You know that feeling when you see a photo online and think, “There’s no way that place actually looks like that”? Well, buckle up because we’re about to show you 10 spots that are ridiculously gorgeous and really do look that good in person!
Grab your camp chair, pour yourself something cold (or hot, if it’s one of those mornings), and let’s explore some of the most spectacular, absolutely must-see sights our incredible national parks have to offer.
Wyoming: Lower Falls and Old Faithful, Yellowstone National Park
Lower Falls: The Thundering Showstopper That Never Gets Old
You’re standing at Artist Point, morning coffee in hand, when suddenly you hear a deep, rumbling roar that seems to come from the earth itself. Then you see it: 308 feet of pure liquid power crashing down into the Grand Canyon of Yellowstone with enough force to make your chest vibrate.
The Lower Falls aren’t just any waterfall; it’s the most photographed waterfall in America. This thing changes its personality throughout the day (much like a moody teenager). Catch it at sunrise, and the water looks like molten gold cascading down rainbow-colored canyon walls. Come back at sunset and those canyon walls – painted in yellows, oranges, and reds that would make a box of crayons jealous – steal the show.
Pro Tip: The mist from the falls creates its own weather system. You can literally feel the power of this thing from hundreds of yards away, and on sunny days, look for rainbows dancing in the spray.
Old Faithful: America’s Most Reliable Natural Show
Some tourist attractions become famous and then disappoint you when you actually visit them. Old Faithful is not one of those places. This geyser has been putting on the same incredible show approximately every 90 minutes for over 150 years, shooting water 130-185 feet into the air with the reliability of a Swiss watch.
Grab a spot on the stadium-style benches (yes, actual benches – this is serious business), check the prediction board for the next eruption time, and then wait. The geyser starts teasing you with little spurts and bubbling, building suspense like a natural drumroll. Then suddenly – BOOM! – thousands of gallons of superheated water explode skyward in a display that never, ever gets old.
But here’s the thing: Old Faithful is just the headliner in an incredible geothermal concert. The Upper Geyser Basincontains the world’s largest concentration of geysers, including Grand Geyser (erupts higher but less predictably) and Riverside Geyser (erupts over the Firehole River in this incredible arc).
The boardwalk system makes everything accessible for everyone, and you can easily spend half a day wandering between different thermal features, each with its own personality. Don’t miss the Old Faithful Inn – this massive 1904 log structure is the world’s largest log building, and grabbing coffee in the lobby while watching eruptions through floor-to-ceiling windows is like having VIP seats to nature’s best show.
Nearest KOAs:
Yellowstone Park / West Gate KOA Holiday
Yellowstone Park / Mountainside KOA Journey
Livingston / Paradise Valley KOA Holiday
Cody / Yellowstone East KOA Holiday
Montana: Going-to-the-Sun Road, Glacier National Park
The Drive That’ll Ruin All Other Scenic Routes for You
The Going-to-the-Sun Road is something that every RVer simply must experience in their lifetime. This isn’t just any road – it’s 50 miles of pure, concentrated awesome that’ll have you pulling over every five minutes just to make sure what you’re seeing is real.
Built back in the 1930s, this narrow mountain road clings to cliffsides, spirals around hairpin turns, and crosses bridges that seem to float in mid-air. Every single mile brings something new: crystal-clear lakes that mirror towering peaks so perfectly you’ll think you’re seeing double, waterfalls that cascade down mountainsides like nature’s own water park, and if you’re really lucky, mountain goats posing on rocky ledges like they know they’re Instagram famous.
The absolute crown jewel is Logan Pass at 6,646 feet above sea level. This is where you park (good luck finding a spot – seriously, get there early!) and step into what can only be described as an alpine wonderland.
The Hidden Lake Overlook trail starts right at the visitor center and offers mind-blowing views with a moderate hike. There’s even a boardwalk section that protects the delicate alpine plants while giving you front-row seats to some of the most pristine wilderness left in the lower 48.
Pro Tip: If your RV is longer than 21 feet or wider than 8 feet, you can’t drive the entire road. But don’t despair! Park at Apgar and take the shuttle or join a tour. Trust me, you don’t want to miss this.
Nearest KOAs:
West Glacier KOA Resort
St. Mary / East Glacier KOA Holiday
Whitefish / Kalispell North KOA Holiday
Utah: Delicate Arch, Arches National Park
Utah’s Rock Star That’s Actually on Their License Plates
You’ve seen this 65-foot freestanding natural arch a million times on postcards, screensavers, and Utah license plates. But seeing Delicate Arch in person is like meeting a celebrity and realizing they’re even more impressive than their photos suggest.
