While you probably didn’t look into trailer parks before you switched to the RVing lifestyle, now that you’re hitting the open road more often, it’s probably one of the most important questions you’re asking.
The good news is there are more trailer parks around than you’d expect. The bad news is that they don’t all allow RVs, and those that do still might require you to stay for a longer period of time.
Trailer Parks Near Me
We’ll break down everything you need to know before diving into some of the best destinations for you to park your RV – whether it’s for a few days or a few months. Keep reading 10 trailer parks near me, and we’ll answer everything you need to know.
10 Best Trailer Park Locations in the United States
The best part of living in an RV is that you move around to your ideal location. While we considered highlighting specific trailer parks that you can live at, we figured it would be more beneficial to highlight the areas you should look at instead.
It’s all about traveling to see new things, not about settling down in fancier neighborhoods!
1. Yellowstone National Park
Yeah, Yellowstone might be a little cliched for experienced campers, but if you’ve never been, it’s one of the first places you need to check off your bucket list.
For starters, it’s extremely RV friendly. There are 12 different campgrounds within the park and countless more in the surrounding areas. Even better for people with RVs, all of the campsites inside Yellowstone allow RVs!
Within the park grounds, you’ll find just under 3,500 square miles of scenic beauty to explore and enjoy. If you’re new to RVing, start your journey here.
If you want to stay awhile, there are plenty of trailer parks outside of the park grounds too so you can enjoy Yellowstone and the surrounding area for as long as you’d like!
Pros
- Diverse range of wildlife to enjoy
- Affordable pricing
- RV friendly
- Tons of scenic areas nearby – including Grand Teton
Cons
- Campgrounds fill up quickly
- It can feel very touristy
2. Moab, Utah
If you’re willing to head off the beaten path to explore everything that nature has to offer, then Moab, Utah is an outstanding choice. While it’s not far from Arches National Park, where you can see the renowned red rock formations, there are tons of scenic areas to explore if you’re willing to drive just a little bit further.
These areas include the Glen Canyon National Recreation Area, Canyonlands National Park, Capitol Reef National Park, Uncompahgre National Forest, and so much more! It’s an outdoorsy person’s dream with tons to do no matter your interest.
If you’re looking to stay a little more local, the Colorado River runs straight through Moab and offers white water rafting, cliff climbing, and plenty of other activities to check out.
It’s a great way to start an adventure and reconnect with nature. And with so many things to do in a location that is so RV-friendly, it’s easily a place where you can settle down for a few weeks or a few months without running out of things to do!
Pros
- Located near the Arches National Park (red rock formations)
- You can travel to see Native American rock art
- Tons of museums with artifacts found in the area
- Right off of the Colorado River
- Plenty of RV accommodations
Cons
- It’s in the middle of nowhere – perfect for outdoor activities, though!
3. Myrtle Beach, South Carolina
If you’re looking to spend some time at the beach, it’s hard to beat Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. Myrtle Beach offers tons of attractions for whatever you’re into.
Of course, you have the stunning beach, but if you’d prefer a night at the Medieval Times, a day at the wax museum, or an epic fishing trip, they have options for that too!
If you’re worried about places to stay, they have both short-term and long-term accommodations in the area where you can park your RV. There are close to a dozen campgrounds with over 2,000 sites to stay at, and unlike more typical RVing destinations like Yellowstone, these sites don’t fill up nearly as quickly.
Like most areas, they have plenty of trailer parks if you’re looking to stay somewhere a little more permanent. And if you’re not that interested in the beach and are looking to avoid the crowds, check out Myrtle Beach in the winter!
They’ll still have plenty of great attractions, you’ll get cheaper rates, and you won’t have to worry about tons of people everywhere!
Pros
- Lots of attractions in the area
- The beach!
- Plenty of places to camp or settle down with your RV
Cons
- Summers can get pretty crowded
4. Portland, Maine
While it’s usually not the first RVing destination people think of, it really is a hidden gem in the north. While the winters can see a ton of snow, the summers are moderate, with tons of scenic views for you to enjoy.
Whether you’re looking to check out some scenic lighthouses or you want to enjoy some deep-sea fishing, Portland has a ton to offer.
Portland also happens to be extremely RV friendly, with multiple campgrounds and RV parks along the coast!
It might not be the first destination that comes to mind, but plenty of campers head up the coast with the plan to spend a few days, only to pack up their bags to leave a few months later!
