Book an RV Rental for Your Summer Vacation & Get Free National Park Passes (I Tried It & It Was SO Easy!)
Searching, “RV rental near me?” Check out RVshare to find the best rental deals on RVs, motorhomes, trailers, & more!
Planning a vacation? For an unforgettable trip, consider glamping in an RV rental.
Warmer weather is around the corner! Have you started planning your spring and summer travel? If you’re looking for a family trip to kick off the season, consider exploring new places in an RV rental from RVshare! One reason I wanted to try it out is that not only can you travel as a family, but an RV provides camping in style. 🙌
I rented an RV to go camping with my family and I didn’t even need to drive it to the campground, because RVshare’s rental allowed the camper to be delivered and set up for me! We just picked a time, place, and exchanged contact information with the owners. That was all we had to do!
Psst! If you book through May 31st or while supplies last, RVshare is offering FREE National and State Park Passes (up to an $80 value)! What a fun way to explore beautiful parks with family and friends this summer!
Spending time traveling & being in nature is so good for the soul, and an RV rental is such a unique way to see the country. Plus, it offers a lot of freedom that other accommodations don’t. Whether you want to drive a recreational vehicle across the country or just go camping in one spot, RVshare makes renting an RV easy! And, it makes an incredible gift since the memories made will last a lifetime!
There are so many wonderful places to see via RV and where you travel or stay is up to you. Get ready to pack up, head out, and enjoy some family campfires around the RV!
Know someone who already loves RVing? Check out RVshare’s gift guide for your friends, or for yourself!
Camping in an RV rental was SO much fun, and best of all, it was easy!
For our spring vacation, my family decided to try camping, or rather, “glamping.” Instead of pitching tents and blowing up air mattresses, we booked an RV rental instead! We didn’t have to worry about driving the RV since we had it delivered right to our campground, the KOA Holiday in North Jacksonville. 🙌
This inexpensive trip was such a cool experience for my entire family, that I feel I have to tell you all about it!
First, renting the RV was super easy. We used RVshare, a popular platform and community for RV owners and renters. Once my husband and I signed up for an account and picked the RV we wanted to rent, we were able to communicate with the owners of the RV to set up the trip. If we had intended to drive the RV, the owners would have given us a lesson, but we decided to just have the RV delivered to our campsite instead. This was ideal because we didn’t have to spend any money on fueling the RV and kept the RV stationary all weekend.
Then when we showed up at the campground, our RV was there waiting for us! It was a smooth and seamless experience.
The inside of the RV was super cute, modern, and cozy. Though it was a small space, it came with a kitchenette, a table, a love seat, a little fireplace, a bathroom, a large bed for the adults, and even three twin beds for my kiddos.
It was made in 2013, but the owners recently redid the entire inside and it looked great! They even had music playing when we arrived which was awesome since I had forgotten my own radio.
There was also ample outdoor space with plenty of sitting areas for my family to enjoy. We had purchased some firewood and the owners had that waiting outside for us too!
Camping in an RVshare rental was the perfect trip to do with my children.
I was initially worried that my kids might be bored on this trip. Boy, was I wrong! The KOA we stayed at was built with families in mind! It had this really neat jump pad that the kids absolutely loved, from my 10-year-old down to my 2-year-old. It was the perfect spot for all the kids at the campground to gather and socialize. After just two days, my kids were exchanging contact information with the other children in hopes of becoming pen pals. 🤗
The KOA also had an 18-hole putt putt course that my family enjoyed. It was awesome to have options for physical activities right at our fingertips. ⛳️
The KOA even had a pool with a waterslide. It was a little too cold this time of year for us to enjoy the water, but I imagine the pool would be a lot of fun in the summer. I loved how all of these kid-friendly activities were just steps away from where our RV was parked!
There was truly no shortage of cheap and free things to do both in and outside the campground!
It was easy to eat cheaply while staying in our RV rental.
