Cold weather might be upon us, but if you peek into the not-so-distant future you’ll start to see sunnier days ahead. That’s why now is the time to start planning those spring break vacations.
Booking spring break travel early gets you the best deals and the best availability for your trip. Our totally biased opinion is that RV travel is the best form of spring vacation travel because you can control your own destiny much more than with flights, hotels, etc.
And, we’re currently jonesing on the idea of a spring RV staycation (or nearcation). That’s because an RVing staycation will get you more time spent camping and relaxing with the family than time spent on the road.
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What is an RV staycation?
RV staycations or nearcations are vacations you take to campspots that are in or near your home.
RV staycations are stellar ways to save money while reconnecting with nature, with your family, and with your local area.
Now’s a great time to start planning a spring staycation because it’ll keep your trip planning simple and will help you discover new areas right in your backyard.
Why take a spring RV staycation?
When the mercury starts rising and the sun starts shining, spring vacations start looking better and better. Here are a few reasons why a spring RV staycation is the way to go this year:
Affordability
RVing is one of the most affordable ways to travel because you’re bringing everything with you that you’d otherwise pay hotels, restaurants, and airlines to handle.
This even holds true if you rent an RV for your spring staycation. The convenience of renting a rig means you won’t have to worry about the maintenance, loan payments, etc. that come with ownership.
You can even have a rented RV delivered and set up to your spring staycation destination — all for a price that’s still more affordable than many other vacation options.
Check out this guide we put together for small RV rentals to find a nimble and affordable rig for your staycation.
Simplicity and convenience
RV staycations are popular because they’re easy. You don’t have to deal with stuff like airline delays, airport hassles, and hotel check-ins.
Instead, you and the fam can just pop into your RV and roll into a cool campsite somewhere near you. You can spend time hanging out together, cooking s’mores by the fire, and exploring nearby sites.
The convenience of RVs can’t be undersold — you don’t have to worry about carrying bulky luggage, you can cook in your own kitchen on wheels, and you can keep the family all together in a fun environment.
Always dreamt of traveling by Airstream? This tool will help you find Airstream rentals near you.
Also, here are 6 great reasons to rent an Airstream.
Home-like amenities
Most hotel rooms won’t come with a kitchen. If you staycate in a kitchen-equipped RV, you’ll have access to a full suite of kitchen amenities and a sizable fridge/freezer to keep all your stuff.
With the costs of everything going up these days — a great way to save vacay money and create family time is over your own table (rather than a restaurant’s).
Many RVs also come equipped with awnings (some fifth-wheel campers even feature fold-down patios) that allow you to create a porch-like area at your vacation spot.
Nature is restorative
As you consider spring break vacation destinations, remember that after a long winter inside you’ll likely benefit from some restorative outdoor time.
That’s why we think an RVing staycation is a worthy option to consider — it’ll almost guarantee that you get plugged back into momma earth.
And don’t forget that any natural wonders you discover on a staycation will probably be easy to get back to next time you need an escape!
Where to go for a spring RV staycation
As a general rule, you should plan your staycation to a destination that’s no more than three hours from your home. That way, you’ll minimize your time on the road and maximize your time relaxing with your family.
Here are some ideas for picking your spring RV staycation destination:
State and county parks
These spots are often way underrated. State and county parks can offer some of the coolest hiking trails, the best (and most affordable) RV sites, and other unique natural things to explore.
Check out our list of the 50 prettiest state parks to visit this spring for some options.
And here’s Campendium’s list of their 10 favorite county parks from around the country.
Winery and/or Brewery
Harvest Hosts is one of the best things to happen to RVing since marsh mallows met graham crackers. That’s because it’ll allow you to camp (usually for free) at thousands of wineries and breweries all over the U.S.
The extensive reach of the Harvest Hosts network puts cool camping spots near you where you can enjoy a craft beverage experience and explore nearby attractions.
You’ll pay an annual fee to use the Harvest Hosts network, but it’s a bargain if you use it just a few times.
Want a view like this? Check out our campervans for rent near you.
Nearby lake or reservoir
Do you have a lake or reservoir close to home that you’ve always been dying to explore?
Popular lake areas generally offer camping, hiking trails, and a cool town (or towns) to explore along their shores. If you rent an RV for your staycation, you could even add things like paddle boards and kayaks to your rental.
Here’s a list of 50 waterfront RV campgrounds around the U.S.
Local festivals
Be they music festivals, food festivals, arts festivals, or any other kind of festival, the chances are good that some festive thing will happen in your area this spring.
And festivals like this often offer RV camping options so you can be right by the action.
We put together this e-guide to help you discover hundreds of festivals in multiple categories. There’s bound to be something in there that’ll work for your spring nearcation!
A spring RV staycation is a fun thing to plan — especially during the dreary days of winter when deals are to be had and sunshine is just around the corner. And just because you stay close to home doesn’t mean you can’t have an amazing time. As long as you truly disconnect yourself from real life, you’ll come back feeling just as restored as from a vacay hundreds of miles away.
Check out our RVs for rent and get that staycay on the books!
