USA TODAY 10Best
Book a stay at these 10 charming vintage trailer hotels across the US
Best Vintage Trailer Hotel (2024)
You don’t have to own an RV to enjoy the trailer camping experience. These 10 vintage trailer hotels — selected by an expert panel and voted by readers as the best in the U.S. — transform restored Airstreams and vintage trailers into unique accommodations set amid some of the nation’s best scenery.
- Camp LeConte Luxury Outdoor Resort - Gatlinburg, Tennessee
- Lake Bastrop North Shore Park - Bastrop, Texas
- AutoCamp Cape Cod - Falmouth, Massachusetts
- AutoCamp Yosemite - Midpines, California
- Hart's Camp - Pacific City, Oregon
- Sou'wester Historic Lodge and Vintage Travel Trailer Resort - Seaview, Washington
- Asheville River Cabins - Arden, North Carolina
- SkyStream Resort at SkyPark Camp + RV Resort - Skyforest, California
- Flying Flags RV Resort & Campground - Buellton, California
- The Vintages Trailer Resort - Dayton, Oregon
Photo courtesy of Ian Nicely
No. 10:
At Camp LeConte in Gatlinburg, Tennessee, travelers can choose between three retro camper sites: Glamping at Tiffany’s, Miss Daisy, and The Ruby Slipper. All guests — whether staying in the campers, safari tents, treehouses, or tent sites — enjoy free Wi-Fi, a swimming pool, and a picnic pavilion.
Photo courtesy of LCRA Parks
No. 9:
The 182-acre Lake Bastrop North Shore Park caters to tent and RV campers, but it also offers five Airstream rental campers. Each sleeps up to four people and includes air conditioning, a private bathroom, kitchen, and a grill.
Photo courtesy of AutoCamp Cape Cod
No. 8:
Perched on the edge of one of New England's finest sailing destinations, AutoCamp Cape Cod provides guests with three different varieties of high-end Airstreams. The Classic Airstream Suite comes equipped with a private patio complete with a fire pit, while the Vista Airstream Suite measures in at 31 feet long, providing guests with plenty of room to relax.
Photo courtesy of AutoCamp Yosemite
No. 7:
Yosemite National Park is renowned across the globe for its incredible ecotourism opportunities, and for those hoping to discover its splendor from a plush vintage trailer, AutoCamp Yosemite is a top destination. While there are three distinct types of Airsteams to choose from around here, each one provides guests with amenities ranging from private patios to panoramic windows.
No. 6:
Hart’s Camp celebrates the nostalgia of summers past through their seven unique Airstream rentals. Each has its own private site with air conditioning, bathroom, and kitchen, as well as amenities like flat-screen TVs with cable, free Wi-Fi, gas grills, fire pits, and access to European-style bikes.
No. 5:
The Sou'wester is a collection of over 30 vintage trailers and buses in the southwestern corner of Washington near the Pacific coastline. With many original features, they give a pure glimpse into mid-century traveling life — a 1953 Airstream, a 1969 Boles Aero, a silver 1947 Spartan, a rare 1952 Westcraft, a converted Blue Bird bus with clawfoot tub, and many more. The property includes a Finnish sauna, tea trailer, and wellness trailer, and it sponsors workshops and camps.
Photo courtesy of Mike Belleme Photograhy
No. 4:
The beauty of the Blue Ridge Mountains is on full display at Asheville River Cabins, a scenic hideaway located in the western reaches of North Carolina. In addition to cabins, the property also comes equipped with Airstream trailers that offer full kitchens, private fire pits, and gorgeous views of the French Broad River.
Photo courtesy of SkyPark
No. 3:
SkyStream Resort, just steps from SkyPark at Santa's Village, is a special enclave of the SkyPark Camp + RV Resort. It offers guests a chance to stay in vintage Airstream trailers that have been restored and modified to offer comfortable accommodations. Amenities within each trailer include a DreamCloud mattress, a fireplace, air conditioning, a mini refrigerator, and custom bedding. Each one also has a patio with a gas fire pit, two Adirondack chairs, and a picnic table with benches.
