An Unforgettable Route 66 Camping Road Trip Itinerary

Before the interstate highway system crisscrossed across America, Route 66 was the Mother Road for traveling around the country.

This incredible history is what makes a Route 66 road trip full of incredible opportunities to discover nostalgic landmarks and natural wonders alike. 

Whether you’re RVing across the country or pitching a tent at convenient campsites along the route, taking time to plan out your Route 66 road trip will give you the best chances to see epic landmarks from serene locations that aren’t overcrowded or expensive.

Planning a stress-free Route 66 road trip 

Driving the full stretch of Route 66 takes about 12 days over 2,400 miles, but that doesn’t include the time spent at stops along the way. A comprehensive road trip along the Mother Road could take weeks, so if you don’t have the extra time, it’s important to decide where you want to stop along Route 66 based on what you want to see and how much time you have. 

When planning a Route 66 camping trip, keep these tips in mind:

• Long stretches of the highway and in wilderness areas may lack data coverage, so save offline maps or bring printed copies to avoid getting lost. If you search for campgrounds using Hipcamp’s map, you’ll be able to see if an area has data coverage, including which provider (yes, Starlink, too!)
• Look up seasonal and regional weather and pack appropriate clothing for different climates. Route 66 stretches from the Midwest to the California coast so you’ll encounter varied weather conditions.
• Research key destinations and book your Route 66 camping sites in advance to make sure you have a place to stay in the destinations you want to stop. 

If you’re unsure where to stop along the scenic route, here are a few notable destinations on Route 66, listed from east to west. Get ready to hit the road, starting outside Chicago and cruising the Main Street of America all the way to the shores of the Pacific Ocean.

Tip: You can use the National Scenic Byways map layer when searching for Hipcamps to easily find convenient locations along Route 66.

Stop 1: Sangchris Lake State Park, Illinois

The most common place to start a Route 66 camping trip across America is at the historic highway’s eastern terminus in Chicago at Lake Shore Drive. After that, drive southwest out of town toward Springfield, stopping at Sangchris Lake State Park. Here, campers and RVers can explore native oak and maple forests while being serenaded by American goldfinches and eastern bluebirds. Anglers will also enjoy the terrific bass and bluegill fishing from the namesake lake. 

Heading out of Illinois along Route 66, you can also visit the Cahokia Mounds State Historic Site featuring 80 man-made mounds from pre-Columbian days. 

Top campsites along Route 66 near Sangchris Lake

• Bear Creek Farm and Ranch, Palmer, IL (about 20 minutes from Sangchris Lake)
• Peaceful Prairie Tent Camping, Decatur, IL (45 minutes from Sangchris Lake)
• The Farm Girl and Friends, Litchfield, IL (45 minutes from Sangchris Lake)

Stop 2: Meramec Caverns, Missouri

As you enter Missouri and pass through St. Louis, make a quick stop in Eureka where you’ll find the first-ever “Historic Route 66” marker in Route 66 State Park. The marker was originally placed in Springfield, some 200 miles farther along the route. 

About 40 miles past Eureka near Sullivan, you’ll find both Meramec Caverns and Meramec State Park. Missouri is known as the Cave State and touring the Meramec Caverns system of stalagmites, stalactites, and underground lakes delivers on that promise. These caves were also once billed as the hideout for Jesse James.

Top campsites along Route 66 near Meramec Caverns

• Meramec Campground, Stanton, MO (10 minutes from Meramec Caverns)
• Sacred Fire Farms and Herb Gardens, Bourbon, MO (15 minutes from Meramec Caverns)
• Hummingbird Hollow Outdoors, Saint Clair, MO (20 minutes from Meramec Caverns)

Stop 3: Grand Lake State Park, Oklahoma

Shortly after passing the Oklahoma state border, you’ll have the opportunity to explore Grand Lake O’ the Cherokees in the Ozark Mountain Range foothills. Created by the Pensacola Dam in 1940, the 46,000-acre lake is the main attraction for the surrounding Grand Lake State Park. 

There are six main areas in the state park, including the Twin Bridges and Bernice areas that are known for excellent hiking, swimming, and fishing. The Cherokee area has a children’s playground and restrooms with showers. 

Top campsites along Route 66 near Grand Lake

• Park on Whiskey Road @ Grand Lake, Langley, OK (5 minutes from Grand Lake)
• Hillside Escape at Grand Lake, Drowning Creek, OK (25 minutes from Grand Lake)
• Lake Point Cottages and RV, Grove, OK (45 minutes from Grand Lake)

Stop 4: Palo Duro Canyon State Park, Texas

At this point, you can take Route 66 briefly into the Texas panhandle. If you’re hungry, stop at Big Texan Steak Ranch in Amarillo and try the 72-ounce steak in a kitschy saloon setting. South of Amarillo, Palo Duro Canyon State Park offers some great RV and tent camping in the Lone Star State. Soak in the dramatic landscapes filled with stunning red rock formations, giving the park its nickname as the “Grand Canyon of Texas.” Then, go hiking, horseback riding, or biking through its extensive trail system. 