The hike to get there is half the fun. You’ll spend 1.5 miles crossing slickrock that looks like frozen ocean waves, with the arch completely hidden until the very last moment. It’s like nature’s version of a surprise party – you’re walking along, minding your own business, then BAM! You round a corner and there it is, this impossible-looking span of sandstone perfectly framing the distant La Sal Mountains.
Golden hour is when this place really shows off. The red rock doesn’t just turn golden, it literally glows from within like it has its own internal light source. And if you’re brave enough to stay for a full moon rising through the arch? That’s bucket list stuff right there.
The trail is mostly flat with just a few steep bits near the end. The trickiest part is the final approach, where you walk along a narrow ledge with a pretty significant drop-off. Don’t let that scare you, though; thousands of people (including plenty of kids and grandparents) make this hike safely every year.
Weather bonus: Winter visits can be magical with snow dusting creating an incredible contrast between warm red rock and pristine white snow.
Nearest KOAs:
Moab KOA Holiday
Green River KOA Journey
California: Half Dome, Yosemite National Park
The Granite Giant That Rules Yosemite Valley
Half Dome isn’t just a rock formation – it’s THE rock formation. Rising 4,737 feet above the valley floor to appoximately 8,000 feet in elevation, this massive granite icon dominates Yosemite Valley like a natural skyscraper. When you first drive into the valley and catch sight of Half Dome towering above everything else, it literally stops you in your tracks.
For the classic postcard view, head to Glacier Point (accessible by car during warmer months – the road closes in winter). The drive up Glacier Point Road is spectacular, but nothing prepares you for stepping out onto that viewing platform. Half Dome rises directly in front of you while the entire Yosemite Valley spreads out 3,000 feet below like nature’s own IMAX theater.
Here’s what makes this perfect for RVers: decent parking for larger vehicles and world-class views with minimal walking required. The sunset views from here are legendary – Half Dome and the surrounding peaks turn shades of pink and orange that seem too vivid to be real.
Want a different perspective? The Mist Trail offers an up-close-and-personal view of Half Dome looming over Vernal and Nevada Falls. The trail gets its name from the mist created by Vernal Fall, which on hot days feels like nature’s own air conditioning.
For The Truly Adventurous: The Half Dome hike itself is 14-16 miles round trip, culminating in climbing the final 400 feet using cables. You need permits, serious gear, and genuine hiking experience, but standing on top is considered the ultimate achievement in American hiking.
Nearest KOAs:
Visalia / Sequoia National Park KOA Journey
Coleville/Walker KOA Holiday
Lake Tahoe KOA Journey
Kentucky: Mammoth Cave, Mammoth Cave National Park
The World’s Longest Cave System That’ll Blow Your Underground-Loving Mind
Here’s something that’ll blow your mind: while you’re driving around Kentucky’s rolling hills, there’s an entire world beneath your feet! Mammoth Cave is absolutely massive, with over 420 miles of surveyed passageways, making it the world’s longest known cave system. And here’s the kicker: experts think they’ve only explored about half of it.
Going underground at Mammoth Cave is like entering an alien world that’s been hiding for millions of years. The cave system is so vast and complex that it has multiple levels, underground rivers, enormous chambers that could fit a football stadium, and formations that look like they were designed by nature’s most creative architect.
As big as it is, it’s perhaps not surprising that Mammoth Cave offers 15 different tour options. The Historic Tour takes you through the same passages that tourists have been exploring since the 1810s, complete with signatures carved into the walls by Civil War soldiers. The Domes and Dripstones Tour shows off the cave’s most spectacular formations, including flowstone cascades and delicate soda straws that took thousands of years to form.
For the more adventurous, the Wild Cave Tour is a six-hour spelunking adventure that has you crawling through tight passages, climbing over rocks, and getting genuinely dirty as you explore parts of the cave that most visitors never see. Fair warning: this isn’t for anyone with claustrophobia or a fear of getting muddy!
The Mammoth Cave system connects to the Green River to create this incredible underground ecosystem. You’ll see blind cave fish, eyeless cave shrimp, and other creatures that have evolved specifically for life in perpetual darkness. It’s like discovering life on another planet, except it’s right here in Kentucky.
Temperature Bonus: The cave maintains a constant 54°F year-round, making it a perfect escape from Kentucky’s hot summers or chilly winters. Bring a jacket even if it’s 90°F outside!
Nearest KOAs:
Horse Cave KOA Holiday
Bowling Green KOA Holiday
Maine: Cadillac Mountain, Acadia National Park
Here’s a fun fact that’ll impress your fellow campers: from October through March, Cadillac Mountain is the first place in the United States to see the sunrise. At 1,530 feet above sea level, this granite dome on Mount Desert Island offers 360-degree views that showcase everything that makes Maine’s coast absolutely magical.
