National Parks of the East in 2022

I'm in the very beginning stages of planning a 2022 Fall trip to the East Coast. This will be an RV trip in a motorhome towing a Jeep with our friends in their own RV. We like beautiful scenery, hiking, beaches, waterfalls, light houses and historical places. The timing of most of these parks will most likely be late July to mid August.

The National Parks that I need information on are:

Voyageurs National Park in Minnesota. We have visited Voyageurs once back in 2000 and only had one day but it was before the boating season started so we didn't get to really experience the park. We plan on several days in the area. How long do we need to really see this park? Which part of the park do you recommend? What not to miss? Have you ever seen the Northern lights here? We were going to try and time a new moon for this park. If you know of any campgrounds with electrical and maybe water hook ups nearby.

Isle Royale National Park, Michigan. I realize this will include a day boat trip and we were thinking of doing it from Grand Portage, Michigan.

Indiana Dunes National Park, Indiana

Cuyahoga Valley National Park, Ohio

If you know of any campgrounds with electrical and maybe water hook ups in or nearby any of these parks.

Any information would greatly be appreciated. Thank you in advance.

Utahtea

As a former resident of the East Coast (DE, MD, NH, ME) I wouldn't call any of your targets so far a "National Park of the East". I'd also have to ask if you're interested in other parts of the (small letters) national parks system other than the designated (capitals) National Parks. If so, there are some great examples of such in the Midwest.

My parents grew up in Wisconsin. We'd visit every other year and most of my cousins are still there. So locations such as Apostle Islands, Picture Rocks and Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshores, and the Saint Croix National Scenic Riverway are well within striking distance of places already on your itinerary, and well worth any slight detour to get to them.

I often recommend slightly off-the-beaten-path or lesser-known attractions over the ones that are on every other tourist's 'must see' list. The Great Lakes region is no exception. When you start with the advantage of all those woods and all that water frontage, it's hard to go wrong.

AZBuck

Hi Utahtea.

This sounds like a fun trip to look forward to ! It also seems like a lenghty one as you say a Fall trip but will arrive to the parks in late July to mid August ! (?) I cant help with specifics in this area but the National parks web pages have lots of info on things to do and what to expect in the parks. On this page you can look in surrounding communities for campgrounds around Voyageurs NP.

Dave.

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Originally Posted by AZBuck

As a former resident of the East Coast (DE, MD, NH, ME) I wouldn't call any of your targets so far a "National Park of the East". I'd also have to ask if you're interested in other parts of the (small letters) national parks system other than the designated (capitals) National Parks. If so, there are some great examples of such in the Midwest.

My parents grew up in Wisconsin. We'd visit every other year and most of my cousins are still there. So locations such as Apostle Islands, Picture Rocks and Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshores, and the Saint Croix National Scenic Riverway are well within striking distance of places already on your itinerary, but well worth any slight detour to get to them.

I often recommend slightly off-the-beaten-path or lesser-known attractions over the ones that are on every other tourist's 'must see' list. The Great Lakes region is no exception. When you start with the advantage of all those woods and all that water frontage, it's hard to go wrong.

AZBuck

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AZBuck,

Thank you for all the information. Yes, we want to experience other great locations and I love all your suggestions. I'm not sure of the route yet as far as Wisconsin and Michigan goes. We might be headed south from Isle Royal to see friends in Minnesota, then to St. Louis to see family, but that's just a BIG maybe at this point. From there it's to the East Coast so I'd be interested to learn the places you like for DE, MD, NH & ME and VT if you have any of those too. We've been to all those states but we had a much more limited time last time.

Our plan is to get to the east coast and then go north to see Maine, then try to time NH & VT for fall color and then head south before coming back home to California.

Utahtea

As it happens, my niece is getting married next month outside Wilmington DE. While I'm back east for that, I'll be going down to northern Virginia (DC area) and back. Most of what's in that area are historical sites: Constitution Hall and Liberty Bell in Philly, Fort McHenry in Baltimore, the National Mall and Government District in DC. I'll be sticking to much smaller venues such as the C&D Canal Museum and Terrapin Nature Park on the Eastern Shore, and horse country in northeastern Maryland. I have no intention of going anywhere near I-95.

