Last June, my husband and I decided to take a long-awaited bucket-list vacation and hit the road in a 24-foot recreational vehicle, or RV. Since it was our maiden voyage, we chose Florida's Highlands Hammock State Park, only a three-hour drive from home. Our little house on wheels included a full bathroom, kitchen and three sleeping areas.
By the time we pulled up to our shaded spot under a large oak, all we had to do was throw some marinated steaks and corn cobs on the outdoor grill for dinner under a canopy of stars. During our three-day road trip, we never touched our laptops. We were too busy exploring nature trails and the park's museum, photographing wildlife and playing horseshoes until the sun went down.
It was one of our most relaxing vacations ever, and that includes our trip to the Bahamas.
We began planning our next adventure as soon as we got home, and soon discovered via the long waiting list to reserve RVs and campsites that we aren’t alone in our desire for an outdoor getaway. According to RVShare, 61 percent of Americans planned to take a road trip or vacation in an RV this year, up 13 percent over 2022. Like us, many travelers find it cheaper than hotels and prefer taking spontaneous detours while on the road. And seeing the country from a front-row seat certainly beats crowded airports and delayed flights.
Elizabeth Augier of Deerfield Beach, Florida, runs Green Escapes RV Rentals. She and her husband, Leo, started the business during the pandemic, when they bought their first RV and realized the high demand for rentals. As they approach retirement age, she says camping has become the easiest and most economical way to explore the country.
“From deserts to snowy mountain peaks, lakes to canyons and sandy beaches, we've seen it all from our RV,” says Augier, who often travels with their children. “We've also visited many national and state parks. At our age, these trips have been healthy for our minds and spirits and have helped us bond more deeply with the family."
This mode of travel is increasingly popular among retirees with open-ended schedules and seniors living on fixed incomes. Many rely on special RV planners who serve as travel agents to ensure a getaway that runs smoothly. He reiterates that RVs are the way to go for older travelers.
"It's a mobile apartment on wheels with the comfort of a kitchen, your own bathroom and, even better, your own bed,” says Douglas Setzer, a travel agent whose site is RVtravel.com. “Plus, you can mind your budget and focus on exploring the country's natural beauty in depth."
He does see a growing popularity among the 55-plus demographic that often chooses destinations like Royal Coachman in Nokomis, Florida, "because it has activities an older crowd enjoys, such as pickleball, mah-jongg, crafting and a woodshop."