The Best Places to Ring in the New Year in Your RV
Whether You’re Looking for a Raucous Party or a Little Solitude, Ring in The Year on Wheels!
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With December now upon us–and the holidays fast approaching–it’s time to start making plans for ringing in the New Year in your RV. As usual, there will be plenty of celebrations taking place across the country, complete with live music, fireworks, adult beverages, and a few rounds of auld lang syne.
Whether you’re looking for a traditional New Year’s Eve blowout or seeking a more intimate affair, we have some suggestions for where to park your rig. So, reserve your campsite early, plot your escape, and get ready to celebrate at any one of these fantastic destinations.
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Key West Florida
Key West, Florida, is one of the premiere New Year’s Eve destinations on the Eastern Seaboard. The city hosts a massive gathering each December 31 that features no fewer than four unique ball drops as the clock strikes midnight. The most famous of those celebrations take place at the Bourbon Street Pub, where a giant red high-heel shoe drops to welcome the start of another year. Fireworks, live music, dancing, and plenty of other activities will help make your visit a memorable one.
The drive south to Key West on US Highway 1 is one of the most beautiful in the entire country, with the azure waters of the Atlantic Ocean and the Caribbean Sea visible at all times. After reaching the southernmost city in the continental United States, park your RV at Boyd’s Key West Campground and prepare to soak up some sun. The island’s warm weather—it averages temperatures of 75ºF for December and January—will be a welcome reprieve from the cold and snow.
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Las Vegas, Nevada
While it can feel a bit like New Year’s Eve every night in Las Vegas, the actual event is always one to remember. Even “Sin City” knows that December 31 is a special night, and it steps up the festivities to meet the occasion. Head down to the Strip to take in the fireworks show, which is absolutely massive in size and scope. Seven hotels and casinos launch more than 80,000 fireworks starting at 20 minutes to midnight. During that time, the already flashy part of town gets taken to an entirely new level.
The Oasis Las Vegas is the ultimate RV resort when visiting the city. The campground features well-manicured grounds, a fully-stocked convenience store, a fitness center, and complimentary Wi-Fi across the entire site. Visitors can enjoy a family-friendly swimming pool—complete with waterfall—or take a dip in a separate “adults only” pool. Conveniently located south of the Strip, the RV park is easy to access when coming and going too.
Other RV Campgrounds In Las Vegas:
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Tybee Island, Georgia
Tybee Island is another destination that has been popular with end-of-the-year travelers for decades. The town, located not far from Savannah, Georgia, features miles of pristine beaches, vibrant nightlife, and plenty of great bars and restaurants. It also happens to be home to one of the largest fireworks displays in the southern US, with locals and visitors alike gathering on the beach at midnight to take in the show. Adventurous travelers looking to keep the celebration going can also participate in the annual Tybee Polar Plunge, which challenges participants to dive into the ocean on New Year’s Day.
The River’s End Campground and RV Park makes the perfect base camp for your visit to Tybee. River’s End has its own onsite pool but is located just a few blocks from the beach for those who prefer the sand and surf. All of the RV sites include full hook-ups with both 30- and 50-amp shore power plugs, as well as standard cable and sewer connections. Other amenities include a laundry facility, fitness center, dog park, and more.
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Nashville, Tennessee
A visit to “Music City” is always a good time, but on New Year’s Eve, Nashville pulls out all the stops. Each year, the city constructs a massive stage in the heart of downtown, where thousands of partygoers gather to watch some of the local talent perform. In Nashville, the “local talent” includes the likes of Dierks Bentley, Keith Urban, Miranda Lambert, the Zac Brown Band, and dozens of other major stars. At midnight, a fireworks display helps ring in the New Year, while the party continues well into the next day.
For your stay, book a spot at the Nashville Shores Lakeside Resort, which is conveniently located just 10 miles from downtown. The campground makes it easy to explore everything this bustling city has to offer while still having the option to retreat to your RV when you need a little peace and quiet. Located on beautiful Percy Priest Lake, the resort’s amenities include spacious RV sites, water, sewer, electric hook-ups, and access to a nearby waterpark and zipline course.
Other RV Campgrounds in Nashville:
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Big Bear Lake, California
To witness a truly unique New Year’s Eve spectacle, head to Big Bear Lake in California. Each year, in celebration of the occasion, more than 200 skiers and snowboarders take to the slopes after dark, descending the mountain with blazing torches in hand. The large procession lights up the night in grand fashion, creating a spectacle unlike any other. Those festivities get underway early in the evening, kicking off a whole night of revelry that culminates with the arrival of the new year at midnight.
