Atlanta to Mackinaw City Road Trip Guide

Introduction

Atlanta, the capital of Georgia, is a well-known city in the US for lots of good reasons. This beautiful and lively city is a premier destination for tourists, owing to the lovely attractions, inspiring edifices, art and culture, and many more fascinating features that make it a recreation paradise. Whether you are a resident of this metropolis or a guest in search of adventure, you’re guaranteed a memorable experience.

Where you wish to begin your exploration and what you decide to do are really up to you. You could visit any of Atlanta's restaurants and eateries for wonderful meals, discover beautiful places and amazing attractions, or enjoy the outdoors at any of the parks and recreation centers open to the public. If art and entertainment intrigue you, then you should attend shows and concerts in venues such as the Alliance Theatre and the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra, or spend some time at the High Museum of Art. You can be sure you won’t run out of fun things to do here.

Alternatively, you and your family may choose to embark on an RV road trip up north to Mackinaw City in Michigan, a journey that will take you through 983 miles of wonder and splendor. Rest assured, when you arrive in this city sited between Lake Hutton and Lake Michigan, your outdoor adventure will just be starting.

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Details

60'
Max RV length
60'
Max trailer Length
Road trip length: 3-5 days
Recommend rig: any
audience: family

Point of Interest

John's Mountain Wildlife Management Area

John’s Mountain Wildlife Management Area (WMA) is a good place to make your first stop as you make your way north from Atlanta along Interstate 75. This WMA, which covers an area of about 39 square miles across four counties, is a great place to enjoy outdoor pursuits such as hunting, hiking, biking, horseback riding, and river fishing. Wildlife viewing is, however, one of the most popular activities here.

This WMA is equipped with facilities such as picnic sites and shelters, a shooting range, primitive campsites, and trails (hiking, equestrian, bike, and nature trails). As a result, you get to take your pick of what you’d like to do. Some of the fauna within this facility includes deer, turkey, bear, and many other small game.

There’s a private campground located just a few miles southwest of this WMA that caters to RV and family camping needs, accommodating rigs up to 80 feet long.


Daniel Boone National Forest

Daniel Boone National Forest has to be your next stop when you leave John’s Mountain WMA. This national forest in Kentucky is definitely going to offer you the much-needed rest and compensation for the time spent on the road from the WMA. Here, you’ll get the chance to enjoy an abundance of outdoor opportunities, as well as spend good quality time alone if what you need is some peace and quiet.

With an annual visit by more than one million guests, it’s not so hard to see why this forest is a well-loved destination for outdoor fun. Some of the things to do here include fishing in lakes, ponds, rivers, and streams; rock-climbing; large and small game hunting; picnicking, and lots more.

As far as overnight camping is concerned, there are plenty of options to choose from here, such as cabins, primitive sites, RV campsites, and group campsites.


Boonshoft Museum of Discovery

Boonshoft Museum of Discovery is the perfect place for your children to enjoy a ton of fun on this RV road trip. This Museum located in Dayton, Ohio, is an archaeological park that has features and exhibits for young and old. The facilities within the museum are particularly family-friendly so you all are guaranteed an amazing experience while exploring the different areas here. Some parts of the museum are ADA accessible too.

The wide range of exhibits in this museum includes items that educate children about animals, the environment, and science topics in the most interesting ways. Tours are available for guests to join further learn about the museum’s displays.

After a day of excitement and learning at the museum, feel free to retire to the Dayton KOA Resort where you can enjoy modern RV camping facilities.


Lake Erie

There’s no way you can cover Lake Erie, the fourth-largest of the Great Lakes in the US, in one day, but you can surely try when you stop by at Toledo and spend some time by the shore of the lake at Maumee Bay. At Maumee Bay, you can choose to spend time at Maumee Bay State Park or at the Mallard Club Marsh Wilderness Area, both of which sit on the banks of the lake and offer an unparalleled view of the waterfront.

As Lake Erie is popularly referred to as the “walleye capital of the world”, you can rest assured you’ll enjoy angling from the shore. Smallmouth bass, channel catfish, and yellow perch are some other popular catches here. Swimming, golfing, picnicking, and boating are other ways to stay active here.

RV campsites with electric hookups and other modern amenities are available.


Otsego Lake State Park

Round off your trip at Otsego Lake State Park in Gaylord, Michigan where you can both enjoy the facilities of a well-equipped park, as well as nature’s scenic views. The corridors of this park are decorated with large pine, maple, and oak trees that offer good shade and nice resting places.

Things to do here include swimming in the universally-accessible and beautiful sandy beach, sharing meals with family in the day-use area, as well as fishing and motorized and non-motorized boating adventures. Pets are allowed on the shore too, so feel free to bring them and keep them on a leash. Parking spaces are available for motorhomes and vehicles, so that’s nothing to worry about.

A short drive from the park to Gaylord KOA Holiday means you will be able to easily access the campground with its uniquely-equipped campsites that make RV camping fun.


Summary

As soon as you arrive at Mackinaw City, you can immediately set out on your desired recreation activity – be it fishing, golfing, hiking, or just visiting the remarkable attractions within the city. This beautiful city on the shore of the Straits of Mackinac is home to spectacles such as Fort Mackinac, Historic Mill Creek, and Old Mackinac Point Lighthouse, all of which you should definitely consider checking out.

You should also make time to visit Roberts Landing Campground on the beach of Lake Huron for an amazing camping experience.

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