There is no greater pairing than an RV and a bike when you are looking for a great adventure. For RVers that truly love the combination, finding an RV park or campground will truly maximize the cycling options that provide great joy like no other. There are plenty of RV parks around the country with bike trails that you will surely enjoy, and I will list them below.
1. Stanhope Campground: Located On Prince Edward’s Island, Canada
Just about a 13-hour drive Northwest of New York, the Stanhope Campground is the most well-known biking trip destination in the North American area. It is protected by the Canadian government as Prince Edward Island National Park is a place that is home to great beach views and whopping 270 miles of sandy trails that are great for biking.
Also, the location doesn’t present much of a challenge when it comes to elevation. So, you can enjoy biking around the park without needing to put in too much effort. If you don’t have a bike or you are lacking one, they do have bike rental facilities. Tour guides are also available in the park if you want to get the best out of your adventure.
The Confederation Trail is a portion of the Trans Canada Trail in PEI national Park which used to be a functioning railway that basically covers all the wonderful natural beauty there is to see on Prince Edward Island. There are plenty of campsites available for you on the island, no matter whether you want to ride your bike on the whole trail or just in the bike section of the park.
It might not be the best time to visit the park from December 1 to March 31 since the trail has become a snowmobile track. However, there are some trails out there that are great for winter biking, and if you are curious about it, you can check out this article
that I have written for you.
Plenty of visitors to the Stanhope Campground ride from downtown Charlottetown to York on the Confederation Trail and turnaround on the Robinson’s Island that will sum up to a nice 25 miles trek. When you are looking for a true outdoor adventure, this is the best place to go.
Amenities at Stanhope Campground include firewood, swimming, restrooms, kitchen shelter, group camping, fire pits, and a playground for the kids. Now, the downside to the Stanhope Campground is they close seasonally, and during peak season, it can get crowded.
2. Letchworth State Park: Located in New York
The Letchworth State Park is commonly referred to as the Grand Canyon of the east. It is home to 270 electric campsites in the Finger Lakes region of the New York area. The main feature that this park offers is the gorge formed by the Gennessee River. Plenty of bikers are able to take in some fantastic views of the Gennessee River from the Finger Lakes Trail Branch Trail.
Bikers will have a 22-mile bike trail that has been rated intermediate or difficult due to the creek crossings and the steep overall grade. It is a single-track bike trail meaning it is big enough for one bike going in one direction at a time. The trail is open to bikers during the summer months, which is usually around June 1.
The trail stretches from the Hogsback Overlook parking lot to a road just after an old railroad bridge, and the Finger Lakes Trail Branch Trail traces the lower gorge of the river before it crosses over some tributaries. Then, it runs along the steepest part of the lower gorge.
Now, it is not an easy-going trail, but it is thrilling and will definitely give you a workout. There are some side trails that will lead to the great overlooks so that you can catch some nice views and take a little break from the trail.
From May 3 to October 20, you can camp at Letchworth State Park, and both cabins and campsites are available. You will also have access to electric hookups at both the 30 and 50 AMP output levels. There are also dumping stations, a swimming pool, picnic tables, showers, and a playground when you have children with you.
Now, the Letchworth State Park closes seasonally, and you are not allowed to swim in the Gennessee River.
3. Desert Trails RV Parks: Located in Tucson, Arizona
If you are looking for a little less green and plenty more cacti, the Desert Trails RV Parks is the best spot for you. It is loaded with features and activities that you can do. The park has 200 hookups and amenities, just like a library, TV lounge, heated pool, pool hall, and just about anything else that you can imagine.
When you visit the Desert Trails RV Parks, you will never have a dull moment. Aside from the listed activities, this park has you covered when it comes to bike activities as well. You can pick up a free trail map at the office and choose one of the plenty of trails that radiate from the site.
Rest assured that you will have an amazing day spent at the Desert Trails RV Park. They call themselves the ‘mountain bikers’ paradise.’
4. Cape Lookout State Park: Located in Oregon
The Cape Lookout State Park is a remote state park that is tailored to hikers and bikers. There are plenty of campsites where bikers can get the ocean view and possibly even have a view of whale sightings during the daytime. Aside from RV parks and camping sites, you can also do beach camping if you love being around the beach area. It is a cycling-centric destination that should be at the top of each cyclist’s travel bucket list.
The amenities include 38 full hookup campsites, 170 tent sites with water readily available, one electrical site, six deluxe cabins, two group tent camping areas, hot showers 13 yurts, and restrooms available for registered campers. They also have dumpsite and firewood and ice for sale seasonally.
Cape Lookout State Park comes with Three Capes Scenic Drive, which is a beautiful experience of the Pacific Northwest nature. It splits from the main highway 101 and goes well off the beaten trail for you to cross through Capes Mear, Kiwanda, and Lookout.
This state park has plenty of places for you to park your rig so that bikers can drive from the start of the scenic drive to Cape Lookout and start their explorations from there. You also have access to two towns which are Netarts and Oceanside. These two towns are also along this section of the scenic drive.
Bikers can pull over and have a unique experience of the best beaches in the Oregon area. If you don’t have a bike, there is also a place to rent a bike for your outdoor adventure in Lincoln City at Safari Town Surf.
The trail is 11 miles which is moderately difficult, and bikers who plan to ride here should ensure they check the tides before they head out. You don’t want to get stuck trying to ride in the wet sand. If you want a peaceful biking trip at a place that is specifically designed for a bike ride and bike camping, the Cape Lookout State Park is the best place for you.
