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RV Lifestyle guide
Top 23 Visitor Centers in United States
byPhyllis Khare and
Michal Ben-Ari and
Mike Wendland and
Wendy Bowyer
Live update: Updated August 9, 2022Copy link
Copy link1. McArthur-Burney Falls Memorial State Park
PEOPLE ARE SAYING:
Phyllis Kharehttps://rvlifestyle.com/camping-mcarthur-burney-falls/
This state park is situated inside the Cascade Range and Modoc Plateau natural region, and is set in a gorgeous forest. It has five miles of stream and lake shoreline, including Lake Britton, and amazing hikes.
There is also the gorgeous 129 foot Burney Falls waterfall that alone is worth the trip. The campground is also very nice, with a beach, boat ramp, camp store and more.
2. Yellowstone National Park
PEOPLE ARE SAYING:Phyllis KhareYellowstone holds the planet’s most diverse and intact collection of geysers, hot springs, mud pots, and fumaroles (the small openings where hot sulfurous gases are coming out).
The more than 300 geysers here make up two-thirds of all those found on earth.
Combine this with more than 10,000 thermal features comprised of brilliantly colored hot springs, bubbling mud pots, and steaming fumaroles, and you have a place like no other.
Yellowstone’s vast collection of thermal features provides a constant reminder of the park’s recent volcanic past.
To learn more about RVing through Yellowstone, head to our website:
https://rvlifestyle.com/yellowstone-geysers-and-thermals/
3. Porcupine Mountains Visitor Center
PEOPLE ARE SAYING:Phyllis KhareThe Wilderness Visitor Center should be your first stop in the Porkies. It’s located along the South Boundary Road, three miles west of Silver City on M-107.
Here, you can:
check on trail conditions
register for backpacking
get directions to scenic sites
check wildlife sightings
note the interpretive activities and guided hikes schedule (see below!)
and more!
The center has an exhibit hall featuring natural communities of the mountains and native wildlife species including fisher, goshawk, gray wolf, porcupine, peregrine falcon, bear, and beaver. The exhibit hall also displays the history of the Porcupine Mountains from prehistoric copper miners to the lumber camps of the early 1900s.
Just outside the Visitor Center is an easy and enjoyable, self-guided nature trail. This mile-long loop takes about 45 minutes and highlights the wildlife and other natural features of the northwoods.
The Visitor Center is open from mid-May through mid-October.
To read more about our Porcupine Mountains recommendations, head over to our website:
https://rvlifestyle.com/the-best-things-to-do-in-the-porcupine-mountains/
4. Princess Place Preserve
PEOPLE ARE SAYING:
Mike WendlandFascinating off the beaten path place.. see https://rvlifestyle.com/princess-place-preserve-florida
5. Dead Horse Point State Park
PEOPLE ARE SAYING:Phyllis Kharehttps://rvlifestyle.com/is-this-the-most-beautiful-state-park-in-america/
Some say this is the most beautiful state park in Utah. Desert landscape with breath-taking canyons and cliffs. Amazing sunsets and sunrises. Dogs are permitted on the trails. The star-filled dark skies are breathtaking. We highly recommend.Phyllis KhareWhat many say is the most beautiful state park in all of the United States. See why what we have to say here: https://rvlifestyle.com/dead-horse-point-and-goblin-valley/
Immense vertical cliffs meet with canyons carved by ice, water, and wind creating a visual masterpiece.
6. Grand Canyon National Park
PEOPLE ARE SAYING:
Pam HynesSpent an awesome 3 days exploring different parts of the south rim of the Grand Canyon. We did not have an RV at this point, so we were staying in a hotel. We did explore the campground that was on the national park premises and it looked fabulous, clean, and it wasn't crowded and we were there over 4th of July, 2021. Can't wait to go back in my future Leisure Travel Van Wonder!
7. Fort Barrancas
PEOPLE ARE SAYING:Phyllis KhareTo read all about the Gulf Islands National Seashore, head to our website: https://rvlifestyle.com/daycamping-along-gulf-islands-national-seashore/
8. Antelope Island State Park
PEOPLE ARE SAYING:
Erik & Jeanne AndersonFascinating State Park on the largest island in the Great Salt Lake. Amazing views, wildlife, geology and history. We loved Bridger Bay Campground!