Before leaving Texas, stop by the Midway Point marker in Adrian for a quick photo opp—it’s the exact midpoint on Route 66. 

Top campsites along Route 66 near Palo Duro Canyon 

• The Silos RV Park & Campground, Canyon, TX (15 minutes from Palo Duro Canyon)
• Mariposa Village, Amarillo, TX (20 minutes from Palo Duro Canyon)
• MERUS Adventure Park, Claude, TX (45 minutes from Palo Duro Canyon)

Stop 5: Santa Fe National Forest, New Mexico

After passing through Tucumcari and Albuquerque on the New Mexico leg of your road trip, you’ll arrive at the enchanting Santa Fe National Forest. Spanning an impressive 1.6 million acres, the forest is richly diverse in its landscapes and biodiversity. 

While here, take in views of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains, cast a line in Pecos River for trout fishing, and take a soak in the restorative San Antonio Hot Spring in the Jemez Mountains. 

Top campsites along Route 66 near Santa Fe National Forest 

• Santa Fe Treehouse Camp, Santa Fe, NM (1 hour from Santa Fe National Forest)
• Mesa Top Camping, Madrid, NM (1.5 hours from Santa Fe National Forest)
• El Porvenir, Montezuma, NM (2 hours from Santa Fe National Forest)

Stop 6: Petrified Forest National Park, Arizona

Find some of the most otherworldly desert camping on Route 66 in the Grand Canyon State. Petrified Forest National Park is one of its gems with fossilized trees and colorful badlands. Before setting up camp, check out the ancient petroglyphs on Newspaper Rock before continuing to explore the Painted Desert decorated in brilliant hues of red, orange, and pink.

Meteor Crater Natural Landmark near Flagstaff and the Wigwam Motel in Holbrook are other notable nearby highlights. 

Top campsites along Route 66 near Petrified Forest National Park 

• Petrified National Boondock, Sun Valley, AZ (25 minutes from Petrified Forest)
• The Campsites at Paraiso Dorado, Sun Valley, AZ (25 minutes from Petrified Forest)

Stop 7: Oatman, Arizona

For a taste of the old Wild West, look no further than the gold-mining town of Oatman near the California and Nevada state borders. Along with gunfight reenactments at the reportedly haunted Oatman Hotel, the “living” ghost town is home to wild burros who roam the streets. 

Up until 1953, the current Oatman Highway in the Black Mountains was part of U.S. Route 66. It was notorious for its steepness and hairpin turns.

Top campsites along Route 66 near Oatman 

• Pretty Little Pal O’Mine, Golden Valley, AZ (50 minutes from Oatman)
• S.W.Eden Ranch, Kingman, AZ (50 minutes from Oatman)
• Slow Me Down Ranch, Hackberry, AZ (55 minutes from Oatman)

Stop 8: San Bernardino National Forest, California

Along with the teepees in Holbrook, Arizona, San Bernardino is home to the only other surviving Wigwam Motel location, which was originally built in the 1930s and 1940s. When it comes to amazing Route 66 camping sites, though, San Bernardino National Forest, just east of Los Angeles, offers some of the best options. 

The forest consists of five designated wilderness areas, ranging from serene Lake Arrowhead to the snowy alpine peaks of Mount San Jacinto. 

Top campsites along Route 66 near San Bernardino National Forest

• Ribbonwood Rocky PCE Trailhead, Anza, CA (10 minutes from San Bernardino National Forest)
• Serene Forest Privacy for 4WD, Idyllwild, CA (25 minutes from San Bernardino National Forest)
• Anzabella, Riverside, CA (30 minutes from San Bernardino National Forest)

Stop 9: Santa Monica, California

The unofficial western terminus of any Route 66 road trip is at Santa Monica Pier. Stroll along and enjoy sweet carnival vibes with cotton candy, night lights, and a Ferris wheel ride. 

Then, head back into the woods at Topanga State Park where hikers can challenge themselves on Topanga Lookout Trail, drive a bit west to Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area, or surf the waves at Malibu Lagoon State Beach while spotting migratory birds in the estuary. 

Top campsites along Route 66 near Santa Monica 

• Malibu Beach RV Park, Malibu, CA (40 minutes from Santa Monica)
• Cross Bull Ranch/CBR, Topanga, CA (1 hour from Santa Monica)
• Red Tail Ridge, Topanga, CA (1 hour from Santa Monica)

An iconic all-American road trip to remember

From alpine forests to lakeside retreats, painted deserts to Old West ghost towns, a Route 66 camping trip can be almost anything you want it to be. Hitting the open road is a terrific way to explore the country, especially with planned stops at well-appointed Route 66 camping sites. Just leave some flexibility for fun and quirky detours that you encounter along the way.

Ready to plan your own route?

Start planning your next roadtrip with Roadtrip search, the easiest way to find magical sites along any roadtrip route—however you camp. Simply plug in your starting and ending points, and the map will connect the two points and show options for Hipcamps within 30 minutes of your custom search route. Now you can find unique places to stay on the road, no matter how planned or spontaneous the journey.