The drive up Cadillac Mountain is an adventure in itself, winding through dense forests that burst into incredible colors during fall foliage season. But nothing prepares you for that moment when you reach the summit and the entire Atlantic coastline spreads out before you. On clear days, you can see all the way to Nova Scotia, with hundreds of islands scattered across Frenchman Bay like nature’s own archipelago.
The sunrise experience is legendary among photographers and early risers. Imagine standing on ancient granite, watching the first light of day paint the sky in brilliant oranges and pinks while the Atlantic Ocean stretches endlessly toward the horizon. The silence is profound – just you, the mountain, and the slow awakening of a new day. Sunset from Cadillac Mountain is equally spectacular, with the western mountains of Acadia creating a dramatic backdrop as the sun disappears behind the mainland.
Pro Tip: The summit can be incredibly crowded during peak foliage season and summer sunrises. Consider visiting during shoulder seasons for a more peaceful experience, or try sunset instead of sunrise for fewer crowds.
Nearest KOAs:
Bar Harbor / Oceanside KOA Holiday
Bucksport / Fort Knox KOA Holiday
Bangor / Holden KOA Holiday
Florida: Everglades River of Grass, Everglades National Park
The Slow-Moving River That’s Actually a Grassland (And It’s Incredible)
Forget everything you think you know about rivers, because the Everglades is going to flip your understanding of water systems completely upside down. This “River of Grass” is actually an incredibly slow-moving sheet of water – only about 50 miles wide and 6 inches deep on average – that flows from Lake Okeechobee to Florida Bay at the glacial pace of about one foot per day.
What looks like endless sawgrass prairie is actually one of the most unique and fragile ecosystems on the planet. This isn’t your typical swamp – it’s a complex system of wet prairies, hardwood hammocks, cypress domes, and mangrove forests that supports an incredible diversity of wildlife found nowhere else in the world.
The best way to experience the River of Grass is from the Anhinga Trail at Royal Palm, where you can walk on elevated boardwalks through the heart of this ecosystem. During dry season (winter and spring), wildlife concentrates around the remaining water holes, creating some of the most incredible wildlife viewing opportunities in North America. We’re talking alligators sunning themselves just feet away, anhinga birds drying their wings like feathered scarecrows, and great blue herons standing motionless as they hunt for fish.
But here’s what really makes the Everglades special: the sense of scale and wildness. Standing on the observation tower at Shark Valley and looking out over this endless sea of grass, you realize you’re seeing one of the last great wilderness areas in the eastern United States. The horizon stretches in every direction, broken only by occasional tree islands that create their own micro-ecosystems.
The Pa-hay-okee Overlook offers another incredible perspective, with elevated views across the sawgrass prairie that help you understand how this “river” actually flows. On clear days, you can see for miles across this unique landscape, watching clouds cast shadows across the grass like ripples on water.
Wildlife Bonus: The Everglades is the only place on Earth where alligators and crocodiles coexist naturally. You might also spot manatees, Florida panthers (extremely rare but occasionally seen), roseate spoonbills, and over 350 species of birds.
Nearest KOAs:
Hollywood KOA
Davie / Ft. Lauderdale KOA Holiday
Utah: Bryce Point, Bryce Canyon National Park
The Fairy Tale City Built by Giants
Here’s a fun fact: Bryce Canyon isn’t actually a canyon at all – it’s a series of natural amphitheaters carved into the Paunsaugunt Plateau. But technicalities aside, the view from Bryce Point is absolutely mind-blowing. Thousands of red, orange, and pink rock spires called hoodoos stretch out before you like a fairy tale city built by geological giants with way too much time on their hands.
Bryce Point offers one of the best overview perspectives of the main amphitheater, with hoodoos extending as far as the eye can see. These formations are incredibly intricate – some tall and thin like stone needles, others squat and mushroom-shaped, all carved by millions of years of water, wind, and freeze-thaw cycles. The colors change throughout the day, but they’re especially spectacular during golden hour when the entire amphitheater seems to glow from within.
Bryce Point showcases the incredible diversity of hoodoo formations. From this vantage point, you can see how different geological layers create various colors and textures. The youngest layer at the bottom is pink limestone, while older layers create white, yellow, and red bands that streak through the formations like natural artwork.
The viewpoint is easily accessible from the parking area, perfect for RVers and visitors with mobility challenges. But if you’re up for a moderate hike, the Navajo Loop Trail descends right into the hoodoos, letting you walk among these incredible formations. Being surrounded by towering rock spires is completely different from viewing them from above.
