Whether you're a couple, a family or a group of friends travelling together, hiring a motorhome is a great way to explore the USA! It can seem a bit daunting at first if you've never driven a motorhome before, or driven on the other side of the road, but with America's wide roads and all motorhomes having automatic transmission, the vehicles are easier to drive than you might think.

Top tips! 

• The vehicles do not come with maps or GPS, so make sure you take your own with you and plan your routes. Mobile signal can be limited in the National Parks, so I wouldn't recommend relying on your phone for directions.

• Take an AUX cable to connect your iPod/iPhone to listen to your road trip playlists! (otherwise you may be stuck with country music radio stations).

• Book your RV campsites in advance - during busy periods places can be limited, so it's always worth booking ahead.

• Pack plenty of layers as the temperature can vary greatly in the different National Parks and can drop substantially in the evening.

The Grand Canyon is one of those bucket-list destinations and is an essential stop when exploring Arizona. It definitely doesn't disappoint! 

The South Rim is absolutely stunning with a number of scenic view points and hiking trails varying in difficulty. The Rim Trail offers scenic views and crosses through various view points so there will definitely be a lot of photo opportunities! With the free shuttle operating throughout the area you can walk as much or as little of the trail as you like. For something a bit more strenuous, there are a number of hiking trails that go into the canyon; just be sure to take plenty of water and remember the way back will be much tougher than the way down.

Where to stay?

The Trailor Village RV park is the ideal place to stay as it's right in the National Park so a perfect base for a few days. This RV park is walking distance to the general store to pick up groceries, essentials and souvenirs. There's also a free shuttle service around the park, so there's no need to use your motorhome for a couple of days. 

Top tip!

Hopi Point is one of the most popular viewpoints to watch the sunset, so it can get crowded. Walk a little further (or take the free shuttle one extra stop) to Mohave Point. You'll still get excellent views here, but without the large crowds!

Lake Powell is a manmade reservoir on the Colorado River and a great place to break up the journey between the Grand Canyon and Bryce, for lunch or even for a night or two to explore the local area. 

Just outside of Lake Powell off Highway 89 you'll find Horseshoe Bend - a stunning horseshoe shaped meander along the Colorado River. It's a small fee of $10 to park and visit the site. A short 15-20 minute walk will take you to the viewpoint for incredible photo opportunities.

Lake Powell also has plenty more to offer, from watersports to hiking and horseriding.

Where to stay?

Wahweap RV & Campground is a great option just 1/4 mile from the shore of Lake Powell. The location is fantastic with local restaurants, the marina and the local swimming spot all within walking distance. This is a great option for RV camping in the national parks!

Top Tip!

Don't try and visit Antelope Canyon without first booking a tour, as it cannot be accessed without a native guide.

Bryce Canyon is a beautiful and unique national park, showcasing the stunning geology of southern Utah with it's red-rock wonderland created by wind, water and snow. It's unique 'hoo-doos' (formed by weathering and erosion) make it one of the USA's most photographed parks. It is a major draw for hiking, rock climbing and even cross country skiing trails, meaning there's plenty to do year round! Again, like many National Parks, there's a free shuttle bus operating between many of the viewpoints in Bryce.

The park follows the edge of the Paunsaugunt Plateau. Many ephemeral streams have eaten into this, forming horseshoe shaped bowls. The most scenic and frequently visited is Bryce Amphitheatre which has a number of hiking trails including the Navajo Loop Trail, which drops down into the amphitheatre with outstanding views.

Where to stay?

Bryce Canyon National Park has two RV campgrounds: Sunset and North. Both are located close to the visitor centre. Be sure to book in advance as they fill up very quickly, especially in the summer months.

Top Tip!

Bryce Canyon sits at quite a high elevation so make sure to take your time when hiking to avoid potential altitude sickness. Take plenty of water, wear appropriate footwear and plan your hikes in advance. They can be quite vertically challenging, so be prepared!

Located a short 1 hour 30 minute drive from Bryce, Zion National Park is the perfect next stop on your motorhome adventure! Zion is a stunning park with amazing scenery; from sandstone cliffs to flowing rivers.

There are a number of hiking trails here for all abilities, the most popular ones being Angels Landing and the Narrows. Angel's Landing offers stunning views, but may not be suitable for those with a fear of heights as there are some steep cliffs (although there are chains to hold on to!). The Narrows is the narrowest section of the canyon and involves hiking through the Virgin River - so best done in the summer months! (pre-book a map and waterproof gear before you go to save time on the day). You can hike a small part of the Narrows along the Riverside Walk without have to wade through the water, so this would be ideal for those more limited on time and in the cooler months.

Where to stay?

Zion Campground and RV Park Resort is ideally located just outside of the National Park's south entrance. There are plenty of restaurants nearby should you not fancy cooking, and it's also within walking distance of the National Park Shuttle.

Top Tip!

RV parking can be very difficult in the National Park (there are very limited spaces for motorhomes) so make use of the Zion National Park free shuttle bus. This offers multiple stops through the park and means you don't have to pack up and drive each day!