Celebrating Christmas on the Road

In the heart of the holiday season, as the snow transforms the landscape into a winter wonderland, the opportunity presents itself to spend your Christmas in a unique and adventurous way — on the open road! Spending the holidays surrounded by loved ones, in a beautiful destination within the coziness of your motorhome or camper will surely forge unforgettable memories for the entire family! Keep reading to discover essential Christmas camping tips, fun RV Christmas decor ideas, and a curated list of some of the most enchanting Christmas towns in the U.S. to park your home-on-wheels.

Planning Tips for RV Christmas

Plan and book early!

The holiday season is one of the busiest travel times of the entire year, and RV parks can be booked out many months in advance. Book your stay early and rest easy as your adventure approaches! It’s also a good idea to get your vehicle serviced well in advance. Mechanics can be booked out for several months, and nothing will put a damper on your trip like unexpected issues with your vehicle.

Check park amenities

Doing a little research on RV Parks ahead of time can save some massive headaches. See what kind of amenities they offer like water and sewer hookups, bathrooms, waste services, etc. Many parks also organize Christmas activities during the holiday season!

Make a detailed packing list

Making a list of exactly what you need well in advance can save a lot of stress leading up to the trip. It’s also a good idea to do a packing “dry run” to be sure that you have enough storage space for everything you want to bring.

Plan your route

The first step is deciding whether you want to embrace the white Christmas or escape to a warmer climate. If you opt for the chillier option, keep in mind that many of the major highways in America can become pretty treacherous in the winter months. Plan your route ahead of time and check the road conditions regularly leading up to your trip to save yourself a stressful last-minute change of plans! At Spot2Nite, we have several tools to help you with the planning process including our guide to popular routes across major highways.

Pack for the weather

The Christmas season can get chilly! Be sure to pack plenty of warm clothes and lots of layers to ensure a toasty holiday adventure. Check out our cold weather camping guide for more tips on how to stay warm. And if you’re heading down south to escape the cold, don’t forget your swimsuit and Aloha shirts!

Engage with the community

Christmas is all about connection. And if you’re traveling without the whole family, you might be missing out on some of that. Lucky for you, the RVing community is a vast and welcoming group with tons of full-time RVers who love connecting with other travelers. Plan some holiday activities with those around you, and maybe even craft some new Christmas traditions together!

RV Christmas Decoration Ideas

Whether you’re traveling with a motorhome, fifth wheel, or travel trailer, decking out your rig with camper Christmas decor is a great way to bring a little Christmas cheer to your campground. Check out our list of decoration ideas that will make your RV feel just like home:

RV Christmas Tree

Just because you’re spending Christmas in the camper doesn’t mean you can get away without a tree! You may be tempted to skip out on this Christmas decoration if you’re working with a smaller space, but there are some workarounds. Check out our guide on maximizing floor space in your RV for some helpful tips and tricks. If there’s still not enough room, consider picking up a mini tree or a tabletop tree. Tall, skinny trees can be great options as well!

Window Clings 

Add a little holiday cheer to your RV with these festive little posters. And the best part is they’re completely reusable, so they’ll be ready to go for next year's Christmas adventure! You can find these at most craft stores, or choose from a huge selection on Amazon.

Christmas Lights

No holiday decor is complete without plenty of lights. We recommend battery-powered lights, so you don’t have to worry about finding a plug-in. Hang lights on the tree and around the inside and even the outside of your RV. Command hooks are a great way to easily hang lights.

Themed Christmas Decorations

Whether it’s the classic tropical Christmas, or something a little more out there like space odyssey or steampunk, adding a theme to your Christmas RV decor can be a fun way to spice things up!

DIY Decorations

If you’re a crafty person, making your own Christmas decorations can be an awesome choice. So, swing by your local craft store (Michael’s is always a great option) and get to work! Here’s a few ideas to get you rolling:

Paper Snowflakes

A timeless classic, the paper snowflake is fun to make, looks great, and brings the holiday spirit to life! For a fun change of pace, make your snowflakes in the shape of other holiday icons like snowmen or reindeer!

