Best States for RV Living

Whether you want to pick up and move on a whim or establish residency, these states offer plentiful parks and outstanding natural beauty for anyone interested in RV living.

1 / 10
Florida
Norbert Eisele-Hein/imageBROKER/Shutterstock

Florida

Florida is a great state for RV living if you’re a full-time RVer domicile. “A domicile is not just a temporary home base for full-time RVers. A domicile involves legal paperwork. This is why it’s a more complicated choice than where to park your home,” notes Rene Agredano for RV Life Magazine. And, Florida is among three states that are “income tax-free, the government entities will accept mail-forwarding addresses and they are headquarters for mail-forwarding services.”

Logistics aside, Florida offers year-round pleasant weather and has some of the best RV parks in the country, with many situated along the Atlantic Ocean or Gulf of Mexico.

You’ve got your mind set on downsizing in a big way, but you’re not sure about RV living, Maybe tiny home living is for you!

2 / 10

Texas

The second state that caters to full-time RVer domiciles is Texas. It has no state income tax, vehicle registration fees are low, driver’s licenses can be renewed by mail and it’s easy to register to vote by mail.

Temporary or permanent, Texas offers many splendors for RV living, from the beaches of the Texas Gulf Coast to the rolling landscape of Texas Hill Country and the spectacular beauty of Big Bend National Park.

You may also want to check out these clever ideas, tips and tricks before your next camping trip.

3 / 10
Badlands
Jill Battaglia/Shutterstock

South Dakota

South Dakota is the third best state for RVer domiciles. There’s only a 4 percent tax when purchasing a vehicle, with no other sales tax to pay. There’s no state income tax, no state vehicle inspection required, vehicle insurance is much lower than other states and vehicle registration fees are reasonable.

South Dakota’s southwest corner is among its most alluring destinations for RVers, with the gorgeous Black Hills National Forest, national and state parks and monuments to the past.

4 / 10
Camping
oksana.perkins/Shutterstock

Arizona

“Arizona is not regarded as a huge money-saver when it comes to establishing permanent residence. There are a few other states that are often preferred as they don’t have income or sales taxes,” notes Kirkland RV sales. “However, outdoor lovers are usually fascinated by the beauty and easy-going vibe of Arizona. They feel completely identified with The Grand Canyon State and want to call themselves residents of this amazing place.”

Arizona is undoubtedly one of the top states for RVing, from its great weather during the winter months to its plentiful space to park your rig. There’s also an endless amount of nature to explore, from the biggest hole in the world to a petrified forest and the unique saguaro cactus that stands up to 40 feet tall!

Check out this collection of the coolest tiny home in each state.

5 / 10
-vehicle
canadastock/Shutterstock

California

There’s so much to love about California, and from an RVer’s point of view, it has a lot to do with the seemingly endless opportunities for exploring! The Golden State has a plentiful array of RV parks, situated beach side, deep in wine country, minutes from the Mexico border and amid the gargantuan redwoods.

“There are several types of RV sites that you can choose from if you’re looking to park your RV somewhere long-term,” explains Auto Insurance Specialists (AIS). “There are three main types of RV sites, including RV parks, campgrounds and RV resorts. Most campgrounds have a limit on how many days you can stay, so you’ll probably end up parking at an RV park or resort. Residential RV parks in California offer monthly, seasonal or annual lot rentals.”

6 / 10
Camping
via RV-Camping.org

Wyoming

Wyoming is another great option for RVer domiciles, since it has no personal property tax, income tax or required vehicle inspections. Furthermore, you only have to renew your driver’s license in person once every 8 years. However, you must have a physical address when registering and insuring vehicles.

Wyoming is also popular among adventurers looking to truly chill out among nature. It’s the 10th largest state by area, yet it is the second most sparsely populated. By far one of the best reasons to choose Wyoming for RV living is its unmatched natural beauty. RV parks in Yellowstone National Park, Grand Teton National Park and Jackson will not disappoint.

Who says you can’t take it with you when you go? The backyard party goes anywhere you do when you have one of these 14 amazing, portable fire pits!

7 / 10

South Carolina

If cold weather RV living isn’t for you, but you’re looking to steer clear of the crowds, South Carolina is a great option. Fewer people than, say, California, plus plenty of gorgeous scenery and fall foliage, make it ideal.

South Carolina is also rich with permanent RV parks, including Bass Lake Campground, Keowee Falls RV Park and Acapulco RV Camp. Acapulco, for instance, offers a sand volleyball court, free boat ramp, laundry facilities, bundled firewood, bagged ice, free Wi-Fi, a fire pit and full water, sewer and electric hookups. Long-term prices ranges from about $450 to $700 a month, $925 to $1,450 per quarter and $2,800 to $4,380 annually.

Before you set out on your next adventure, check out these cool camping gadgets.

8 / 10
OREGON
Karin Hildebrand Lau/Shutterstock

Oregon

Oregon is rich in ecological diversity, making it one of the most popular RV states for nature enthusiasts. There’s the dense lush forests, the high desert hot springs, a dramatic coastline and everything in between! Many of Oregon’s RV parks are located in the middle of the action, so whether you’re looking to park in a forest with waterfalls or near a famous attraction, you’ll have lots of options.

9 / 10
Rock
Karel Stipek/Shutterstock

Nevada

Along with having no income tax, Nevada is home to many RV parks. From exploring Hoover Dam, Lake Tahoe and The Valley of Fire, to living it up in Las Vegas, there’s an abundance of things to see and do in Nevada’s sprawling desert landscape. The RV parks offer a little bit of everything, from the sand dunes of Winnemucca in the north to scenic Laughlin in the south.

Check out these 18 life-changing organizing ideas for hard-to-store stuff.

10 / 10
Colorado
photo-denver/Shutterstock

Colorado

Colorado is among the most popular states for RVs thanks to its mountains, lakes, streams, wildflowers, forests, sand dunes, red rock formations, four national parks, 42 state parks, five national monuments and 25 scenic and historic byways! There are many high-quality RV parks throughout the state offering rich and diverse landscapes.

If the idea of sleeping in a tent doesn’t appeal to you, but traditional campers are out-of-reach financially, perhaps it’s time to try van camping.

Alexa Erickson
Alexa Erickson is an experienced lifestyle writer who has contributed to Family Handyman, Reader's Digest, Martha Stewart, Bob Vila and Thrillist. She’s written more than 50 articles for Family Handyman on a range of topics, including home design, DIY home improvement projects, and storage and organization. Additionally, she runs her own website, Living by Lex, where she writes about home decor, travel, tech and more.