One of the best parts about camping is that it can be inexpensive. I was really pleased with how easy it was to save some money on dining. On our first night at the campground, we had a picnic dinner. I packed lunches for everyone and we had “lunch for dinner” in a nearby park. It was actually one of my favorite nights of the trip! The second night I made dinner in the RV using ingredients I brought from home. We had some mac n’ cheese, hot dogs, and a tomato and cucumber salad. 😋
If we forgot any supplies at home or wanted something else to eat, the campground had its own general store. The store manager was so nice and made sure we had everything we needed. If we had left a razor, toothpaste, or laundry detergent, the store had it! I appreciated how the items were not super overpriced like they would be at a place like Walt Disney World (just another perk of camping). The general store also served breakfast every morning and my kids loved walking down there to grab pancakes and waffles.
The store served lunch and dinner too. On the third day, I took a break from cooking and scooped up an inexpensive pizza and some wings. To wind down each night, we’d sit around the campfire and enjoy the peace and quiet. We even made my coworker, Lina’s, delicious campfire cones recipe.
And we entertained ourselves for cheap too!
In addition to the KOA’s amenities, we brought along a few activities to do together. I packed up a bag of games, some coloring books, glowsticks, and sidewalk chalk for a little inexpensive fun. Our RV rental from RVshare also included several games for us to play. Currently, my kids cannot get enough of Old Maid, Go Fish, and Uno. Oh, we also are really loving Skyjo and Skip-bo right now, too! Needless to say, we played a lot of cards!
One of the coolest perks of RVshare is that several of the RV rentals have these add-ons.
We decided to get a breakfast nook and the movie projector as extras on this trip. They were both worth the extra cost! My family absolutely LOVED the movie projector! We watched Lyle, Lyle, Crocodile, roasted marshmallows, and after the film, we had fun making shadow puppets for each other using the light of the projector.
When it was time for bed, my kids were always excited to light up the lanterns I bought for them from Walmart. These lanterns are so cute and affordable! They’re shaped like animals and come with a matching sleeping bag and carrier.
We also had some affordable fun exploring nearby attractions.
One day we decided to head over to Amelia Island, one of Florida’s best kept secrets! This charming and peaceful island was just about 30 minutes from our KOA and super easy to access. We walked around the pretty town which had some older buildings, cute little shops, and a bustling pier where you can see a ton of boats, fishing charters, and ferries.
We decided to grab lunch here and chose a waterfront restaurant named Brett’s Waterway Cafe. My husband got a mahi mahi dinner and I got a tossed salad with THE MOST AMAZING shrimp bisque! This was a great little spot that wasn’t too overpriced. I highly recommend stopping in for a bite to eat if you’re in the area.
Another day we visited Crooked River State Park in St. Mary’s, Georgia. This park was so amazing. We just went for the day, but it’s another campground that has either cabins or campsites for an RV rental. The park has a ton of trails, huge pine trees, a gorgeous playground, and lots of bathrooms (a definite plus). We enjoyed flying a kite for a bit, and then for some cheap fun, I decided to put together a scavenger hunt packet for my kids.
I used free printables I found on the internet. There are tons of these free printables and I included a few – one you could color, a bingo-type scavenger hunt, and another simple activity list. My kids had a blast doing the scavenger hunt which asked them to do things like find a spiderweb, collect firewood, and hug a tree.
I gave each kid their own folder with the activity list inside and off they went! I wasn’t sure if they would be into the activity but they ended up loving it. They even found pinecones larger than the size of their heads. It was a good day, for sure!
My family loved the RV rental from RVshare and would absolutely do it again.
Overall, this was a really, really fun trip. Aside from the expense of the RV rental, most of our activities were cheap or free, and there was certainly no shortage of activities to do! My family made a bunch of great memories that I know we will cherish forever.
I will say that the RV was a smidge snug with all five of us, but everyone had their own bed and we had plenty of outdoor living space. I rated my rental 5 stars and would definitely consider booking again.
It’s so important to get the kids outside to enjoy the great outdoors and RVshare gave us the perfect excuse to do so. My children loved running around in nature, meeting new friends, and making new memories. This RV rental was truly a great way for us to spend quality time together and I’m so glad we did it!
Hip2Save’s Lina, has also tried RVshare and found an RV rental to be a great way to see the country.
