10 Epic Camping Road Trips That'll Make Your Instagram Followers Jealous

Your 401k is a joke, your apartment costs more than your parents' first house, and you've been doom-scrolling through LinkedIn posts about "crushing Q4 goals" for the past hour. Time to trade your desk chair for a camp chair and hit the road for some good old-fashioned existential crisis management in nature.

These 10 USA based camping road trips offer the perfect blend of natural beauty, quirky Americana, and unforgettable experiences. Whether you're craving remote wilderness or charming small-town culture, these routes deliver adventure that'll create memories (and IG stories!) worth sharing for years to come.

All you need is your Rev Tent and a full tank of gas…   what’s stopping you? 

1. The Pacific Coast Highway: California's Coastal Masterpiece

Route: San Francisco to San Diego
Duration: 7-10 days
Vibe: Dramatic coastlines meet California charm

Start your journey in San Francisco's vibrant neighborhoods before heading south along one of the world's most scenic drives. Camp at Big Sur's Kirk Creek Campground for oceanfront sites where you'll fall asleep to crashing waves and wake up to breathtaking Pacific views.

The Madonna Inn in San Luis Obispo offers a whimsical overnight stop – this pink palace features uniquely themed rooms and the famous rock waterfall urinal that's become a quirky landmark. It's pure California eccentricity at its finest.

In Los Angeles, camp on the beach at Thornhill Broome State Park, or camp in the mountains rock pool side at Malibu Creek State Park. Take a day trip to Hollywood Blvd traveling along Sunset through Beverly Hills. 

Continue south through charming coastal towns, ending in San Diego where you can explore Balboa Park, enjoy world-class beaches, and cap off your coastal adventure with perfect weather and laid-back vibes.

2. The Great Smoky Mountains: Where Bears Are More Photogenic Than You

Route: Nashville to Gatlinburg loop
Duration: 5-7 days
Vibe: Mountain culture meets pristine wilderness

Nashville's music scene provides the perfect launching point for your Smoky Mountain adventure. Camp at Elkmont in Great Smoky Mountains National Park, where historic cabins dot the landscape and hiking trails lead to stunning waterfalls and mountain vistas.

Gatlinburg embraces its role as the gateway to the Smokies with attractions that celebrate Appalachian culture alongside natural wonders. Don't miss the synchronous fireflies if you're visiting in late May or early June – it's a natural light show that rivals any concert.

The area offers incredible biodiversity, with black bears, elk, and over 200 bird species calling these ancient mountains home.

3. The Four Corners: Monument Valley and Desert Wonders

Route: Denver to Moab to Monument Valley to Grand Canyon
Duration: 10-14 days
Vibe: Southwest landscapes and Native American heritage

Begin in Denver, using the Mile High City as your basecamp before heading into Utah's red rock country. Camp at Arches National Park near Moab, where over 2,000 natural stone arches create an otherworldly landscape perfect for photography and exploration.

Monument Valley's iconic sandstone buttes have starred in countless Western films, and staying nearby gives you access to sunrise and sunset views that showcase why this Navajo Nation landmark is so revered.

End at the Grand Canyon, where dispersed camping on the rim provides unparalleled access to one of the world's most spectacular natural wonders.  Want to know best “secret” camping spots  along the south rim?  Your friends at C6 Outdoor have answers!

4. The Maine Coast: Lobster Rolls and Lighthouse Selfies

Route: Portland to Bar Harbor
Duration: 5-7 days
Vibe: New England charm meets Atlantic wilderness

Maine's coast offers a perfect blend of maritime culture and natural beauty. Portland's food scene and historic Old Port district provide urban amenities before you head to Acadia National Park, where camping puts you steps away from rocky coastlines, pristine lakes, and Cadillac Mountain's sunrise views.

The charming town of Bar Harbor serves as your gateway to Acadia, with local seafood restaurants serving some of the country's best lobster rolls. Historic lighthouses dot the coastline, each offering unique photo opportunities and glimpses into Maine's maritime past.

Freeport, home to L.L.Bean's flagship store, makes for an excellent gear stop and represents Maine's outdoor heritage perfectly.

5. Route 66: America's Main Street

Route: Chicago to Santa Monica
Duration: 14-21 days
Vibe: Classic Americana and roadside history

The Mother Road offers an unparalleled journey through American history and culture. Camp at various state parks along the route, experiencing everything from Illinois farmland to Arizona desert.

Cadillac Ranch in Texas invites visitors to add their own spray paint to this evolving art installation, while the Wigwam Motel in Holbrook, Arizona, offers the chance to sleep in concrete teepees – a classic piece of roadside architecture.