Pros
- Smaller crowds
- Tons of scenic areas to explore
- Very affordable location
Cons
- Not great for beach-going activities
5. Grand Canyon
Right up there with iconic Yellowstone, the Grand Canyon has been a premier RVing destination for years.
While there are tons of sites out there to help you plan out your trip, the truth is the Grand Canyon is one of the easier destinations to travel to. There are tons of RV parks to hit up, but like most tourist-filled areas, you have to be careful about them filling up too quickly during peak seasons.
While the Grand Canyon is an iconic destination you have to take the time to visit if you’re traveling the country in your RV, it didn’t make it farther up our list simply because it’s hard to stay there for longer periods.
The entire area is primed for short term tourists, making staying there longer a bit more of a challenge. Plus, once you’ve explored the Grand Canyon, there are not as many additional options nearby as there are with some of the other premier sites.
Pros
- The Grand Canyon!
- Plenty of outdoor activities to do like hiking and biking
- Very RV friendly
Cons
- Not great for long term stays
6. Lakeland, Florida
While Lakeland, Florida might not get a ton of attention, it really is in a premier location for exploring the state. Halfway between Orlando and Tampa, there are tons of things you can do no matter which direction you drive.
If you’re looking for a mix of the beach and amusement parks, Lakeland puts you in the perfect location to explore both worlds.
That’s what sets Lakeland apart from many of the other premier tourist destinations out there. While they excel at providing a place to stay for shorter trips, you could easily spend the entire summer at Lakeland and not run out of things to do.
There are plenty of RV parks and trailer parks to stay at in Lakeland. So, whether you’re looking to spend a week or a year, they have plenty of sights for you to explore.
Pros
- Halfway between Orlando and Tampa
- You can avoid the crowds while in Lakeland
- Plenty of RV accommodations
Cons
- You have to drive to get to the premier destinations – but they’re not far
7. Charleston, West Virginia
When you think of Charleston, you probably think of South Carolina. But if you travel a little farther north and hit Charleston, West Virginia, then you’ve really found a hidden gem.
It’s nestled just south of the Kanawha state forest, which means you get access to miles of secluded forests, trails, wildlife, and so much more.
The cost of living in West Virginia is low, as are the costs of both trailer park and RV parks. There are tons of options to choose from for both short-term and long-term stays.
If you’re looking to settle down somewhere a little more secluded and enjoy some peace and quiet, Charleston, West Virginia, is exactly what you need.
Pros
- Easy access to Kanawha state forest
- Very affordable
- Easy to stay for months at a time
Cons
- Further off the beaten trail (which can be a pro)
8. Estes Park, Colorado
Did someone mention mountains? Or is that just where our mind goes when we think of premier RVing destinations? If mountains are your goal, Colorado is your destination.
And if you’re looking to escape into the mountains and wilderness, it’s hard to beat what the town of Estes Park, Colorado has to offer.
It’s at the base of the Rocky Mountain National Park, and it’s close to the Roosevelt National Forest. All it takes is a quick ride on the local tramway, and you can travel up Prospect Mountain for beautiful views over the valley.
Whether you’re interested in the local wildlife or just need to take in the majestic views, it’s easy to enjoy a few months in Estes Park.
Pros
- Tons of wildlife in Roosevelt National Forest
- Tons of iconic scenery in the Rocky Mountains
- Affordable campsites
Cons
- Higher elevation can be harder on trucks pulling trailers
9. Tucson, Arizona
There are mountains, and then there are deserts. Then there’s Tucson, which just happens to be a town in the desert nestled next to a mountain.
This gives Tucson some iconic viewpoints that you won’t be able to find anywhere else. The city has more iconic adobes than anywhere else in the country, so it’s not just about the mountains either.
Another perk to settling down in Tucson for a bit is the lower cost of living. While there are tons of places you want to travel to during the summer, Tucson probably isn’t one of them.
Instead, it’s an excellent winter destination as that’s when the weather starts to cool, and you can leave your RV without melting to the pavement.
If you’re living out of your RV, you need both summer and winter destinations. Put this one near the top of the winter column.
Pros
- Winters are warmer – it’s excellent for those trying to avoid the colder weather
- Mountain views and city landscapes in one place
- Very RV friendly
Cons
- Summers are extremely hot
10. Austin, Texas
When you’re traveling south, it doesn’t get any more iconic than Texas. But if you’re heading down that way, why not do it right and give Austin a try?
