Couples
RV trip for two: small camper, big landscape, your own pace.
An RV trip for two has everything a big family trip has, only lighter: a compact camper that goes everywhere, a route the two of you decide together and evenings that end by a campfire under a sky full of stars. No sleeping spots to divide, no daily rhythm of small children — only the question of whether you drive on another hour today or stay right here.
That freedom works best with a few deliberate choices: a smaller RV, a slower pace than the map tempts you into and travelling outside the busiest weeks. On this page we collect the routes, guides and parks that suit a trip for two, with the tips that make the difference between a lovely trip and an unforgettable one.
How to plan it
- 1
Choose a smaller RV
For two people a Class B camper (a converted van) or a truck camper is almost always a better choice than a large model. It is easier to drive, parks in ordinary parking spaces, is allowed on more park roads and fits the smaller, prettier campgrounds that turn big RVs away. Fuel consumption is lower and it often saves on the rental too.
Do check that the two of you can sit comfortably together when it rains, and whether there is a real toilet and shower on board if that matters to you — not every compact camper has them.
- 2
Drive slower than the map tempts you to
Without children in the back, the temptation to make long days is great, and that is a shame: the best moments are in the detour, the viewpoint where you stay an hour, the campground where you book an extra night because the spot is too beautiful. Make two nights in one place the default and treat a transfer day as the exception. Let the planner show the driving times and cut the day that makes you wince.
- 3
Go in the shoulder season
Couples have the great advantage of not being tied to school holidays. April, May, September and October are the finest months in the Southwest and California: milder weather, fewer crowds on the trails and campgrounds that are not booked out months ahead. For the Rockies and Canada, September is the golden month, with autumn colours and quiet roads; do check which campgrounds and roads are still open then.
- 4
Seek out the stars — and boondock where it is allowed
Many parks in the Southwest are officially recognised as dark sky areas; a clear desert night at Bryce Canyon or Arches is an experience you no longer get in Europe. If you want even more silence, look into boondocking: overnighting without facilities on public lands where it is permitted, such as certain BLM areas and national forests. Always check the rules of the land manager and of your rental company, leave nothing behind and expect an empty water tank the next day.
In Canada, free camping is regulated more strictly; in and around Banff and Jasper you stay at the designated Parks Canada campgrounds.
- 5
Budget for two
With two people you divide the fixed costs — RV, fuel, campgrounds — by two instead of four, which makes the price per person higher than for a family. On the other hand, a small RV uses less fuel, you can more often choose a simple campground without hookups and you eat out without children's menus. Put everything in line by line in the Kamptribe budget and quickly see what it means per day.
Routes that fit
- 14 daysUnited States
Pacific coast for families
San Francisco → Monterey → Santa Barbara → LA
Beaches, sea lions, slow mornings
Starts in San Francisco (SFO)
View route → - 12 daysUnited States
Desert & stars
Phoenix → Sedona → Page → Death Valley
Big skies and little detours
View route → - 10 daysCanada
Rockies sprint from Calgary
Calgary → Banff → Lake Louise → Jasper → Calgary
Ten days of mountains, lakes and glaciers
Starts in Calgary (YYC)
View route →
Guides that fit
- All ages
The best time to visit US national parks with kids
When should we visit the national parks to dodge the crowds and the worst weather?
Read guide - Families, couples and groups of friends
America or Canada for your RV trip: which one suits you?
Do we choose the US or Canada for our first RV trip — and which differences should we look out for?
Read guide - Families, couples and groups of friends
Renting an RV in America and Canada: which rental company, which size and what to watch for?
How do we choose the right RV and rental company in America or Canada, and what do we need sorted before pickup?
Read guide
Parks that fit
- United States
Bryce Canyon National Park
An amphitheatre full of orange hoodoos — small park, big wow, cold nights.
View the park - United States
Arches National Park
More than two thousand stone arches, red rock and the darkest nights in Utah.
View the park - Canada
Jasper National Park
Banff's wild, roomy sibling — glaciers, Maligne Lake and one of the darkest skies in the world.
View the park
Frequently asked questions
Isn't an RV trip mainly something for families?
No. America and Canada are built on road trips, and couples are as common at campgrounds as families. With a smaller RV you actually have more choice of campgrounds and routes than a large family.
How far in advance should we reserve campgrounds?
For the best-known park campgrounds in high season, as early as Recreation.gov or Parks Canada allows — often months ahead. In the shoulder season there is more room, and with a small RV you can more often get onto first-come, first-served sites. The guide on the best time to visit helps with the choice.
America or Canada for a trip for two?
America for desert, stars and variety in a short trip; Canada for mountains, lakes and calm in a longer loop. The America or Canada guide lines up the differences for you.