Eastern US/Canada/Texas Trip Advice

[RandV]

We (wife and I, no pets) will be leaving Florida July 8th for a four month trip in our 27 ft. TT. We have taken two month and a six month trips within the last few years, so aren't rookies, but haven't RV'd in the eastern part of the US and Canada before.

Our itinerary: Florida to Buffalo, NY through Pittsburgh.
Niagara Falls to Toronto, Ottawa, Montreal and Quebec City.
QC to coastal Maine, then ramble around as much of New England as possible.
Then to Upstate New York, then through Cleveland to Chicago (any suggestions for side trips into Michigan, Wisconsin, Indiana?)
Then to Denver to visit family
Then to Carlsbad Caverns NP, Big Bend NP, West Texas, Texas Hill Country, Austin, Houston, New Orleans, then home to Tampa Bay.

Obviously we realize we can't see everything along that route! We are in our late 60's, reasonably fit and active, and enjoy both cities and the countryside. We like to stay in state and national parks when possible, and reasonably priced commercial parks (swimming pools, cable TV aren't important). We usually stay in one location for 2-5 days.

When we went on our long West Coast trip a couple of years ago we posted a question like this and got lots of really great tips, so thought I would try it again, especially since we haven't visited many of these areas, especially not in an RV.

So, if you are from or are familiar with the places along our route, please chime in with suggestions, warnings, etc.!

Thanks in advance,

Riley and Val

[Spoonsize]

Upstate NY, Adirondack Mountains, Long Lake, Stay at Lake Eaton if they have room. Go to the beach swimming. It is one of the few places we go swimming that we actually feel cleaner coming out of the water than going in. AND be sure to stop at the Seaplane base and take the sight seeing trip with Tom or Bob.

[MRUSA14]

Kingston Ontario is delightful and interesting. While there, take a side trip to Boldt Castle which is unique and fascinating. It will be a highlight of your trip. It is on an island in the 1000 islands and can be reached by short boat tours from both the US and Canadian sides. Bring your passport if arriving there from Canada.

[hoakken]

In Indiana be sure to to visit Indianapolis and the speedway and ride in a two seat Indy car. For a gear head like myself it’s a must and worth every penny as well as the museum at the track. If you visit the DFW area the opportunity to drive or ride along in a NASCAR stock car, Options for both can be found online.

[Ray,IN]

The Museum of Science and Industry in Chicago has a German WW II submarine floating in an indoor pool. Tours of the submarine are given several times a day. That is just one of the attractions in that fascinating museum.
There is bus parking in downtown Chicago, and at the Museum of Science and Industry where private RV's may also park.

Another option in downtown Chicago is SpotHero.
Outside the city there are several options, but all require at least a 1 hr drive each way, depending on traffic congestion.

[Scott 3]

Fort Niagara is really nice. Plan on checking out the Canadian Parliament at night, they put on a light show. The Canadian summer is short so you might (not sure) need to make reservations. Bar Harbor is a must. Most of the Maine coastline is amazing. A counterclockwise route would be a lot more efficient.

[fhmac]

Be sure to have your credentials - passport or enhanced license - in order to return to the good ol' USA.

[DRM901]

You may want to consider going from NY (Niagara Falls), through Ontario (Ottawa), to the UP (upper peninsula of Michigan) via Soo Saint Marie. Stops: 10,000 island area of Georgian Bay, North Channel, Machinac Island, Sleeping Bear Dunes, Traverse City.

[Jake21]

In Big Bend area, Rio Grand Village RV park is in the park. Your other choice is a nice full hook up park to the west called Maverick Ranch. Maverick is part of a high end resort with first class golfing, restaurant/bar. The state park next door has great hiking. Also, Terlingua is a funky little town. Keep in mind that this are is huge. A day sightseeing will take all day. After Big Bend, head East on 90 to Hwy 173, then North to Fredericksburg (we stayed at the Fredericksburg RV park). Great town for a few nights. You will pass through some pretty cool little west Texas towns on both those highways. 290 to Austin. Austin has turned into a very busy city. Pecan Grove RV park puts you right in the heart of downtown and will give you more of the Austin vibe. Chuy’s mexican food down the street should not be missed. Also, the whole bar/band/restaurant scene on 2-6th streets will keep you entertained. Houston is a tough one. I grew up there and do not like going back. I personally would blow through on a Sunday and head to a place to overnight in LA. New Orleans has the KOA on the West side, French Quarter RV park within walking distance to the Quarter (expensive but worth it for a night or two IMO do to the location). There are a few other parks there, but I am not familiar with them.