Pinecone Christmas Ornaments

Collect some pinecones before heading out on your trip (or even at the campsite!) and turn them into ornaments by painting them, adding glitter, or simply tying a festive ribbon around them for hanging.

Festive Bunting

Make your own holiday bunting with colorful fabric, felt, or paper. Spell out "Merry Christmas" or create holiday shapes.

Holiday Garland

Craft your own holiday garland using twine, pine branches, dried citrus slices, or mini ornaments.

Jingle Bell Wreath

String jingle bells onto a wire or ribbon to craft a festive wreath to hang on your RV door. Every time you go in or out, you’ll be hit with a little bit of Christmas cheer!

Top Christmas Towns to Visit on Your RV Adventure

If you follow all of those tips, the biggest planning challenge will be choosing your destination. Here’s a list of our top five towns with the best Christmas atmosphere and celebrations to get you started. If Christmas festivities aren’t really your thing, and you’d rather spend your holiday out enjoying nature, check out our list of the best winter hikes in national parks!

Carmel-by-the-Sea, CA

Renowned for its storybook charm, with cobblestone streets, enchanting cottages, and lush gardens, Carmel-by-the-Sea is the perfect setting for a Christmas Vacation. During the holiday season, the cozy coastal town is adorned with festive lights and decorations, adding a layer to the already charming atmosphere. The city also gives you a chance to explore some of the historic adobe buildings that have been festively decorated!

Book your stay at Carmel by the River RV Park and put yourself right in the heart of the Christmas festivities!

Helper, UT

Dubbed “Utah’s official Christmas town,” the town of Helper has become a holiday destination for people all over the nation. The charming downtown is decked out with Christmas lights and decor, and the town hosts an unforgettable festival lasting three consecutive weekends. Each weekend, there are several activities to enjoy, including craft fairs, fireworks, breakfast with Santa, and the iconic electric parade!

Stay right in Helper at Castle Gate RV Park and Campground for a premier RV camping experience.

Natchitoches, LA

If you’re looking to escape the snow and add a touch of Southern charm to your Christmas, you won’t want to miss out on the Natchitoches Christmas season. The Natchitoches Festival of Lights is the town’s main attraction, and one of the biggest holiday light shows in the southern United States. Kicking off in late November and running through early January, the historic downtown district and Cane River Lake are adorned with millions of twinkling lights — a true spectacle. And the main attraction of the festival is the annual Christmas parade, featuring illuminated floats, marching bands, dance troupes, and Santa Claus himself!

Book your stay right on the edge of town at Grand Ecore RV Park — a premier, family-friendly RV park situated right on the bank of the Cane River.

Solvang, CA

Nestled in the heart of California wine country, Solvang is a quaint, Danish-inspired little town that exudes old-world charm. Solvang comes to life during the holiday season, covering the town with Christmas lights and traditional Danish decorations. And the town’s Julefest, running from December to January, offers a host of holiday activities including a magical tree lighting and a Danish Christmas market full of unique gifts and treats!

Don’t miss out on this year’s Julefest, and book your stay right in the heart of Solvang at Flying Flags RV Resort and Campground!

Grand Junction, CO

During the holiday season, Grand Junction transforms into a Christmas Wonderland. The downtown area comes alive with lights and decorations, creating a festive and cozy atmosphere. The town kicks off the Christmas season with the annual tree lighting ceremony complete with carolers and a visit from Santa, and from there, it’s off to the races. Throughout the season, the town hosts parades, craft fairs, and markets, creating a warm and welcoming environment for your Christmas adventure.

Stay right in town on the bank of the iconic Colorado River at Camp Eddy. Come with your own RV or choose from their selection of airstreams and tiny homes.

Ready to plan your Christmas adventure? Take advantage of our user-friendly interactive booking platform that shows you all of the premier RV campgrounds near your dream destinations, and only see sites that are available for your selected dates!