Must-Visit Route 66 RV Resorts and Destinations
Explore the top destinations and hidden gems along this classic route and stay at the best Route 66 RV resorts to relax and unwind along your journey.
Route 66, also known as the Main Street of America or the Mother Road, is one of the most famous highways in the United States. Spanning almost 2,500 miles from the heart of Chicago to the Santa Monica Pier, Route 66 is home to numerous landmarks and attractions from the Gateway Arch to the Grand Canyon that have captivated travelers for decades and have cultivated the longevity of this historic route. Route 66 has left an indelible mark on American culture, featured in numerous songs, movies, and TV shows, preserving its legacy as an iconic symbol of the American road trip. What better way to travel this historic route than in the comfort of your RV with the freedom of the open road? Explore the top destinations and hidden gems along this classic route and stay at the best Route 66 RV resorts to relax and unwind along your journey.
Illinois
Beginning in the inaugural city of Chicago, the Illinois stretch of Route 66 is packed with scenic stops and roadside wonders to highlight your RV road trip.
Route 66 Begin Sign - Chicago
Visit the official beginning of Route 66 sign located at Adams Street and Michigan Avenue in Chicago. It marks the starting point of the historic highway and is a must-stop for your commemorative Route 66 road trip photos.
Chain of Rocks Bridge - Madison
Walk or drive across the historic Chain of Rocks Bridge, an architectural marvel with a 22-degree bend over the Mississippi River that allows boats to navigate the canal with ease. Originally built in the 1920s, it has since served as a crossing for vehicles on Route 66 and provides stunning sunrise and sunset views of America's longest river.
Where to Stay
At the halfway point between Chicago and St. Louis, Sankoty Lakes in East Peoria is a quiet wilderness retreat perfect for recharging after a long day on the open road. On the crystal clear shores of the Sankoty Aquifer, this Route 66 RV resort is a haven for lakeside recreation, offering waterfront pull-through RV sites, a private beach, fly & ice fishing, kayaking, canoeing, and numerous other amenities and experiences that will make you want to stay for a while.
Missouri
From quirky roadside attractions to the natural wonders of the Ozarks, Route 66 through Missouri is overflowing with opportunities to experience America’s heartland.
Gateway Arch - St. Louis
A fitting gateway for your journey through Route 66 in Missouri, the Gateway Arch is a perennial symbol of westward expansion and an unforgettable sight, towering 630 ft. above the Mississippi River. The Gateway Arch is considered the tallest man-made monument in the Western Hemisphere. You can take a tram to the top of the arch for unforgettable city views.
Meramec Caverns - Stanton
One of the most alluring natural wonders on Route 66 is Meramec Caverns, 4.6 miles of stalactites, stalagmites, columns, and draperies. Historically, the caverns provided Native Americans with shelter, resources, and served as a site of spiritual significance for thousands of years, and was also a pivotal hiding place for Union soldiers during the Civil War.
Where to Stay
5 minutes from Meramec Caverns in Stanton lies Meramec Campground, one of the best campgrounds along Route 66 to unwind and immerse yourself in nature. This wooded retreat at the apex of Mark Twain National Forest has a variety of pull-through RV sites and activities and amenities for everyone in your Route 66 road trip party. Relax by the pond or pool, cast a line, game on at the arcade, and restock at the camp store before you resume your cross-country road trip.
Oklahoma
Oklahoma is home to some of the most photographed landmarks along Route 66, with plenty of weird and wonderful stops for education and entertainment along the way.
Golden Driller Statue - Tulsa
This towering 75 ft. tall statue of a man resting his hand on an oil driller pays homage to Oklahoma's oil industry. It's one of the tallest free-standing statues in the United States.
Oklahoma Route 66 Museum - Clinton
This stylized museum is an introspective journey into the history, myths, and enduring spirit of Route 66 and the landmark historical events that led to its creation, complete with a nostalgic 1950s diner to refuel while RVing Route 66.
Where to Stay
Navigate to The RV Park at Keystone Lake just outside of Tulsa for convenient and comforting Route 66 RV camping just half a mile from the Appalachia Bay beaches. The park has a variety of paved back-in and pull-through RV sites in a serene setting with all the amenities including cooking grills, fire pits, and a spacious dog park for canine companions.
Texas
The 150-mile stretch of Route 66 through Texas is home to a colorful combination of art installations, natural wonders, and historical marvels.
Cadillac Ranch - Amarillo
This colorful roadside art installation consists of ten Cadillac cars buried nose-first in the ground. Visitors are encouraged to bring spray paint and leave their mark on the vehicles, a fun way to leave your mark along Route 66.
