3 Fantastic Road Trips Where You Can Stay in Stationary RVs

The campground: Homolovi State Park Campground, 6 miles northeast of Winslow, looks over a lush floodplain settled in the 14th century by the Hisat'sinom people. It's packed with sites of cultural interest.

At the camp: Explore the park's ancestral Hopi village sites, including ruins with large plazas and ancient underground burial chambers (kivas). Trails throughout the park lead to petroglyphs and sites where you might spot some of the interesting birds that live here, including burrowing owls, horned larks (they have stripes atop their heads that look like tiny horns) and roadrunners.

Away from camp: At the Meteor Crater National Landmark in Winslow, tackle easy observation trails along the rim to see the impact created by the meteor when it crashed into Earth roughly 50,000 years ago. The crater is nearly a mile across.

For the best dining option in the Four Corners region, take your appetite to the Turquoise Room at Winslow's La Posada Hotel. At lunch, you can't go wrong with the pork carnitas platters or the burger choices.

Final stop: Cottonwood

Getting there: From Winslow, take I-40 and Interstate 17 southwest 120 miles. You'll be 19 miles southwest of Sedona.

Your campground: Dead Horse Ranch State Park, just 2 miles north of Cottonwood, is home to a fascinating array of wildlife (gray foxes, white-tailed deer, Gambel's quail and more) you might spot along the park's more than 20 miles of trails.

At the camp: Access the high desert of the Coconino National Forest from four different trailheads within the park. Head down to the Verde River to fish for largemouth bass and rainbow trout. Also, keep your eye out for some of the 240 birds species — flycatchers, hawks, loons, wrens and more — the Northern Arizona Audubon Society says live in the area. From the park's equestrian concession, head out on a wrangler-guided trail ride.

Away from camp: As you make your way back to Phoenix along I-17, stop at the Montezuma Castle National Monument, 19 miles south of Cottonwood, to view some of North America's best-preserved cliff dwellings along an easy one-third-mile-long walking trail.

Road Trip 3: Southern California

This region's stunning nature stars during a coastal RV camping trip between San Diego and Los Angeles. Waterfront campsites abound, putting city attractions at your doorstep in beachy surrounds. Your best days are spent anywhere along the Pacific Coast Highway, feasting on seafood and taking in the grand views before returning to your RV and settling in for sunset.

Begin: San Diego

Getting there: Major U.S. commercial airlines offer frequent flights to San Diego International Airport.

The campground: At the Mission Bay RV Resort, sites overlook De Anza Cove, within 20 minutes of La Jolla and other San Diego attractions.

At the camp: For water fun, rent kayaks, WaveRunners, Hobie Cats and pedal boats during the summer months and year-round at Campland on the Bay, Mission Bay's sister resort, just 2 miles away. The latter also rents beach cruisers and electric bikes; kids give its playground a thumbs-up.

Away from camp: Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve, a delightful coastal park 12 miles north of Mission Bay, beckons with miles of unspoiled beaches. Both easy walking trails (a favorite: the Guy Fleming Trail) and challenging ones take you through native pine trees and fields of wildflowers as they lead to spectacular coastal overlooks.

Next stop: Near Huntington Beach

Getting there: From Mission Bay, drive 95 miles north on Interstate 5.

The campground: All 50 RV campsites at Bolsa Chica State Beach RV Camping, 4 miles north of the Huntington Beach Pier, come with fire rings and picnic tables, and some put you right on the beachfront.

At the camp: Go for a stroll along the paved beachside trail that leads 8.5 miles from Bolsa Chica to Huntington State Beach, south of the pier. Or do some surf casting for perch or corbina. Come evening, build a bonfire in one of the rings on the beach.

Away from camp: Take in the roughly 3 miles of rugged Orange County coastline at Crystal Cove State Park, 17 miles south of Bolsa Chica. Explore the tidal pools at low tide and visit the park's federally listed Historic District, with 46 vintage coastal cottages.

Final stop: Malibu

Getting there: Drive 64 miles from Huntington Beach northwest along Interstate 405 and State Route 1.

The campground: At Malibu Beach RV Park, the only RV park in the chic beachfront community of Malibu, 34 miles west of Los Angeles, soak in both ocean and mountain views. All 142 of its sites come with picnic tables. Head to the horseshoe pit if you fancy a game.

At the camp: Shoot some pool or play tables tennis at the outdoor game room. Just across the street, you can do some beachcombing or take a refreshing dip in the ocean.

Away from camp: For some easy exercise and fresh sea breezes, set out on the 1.4-mile out-and-back Point Dume Cove Trail, 5 miles southwest of Malibu Beach. From the trail's overlooks, you might spot sea lions or, from December to mid-April, migrating gray whales.

Hungry from the hike? Drive 10 miles northwest on State Route 1 to Neptune's Net, a waterfront Malibu dining institution since 1956, even if just to visit the drive-through for fish tacos, fish-and-chips, clam chowder and more to take back to your oceanfront RV site for a tasty seafood feast.