[Persistent]

Acadia National Park near Bar Harbor Maine is an outstanding stop. I recommend you reserve in advance.

You can't miss by touring eastern New Brunswick and Nova Scotia. There are too many amazing sights to list them all. Check out the 40 foot tides in the Bay of Fundy near Amherst. Peggy's Cove light house south of Halifax is a good lunch stop.

If you decide to go north around Lake Superior, you must stop at Sleeping Giant Provincial Park near Thunder Bay. Take a long day hike and climb the giant. Wildlife often ignore tourists to the extreme. Everything from bears to grouse can act as if you are not there.

If you decide to cross into the Michigan Upper Peninsula, travel west across northern Wisconsin. There are many state and national forest service parks. Copper Falls State Park near Mellen Wi. is impressive. It has good day hike trails with memorable views.

Wyalusing State Park is where the Wisconsin river joins the Mississippi river. A site in the bluff campground may be hard to get, but has an amazing view.

Secret tip: There are a few first-come-first-serve sites in the bluff campground. You can sometimes get one in the middle of the week and stay for up to 14 days. Some bluff sites are small or have short steep slopes. Call the park and ask the rangers for advice on specific sites.

Rent a canoe at the park store and follow the canoe trail through the backwaters.

Visit historic Prairie Du Chien, Villa Louis Historical Site near by. Pikes Peak Minnesota State park is across the Mississippi river along with Effigy Mounds National Park. Rent a boat large or small and picnic on a sand bar.

There are hundreds of historical sites, small parks, and sights along the Mississippi river roads from Wisconsin all the way to New Orleans. Wildlife viewing in the marshes and forests along the river is excellent. Camping is at its best in northern Wisconsin and along the Mississippi river during the hot summer months.

On your way south to Carlsbad, stop off at Texas Palo Duro Canyon State Park. A good stop for three or four nights. Caprocks Canyon State Park is nearby if Palo Duro is full. Caprocks is almost as good as Palo Duro.

We camped at Caprocks in the overflow lot near the entrance. It has full hook ups. Buffalo herds wander through the overflow lot every day.

I hope you have a Toad or a rental when you get to Big Bend NP. A drive into the Chisos Basin is a must. Lots of good day hikes in the Basin. RV's over 24 feet not recommended on the Basin road or in the basin campground. There is no good turn around at the end of the road for long vehicles. It basically becomes a congested parking lot.

You can dry camp in the forest service campground at Rio Grand Village or get full hookups in the RV parking lot. From the Rio Grand Village RV parking lot, take the hiking trail west to the hot springs. It is a beautiful desert trail. Bring your swim suit for the hot spring.

Drive to St Elena Canyon on the west side and Boquillas Canyon on the east near the Rio Grand Village. Short hikes into the canyons are impressive.
https://www.nps.gov/bibe/learn/news/newspaper.htm
Big Bend is going to be a challenge in the summer. Sometimes, spring is amazing. October and later months are great.


Sorry! Once I got started, I could not stop.

[Spoonsize]

Originally Posted by fhmac

Be sure to have your credentials - passport or enhanced license - in order to return to the good ol' USA.

You will need them to get into Canada also.

[Maik]

While in Niagara Falls area there are many wineries on the Canadian side that have great restaurants and tasting facilities.

[justfishing]

On your way through MS a stay at Buccaneer SP in Waveland Ms just south of I-10 is the the nicest park in the area. We love it. Right on the water. Its worth checking out if your gonna stop in this area on your way home.