Photo courtesy of Liudmila Chernetska / iStock / Getty Images Plus
No. 2:
Just northwest of Santa Barbara, the tiny city of Buellton offers a charming escape in the form of Flying Flags RV Resort & Campground. Beyond the cozy cottages and cabins, guests can spring for a Superior Vintage Trailer and make full use of its in-unit air conditioning or head out to the private fire pit for a night under the glow of the stars.
Photo courtesy of Gregor Halenda
No. 1:
The Vintages Trailer Resort, situated in Willamette Valley, has a “neighborhood” of rental trailers. Each unique trailer comes with pour-over coffee, bathrobes, hotel-quality linens, and a propane grill for cooking. Park amenities include a pool, general store, complimentary cruiser bikes, and a nearby dog park.
About 10Best Readers' Choice Awards
Nominees are submitted by a panel of experts. 10Best editors narrow the field to select the final set of nominees for the Readers’ Choice Awards. Readers can vote once per category, per day. For any questions or comments, please read the FAQ or email USA TODAY 10Best.
The Experts
Allison Tibaldi
Allison Tibaldi is a travel and food writer based... Read More
Allison Tibaldi is a travel and food writer based in New York City. She has lived in Rome, Tuscany, Melbourne Australia, Toronto and Los Angeles. She studied early childhood development in graduate school and firmly believes that travel is the best education. She writes for numerous publications including CNN, Travel Channel, HGTV, am New York, Emirates Open Skies, Family Traveller and Travel Weekly.
Allison Tibaldi
Allison Tibaldi is a travel and food writer based in New York City. She has lived in Rome, Tuscany, Melbourne Australia, Toronto and Los Angeles. She studied early childhood development in graduate school and firmly believes that travel is the best education. She writes for numerous publications including CNN, Travel Channel, HGTV, am New York, Emirates Open Skies, Family Traveller and Travel Weekly.
Chelle Koster Walton
Chelle Koster Walton — the Local Expert for... Read More
Chelle Koster Walton — the Local Expert for Naples, Florida and the Caribbean — has been covering the destination for 30 years. Her top-selling Sarasota, Sanibel Island, and Naples guidebook (Countryman Press) is in its sixth edition. She was contributing editor for Caribbean Travel & Life for 12 years and has written guidebooks on the Bahamas. A veteran travel writer, Chelle has published thousands of articles for Miami Herald, USA TODAY, Latitudes; has written/contributed to a dozen guidebooks, and produces travel shows for the local PBS station.
Chelle Koster Walton
Chelle Koster Walton — the Local Expert for Naples, Florida and the Caribbean — has been covering the destination for 30 years. Her top-selling Sarasota, Sanibel Island, and Naples guidebook (Countryman Press) is in its sixth edition. She was contributing editor for Caribbean Travel & Life for 12 years and has written guidebooks on the Bahamas. A veteran travel writer, Chelle has published thousands of articles for Miami Herald, USA TODAY, Latitudes; has written/contributed to a dozen guidebooks, and produces travel shows for the local PBS station.
Chez Chesak
‘Chez’ Chesak is Executive Director of the Outdoor... Read More
‘Chez’ Chesak is Executive Director of the Outdoor Writers Association of America, an adventure travel writer, board member of the Society of American Travel Writers and 22-year veteran of the outdoor and travel industries. While he’s lived all over the U.S. and traveled to more than 30 countries, he has the most fun when he’s exploring with his wife Sally and two daughters. An avid outdoors person, he’s happiest on a trail, on skis, or nestled into a sleeping bag. Learn more about him and his work at www.chezconnects.com.
Chez Chesak
‘Chez’ Chesak is Executive Director of the Outdoor Writers Association of America, an adventure travel writer, board member of the Society of American Travel Writers and 22-year veteran of the outdoor and travel industries. While he’s lived all over the U.S. and traveled to more than 30 countries, he has the most fun when he’s exploring with his wife Sally and two daughters. An avid outdoors person, he’s happiest on a trail, on skis, or nestled into a sleeping bag. Learn more about him and his work at www.chezconnects.com.
