Routes and campgrounds in west
Hi. We are a family of 10 looking to go out west but have no idea of routes and campgrounds as such. I figured many have done these week or 2 week trips before. Does anyone have links or know of a bo...
Forum Discussion
padredw wrote:
Here is just one of the possibilities for exactly 14 days from Nashville and back to Nashville.
Day 1: Nashville to Lake Catherine State Park near Hot Spring, AR
415 miles trails and lake for kids. Hot Springs worth a visit if you have time. Could make this a 2 day stop
415/50=8 hours drive time. That includes zero time for fuel or food Leave at 8am arrive at 4 pm.
Stop for fuel and food arrive at 6 PM set up in campsite by 7:00
Day 2: 431 miles: Lake Catherine to Vernon, TX Rocking A RV park for an overnight OR if you are making good time on up to Goodlett, TX and the Ole Town Cotton Gin RV Park. Both good for an overnight.
Another 8 hours of drive time . Leave by 8 arrive at campsite at 7:
(yes, I'm dipping a bit south, but I know US 82 across North Texas and I know all the campgrounds I've mentioned above.)
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Day 3 & 4: 455 miles: Santa Fe, NM and the Western Skies RV Park. Lots to see in historic Santa Fe. I'd make this a two day stop.
----------9 hours of drive time. arrive at campsite at 7 set up by 8. At least you have the next day off!
Day 5, 6 & 7: 256 miles: Buena Vista, CO. River rafting, hiking, day trip to Aspen. KOA, Arrowhead Point Campground, Snowy Peaks. I've stayed at all. KOA has the advantage of hiking right out of the campground with rock scrambling for older kids.
5 hours drive time arrive at campsite by 1 set up by 2
Now you have 2 days to explore
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Day 8 & 9: 173 miles (following the Peak to Peak highway) to Estes Park and the Rocky Mountain National Park. Spruce Lake is where I have stayed, but several other choices handy to the park.
--------3 hours drive time Arrive at CG and set up by noon
Day 10 & 11: 338 miles to Custer and the Black Hills. I've stayed in Custer's Gulch, but Rafter J and many other choices in the area. Could stay a week, but you have only 14 days total. Rushmore, Crazy Horse, Needles Highway, Custer State Park Wildlife Loop, and more.
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7 hours drive time arrive at CG at 4 set up by five. 1 full day to explore
Day 12: 332 miles to Sioux Falls. Obviously time to start back. I've never had reason to stay along this route, but should have no trouble finding an overnight RV Park.
Back in the car for 7 hours Arrive at CG by set up by 5
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Day 13: 464 miles to the neighborhood of Keokuk, Iowa. There is the Hickory Haven Campground for example
9 hours drive time
Day 14: 500 miles back to Nashville.
10 hours drive time and your home. Might as well wrap up with 12 hour day. IN THE CAR!
This is only one of many possibilities, but it represents the kind of planning that would allow a trip to the mountain West in the 14 days you have available. I have personal experience with every mile of the trip and every campground mentioned EXCEPT the 3 final days on the way back to Nashville. Will be glad to answer any questions about the portions of the trip with which I am familiar.
Too much like an endurance event to me.
I prefer shorter destinations with less time behind the wheel vs. a driving marathon. The driving vs. touring and relaxation ratio is way too high for me to actually enjoy the trip.
