Dover to Santa Claus Road Trip Guide

Coordinate your trip to Dover with a motorsports race event at Dover International Speedway. The track hosts at least two NASCAR events annually. Experience the thrills of NASCAR racing at an event while staying in Dover. When racing is taking place, or even when it isn't, you can take advantage of the Dover Downs Hotel and Casino located on-site.

During race events RV campsites are available at the speedway, most of which are “dry sites”, but some offer RV hookups and there are RV dump stations and water supplies available to all. Additional RV parks and campgrounds are located nearby for those who would prefer to stay away from the noise and crowds at the track.

When racing is not taking place, race driving schools can be participated in or viewed at this family-friendly raceway. Tickets and camp spots can be booked online at the track website, where race schedule information can also be located. The track is located just north of town, between Delaware State Highway 1 and US Highway 13, and the location is easy to access. NASCAR events tend to be scheduled in late spring and mid-fall, when temperatures for spectators are mild, although they are cooler at night. Be sure to bring a jacket for evening events and rain gear, as this area is subject to rain showers due to its coastal location.

As you pass through the state of Maryland, on Interstate 68, you will travel through the beautiful Green Ridge State Forest, the largest land area in the state with 47 0000 acres of forest on the eastern slopes of the Appalachian Mountains, and the location of the Green Ridge State Forest Campground.

The campground is first-come, first-serve, and you can sign up for your spot at the Green Ridge Forest Headquarters, as you enter the park. There are 100 primitive sites scattered about the forest that provide secluded private camping areas, with plenty of space between sites. This campground is great for nature lovers; however, there are few amenities and most sites do not have good access to toilets or drinking water supplies. Be sure to come prepared with a full tank of water, empty wastewater tanks, and fully charged batteries or fuelled generators, as needed for your RV overnight camping stay. Pets are permitted and sites have picnic tables and fire pits. Most sites can access a trailhead, and there are over 50 miles of hiking trails that wind about the scenic wilderness.

One of the trails is a designated mountain biking trail recommended for experienced cross country cycling enthusiasts, with steep grades and water crossings. The Potomac River cuts through the forest park and provides great fishing opportunities with several varieties of fish species available for catch.

As you pass through West Virginia on Interstate 68, and come to the junction with Interstate 79, your journey will then take you south on Interstate 79, at Morgantown. However, instead of heading immediately south on Interstate 79, take a quick detour 7.5 miles north on Interstate 79 to exit 152, where you will take Fairmont Road to Sugar Grove Road and then head north to the Dents Run Covered Bridge.

This historic bridge was built in 1889 and is on the National Register of Historic Places. The bridge spans the Dents Run and features Kingpost truss construction. At just over 12 feet wide and 40 feet long, it is one of only 17 covered bridges remaining in West Virginia, and currently open only to foot traffic. A scenic walk through this remnant of a bygone era is well worth the detour as you pass by Morgantown.

Looking to stay overnight in the region? Camp east of town at Coopers Rock State Forest. The Coopers Rock Campground has 25 sites for RVs and trailers, and is open from April 1 to December 1, with private sites in a forest, atop cliffs that provide amazing views of the surrounding wilderness. There are electric hookups, WiFi, a shower house, water supply, RV dump station, and flush toilets on site. Reservations can be made online.

Continuing east to your destination, pass through Lexington, Kentucky. The area is famous for its thoroughbred racehorse industry, with many equine related attractions. Public tours are regularly scheduled, and private-custom tours can be arranged with Thoroughbred Heritage Horse Farm Tours to visit Kentucky bluegrass horse country farms.

The company provides a regularly scheduled, three hour, narrated tour, twice daily at 8:30 AM, and 12:30 PM. The tour allows you to take in amazing scenery, rolling hills, rock wall fences, and well-appointed thoroughbred horse farms. Tours also allow you to visit notable thoroughbred horse farms where you will get up close and personal with these elegant equines, and be able to view mares with foals and yearlings and young horses in training.

Much of your time is spent outside at various farm sites such as Keeneland and the tour includes visits to sites where the movies Secretariat, Seabiscuit, and Dreamer were filmed. Guides are trained and knowledgeable, and happy to answer your questions. All vehicles used for transport are climate controlled. It is recommended that you book your tour and purchase tickets well in advance, as tours do sell out frequently. The tour pick-up location is at the Embassy Suites Hotel in Lexington.

When arriving in Santa Claus, Indiana, a fantastic state park is located just west of the town with a lake full of recreational activity and great camping opportunities. Lincoln State Park has 1700 acres of beautiful wilderness landscape with streams, Lake Lincoln, and another small lake to the west of the main lake. The park is so named because Abraham Lincoln spent a great deal of time here as a child, and you can even visit the general store where the young Abraham Lincoln once worked. There are many excellent hiking trails to explore, and you should keep an eye out for wildlife like bears and white-tailed deer and enjoy swimming, fishing, and boating on the lake.

RV camping is available at Gobblers Run Non-Electric Campground or the Lake Lincoln Electric Campground. The Gobblers Run campground has 80 primitive sites and there are restroom and shower facilities centrally located at the campground. The Lake Lincoln Campground has 144 sites right on the lake, with 30 and 50 amp sites that accommodate RVs up to 50 feet in length. This campground also has restrooms and showers, as well as greywater disposal stations. Lake Lincoln Campground is open year-round. However, water supplies may not be available during the winter. Sites are available for reservation, and on a first-come, first-serve basis if any spots remain vacant after accommodating reserved visitors. Reservations are highly recommended during peak season.