Great New Year’s Celebration Ideas and Destinations
The New Year always inspires celebration. Who doesn’t like to go out on New Year’s Eve and party it up a little? It’s a special time to look back on memories of the past year and look forward to making new ones for the next year. If you love RV road trips, then New Year’s Eve can also be a great excuse to hit the road and check out some fantastic new destinations.
Planning an RV trip for New Year’s comes with some special considerations. It’s wintertime in North America, so heading south or toward the coast for warmer weather and easier driving conditions is very appealing.
Love cold weather? Fun in the snow? Head for the mountains! But first, check that roads are passable and safe for RV travel. Mountain destinations are spectacular — definitely the place for a big New Year’s celebration.
Maybe you imagine welcoming the New Year in a serene setting under the stars or partying the night away with a crowd. No matter what your ideal New Year’s celebration is, renting an RV is a fabulous way to spend the holiday. The following top 10 destinations should be on any RV trip bucket list, but they’re truly special places to ring in the New Year.
Spend New Year’s Among Giants in California’s Redwood Forest
If you like the idea of welcoming in a new year while in awe of nature’s greatest treasures, then book a New Year’s RV trip to California’s mighty redwood forest. The forest, largely protected by Redwoods National and State Parks, covers a range of habitats. You might camp under the world’s tallest trees, atop a spectacular coastal headland, or close to an unspoiled beach.
December and January visitors should expect mild temperatures (around 40 to 60 degrees year-round) and fog. Be prepared for rain, as well. It’s also prime season to look out for gray whales migrating along the coast. They’re often visible from coastal bluffs, and a sighting could make this New Year’s RV trip unforgettable!
There are plenty of places to go RVing in Redwood National Park and throughout the region. Three out of four park-run campgrounds are open year-round. Two of them — Gold Bluffs Beach and Elk Prairie campgrounds — take reservations all year. There are lots of other public campgrounds and private RV resorts in the vicinity of the redwood forest.
Enjoy a Tropical New Year in the Florida Keys
Do you dream of escaping dreary December weather and heading to the tropics in your RV? The Florida Keys might be your dream come true. RV camping in Florida is always a treat, but driving your RV as far as the road will take you is a really special way to spend New Year’s.
Want to sip a fruity cocktail with your toes in the sand and sunshine overhead? Go bar hopping in the Key West Historic District, fishing off Big Pine Key, or snorkeling in Dry Tortugas National Park? These amazing experiences are only available in the Florida Keys.
Fortunately, plenty of RV parks and resorts in the Keys will welcome you this New Year’s. Grass Key RV Park and Resort has spaces for RVs of all sizes including big rigs, and Boyd’s Key West Campground is a family-run property that prides itself on “southernmost hospitality.”
Celebrate the New Year Amid the Canyons of Moab, Utah
The city of Moab, Utah is an ideal hub for visiting two of Utah’s incredible national parks: Canyonlands and Arches. It’s also a wonderful destination in its own right. Moab boasts spectacular scenery and abundant opportunities for outdoor recreation. A New Year’s Eve RV trip to Moab benefits from much smaller crowds than any other season.
Moab and other low-elevation destinations in the region usually remain mild enough for hiking throughout winter. Those hikes are sure to be beautiful, as the surrounding mountains get beautifully dusted with snow. The contrast of white snow against the region’s iconic red-rock sculptures is spectacular. It’s a great setting for a celebration.
Shoot for the Stars at Big Bend National Park, Texas
The star-filled night skies above Big Bend National Park in western Texas are even more dazzling than any New Year’s fireworks show. An International Dark Sky Park, the desert park has some of the darkest night skies in the world. What could be more perfect for a New Year’s Eve stargazing party outside your RV?
Note that November through April is the busiest season in Big Bend, so make reservations early. There are three park-run campgrounds and the concession-run Rio Grande Village RV Park to consider. All are reservation only. Or, you could stay nearby at a private campground.
https://youtu.be/4QAlBvctDpw
Party it Up at Myrtle Beach, South Carolina
Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, is a super-popular vacation destination all year round and New Year’s Eve parties are spectacular here. Its subtropical climate and beautiful beaches make it perfect for a balmy New Year’s getaway. Spend your vacation days at amusement parks, shopping, exploring the boardwalk, or playing golf.
