Spring Break Destinations for 2026
Ouray, CO
Blue Ridge Mountains, GA, NC, & VA
Phoenix, AZ
Washington, D.C.
Gulf of Mexico, TX
Joshua Tree National Park, CA
Portland, OR
Brown County, IN
Texas Hill Country, TX
Hot Springs, AR
Mendocino, CA
Asheville, NC
Louisiana Bayous, LA
Savannah, GA
Las Vegas, NV
Gatlinburg, TN
Orlando, FL
Lumpkin, GA
Find a KOA for Your Spring Break Trip
After the winter thaw, spring is a time for rejuvenation, flowers, April Fool’s Day antics and Mother’s Day brunch. It’s also time to haul out the camping gear and get outside again. Though weather can still be fickle in many parts of the U.S., spring break camping trips can provide some of the prettiest scenery of the year, all with fewer crowds than summer and fall.
Regardless of when you take your spring break, or when your child’s school decides you take your spring break, there’s plenty to celebrate. Here are 21 spring break destinations we recommend keeping on your radar as you plan where to go for spring break in 2025.
1. Cape Lookout National Seashore, North Carolina
Requiring a boat to ferry you off-shore three miles, these barrier islands offer some of the most remote beaches in the country. Instead of crowds and vendors selling Made-in-China souvenirs, expect to see the occasional park ranger and the wild horses of Shackleford Banks. If you are lucky, you can see them swimming in the island’s marshes. Legend has it these 120 feral horses (closer to the size of ponies) are descendants of Spanish horses who survived 16th-century shipwrecks.
Nearest KOA:
2. Ouray, Colorado
A Swiss mountain escape might be closer than you think! Ouray is known as the “Switzerland of America,” for its dramatic scenery set in the San Juan Mountains. Ouray’s alpine weather makes for a unique spring break spot where you can blend wintery activities like snowshoeing and ice climbing with classic spring adventures like a hot springs soak, hiking, and whitewater rafting.
Ouray KOA Holiday
Montrose / Black Canyon Nat’l Park KOA Journey
3. Blue Ridge Mountains, Georgia, North Carolina, and Virginia
Every spring, thousands of hikers set off on a 2,000-mile journey from Georgia to Maine. Although there’s not an official send-off party, if you’re camping near the Blue Ridge Mountains in April, you’ll probably get the pleasure of meeting at least a few of ambitious these thru-hikers. Only around 20 percent will make it to Maine about six months later estimates the Appalachian Trail Conservancy.
Nearest KOAs:
Cherokee / Great Smokies KOA Holiday
Asheville West KOA Holiday
Asheville East KOA Holiday
Fancy Gap / Blue Ridge Parkway KOA Journey
Wytheville KOA Holiday
Floyd / Blue Ridge Parkway KOA Holiday
Natural Bridge / Lexington KOA Holiday
Lynchburg / Blue Ridge Parkway KOA Holiday
4. Phoenix, Arizona
Even if you’re not a diehard baseball fan, it’s hard not to get caught up in the excitement that takes over Greater Phoenix every March. Phoenix is home to 10 stadiums that host some of the biggest teams in the MLB (such as the Colorado Rockies, Chicago Cubs and Seattle Mariners) for their annual spring training camps. Open practices are free to attend while tickets for games start at $6, making it one of the most affordable forms of live sports entertainment out there.
Nearest KOAs:
Mesa / Apache Junction KOA Journey
Picacho / Tucson NW KOA Journey
5. Washington D.C.
In 1912, Tokyo’s mayor gifted Washington, D.C. with 3,000 cherry blossom trees. More than a century later, a four-week festival occurs every spring to celebrate their annual blossoming. It’s the country’s biggest springtime festival with more than one million visitors who travel from as far away as Japan to see these white and pink flowers cover the grounds of our nation’s capital. Festival events include parades, pageants, art exhibitions, concerts and fireworks.
Nearest KOAs:
Washington DC / Capitol KOA Holiday
Fredericksburg / Washington DC South KOA Holiday
6. Gulf of Mexico, Texas
After spending the winter months in warmer South American countries, most American and Canadian birds re-enter the U.S. via Texas, particularly the Gulf of Mexico side.
Spring is when you’ll find events like Port Aransas’ Whooping Crane Festival, Galveston’s FeatherFest and Corpus Christi’s Birdiest Festival in America. But even if it’s just you and a pair of binoculars on a deserted beach, you’re destined to spot some of the nearly 700 species of birds that either reside there or pass through.
