, the Notch Trail, which includes a ladder made of rope and logs. It’s a unique experience but not one for explorers with a fear of heights.
When driving through the Badlands, be sure to look for prairie dogs in the fields and bighorn sheep among the rocks. This also is a great place to watch the sunset.
Other must-see locations in the Rapid City area include Mount Rushmore, Crazy Horse Memorial, Jewel Cave, and Custer State Park. One of the highlights of exploring Custer State Park is spotting the wild herds of buffalo roaming through the area. Two scenic drives will blow your socks off: Needles Highway and Iron Mountain Road, which are part of the Peter Norbeck Scenic Byway. However, these drives are extremely winding and narrow, so don’t attempt either of them in an RV or an oversized vehicle such as a dually truck. In our opinion, both drives are unparalleled among scenic byways in the United States!
An RV trip to South Dakota is one you will never forget.
LAVA BEDS NATIONAL MONUMENT, CALIFORNIA
Lava Beds National Monument in California boasts surreal landscapes.
Visiting Lava Beds National Monument in northeastern California feels like stepping into a remote and mysterious landscape straight out of a science-fiction movie. This national monument protects a hidden underground tunnel system filled with caves formed from ancient lava flows. This little-known destination is one of the most unusual places to explore in the United States.
Because of its extremely rural location, Lava Beds is relatively unknown among RVers. Trust me when I say this park is worth the trip. You can strap on a headlamp and help yourself to a full day of cave exploring. We have never visited a place where you have so much freedom to explore unguided.
Visitors to Lava Beds National Monument can explore tunnels formed by ancient lava flows.
The 24 caves that are open for visits range from easy to more challenging, so explorers should find something to meet their abilities. Other than the Mushpot Cave, each cave remains in a natural state, with no light sources. You will need to bring a headlamp or flashlight along. Wearing pants, sturdy shoes, and a helmet also is recommended. It’s possible to become lost in some of the longer caves, so you will want to explore with at least one other person.
Some of the caves feature stairs or ladders to make it easier to access the cave entrance. You may have to do some scrambling over rocks, ducking for low ceilings, and even crawling through some passageways. Select the category of cave that matches your abilities and comfort level. If you don’t want to crawl or spend hours exploring a cave, choose to visit one of the caves in the beginner category.
If you are up for a challenge, we highly recommend the Golden Dome Cave. Cave bacteria have made the ceiling sparkle as though it were dusted in gold foil. This cave is in the intermediate category, because it is longer and does require some crawling. My daughter and I were the only two people in the cave on the day of our visit, and it still stands out as one of the most spectacular adventures of our eight years on the road. You must visit this park to believe it!
The United States is full of surprising and extraordinary travel destinations just waiting for you to explore. From the rugged beauty of West Virginia and South Dakota to the charming character of Door County and the mysterious underworld of lava tube caves in Lava Beds National Monument, there is a hidden gem for every type of RV traveler.
So, as you plan your next RV trip, why not embrace a new, unexpected adventure? The road is calling, and these uncommon destinations await!