Children running through a campsite in fall

Trip Planning

2024 Thanksgiving Campground Activities

Check out these meals and activities that are scheduled at campgrounds, RV parks, and resorts over Thanksgiving weekend.

While Thanksgiving is normally a holiday families celebrate at home, growing numbers of campgrounds and RV parks are hosting Thanksgiving potlucks and other activities, including turkey trots and fall-themed crafts.

Here’s a sampling of some of the meals and activities that are scheduled at campgrounds, RV parks, and resorts over Thanksgiving weekend:

An RV at Buffalo KOA
Photo courtesy of Buffalo KOA

 

  • Great Escapes RV Resort in Chestnut Bay: This park will have its annual Campsgiving Dinner at 3 p.m. on Thanksgiving Day. Tickets can be purchased ahead of time online or upon check in. The park is also collecting canned foods for a local food bank. Every person that brings at least 12 cans of food will have their name entered into a drawing for a free night stay.
  • Rincon Country RV Resorts in Tucson: Rincon Country East and Rincon Country West will each have Thanksgiving potlucks, with the resorts providing the turkeys and guests bringing side dishes. Guests are also encouraged to bring their favorite appetizers and beverages to share. Signup sheets will be available to help coordinate the events.

  • Tucson / Lazydays KOA Resort in Tucson: This park will host a Thanksgiving potluck on Nov. 28. The park will provide the turkey, desserts, drinks, and wine. Guests are invited to bring side dishes to share.

  • Bakersfield KOA Journey in Bakersfield: Guests can rendezvous at the Crest Bar & Grill on Nov. 28 for a traditional Thanksgiving meal with turkey and honey spiral ham, cranberry sage stuffing, horseradish mashed potatoes, green bean casserole, and other dishes.

  • Fountain of Youth Spa & RV Resort in Niland: This park will have a Thanksgiving potluck and an interfaith church service on Thanksgiving Day.

  • Jellystone Park Camp-Resort in Lodi: This park will have two consecutive Thanksgiving-themed weekends, Nov. 15-17 and 22-24. Guests can stuff their bellies at potlucks, run the “Turkey Trot,” and give back to the local community by participating in the park’s donation drive.

  • San Diego Metro KOA Resort in Chula Vista: Activities over Thanksgiving weekend include autumn crafts, an outdoor movie, and a Christmas tree lighting ceremony over the weekend.

  • Santa Cruz / Monterey Bay KOA Holiday in Watsonville: This campground will host a Thanksgiving potluck over Thanksgiving weekend. The park will provide the turkey and guests are invited to bring side dishes and desserts. Holiday lights will also be turned on this weekend.
     

  • Jellystone Park Camp-Resort in Williamsport::This park will have two consecutive Thanksgiving-themed weekends, Nov. 15-17 and 22-24. Guests can stuff their bellies at potlucks, run the “Turkey Trot,” and give back to the local community by participating in the park’s donation drive.
  • Jellystone Park Camp-Resort in Pelahatchie: This park will have its annual Campsgiving Dinner at noon on Thanksgiving Day. Plates can be purchased ahead of time online or upon check in. The park will also collect canned foods for a local food bank. Every person that brings at least four cans to donate will have their name entered into a drawing for a free night’s stay.

  • Cape Hatteras / Outer Banks KOA Resort in Rodanthe: This campground will offer activities and crafts for children and adults over Thanksgiving weekend as well as a Thanksgiving potluck. The campground will provide the turkey and the desserts and guests are invited to bring side dishes to share.

  • Jellystone Park Camp-Resort in Bostic: This park will have two consecutive Thanksgiving-themed weekends, Nov. 15-17 and 22-24. Guests can stuff their bellies at potlucks, run the “Turkey Trot,” and give back to the local community by participating in the park’s donation drive.

  • New Bern KOA Holiday in New Bern: Christmas activities are scheduled for Dec. 20-22, including crafts, cookie making, and maybe even a visit from Santa!

  • Camp Cedar Cabin and RV Resort in Mason: This campground will have a “Campsgiving Weekend” Nov. 28-30 with traditional fall activities, crafts, and games. Guests can also participate in a community feast, share what you're thankful for, and enjoy a movie night.
  • Gatlinburg East / Smoky Mountain KOA Holiday in Cosby: This campground will provide turkey and ham for a Thanksgiving potluck. Guests are invited to bring side dishes to share. Other Thanksgiving weekend activities include campground crafts, pictures with Santa, bingo, and a movie night as well as a pancake breakfast on Sunday.

Camping at Pigeonforge TN

Photo courtesy of Pigeon Forge KOA

  • Jellystone Park Camp-Resort in Canyon Lake: This park will have two consecutive Thanksgiving-themed weekends, Nov. 15-17 and 22-24. Guests can stuff their bellies at potlucks, run the “Turkey Trot,” and give back to the local community by participating in the park’s donation drive.

  • Jellystone Park Camp-Resort in Kerrville: This park will have two consecutive Thanksgiving-themed weekends, Nov. 15-17 and 22-24. Guests can stuff their bellies at potlucks, run the “Turkey Trot,” and give back to the local community by participating in the park’s donation drive. 

  • Jellystone Park Camp-Resort in Tyler: This park will have two consecutive Thanksgiving-themed weekends, Nov. 15-17 and 22-24. Guests can stuff their bellies at potlucks, run the “Turkey Trot,” and give back to the local community by participating in the park’s donation drive.

  • Jellystone Park Camp-Resort in Waller: This park will have two consecutive Thanksgiving-themed weekends, Nov. 15-17 and 22-24. Guests can stuff their bellies at potlucks, run the “Turkey Trot,” and give back to the local community by participating in the park’s donation drive.

  • Jellystone Park Camp-Resort in Wichita Falls: This park will have two consecutive Thanksgiving-themed weekends, Nov. 15-17 and 22-24. Guests can stuff their bellies at potlucks, run the “Turkey Trot,” and give back to the local community by participating in the park’s donation drive.

  • San Antonio / Alamo KOA Holiday in San Antonio: This park will have a Thanksgiving potluck. The campground provides the turkey and water or iced tea and guests are invited to bring side dishes to share.

  • South Padre Island KOA Holiday on South Padre Island: This campground will provide the meats for a Thanksgiving potluck. Guests are invited to bring a side dish to share.

  • Jellystone Park Camp-Resort in Luray: This park will have two consecutive Thanksgiving-themed weekends, Nov. 15-17 and 22-24. Guests can stuff their bellies at potlucks, run the “Turkey Trot,” and give back to the local community by participating in the park’s donation drive.
Jeff Crider

Author

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.