A road trip along Route 66, affectionately known as the Mother Road, should be on every RVer’s bucket list. This state-by-state guide lists recommended campgrounds for stays along the way as you pass through some of the most iconic sites across the U.S.
Key Takeaways
- Illinois kicks off the Route 66 journey with neon-lit motels, roadside giants, and vintage gas stations from Chicago to East St. Louis.
- Missouri’s stretch is called the heart of Route 66, with many original miles still open to drive.
- Adrian Texas marks Route 66’s exact midpoint at 1,139 miles from Chicago and Los Angeles with overnight stays nearby.
Route 66 RV Campgrounds in Illinois
If you’re planning to drive the entirety of Route 66 you’ll either start or end in the Windy City, Chicago, Illinois. Then you’ll head southwest through rural Midwestern towns with plenty of classic motel neon, vintage filling stations, roadside giants, historic bridges, and more. Keep driving until you hit the Mississippi River and East St. Louis.
Top RV Parks and Campgrounds on Route 66 in Illinois
- Camp Bullfrog Lake, Willow Springs
- Hollywood Casino & Hotel Joliet, Joliet
- IBMC International Livingston County 4-H Park, Pontiac
- Camp a While, Lincoln
- Double J Campground, Chatham
- Kamper Kompanion RV Park & Campground, Litchfield
- Country Bend Campground, Litchfield
- Casino Queen RV Park, East St. Louis
- Cahokia RV Parque, Cahokia
Route 66 Leg 1: Chicago to St. Louis
Route 66 RV Campgrounds in Missouri
Many people consider Missouri’s leg of Route 66—from St. Louis into Oklahoma—to be the heart of the journey. Here, it’s still possible to travel on a decent amount of miles of the original route. Plan to stop at diners, roadside attractions, and plenty of photo ops.
Top RV Parks and Campgrounds on Route 66 in Missouri
- Yogi Bear’s Jellystone Park, Pacific
- St. Louis West / Historic Route 66 KOA Holiday, Eureka
- Meramec State Park, Sullivan
- Pheasant Acres RV Park, St. James
- Lamplight Lane RV Resort at Glen Oaks, Waynesville
- Lebanon / Bennett Spring KOA, Lebanon
- Bennett Spring State Park, Lebanon
- RV Express 66 RV Park, Marshfield
- Cooks RV Motorpark, Springfield
- Camp Mi Casa on the Route, Carthage
- Big Red Barn RV Park, Carthage
- Coachlight RV Park, Carthage
Route 66 Leg 2: St. Louis to Tulsa
Route 66 RV Campgrounds in Oklahoma
Oklahoma is home to the most drivable portions of the old Mother Road with plenty of fun things to see along the way. Tulsa is a landmark city on Route 66—plan enough time to visit museums, restored buildings, and historic sites—and don’t miss the iconic Blue Whale in nearby Catoosa.
Top RV Parks and Campgrounds on Route 66 in Oklahoma
- Buffalo Run Casino & Resort, Miami
- Twin Bridges at Grand Lake State Park, Fairland
- Water’s Edge RV and Cabin Resort, Vinita
- Claremore Expo Center, Claremore
- Tulsa NE / Will Rogers Downs KOA Journey, Claremore
- Warrior RV Park, Tulsa
- Twin Fountains RV Resort, Oklahoma City
- Mustang Run RV Park, Yukon
- Territory Route 66 RV Park & Campground, Bridgeport
- Cedar Point Campground, Foss State Park, Foss
- Bobcat Creek RV Park, Sayre
Route 66 RV Campgrounds in Texas
The panhandle of Texas is filled with vintage gems, from filling stations to motels and diners. Nearly 180 miles of the old Route 66 run parallel to the new route so you can easily hop on and off.
Don’t miss a stay in Amarillo, known for the famous 72-ounce steak dinner at The Big Texan Steak Ranch and Cadillac Ranch nearby. If you want a detour, Palo Duro Canyon is one of the best parks in the Lone Star State. Lastly, Adrian, Texas, is the exact midpoint on Route 66: 1,139 miles from both Chicago and Los Angeles—stay overnight here, visit the Midway Point marker, and refuel at the Midpoint Cafe.
Top RV Parks and Campgrounds on Route 66 in Texas
- Texas Route 66 RV Park, Shamrock
- Big Texan RV Ranch, Amarillo
- Fort Amarillo RV Park, Amarillo
- Oasis RV Resort, Amarillo
- Amarillo KOA Journey, Amarillo
- Midpoint Campground, Adrian
Route 66 RV Campgrounds in New Mexico
The Land of Enchantment offers hot springs, forests, desert, and mountains, as well as interesting small towns and big cities—the most iconic is Tucumcari, home to dozens of famous landmarks and kitschy attractions.
Top RV Parks and Campgrounds on Route 66 in New Mexico
- Blaze-in-Saddle RV Park, Tucumcari
- Santa Rosa Campground & RV Park, Santa Rosa
- Santa Fe KOA Journey, Santa Fe
- Santa Fe Skies RV Park, Santa Fe
- Coronado Campground, Bernalillo
- Albuquerque KOA Journey, Albuquerque
- Route 66 RV Resort, Albuquerque
- Grants KOA Journey, Grants
- USA RV Park, Gallup
Route 66 Leg 4: Amarillo to Albuquerque
Route 66 RV Campgrounds in Arizona
You know you’re entering Arizona when you see the Teepee Trading Post and souvenir shop. Continue along the route to see famous landmarks and restored hotels before entering the outdoor adventure hubs of Flagstaff and Williams, the gateway of the Grand Canyon. Before you exit Arizona, stop in the town regarded as “Guardian Angel of Route 66” and visit the state’s Route 66 museum.
Top RV Parks and Campgrounds on Route 66 in Arizona
- OK RV Park & Red Rock MPH, Holbrook
- Meteor Crater RV Park, Winslow
- Flagstaff KOA, Flagstaff
- Grand Canyon Railway RV Park, Williams
- Railside RV Ranch, Wiliams
- Williams / Exit 167 / Circle Pines KOA Holiday, Williams
- Route 66 General Store, Seligman
- Blake Ranch RV Park & Horse Motel, Kingman
Route 66 Leg 5: Albuquerque to Flagstaff
Route 66 RV Campgrounds in California
The final stretch of the route takes you through desert ghost towns and ends at the Santa Monica pier. Along the way you’ll encounter plenty of worthy pit stops including museums, diners, restored motels, historic sites, and funky art displays such as Elmer’s Bottle Tree Ranch.
Top RV Parks and Campgrounds on Route 66 in California
- Pirate Cove Resort, Needles
- Needles KOA Journey, Needles
- Newberry Mountain RV Park, Newberry Springs
- Fairplex RV Park, Pomona
- Bonelli Bluffs RV Resort & Campground, San Dimas
- Dockweiler RV Park, Playa del Rey
- Leo Carrillo State Park Campground, Malibu
Route 66 Leg 6: Flagstaff to Santa Monica
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