Don't miss Havasupai Falls in Arizona, accessible via a multi-day hike that rewards adventurers with turquoise waterfalls in a desert oasis setting.

Spend time in Williams AZ, the charm is off the hook.  Think Radiator Springs from Cars but real.  .  Rt 66 takes you right to the beach in Santa Monica for a spectacular finish to an iconic American road trip. 

6. The Blue Ridge Parkway: Appalachian Scenic Wonder

Route: Virginia to North Carolina
Duration: 5-7 days
Vibe: Mountain vistas meet Southern hospitality

This 469-mile scenic highway connects Shenandoah and Great Smoky Mountains National Parks through some of the East Coast's most beautiful mountain scenery. Camp at Shenandoah National Park, where over 500 miles of trails include portions of the famous Appalachian Trail.

Asheville, North Carolina, has become a destination for craft beer enthusiasts and outdoor adventurers alike. The city's vibrant downtown offers excellent restaurants and breweries, while the surrounding mountains provide endless hiking opportunities.

Take Halloween on the road - Fall foliage season transforms this drive into one of the country's premier autumn experiences, with overlooks offering panoramic views of colorful forests. 

7. Glacier National Park: Crown of the Continent

Route: Montana's glacier-carved wilderness
Duration: 5-7 days
Vibe: Alpine majesty and pristine wilderness

Going-to-the-Sun Road through Glacier National Park ranks among America's most spectacular mountain drives. Camp at Apgar or St. Mary campgrounds for access to hiking trails that lead to glacial lakes, waterfalls, and mountain peaks.

The Many Glacier Hotel, built in 1915, offers a night of historic luxury with stunning lake views and Swiss-inspired architecture. The surrounding area provides some of the park's best wildlife viewing opportunities, including mountain goats, bighorn sheep, and grizzly bears.

Montana's Big Sky Country truly lives up to its name here, with expansive vistas that showcase the raw beauty of the Northern Rockies.

8. The Oregon Trail (The Real One, Not the Computer Game)

Route: Portland to Crater Lake to Bend
Duration: 3-5 days
Vibe: Urban culture meets volcanic landscapes

Portland's food trucks and coffee culture provide a great starting point before heading into Oregon's diverse landscapes. Don’t miss Powell’s Bookstore.  Crater Lake National Park offers camping beside one of the world's deepest lakes, formed in a volcanic caldera and renowned for its incredibly blue water.

Bend has evolved into an outdoor recreation hub, with world-class mountain biking, hiking, and craft brewing scenes. The Cascade Mountains provide a dramatic backdrop for adventures ranging from volcano hiking to high desert exploration.

Oregon's diverse ecosystems mean you'll experience everything from coastal rainforests to high desert within a single trip.

9. Texas Hill Country: BBQ and Bluebonnets

Route: Austin to San Antonio loop
Duration: 5-7 days
Vibe: Keep Austin Weird meets small-town charm

Austin's live music scene and food culture make it an excellent trip starting point. Camp at Garner State Park, where the Frio River provides swimming and tubing opportunities amid Texas Hill Country's rolling landscapes.

Fredericksburg showcases the area's German heritage with authentic architecture, local wineries, and traditional festivals. The town serves as a perfect base for exploring the region's wildflower displays, particularly stunning during spring bluebonnet season.

And don’t forget to remember the Alamo. 

This region offers a surprising departure from typical Texas stereotypes, with green hills, clear rivers, and charming small towns.

10. The Adirondacks: New York's Best-Kept Secret

Route: Albany to Lake Placid
Duration: 7-10 days
Vibe: Upstate charm meets Olympic history

The Adirondack Park protects six million acres of wilderness while offering excellent access to outdoor recreation. Camp at Fish Creek Pond State Park, where the name understates the size of this pristine lake perfect for canoeing and fishing.

Lake Placid, host to two Winter Olympics, combines mountain resort charm with world-class outdoor recreation facilities. The town offers excellent restaurants and shops while providing access to hiking trails that lead to spectacular Adirondack High Peaks.

This region proves that New York State offers far more than just city experiences, with wilderness areas that rival any in the country.

Pro Tips 

• Download maps before you go – cell service is spotty, and getting lost builds character, but only to a point
• Book campsites in advance, especially for national parks, unless you enjoy the thrill of potentially sleeping in a Walmart parking lot
• Visit C6outdoor.com   We live to outfit you for the most comfortable and convenient road trip camping. 

Remember, the best road trip is the one where you come back with more stories than photos, though let's be honest – you're definitely taking the photos anyway.

Load up your Rev Tent, travel safe, and may your s'mores be perfectly golden and your camping neighbors blissfully quiet.