RVing with a Jeep in Tow: 5 Great Camping Destinations with Off-Road Trails

RVing with a Jeep in Tow: 5 Great Camping Destinations with Off-Road Trails
Get inspired by these adventurous RVing locations!

By: Kenny & Sabrina Phillips

Since purchasing and towing our Jeep Wrangler, we’ve completely changed how we plan our RV trips. Now, we actively seek out destinations with off-road trails along our route—or sometimes, the off-road trail itself becomes the destination!

This shift has also deepened our appreciation for boondocking. We now use our Winnebago Vista as a base camp while taking the Jeep out to explore. That said, not all the camp spots I’ll share today are dispersed camping areas. Plenty of campgrounds are located near off-road trails too, and I’ll highlight those as well.

Read this article to learn why we chose a Jeep as our tow vehicle for its convenience and the added adventure it provides.

How I Find Off-Road Jeep Trails Along Our Route

Before diving into my favorite camp spots, I’ll share how I find off-road trails along our route. The first step is planning the route and noting the cities and zip codes we’ll be traveling through. Once I have that info, I use two key apps:

• Jeep Badge of Honor App: I check this one first because I love collecting badges to display on my Jeep. It’s a free app, and Jeep sends the physical badges for free as well. So far, I’ve earned seven badges and am always hunting for new trails. While these trails are open to all 4x4 vehicles, only Jeep owners can receive badges. Learn more.
• ONX Offroad App: If there aren’t any Badge of Honor trails nearby, I turn to ONX Offroad. The free version is great for trail searching. To download maps and use GPS features offline, you’ll need their premium plan ($35/year). Learn more.

Our Favorite Places for Combining RV Camping with Off-Roading

Here are our top five destinations that offer both RV camping and off-road trails to take our Jeep out on. Each has camping located nearby the trails. 

Note: Be sure to check the park websites for updated information on pricing, trail hours, and camping availability before making your trip.

1. Moab, Utah

It’s hard to think about off-roading without Moab coming to mind—and my first trip there did not disappoint!

We booked a seven-day Jeep off-road trip with Fantasy RV Tours, which included guided trail rides and a stay at Moab KOA Holiday RV Resort. This KOA lives up to the “resort” name with large pull-through sites, the biggest swimming pool in Moab, a Kamp K-9 area, pavilion, community fire pit, and outdoor game hub. (Read why we love staying at KOAs here.)

Looking for a great Italian meal? Sabrina and I highly recommend Pasta Jay’s just a few minutes from the campground.

However, one of the best features of this KOA is its proximity to Moab’s legendary trails. I could check into trailheads directly from the campground using the Badge of Honor app. Moab has trails for every skill level, making it a perfect destination for off-road enthusiasts.

It’s also close to Arches National Park, a must-see for any outdoor lover. If you’re into hiking, biking, or off-roading, Moab should be at the top of your list.

For a full recap of our Moab experience, check out this article: Off-Roading in Moab with Fantasy RV Tours

2. Murray, Kentucky

Turkey Bay OHV Area, also known as Land Between the Lakes, is a dry camping and off-roading area all in one—with beautiful water views along the trails. Our dog Belle and I even had lunch on one of the beaches mid-ride.

Camping is dispersed only, but there’s a freshwater fill station and public toilets on site. Quiet hours are from 11 p.m. to 6 a.m.; however, if your RV isn’t set up for boondocking, Turkey Bay has two designated camping areas that allow 24-hour generator use. Camping is $12 per night, and a trail pass is $20 (valid for three days).

With about 100 miles of trails, Turkey Bay has something for every skill level, including challenge areas. There’s even a Turkey Trot Trail for riders 16 and under—great for beginners. I had the place nearly to myself on a weekday and even earned a new Badge of Honor with my Jeep Wrangler “TJ.”

Pro tip: Arrive early. It’s first-come, first-served and operates on an honor system. You can buy trail passes at the check-in booth or at Golden Pond Visitor Center if the booth is closed.

3. Waterloo, South Carolina

Gulches of Indian Mound is an RV park and off-road trail system all in one. Sabrina and I stayed for a weekend at one of their RV hookup sites (electric and water), just seconds from the trailhead. The cost was $100 for the weekend—including trail access.

Gulches is only open Friday through Sunday and there are a limited number of RV sites, so book early via their website. They also offer 12 primitive tent sites for $50.

The trails are well-labeled and maintained, and maps are provided. Gulches has about 80 acres of trails, including some of the toughest ones I’ve ever seen. Plenty of challenges—and a few I opted to bypass.

I usually ride solo, but this time I teamed up with some folks I met on the trail. Having company was awesome—especially when tackling the challenge areas and spotting each other through rough sections. I even convinced Sabrina to join me on the trail, which is rare! With her as co-pilot, I stuck to the easier routes, so she’d enjoy it too.

4. Sonoita, Arizona

Las Cienegas (BLM land) is probably my favorite off-road and camping spot—and it’s all free. It has amazing sunsets, hundreds of miles of trails, wildlife, and great wineries nearby (we love Los Milics Vineyards).

I’ve camped here more times than I can count, and every visit brings a new trail to explore. We've seen roadrunners, antelope, deer, javelina, and coyotes (which we've heard at night but never had issues with).

There are plenty of spaces for RVs of all sizes, including our Class A Winnebago. Maps are available showing legal camping zones. Las Cienegas is also a dark sky area, ideal for stargazing and satellite spotting. It's even a great place to see the International Space Station.

Most trails are easy to moderate, though some get more technical—especially those with steep climbs or narrow ledges. One challenging trail leads to Total Wreck Mine, an abandoned mine near the park entrance.

5. Dugger, Indiana

Redbird Off-Road State Recreation Area located in Dugger, Indiana, has off-road trails as well as hiking trails. However, it doesn’t offer camping, so I stay at Eagles Nest Campground in nearby Linton.

Eagles Nest is a small, peaceful campground with five full-hookup back-in sites (great pond views), three cabins, and a handful of long-term spots. Belle loved walking the pond trail. The sites have plenty of space, and the owners are incredibly friendly.

Redbird covers 1,400 acres and offers trails for every level, including tough challenge areas. One, called Big Bertha, is the steepest climb I’ve done solo—and I’m proud to say I made it up!

I visited on a weekday and had the entire place to myself. Entry is $15, and they offer a $95 annual pass for locals.

Heads-up: The park gets muddy. If the weather’s bad, they may close the trails—so check ahead.

Where Do You Like to Mix RV Camping and Off-Road Adventure?

Now I’d love to hear from you—where do you camp for your off-road adventures? Do you stick to campgrounds or prefer dry camping? Drop your thoughts in the comments.

I would also like to invite you to join the Facebook group that I started, Winnebago Wild, if you share a similar love for outdoor adventures while RVing! Learn more.

Hope to see you on the road or on the trail. Take care and safe travels!