Rehoboth Beach to Gatlinburg Road Trip Guide
Introduction
Located right on the shores of the Atlantic Ocean, Rehoboth Beach has it all if you are looking for a beachside town to kick back, relax, and enjoy some time out of the daily grind. Known as a popular LGBT destination, Rehoboth Beach is a very busy place during the summer months when the weather is ripe for outdoor activities. Whether you want to sunbake, chase some thrills, or explore the boardwalk, there is plenty to see and do for solo RV travelers at Rehoboth Beach.
The beachside paradise is the perfect place to stay on a weekend solo road trip since you aren't too far from the diverse natural areas and cities that are out of state in Washington D.C, Virginia, and Tennesse. Taking this route means you will get to enjoy all that's happening in the nation's capital and experience the changing landscapes that occur in Western Virginia.
Located in the glorious Smoky Mountains, Gatlinburg borders the Great Smoky Mountains National Park and is the perfect place to end your solo RV road trip. During all four seasons, there are so many activities to enjoy, so get ready to have some fun in the great outdoors during your time in this underrated town.
Point of Interest
Exploring the Rehoboth Beach Boardwalk
Undoubtedly the most popular way to experience life in Rehoboth Beach is to park your rig and go explore the Rehoboth Beach Boardwalk. This is one of the best boardwalks in the United States with around a mile of wide, even, and clean boardwalk that you can use to see all that's happening in the area.
The boardwalk is home to numerous restaurants, coffee shops, and the Funland Amusement Park where you can jump on a thrill ride that overlooks the beach. After you have finished with the boardwalk you will also be a hop, skip, and a jump from the beach where you can go for a dip or just get your tan on.
Since Rehoboth Beach is very developed there are no RV campgrounds near the beach, but if you head inland there are some great options. Consider reserving a site at the Big Oaks Campground or the Port Delmarva near Rehoboth Bay.
Bar Hopping During a Redskins Game
Washington D.C is known for having some of the best museums in the world, but if you are looking for a change of pace on your solo RV road trip you should consider heading to a Washington Redskins game.
Like all NFL games, ticket prices to see the Redskins play at FedExField are incredibly exorbitant, but that doesn't mean you have to miss out on all of the fun involved with an NFL game day. There are many bars in the city that have been designated as official Redskins bars, such as the Elephant & Castle, The Exchange, and Biergarten Haus. Since these bars are all in downtown D.C. you can check out all three during the game and if you have a great day, the Redskins might be your new favorite team!
When it comes to finding a place to stay near Washington D.C. your best bet will be to head west out of the city. The Bull Run Campground or the Burke Lake Park Campground are great options and mean that you will miss the morning traffic that can be hellish.
Claytor Lake State Park
After experiencing the beachside fun at Rehoboth Beach and the city sights of Washington D.C. it is the perfect time for living life by the lakeside on your weekend getaway.
Featuring the 4,500 acre Claytor Lake, Claytor Lake State Park is full of recreational activities that will keep you entertained for hours. On the lake, boating is extremely popular (the park has a full-service marina), as well as fishing and swimming at the beach that is lifeguard patrolled during the peak season. Off the lake, there are six hiking trails that you can also use for biking and a visitor center where you can learn more about the nature in the area.
Camping at Claytor Lake State Park in your van will be a very positive experience with four campgrounds to choose from. All of the sites are primitive besides those in Campground D, so this is the preferred place to stay for most campers.
Summary
Arriving in Gatlinburg will feel like you are on a different planet compared to the sandy shore of Rehoboth Beach and in a sense, you are. Your solo RV road trip has taken you over 600 miles and now you are at the Gateway to the Smoky Mountains in Gatlinburg Tennesse.
Gatlinburg has a resort village vibe with a wide range of recreation and relaxation options for you to enjoy at the end of your trip. If you are up to a challenge you can do whitewater rafting, go hiking on the 600 miles of trails within the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, throw a line out and do some fishing, or go take on the 11 mile Cades Cove bike ride. Feel like taking it easy? Check out the Gatlinburg Wine Trail and enjoy the five stops to local cellars and wineries.
The opportunities for RV camping in and around Gatlinburg are near endless thanks to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Within America's most visited national park there are 10 developed campgrounds so there is a wide variety of where you can call home before heading back to the real world.
