Camping Along Historic and Scenic Highways of the US and Canada
In this thread, we will cover the campgrounds that are along the historical highways of the US and Canada. Among those that will be included here will be the old "Route 66" (former US-66), the National Highway, and also the Lincoln Highway. Later in the thread, scenic highways such as the Blue Ridge Parkway and the Beartooth Highway will be included.
The requirements to be included is that the campgrounds must be run by a public entity, such as a city, county, state, or even the national governments. It also is usually within a 20 mile drive of the major highway that is included. It also must either have its own website or be mentioned on more than one trustworthy website. If there is no website for the campground itself, there will be an annotation to "inquire locally". Sometimes that's the way to find an out of the way camping spot that is totally legal -- ask the locals.
Highways found in this thread:
The list below generally tracks east to west, but there are some exceptions
US Highways:
US Highway 6
US Highway 12
US Highway 20
US Highway 40 -- also known as The National Road
The Lincoln Highway -- Parts of this are now US-Highway 50, I-80 and others
US Highway 63
US Highway 66 -- also known Route 66
US Highway 83 (Laredo, Texas to Canadian Border)
US Highway 212 -- Beartooth Scenic Byway
US Regional, State and Scenic Highways:
Amish Country Scenic Byway
The Blue Ridge Parkway
CA State Highway 1 -- California Pacific Coast Highway
Connecticut River Scenic Byway
Great Circle Tour -- Great Lakes: Ontario, Erie, Huron, Michigan & Superior
Great River Road, MN to LA
Lakes to Locks Passage (Upstate New York)
Lewis and Clark National Trail
Montana's Scenic Loop (MT-83, MT-35, MT-206, US-2, US-89, US-298, and back to MT-83)
Natchez Trace Parkway
Nevada Scenic Loop (I-15, US-93, US-6 and US-50, NV-375)
Ohio River Scenic Byway
Oregon Trail, MO to OR.
Outer Banks Scenic Byway
San Juan Skyway (Colorado)
The Santa Fe Trail (MO to NM)
Selkirk Loop (Washington)
Selma to Montgomery March Byway
Shasta-Trinity Scenic Drive
Utah State Highway 12 -- Panguitch to Torrey
Utah State Highway 95 -- The US Bicentennial Highway
Complete list of Alaskan Scenic Highways found here.
The Inside Passage (Alaska)
Copper River Highway (Alaska)
Elliott Highway (Alaska)
Canadian Scenic Highways:
More detail on the Canadian Highways found here.
Canada's Icefield Parkway (Banff NP to Jasper NP)
The Canol Road
Scenic Cariboo Road (British Columbia)
Sea to Sea Scenic Highway (British Columbia)
Campbell Highway and Klondike Highway
Get Your Kicks on Route 66 !
This post will travel along the route that used to be known as “US-66”, or just “Route 66”. For many years, this road was the prime route for folks heading from the Midwest out to sunny California. The route has mostly been superseded by I-55, I-44, and I-40, but there are a number of sections that still exist under other numbers, “State-66”, or have signs that indicate “Historic Route 66.” Someone wishing to travel this road should get one of the many traveler's guides to old 66, such as the Moon Route 66 by Candacy Taylor, or Travel Route 66 by Jim Hinckley. Both will guide you through the old historic paths that can still be accessed, from the Chicago downtown area, out to Los Angeles.
The purpose of THIS post, however, is to assist anyone that may be wishing to camp or RV along this old route, either with a tent, towable, or motorhome. All listed campsites are within 20 miles of the highway, unless otherwise noted. Some campsites may not be listed; inquire locally.
IL:
See also I-55, as it rides on top of, or parallel to, the pavement formerly known as Route 66.
Forked Creek Forest Preserve, Ballou Road Access, Wilmington
Note: Illinois' forest preserves have the habit of tacking on a major extra fee if you're not a county resident. You may find commercial parks to be a better deal, but this one is listed anyway.
Scottish Rite Recreation Area, Hudson
Note: You must be a member of the Scottish Rite community to use this campground.
Riverside Campground, Springfield Park District, Springfield
Sangchris Lake State Park, Rochester
MO:
See also I-44, which rides on top of, or parallel to, the pavement formerly known as Route 66.
OK:
See also I-44, which rides on top of, or parallel to, the pavement formerly known as Route 66.
Spencer Creek Campground, Oologah Lake, Claremore
Blue Creek Campground, Oologah Lake, Claremore
Heyburn Park at Heyburn Lake, USACE, Heyburn
Bell Cow Lake, City Park, Chandler
Scissortail City Campground, Edmond
See also I-40, which rides on top of, or parallel to, the pavement formerly known as "66".
TX:
See also I-40, which rides on top of, or parallel to, the pavement formerly known as "66".
NM:
See also I-40, except for a portion that goes from Santa Rosa to Albuquerque.