5. Natural Bridges Campground: Located in Bears Ears, Utah
The Natural Bridges Campground is situated in Bears Ears which was famously downsized back in 2017. You can see plenty of natural colors of desert rocks in Utah. There are also Juniper trees that surround the Natural Bridges Campground, which offers great shade and seclusion for campers. Now, the campground is based on a first-come, the first-served walk-in site only.
There are 13 sites in total in the campground, so you need to make sure that you arrive early enough for you to secure a spot before you hit the bike trail. The campground is a little bit scant in modern amenities, but there is a year-round garbage collection as well as disposal. You can also find vault toilets that serve as restrooms and no potable water source, so make sure that you bring enough to quench your thirst while you are biking.
For those who wish to stay the night in the campground, you would need to bring your own firewood since gathering is not allowed in the park. Also, there are no showers here, but for those with RVs that have a bathroom, there is no need to worry about that. The best thing about this campground is it provides stunning surroundings and is open to visitors 24 hours a day, all year round.
During the late summer, there are often violent monsoons in Utah, while during the winter, temperatures are between 30 to 50 degrees Fahrenheit during the daytime and zero to 20 degrees during the night. You can choose what time to visit wisely and ensure to bring the right gear so that you stay warm and dry.
You can find 80 miles of biking trails in the wider Bears Ears National Monument, and most of the bike trails are fun in terms of putting up a challenge. It is 10 to 17 miles of cycling from the Natural Bridges Campground are the limits of the Bears Ears, where bikers can find the trailhead for the 12 miles of Peavine Corridor Jeep Road.
The Peavine Corridor Jeep Road is a double-track bike trail that is rated as intermediate difficult and features sheer cliff walls, and has stunning rock formations for you to see. It is a rough trail that isn’t regularly maintained and will most likely be washed out.
The Natural Bridges Campground provides a great ride deep in the Utah desert wilderness that doesn’t have as much attention as it should. So, it is a great option for bikers who want to try something new.
Unlike the other campgrounds, the National Bridges Campground has a non-maintained campsite and very few amenities for you to enjoy. It is really focused on the bike trail and is great for those who are bike enthusiasts.
6. Stewartville Backpack Camp: Located in California
The Stewartville Backpack Camp is an approximately five and a half hours drive from central San Francisco, Black Diamond Mines Regional Preserve. It is home to four great bike trails, and bikers can explore all the natural beauty as well as the temperate California climate from the seat of their bikes.
There are about 12 miles of trails that course through the Stewartville Backpack Camp, and the trail ranges in difficulty and elevation. The longest trail is the Stewartville Trail which is fairly easy to follow and runs from one parking area to another. It is great for campers who have an RV with them on their biking adventure and want to leave it in place while they go on their biking adventure.
The hike-in campsite will need about a 3.2 miles walk but isn’t too difficult to reach by bike. There is a picnic area available that includes three six-foot picnic tables, shades, a pit-toilet restroom, and non-potable water that is great for animals but not for humans.
There is not much fancy about the campsite, but it is a great location for bikers to have a quiet night stargazing before you head out to bike on the trail the following morning. The surrounding landscape is full of natural beauty, and it is far enough away from the crowded Bay Area attractions that will draw most people to that side of California.
All you have to do is bring all your supplies with you when you plan to visit the Stewartville Backpack Camp since there won’t be any way to get new supplies in the area. Also, before you head out to the camp, you will need a reservation which can be made online or by phone.
7. Boise National Forest: Located in Boise, Idaho
In Boise National Forest, you can find wildflowers and wildlife over stunning rocky views near the busy city center of Boise, Idaho. There are plenty of trails and campgrounds available in this national park with a wide variety. It is important to plan to go to this location early enough or go through the trouble of making a reservation so that you can secure a spot.
One of the best campsites in the area is the Shafer Butte Campground which offers single, double, and group campsites plus a scenic view of the Boise Ridge Mountains. The Bogus Basin Mountain Recreation Area is also nearby and provides views from a 7,000-foot elevation which is absolutely breathtaking.
Once you see one of the many bike trails near Shafer Butte, you might have a hard time leaving the place. Since the national forest is located in the north, the campsite has to close by October 1. However, they can close earlier depending on the snowfall that particular year.
The group picnic areas are available, and each campsite also has its own picnic table and campfire rings for you to enjoy. There are seven sites in total where it is not possible to reserve and can only be gotten on a first-come, first-serve basis. There is no potable water, so be sure that you are stocked up on clean water when you decide to stay here.
8. Lake George: Located in New York’s the Adirondack Mountains
Also known as the ‘queen of the American lakes,’ the Lake George Area is the best place for you to spend the night to have fun. The staff is friendly, and they will not only make sure you and your rig are comfortable, but they will go above and beyond to help out cyclists with free air pumps, covered bike bridges, and so much more.
The trail in Lake George is a whopping 32.2 miles wide and will provide you with plenty of space to ride your bike. It means even the most adventurous cyclists won’t run out of trails to cover, docks to jump, or vistas to view the crystal clear water form.
The lake has dozens of streams and natural springs, and it really does provide the perfect opportunity for you to jump in and cool off once you are done with a long day ride.
Final Thoughts
One of the most rewarding pursuits in life is cycling the great outdoors. It provides the opportunity to see new vistas and landscapes. However, since a bike allows more travel than just walking, you will have the opportunity to see even more in a way that provides them great exercise and is challenging in terms of the trail’s difficulty. There are plenty of trails for you to choose from and they will for sure provide the best experience when you are fond of biking. If you want to know more about biking, here is a link to some of the biking articles that you can read.
