The Best Attractions and RV Parks Along Route 66

Exploring the legendary Route 66 is a right of passage and a bucket list trip for many RVers.  Also known as the “Main Street of America” or the “ “Mother Road,” Route 66 is one of America’s most iconic and nostalgic roadways. Find the best RV parks along historic Route 66 to plan your travel. See the unique, popular, and historic sites of this well-known passage.

The route spans 2,400 miles from Chicago, IL to Santa Monica, CA.  Along the way, there are historic sights, unique roadside attractions, diners, and neon signs aplenty.

The spirit of Route 66 is certainly all about the freedom of the open road.  This marries well with the spirit of RVing, and I think RV travel is a great way to experience Route 66.

Nowadays, RV travel may also be the most comfortable way to travel along this route.  Back in the heyday of the Mother Road (1940s and 1950s), countless hotels and motels offered refuge along the journey.

Today, many Route 66 towns have fallen out of service. There aren’t as many comfortable lodging options as there once was.  So traveling by RV is amazing. It’s nice to have your own bed and bathroom on a long road trip.

Pros and Cons of RVing Along Route 66

PLANNING FLEXIBILITY

Traveling by RV allows flexibility to decide your daily itinerary and destination as you go.  Otherwise, you’d have to know exactly how far you’ll drive each day and where you’ll stop each night so that you can make lodging arrangements in advance.

RV SIZE MATTERS

That being said, the size of your RV and your comfort level with driving it does matter for this trip.  There are some sections of Route 66, especially in urban areas or older sections of the highway, that may have narrow roads, low bridges, and tight turns. 

Your RV may feel like a burden at popular tourist attractions or in busy towns.  But it will also give you the ability to stay in places where lodging doesn’t exist otherwise.

There are definitely pros and cons to using an RV to travel Route 66. You’ll have to decide if it’s right for you, and your type of RV.

Here are our picks for the best Guidebooks when traveling along Route 66. Sometimes it takes a little extra planning to get off the beaten path to see all everything you want. Consider purchasing a Route 66 travel guide so you don’t cruise right on by something of interest.  There are many to choose from, but the most popular is the EZ66 Guide for Travelers.

One of our readers recommended Route 66 Travel Guide: 202 Amazing Places. (Thanks Jules!) It’s packed with recommendations for overnight lodging, RV parks along the Mother Road, descriptions, and helpful navigation tips.

The most popular attractions along the route are probably the big cities of Chicago, St Louis, and Santa Monica.  When we travel in our RV, we tend to scoot through major metropolitan areas as quickly as possible since we prefer the scenic natural beauty and off-the-beaten-path type of stops. 

There are more than 250 stops listed on the National Register of Historic Places, so if you’re a history buff you could stay busy just making those 250 stops! Plus, there are plenty of museums dedicated to Route 66 on the route.

If you’re more of a foodie, you could string together many diners and drive-in stops to outline your itinerary (and feed yourself along the way).

Arizona

RAINBOW ROCK SHOP

When I took my first pilgrimage on Route 66, there were some oddities on my must-do list.  I still have the photos on my wall.  I departed from Arizona, so the Rainbow Rock Shop in Holbrook, AZ was my first stop.

After filling up on gas and snapping a photo with the giant green dinosaurs out front, my Route 66 road trip was officially underway.

This place is not known for its customer service, but if you’re looking for some unique keepsakes, stop at this souvenir shop for petrified wood or a colorful geode necklace.

CORNER IN WINSLOW, ARIZONA

Next stop: Standing on the Corner in Winslow, Arizona. If it’s iconic enough for the Eagles to sing about it, I’m not passing it by.

Conveniently, the Winslow Visitor Center offers free overnight parking for RVs and is only two blocks from the famous corner.

Missouri

WORLD’S LARGEST BELT BUCKLE

There are lots of the “world’s best” and “world’s largest” attractions along Route 66, and on my list of oddities was the World’s Largest Belt Buckle in Uranus, Missouri.

The enterprising, self-appointed Mayor Keen of Uranus built the buckle to attract visitors.  I’d say this one is a little underwhelming, but worth a quick stop.