Jamie Davis Smith
Jamie is a travel writer who has visited over 50... Read More
Jamie is a travel writer who has visited over 50 countries, many of them with her children in tow. She loves visiting everything from theme parks to ancient ruins and packs strictly carry-on-only. Jamie can be reached at jamiesmithwrites@gmail.com.
Jamie Davis Smith
Jamie is a travel writer who has visited over 50 countries, many of them with her children in tow. She loves visiting everything from theme parks to ancient ruins and packs strictly carry-on-only. Jamie can be reached at jamiesmithwrites@gmail.com.
Jenny Peters
Jenny Peters – aka Jet Set Jen – is a Los... Read More
Jenny Peters – aka Jet Set Jen – is a Los Angeles-based freelance journalist, editor and party columnist specializing in travel, entertainment, film, food, wine, fashion and the other good things in life. She is a founding/voting member of the Critics Choice Association, who present the Critics’ Choice Awards every January. Her favorite places to be are on the beach in Southern California playing volleyball, scuba diving with the sharks in warm tropical waters or strolling the streets and soaking in the atmosphere of one of the world's great cities (New Orleans and Florence are her favorites).
Jenny Peters
Jenny Peters – aka Jet Set Jen – is a Los Angeles-based freelance journalist, editor and party columnist specializing in travel, entertainment, film, food, wine, fashion and the other good things in life. She is a founding/voting member of the Critics Choice Association, who present the Critics’ Choice Awards every January. Her favorite places to be are on the beach in Southern California playing volleyball, scuba diving with the sharks in warm tropical waters or strolling the streets and soaking in the atmosphere of one of the world's great cities (New Orleans and Florence are her favorites).
Kim Foley MacKinnon
Kim Foley MacKinnon is an award-winning editor,... Read More
Kim Foley MacKinnon is an award-winning editor, author and journalist based in Boston, MA. She is the executive editor of Girl Camper Magazine and is currently serving as the president of SATW (Society of American Travel Writers). There is nothing she loves more than a road trip and discovering offbeat places to eat. She owns a 1981 13-foot Scamp travel trailer, a fiberglass "egg," which serves as her tiny home on the road. Kim has also authored many guidebooks, with her most recent being "100 Things to Do on Cape Cod & the Islands Before You Die."
Kim Foley MacKinnon
Kim Foley MacKinnon is an award-winning editor, author and journalist based in Boston, MA. She is the executive editor of Girl Camper Magazine and is currently serving as the president of SATW (Society of American Travel Writers). There is nothing she loves more than a road trip and discovering offbeat places to eat. She owns a 1981 13-foot Scamp travel trailer, a fiberglass "egg," which serves as her tiny home on the road. Kim has also authored many guidebooks, with her most recent being "100 Things to Do on Cape Cod & the Islands Before You Die."
Melanie Reffes
Melanie is an island girl at heart . Born in... Read More
Melanie is an island girl at heart . Born in Manhattan, she now lives on the sunny island of Montreal and covers the Caribbean for a variety of publications including USA TODAY 10Best, CaribbeanTravel.com and MarryCaribbean.com. A journalist with a boatload of writer awards under her belt, Melanie's affection for the Caribbean started young when her family vacationed in Puerto Rico. An avid fan of spicy food, Melanie enjoys the diversity of Montreal - especially during the warmer months -when she's not en route to the Caribbean. She holds a Masters Degree in Social Work from the University of Toronto.
Melanie Reffes
Melanie is an island girl at heart . Born in Manhattan, she now lives on the sunny island of Montreal and covers the Caribbean for a variety of publications including USA TODAY 10Best, CaribbeanTravel.com and MarryCaribbean.com. A journalist with a boatload of writer awards under her belt, Melanie's affection for the Caribbean started young when her family vacationed in Puerto Rico. An avid fan of spicy food, Melanie enjoys the diversity of Montreal - especially during the warmer months -when she's not en route to the Caribbean. She holds a Masters Degree in Social Work from the University of Toronto.