Nearest KOAs:
South Padre Island KOA Holiday
Galveston Island KOA Holiday
7. Joshua Tree National Park, California
In the right lighting, and in the right season, a desert can be just as colorful as a rainforest. Spring is when Joshua Tree National Park — home to around 750 different species of plants despite its relatively low annual rainfall — comes to life. The landscape is awash in seas of yellowcups, purple mat, white blazingstars and beavertail cactus blooming magenta buds. Add in the park’s namesake Joshua trees and impressive rock formations and you have the recipe for the perfect Instagram shot.
Nearest KOA:
Palm Springs / Joshua Tree KOA Holiday
8. Portland, Oregon
You can only eat so many meals over the campfire before you begin to pine for a relaxing night of fine dining. Fortunately, Portland — one of the most happening culinary destinations on the West Coast — dedicates an entire month every year to eating out.
During March, more than 120 local restaurants offer incredible specials featuring popular dishes that are hard, if not impossible, to replicate in an RV kitchen. Think craft farm-to-table style menus and seafood so fresh you’ll wonder if it’s really dead. Expect three-course dinners for under $30 and plan on making reservations in advance.
Nearest KOA:
Cascade Locks / Portland East KOA Holiday
9. Brown County, Indiana
Brown County is perfect for those looking for a Midwest spring break adventure. Nicknamed the “Little Smokies” for its resemblance to the Great Smoky Mountains, Brown County State Park contains thousands of acres of verdant forest. While it’s most known for its incredible fall foliage, this 16,000-acre state park provides plenty of hiking, biking, and even horseback riding in the spring months!
Nashville, Indiana is a must-see spot as well – although it’s a little different than Music City! This quaint small town was originally formed as an artist’s colony in the early 20th century. With over 150 art galleries, shops, restaurants, and wine tasting rooms, this town is a lovely place to relax and unwind after a day of outdoor adventure.
Nearest KOA:
Brown County / Nashville KOA Holiday
10. Texas Hill Country, Texas
Springtime is prime time in the Texas Hill Country. The region of rolling hills, barbecue and rivers south of Austin provide an easy getaway for city-dwellers. The weather is typically sunny and warm, and the air in towns like Lockhart and Driftwood is fragrant with the aroma of pulled pork. San Marcos, the largest city in Hill Country, provides a mecca of restaurants, bars and hiking trails, along with recreational activities galore on its namesake San Marcos River.
Nearest KOAs:
Austin East KOA Holiday
Round Mountain / Johnson City KOA Journey
Leander / NW Austin KOA Holiday
Kerrville KOA Journey
11. Hot Springs, Arkansas
The bucolic town of Hot Springs, Arkansas, really comes alive in the spring, as visitors flock to the region for its green mountains, boutiques, eateries and, of course, thermal waters. This season brings typically warm, sunny weather that is ideal for hiking up Hot Springs Mountain or along historic Bathhouse Row. The two form the heart of Hot Springs National Park, where travelers can bathe in vintage bathhouses and drink beer brewed with thermal water at Superior Bathhouse.
Nearest KOAs:
Hot Springs National Park KOA Holiday
12. Myrtle Beach, South Carolina
Enjoy a relaxing and memorable beach trip when you visit Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. With a long stretch of sandy shores and activities for all ages, Myrtle Beach is the perfect vacation spot for spring break.
You can explore the downtown area with local and well-known restaurants, beach shops and exciting games and attractions at one of the town’s amusement parks. Stroll along the boardwalk during the day to watch the beachgoers or at night as the perfect way to end the day.
Nearest KOA:
13. Mendocino, California
If you’re looking for California coastal charm with smaller crowds, Mendocino is a great spot for your upcoming spring break trip. The picturesque small town boasts an array of Victorian architecture and numerous art galleries. And with a dramatic cliffside coastline, exploring the breathtaking landscape is easy with spots like Russian Gulch State Park, Van Damme State Park, and the Mendocino Coast Botanical Gardens all within easy driving distance.
Nearest KOA:
Manchester Beach / Mendocino Coast KOA Journey
14. Asheville, North Carolina
Nestled in the Blue Ridge Mountains and a stone’s throw from the Great Smoky Mountains, the most visited national park in the U.S., Asheville is a hiker’s paradise. Filled with more breweries per capita than almost any city in the country, it’s also a haven for beer-lovers, making this small mountain city a good catchall for folks looking to mix outdoor travel with urban amenities.
You also have easy access to the Appalachian Trail, where you can hike part of the famed route for a couple of hours before heading back into town to shop and dine. If the weather is mild enough, which it often is, the French Broad River affords a boatload of recreational opportunities as well.
