Public travel plan
The Great American Campervan Expedition: Coastal Waters, Bayou Trails & High Deserts
A comprehensive campervan and adventure roadmap across America's most dynamic waterways, backcountry bayous, rugged deserts, and mountain escapes. Prioritize booking state park campsites and boat ramps in advance, espec…
Source videos
Travel inspiration behind this plan
This Texas Winery Feels Like a Secret Getaway
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Living Like a Local in Terlingua, Texas — Secrets in the Desert
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Exploring Florida’s Ten Thousand Islands by Jet Ski
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Hidden Hot Spring Paradise - Ouray, Colorado
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Camping Beside One of America’s Wild and Scenic Rivers
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You Can Feed Giraffes in This Small Louisiana Town
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Cocoa Beach, Florida — We Finally Tried Surfing
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This Is the Florida Keys Most People Never See
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Rhode Islands Best Kept Secret (Charlestown Breachway, and Newport)
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The Best Seafood in the Florida Everglades — Captain Morgan’s Grill
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Plan notes
Useful context before you go
A comprehensive campervan and adventure roadmap across America's most dynamic waterways, backcountry bayous, rugged deserts, and mountain escapes. Prioritize booking state park campsites and boat ramps in advance, especially around the Florida Keys and Big Bend. Always travel equipped with high-pressure tire gauges, offline GPS navigation maps, paddleboard patch kits, dry bags, and fresh water storage for primitive dispersed camping.
Itinerary highlights
What is in this plan
Days 1-3: Florida Space Coast & Crystal Springs
Experience Atlantic surf breaks and crystal-clear spring-fed rivers. Book campground spots ahead of time at Port Canaveral to catch rocket launches from your campsite, and organize a downstream river shuttle for a self-guided paddle trip.
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Jetty Park CampgroundJetty Park Campground, 9035 Campground Cir, Cape Canaveral, FL 32920
Camp directly along the inlet where cruise liners pass by and unobstructed rocket launch views light up the sky.
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Cocoa Beach PierCocoa Beach Pier, 401 Meade Ave, Cocoa Beach, FL 32931
Book a beginner surf lesson with Sons of the Sea Surf School right along the gentle Atlantic swells near the pier.
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Rikki Tiki TavernRikki Tiki Tavern, 401 Meade Ave, Cocoa Beach, FL 32931
Unwind with beachfront drinks and fresh seafood at the open-air tiki bar right beside the sand.
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Whispering Pines RV ParkWhispering Pines RV Park, Silver Springs, FL 34488
A quiet full-hookup campground close to Ocala nature attractions with clean laundry facilities and spacious sites.
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Silver Springs State ParkSilver Springs State Park, 5656 E Silver Springs Blvd, Silver Springs, FL 34488
Launch your kayak or stand-up paddleboard at the park basin and pay for the 5-mile downstream pick-up shuttle service.
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Silver RiverSilver River, Silver Springs, FL 34488
Paddle along the Fort King trail through glass-clear waters surrounded by lush jungle foliage and gentle wild manatees.
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Days 4-7: Florida Keys Backcountry & Ten Thousand Islands
Navigate shallow backcountry channels by boat and jet ski. Explore secret sandbars and mangrove mazes, cook fresh catches right on the water, and feast on local Gulf seafood.
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Sugarloaf MarinaSugarloaf Marina, 17015 Overseas Hwy, Sugarloaf Key, FL 33042
The perfect backcountry boat rental and launch hub to explore secluded mangrove cutouts and shallow Gulf flats.
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Snipe PointSnipe Point, Lower Florida Keys, FL 33042
Anchor up on the west side to inflate paddleboards and glide quietly through narrow, untouched mangrove trails.
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Marvin KeyMarvin Key, Lower Florida Keys, FL 33042
Set anchor in the calm shallow flats to fry freshly caught mangrove snapper on a portable two-burner stove right over the water.
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Marco IslandMarco Island, FL 34145
Rent jet skis to navigate the labyrinth of mangrove islands, spotting wild dolphins leaping through the wake.
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Cape RomanoCape Romano, Florida 34145
Explore the remote shell-strewn barrier island shoreline near the historic site of the Cape Romano dome homes.
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Triad Seafood Market & CafeTriad Seafood Market & Cafe, 401 School Dr, Everglades City, FL 34139
Order fresh steamed stone crab claws and crispy soft shell blue crab overlooking the peaceful mangrove bay.
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Captain Morgan's Seafood GrillCaptain Morgan's Seafood Grill, 208 Collier Ave, Everglades City, FL 34139
Savor authentic Spanish-Cuban dishes like the Captain's seafood enchilado, whole fried red snapper, and rich Cafe con leche.
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Everglades City Airboat ToursEverglades City Airboat Tours, 9070 Collier Ave, Everglades City, FL 34139
Embark on an exhilarating high-speed airboat expedition skimming through dense Everglades mangrove tunnels.
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Days 8-10: Louisiana Northshore & East Texas Piney Woods
Camp under moss-draped live oaks on Lake Pontchartrain, taste authentic Cajun cuisine and local craft beer, feed exotic safari wildlife by hand, and enjoy vineyard tastings in East Texas.