My coworker, Lina, has also used RVshare to secure an RV rental. Lina found great owners on RVshare who were willing to deliver their recreational vehicle to the Zion Canyon RV Park. They set it up and took the time to show her family everything they needed to know inside. Lina was super impressed by how clean the RV was upon delivery. Her RV rental included a kitchen with a stove, oven, dishes, pots, pans, and everything else needed to cook. It was the perfect vehicle for her to use to explore the national parks nearby.
It’s such a great perk to have the owner show you everything you need for a successful trip, whether it’s glamping with the girls or having more upscale camping accommodations for hard-to-please teens. 😉 Plus, having the delivery option makes RVshare just as easy (if not easier) than sticking with hotels because it’s exactly right where you want to be!
With fuel costs so high, Lina loved that she didn’t have to fill up the RV’s tank or even attach it to her car. Note that there’s no set RVshare delivery price. It will vary per owner of the RV, but rest assured there are no hidden fees for delivery. The price you see listed on RVshare.com is the actual price!
Lina thought renting an RV was a great opportunity to gift experiences instead of things!
“As my kids get older, I’m really finding myself craving more quality time and unique experiences with my family. Was this the most frugal option? Maybe not as we could have probably stayed in a local hotel for a similar cost as our cozy RV, but it wouldn’t have been the same outdoor camping experience, so I thought it was well worth it!
I was grateful to spend time with my family focusing on what’s really important – making memories with each other. That’s why renting an RV is a great idea for holiday and summer travel!
I guarantee these kids will never forget the vacation when we rented an RV, were all stuck together for 3 days, and in an area with limited WiFi. 🤣“ – Lina, Hip2Save team
Looking for travel inspiration? Browse RVshare’s blog!
RVshare has a blog with tons of useful tips. You’ll find posts like The Top 9 Summer Destinations RV Travelers Are Visiting, The Top 13 RV Trips for Empty Nesters, and Glamping in Alabama. These posts will help maximize your vacation budget while providing some helpful information! 🙌
No matter where your RV travels take you, they even have insight on travel impacts and how rising gas prices won’t severely impact your trip.
Consider visiting a National Park with your FREE park pass.
Save money on sightseeing too! If you book a trip with RVshare before May 31st, you’ll receive FREE National and State Park passes while supplies last!
Check out some of these popular RV destinations:
- Yosemite National Park: Does this one need an introduction? 😆 Not only can you experience thousands of square miles of beautiful wilderness, but Yosemite also hosts popular sporting events, galleries, conservancies, and more. Visit Lower Yosemite Falls, the bottommost part of America’s largest waterfall. For a successful trip, plan for summer crowds.
- Sequoia National Park: Summer is a great time to visit the giant sequoias at Sequoia National Park in California. Stand in awe next to these incredible trees. The park has plentiful opportunities for hiking, horseback riding, and rock climbing. You can even tour the infamous Crystal Cave or attend one of the many summer festivals.
- Rocky Mountain National Park: This infamous park offers 415 square miles of stunning mountain landscapes. From glistening alpine lakes to towering mountain peaks, there is much to see and do!
- Grand Teton National Park: If you love seeing jaw-dropping scenery and magnificent wild animals, pack up and head for Grand Teton National Park. From hiking to backcountry camping, there is no shortage of great activities for you to do! Just remember to dress in layers as the temperature can fluctuate throughout the day.
- Dry Tortugas National Park: Soak up the sun with a trip to Key West, FL! Here you can take a boat or seaplane to visit Dry Tortugas National Park. This unique park is comprised of 7 different islands and even includes a historic fortress and lighthouse to visit. When you’re done seeing the park, you can explore Key West in your RV rental!
- Carlsbad Caverns National Park: Ready for an adventure? Head to the Land of Enchantment and explore the Carlsbad Caverns this winter. The Big Room, which has cave pools and stalactites, will be open for you to enjoy. The temperature inside stays around 56 degrees so the caves will give you a little reprieve from the heat.
Wanna get started? Check out which RVs are available for rent near you.
You can browse the nearby vehicles on RVshare, and even filter by whether or not they accept pets (around 30% of them do).
