Louisville to Denver Road Trip Guide

Just 90 miles south of Louisville lies the world's longest known cave system—over 400 miles of mapped passages beneath Kentucky's rolling hills. Mammoth Cave National Park offers ranger-guided tours ranging from easy one-hour walks to challenging six-hour spelunking adventures. The Historic Tour showcases 19th-century mining operations and Native American artifacts, while the Frozen Niagara Tour features stunning flowstone formations.

Above ground, 70+ miles of trails wind through old-growth forests where white-tailed deer and wild turkeys roam. The Green River provides excellent kayaking and fishing opportunities. RV campers can stay at Mammoth Cave Campground with 109 sites accommodating rigs up to 40 feet, or try nearby Louisville South KOA for full hookups and amenities.

Insider tip: Book cave tours online 30 days in advance—popular times sell out quickly during summer weekends.

Located in downtown Nashville, the second stop on your trip will take you on a fascinating insight into the extraordinary life of Johnny Cash. Discover more about the story of the Man in Black and explore a vast chronological collection of Cash artifacts and memorabilia.

The museum contains everything from stage costumes to handwritten lyrics, letters, and notes, as well as interactive exhibits and film from his childhood, his Air Force Career and those legendary prison concerts. A popular exhibit in the museum is devoted to the famous Memphis label, Sun Records, which managed the early careers of American music legends such as Cash, Elvis Presley, Carl Perkins, Roy Orbison, and many others.

If you’re looking for a bite to eat, you can find dinner and drinks as well as live music next door at Johnny Cash’s Kitchen & Saloon. Alternatively, Cash's personal chili recipe is served at the onsite café.

Discover over two thousand animals over 115 acres at the Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens. Here you’ll find creatures from every part of the planet. With a variety of activities for all ages and attractions, this is the perfect Jacksonville adventure. Trek through the Range of the Jaguar, or spot crocs, cheetahs, warthogs, and rhinoceroses in the Plains of East Africa as well as many other exciting zones.

This site also includes the spectacular Jacksonville botanical gardens which house over 1,000 types of plants. This area is split into the Savanna Blooms and the Gardens of Trout River Plaza. There are various tickets available but if you want the full experience, the Total Experience ticket for a slight extra fee includes admission to the Park, Dinosauria, Carousel, 4D Theater, the train, and Campground Critters. Plus, a dollar from each admission ticket goes to save wildlife.

The fourth stop on this quintessentially American road trip is the iconic Graceland attraction. Graceland was the private home to the legendary King of Rock and Roll, Elvis Presley. Selling over a billion records and starring in over 33 films, his music was inspired by pop and country music of his time as well as the gospel music he had heard in church.

Since opening to the public in 1982, over 20 million visitors from the states and around the world have flocked to the once residency of the famous heartthrob. In 1957, upon its purchase, the 13-acre estate was just a cattle farm and since has become the second most visited domestic site in the US.

The attraction is also home to Elvis’ personal automobile collection including the legendary pink Cadillac as well as his jets, such as the Lisa Marie jet and Hounddog II planes. However, viewing certain sections of the estate is only possible with certain tickets, and we advise checking the website to see the various options they have available.

The fifth stop on your journey is Hot Springs National Park. Situated in Garland County, Arkansas, this picturesque site is built upon 47 natural hot springs. Since its federal protection in 1832, this area has become a successful spa town. The town hosts many informative and guided tours of its historic bathhouses including the Fordyce Bathhouse which was constructed in 1915. Alternatively, the vast green forested lands and clusters of natural geothermal pools are some of the most beautiful sights in the State. Also, there are two concentrated areas of hiking trails, varying in length and difficulty, through the Ouachita Mountains. The 8.9-mile Sunset trail is definitely recommended for a moderate trek.

If you are hoping to stay an extra day to take in the views, camping facilities are available at Gulpha Gorge with full hookups for both tents and recreational vehicles. Several pleasant driving routes also provide an alternative chance to see the picturesque scenes of the park. One of the most celebrated is Hot Springs Mountain Drive, with its 200-foot lookout tower on top of Hot Springs Mountain.