Plus these short stops are a good time to take a break from driving to stretch your legs and rest your eyes.

Oklahoma

BLUE WHALE

Still remaining on my personal must-do list is the Blue Whale of Catoosa, OK, built by Hugh Davis in the 1970s. The big blue whale sits in a swimming hole and is an iconic stop along Route 66 that is still favored among RV Travelers.

Texas

CADILLAC RANCH

Another must do on my list is Cadillac Ranch in Amarillo, TX. I haven’t been (yet), but I’m told by many of my RVing friends that Cadillac Ranch is worth seeing!

It’s free to visit and open 24/7. The “ranch” is actually a field of public art. It was created in the early 1970s and gets its name from the various painted Cadillacs that are buried hood down in the ground.

I continue to put Route 66 on my list of future RV trips and I know I’ll finally get to check off these stops.  It can be overwhelming to feel like you have to see every single stop on your road trip, so trust that you’ll be back for anything you miss.

There are numerous RV campgrounds and RV parking areas along Route 66.  You’ll find everything from traditional campgrounds to alternative parking spots like those offered through Harvest Hosts and Boondockers Welcome.

There are so many unique options, I thought it would be useful and fun to do a quick round-up of some of the best Route 66 campgrounds.

Most travelers like to start the Mother Road in Chicago and end the trip by dipping their toes in the Pacific Ocean in Santa Monica.  So we’ll take a look at camping options in the same direction, and highlight one top campsite in each state.

RV Park in Illinois

DOUBLE J CAMPGROUND & RV PARK

Double J Campground & RV Park in Chatham, IL is a popular choice.  Located just three hours outside of Chicago, the Double J makes for a good first overnight site.  This campground is open year-round with 120 full hookups.

They are conveniently located right off the highway (leading to some noise).  The park receives all 5-star reviews through Campendium and 10-star reviews on Good Sam.

If you can plan your trip accordingly, the Annual International Route 66 Mother Road Festival happens nearby in historic downtown Springfield every September.

OVERVIEW OF DOUBLE J CAMPGROUND

Here are a few key things to know about the Double J Campground & RV Park:

RV Park in Missouri

CAMP MI CASA

Camp Mi Casa on The Route RV Park is the “original RV park on Rt. 66”  in Carthage, Missouri. This park welcomes Route 66 travelers and is located right next to the famous 66 Drive-In Theatre.

The Drive-In is a must-do stop for many Route 66 travelers, so why not camp next door so you can see a movie while you’re there?

Camp Mi Casa gets 5-star reviews on Campendium, with guests saying “the owners are amazing” and “very cute little stop with reasonable prices.” If you have a large rig, this is where you will be able to find what you might even call a luxury pull-through site for your RV.

OVERVIEW OF CAMP MI CASA

Here is a quick summary about the Camp Mi Casa RV campground:

RV Park in Kansas

BAXTER SPRINGS RIVERSIDE PARK

Kansas has only 13 miles of Route 66 running through its state. There are not a lot of RV camping options.  But the resounding choice among RVers is Baxter Springs Riverside Park. It’s located along The Mother Road near the Marsh Arch Bridge and Nelson’s Old Riverton store.

This is a county park with 22 RV sites with power and water (though some reviews note that both power and water can be out at times). The nightly rate is less than $10, so it’s hard to complain.

Unless it’s important to you to camp in each state along Route 66, you could probably exclude Kansas from your RV road trip plans.

AMENITIES AT BAXTER SPRINGS RV PARK

Here is a summary overview of the amenities offered at Baxter Springs city park:

RV Park in Oklahoma

ROUTE 66 TULSA RV PARK

Tulsa is a landmark city along Route 66, so that’s my top destination to stop on Oklahoma’s 400 miles of the Route.  Route 66 RV Park, located within the city of Sapulpa just outside of Tulsa, offers 34 full hookup RV sites.  They have been voted Best of Tulsa and receive 4.1 stars on Google reviews.