Here’s how to find a great RV on RVshare plus some helpful booking tips:
- Find the perfect RV for your trip by using RVshare’s detailed search settings to filter by location, features, RV type, etc. to find exactly what you’re looking for! If you want to get one delivered like me, just remember to filter by “Offers Delivery”.
- Talk directly with the RV owner to arrange your trip. When they deliver the RV, they’ll also show you how all the systems work so you’ll feel right at home.
- Check the fine print of your rental since you may have to empty water tanks or fill gas tanks before it’s picked up.
- Take advantage of your hassle-free trip and let the owner take away the RV when it’s time to head home!
- If you plan to stay at a campsite, it’s best to book in advance or else you risk the chance that the campground is sold out.
- Make sure the campground knows your RV dimensions so there are no hiccups with your campsite upon arrival!
Note: You’ll notice that RVshare rental prices will vary a great deal by location and vehicle. There is usually a cleaning fee involved and a deposit. You’ll definitely want to factor all that in for your vacation budget.
Plus, if you book your rental by May 31st, you can submit for free National and State Park passes! Just head to RVshare’s website within 7 days of your rental completion date to claim this promotion! Note that your trip will need to happen between April 18th-September 5th 2023, with a minimum 2-night rental.
Then, go enjoy your RV trip and your reimbursement gift card will be sent via email at the end of the promotion period – so easy!
Looking to rent out your RV instead? RVshare makes it so easy!
With the RVshare platform, owners can easily list their RVs for renters to find – and it gives RV owners the opportunity to earn a little money while they’re not using their RV.
Here’s how listing an RV on RVshare works:
- List your RV on their site by adding photos and a detailed description. Manage exactly what potential renters see when they search.
- Review reservation requests and work directly with renters to agree on terms. You’re in complete control.
- Meet the renter, give them a quick demo, and send them on their way!
- Reap the benefits of listing on the largest rental network in the world. The renter will return your RV at the end of their trip.
There are several reasons owners don’t rent out their RVs, but here are some reasons to reconsider!
Still have concerns about using RVshare?
You’ll be happy to know they have a Worry-Free Rental Agreement featuring payment protection, rental & rebooking assistance, 24/7 customer support, security deposit protection, and more. Check out the full Rental Agreement to see all the perks & rules.
Check out these RVshare reviews from Hip2Save readers & customers:
“We rented a 30-foot motorhome a couple of summers ago from RVshare. We rented it in South Dakota and traveled to Yellowstone, the Grand Tetons, and Rocky Mountain National Park. It was a blast and our family loved that way to see the country vs. being stuck in a van. We figured we saved money this way instead of renting from another company. The owner was good to work with too.” – Connie, Hip2Save reader
“First time using RV share and of course we were a little hesitant, but took a chance. RV share helped us find a rental with an awesome owner. Every question was answered with little to no wait time. We had a blast on our vacation. We would recommend RV share to all that ask us for our opinion.” – Cheryl, RVshare customer
Honestly, both Lina and I can say that our RV adventures were some of the most fun little getaways our families have ever done, and we can’t wait until our next RV rental adventure. For summer travel, I highly recommend getting an RV delivered from RVshare if it’s within your budget!
Love travel? Save money with these tips and deals!
My sister and family are doing this. They are driving from Houston to Toledo instead of flying. Way cheaper and they are having an adventure
Oh that is fun! I agree it’s a great adventure.
Not seeing the cost. How much was the rv share for the Jacksonville weekend?
Hey Siena! I booked this RV rental and it was $150 per night. We stayed 3 nights for a long weekend! Note that if you plan to stay on a campground site, you will also have a fee there too.
I like all the things you do to help us to save but I have ONE thing to ask… if you are going to post an idea from a previous date, could you please up date the date… RV share date April 19 and it was posted on the 27 of April… just saying
So sorry for that confusion, Debbie. 💞 This was originally posted on the 19th, however, since it is a popular post it is showing up within our recent posts. Thanks so much for your feedback on this. I have passed it along to the team. ❤️🤗
Ugh, I wish more of these things were disability accessible! So much easier to use this app when you have healthy kids I guess lol