1

Yellowstone National Park

Image: Johanna Persson

National parks and motorhomes are a match made in America, and no list of this kind would be complete without mentioning Yellowstone National Park, the oldest park in the country and a very popular RV destination for all the right reasons.

The park offers several RV-friendly campgrounds, and there are plenty of options to choose from in the surrounding towns as well. For drivers looking for an amazing scenic drive, take the Beartooth Highway, which will lead you to Yellowstone’s Northeast entrance. This roadway has been dubbed "The most beautiful in America" and is also known as the "Highway in the Sky."

2

Outer Banks

Image: Sergio Martínez

The Outer Banks is a chain of barrier islands off the coast of North Carolina , offering some of the East Coast’s most impressive and scenic beaches. With numerous RV parks throughout the islands, each with its unique charm, this location is an RV paradise.

Hike the largest dune system on the East Coast at Jockey’s Ridge State Park, kayak the peaceful waters of Cape Hatteras National Seashore, or take a ferry ride to Ocracoke Island’s rustic village. The Outer Banks has activities for everybody and infrastructure to provide all the necessary comfort.

3

Acadia National Park

Image: Marek Konopnicki

Acadia National Park is another gem on the RV roadmap of the U.S. Located primarily on Maine’s Mount Desert Island , the largest island off the coast of Maine, the park is sometimes referred to as the "Crown Jewel of the North Atlantic Coast."

Aside from being home to the highest rocky headlands along the Atlantic coastline of the U.S., the park features several different habitats, offering plenty of plants and animals to see. Acadia has four campgrounds within the park, three of which are RV-friendly.

4

California

Image: Fabian

The entire state of California makes for an incredible RV road trip , offering an endless supply of natural beauty, from towering redwood forests to dusty deserts to breathtaking seascapes and shorelines.

RV travelers can start their journey just northeast of San Diego and follow a clockwise loop, visiting the coast first and exploring the state's inner beauties later.

5

Joshua Tree National Park

Image: Mariana Brás

Joshua Tree National Park features some of America’s most beautiful landscapes, set along the sun-blasted frontier of the Mojave and Colorado deserts . That countryside includes remarkable monzogranite formations and boulders, such as Skull Rock, as well as multiple mountain ranges.

Year-round camping is available in this area, although the summer heat may not be for everyone. There are several campgrounds in the park, ranging from well-developed to primitive options and beyond.

6

Rocky Mountains

Image: Luke Porter

A road trip around the Rocky Mountains in a motorhome is a once-in-a-lifetime experience that any RV camper would love to add to their wishlist. These mountains stretch over 3,000 miles from New Mexico to British Columbia, offering a lifetime's worth of exploration opportunities.

Drivers could spend weeks at Yellowstone and Grand Teton alone, but the entire route is packed with amazing scenery and comfortable RV parks, ranging from primitive sites to lush locations with premium amenities.

7

New England

Image: Rodrigo Curi

New England is an excellent region for an RV road trip. Its balanced blend of forests, rocky seascapes, colonial history, and gorgeous seaside towns offer plenty of opportunities for adventure, sightseeing, relaxation, and more.

A possible route could start in upstate New York, heading east and north into the parks of upper New England, and then heading south along the coast after Acadia for some breathtaking ocean views.

8

Great Smoky Mountains National Park

Image: lucas Favre

The Great Smoky Mountains National Park spans the borders of Tennessee and North Carolina, containing expansive forests and mountainous terrain . This southern wonder features hiking trails, including parts of the greater Appalachian Trail, and a vast array of plant and animal life to explore.

The area is a popular RV destination, and there is no shortage of camps along the way, offering rest and comfort for happy campers.

9

Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park

Image: Vladimir Kudinov

The majestic state of Colorado is filled with breathtaking landscapes , and the Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park is no exception. The Gunnison River sculpted this vertical terrain of rock over thousands of years , creating many picturesque paths for hikers of all skill levels to explore.

