Thanksgiving Road Trip Ideas: 5 Fun RV Vacations
These five beautiful outdoor destinations are the perfect backdrop for a four-day Thanksgiving weekend spent with friends or family.
Want to start a new holiday tradition? Plan your next Thanksgiving weekend around friends, family, meaningful experiences, and adventure. It’s is the perfect time of year to hit the road and explore the beautiful American Southwest, with its favorable November temperatures.
Whether you’re motivated by visiting a new city, state park, or national park, Phoenix or Las Vegas are the perfect jumping-off points for outdoor exploration. And it couldn’t be easier to reserve and pick up a premium RV from Blacksford in either of these cities to begin your road trip in style.
Blacksford can get you into a spacious RV with room to host Thanksgiving dinner or a luxury campervan for a cozy holiday off the beaten path.
To kickstart your planning, here are five fun RV road trip ideas that will leave you with unforgettable Thanksgiving memories.
Valley of Fire State Park
There is so much to see and do in Nevada’s Valley of Fire State Park. With thrilling hikes to see ancient petroglyphs, roadside photo opportunities, and more, Nevada’s oldest state park is a mere one-hour drive from Las Vegas, making it a perfect Thanksgiving weekend destination.
The park is famous for its vibrant red sandstone formations, petroglyphs, and scenic drives.
Valley of Fire State Park sees much cooler temperatures in November, which are a welcome relief from Summer’s extreme heat. Summer gets so hot that some popular trails close to ensure hiker safety. Check the state park website for current trail closures.
If you’re looking for the perfect holiday hike, check out Fire Wave. It’s a family-friendly 1.3-mile out-and-back that leads to some remarkable sandstone formations.
White Domes Loop is another easy trail to tack onto the holiday excitement. The loop is only one mile, and it takes hikers on a picturesque tour of the state park’s white sandstone mounds, which prominently stand out among the red rock.
Start Planning Your Trip
Travel: 45 miles (~45 minutes) from Las Vegas
Weather: Expect daytime temperatures around 60-70°F and cooler evenings in the 40s.
Thanksgiving Dinner: Head back to Las Vegas for a holiday meal at one of the many restaurants offering Thanksgiving specials. The buffet at The Wynn is a luxurious option.
Or prepare your meal in the comfort of your RV. There are two campgrounds in Valley of Fire State Park, and they both offer a 100 percent chance of dinner with a view.
For More Adventure: Valley of Fire State park about five hours from Grand Canyon National Park’s South Rim, which is open year-round. Check the Grand Canyon Operating Hours page for details .
Joshua Tree National Park
Two deserts—the Mojave and the Colorado—meet in Joshua Tree National Park. A surreal landscape with twisted Joshua trees, rugged rock formations, and starry night skies, this southern California destination is perfect for holiday road-trippers starting in Las Vegas.
Thanksgiving is an excellent time to visit Joshua Tree, as the temperatures are comfortable for hiking and the sky is clear for stargazing.
The Hidden Valley and Barker Dam trails are good hikes to explore the park's unique beauty. Hidden Valley is a family-friendly one-mile loop with fascinating rock formations. Barker Dam is a similar length and difficulty featuring a walk past rock art sites and Barker Dam, with plenty of chances to photograph Joshua trees.
There are four designated stargazing areas in the park: Quail Springs, Hidden Valley, Cap Rock, and Ryan Mountain. You can also book a campsite at one of the nine campgrounds for a more private viewing.
Start Planning Your Trip
Travel: 180 miles from Las Vegas and less than four hours from Death Valley National Park
Weather: Enjoy comfortable temperatures with highs in the 60s-70s and lows in the 40s.
Thanksgiving Dinner: Head to nearby Palm Springs for many Thanksgiving dining options, or check out Pappy & Harriet’s in Pioneertown for a rustic experience. It’s important to call ahead for hours and reservations for holiday visits and large groups.
Your Thanksgiving road trip adventure starts with a Blacksford RV!
Lake Havasu State Park
Lake life is happening year-round at Lake Havasu State Park. It’s a beautiful desert oasis with a mix of water-based recreation and scenic desert landscapes for hiking and off-roading.
The park’s location along the Colorado River makes it ideal for boating and fishing as a renowned striped bass fishery. The mild temperatures in late November are perfect for exploring the area’s trails or relaxing by the water.
Don’t miss a visit to the famous London Bridge, which was relocated to Lake Havasu from England in 1968.
Start Planning Your Trip
Travel: 151 miles (2.5 hours) from Las Vegas and 195 miles (3.5 hours) from Phoenix
Weather: Expect mild weather with daytime highs in the 70s and lows in the 50s.
Thanksgiving Dinner: Lake Havasu City has several Thanksgiving dinner options, including Shugrue’s Restaurant and Brewery, which features a festive holiday menu with views of the London Bridge.
Saguaro National Park
Name a more iconic cactus than the giant saguaro. It doesn’t exist. Saguaro National Park, located just outside Tucson, Arizona, is a must-visit destination for those looking to experience the in-person magic of the nation's largest cacti.
Saguaro is divided into two districts: the Tucson Mountain District to the west and the Rincon Mountain District to the east. Both have scenic drives, a variety of trails, and chances to learn about the unique desert ecosystem.
The weather in late November is ideal for exploring Saguaro’s hiking trails, taking in the vast expanses of cacti, and enjoying the serene desert landscape.
Take the short one-mile Freeman Homestead Trail to see the cacti up close and for a chance to spot Great Horned Owls in the cliffs above the wash. Interpretive signs guide the way so you can learn about the flora and fauna as you hike.
Start Planning Your Trip
Travel: 110 miles (2 hours) from Phoenix
Weather: November temperatures are pleasant, with daytime highs in the 70s and lows in the 50s.
Thanksgiving Dinner: Tucson, located just outside the park, has a variety of Thanksgiving dining options, including upscale spots like The Grill at the Hacienda Del Sol Ranch Resort, which serves a gourmet holiday meal in a historic setting.
Of course, when you travel in a fully-equipped RV or campervan from Blacksford you’re free to prepare your holiday meal at any of Saguaro National Park’s six vehicle-accessible picnic areas.
Sedona and Red Rock State Park
Sedona’s beautiful red rock formations and mystical uplifting energy make it a unique and awe-inspiring Thanksgiving destination.
From Phoenix, it’s a scenic two-hour drive to Red Rock State Park in Sedona, where you can enjoy easy hiking trails, bird watching, and stunning views. There are also many other iconic hiking trails to explore in Sedona.
Afterward, relax in a famed spa resort or take a jeep tour through the rugged desert landscape.
Sedona: Start Planning
Travel: 115 miles (2 hours) from Phoenix
Weather: November temperatures are mild, with highs in the 60s and lows in the 40s.
Thanksgiving Dinner: Sedona’s fine dining establishments, like Cress on Oak Creek at L’Auberge de Sedona, feature special Thanksgiving meals in a picturesque setting.
Thanksgiving Adventures Starts at Blacksford
These five Thanksgiving RV road trips from Las Vegas and Phoenix have the perfect blend of adventure, stunning scenery, and relaxation to make your vacation special.
Whether you have a cookout under the stars or enjoy a traditional Thanksgiving meal at a cozy restaurant, these destinations will provide a holiday experience you won’t soon forget.
Start planning now!
Rent your holiday adventure RV from Blacksford, gather your loved ones, and hit the road for a Thanksgiving trip in the great outdoors.