From there, you can visit the Route 66 Historical Village at 3770 Southwest Boulevard in Tulsa, which is approximately 10 miles from the park. There are a number of fast food and local restaurants near the Village.

If you’re in town during June, the Route 66 Roadfest by AAA celebrates classic cars, Americana, and of course, other unique attractions along The Mother Road.

OVERVIEW OF ROUTE 66 TULSA RV PARK

Here is a quick summary of the services offered for RVers at Route 66 RV Park:

RV Park in Texas

Route 66 only passes through the Texas panhandle for a total distance of about 180 miles.  The primary stops are Shamrock and Amarillo.  Shamrock is home to the Conoco Tower Station and U-Drop Inn Cafe, and the famous Cadillac Ranch is in nearby Amarillo.

OASIS AMARILLO RV RESORT CAMPGROUND

My choice would be to stop in Shamrock, but stay in Amarillo.  Oasis RV Resort is the highest-rated RV park in Amarillo on Route 66. It is located just off the exit ramp to I-40 Frontage Rd on the westside of Amarillo.

In addition to the RV park, the resort offers vacation cottages. It’s a nice option if you want to enjoy a few extra comforts. Each cottage has a queen master bedroom, loft, full kitchen, cable TV, and wifi, as well as a front porch and picnic table. Resort amenities include a fitness center, game room, playground area, and other activities.

Here is a list of the amenities available at Oasis Amarillo RV Resort:

RV Park in New Mexico

ENCHANTED TRAILS RV PARK

Enchanted Trails RV Park and Trading Post is on the western edge of Albuquerque.  This park embraces the history of the area with vintage trailers and a clubhouse full of memorabilia.

They offer 135 sites, mostly pull-throughs.  Guests like the hospitality and the retro feel, but some complain about the noise and traffic.  They get 4-star reviews on Campendium and 4.3 stars on Google reviews.

OVERVIEW OF ENCHANTED TRAILS RV PARK

Here is a quick summary of what you will find at Enchanted Trails RV Park:

RV Park in Arizona

GRAND CANYON RAILWAY RV PARK

Grand Canyon Railway RV Park in Williams is a perfect solution if you’re looking for a home base in Arizona. It’s open all year round and located about two blocks from Route 66. You can get from the park to historic downtown Flagstaff in about 35 minutes.

You’re also at the gateway to the Grand Canyon.  What I love most about this RV park is that you are staying on-site at the historic Williams train depot for the Grand Canyon Railway.

Add to the history and nostalgia of your Route 66 road trip by taking the train to the Grand Canyon!

OVERVIEW OF RAILWAY RV PARK

Here is a list of the onsite and nearby amenities at the fully paved Railway RV Park:

RAILSIDE RV RANCH

Another option is the Railside RV Ranch, located only a few minutes drive from Railway RV Park. Railside was established in 1994 and will help coordinate your transportation for exploring the Grand Canyon area.

Here are the amenities offered at Railside RV Ranch:

RV Park in California

DOCKWEILER BEACH RV PARK

Dockweiler Beach RV Park is the closest overnight RV parking to the terminus of Route 66 in Santa Monica. This is an LA county park with an RV size limit of 40 feet.

The current rates are $65-75 per night and must be paid in full at the time of booking. Dockweiler has 118 sites some with hookups, others are dry camping.

Dockweiler is located about about ten miles from the Santa Monica Pier. From here you have the option to take the Marvin Braude Bicycle Trail directly to the Pier.

OVERVIEW AND AMENITIES AT DOCKWEILER RV PARK

First, note that the RV size limit is 40 feet. Here is a short list of amenities available Dockweiler:

Whether you do the entire drive from start to finish, or piece it together in sections, Route 66 is worth putting in the miles.

It offers a glimpse into the past that’s truly special, and the route shows off some incredible parts of America, too. You’ll meet locals as well as fellow travelers on your journey.

Many locals are Route 66 super fans and can provide a wealth of knowledge and stories about the past and present of the route.

Lean into these conversations, sample the local cuisine, and soak in the culture.  This is one of those trips that’s really about the journey, not the destination.