9. Capitol Reef National Park
PEOPLE ARE SAYING:Phyllis KhareCapitol Reef National Park is a Utah hidden gem featuring canyons, domes, cliffs, and bridges in something called the Waterpocket Fold. Discover the best time to visit this and other wonderful Utah parks in our blog: https://rvlifestyle.com/best-time-to-visit-utah-national-parks/
10. Natchez Trace Parkway Visitor Center
PEOPLE ARE SAYING:Phyllis KhareTo learn more about RVing through Natchez Parkway, head to our website:
https://rvlifestyle.com/driving-the-natchez-trace-parkway-in-an-rv/Phyllis Kharehttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LZP4Jgnw2q4&ab_channel=RVLifestyle
11. Dorothy's House and the Land of Oz
PEOPLE ARE SAYING:Phyllis Kharehttps://rvlifestyle.com/dorothys-house-in-liberal-kansas/
The town of Liberal, Kansas has taken on the role of Dorothy’s hometown. When you arrive at Dorothy’s house, a latter-day Dorothy greets you garbed in the iconic Judy Garland dress. You will learn about the house, life on the Kansas plains, and pass through a simulated tornado. Liberal, Kansas, has a Harvest Host location near by, and many other attractions. A great Off the Beaten Path destination!
12. Fort Mose Historic State Park
PEOPLE ARE SAYING:Phyllis Kharehttps://rvlifestyle.com/fort-mose/
Fort Mosé is a small Florida fort established when Spain was ruling, slavery was flourishing in the US colonies farther north, and because slaves were much less harshly treated by the Spaniards, there was a constant flow of escapees coming into Florida. Enslaved people who made it across the border had the option of securing their freedom by converting to Catholicism and agreeing to a term of military service. This state park tells the history in its museum, also there is a place for canoes, kayaks, bird viewing.
13. Coeur d'Alene
PEOPLE ARE SAYING:Phyllis KhareCoeur d' Alene is known as a popular resort town with a 'floating green' hole on the golf coarse adjacent to the Coeur d' Alene Resort shown in the attached photo. The city is located in the Pacific North West area of Idaho and has a variety of campgrounds located with various amenities. Blackwell Island RV Park is a popular private campground with all the amenities listed! We have stayed at this RV location a couple of times and it does not disappoint. Located close to town and adjacent to the lake. A popular floating restaurant Cedars in only a few minutes away by car. Website: idahorvpark.com
14. Laguna Atascosa National Wildlife Refuge
PEOPLE ARE SAYING:Phyllis KhareFishing and in-season hunting are permitted. https://rvlifestyle.com/rving-on-the-texas-gulf-coast/ Camping is not allowed in the park, but the Adolph Thomae, Jr. County Park, adjacent to the refuge, has sites available with full hookups at $30 per night.
15. Grant Visitor Center
PEOPLE ARE SAYING:Phyllis KhareJust south of West Thumb Geyser Basin is the Grant Visitor Center.
The visitor center and development are named for President Ulysses S. Grant, eighteenth President of the United States. If you didn't know, he signed the bill creating Yellowstone National Park in 1872.
The visitor center hosts exhibits that interpret fire's role in the environment of Yellowstone and how it helps rejuvenate the forests. You’ll learn about the massive fires of 1988 that burned over a third of the park.
From West Thumb, you can go south along the lake to Bridge Bay, Lake Village, and Fishing Bridge.
To read more recommendations in Yellowstone, head to our website: https://rvlifestyle.com/best-campgrounds-near-yellowstone-lake/
16. Dolphin Research Center
PEOPLE ARE SAYING:Phyllis KhareThe Dolphin Research Center began as a marine mammal retreat in the 1950s. Local fisherman Milton Santini collected Atlantic bottlenose dolphins to form Santini's Porpoise Training School.
The Center now focuses on marine mammal care, research, and education and houses 22 dolphins and three sea lions.
The Center has 90,000 sq ft of lagoon for the dolphins to play in and offers several programs to swim, play, and interact with the dolphins.
The Center is open daily from 9 am-4:30 pm and admission is $28/person.
To read more of our Marathon, FL recommendations, head to our website: https://rvlifestyle.com/7-best-places-to-go-in-marathon-florida/
17. City of Rocks State Park
PEOPLE ARE SAYING:Phyllis KhareBoondocking spot with great hiking, biking, stargazing, and incredible massive boulders.
There are picnic tables.
There are few electrical sites, a visitor center too.
You can find more of the best secret campgrounds here: https://rvlifestyle.com/best-camping-spots/
18. Abraham Lincoln Birthplace National Historical Park
PEOPLE ARE SAYING:Phyllis KhareThe park features a visitor’s center in Lincoln’s childhood home for travelers to learn more about him. A replica of the log cabin Lincoln was allegedly born in was reconstructed on-site as the original was deconstructed before 1865. See why we ranked this as one of the top 5 former national parks to visit: https://rvlifestyle.com/5-former-national-parks-to-visit/
19. Beavers Bend State Park
PEOPLE ARE SAYING:Phyllis KhareSee why we've named it as one of the best Oklahoma State Parks: https://rvlifestyle.com/best-rv-camping-in-oklahoma-state-parks/
20. Flaming Gorge National Recreation Area
PEOPLE ARE SAYING:
Sam ZagGreat fishing and camping
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