Frontier City is a western-themed amusement park in Oklahoma City run by Six Flags Entertainment Corporation. The park was established in 1958 as a western town replica, most of which is still there today. However the park now also includes some rootin’-tootin’ thrill rides such as the Silver Bullet steel looping coaster and the freefall Geronimo Sky Coaster.

If you are traveling with children, the park also contains a number of family rides such as the Rio Grande or the Flying Dragons, or perhaps a ride on the Old 89’er Express. If you are looking for a bite to eat after all the excitement of the Wild West, Frontier City has several saloons and eateries such as the Best of the West Cafe, Buffalo Bills or the Chuckwagon Foodcourt. The park also holds exciting live entertainment, action-packed shootouts, saloon shows, and musicals. There are a range of ticket options available but the Frontier City Season pass also grants you access to the White Water Bay waterpark

A great pit-stop if you are driving on Route 66 is the National Route 66 museum, just by Elk City. Take a road trip through time as you walk through the histories of all eight States with realistic scenes and vintage automobiles from across the decades.

This immersive experience into the recorded histories of Route 66 delves into themes of the dust bowl and the Great Depression and the lives of the many people that have traveled along this legendary road. The museum is one of six museums that make up the Elk City Museum Complex. This also includes an Old Town Museum which depicts early pioneer life and a Native American gallery, as well as a cowboy and rodeo exhibit. Alternatively, the Farm and Ranch Museum features a vast collection of early farming tools and antique tractors, and this may be worth a visit.

This iconic Route 66 art installation features ten Cadillacs buried nose-down in the dirt at the same angle as Egypt's Great Pyramid. Created in 1974 by the Ant Farm art collective, visitors are encouraged to bring spray paint and add their own artwork to the ever-changing cars. It's a quick, quirky stop that's become an Instagram favorite.

Stock up on supplies in Amarillo, then rest at Amarillo KOA with its seasonal pool and convenient I-40 access. Or venture to Oasis RV Resort for resort-style amenities before tackling the final Colorado push.

North America's tallest sand dunes rise 750 feet against the dramatic backdrop of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains. This surreal landscape offers sandboarding, sand sledding (rent gear nearby), and challenging hikes up Star Dune. In late spring, Medano Creek flows at the dunes' base, creating Colorado's "beach" for wading and splashing.

The park earned International Dark Sky Park status in 2019—stay for sunset and witness the Milky Way in stunning clarity. Piñon Flats Campground offers 88 first-come, first-served sites (reservable April-October) with restrooms and water. For full hookups, try Alamosa KOA, 35 miles southwest, with pancake breakfasts and discounted attraction tickets.

Note: RVs over 35 feet face tight campground turns—check specifications before arrival.

Towering red sandstone formations create a free-to-explore geological wonderland just outside Colorado Springs. The Perkins Central Garden Trail offers easy paved access for all abilities, while rock climbers tackle technical routes on ancient towers reaching 300 feet high. The free Visitor & Nature Center provides interactive exhibits explaining 300 million years of geological history.

Arrive early morning for dramatic lighting and smaller crowds—afternoon summer temps can exceed 95°F with minimal shade. Park your Colorado Springs RV rental at South Meadows Campground, offering direct access to the Centennial Bike Trail and stunning Pikes Peak views. For resort amenities, choose Garden of the Gods RV Resort with two heated pools and kids' entertainment.

America's tallest man-made monument stands 630 feet above the Mississippi River, symbolizing westward expansion. The Gateway Arch tram ride offers breathtaking city views from the top, while the underground Museum of Westward Expansion tells the story of Lewis and Clark's expedition. Don't miss Forest Park's free attractions, including the St. Louis Zoo and Art Museum.

When parking your St. Louis RV rental, consider St. Louis West/Historic Route 66 KOA just 30 minutes from downtown. This campground features gem panning, a heated pool, and direct Route 66 access. Alternatively, St. Louis RV Park Campground puts you minutes from the Arch with full hookups and city convenience.

If your schedule allows, Rocky Mountain National Park lies just 90 minutes north of Denver via I-25 and US-36. Drive the spectacular Trail Ridge Road (open late May-October), North America's highest continuous paved road at 12,183 feet. Wildlife viewing opportunities abound—elk, bighorn sheep, moose, and marmots call these alpine meadows home.