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Hit I-95 this summer and explore some of the spectacular natural and historical attractions that the East Coast has to offer. We have rounded up the best attractions, highlights, and campgrounds from Maine to Florida to get the most out of your East Coast road trip.
Maine
No camping road trip to Maine is complete without a stay at Acadia National Park. Home to some of the most stunning granite cliffs, lush forest hiking trails and tranquil New England beaches in the country. There are plenty of campgrounds to choose from across the 47,000-acre recreation area.
The Blackwoods Campground down at Otter Creek is a short drive from charming Bar Harbor, which offers historical walking tours and cruises. The campground is shadowed by Cadillac Mountain, which you can climb for an unforgettable panoramic view of the bay.
Although smaller than some of the other vibrant cities in Maine, Portland’s buzzing arts, music, and food scene make it a must-see stop on your East Coast road trip. Spend the day whale watching, walking or biking the Portland Trails, and enjoying mouth-watering lobster rolls.
Park your RV or pitch your tent at any of the well-equipped scenic campgrounds in the Portland area, including Bailey’s Camping Resort right on the coast and only 20 minutes from downtown Portland.
Massachusetts
It wouldn’t be a historic East Coast road trip without a stop at the birthplace of America — Boston. Remnants of the American Revolution can be felt in every corner of the city. Walk the Freedom Trail to experience 16 of the most significant historic sites across the city. Then, catch a ball game at Fenway Park, the oldest ballpark in the US, and chow down on a famous Fenway Frank.
If you love football, swing by Foxboro to check out Gillette Stadium, home of the New England Patriots. Explore the shops and restaurants in the outdoor mall and visit the Patriots Hall of Fame. Patriot Place also features a host of concerts throughout the summer and fall, so you can even coincide your trip with Country Fest at the end of August.
From 495 in Foxboro, continue down to Cape Cod. Cape Cod boasts some of the most immaculate beaches in the country. There’s warm water for swimming at Nantucket Sound and sky-high sand dunes on the Outer Cape.
There are plenty of things to do in Cape Cod, including a visit to the Kennedy Museum in Hyannis or the Pilgrim’s Monument in Provincetown. You can also make a quick detour on your I-95 road trip and take the ferry to Martha’s Vineyard or Nantucket Island to enjoy the coastal scenery.
Camp in luxury at the Cape Cod Campresort & Cabins. The site boasts three pools and a jacuzzi, as well as private access to a lake for boating and fishing.
Maryland
Keep following I-95, and it will take you straight to Baltimore, Maryland’s largest city. The bustling metropolis has a plethora of attractions to visit, including Fort McHenry, the birthplace of the National Anthem, the National Aquarium, and the Civil War-era ship, the USS Constellation.
Stay at the Hilton-Patapsco Valley State Park, which offers ample tent and RV sites, as well as rustic cabins, and features plenty of family-friendly hiking trails.
Sitting halfway between Chincoteague Island, Virginia, and Ocean City, Maryland, Assateague Island National Seashore is a hidden gem along the East Coast. Take a wildlife tour and watch as 300 wild horses wander the salt marshes, dunes, and inland pine forests. Enjoy kayaking along the serene waterways and birdwatch for peregrine falcons, sandpipers, and other birdlife that populate the animal refuge.
South Carolina
As you head into South Carolina, make a stop at Congaree National Park to see the largest and most well-preserved bottomland hardwood forest on the continent. Canoe along the pristine waterways and take in the abundant wildlife. There are two designated tent-only campgrounds at the park, as well as ample backcountry camping opportunities if you prefer to get off the beaten track.
Take a detour from the I-95 and head over to Charleston to be transported back to a time of horse-drawn carriages and cobblestone streets. Don’t miss the Confederate Museum and Waterfront Park in the French Quarter, or the Battery promenade.
While you can’t camp in the center of historic Charleston, the campground at James Island County Park, located just outside of downtown Charleston, features 159 sites ranging from 20/30/50 amp hook-ups to primitive campsites.
Georgia
Continue exploring the East Coast’s rich history with a visit to historic Savannah. Take in the best of Savannah’s stunning antebellum architecture and pristine landscaped parks with a trolley tour. Go on a ghost tour of Mercer Williams House Museum and explore the famous Bonaventure Cemetery in one of the most haunted cities in America. You can even take a walking haunted pub crawl since it is legal to bring your drink along with you in historic Downtown Savannah.
A short distance from Savannah’s historic district, you’ll find Red Gate Campground & RV Resort. This is a well-appointed, relaxing campground with plenty of scenic walking trails, fishing areas, and an outdoor pool to help you beat the humid Georgia weather.
If you don’t want to wander too far off I-95 to , you can still take in Georgia’s natural beauty with a stop at Jekyll Island. The island is brimming with historical landmarks and interactive natural wonders.
Visit the Georgia Sea Turtle center to get up-close with some of the world’s oldest marine animals or take a guided tour of the Landmark Historic District. There are four campgrounds to choose from on the island, but the most popular is the Jekyll Island Campground with grounds densely populated by grand oaks draped in Spanish moss, and just a short walk from both Driftwood Beach and Clam Creek.
Florida
Cap off your historical road trip with a visit to the oldest town in the United States, St. Augustine. Colonized originally by the Spanish, St. Augustine, boasts remarkable colonial architecture and a wealth of historical sites to visit.
Take a tour of the Castillo de San Marcos or tour the Lightner Museum and the St. Augustine Lighthouse. Swing by the Ripley’s Believe It Or Not! to view some interesting oddities.
Check out where spring break happens in Daytona Beach, and enjoy the beautiful warm waters of the Atlantic Ocean. Dip your feet in the sand and head to a beach restaurant or tiki bar to watch the sunset while enjoying the local cuisine.
While I-95 technically terminates in Miami, the Overseas Highway is a scenic 110-mile drive that takes you from Miami to The Keys. The highway spans the vibrant living Florida coral reefs with breathtaking views as far as the eye can see. Choose from any of the islands in the Keys. Stay at John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park in Key Largo, just 18 miles from Miami, or enjoy the laid-back vibe of Islamorada, a prime fishing spot.
