Go RVing uses cookies on gorving.com in accordance with our privacy policy. By using this site, you consent to the use of cookies. We use cookies for the following purposes: To enable certain functions of the service, to provide analytics, to store your preferences, and to enable advertisements delivery, including behavioral advertising.
Ryan Robinson takes you for a ride in the passenger seat of his RV, off the grid, deep among the dramatic rock formations of the Utah Desert. Robinson and friends chill by the fire, tell stories, and of course, rig a one of a kind highline over the Looking Glass Arch in Moab, UT.
Felicia Wong loves planning trips for her family of four. Renting an RV makes it easy for Felicia and her husband, Jason, to pack up the kids and go to their favorite spots. Find out why the Wong family loves RVing and how they take time to disconnect from everyday life to reconnect with the ones who matter most.
20 U.S. Campgrounds, RV Parks, And Resorts With Festive Thanksgiving Activities
If you’re planning to spend Thanksgiving on the road, there are plenty of campgrounds, RV parks, and resorts with festive activities for the whole family.
Jeff Crider
3 MIN READ
Share this experience
People often equate camping with summer activities, but RV enthusiasts can enjoy Thanksgiving weekend at campgrounds offering everything from fall concerts to turkey trots. For some, like Carolina Adventure World in Winnsboro, South Carolina, it’s their busiest weekend of the year, according to the park’s manager for sales and events.
Many campgrounds, RV parks, and resorts offer unique activities over Thanksgiving weekend. Note that many campgrounds in the Midwest and Northeast close for the season before Thanksgiving. If you’re looking to have a festive camping experience, your best bet is to head south.
Here’s a sampling of activities and events taking place this year:
Midwest
Waldenwoods Resort in Howell, Michigan: Celebrate Thanksgiving early with a Turkey Trot on November 3. This year-round resort hosts activities and events all year, so check the website to stay up to date on this year’s Thanksgiving weekend festivities.
Camp Cedar RV Resort in Mason, Ohio: Located just outside of Cincinnati, this RV resort is open year-round and hosts a Campsgiving weekend from November 28 to 30.
Just because the weather cools, it doesn’t mean camping season is over.
Southeast
Great Escapes RV Resort in Chestnut Bay, Alabama: This park organizes an annual Camps-giving feast in addition to helping local food banks. For every person who brings at least 12 cans, your name is entered into a drawing for a free night stay.
Okeechobee KOA Resort in Okeechobee, Florida: This park will host an annual dinner on Thanksgiving Day. The campground provides the main course for guests and campers are encouraged to bring shareable food for all to enjoy.
Jellystone Park in Pelahatchie, Mississippi: This park organizes an annual buffet-style Thanksgiving feast in addition to helping local food banks. For every four cans that guests bring in, your name is entered into a drawing for a free night stay.
Cape Hatteras / Outer Banks KOA Resort in Rodanthe, North Carolina: Join the campground for its annual Turkey in the Sand. There’s a hosted potluck-style dinner on Thanksgiving Day—bring your favorite side dish—as well as activities and crafts for the whole family to enjoy throughout the weekend.
Jellystone Park in Burleson, Texas: Every weekend in November features fall-themed activities at this park, including tons of festivities on the actual holiday weekend, including a Thanksgiving Turkey scavenger hunt and a gobble contest to see who sounds like the best turkey. There will also be games of “Tip the Thanksgiving Basket” and turkey trot races.
Port Lavaca / Matagorda Bay KOA Holiday in Port Lavaca, Texas: This campground will host a potluck-style Friendsgiving the weekend before the Thanksgiving holiday with live music and s’mores. Join campers the following morning for a pancake breakfast on November 25.
San Antonio / Alamo KOA Holiday in San Antonio, Texas: This campground hosts an annual Thanksgiving dinner on the holiday with the park providing the turkey, dressing, gravy, and drinks and guests providing side dishes. Proceeds go to the KOA Care Camps fund.
Jellystone campgrounds are known for their robust activity programming.
Inn Town Campground in Nevada City, California: The perfect setting for a family camping trip over the holiday weekend. The campground can recommend local events and activities, including a turkey trot race, and more.
Santa Cruz / Monterey Bay KOA Holiday in Watsonville, California: Celebrate Thanksgiving with a campground potluck on the Saturday of Thanksgiving weekend, a scavenger hunt, train rides, and more. The campground also launches its Winter Wonderland lights this weekend.
Colorado Springs KOA Holiday in Fountain, Colorado: This park organizes an annual Camps-giving feast in addition to helping local food banks. For every non-perishable item guests bring in, they get their name entered into a drawing for a free weekend in 2025.
Jeff Crider, President and CEO of Crider Public Relations, has been involved in covering the campground industry for over 25 years. Jeff has worked as a freelance writer for publications such as RV Business, Motor Home Magazine, Trailer Life, Highways and other Affinity Group Inc. publications since 1995. He has also successfully pitched many of the nation's top tier media outlets, including CNN, The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, The Washington Post, the Los Angeles Times, USA Today, The Financial Times, Reuters, The Associated Press and National Public Radio. In addition to writing, Jeff is also a talented photographer and humanitarian.
Get More News & Inspiration!
Submit your email to get helpful tips and inspiration from Go RVing as well as information from our dealer partners on making your RV dream a reality.