Farther north, in New England, Acadia National Park is an obvious stop, but as you travel through Vermont, New Hampshire and Maine, try to route your drive through at least a couple of the steep-sided valleys, known as 'notches' locally, such as Smuggler's Notch in Vermont, Crawford Notch in New Hampshire, Evans Notch in Maine and others, most with paved roads, a few without. Their steep sides mean that the foliage vistas are above you, in plain view as you drive.

AZBuck

You can check the Camping In/Near US National Parks forum thread, for the public campgrounds. I know you're looking for EW hookups, which may or may not be available.

My first thought, too, was "these are Midwest national parks". If you go to St Louis, the Gateway Arch has now become a national park (rather than a national monument).

When I think of Eastern USA national parks, I think of Acadia, Great Smoky Mountains, Shenandoah, Cuyahoga Valley, Everglades, and Congaree National Parks.


Donna

Utah - I looked up an old RoadTrip Report from four years ago. Enjoy!

Now if I can just find the post that describes my back road method for getting around NYC...

AZbuck

Unfortunately, I couldn't find a way to search through ALL my old posts, just those threads that I started (as above) or had bookmarked, but I can lay out the route around NYC I mentioned if you so desire. I think with your rig it might be useful and quite worth looking at. It avoids the Delaware Memorial Bridge (toll), the New Jersey Turnpike (toll) the George Washington Bridge (toll) and the Cross-Bronx Parkway (horrendous traffic and potholes), but does require some urban beltways, and a navigator would come in very handy. If you want me to repeat it I will (and bookmark it this time). In the meantime, here are a couple of other New England discussions for your edification:

Down the coast from Boston (That's 'up' the coast for non-Mainiacs)
A Fall trip to northern New England

AZBuck

Here's a link to a post describing my basic route around NYC if you'd like to use it. It's in the third paragraph.

AZBuck

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Originally Posted by AZBuck

Here's a link to a post describing my basic route around NYC if you'd like to use it. It's in the third paragraph.

AZBuck

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Just to note (since this was posted in 2005) - 206 in NJ is still an option, but the last time we went that way (probably 5 years ago now) it seemed to be a bit slower than it had been before (more lights and intersections.

Also note that just before that, the I-295 part may (or may not) be the same, as they changed some of the numbering when the connection from I-95 was made to the PA Turnpike extension that goes to the NJ Turnpike. Thinking it may not impact the part you described, but worth a glance just to be sure.

Also if time was a concern, connecting to the NY Thruway (I-87) North from I-287 up to I-84 (Exit 15-17) would be an option (still tolled but now cashless so no stopping), but not as scenic as what you describe.

WOW....Thank you everyone. It looks like a lot of good information and it will take me some time to go though it & all the links in detail.

DH and I have traveled to the east coast a couple of times in an RV and have been to the New England states once in 2009. We avoided toll roads then because we don't mind taking back roads and we know that there are bridges/tunnels we can't go on because of our propane tanks, but I'll have to review our route from our other trips.

Places we've been to but really want to repeat because our friends haven't been are:

Boston, MA Freedom trail
Arcadia National Park
Appomattox Court House National Historic Park, VA
Smokey Mountains National Park (a must see for our friends)
White Mountains & Kancamagus Highway in NH


Other places that we are considering that I didn't mention before (depending on route we take):
Colonial Willamsburg/Jamestown
Gateway Arch
Niagra Falls
Mammoth Cave National Park
Shenandona National Park, VA
Congargee National Park, SC - the only one on this list we haven't been to yet.


We have all been to the Liberty Bell, Independence Hall and Gettysburg before but repeating those locations are not off the table at this time.

AZ Buck, Our friends are on a trip right now and we just decided to plan this trip together last weekend so I'm not sure of all the places they are interested in. NYC & Washington DC being two of them. We are going on a trip with them at the end of August and will have plenty of time to discuss where we all want to go. I'm just doing some basic research right now.