Park your rig at the SkyPark Camp + RV Resort for your visit to Big Bear. The campground features 57 RV sites that include full power, electric, and water hook-ups, with Wi-Fi available across the entire area. Guests also have access to an onsite laundry facility, a restaurant, a snack bar, and a cocktail lounge, among other amenities. SkyPark is even pet-friendly, so you won’t have to leave your furry companions at home for the holidays.
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Jackson Hole, Wyoming
Consistently ranked among the best ski destinations in North America, Jackson Hole is a great place to welcome the new year. Each of the region’s three ski resorts features its own celebration, including elaborate fireworks displays, torch parades, drink specials, and other events. Local restaurants offer excellent dining options all day long, and the Million Dollar Cowboy Bar hosts a live band in the evening for some boot-scootin’ fun.
Jackson Hole Campground is one of the few RV sites open during the winter, so be sure to book early. The location offers shore power outlets, water hook-ups, and an onsite laundry facility. Showers and bathrooms are also available, and an on-premises store will keep you supplied with everything you need. Best of all, the facility isn’t far from town, making it an excellent option for skiers, snowmobilers, and other winter warriors.
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Park City, Utah
Another excellent destination for skiing and snowboarding, Park City, Utah likes to ring in the new year in style. There is never a shortage of celebrations to be found with local restaurants serving up outstanding food while the bars and clubs provide drinks, dancing, and plenty of live music. Drop by the nearby Canyon Village resort for the requisite fireworks display and stay for the live DJ and bands, along with fun activities for the entire family.
To make your visit to Park City a memorable one, book a reservation at Mountain Valley RV Resort. Widely considered one of the best RV campgrounds in the entire country, Mountain Valley offers fantastic service and amenities to go along with its stunning views of the Rocky Mountains. In addition to the 193 RV sites—complete with full hook-ups—the resort offers heated pools and hot tubs, an exercise room, free wireless internet, laundry facilities, and private bathrooms and showers. The site is also pet-friendly and located less than a mile from Walmart for when you need to make a supply run.
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Big Bend National Park, Texas
If you happen to be someone who prefers a quieter, more relaxed New Year’s Eve, head to Big Bend National Park in Texas. The park is nestled away in a remote corner of the state and is rarely busy, even during the peak travel season. There, you’ll find a wilderness made up of diverse landscapes that range from towering canyons and lonely mountains to open deserts that stretch for miles. And at night, the sky is ablaze with countless stars that will leave you awestruck with their beauty.
Thanks to warm weather all year round, the national park’s campgrounds never close. One of the best in the Rio Grande Village RV Campground, which features just 25 sites but does offer water, electricity, and sewer connections. Visitors will find an on-premises store, a laundry facility, and a dump station. Wireless internet is also available, although there is no cellphone service at this remote location. In other words, it is perfect for anyone looking to escape the hustle and bustle of life for a while.
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Joshua Tree National Park
Joshua Tree National Park is another outstanding destination for a New Year’s Eve escape. The park offers a nice blend of solitude and celebration, depending on your mood. It is not uncommon for spontaneous parties to break out at any of the campsites, creating a festive atmosphere amongst campers. The park’s close proximity to the town of Joshua Tree and Twentynine Palms makes it easy to find events and activities happening nearby. Should you prefer to welcome the new year more peacefully, however, there are miles of open desert to help you make your escape.
Joshua Tree’s campgrounds are open year-round and offer a variety of landscapes for RVers to choose from. Indian Cove is the largest of those sites, although it doesn’t provide hook-ups of any kind, nor does it have internet service or cell service. Be prepared to live off the grid for a few days when staying there. Black Rock has fewer campsites but is more RV-friendly, with potable water, a dump station, flush toilets, and internet and cell connections.
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Lake George, New York
Nestled in the Adirondack Mountains of Upstate New York, Lake George is another destination with plenty of New Year’s Eve traditions. As a place that caters to travelers all year long, the town features delicious dining options and more than a few locations to welcome the new year with an adult beverage. Visitors can book passage aboard one of the local cruise ships to take in a midnight fireworks display from the city’s namesake lake or watch from the comfort of one of the resorts or clubs that line its shores. A New Year’s Day polar plunge caps off the activities for those willing to take a swim in those frigid waters.
The King Phillips Campground is popular for RVers when visiting Lake George. The full-service facilities include 97 RV sites, most of which have full hook-ups, shore power plugs, Wi-Fi, and patios. The campground is also equipped with a snack bar, grocery store, and laundromat, making it a good home base for Adirondack adventures.
Other RV Campgrounds in Lake George, NY:
Any one of these destinations will make for a memorable New Year’s experience. Be sure to book your plans and reservations early.