While Austin is known for its music scene, there are plenty of outdoor activities that traditional RV enthusiasts enjoy.
It’s a city that truly has something for everyone. While you’re not going to want to travel with your RV through the city, there are plenty of accommodations in Hill Country for you to park your RV before you head into town.
And if you’re not interested in city life, there are plenty of fun things you can do in Texas Hill Country without having to deal with all the hustle and bustle of city life!
It’s not your typical RV destination, but it’s worth a look.
Pros
- Great southern music scene
- Fantastic cultural attractions
- Plenty of outdoor activities
Cons
- Summers can get extremely hot
- Have to navigate your RV through the city
Can You Live in an RV in a Trailer Park?
While you might be looking for a cut and dry answer here, the truthful answer is sometimes. Sometimes the trailer park will allow an RV to stay there, and sometimes they won’t. It all depends on the rules for that specific trailer park.
Furthermore, you’ll have to keep in mind that most trailer parks don’t allow you to pay by the day. Instead, most require you to enter into month-to-month leases, and sometimes they’ll require a full-year lease.
So, while a trailer park might seem convenient if all the RV parks in the area are full, it might not be the panacea that you’re looking for.
Can You Live in an RV Park Year-Round?
The short answer is yes, but some RV parks will limit how long you can stay there. Sometimes they might make you switch spots. Other times, they might make you leave for a few days and come back.
Keep in mind that RV parks tend to be a little more expensive than trailer parks, but they come with all the amenities your RV will need. A typical RV park costs $35 a night, which quickly adds up to an average cost of over $1,000 for the month.
Is It Cheaper to Live in an RV Than a Home?
Once again, the answer comes down to “it depends.” While it’s certainly possible to find an RV that’s cheaper to live in than a mobile home, the truth is that you’ll typically spend more.
That’s because not only do you have to pay for the RV, which isn’t cheap, but you’ll also have to pay for insurance. While you’re probably aware that you have to pay homeowners insurance for your house, did you know that you have to pay homeowners insurance for your RV if you’re living in it full time?
Not only that, but you’ll have to pay auto insurance on your RV, and since it’s a more expensive vehicle, those rates are pretty high. Typically, you can expect to spend anywhere from $1,500 to $4,000 each year for insurance alone, depending on which state you’re in, the value of your RV, and your driving history!
From there, you’ll have to factor in how much you’re traveling. You want to live in an RV because you can move it! But most RVs only get between five to eight miles per gallon, so the costs can skyrocket pretty quickly.
As an estimate, famous RVing duo Heath and Alyssa spent over $6,500 on fuel alone as they traveled the country over a seven month period!
Finally, you’ll still need somewhere to park! While you might be able to find some Walmart parking lots or other free places to park occasionally, you’ll inevitably need to hit up an RV park or two throughout the month.
While you’re there, you can drain tanks and fill up on much-needed supplies! However, this can quickly drain your wallet, with the average RV park costing $35 a night.
In the end, you can expect to spend $1,000 a month if you’re living in your RV, and that’s before you factor in the cost of the RV. While that might be cheaper than a home in some areas, it’s can also be more expensive, depending on the area of the country you are in.
Can I Buy Land and Live in an RV?
Absolutely! But you’ll need to figure out a few technical hurdles to make this work. For starters, you’ll need somewhere to drain your septic tanks and fill up on fresh water. While this is doable, it’s always a good idea to have a plan.
From there, you’ll need to figure out a source of power. Solar panels are probably your best bet, but keep in mind that all it’ll take is a few cloudy days, and you might find yourself without any power. You’ll want to upgrade your batteries and have a backup plan just in case.
It’s certainly possible if you own the land to drive your RV onto the land and live there! The only caveat to this is to check the current zoning for the land you’re looking to purchase. For most areas outside of the city, it won’t be an issue, but if you’re buying land in an industrial area, you’ll need to be careful to ensure that residential buildings are allowed there.
As long as you’re buying land in a location where you could build a residential home, and there isn’t a homeowner’s association, there’s no reason you can’t park your RV on your own land and live there!
Summary
Whether you’re looking for a destination for a few summer vacation destinations and don’t know where to park your RV, or you’re looking for a new place to settle down, there are trailer parks and RV parks all over the United States. While stay lengths vary from place to place, you’re sure to find what you are looking for if you plan ahead.
You bought your RV to travel the world; why not use it? There are tons of destinations out there! All you have to do is find your next vacation spot and start enjoying everything the great outdoors has to offer!