Villanueva State Park, Villanueva
See also I-25, for the section between Santa Fe and Albuquerque.
Cibola National Forest, north of Albuquerque
Note: This link will take you to the links for both campgrounds and dispersed camping.
See also I-40, which rides on top of, or parallel to, the pavement formerly known as "66".
AZ:
See also I-40, except for two sections. One section, between Seligman and Kingman, takes AZ-66 up to Peach Springs. The other section is now known as the Oatman Highway.
Peach Springs Section:
AZ-66: There are a few commercial RV parks and campgrounds, but no publicly owned and easily reached car campgrounds along the way. People interested in dispersed camping on Hualapai lands should contact the Hualapai Reservation for suggestions.
The Oatman Section:
Boondocking (dispersed camping) in the Oatman area is available in many areas. This is the BLM Website for the area, but does not specifically mention camping area. Inquire locally.
CA:
See also I-40, except for the Essex section.
Essex Section
Campground for Marble Mountain T634, Essex
Note: Not sure of who runs this place. But it's pretty well just a spot to park your vehicle. Bring your own water and pack out your own trash.
Now, see listings for I-40, I-15, and I-10.
Enjoy your travels!
Beartooth Scenic Byway, US-212, Red Lodge MT to Yellowstone NP
Public campgrounds along the Beartooth Scenic Highway, AKA US-212 from Red Lodge, MT into the northeast section of Yellowstone National Park, are plentiful. Though this byway is less than 70 miles long, it's considered one of the most beautiful scenic highways in the US. Bear in mind that because of the elevation, this highway is normally open only from about mid-May to mid-October, and can close quickly in the event of an early snowstorm. All but one of the listed campgrounds are in the Custer-Gallatin and Shoshone National Forests. There may be opportunities for dispersed camping; inquire at a ranger station for information.
A general website for information about camping along the Beartooth Highway
Another informative website about the Beartooth.
Cooney State Park, Roberts
Greenough Lake CG, Custer NF, Red Lodge
M-K CG, Custer NF
Note: This one is listed as FREE. But they don't take reservations, and it's very popular, so arrive early in the day.
Limber Pine CG, Custer NF
Parkside CG, Custer NF
Sheridan CG, Custer NF
Rattin CG, Custer NF
Island Lake Campground, Shoshone NF
Beartooth Lake Campground, Shoshone NF
Crazy Creek Campground, Shoshone NF
Fox Creek Campground, Shoshone NF
Note: This campground was closed during the 2019, 2020 and 2021 season due to construction along the Beartooth Highway.
Colter Campground, Gallatin NF
Note: Hard-sided unit camping only, due to bear activity.
Soda Butte Campground, Gallatin NF
Note: Hard-sided unit camping only, due to bear activity.
The Beautiful Blue Ridge Parkway
Public campgrounds along the Blue Ridge Parkway are there, but you have to look for them. Some are easier to find than others! The BRP goes from Rockfish Gap, near Waynesboro VA, south to Great Smoky Mountain National Park (GSMNP), a distance of about 470 miles. To the north of the Blue Ridge Parkway is Shenandoah National Park, whose Skyline Drive extends the BRP from Front Royal to Waynesboro, another 103 miles. For the purposes of this scenic drive listing, we will include Shenandoah National Park's campgrounds.
Note: MP=Milepost, as indicated from Mile 0 at Rockfish Gap, VA.
VA:
Shenandoah National Park Campgrounds
Note: There are four campgrounds: Mathews Arm, Big Mountain, Lewis Mountain, and Loft Mountain. There is a large group campground as well, Dondo.
Sherando Lake Recreation Area Family Campground, George Washington NF, Lyndhurst
Note: Located at MP 16, southbound from Rockfish Gap.
Otter Creek Campground, Jefferson NF
Note: Located at MP 58, southbound from Rockfish Gap.
Cave Mountain Lake Recreation Area, George Washington & Jefferson NF, Natural Bridge Station
Peaks of Otter Campground, Jefferson NF
Note: Located at MP 85.6, southbound from Rockfish Gap
Rocky Knob Campground, Blue Ridge Parkway NPS, Floyd
Note: Located at MP 167.1.
New River State Park, Max Meadows
NC:
Doughton Park Campground, Blue Ridge Parkway NPS, Laurel Springs
Note: Located at MP 239.2. This is about the halfway point between Rockfish Gap and GSMNP.
Julian Price Campground, Blue Ridge Parkway NPS, Blowing Rock
Note: Located at MP 297, southbound from Rockfish Gap, VA.
Linville Falls Campground, Blue Ridge Parkway NPS, Linville Falls
Note: Located at MP 316, southbound from Rockfish Gap, VA.
Mortimer Campground, Pisgah NF, Edgemont/Lenoir
Note: Located 13 miles from the BRP at Linville, but takes a good 35 minutes to make the trip.