Nearest KOAs:
Asheville East KOA Holiday
Asheville West KOA Holiday
15. Louisiana Bayous, Louisiana
Louisiana’s famed bayous are practically synonymous with humidity and mosquitos, but visiting before sweltering summer temperatures set in reveals a world of beauty, tranquility and a thankful lack of bugs. These swamp-like river systems surround the state’s biggest cities like New Orleans, Baton Rouge and Lafayette, making them easy to visit for an afternoon, a day trip or an extended jaunt.
Cypress and hardwood forests throughout the state, filled with wildlife like deer, herons and most famously, alligators. While various bayous offer ample opportunities for boat tours and trails, Jean Lafitte National Historical Park and Preserve is a good go-to with its abundance of wooden boardwalks. For an activity, check out Breaux Bridge’s annual crawfish festival in May.
Nearest KOAs:
Baton Rouge KOA Holiday
Lafayette KOA Holiday
New Orleans KOA Holiday
Slidell KOA Journey
16. Savannah, Georgia
Explore the charming city of Savannah, Georgia, on your next spring break camping trip. Georgia’s oldest town has plenty to offer for travelers of all ages. You can visit museums, appreciate the colonial charm of the city and try delicious eats from local restaurants. Check out some of the local historic tours offered to learn more about this unique city.
Nearest KOAs:
17. Las Vegas, Nevada
Las Vegas is more than just casinos and exciting nightlife — it also offers plenty of attractions and museums for an exciting spring break camping destination. Take the kids to attractions like the Bellagio Conservatory & Botanical Gardens or explore the past at the Neon Museum.
Las Vegas is also home to many outdoor activities, so you can enjoy a mix of urban and natural adventures. Take a hike at Red Rock Canyon or visit Valley of Fire State Park.
Nearest KOAs:
Las Vegas KOA Journey at Sam’s Town
Kingman KOA Journey
Laughlin / Avi Casino KOA Journey
Needles KOA Journey
18. Gatlinburg, Tennessee
Gatlinburg, Tennessee, sits at the base of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park and has plenty of tourist-centered activities. The park is a must-see, with plentiful hiking trails and sights such as waterfalls, spring wildflowers and log cabins.
Families can also have a day of fun at Anakeesta, a theme park above the tree line. Enjoy thrills like the zip line and mountain coaster or take a peaceful walk about the trees with over 800 feet of hanging bridges. Additionally, visitors can explore downtown Gatlinburg, which is a walkable city with many shops, museums and restaurants.
Nearest KOAs:
Gatlinburg East / Smoky Mountain KOA Holiday
Pigeon Forge / Gatlinburg KOA Holiday
Townsend / Great Smokies KOA Holiday
19. Orlando, Florida
While many people think of Disney when they think of Orlando, this city offers plenty more to explore for people of any age. Orlando’s Icon Park has entertainment options for adrenaline enthusiasts and those looking for a more relaxed vacation experience. There are also plenty of museums and attractions to explore such as the SEA LIFE Aquarium and the Madame Tussauds wax museum.
Another option for those looking for Disney magic without making it the focus of their trip is Disney Springs, which is complex with shopping, experiences and many Disney-themed events to explore.
Nearest KOAs:
Orlando / Kissimmee KOA Holiday
Orlando NW / Orange Blossom KOA Journey
Orlando Southwest KOA Holiday
20. Lumpkin, Georgia
Lumpkin, Georgia, is the best place for those looking for a hidden gem for 2026 spring break camping. This small town is 140 miles south of Atlanta and is an ideal spot for those looking to reconnect with nature. Lumpkin is home to Providence Canyon State Park, which has over 1,000 acres of geological formations. You can spend hours hiking and exploring the interesting shapes left behind by years of wind and rain.
Nearest KOAs:
Americus KOA Journey
Cordelle KOA Journey
Ozark / Fort Rucker KOA Journey
More Spring Break Camping Destinations Near You
Do you need to find more KOA Campgrounds for your spring break trip? Find locations all across North America and plan the perfect spring break getaway.
About the Author: Kampgrounds of America
Kampgrounds of America is the largest system of open-to-the-public campgrounds in the world, with over 500 locations across the United States and Canada. Founded in Billings, MT in 1962, KOA’s family of campground brands – KOA Journey, KOA Holiday and KOA Resort – today serve more than a million camping families each year. KOA is dedicated to “connecting people to the outdoors and each other” by providing people with a variety of camping experiences and the information they need to make the most of their camping trip. Read more of their camping and travel resources by visiting KOA.com/blog.