During the winter, the sloped hills become a great destination for cross-country skiers. After a long journey in the wilderness, visitors can return to their RV at the South Rim Campground, which welcomes thousands of guests each year.

10

Sedona

Image: Julian Ackroyd

Located where the Colorado Plateau drops down to Arizona’s deserts, Sedona is world-famous for its red rock formations and vibrant communities. RV campers can also visit the Grand Canyon , which is situated not too far to the north .

Sedona is filled with RV parks and campgrounds, and ample public lands in the area offer a multitude of primitive camping opportunities.

1

Wild Alaskan salmon sandwich

Image: Thomas Mertens

In Alaska, the sandwich of choice comes straight from its icy waters . The wild Alaskan salmon sandwich features freshly caught salmon, often grilled or lightly smoked, served on hearty bread with crisp lettuce, tomato, and a tangy dill sauce.

2

Frybread "Navajo Taco"

Image: Bob LaCour

Tacos with a twist: Arizona’s beloved frybread "Navajo taco" is a sort of open-faced sandwich. A variety of taco fillings served on pillowy frybread ; golden and crisp on the outside, soft inside.

It’s generously topped with seasoned ground beef or shredded meat, beans, lettuce, cheese, and sometimes salsa or sour cream.

3

Deep-Fried catfish sandwich

Image: Jonathan Borba

In Arkansas, a true taste of home often comes between two buttered buns. The deep-fried catfish sandwich features flaky catfish fillets, breaded in cornmeal and fried to a golden crisp. It usually contains a smear of tartar sauce, a few pickles, and maybe some shredded lettuce.

4

Italian Beef Sandwich

Image: Yoad Shejtman

Chicagoans take their beef seriously, and nothing embodies the city’s flavor like the Italian beef sandwich. Thinly sliced roast beef is simmered in its own seasoned jus, piled high on an Italian-style roll, and often topped with giardiniera or sweet peppers.

5

Pork Tenderloin Sandwich

Image: Jacinto Diego

Indiana’s pride comes between two buns: the legendary pork tenderloin sandwich. This oversized, breaded, and deep-fried pork cutlet, often wider than the bun itself, is served with classic toppings like lettuce, tomato, and pickles.

6

Hot Brown

Image: Natalia Gusakova

The Hot Brown is Louisville’s indulgent favorite. This open-faced marvel layers roasted turkey and crisp bacon atop toasted bread , smothered in creamy Mornay sauce, and baked until golden. It was created in 1926 at the Brown Hotel, designed as a late-night supper for hotel guests.

7

Jucy Lucy

Image: Juan Santos

Burgers count! Minneapolis is home to a burger with a deliciously molten secret: the Jucy Lucy. This cheese-stuffed masterpiece hides gooey American cheese inside two patties of seasoned beef. Today, it’s a must-try for any visitor seeking a twist on a classic American burger.

8

Pastrami Sandwich

Image: Akhil Pawar

Few sandwiches are as iconic as New York’s pastrami on rye, and Katz’s Delicatessen is the reigning champion. Brined, smoked, and expertly sliced pastrami piled high on fresh rye bread , often with mustard, has been a favorite since the deli opened in 1888.

9

The Elvis Sandwich

Image: Dexter McQueen

Tennessee claims a sweet-and-savory creation forever linked to its most famous son: Elvis Presley. The Elvis sandwich combines peanut butter, banana, and crispy bacon . Would you like to try it?

10

Lobster Roll

Image: Jesse

This one was an easy choice: no Maine culinary list is complete without the lobster roll. Bursting with fresh, tender lobster meat lightly dressed in butter or mayo and nestled into a soft, toasted roll, this sandwich is a staple of seaside shacks .

1

Keep Austin weird (Austin, Texas)

Image: MJ Tangonan

We’ll begin with one of the most distinctive unofficial mottos out there. In the year 2000, an Austin resident named Red Wassenich called a radio show and made a pledge encouraging fellow citizens to " Keep Austin Weird ." The phrase resonated with him, and he soon began printing bumper stickers and shirts. It was quickly embraced by other Austinites, eventually evolving into the unofficial motto still seen all over the Texas capital.

