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Hblamb Dreamstimecom
A classic golf setting in Arizona. Many RV-golf resorts are available in the state including Cocopah RV & Golf Resort.
Words by Rick Stedman
As I have written about RVing and golfing for nearly two decades, I know for certain that the industry is ever-changing and constantly evolving. To illustrate my point, some of the RV–golf resorts featured in magazines (and elsewhere) a decade ago, no longer exist today, making decisions about where to go, where to stay and where to play a challenge for RV enthusiasts who are passionate about the game.
As there are only approximately a few hundred truly designated RV-Golf Resorts throughout Canada and the U.S., the choices - and specific destinations to visit - is limited. So, I follow a process that works well for the majority of my time on the road that not only allows me to play some great golf but provides the chance to relax comfortably at the end of the day.
First, I start searching for an acceptable RV park at my destination of choice. Second, I try to locate at least one decent golf course less than 16 km (10 mi) away. This system has worked pretty well during my travels throughout North America and there are good reasons for its success.
As of 2021, the National Golf Foundation (NGF) reported there were 16,000 golf courses at 14,000 golf facilities in the U.S. (75 percent are open to the public) with 2,400 in Canada, providing plenty of options to hit the links. Many of these courses are also located near reputable RV parks.
When I want the convenience of visiting a specific RV-golf resort, they can be found in several National Parks, provincial and state parks, as well as on Native American reservations. All of these are ‘gold mines’ when it comes to discovering the dynamic duo of a golf course and RV campground with all of the services you need.
Mudwalker Dreamstimecom
Select national parks in the U.S. and Canada offer excellent golfing as well as many RV sites and services.
Expanded Offerings for RV Golfers
In recent years - especially during COVID-19 - many campgrounds have added luxury accommodations to not only host RVers but those who aren’t travelling in an RV to encourage family get-togethers.
For instance, I spent several days at Sunshine Key RV Resort and Marina in the Florida Keys sans RV. It’s located on Ohio Key near Big Pine Key. While it has 399 RV sites, I enjoyed staying in one of its new tiny houses that could sleep four and is right on the beach. There was also easy access to three local golf courses including Key West Golf Club 53 km (33 mi) south with Key Colony Beach Golf and the Florida Keys Country Club just to the north.
One RV trip I took during the pandemic was to Coos Bay, OR, and Bay Point Landing. This resort specializes in luxury camping and includes RV campsites, Scandinavian-inspired cabins, and my favourite, an ‘Airstream Suite,’ which was one of an entire fleet of new models to accommodate those travelling without an RV.
Another perk was Bandon Dunes Golf Resort was located just a few kilometres down the road. Considered one of the top golf experiences in the U.S., Bandon Dunes features six distinct courses, which are conceived in harmony with the natural environment and the Pacific Ocean.
Yobro10 Dreamstimecom
As of 2021, the National Golf Foundation (NGF) reported that 75 percent of the courses in the U.S. are open to the public - many courses are also located near reputable RV parks.
Unique Golf Options in National Parks
Of the several National Parks in the U.S. and Canada, only a modest number have golf courses beyond their gates (there are only six inside NPS-managed sites) but the golfing is excellent with a good choice of RV sites and facilities.
For instance, if your snowbird getaway includes California’s Death Valley National Park, it’s home to The Oasis at Death Valley Fiddlers' Campground and is conveniently located right across the street from the Furnace Creek Golf Course. This is where you can tee up at the world’s lowest elevation – 65 m (214 ft) below sea level.
Yosemite National Park’s Wawona Golf Course has been challenging golfers since it opened in 1918. This nine-hole, par 35 spans 3,050 yards and includes two par-fives and three par-threes. It’s also one of the few organic courses in the United States. No pesticides are applied to the grounds and only recycled gray water is used for watering the greens.
What’s more, Yosemite has 13 campgrounds. All feature stunning views in a unique setting. Campgrounds include traditional tent campsites, RV sites, and wilderness camping.
Glacier View Golf Club in West Glacier, MT, is about 1 km (.6 mi) from the entrance of Glacier National Park. A relatively short course, the par 69 track measures just 5,181 yards. Glacier National Park offers 13 campgrounds, many of which cater to RVers.
While searching for places to play within the parks system in Canada and the U.S., try to find courses that are near national parks. You’ll be surprised at the number of courses right on their boundaries.
Kristopher Strach Dreamstimecom
The golfing is excellent in Florida and courses cater to snowbirds all season.
Parks Canada Golf Options
Parks Canada has more than three dozen national parks and several offer RV camping and golfing. A few popular examples include:
- Waterton Lakes Golf Course in Southern Alberta is designed by legendary Canadian architect Stanley Thompson. The 18-hole Waterton Lakes Golf Course has a range of amenities including club and cart rentals, a pro shop, a practice green, and a clubhouse. Nearby is the Townsite Campground with 237 campsites - 94 are fully serviced.
- Fairmont Banff Springs Golf Course is also located in Alberta and is on the bucket lists of many players. You can tee up in the heart of Canada's Rocky Mountains. Golfers can choose from either the 18-hole Stanley Thompson-designed course or the Tunnel Mountain nine-hole course.
- Waskesiu’s Lobstick Golf Course, located in Saskatchewan’s Prince Albert National Park, is another Stanley Thompson course and the Red Deer Campground offers full-service RV camping.
U.S. State Parks
Select U.S. State Parks also offer quality RV parks with golf courses. There are numerous options in Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Kentucky, Mississippi, Ohio, South Carolina, Tennessee, Utah, and West Virginia.
Travel Alberta
Driving off the ladies’ tees at Fairmont Banff Springs Golf Course in Banff National Park, AB.
Tribal-Owned Golf Courses (U.S.)
Recent statistics revealed that there are more than 80 golf courses on Native American reservations; most offer RV parks. Many are also very reputable and designed by some of the best architects in the business.
Showcasing the quality of Native American and tribal-owned courses, the National Golf Course Owners Association earlier this year selected Sweetgrass Golf Course in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula as its National Golf Course of the Year. Sweetgrass is owned and operated by the Hannahville Indian Community, a federally-recognized Potawatomi Indian Tribe.
Final Thoughts on Golfing During an RV Trip
Regardless of the evolving golf industry, one timeless lesson I have learned is to travel light due to the limited space in my RV. By this I mean I only bring seven golf clubs. To do this effectively, I use a Sunday golf bag, which weighs about a mere 9 kg (2 lb) pounds.
With this space-saving idea, you can comfortably carry a good selection of clubs, a handful of balls, a glove, and a few tees. It doesn’t require much room in an RV and it will encourage you to walk the course.
By no means is this a comprehensive list of RV-golf resorts in Canada and the U.S. The RV-golf world is a constant work in progress and its ever-changing landscape is a direct result of public demand. Hopefully, some of these suggestions will help you plan your next outing.
Our Choice of RV-Golf Resorts
Cocopah RV & Golf Resort
Yuma, Arizona
Hidden Valley RV & Golf Park
Derry, NH
The Springs at Borrego RV Resort and Golf Course
Borrego Spring, CA
Madison RV & Golf Resort
Madison, FL
Americus KOA at Brickyard Plantation
Americus, GA