Elkhart to Galveston Road Trip Guide

The Northern Indiana city of Elkhart has a rich history in the RV industry and one that it has embraced. Along with being home to the NY National Railroad Museum and the Wellfield Botanical Gardens, one of the main attractions to visitors (and especially RV travelers) is the RV/MH Hall of Fame and Museum.

Located around eight miles northwest of the city center, the RV/MH Hall of Fame and Museum was opened in 1991 and celebrates everything to do with RVing and manufactured homes. The facility is 100,000 square feet in size and contains three halls that feature information on the original RV founders, specialized exhibits that show the history of the industry, and one dedicated to encouraging guests to get out on the road and go RVing.

After you soak up all of the information at the RV/MH Hall of Fame and Museum you have a wide variety of campgrounds to choose from since you are in the RV capital of the world. The two most popular campgrounds in the city are the Elkhart Campground and the South Bend/Elkhart KOA, both of which have full hookup sites for you to enjoy.

Once you decide to pack up and hit the road there are a few different route options you can take to start your journey. Heading west along the I-94 will mean that you will be close to the great city of Chicago where you can enjoy one of the largest cities of the country.

If you've never been to an NHL game before, or you are a fan of the sport, catching the Chicago Blackhawks play at the United Center is a must to tick off your sports bucket list. Attending the game by yourself will mean you can scoop up any cheap last minutes tickets without having to worry about buying them in a group, so you could get closer to the action than you would think without having to spend an arm and a leg.

Before the game begins you can enjoy some food inside the United Center with Big Star Taco, Lillie's Q, or Jake Melnick's being some of the most popular with the local crowd. After the game is over staying at Camp Sullivan is wise so you will be able to make a quick getaway in the morning without having to get stuck in the northbound traffic.

After the exhilarating experiences of Chicago, you may be seeking an outdoor getaway destination as you make your way down through Illinois. Located around three hours south of "The Windy City" is the quaint Fox Ridge State Park where you can enjoy some peace and quiet.

Unlike most of southeast Illinois, the 2000 acre Fox Ridge State Park features rolling hills and valleys that are home to many forested areas, animals, and some great viewpoints. One of the highlights of the park is the view from Eagle's Nest. This is a 144 stair climb that leads to an observation deck where you will be able to experience an incredible view of the Embarras River that is located on the western border of the park.

Fox Ridge State Park is open all year round and has many other activities to enjoy, including having fun out on Ridge Lake and skiing during the winter months. Camping at the park is allowed and the campground features a dump station, showers, and toilets.

It would be a crime to travel through Illinois and not spend some time in the jaw-dropping Shawnee National Forest, and since it is only 138 miles from Fox Ridge State Park you will have most of the day to get out and go exploring.

Consisting of 289,000 acres, Shawnee National Forest is a mammoth that features enough adventure and recreational activities to keep you busy for weeks. It makes sense to stick to the western side of the forest since this is where the IL-145 runs through it, and in this section, you can enjoy the beautiful atmosphere of Jackson Falls, explore the mysterious Sand Cave, and have a picnic in the Bell Smith Springs Scenic Area.

There are also plenty of campgrounds to choose from on this side of the park, including the Bear Branch Campground that is right near the IL-145.

As you depart Illinois, there are many places for you to check out once you arrive in the southwest area of Tennessee, including many attractions within Memphis. While Graceland might be appealing to some, the National Civil Rights Museum is also well worth your time.

Located in the area where the late great Martin Luther King Jr. was assassinated, the museum consists of multiple buildings that highlight and celebrate the civil rights movement from way back in the 17th century to the present day.

Recognized as a Smithsonian Affiliate Museum, the National Civil Rights Museum features a mixture of permanent and special exhibits to educate and inspire visitors. You can also view the hotel room that Dr. King stayed in before his tragic death and visit the building where the shooting confession was made by James Earl Ray. It's not every day you can experience history up close and personal, so make the most of it and check everything out at the museum.

Just because you are traveling the wide-open roads and camping each night doesn't mean that you can't spoil yourself and live with a little bit of luxury.

Located 207 miles southwest of Memphis on the banks of DeGray Lake is the renowned DeGray Lake State Park Resort where you can kick back, relax, and enjoy one of Arkansas's top RV destinations.

With a golf course, roped off swimming areas, and many boating opportunities available there is no shortage of activities at the park either. The location of DeGray Lake State Park Resort means you can check out the sights of Little Rock and the incredible Hot Springs National Park before heading to the resort park to experience some luxury.

There are numerous accommodation options if you want to get out of your rig for a night (including yurts, cabins, and the lodge) but the campsites are also well equipped with large and flat full hookup sites available for your convenience.

An RV road trip down into the south wouldn't be complete without checking out something interesting relating to the history of the area. One of the most fascinating relics of days gone by is located around 20 miles east of Carthage on the border between Louisiana and Texas.

For a decade from 1836 to 1846, the great state of Texas was its own country, and at this location, you will be able to view the last remaining marker of the previous Texas republic. This was once one of many boundary markers to indicate when you were entering the country, but now it is a throwback that features information on the history of the markers.

An interesting tidbit about the granite marker is that it is over 10 feet long, which means the majority is buried underground. This was done to make them immovable and it has also meant the marker has never been stolen. This is some classic Texas history that is worth going a little out of your way for as you start to get closer to the end of your trip. If you want to stay in the area for the night consider reserving a site at the Carthage RV Campground or the Twin Oaks RV Park.

Texas is famous for a lot of things, but a trip to the Lone Star State wouldn't be complete without visiting a flea market.

The Traders Village Flea Market in Houston has been one of the most popular destinations for people looking to find a bargain for many years, and since you will be passing through Houston on the way to Galveston it makes sense for this to be your flea market of choice.

Open every weekend, the flea market also has numerous carnival rides if you want to get some thrills before or after doing some shopping. You won't have to worry about going hungry either since food is available from local vendors that will complete your Texan experience.

Another benefit of visiting the Traders Village Flea Market is that it is also home to the Traders Village Houston RV Park, which is one of the top-rated locations in the city and is open all year round.