Hey, Mavericks!
If there’s one thing we’ve learned from years on the road, it’s that the best RV spots are never found by following the crowds. Sure, Yellowstone and Yosemite are iconic, but sometimes the real magic happens when you take a turn off the beaten path and find a place that isn’t packed with tour buses and overpriced gift shops.
So today, we’re pulling back the curtain on 5 hidden gem RV destinations across the U.S.—places that fly under the radar but offer next-level camping experiences for travel trailer and 5th wheel RV lovers alike.
And here’s the best part: it doesn’t matter if you’re parked on concrete, gravel, dirt, or tucked into a boondocking site in the middle of nowhere—as long as you’ve got a leveling solution like GrabPad, you’re golden. Level rig, happy camper.
Let’s hit it. 🛻💨
1. Caddo Lake – Texas/Louisiana Border
Want to feel like you’re in a scene from True Detective (season 1, not the weird ones)? Caddo Lake is a misty, mossy maze of bayous and cypress trees that doesn’t feel like Texas—or Louisiana, for that matter. It feels like another world.
You can canoe through the swampy silence, cast a line for bass or catfish, or just sit back with a cold one and let nature do its thing.
Best Campsites:
• Caddo Lake State Park (TX): Shaded RV spots with hookups, nestled right in the cypress trees. Super peaceful.
• Backwater Jack’s RV Park (LA): More open, but great access to boat ramps and the lake.
🌟 Maverick Tip: Bring a kayak or rent one nearby—you won’t regret it.
2. Bisti/De-Na-Zin Wilderness – New Mexico
This one’s for our boondocking beasts out there. The Bisti Badlands are like Mars… if Mars had weird petrified wood, hoodoos, and alien-looking rock formations everywhere. No cell service. No crowds. No light pollution. Just wild terrain and epic sunsets.
There’s no official campground here (you’re on your own, cowboy), but plenty of flat spots near the entrance are fair game for dry camping.
Best Campsites:
• BLM Land at Bisti Access Road: Free boondocking with stunning views. Come prepared—no services.
• Angel Peak Scenic Area (about 30 mins away): Another free BLM spot with fire rings and some killer canyon views.
⚠️ You’ll want a solid leveling setup here—trust us. Uneven desert floors are no joke. Good thing GrabPad’s Terrain Flex handles up to 5 degrees of pitch like a boss.
3. Blair Valley – Anza-Borrego Desert, California
Just two hours from San Diego, but it feels like another planet. Blair Valley is part of the Anza-Borrego Desert State Park, and it’s a hotspot for stargazing, hiking, and seeing Native American pictographs etched into rock.
This is dry camping only—no hookups, no problem.
Best Campsites:
• Blair Valley Primitive Campground: Flat desert pads with fire rings, surrounded by rugged desert beauty.
• Yaqui Pass Primitive Campground: A bit more traffic, but still low-key and peaceful.
🏜️ Night skies here? Unreal. Bring a telescope—or just your eyeballs.
4. Cimarron Canyon State Park – New Mexico
Tucked into the Sangre de Cristo Mountains, this hidden canyon packs a serious punch: steep cliffs, trout-filled rivers, and trails that feel more Colorado than New Mexico. And the Palisades Sill? Jaw. Dropping.
Perfect for 5th wheel camping and a quiet break from the chaos.
Best Campsites:
• Maverick Campground (yes, it’s really called that 🤘): Well-spaced RV sites with hookups, nestled along the river.
• Tolby Campground: Quieter option with basic amenities and quick access to fishing holes.
🐟 Bring your rod—the Cimarron River is a fly-fishing paradise.
5. State Forest State Park – Colorado
Colorado’s best-kept secret, no question. Moose? Everywhere. Epic hikes? Yup. Crystal-clear alpine lakes? Check. State Forest State Park has all the beauty of Rocky Mountain National Park—without the crowds or the tour buses.
Best Campsites:
• Ranger Lakes Campground: Full RV hookups, mountain views, and quick access to the lakes.
• North Michigan Reservoir Campground: Lakeside views, great for paddleboarding, and a bit more secluded.
🦌 If you haven’t seen a moose in the wild yet, this is your shot. Keep your distance, but bring your camera.
A Word on Leveling (Yeah, It Matters)
Whether you’re boondocking on uneven desert rock, parking in a gravel turnout, or kicking back at a concrete pad in a state park—being level is non-negotiable. Your fridge needs it. Your slide-outs depend on it. And your sanity? Definitely needs it.
That’s where GrabPad comes in. With up to 200% more surface area than your jack foot and built-in Terrain Flex, it adapts to whatever surface you throw at it—rock, dirt, mud, or mystery.
Say goodbye to stacking wood, forgetting jack pads, or crushing your jack feet on concrete. This is the leveling solution made for Mavericks who camp anywhere and everywhere.
Final Thoughts
There’s nothing wrong with the big-name parks. But if you want something different—something a little more you—these hidden gems are worth the detour. And with the right gear (we’re looking at you, GrabPad), you’ll be ready to handle whatever terrain you roll into next.
So where are you headed next? Let us know your favorite off-the-radar camping spots. We’re always looking for new adventures.
Stay wild out there. 🏕️