Louisville to Tulsa Road Trip Guide
Introduction
The midwest of America is full of interesting things to do and gorgeous natural areas. Louisville is one of the best cities of the south due to the combination of wonderful cultural activities and superb nature being located not too far away from the city center, so it is an ideal place to start an RV getaway. From Louisville, you have many options as to where you can explore since the city is central to many other major metropolitan hubs within the midwest.
Many people head north to Indianapolis or south to Nashville, but if you want to get off the beaten path and explore areas that most travelers from this region miss out on, consider an RV road trip southwest to Tulsa in Oklahoma. Taking this route means that you will be able to enjoy the peacefulness of Wayne Fitzgerald State Park, see the sights of St. Louis, and feel like you are galaxies away from civilization in Mark Twain State Forest.
Located on the Arkansas River, Tulsa is home to some great museums and unusual attractions that will leave you with many lasting memories of the trip. You can see the gigantic praying hands art installation, the Golden Driller Statue, which is the fifth-largest statue in the United States, or head to the renowned Philbrook Museum of Art. This is a wonderful solo van road trip, so get ready and go out and explore!
Point of Interest
Muhammad Ali Center
Louisville was the home of legendary boxer Muhammad Ali and his achievements are remembered and celebrated at the not-for-profit Muhammad Ali Center.
The exhibitions in the center are based around the six principles that Ali lived his life by; confidence, conviction, giving, respect, dedication, and spirituality. You will be able to view some of his most well-known memorabilia, watch some of his best fights, and check out two art galleries that feature different exhibitions throughout the year.
Once you are done checking out the Muhammad Ali Center you can head across the Ohio River to the Falls of the Ohio State Park that is located in Indiana. Here you can view fossil beds that are over 30 million years old and learn about the history of the area at the interpretive center.
Camping near Lousiville is super easy, especially if you have a van. The Derby Park RV and Campground is a popular choice, along with the Louisville South KOA Holiday.
Wayne Fitzgerald State Park
A great option for your first stop on the way to Tulsa is Wayne Fitzgerrell State Park. Known as the gateway to one of the largest recreational areas in southern Illinois, the park is located on the banks of Rend Lake so there will be plenty for a solo traveler to do during your visit.
As you could imagine, fishing and boating are both very popular activities on the lake, while off it you can enjoy the many miles of hiking trails and participate in some wildlife viewing. If you want to chill out there are also many secluded areas where you can throw down a picnic blanket and relax with the sounds of nature in the background.
The campground at Wayne Fitzgerell State Park is also superb and has over 200 sites for you to choose from, including some that are equipped with electric hookups.
Attending a St. Louis Blues Game
While there are many things to see and do in St. Louis, attending a St. Louis Blues game is a must if you are a hockey fan or are interested in the sport.
The team has been in the NHL since the late 1960s and recently broke their Stanley Cup drought to win their first-ever championship, so the team has a newfound popularity that makes for a great home-game atmosphere. Their biggest rivals are the Chicago Blackhawks, so if you manage to time your trip when the Blackhawks are visiting town you are in for a very fun night.
Near the Enterprise Center where the Blues play their games, there are many restaurants you can check out before or after you watch some ice hockey. These include the fancy Italian restaurant Lombardo's Trattoria, the American-style Lucas Park Grille, and the more relaxed Tin Roof.
If you want to stay near the city center the St Louis RV Park will be the perfect place for you to stay during your visit.
Mark Twain National Forest
Before you end your road trip in Tulsa you need to explore the Mark Twain State Forest. Located around 76 miles from St. Louis and 320 miles from Tulsa, Mark Twain National Forest is a wonderful place for a wilderness getaway due to the massive size of the forest.
There are over 750 miles of hiking trails, 350 miles of streams, and 35 campgrounds within Mark Twain State Forest to check out, so there is no way that you will run out of new areas to see during your visit. If you are a fan of wilderness exploration the forest is perfect for it, since a lot of it can only be accessed on foot, horseback, or by mountain bike.
Most of the camping options in the park are primitive, so this is a great time to get back to nature and do some dry-camping.
Summary
Welcome to Tulsa! Arriving at the second-largest city in Oklahoma after a long day out on the open roads will be a welcome relief and you will love the southern hospitality that the city offers.
Formally the oil capital of the world, Tulsa is now a fledging creative haven for local artists. Every visitor needs to check out the Philbrook Museum of Art and the Blue Dome Entertainment District if you want to make the most of your time in the city. The Gathering Place is one of the newest attractions in the city and has been named by USA Today as one of America's Best New Attractions. The Gathering Place is a 100-acre urban park that is free to visit and features over 100 different experiences to enjoy.
There are plenty of private RV campgrounds to spend the last night of your road trip at, including the Expo Square RV Park that has full hookups for a little added luxury.
