Baton Rouge to Grand Canyon National Park Road Trip Guide

There is no better place to head within Baton Rouge for those wanting to learn about the history of the city than Louisiana's Old State Capitol. Referred to by some as the Louisiana Castle due to its striking architecture, this building was the place where the Louisiana State Legislature was based from the mid 19th century until 1932.

In the present-day, Louisiana's Old State Capitol has been transformed to become the Museum of Political History. Visitors to the building can learn more about the history of the state through interesting permanent and special exhibits, along with tours that can be booked prior to your arrival. Another added bonus is that the museum is free to visit and is open Tuesday through Saturday all year round.

RV camping in Baton Rouge is made easy thanks to the Baton Rouge KOA Holiday. Featuring full hookup sites, WiFi, a pool, and mini-golf, staying at this campground is the best way to top off the first day of your road trip.

Visiting one of the 20 state parks within Louisiana is a must when traveling through the state, and if you want to experience some lakeside fun on your trip you can't beat Lake Bistineau State Park.

Located on the banks of Lake Bistineau which was formed by a log jam way back in 1800, the park has been a gathering place for locals and guests since 1938. Thanks to the lake it is one of the most popular fishing and boating destinations in northwest Louisiana, so if you want to have some fun out on the water this will be one of the best places to do so on your trip. There are over 10 miles of multi-use trails off the water to go exploring on and an 18 hole disc golf course to enjoy too.

Within the park campground, there are 67 RV-friendly sites that you can call home, including 56 with electric and water hookups to make your stay more comfortable. Lake Bistineau State Park is open all year round so whenever you are traveling it will be waiting for you and your partner to enjoy.

Texas is synonymous with bigger always being better, and with flea markets, you won't find any bigger than on your drive through the Lone Star State.

Located around 160 miles west of Lake Bistineau State Park in Canton is the First Monday Trade Days. This is the largest outdoor flea market in the entire world, so if you and your partner want to find a bargain and experience some Texan culture you will have to make a stop. You can easily spend the whole day checking out the wares for sale since there are over 5,000 vendors spread across 100 acres.

The market has some unusual opening hours, so if you want to check it out you will have to visit between Thursday and Sunday before the first Monday of each month. Be prepared for a lot of walking and remember to eat and stay hydrated.

There are plenty of campgrounds to choose from in Canton, including the highly-rated Canton KOA.

After shopping up a storm you may feel like it's time to kick back and relax as you make your way through Central Texas towards the Grand Canyon. Abilene State Park is a very popular getaway destination due to the combination of lush wooded areas, lake recreation, and superb camping options, so it makes sense to stop in and call the park home for a night.

Consisting of 530 acres, there are plenty of activities to keep you entertained if you want to get outdoors during your stay. There are more than six miles of trails where you can go hiking and bird-watching, enjoy some great fishing opportunities in Lake Abilene, and go for a dip in the park pool during the summer months.

There are six different site options when it comes to staying the night at Abilene State Park, including three sites equipped with full hookups and 39 with electric hookups.

Undoubtedly one of the most unique cities in America, Roswell New Mexico is famous for those critters that may be out there in the universe: Aliens!

The city is near the site of the supposed UFO crash in 1947 that has been subject to much speculation for the following decades. After interest in the apparent crash increased in the 1970s, many businesses started to cater to the newfound tourists visiting the city.

The International UFO Museum and Research Center is one of the most popular visitor destinations within the city and is well worth checking out. Founded in 1991, the museum is home to many exhibits that detail the 1947 incident and other UFO events that have occurred around the world.

Once you have checked out the museum you can also visit the gift shop area where there are tons of alien-related gifts for you and your loved ones.

Once you are out of UFO country you really will be away from the hustle and bustle of the modern world as you travel through the Chihuahuan Desert in New Mexico. This is the perfect opportunity to spend some time in the great outdoors with your traveling partner and you won't find many bigger places to do so than at the Sevilleta National Wildlife Refuge.

Located off I-25 around 185 miles from Roswell the Sevilleta National Wildlife Refuge is one of the largest in the southern part of the country with over 230,000 acres under its protection. Within this massive area, there are several diverse landscapes and environments, including grasslands, mountains, and of course the desert.

While the majority of the refuge is protected with no access allowed, the Sevilleta National Wildlife Refuge Visitor Center is open all year round where you can sign up for a guided tour and find out more information regarding the hiking trails that you are welcome to explore.

No camping is allowed within the Sevilleta National Wildlife Refuge but the Kiva RV Park and Horse Motel and the Las Casitas RV Park are options near this beautiful area.

You might not expect to find a mountain oasis in northwestern New Mexico, but not too far off the I-40 is the wonderful Bluewater State Park where you can kick back and enjoy life lakeside style.

Located within the Zumi Mountains, Bluewater State Park was opened way back in 1937 and consists of 3000 acres that attract RV lovers of all ages. While the land might look sparse besides the juniper and pinon trees, the crown jewel of the park is Bluewater Lake. This is a very popular fishing destination with catfish, rainbow trout, and muskie calling the lake home, so if you are looking to catch a big one make sure to throw out a line during your visit.

Around the lake, there are also some great picnicking destinations and trails where you can go birdwatching, and once the sun goes down the stargazing will be incredible since there is little to no light pollution in the area.

There are four campgrounds at Bluewater State Park suitable for RVs up to 60 feet in length with some including electric hookups for your convenience. The campgrounds are on the smaller side and there are only 17 to choose from, so making a reservation is a wise move.

It's not every day that you get to see a real-life meteor crater, but off the I-40 around 37 miles before you reach Flagstaff is one of the best-preserved meteorite craters in the world.

The Meteor Crater Natural Landmark is believed to have formed over 50,000 years ago when a nickel-iron meteorite collided with the earth at speeds believed to be between 29,000 miles per hour and 45,000 miles per hour. The site is now home to an interactive visitors center where you can learn about its history while outside there are trails that lead to three viewpoints that feature incredible views. Make sure you bring your camera to the viewpoints because the crater looks insane.

Another benefit of visiting the Meteor Crater Natural Landmark is that the Meteor Crater RV Park is just five miles up the road so you will be able to shack up in the area before concluding your trip. There are 71 level sites to choose from that feature free WiFi and full hookups so you can treat yourself as you reach the end of your awesome adventure.