Boating and camping go together like s’mores and campfires. From coast to coast, you’ll find Good Sam Parks nestled in some of the best boating locations ideal for enjoying the perfect vacation on the water. Stay at boating RV parks on your next adventure.
Boating on Chesapeake Bay. Getty Images.
Bar Harbor RV Park & Marina, Abingdon, Maryland
Good Sam Rating: 9/9*/9.5
Camp underneath tall trees on the banks of the Bush River, which empties into the legendary Chesapeake Bay. Guests at Bar Harbor RV Park & Marina are treated to gorgeous riverfront views as well as access to endless boating. Launch from the boat ramp or marina and explore the largest estuary in the United States, connecting six states and home to fishing for bass, channel catfish and perch. Hungry boaters will find countless dockside restaurants along the Chesapeake. History buffs can cruise to compelling destinations like Poole’s Island, home to the oldest lighthouse in Maryland. Take a cruise to Baltimore Harbor for a view of Fort McHenry.
Bar Harbor RV Park and Marina
Back at the resort, guests can relax in the swimming pool, drop a line from the dock or compete in the game room. Pull through sites are available, and all sites have room for slideouts. Explore the surrounding area’s casino, archery range and mountain biking trails.
Kiteboarding on Table Rock Lake. Photo: Kalisa Veer
Branson Lakeside RV Park, Branson, Missouri
Good Sam Rating: 8.5/10*/9
Branson’s entertainment and shopping hot spots attract tourists from across the continent. Boating enthusiasts, on the other hand, travel to the region for its gorgeous lakes. Guests at Branson Lakeside RV Park can enjoy the best of both worlds. From the park’s marina, guests can head east to explore Lake Taneycomo, which cuts a serpentine course through rugged Ozark country and teems with rainbow and brown trout. A short drive to the west takes travelers to Table Rock Lake, known for its abundance of largemouth, smallmouth and spotted bass. The unbeatable scenery makes both lakes worthy of leisurely boating trips. Let someone else do the driving with a ticket to the Showboat Branson Belle, with onboard dining and entertainment.
Branson Lakeside RV Park
Branson Lakeside RV Park goes out of its way to welcome guests. Drivers of larger vehicles can stay at sites up to 90 feet long. Nature trails, a pavilion and a rec hall give guests lots to do onsite. A trolley transports guests from the park to Historic Downtown Branson, home to several shops and entertainment venues. The highly rated park sits next to Branson Landing, a 95-acre complex with more than 100 retail shops.
Newport Bay. Photo: Burke Mary, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
Newport Dunes Waterfront Resort & Marina, California
Good Sam Rating: 9.5/10*/9
This Good Sam Park in Southern California puts visitors next to a beautiful lagoon and marina that connects to the Pacific Ocean. Lower your boat on the resort’s ramp or rent a boat for an exploration of the many connecting waterways of Newport Bay. During the evening, the resort will soon offer standup paddleboards with LED lights on the bottom for a “radiant ride” (starting in June). The banks of Newport Bay’s winding channels are home to several fantastic dock-and-dine restaurants and high-end shops. Just one mile east of the resort lies Fashion Island, where shoppers treat themselves to upscale shopping sprees and fine food.
Newport Dunes Waterfront Resort & Marina
After a voyage, guests can sample the resort’s amenities, which include private cabanas and waterfront dining with happy hour at the Back Bay Bistro. Visiting musical artists and DJs keep the party going throughout the year, and the resort’s venues serve as the perfect settings for parties and corporate events.
Sailing on Lake Michigan. Getty Images
Insta Launch Campground & Marina, Manistee, Michigan
Good Sam Rating: 8/9.5*/8
Check the Great Lakes off your bucket list of boating destinations. Insta Launch Campground & Marina sits on the shores of the Manistee River, a boat ride away from Lake Michigan. Launch from the boat ramp or marina, take a trip from quaint waterways, then motor along Lake Michigan’s eastern shore for great scenery and fun inlets and harbors. Fish in Lake Michigan for coho salmon, perch, chinook salmon, rainbow trout and lake trout. Campers who prefer to stay local can rent canoes, kayaks or tubes for adventure on the river.
After a day of boating, relax at the park with amenities that include outdoor games, a playground and rec hall. Within 10 miles of the resort, guests can enjoy mountain biking, hiking and gaming action at the Little River Casino Resort.
Perdido Key RV Resort
Perdido Key RV Resort, Pensacola, Florida
Good Sam Rating: 9.5/9*/9
The Gulf of Mexico beckons boaters with the promise of world-class sport fishing as well as leisurely cruises along colorful coastlines and islands. Perdido Key RV Resort positions RV travelers on the namesake barrier island with a deepwater marina. Cruise the Blue Lagoon, or venture out into the Gulf of Mexico and fish fishing for Wahoo and Blackfin Tuna. Reserve a spot in a charter for the best angling spots. Dolphin charters also are available.
For RVing boaters, Perdido Key RV Resort provides all the amenities you’ll need. The full-service marina accommodates boaters’ needs, and many spaces overlook the marina. A swimming pool, store and clubhouse keep guests busy during their stay. Fishing guides at the campground will help anglers find the best spots.
Camp Hatteras RV Resort & Campground.
Camp Hatteras RV Resort & Campground, Rodanthe, North Carolina
Good Sam Rating: 10/10*/9.5
The Tarheel State’s Outer Banks have attracted water sports enthusiasts for generations. Camp Hatteras RV Resort & Campground in Rodanthe follows that tradition with access to the vast Atlantic Ocean to the east and Pamlico Sound to the west. The RV resort’s Soundside marina provides watercraft through Charlie’s Boat Rentals, which offers everything from 30-foot pontoon boats to Waverunners for fun on the water. The resort also rents kayaks and canoes. Local charters give guests a chance to catch the big ones and take tours around the surrounding waterways. Kitesurfing, fishing and crabbing all are within reach — guests can explore all the ways to have fun on the water.
Back on land, the resort caters to all the comforts needed after a busy day on the water. Warm-up in the Jacuzzi, play tennis or mini-golf and set your canine loose at the dog park. Nearby the charming town of Rodanthe showcases beautiful shops and restaurants. A conference center with a kitchen is a great place for families to gather for meals to plan their next adventure.