Hartford to Duluth Road Trip Guide

As you drive out of Hartford, prepare to make your first stop at the Nature Preserve in Southbury to enjoy scenic views and a host of other exciting activities. Audubon Center Bent of the River is home to nice trails, beautiful birds and wildlife, as well as a variety of programs designed for children and adults.

When you arrive at this conservation-themed center, you can set out on the 15 miles of hiking trails available in the park, moving through meadows and woods as well as remote and wild areas. While on the walk, look out for birds such as the American Woodcock, Eastern Phoebe, and Barn Swallow nesting on trees, bridges, as well as in mud and grass areas. A bird guidebook and binoculars/camera will definitely be handy.

Wrap up your day by visiting Kettletown State Park where you can camp in your RV, as long as it’s not longer than 28 feet. Feel free to book any campsite ahead.

The next experience on this road trip is to be enjoyed in Huckleberry Ridge State Forest in Port Jervis, New York. When you arrive here, you’ll find as many as four parking areas for your RV. The Forest is open year-round and admission is free for all guests, so disembark and begin your exploration of the site.

Up to 17 miles of hiking trails are available in different areas across the park, so it’s up to you to choose which one you want to stretch your legs on. Besides hiking, other things you can do here include hunting and trapping game species such as furbearers, deer, turkey, bobcat, bear, and coyote. Skiers can also enjoy cross-country skiing here, while snowshoeing enthusiasts are also welcome. You can be sure you’ll see so many wildlife species that you won’t run out of photographs to take.

Primitive campsites are provided here, so feel free to spend the night in the backcountry areas.

This amusement park in Elysburg, Pennsylvania is just the place to get your adrenaline levels up and break a sweat. The sheer number of amenities available in the resort will make you realize you’re indeed here for proper fun. From kid-friendly rollercoasters to a mini-golf course, an arcade center, museum, and a theatre, you’ll find something to spend time doing here.

If your interest is swimming, feel free to take a dip in the Crystal Pool surrounded by rides, attractions, fantasy, and of course, food. Yes! The food is great, so you can be sure you’ll get anything from snacks, barbecue, and fries to proper meals.

The resort also features campgrounds that cater to a variety of camping needs, so you needn’t be in a hurry to leave. Your options range from cabins (single and double), primitive campsites, to modern sites equipped with electric and water hookups for RVs and trailers. Ample parking spaces are also provided.

As you approach Cleveland, you’ll already start feeling the impact of Lake Erie, so driving to the shore of the lake to spend some time is always an option for you. In any case, upon arriving at Huron, you should visit the Old Woman Creek National Estuarine Research Reserve, a natural estuary with lots of habitats such as swamps, marshes, open water, streams, and beaches.

This facility also consists of diverse flora and fauna species that inhabit the freshwater estuaries, offering very good sightseeing opportunities for visitors. The use of bicycles is not allowed here, but with the appropriate permit, you can canoe and kayak in the Reserve.

If you’re up for it, you should hike the trail that winds through an oak-hickory forest in the park all the way to an observatory deck where you’ll get vantage point views.

Sandusky / Bayshore KOA, a few miles west, is a great place to spend the night on the shore of the lake before you head the next morning.

As one of the Finger Lakes in New York – the largest by volume (68 square miles), Lake Seneca is a deep lake (618 feet) that attracts guests from all regions to enjoy water-based activities. The perfect way to enjoy the experience that this lake offers is to actually get on the water and take part in any of the watersports available.

Depending on what you want and are able to do, you can engage in paddleboarding, canoeing, kayaking, and boating on the lake. What’s more, this lake boasts some of the best fishing adventures that anglers can experience on the Finger Lakes. As a result, the Memorial Day Lake Trout Derby takes place every year on the lake. Boat tours are available, some of which include sightseeing exercises.

Sampson State Park is just one of the several parks on the shore of the lake with good RV camping facilities.

You’ll see that Shedd Aquarium is like no other aquarium when you explore the facility. This beauty in Chicago, Illinois, sitting on the shore of the southern end of Lake Michigan, is a must-visit as you gradually make your way to Minnesota. Located in one of the interesting parts of the city, and surrounded by other attractions such as Field Museum, Burnham Harbor, and Soldier Field, you can rest assured that your fun experience here will be total!

Get ready to meet beluga whales, rockhopper penguins, bluegills, alligators and many more aquatic fauna that are hosted within this aquarium. Many of the fauna are from various aquatic environments the world over, so you’ll be seeing all sorts of beautiful marine organisms. 4D experiences, aquatic presentations, and many more programs are offered to adults, children, teens, and families here.

A number of parks are available in the city that offer good accommodation where you can spend the night.

Drive into Madison, Wisconsin and head straight for the University of Wisconsin-Madison Arboretum where you’ll come into close contact with nature and its many beautiful features. Here, you will see different ecological systems and a variety of horticultural collections that will definitely appeal to you. In addition, over 17 miles of trails are available in the facility, meaning you’ll be able to stretch your legs too.

As soon as you arrive, the best place to start your adventure is the Visitor Center, where information is provided about the features on display in the arboretum. You can pick up pamphlets, maps, and other helpful materials that will make your experience even better. Things to do here include hiking, birdwatching, nature observation, running, and cycling. Skiers and snowshoe enthusiasts will also have a field day in the arboretum.

Capital Springs State Recreation Area offers 54 campsites in a campground that accommodates vehicles and tents, more than half of which have electric hookups.

Gradually draw this exciting road trip to a close with a stop at a historically significant structure in Augusta, Wisconsin – The Dells Mill and Museum. When the Dells Mills was built, there were no automobiles and only a handful of railroads. This five-story building erected in 1864 was initially a grist mill that doubled as a social interaction site for the farmers that inhabited the town.

The Millpond adjacent to the lake was a popular fishing site for locals too. The lake, which is about 16 feet deep, is home to a variety of fish species including largemouth bass and bluegill. In times past, the millpond used to be a source of winter ice.

Drive north to Sandy Hill Campground to spend the night in any of the 32 campsites available, which accepts both tents and RVs. Amenities provided include showers, dump station, and flush toilets.