Molly O'Brien
Molly O'Brien is a Los Angeles-based freelance... Read More
Molly O'Brien is a Los Angeles-based freelance travel journalist, who writes and edits for a variety of international travel and lifestyle outlets including Fodor’s Travel, Travel + Leisure, and Business Insider among others. She's lived on both coasts from Massachusetts to California and has so far made Greater Boston, the San Francisco Bay Area, San Luis Obispo, Barcelona, and Los Angeles her home. Molly earned her journalism degree at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo on the Central Coast of California and since then has worked professionally in the fields of hospitality and travel PR and most recently, as a freelance travel writer and editor. Molly especially enjoys covering feature profiles about interesting people doing interesting things such as chocolate making, beekeeping, wing-walking, and interesting destinations like under-the-radar wine spots, the best brewery towns, and lesser-known ski destinations. She also loves to write about a boutique hotel with a good story. When she's not writing, Molly enjoys spending time outdoors, exploring new coffee shops and breweries, and of course, traveling. Her favorite city in the world (so far) is Barcelona, Spain, but she loves traveling anywhere that offers sunny weather and ample hiking opportunities. She loves spending time in the mountains, enjoys connecting with nature through camping and glamping adventures, and is always up for learning about the world through fun, immersive experiences (and then sharing those stories!). You can connect with Molly here: Instagram: @metropolitanmolly Twitter: @Molly_A_OBrien Facebook: @MetropolitanMolly LinkedIn: @mollyannobrien www.metropolitanmolly.com
Molly O'Brien
Molly O'Brien is a Los Angeles-based freelance travel journalist, who writes and edits for a variety of international travel and lifestyle outlets including Fodor’s Travel, Travel + Leisure, and Business Insider among others. She's lived on both coasts from Massachusetts to California and has so far made Greater Boston, the San Francisco Bay Area, San Luis Obispo, Barcelona, and Los Angeles her home. Molly earned her journalism degree at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo on the Central Coast of California and since then has worked professionally in the fields of hospitality and travel PR and most recently, as a freelance travel writer and editor. Molly especially enjoys covering feature profiles about interesting people doing interesting things such as chocolate making, beekeeping, wing-walking, and interesting destinations like under-the-radar wine spots, the best brewery towns, and lesser-known ski destinations. She also loves to write about a boutique hotel with a good story. When she's not writing, Molly enjoys spending time outdoors, exploring new coffee shops and breweries, and of course, traveling. Her favorite city in the world (so far) is Barcelona, Spain, but she loves traveling anywhere that offers sunny weather and ample hiking opportunities. She loves spending time in the mountains, enjoys connecting with nature through camping and glamping adventures, and is always up for learning about the world through fun, immersive experiences (and then sharing those stories!). You can connect with Molly here: Instagram: @metropolitanmolly Twitter: @Molly_A_OBrien Facebook: @MetropolitanMolly LinkedIn: @mollyannobrien www.metropolitanmolly.com
Tamara Gane
Tamara Gane is an expert panel member for 10Best... Read More
Tamara Gane is an expert panel member for 10Best Readers' Choice Awards. She's based in Reno/Lake Tahoe and in addition to USA Today 10Best, her work has been published in Travel & Leisure, Fodor's Travel, The Washington Post, SF Gate, Houston Chronicle, Lonely Planet, and more.
Tamara Gane
Tamara Gane is an expert panel member for 10Best Readers' Choice Awards. She's based in Reno/Lake Tahoe and in addition to USA Today 10Best, her work has been published in Travel & Leisure, Fodor's Travel, The Washington Post, SF Gate, Houston Chronicle, Lonely Planet, and more.
10Best Editors
USA TODAY 10Best provides users with original,... Read More
USA TODAY 10Best provides users with original, unbiased and experiential travel coverage of top attractions, things to see and do, and restaurants for top destinations in the U.S. and around the world.
10Best Editors
USA TODAY 10Best provides users with original, unbiased and experiential travel coverage of top attractions, things to see and do, and restaurants for top destinations in the U.S. and around the world.