I will definitely check out the "Notches" you mentioned!

Donna, We're not planning on Florida this trip.

Thanks again and I'll keep you posted on what our plans will be.

Utahtea

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Places we've been to but really want to repeat because our friends haven't been are:

Boston, MA Freedom trail
Acadia National Park
Appomattox Court House National Historic Park, VA
Smoky Mountains National Park (a must see for our friends)
White Mountains & Kancamagus Highway in NH


Other places that we are considering that I didn't mention before (depending on route we take):
Colonial Willamsburg/Jamestown
Gateway Arch
Niagara Falls
Mammoth Cave National Park
Shenandoah National Park, VA
Congaree National Park, SC - the only one on this list we haven't been to yet.

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A few comments:

Don't try to take your RV to the Arch. Parking still isn't great down there, the way I understand it. Use your "toad" and leave the RV somewhere else.

Shenandoah has a "low bridge". Know the height of your rig. I believe it's St Mary's.


Donna

Great Road! First, it's pronounced Kan-ka-MANG-us (with an 'n'). If you can, drive it from west to east, from Lincoln to Conway. It's a long steady climb from the east side to the top of the pass, while the western approach is significantly shorter. I once biked (bicycle) from Conway to the top of the pass and was completely exhausted. I also totally destroyed my brakes on the way back down, even though I was passing cars(!!) to try to save the brakes for the bottom. With an RV and a toad, going westbound on the Kancamagus could prove a trial.

AZBuck

Shenandoah, further information: It's Mary's Rock. Here's the quote from the NPS Shenandoah site:

Be sure you will clear Mary's Rock Tunnel (mile 32.2), with a maximum clearance of 12'8". This is the measured clearance for both lanes of the road. RVs, camping trailers, and horse trailers are welcome, but be prepared to shift into low gear, going downhill.


Donna

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Originally Posted by DonnaR57

Shenandoah, further information: It's Mary's Rock. Here's the quote from the NPS Shenandoah site:

Be sure you will clear Mary's Rock Tunnel (mile 32.2), with a maximum clearance of 12'8". This is the measured clearance for both lanes of the road. RVs, camping trailers, and horse trailers are welcome, but be prepared to shift into low gear, going downhill.


Donna

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A good thing to think about with any type of back (non-interstate) roads, be they in a park or not.

We have a couple fairly main roads in this area with low bridges that seem to make the news far too often due to a large vehicle (mostly tractor trailers) hitting them.

It seems obvious (and both are marked with numerous signs) but somehow those drivers still wind up where they won't fit...

If you are going to be spending a lot of time on non-Interstate roads (not necessarily 'back' roads, but even some older US and state highways) you'll need a road atlas that shows where low clearance bridges are. For this I've found nothing better than the Rand McNally Motor Carriers' Road Atlas. It seems to get updated each year and is available in various editions (year/binding) from various retailers.

AZbuck

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Originally Posted by DonnaR57

A few comments:

Don't try to take your RV to the Arch. Parking still isn't great down there, the way I understand it. Use your "toad" and leave the RV somewhere else.

Shenandoah has a "low bridge". Know the height of your rig. I believe it's St Mary's.


Donna

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All parks & sightseeing will be done in our Jeep Wrangler which is our tow vehicle. We don't plan sightseeing on travel days with the motorhome.

Utahtea

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Originally Posted by AZBuck

Great Road! First, it's pronounced Kan-ka-MANG-us (with an 'n'). If you can, drive it from west to east, from Lincoln to Conway. It's a long steady climb from the east side to the top of the pass, while the western approach is significantly shorter. I once biked (bicycle) from Conway to the top of the pass and was completely exhausted. I also totally destroyed my brakes on the way back down, even though I was passing cars(!!) to try to save the brakes for the bottom. With an RV and a toad, going westbound on the Kancamagus could prove a trial.

