Memorial Day weekend is when most RVers think the camping season "starts." In reality, many campgrounds open in late April or early May, and the weeks before Memorial Day are some of the best camping weeks of the year — lower prices, available reservations, and landscapes with wildflowers and waterfalls at peak.
What Makes Spring Camping Different
Less crowded: Popular campgrounds that book solid all summer often have availability in May. National parks that are reservation-only in July frequently have open sites in early May.
Lower rates: Many campgrounds run off-season pricing through Memorial Day weekend — typically 10–30% less than peak summer rates. Some state parks reduce rates by season.
Better wildlife viewing: Spring is the most active wildlife period of the year — animals are emerging, nesting, feeding, and visible. Wildflowers peak in spring across all regions.
Waterfalls at maximum flow: Spring snowmelt and rain means waterfalls that are impressive all year are spectacular in May. Yosemite Falls, Bridalveil Fall, and most waterfalls in the Smokies and Blue Ridge are at peak flow in May.
Weather: The Real Consideration
Spring camping requires honest weather preparation. Late April and May can still produce cold nights (below freezing at elevation), rain, and wind. RV systems need to handle it:
- Propane: Check your reserves before a spring trip — you'll use more for heating than in summer.
- Heating system: Run your furnace before the trip to confirm it works reliably. Spring is not the time to discover a furnace issue.
- Muddy campgrounds: After snowmelt and rain, campground roads and sites can be soft. Know your RV's weight and whether the ground can support it.
- Elevation: Campgrounds above 6,000 feet may still have snow in May. Check conditions before reserving.
Best Spring Destinations
Great Smoky Mountains (April–May): Wildflowers peak in April–May with the biggest diversity of any temperate region in North America. The park sees fewer crowds before Memorial Day. Cades Cove campground opens early and is excellent in spring.
Texas Hill Country (March–April): Bluebonnet season is a phenomenon — roadsides and fields covered in the Texas state wildflower. The LBJ State Park area, Enchanted Rock, and Pedernales Falls State Park are all excellent spring destinations. Mild temperatures (60–75°F days).
Central California Coast (March–May): Wildflowers at Antelope Valley California Poppy Reserve (high desert north of LA) peak in March–April. The Pacific Coast Highway from Malibu to Big Sur is stunning in spring before summer fog season. Andrew Molera State Park handles up to 35-foot rigs.
Pacific Northwest (May–June): The Columbia River Gorge waterfalls (Multnomah Falls and 11 others) are at full volume in May from snowmelt. Dry camping in the Gifford Pinchot National Forest opens early. Washington's Palouse region has extraordinary green wheat field landscapes in May before harvest.
Virginia / Shenandoah (April–May): Dogwood and redbud bloom along Skyline Drive in late April. The park is far less crowded than summer. Campgrounds open in late April on a rolling schedule.
Making the Most of Spring Pricing
If you have Thousand Trails or another campground club membership, spring is when you get the most value — available sites you couldn't get in summer. Good Sam Club pricing at Camping World-affiliated campgrounds applies year-round. Passport America (50% off) often has better availability in spring because fewer campers are competing for discount dates.
Related: Best summer RV destinations · RV campsite setup guide · Spring RV maintenance checklist
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