13 Amazing Places To Celebrate The Fourth Of July In An RV

Independence Day can be so much more than barbecue and beer followed by a fireworks display. Start a new tradition this year by camping in an RV. We rounded up 13 places across the country that host fun Fourth of July festivities.

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For your convenience, we also included a couple of RV rentals available in each area from RVshare, the biggest peer-to-peer RV rental marketplace in the world. So, instead of seeing the same old fireworks, make this year a summer extravaganza to remember and let freedom ring from one of these amazing spots.

1. Alton, Illinois

Located about half an hour outside of St. Louis, this historic Midwest town hosts the annual Fireworks on the Mississippi at Liberty Bank Amphitheater. The charming river town welcomes thousands to its spectacular fireworks display, which takes place on July 3. Pack a picnic and claim your spot in the 4,000-seat amphitheater to enjoy the festivities in gorgeous Riverfront Park on the iconic Mississippi River.

Pro Tip: Make time to take in the views on the world-famous Great Rivers Scenic Byway while you are in the area.

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2. Medora, North Dakota

Medora is a charming mountain town that sits at the base of Theodore Roosevelt National Park. The Fourth of July brings magic to this historical small town that an entire 142 people call home. Independence Day also brings the world-famous Medora Musical, which showcases American patriotism on a whole other level.

Families line the main drag in town for a parade and the skies light up with fireworks at dusk. Medora gives a whole new meaning to Americana. If you are lucky, you will meet up with Theodore Roosevelt as he strolls the streets.

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3. Branson, Missouri

Branson Fourth of July celebrations include several fireworks displays, live music, and the annual Firecracker 5000 Run, featuring 5k and 10k races along the beautiful Lake Taneycomo that start and finish at Branson Landing.

RVshare RVs For Rent Near Branson:

2021 Palomino Puma 18-DB

• Travel Trailer
• Sleeps 5

4. Bristol, Rhode Island

For a dose of colonial history with your holiday celebration, Bristol, Rhode Island, is the place to be. This small seaside town, located southeast of Providence, has quite the claim to Fourth of July fame: With an annual celebration that dates back to 1785, Bristol has been having a birthday party for America since the country was just nine years old. The parade is thought to be the oldest Fourth of July parade in the country.

The town might also host the longest patriotic party as well: The fun officially kicks off on Flag Day in June, with concerts, fireworks, a vintage baseball game, and even a formal ball. All of those events lead up to the big parade that begins at the intersection of Chestnut and Hope on the morning of the Fourth. It’s truly one of the most star-spangled and patriotic ways to spend your Independence Day, and it’s a great reminder of where America began and what our country is all about.

Pro Tip: To take in the evening fireworks over some littlenecks, cherrystones, or quahogs, head to Quito’s Restaurant.

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5. Cody, Wyoming

For a bit of Wild West adventure with your Fourth, check out Cody, Wyoming. This town, located about 50 miles from Yellowstone National Park’s east entrance, was founded by none other than William “Buffalo Bill” Cody in 1896. Cody still retains a frontier-town feel as the self-proclaimed Rodeo Capital of the World.

Cody comes to life during the week of the Fourth with its annual Cody Stampede rodeo (July 1-4). In the mornings, traditional parades with veterans’ groups, marching bands, and floats wind through historic downtown Cody. At night, you can witness bull riding, barrel racing, and plenty of bucking broncos as cowboys (and cowgirls) compete for hundreds of thousands of dollars in prize money at the Stampede Park arena. It’s a galloping good way to spend the Fourth.

Pro Tip: For even more Wild West entertainment — and great eats — stop at the Cody Cattle Company for dinner, where you can enjoy a family-style barbecue meal while a country-western band performs.

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6. Addison, Texas

Everything’s bigger in Texas, and that goes for Independence Day celebrations in Addison. Although the small town that lies directly north of Dallas is home to 16,661, over half a million visitors descend upon its 4.4 square miles each July 3 for the year’s most explosive event, Addison Kaboom Town!

The spectacular 25-minute-long fireworks show has been recognized as one of the top fireworks displays in the country by several publications as well as the American Pyrotechnics Association. Before dark, the incredible Addison Airport Airshow takes to the sky. There’s also live music before and after the fireworks display, which is radio simulcast on Star 102.1 FM.

Admission to the party in Addison Circle Park is free, but tickets (available June 22, 2022) are required. You can also join a watch party at one of Addison’s many restaurants. With almost 200 restaurants, the town has more restaurants per capita than any other in the U.S.