AZBuck

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We will not be doing Kancamagus with the motorhome! Just out of sheer luck we did the Kancamagus Highway from West to East when we did it back in 2009! Good to know it was the best way.

Utahtea

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Originally Posted by DonnaR57

Shenandoah, further information: It's Mary's Rock. Here's the quote from the NPS Shenandoah site:

Be sure you will clear Mary's Rock Tunnel (mile 32.2), with a maximum clearance of 12'8". This is the measured clearance for both lanes of the road. RVs, camping trailers, and horse trailers are welcome, but be prepared to shift into low gear, going downhill.


Donna

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Thank you for finding out this information. It would be close for us in our motorhome, but I really doubt we would be driving the Skyline Road in our RV. We would more than likely camp at a RV park on one of the roads that travers the park and then take our tow vehicle to drive Skyline Road.

Utahtea

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Originally Posted by BillyGr

A good thing to think about with any type of back (non-interstate) roads, be they in a park or not.

We have a couple fairly main roads in this area with low bridges that seem to make the news far too often due to a large vehicle (mostly tractor trailers) hitting them.

It seems obvious (and both are marked with numerous signs) but somehow those drivers still wind up where they won't fit...

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We try very hard to pay attention to these kinds of things!!!!

Utahtea

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Originally Posted by AZBuck

If you are going to be spending a lot of time on non-Interstate roads (not necessarily 'back' roads, but even some older US and state highways) you'll need a road atlas that shows where low clearance bridges are. For this I've found nothing better than the Rand McNally Motor Carriers' Road Atlas. It seems to get updated each year and is available in various editions (year/binding) from various retailers, including HERE for a very competitive price.

AZbuck

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That looks like a must have for this trip! We do have the Rand McNally RV GPS in the motorhome which takes into consideration our height and weight and is suppose to show us the correct roads to take....but I DO NOT totally trust GPS and always have a map! The atlas looks like the way to go!

Thank you,

Utahtea

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Originally Posted by Utahtea

Thank you for finding out this information. It would be close for us in our motorhome, but I really doubt we would be driving the Skyline Road in our RV. We would more than likely camp at a RV park on one of the roads that travers the park and then take our tow vehicle to drive Skyline Road.

Utahtea

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One other thing to think about with that park (that may not be well known to everyone) - the Skyline Drive is a bit over 100 miles long, and the speed limit on it is 35 MPH. Thus, just driving it takes a fair amount of time even before factoring in stops at overlooks, to see the various sites and such.

If you are doing it while leaving the RV elsewhere, it's probably easiest (if you can find a camp site that works) to start at one end or the other, as that way once you finish the drive you can head out and find a quicker way back on other roads.

What BillyG says is true - that 103 miles at 35mph is rather slow. In this post you'll read our experience in Shenandoah, driving a sedan. (BTW, that thread should read Staunton VA to Stanhope *NJ*, not Stanhope VA.) It was 5 hours between the south end of Shenandoah up to Front Royal, and we did the last few miles with few stops.


Donna

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Originally Posted by BillyGr

One other thing to think about with that park (that may not be well known to everyone) - the Skyline Drive is a bit over 100 miles long, and the speed limit on it is 35 MPH. Thus, just driving it takes a fair amount of time even before factoring in stops at overlooks, to see the various sites and such.

If you are doing it while leaving the RV elsewhere, it's probably easiest (if you can find a camp site that works) to start at one end or the other, as that way once you finish the drive you can head out and find a quicker way back on other roads.

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Originally Posted by DonnaR57

What BillyG says is true - that 103 miles at 35mph is rather slow. In this post you'll read our experience in Shenandoah, driving a sedan. (BTW, that thread should read Staunton VA to Stanhope *NJ*, not Stanhope VA.) It was 5 hours between the south end of Shenandoah up to Front Royal, and we did the last few miles with few stops.


Donna

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I think we'd be inclined to find a spot in the middle to camp for three nights and then do two different day trips if we decide to allot that much time to this park. Donna thank you for the link!

Utahtea