Carolina Hemlocks Recreation Area, Pisgah NF, Burnsville
Black Mountain Campground, Pisgah NF, Burnsville
Crabtree Falls Campground, Blue Ridge Parkway NPS
Note: Located at MP 339.5
Mount Pisgah Campground, Blue Ridge Parkway NPS
Note: Located at MP 408.8.
Sunburst Campground, Pisgah NF, Canton
Great Smoky Mountains National Park Campgrounds near the BRP
Note: The two closest to the BRP are Balsam Mountain and Smokemont, but there are plenty of others in the National Park.
Canada's Icefields Parkway (Banff to Jasper NP)
The Icefields Parkway in Alberta, Canada, is one of the most scenic and visited highways in Canada. Located almost completely in Banff National Park and Jasper National Park, there are many campgrounds along the stretch of road. It should be noted that some are first-come, first-served, while others accept reservations. Though this road could feasibly be driven in one day, most people spend some time along the way, taking their rig/gear from one campground to the next one. Due to the northern latitude, not all campgrounds are open year-round. For the purposes of this post, we will travel northward from Banff into Jasper, stopping just past the point where the Icefields Parkway crosses the Yellowknife Highway.
Two Jack Main CG, Banff National Park, Banff
Note: Reservations accepted. Located out of town, not on the Icefields Parkway though.
Two Jack Lakeside Campground, Banff National Park, Banff
Note: Reservations accepted.
Tunnel Mountain Village I Campground, Banff National Park, Banff
Note: Reservations accepted.
Tunnel Mountain Village II Campground, Banff National Park, Banff
Note: Some sites with hookups for RV's. Reservations accepted.
Tunnel Mountain Trailer Court, Banff National Park, Banff
Note: All for motorhomes and trailers, as the name suggests. Reservations accepted. Personal experience with this campground: Get reservations! It fills quickly!
Johnston Canyon Campground, Banff National Park
Note: No hookups, no reservations.
Protection Mountain Campground, Banff National Park
Note: No hookups, no reservations. Tents have to be on gravel.
Lake Louise Tent Campground, Banff National Park, Lake Louise
Note: Tents and tent trailers/pop-ups only (no hookups). Reservations accepted. Some loops have a fire ring at each site, others do not.
Lake Louise Trailer Campground, Banff National Park, Lake Louise
Note: Hard-sided units only. (Tent trailer/pop ups use the Tent Campground, which has no hookups.) Reservations accepted. Personal experience with this park reminds others that it is almost a parking lot for trailers with only Electrical hookups. You need to pick up a load of water before you pull into your site, and use the dump station before/after if needed.
Jasper National Park Campgrounds, south to north
Columbia Icefields tent only, no reservations
Columbia Icefields RV trailers and RV's only, no water on site
Wilcox suitable for motorhomes and trailers under 27' no reservations
Jonas suitable for tents, plus motorhomes and trailers under 25' no reservations
Honeymoon Lake suitable for tents, plus motorhomes and trailers under 25' no reservations
Kerkeslin suitable for tents, plus motorhomes and trailers under 25' no reservations
Wabasco suitable for tents, plus motorhomes and trailers under 27' no reservations
Wapiti, at Jasper Townsite tenting and electrical hookups for Rvs reservations accepted summers
Wapiti, at Jasper Townsite winter for RV's only no reservations in Winter
Whistlers Campground - suitable for all - was closed during the 2019 season for upgrades - when reopened, it will have 30 amp and 50 amp sites available, plus reservations accepted
Snaring, north of Jasper Townsite suitable for tents, plus motorhomes and trailers under 27' No reservations
New York State: Lakes to Locks Passage
Public campgrounds along the Lakes to Locks Passage, in upstate New York, are mostly located within the Adirondack Park. At times, this Passage runs parallel to I-87. The Passage goes from Waterford, NY (near Albany) to the border of Quebec, Canada. As usual, all campgrounds are within 20 miles of the highway unless otherwise noted, and there may be camping areas that aren't listed. Inquire locally! Also, as of this writing, Adirondack and New York State Parks charge an out-of-state fee of $5, in addition to the resident camping fee.
Peebles Island State Park, confluence of Hudson and Mohawk Rivers
Lake George Battleground Campground, Adirondack Parks, Lake George
Hearthstone Point Campground, Adirondack Parks, Lake George
Rogers Rock Campground, Adirondack Parks, Hague
Putnam Pond Campground, Adirondack Parks, Ticonderoga
Crown Point Campground, Adirondack Parks, Crown Point
Frontier Town Campground
Paradox Lake Campground
Sharp Bridge Campground
Lincoln Pond Campground
Ausable Point Campground, Adirondack Parks, Peru
Cumberland Bay State Park Campground, Plattsburgh
