RVs are a gift that keeps on giving. Not only do they give us the freedom of the open road, but they’re our ticket out of summer’s hottest months. Why not put those hot climate vacation destinations on the back burner and point your rig to cooler climates instead? These three summer destinations are hot places to keep cool this summer.

The Coolest Summer Destinations for RVers

If you ask three scientists which U.S. cities have the coolest summers, you’ll get three different answers. Internet searches reveal that experts at organizations like the National Oceanic And Atmospheric Association reach an entirely different conclusion than the geeks at Sperling’s Best Places, a group of number crunchers that rank the best places to live, work, retire and play. I like Sperling’s list because it’s one of the few that considers nighttime low temperature and dew point (a measure of humidity) when assessing the coolest cities. The ones chosen by Sperling’s have lower daytime temperatures and the least amount of humidity.

Topping Sperling’s list of cool summer cities is Fairbanks, Alaska – no surprise there. If you’re reading this now, odds are you’re probably not going to pack your rig and head up there next weekend. For this article we’ll focus on more attainable destinations in the Lower 48. Although cities aren’t always the best places to go RVing, the ones listed below are extremely close to natural settings perfect for camp-outs and getaways.

Duluth, Minnesota

Dock your RV at Duluth’s funkiest waterfront RV park on the shores of Lake Superior and you might think you’re on the San Francisco Bay. This seaport city has undergone a renaissance over the last few years, welcoming visitors with miles of trails, forests to explore and tasty cuisine. A few typical RV parks are situated on the edge of Duluth but for a more unique experience, park your rig at Lakehead Boat Basin RV Park. During summer months this winter boat storage lot turns into an impromptu RV park with a bird’s-eye view of the Ariel Lift Bridge, one of only two in the world! Set your chair outside to watch the ships come in and out of the bay, then walk to Duluth’s many tourist attractions, restaurants and shopping areas. When you’ve had enough of the city, escape to the nearby Superior National Forest and paddle your way into the pristine one million-acre Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness

The Northern California Coast

Mark Twain’s famous saying is still true: the coldest winter you’ll ever experience is a summer in San Francisco. Bring a sweater and watch the unprepared tourists shiver as they walk along Fisherman’s Wharf in their bermuda shorts – it’s a riot! Don’t worry about parking your rig on San Francisco hills, however. The closest RV parks to San Francisco are located safely outside of the hustle and bustle. If you just want a place to sleep so you can focus on exploring the city, Candlestick RV park has bare bones amenities and an inexpensive shuttle ride into the city. But if you want an oceanfront escape from urban noise, San Francisco RV Resort gives you a beachfront view of paradise for about the same price. Both parks are only about 20 minutes from the heart of the city.

Kalispell, Montana

Cool off and enjoy plenty of elbow room near the Canadian border in the spectacular Rocky Mountain playground surrounding Kalispell Montana. This thriving mountain community is in an outdoor paradise cooled by the snowcapped peaks of Glacier National Park. Bring your fishing gear or learn how to fly fish because Kalispell is ground zero for blue ribbon trout streams originating from magnificent glaciers looming in the distance. If lake fishing is your style, rent a boat and cast a line for trophy Lake Trout on Flathead Lake, the largest freshwater lake west of the Mississippi. You’ll have many RV camping choices in Kalispell and surrounding areas, including ones like Rocky Mountain Hi Campground which makes a comfortable base camp for exploring the region.

Want more ideas? Coach-Net Premier Roadside Protect benefits include personalized trip packets for travel anywhere in the United States and Canada. Call these experts today to plan your escape so that when July bears down on your city, you’ll be a cool RVer chilling in the heart of paradise.

About the Author:

Rene Agredano, a Coach-Net member since 2015, is a self-employed full-time RVer who enjoys writing, jewelry design and animal advocacy. Her adventures with a three-legged dog and husband Jim are chronicled at LiveWorkDream.com

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