The city hosts some huge New Year’s Eve celebrations, including fireworks at the beach and boardwalk. So do private businesses such as bars, shopping centers and local resorts. RV resorts are plentiful in and around Myrtle Beach. One notable option is Myrtle Beach State Park, which offers RV sites with full hookups just steps from the sand.
Enjoy World-Class Scenery at Grand Canyon National Park
The holiday season and New Year’s are some of the busiest times at Grand Canyon National Park. Be sure to plan ahead if you want to stay at one of the two in-park campgrounds open year-round. Fortunately, it’s also very feasible to stay at an RV resort or campground nearby and shuttle into the park. Once you get there, you can use the free shuttles to reach viewpoints and trailheads, so it’s easy to enjoy the world-famous scenery of the canyon.
There’s a good chance that scenery will be frosted with snow and ice, so be cautious on the trails and have your camera ready to capture it all. Look into special events for the New Year, such as Yavapai Lodge’s New Year’s Eve party. It features music, dancing and entertainment for the whole family.
Attend a Huge New Year’s Event in Gatlinburg, Tennessee
There are lots of fun destinations for RVing in Tennessee, so consider a road trip around the state, or focus on the tourism hub of Gatlinburg. The city hosts a huge New Year’s Eve celebration, with a fireworks show and ball drop at the famous Gatlinburg Space Needle. It’s one of the country’s biggest organized New Year’s Eve events, and it’s suitable for the entire family. Plus, it’s free!
If the party and other holiday events aren’t enough to entice you to book an RV site in Gatlinburg, the natural beauty of the Great Smoky Mountains in winter might do it.
Be Merry with Moon Pie in Mobile, Alabama
The whole Gulf Coast stays pretty balmy throughout December and January. If you want to head south for your winter RV trip, consider the vibrant, historic city of Mobile, Alabama for a fantastic New Year’s Eve Pary. For New Year’s Eve, celebrate in Mobile at the unique midnight MoonPie drop. The quirky event also features fireworks, a laser light show, and big-name performers.
Mobile’s year-round attractions include top-notch museums, botanical gardens, and antebellum architecture. Many of the region’s RV parks have lovely settings. For example, the Mobile River Delta and Campground sits on a pristine, nature-rich river delta. Dauphin Island Campground is right on the Gulf, next door to an Audubon bird sanctuary.
Ring in the New Year with Skiing and RVing in Taos, New Mexico
Taos, New Mexico is a special place for lots of reasons. Among them are its rich and ancient culture, unique architecture and beautiful mountain setting. When it comes to planning a New Year’s RV vacation, Taos is also a prime destination for combining skiing with RVing. For example, it’s possible to camp overnight in your RV rental at Taos Ski Valley, one of four ski areas near the city.
The ski resorts organize their own New Year’s Eve celebrations, such as fireworks shows and torchlight ski parades. In Taos, there’s an annual family-friendly New Year’s Eve event on the Historic Taos Plaza with fireworks and feasting.
Live it Up on New Year’s Eve in Las Vegas, Nevada
Las Vegas is synonymous with an epic party, so it’s a perfect destination for an RV trip if you love to ring in the New Year with a crowd of revelers. There are countless celebrations going on all across the city for New Year’s Eve.
You could stay at one of the Vegas area RV resorts that hosts its own party. Or, take a trip to the world-famous strip, which is shut down to traffic for the holiday and transformed into an enormous street party.
Hit the casinos, dance the night away at a club, or score tickets to an amazing show. Arrange RV rentals in Las Vegas, and any New Year’s Eve plans you can imagine are possible in Sin City.
P.S. Don’t Forget to Make a New Year’s Resolution!
We have a suggestion for your New Year’s resolution — go on more RV vacations! Take a look at all the great RV rentals available at RVnGO, and start dreaming of next year’s adventures.