The best RV rentals in Gainesville, FL

Gainesville is an exciting city with plenty of attractions to keep you and your crew entertained. However, before taking your rig into the city, it's worth looking at the city's traffic and where to park. Gainesville can be congested around rush hour but isn't as hectic as other big cities in Florida like Miami, Orlando, and Jacksonville. There are also several urban and state parks within a couple of miles of downtown where you can park an RV for the day.

If you fancy touring a museum during your Gainesville RV rental, consider the Harn Museum of Art. One of the largest university art museums in the South, the Harn Museum of Art boasts thousands of objects from around the world, with everything from fifth century BCE African artifacts to paintings by modern masters like Claude Monet.

Or, enjoy a family day out at the Santa Fe College Teaching Zoo. You'll find over 70 animal species at this small zoo, including bald eagles, Asian small-clawed otters, and Matschie's tree-kangaroos. The zoo also offers encounters where you can come face-to-face with some of your favorite critters.

With several parks a stone's throw from downtown, Gainesville is perfect for getting back in touch with nature. The Devil's Millhopper Geological State Park is one of the most interesting state parks in Hogtown, with 71 acres of pine woodlands encircling a 120 foot-deep sinkhole. Hikers can walk down staircases to the bottom of the sinkhole, where they'll find a lush miniature rainforest. While at the park, learn about the history and myths surrounding the sinkhole and plan a woodland picnic.

As one of the greenest cities in North Florida, you'll find plenty of peaceful campgrounds in and around Gainesville. One of the best spots to get a good night's sleep near the city is Paynes Prairie Preserve State Park. This campground is less than 10 miles outside Gainesville, perched upon the tranquil Lake Wauburg. Each shaded site comes with partial hookups, some of which support 50-amp electricity. While there are no sewer hookups, there's an on-site dump station. Amenities are basic and include showers, bathrooms, and picnic areas. Spend your days spotting some of the 300 bird species that visit the park or take a canoe and drift across Lake Wauburg.

If you'd prefer to stay farther from the city, stop off at Williston Crossings RV Resort. One of the best RV campgrounds in Gainesville, Williston Crossings RV Resort, provides modern campsites 20 miles south of the city. Sites come with full hookups with 30-amp electricity. This campground is ideal for canine campers, with pet-friendly sites and a dog park. Cast a line into the lake from the fishing pier, hike through the surrounding woodlands, or relax on the sun deck during your downtime. Amenities include a laundry room, modern bathrooms, and a shaded picnic area.

Alternatively, spend a night at the Grand Lake RV Resort. This campground provides sites with full hookups and 50-amp electricity overlooking Orange Lake, 20 miles from Gainesville. You won't be short of activities at the Grand Lake RV resort. Work on your handicap at the nine-hole golf course, challenge another camper to a game of horseshoes, or cool off in the swimming pool. Amenities include showers, laundry facilities, and a camp store.