2

Al-Ki (Washington)

Image: Toan Chu

The only American state that has a fully unofficial state motto. " Al-Ki " (also written as "Alki") is a word from Chinook Jargon that translates to "by and by," though it’s sometimes interpreted as " hope for the future ." Whichever translation you prefer, both express a beautiful sentiment—one that reflects not only the optimism of early 19th-century settlers but also the warm, forward-looking spirit of the people of Washington State.

3

Land of Lincoln (Illinois)

Image: Joel Mott

Illinois takes great pride in being the home state of our 16th president—and with good reason. Who wouldn’t be proud of " The Great Emancipator "? Interestingly, Lincoln wasn’t born in Illinois; he was born in a log cabin in Kentucky and spent much of his childhood in Indiana. However, Illinois was definitely Lincoln’s home : it was in the "Prairie State" that he made a name for himself as a lawyer and met his future wife.

4

Sportsman’s Paradise (Louisiana)

Image: Fitsum Admasu

If you’ve ever visited the great state of Louisiana, you’ve probably noticed the many outdoor opportunities it offers, including abundant hunting, fishing, and trapping spots. While Louisiana’s official motto is "Union, Justice, and Confidence," many know the Pelican State by another moniker: "Sportsman’s Paradise."

5

Smiling faces, beautiful places (South Carolina)

Image: Jacqueline Munguía

One of the most memorable aspects of visiting the American South is experiencing its famous " Southern hospitality ." People from the South take pride in their warmth, kindness, and the instinctive way they welcome visitors. In that spirit, South Carolina’s unofficial motto perfectly reflects these values . After all, if you ever visit this great state, be prepared to be greeted by the two things it’s best known for: "Smiling Faces, Beautiful Places."

6

Taxation without representation (Washington, D.C.)

Image: Louis Velazquez

Most license plate mottos praise the state or city they represent. However, since 2000, Washington, D.C. has famously used a slogan that protests its unique political situation. For over 20 years, D.C. license plates have featured a variation of the phrase "Taxation Without Representation"—a quote that highlights the fact that D.C. residents must pay federal taxes without having voting representation in Congress.

7

Wild, wonderful (West Virginia)

Image: Sharosh Rajasekher

There’s nothing like a good alliteration to lift your spirits. West Virginia is known worldwide for its beauty—a living reminder that good things come in small packages . What the state lacks in size, it makes up for with its stunning scenery. In that spirit, we’d like to celebrate whoever coined West Virginia’s most famous unofficial motto: "Wild, Wonderful." It’s short, simple, and perfectly captures the essence of this remarkable state.

8

America’s Dairyland (Wisconsin)

Image: Brian Suman

Wisconsin is known around the world for the exceptional quality of its dairy products, and Wisconsinites take great pride in that fact. Don’t believe it? Just look at the fans of the Green Bay Packers, who often wear iconic "cheesehead" hats shaped like wedges of cheese, proudly celebrating their state’s most famous export. While the official state motto is the single word "Forward," many prefer Wisconsin’s unofficial title: "America’s Dairyland," a nickname that appears frequently across the state.

9

Life Elevated (Utah)

Image: Taylor Brandon

In 2006, Utah’s Department of Tourism introduced a new slogan to promote tourism and inspire residents to take pride in their beautiful state. The slogan, "Life Elevated," was featured on tourism signs and license plates throughout "The Beehive State." When you think about it, the slogan is quite clever, especially considering it indirectly references one of Utah’s most beloved natural wonders: Arches National Park.

10

Old Dominion (Virginia)

Image: STEPHEN POORE

From "the Mother of Presidents" to "the Mother of States," Virginia boasts a collection of iconic nicknames . While "Old Dominion" may not be as self-explanatory as some other monikers, it’s no less impressive. The name originates from Virginia being the first overseas dominion of the English kings and queens .