Washington, D.C.

Escape DC With an RV Road Trip

ByRVnGO

Trip Planning Guide for Getting Out of Washington, DC

We have all been sheltered in place for months and it is likely you want to get out and do something fun. There are a few ways to get out of town while maintaining social-distancing and safety guidelines. You could plan a weekend trip to visually stunning Washington, D.C.! With dozens of national parks, historic landmarks, and memorial sites, pick a handful of locations you have been eager to see and make new memories. Now, with D.C. being so diverse in rural and urban environments, your choice of RV will depend on your plan to have a weekend long trip or a week. Luckily, we have provided a few starting links below for each category.

Packing For The RV Road Trip

Believe it or not planning an RV trip, no matter how long it is, requires…well…a lot of planning!  And some of that planning involves the many, many, many things you decide to pack. 

We find it is easier to pack if you think of your RV like your home and focus on the different rooms of your home: Living Room, Kitchen, Bedroom, and Bathroom. Those are the essential categories you should consider when packing up items; what items from those rooms would you need in your little RV home during your trip? 

Now, remember we are only planning a weekend-long trip, so what would you take if you stayed in a hotel?  Some items are most likely enough changes of clothes, toothpaste and toothbrush, and your electronic charging devices. Those are the easy things, but there are countless items you may not consider. Instead of listing the hundred plus items, we have created a handy-dandy RV Road Trip checklist for you! Refer to it during your planning phase to ensure you don’t forget anything for your trip.

Depending on where you are going you might want to fill your fresh water tank at least to half if not full. Be sure to check that your grey and black holding tanks are empty with about 5 gallons of fresh water in each along with some downy to help clean the tanks while driving.

Finding RV Rental Options

Considering this would only be a weekend-long trip, anything larger than a Class-C would only hinder your trip. You want something that is easy to manage and mobile to get in and get out of your weekend trip.  Here are a couple recommendations you can look at to assist in your trip planning!

2021 Keystone RV Hideout 175BH

Maybe you want to bring your own vehicle, and just need a place to crash at the end of the night that you can disconnect at your campsite. If that is the case, then a travel trailer is the perfect way to enjoy freedom to visit Washington D.C. and indulge in the comforts of the RV lifestyle. If you have any questions, you can always reach out to the host of the vehicle or expand your search results on the RVnGO.com website to find a different listing.

1985 Eagle Bus - Entertainment Coach

You know what you want, and that’s top-of-the-line style, luxury and comfort all at an affordable price. It is why we recommend this Class-A RV for that week-long trip to D.C. Your schedule is going to be packed with activities, and this RV will handle the task of keeping you relaxed after a long, exhausting day. If you have any questions, you can always reach out to the Host of the vehicle or expand your search results on the RVnGO.com website to find a different listing.

2021 Chevrolet Gulf Stream Conquest

If you are wanting space for a larger party to travel to D.C., then this Class-C is compact yet efficient in meeting your demands.  Class-C’s are easy to handle and navigate even for the most novice of drivers, so there are no worries there.  If you have any questions, you can always reach out to the Host of the vehicle or expand your search results on the RVnGO.com website to find a different listing.

Places to Stay When Escaping DC

Seeing so much infrastructure is going to make you want to retreat into the serene green of the woods to bed up and rest for the night. For your quick weekend stay in D.C., we recommend the lovely forest of Cherry Hill Park. Not only do they offer full hook-ups across their 350 RV sites, but they provide two options of sites: Standard and Premium, giving you the choice of luxury for your RV rental trip. Enjoy a warm fire in one of their fire ring-pits at select sites, and of course the free Wi-Fi that spans site-wide for all to enjoy. And with amenities like pools, sightseeing sessions, and monument tours, there is so much to do while visiting the U.S. capital.

Where To Go Around DC For A Road Trip

A national scenic trail, the Potomac Heritage is a network of natural corridors that link the tidal Potomac and upper Youghiogheny river basins together using historic pathways and waterways. The best part is the various options you as a visitor can use to travel it: on foot, by bicycle, on horseback, or riding in a boat. Visitors explore the contrasting landscapes between the Chesapeake Bay and the Allegheny Plateau, all while studying history, nature, recreation, wildlife, and conservation efforts. Make this a stop on your weekend RV rental trip, pick your path, and enjoy the experience!

Boondocking around Washington DC

Boondocking, aka dry camping, is the act of camping without electricity, water, or sewer hookups. You are most likely not in a developed campground, but rather out in nature on your own. It can be its own adventure of a trip, and we want to highlight just a few things to consider if you decide to boondock for your quick weekend trip to Washington, D.C.

Most important to remember is that you are alone at your private site. You might be far from any cellphone reception, and it is more than likely any other person such as a park ranger will not know where to find you unless otherwise notified. 

With that in mind, always consider where you will be boondocking. Is the location safe? Will your RV fit at the boondocking site? What is the weather going to be like, and how will that affect this undeveloped campground?

Just because you are at a place nobody else is at does not mean you should trash your boondocking site. Please be respectful of where you park and clean up after yourself.

It is easy to leave behind anything undesirable, but the least any RVer can do is restore their boondocking site back to how it looked when they first arrived, and that especially includes with dumping your tanks. Do not do it at your boondocking site! Find a dumpsite on the way home and be responsible.

Try to come prepared with enough groceries, drinks, toiletries and any other necessities you require during your boondocking trip. Chances are you will not be close to any convenience store, so if you run out of supplies early, that may be the end of your RV trip.  Conservation is your friend when boondocking, and that means for both water and power.

Again, being out in nature means having next to nothing in terms of resources to refill fresh water or charge your generator and batteries. Always plan because nobody likes unexpected surprises while trying to enjoy their vacation.

What to See Along the Way

Maybe it has been a long, hot day and you need a place to cool off before trekking into the D.C. metropolitan area. If that is the case, then Lake Fairfax Park is perfect. Offering various water sports on the lake, as well as boat rentals/rides, and fishing, its #1 amenity would have to be the 1-acre water park on the property. It features a lazy river, flumes, water slides, and so many other family-friendly activities. Plus, it also serves as an RV park featuring 72 sites, making it a prime stopping point on your way to Washington D.C. during your RV vacation.

Conclusion

It turns out Washington, D.C. is not just filled with mind-numbing politics and jam-packed streetways. There’s so much natural wonder and national pride to enjoy in the U.S. capital, with countless opportunity to explore and entertain. Above we had listed a few options for RV rentals, but if those still don’t work, please visit our state page on the website for more options: https://www.rvngo.com/rv-rentals/District-of-Columbia.  Of course, during these special circumstances, some places may not be readily available to visit. Listed below are a few helpful links that will assist you in planning the perfect trip that cooperates with social distancing and safety guidelines: 

To check the status of Washington, D.C.’s “Open/Closed Status”, please follow the link and select District of Columbia for more information: https://www.cnn.com/interactive/2020/us/states-reopen-coronavirus-trnd/

To check the status of Washington, D.C.’s National Parks and their “Open/Closed Status”,  please follow the link: https://www.nps.gov/planyourvisit/alerts.htm?s=DC&t=Closure&p=1&v=0

To check the status of Washington, D.C.’s State Parks and their “Open/Closed Status”,  please follow the link: https://dpr.dc.gov/page/dpr-phase-two-operating-status-outdoor-facilities

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