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Fontainebleau State ParkFontainebleau State Park, 62883 LA-1089, Mandeville, LA 70448
Camp underneath historic oak trees dripping with Spanish moss and stroll along the scenic Lake Pontchartrain waterfront.
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Abita Brewing CompanyAbita Brewing Company, 21084 LA-36, Covington, LA 70433
Tour the full brewing operation and sample fresh craft brews and famous cane sugar root beer on the spacious outdoor patio.
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The Chimes CovingtonThe Chimes Covington, 19179 E Causeway Approach, Mandeville, LA 70448
Dig into authentic Louisiana Cajun dishes like blue crab gumbo and rich crabmeat-stuffed mushrooms beside the river.
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Cafe Du MondeCafe Du Monde, 70437 LA-21, Covington, LA 70433
Grab hot, golden cafe beignets buried in powdered sugar paired with traditional chicory cafe au lait.
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Global Wildlife CenterGlobal Wildlife Center, 26389 LA-40, Folsom, LA 70437
Take an open-air safari wagon tour across 900 acres to feed free-roaming giraffes, zebras, and bison directly from your hand.
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Los Pinos Ranch VineyardsLos Pinos Ranch Vineyards, 658 Co Rd 1334, Pittsburg, TX 75686
Stay at a private Tuscan cottage nestled among the vineyard rows, take a behind-the-scenes winery tour, and enjoy dry red flights paired with filet mignon.
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Efurd OrchardsEfurd Orchards, 4004 US-271, Pittsburg, TX 75686
Stop at this historic family orchard stand to pick up fresh seasonal peaches and homemade fruit soft-serve ice cream.
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Days 11-14: Arkansas River Creeks & West Texas Chihuahuan Desert
Unwind with riverbank fly fishing along the Ozarks' scenic Big Piney Creek before journeying into the rugged Big Bend desert for ghost town culture, mine exploration, and canyon hiking.
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Long Pool Recreation AreaLong Pool Recreation Area, Dover, AR 72837
Set up camp along the scenic bluffs of Big Piney Creek, float the 4-mile river section, and cast for smallmouth bass.
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Terlingua Pterodactyl SculptureTerlingua Ghost Town, Terlingua, TX 79852
Check out the iconic mechanical kinetic pterodactyl sculpture built by local desert tinkerers out of vintage oil pump jacks.
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Lone Star MountainLone Star Mountain, Terlingua, TX 79852
Hike up Lone Star Mountain to explore historic cinnabar mercury mine shafts and take in 360-degree desert panoramas.
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DB's Rustic BBQDB's Rustic BBQ, 22941 TX-118, Terlingua, TX 79852
Taste authentic wood-smoked West Texas barbecue, featuring loaded brisket tacos and savory ribs.
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Cottonwood General StoreCottonwood General Store, 23111 TX-118, Terlingua, TX 79852
Stock up on ice, dry goods, fresh produce, and desert road snacks before heading into the national park backcountry.
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Boquillas Canyon TrailheadBoquillas Canyon Trailhead, Big Bend National Park, TX 79834
Hike into the towering limestone cliffs of Boquillas Canyon directly bordering the Rio Grande and the Mexican border.
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Rio Grande Village CampgroundRio Grande Village Campground, Big Bend National Park, TX 79834
A scenic primitive campground nestled in the shade of cottonwood trees with easy access to a dump station and river views.
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Days 15-17: San Juan Mountain Hot Springs & New England Coastal Roads
Immerse yourself in mineral hot springs surrounded by Colorado peaks before heading to coastal New England for waterfront dry camping, fresh seafood, and scenic beach loops.
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Box Canyon Falls ParkBox Canyon Falls Park, Box Canyon Rd, Ouray, CO 81427
Walk along the high suspended bridge and catwalks over the roaring 285-foot waterfall nestled deep inside the narrow gorge.
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Baby Bathtubs TrailBaby Bathtubs Trail, Ouray, CO 81427
A short and scenic mountain path leading across natural water-carved granite pools and cascades above town.
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Ouray Hot Springs PoolOuray Hot Springs Pool, 1220 Main St, Ouray, CO 81427
Soak your muscles in odor-free geothermal mineral pools while admiring sweeping 360-degree views of the San Juan peaks.
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Million Dollar HighwayMillion Dollar Highway, US-550, Silverton, CO 81433
Drive the breathtaking Million Dollar Highway pass to find quiet dispersed high-altitude mountain camping off forest service roads.
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Charlestown Breachway State BeachCharlestown Breachway State Beach, Charlestown, RI 02813
Camp directly steps from the ocean waves along the breachway inlet with incredible coastal breeze and walking beach access.
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The Clarke Cooke HouseThe Clarke Cooke House, 24 Bannister's Wharf, Newport, RI 02840
Indulge in harborfront dining inside a multi-level 18th-century wharf house, known for fresh sushi, oysters, and maritime atmosphere.
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Burlingame State ParkBurlingame State Park, 1 Burlingame State Park Rd, Charlestown, RI 02813
A convenient state park stop to empty gray and black tanks and refill fresh water tanks before hitting the highway.
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Lavender Pond FarmLavender Pond Farm, 318 Roast Meat Hill Rd, Killingworth, CT 06419
Wander through tranquil purple lavender fields and stop into the farm boutique for handmade soaps and artisanal lavender treats.
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