Weather Note: Bryce’s high elevation (over 8,000 feet) means it can be significantly cooler than other Utah parks, even in summer. Winter brings snow that creates magical contrast with the red rock, though be prepared for cold temperatures and potentially challenging driving.
Nearest KOA:
Beaver KOA Journey
South Dakota: Mount Rushmore, Mount Rushmore National Memorial
The Mountain That America Carved
You’ve seen Mount Rushmore in a million movies, TV shows, and postcards. But standing in front of those four 60-foot presidential faces carved into the Black Hills granite is still a “holy cow” moment that photos simply can’t capture. The scale is mind-boggling, the craftsmanship is incredible, and the audacity of the whole project is quintessentially American.
Sculptor Gutzon Borglum and his team spent 14 years (1927-1941) carving Washington, Jefferson, Roosevelt, and Lincoln into the mountainside using dynamite, jackhammers, and incredible skill. What you’re seeing isn’t just art – it’s an engineering marvel that involved removing 450,000 tons of rock with precision that seems impossible given the technology of the time.
The Grand View Terrace offers the classic straight-on view that graces every souvenir, but don’t stop there. The Presidential Trail winds beneath the sculpture, giving you different angles and perspectives that show just how massive this thing really is. Lincoln’s nose alone is 21 feet long – that’s bigger than most RVs!
The visitor center and museum are genuinely interesting, explaining not just how they carved the mountain but why these four presidents were chosen and what the sculpture represents. The evening lighting ceremony (during summer months) is surprisingly moving, combining patriotic music with spotlights that dramatically illuminate the faces against the dark sky.
Fun Fact: There was supposed to be a fifth face – Susan B. Anthony – but funding and World War II interrupted the project.
Nearest KOAs:
Mount Rushmore KOA Resort at Palmer Gulch
Hill City / Needles Highway KOA Holiday
Custer / Crazy Horse / Black Hills KOA Holiday
Rapid City / Black Hills KOA Holiday
Arizona: Grand Canyon South Rim, Grand Canyon National Park
The Big Kahuna That Makes Everything Else Look Small
We saved the Grand Canyon for last because, honestly, what do you say about a hole in the ground that’s so spectacular it leaves people speechless? The South Rim of the Grand Canyon isn’t just iconic – it’s the icon that all other natural wonders get measured against.
Standing at any of the South Rim viewpoints is like getting smacked in the face with the full power of geological time. This massive chasm stretches 277 miles long, up to 18 miles wide, and over a mile deep, revealing rock layers that tell the story of nearly 2 billion years of Earth’s history. The scale is so enormous that your brain struggles to process what you’re seeing.
Mather Point, near the visitor center, offers the classic first view that’ll have you questioning whether what you’re seeing is actually real. The colors change throughout the day as light and shadow play across the canyon walls – reds, oranges, purples, and golds that shift like a slow-motion kaleidoscope. Sunrise from Hopi Point is legendary among photographers, while sunset from Hermit’s Rest Road creates some of the most spectacular evening light shows on the planet.
The Desert View area (on the east end of the South Rim), with its historic watchtower, offers a completely different perspective looking down the Colorado River corridor. On clear days, you can see the Painted Desert, adding even more layers to this already mind-bending landscape.
Pro Tip: The Grand Canyon creates its own weather system. Temperatures can vary dramatically between the rim and the canyon floor, and afternoon thunderstorms are common in summer. The light show during storms – when lightning illuminates the canyon walls – is spectacular (from a safe distance, of course).
Nearest KOAs:
Grand Canyon / Williams KOA Journey
Williams / Exit 167 / Circle Pines KOA Holiday
Seligman / Route 66 KOA Journey
Flagstaff KOA Holiday
Making the Most of Your Epic Road Trip Adventure
These 10 iconic sites represent some of the most spectacular destinations our incredible country has to offer, but here’s the beautiful thing about RV travel – you’re not limited to just checking boxes on a list. You have the freedom to linger when the light is perfect, return to a viewpoint at different times of day, explore hidden gems nearby, and really soak in each experience.
The road is calling, adventure is waiting, and these incredible destinations are ready to become part of your story. The only question is: which one will you visit first?
Safe travels, and don’t forget to send us a postcard from the road!
Leslie is a travel writer, copywriter, and web designer who gets butterflies from telling stories through words and visuals.
Her voice comes from a place filled with passion, dreams, and lots of sugar. “Cake over steak” is her go-to motto.
With over 10 years of experience in crafting words, and years of embarking on travels that have taken this Montana girl to some incredible places, Leslie loves the adventures of both body and mind her writing takes her on.
To see what Leslie’s up to in the writing and design world, visit her website here.