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7. Lake George, New York

Nestled in the foothills of Adirondack Park, the Lake George area is beautiful any time of year. It’s also a perfect lake for RV camping. Summer is the perfect time to enjoy the water by swimming at the beach, renting a boat, parasailing, or taking a sightseeing tour or dinner cruise. Visit Fort William Henry to learn about how the French and Indian War led to the American Revolution. On the Fourth of July, Rogers Memorial Park in Bolton Landing hosts a fireworks display on the beach.

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8. Virginia Beach, Virginia

Virginia Beach offers all sorts of fun things to do, especially in the summertime. Its oceanfront star-spangled salute, the Stars & Stripes Celebration, features live music and events that culminate in a fireworks show. Bring a blanket to the beach or watch from a bar or restaurant. Further inland, Mount Trashmore Park has its own fireworks display with live music and food vendors.

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9. McCall, Idaho

McCall, Idaho, hosts the Lakeside Liberty Fest on the shimmering shores of Payette Lake. This year, the Adult Volleyball Tournament kicks off the festivities on the 2nd. On the third, watch a movie under the stars by the lake. On Independence Day, hit the beach or take a walk along East Lake Street to check out the bounce house and more before the fireworks display over the lake at 10 p.m.

About half an hour away, Tamarack Resort hosts the best firework show on Lake Cascade. The 4th of July Fireworks Show! at Tamarack can be seen from anywhere on the resort, but the best seats are at the waterfront cabana and marina. There’s no camping at the resort, but campgrounds can be found nearby.

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10. St. Augustine, Florida

It’s no surprise that “America’s Oldest City” throws one of its best birthday parties. St. Augustine’s spectacular show, Fireworks Over the Matanzas, lights up the sky over Matanzas Bay. With over 5,000 shells exploding anywhere from 100 to 2,000 feet in the air, it is one of the biggest and best fireworks displays on the East Coast.

Watch the 20-minute show choreographed to patriotic music from along the Bridge of Lions or South Castillo Drive. Downtown, there’s live music in the Plaza de la Constitución.

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11. Gulfport, Mississippi

Gulfport, Mississippi, is a charming town that’s home to one of the best Fourth of July celebrations along Mississippi’s Gulf Coast. The Ship Island Excursion ferry normally shuttles visitors to beautiful Ship Island, one of the Gulf’s beautiful barrier islands and part of the Gulf Islands National Seashore, for a day lazing on the beach, hiking, and bird watching, but on the 4th of July, they offer a unique way to view the spectacle of a Gulf sunset and the dazzling fireworks show in Gulfport.

The cruise leaves from Yacht Harbor at Jones Park and heads into the Gulf. The cruise concludes with a fireworks show. Visit the Ship Island Excursion website for pricing, times, and to reserve your seat.

RVshare RVs For Rent Near Gulfport:

2020 Forest River RV FR3 32DS

• Class A Motor Home
• Sleeps 8

12. Bar Harbor, Maine

Celebrate America’s Independence at one of the best Fourth of July celebrations in New England. Bar Harbor gets decked out in red, white, and blue bunting for the affair. The Bar Harbor 4th Celebration kicks off at 9 a.m. with a local artisan craft fair. Next, the Independence Day Parade showcases the best of the best of Downeast Maine. Free live music in Agamont Park leads up to a waterfront fireworks display over beautiful Frenchman Bay around 9:15 p.m.

The area offers a wide selection of campgrounds and cottages for your quintessential, nature-focused Maine stay.

Pro Tip: Enjoy freshly caught Maine lobster from Bar Harbor Lobster Co. and have a slice of pie made from beautifully tart little Maine blueberries at the Sunrise Cafe.

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13. South Lake Tahoe, California

Lake Tahoe offers plenty of fun things to do in the summertime, not least of which is the largest synchronized fireworks display west of the Mississippi. South Lake Tahoe, also known as Tahoe South, hosts Lights on the Lake Fireworks, which draws a crowd of 75,000 to 100,000.

The fireworks display is visible from all over town, but we recommend packing a picnic and staking out your spot early at Lakeview Commons/El Dorado Beach in South Lake Tahoe or Nevada Beach in between Stateline and Zephyr Cove for the show that starts at 9:45 p.m.

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Related Reading:

• Best Small-Town Fourth Of July Celebrations In The Midwest
• Best 4th Of July Celebrations Along The Gulf Coast
• 7 Best 4th Of July Celebrations In New England

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