Palo Duro Canyon State Park - Canyon
Texas is home to the second-largest canyon in the United States, with stunning landscapes and otherworldly geological formations, establishing Palo Duro Canyon as one of the best stops on Route 66. Be sure to take the scenic drive through the canyon's colorful rock formations, or go on foot through numerous hiking trails. The views don't stop when the sun goes down, Palo Duro is an excellent spot for stargazing.
Where to Stay
Rest your rig on over 5,500 acres of land in the heart of Palo Duro Canyon with full hookup pull-through RV sites, boondocking sites, and glamping cabins. MERUS Adventure in Claude is a must for thrill seekers offering rewarding hiking and biking trails and thrilling caving excursions. They even offer Jeep rentals to explore the winding offroading paths.
New Mexico
Taking Route 66 through New Mexico provides a nostalgic and scenic journey through diverse landscapes, historic sites, and enlightening cultural attractions.
Glenrio Historic District - Glenrio
Explore the eerie ghost town of Glenrio, which straddles the Texas-New Mexico border. The area includes abandoned buildings and remnants of the once-thriving Route 66 community.
Sandia Peak Tramway - Albuquerque
The Sandia Peak Tramway is one of the world's longest aerial tramways, offering stunning panoramic views of the Sandia mountains.
Where to Stay
American RV Resort, hailed as the best RV park in New Mexico, is centrally located to explore the diverse cultural offerings and outdoor recreation in Albuquerque. This big-rig friendly Route 66 RV resort offers pull-through and back-in RV sites and is loaded with amenities to unwind including a hot tub, heated swimming pool, dog park, and a camp store packed with provisions and souvenirs for your Route 66 road trip. Take your trip in the fall for a front-row seat to the colorful Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta.
Arizona
Route 66 through Arizona takes you on a nostalgic journey through the state's transcendental geological formations and historic sites that will give you a new appreciation for the enduring nature of humanity and the earth itself.
Petrified Forest National Park - Adamana
Route 66 passes through the storied Petrified Forest National Park, a fascinating destination known for ancient landscapes and vibrant petrified wood. Take in the otherworldy surroundings on your Route 66 drive, through hiking trails, or interactive museum exhibits, and be sure to explore the Puerco Pueblo, a large ancient village site with petroglyphs that provides a glimpse into the lives of the ancestral Pueblo people that once inhabited the area.
Meteor Crater Natural Landmark - Coconino County
Meteor Crater is a rare opportunity to witness the aftermath of a celestial impact and gain a deeper understanding of Earth's geological history. Regarded as the best-preserved impact site on Earth, Meteor Crater is one of the most monumental stops on Route 66.
Where to Stay
Centrally located near Flagstaff and Sedona, Munds Park RV Resort provides some of the best camping along Route 66. This scenic big-rig friendly RV resort has a variety of 30/50 amp and full hook-up RV sites. Whether you're looking to relax in the heated pool, venture out on one of the hiking trails, or catch some live music, this picturesque Route 66 RV resort has everything you could possibly want to recharge from your journey.
California
Route 66 in California takes you through sprawling deserts and open landscapes that will captivate you at every turn, but be sure to have your RV fueled up and well-stocked with essentials for this stretch of your adventure. Get ready to experience more natural marvels and iconic cultural institutions on the westernmost point of your Route 66 trip.
The Mojave Desert
Journey through the Mojave Desert for unparalleled geological formations and sprawling desert dunes. The desert is home to rocky mountains, dry lake beds, the distinctive Joshua Trees, and Death Valley, one of the hottest places on earth.
Santa Monica Pier - Santa Monica
Known as the official end of Route 66, Santa Monica Pier is an iconic destination with something for everyone, providing the timeless boardwalk experience for an unforgettable day at the beach.
Where to Stay
Shadow Hills RV Resort in the valley of the Indio Mountains has some of the best views on Route 66. Each paved RV site comes with manicured hedges for privacy and is spacious enough to accommodate pullouts and outdoor furnishings. With the best blend of resort amenities and nature experiences, this Coachella Valley desert oasis will leave you relaxed and refreshed after driving Route 66.
Route 66 is the pinnacle of the adventurous American spirit, calling travelers from around the world seeking to experience the nostalgia and history of the country’s roadside culture. Plan your Route 66 RV road trip of a lifetime with Spot2Nite’s interactive booking platform. Book your entire trip in one go with personalized RV park filters for stress-free road trip planning.
