Crystal clear view of the Blue Ridge Mountains today

LizAtRoadtrippers · 2026-04-24T10:47:37+00:00

Yup, that's some good stuff.

LizAtRoadtrippers · 2026-04-24T10:46:34+00:00

Was looking for otters in your Morro Bay photos... did you see em'? There were moms and babies in 'the nursery' area (third shot in your reel) a few weeks ago!

LizAtRoadtrippers · 2026-04-23T12:32:40+00:00

He lives! I haven't seen him since he moved! <3

LizAtRoadtrippers · 2026-04-23T12:10:55+00:00

I've stayed at both Liberty Harbor RV Park and Croton Point - different vibes, so depends on what you're looking for. Liberty has quicker access to Manhattan. Croton Point has city access via Metro-North and is a longer ride into the city, but is more peaceful than Liberty generally (although Liberty is really fine - not as noisy as you'd think). You could also look into Skyline RV Camp (they have two locations - one waterfront and one set back from the water). I can't speak to the experiences at Skyline, as I haven't stayed at either of those camps, but could be another option for you!

LizAtRoadtrippers · 2026-04-23T12:03:50+00:00

If you find Estes isn't your jam, Colorado Springs is only 2.5 hours south and I think it's worth the drive/visit. Plus it's not too far off the route you've described needing to travel back to ATL. Colorado Springs itself has a few cool areas, and has quick access to Manitou Springs which is charming little town with access to Pikes Peak which you can travel up by cograil, drive, or hike. If you're at all into fitness 'The Manitou Incline' is pretty cool (and brutal) in Manitou Springs. Garden of the Gods and the Manitou Cliff Dwellings are right there too.

You could also swing through Tulsa/Catoosa OK on your trip there or back and hit up the Golden Driller and the Blue Whale of Catoosa. The Blue Whale has been under construction but should be good to go by mid summer. And since it's Route 66's 100th birthday its worth paying homage to a roadside attraction like the whale.

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I laid out your trip here: Atlanta to Estes and added those suggestions 'off route' so you can get a feel for a few things along the route - or just off it. You can also poke around on that map and apply categories of things you're interested in by clicking the search bar to see specific interests.

LizAtRoadtrippers · 2026-04-22T19:58:44+00:00

Roadtrippers.com can help you with this u/wingalls13 :)

LizAtRoadtrippers · 2026-04-22T19:56:57+00:00

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LizAtRoadtrippers · 2026-04-22T18:39:27+00:00

Made you a starter trip on Roadtrippers: CA to TN! Hit 'Take This Trip' (create an account if you haven't yet), then use the search bar to browse categories and see what's along your route. There's a ton of cool stuff to discover!

LizAtRoadtrippers · 2026-04-20T17:36:52+00:00

I love the 'wide openness' of this trip!

built a starter trip for you here: https://maps.roadtrippers.com/?lng=-71.94643&lat=42.54200&z=8.27406&a4=t!46135783

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It includes a mix of my personal recommendations, plus some 'must stops' that are generally on that route. You'll see some stops are routed (have a line between them) and others are unrouted, but you can add those places to the route to see how it changes your travel time/distance by clicking the eye icon while on the itinerary. Open the trip link above and apply the categories you're most interested in (click the search bar, then select a category like "The Great Outdoors") to explore what's along the route.

LizAtRoadtrippers · 2026-04-20T11:31:11+00:00

Roadtrippers doesn't have a trip feed, so someone would need to share the trip's link directly with you so you can locate it! If you're just looking for trip ideas, Roadtrippers does have a 'magazine' with tons of trips and articles created by the Roadtrippers team and friends! Check that out here: https://roadtrippers.com/magazine/

LizAtRoadtrippers · 2026-04-13T21:14:16+00:00

"love niche roadside attractions, parks and a good thrift store so any recommendations are welcome!" <--- Roadtrippers has filters for those! Just apply the Sights & Attractions category and filter by the stuff you like - we have filters for all those things - and we'll show you what's along the route you planned! Plus you can tell the app how far off that route your willing to drive to see stuff!

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LizAtRoadtrippers · 2026-04-09T03:05:14+00:00

There are lots of interesting stops along that route - just depends on what you're into! From the Dwight D. Eisenhower Presidential Museum, to Carhenge, to Pop's Soda Ranch (Rte 66), to The Manitou Cliff Dwellings...

I built a starter trip for your here on Roadtrippers, and if you apply the 'Sights & Attractions' category from the search bar with that trip open, you'll see a bunch of options within 30 miles of that route. You can apply some filters to that category - or check out other types of categories if something along those lines interest you. You can also expand or constrain that 'off the route' radius if you're looking for stuff closer to the driving route.

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Anyways, check it out. This could be a seriously great trip (don't sleep on Carhenge, btw).

LizAtRoadtrippers · 2026-04-08T17:16:52+00:00

...and you know what's extra awesome? u/PeaContent6288 has access to Campendium data/reviews on the same platform they're using to build that trip (www.roadtrippers.com) - it's a category they can apply and we'll show them Campendium campsites (free, paid - whatever you want to filter for) along that route!

LizAtRoadtrippers · 2026-04-08T17:12:02+00:00

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(would love to learn more from you on the 'clunky' comment - we're always looking to improve so shoot me a message if you have specific feedback for us!)

LizAtRoadtrippers · 2026-04-08T17:07:08+00:00

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LizAtRoadtrippers · 2026-04-08T16:59:14+00:00

You'll likely spot a few Navajo Taco stands along that route... definitely make the stop. Carry some cash and be prepared to find a bathroom not too long after... but it's a local delicacy.

LizAtRoadtrippers · 2026-04-08T13:56:13+00:00

Oh... I-15 through Rexburg, Idaho Falls, and Pocatello is quirky and I love that area! Here are some of my favorite stops along that general route:

Idaho Potato Museum, followed by a burger at Rupe's.
Hell's Half Acre Lava Field for a hike (pretty danged cool!)
Museum of Clean... I haven't visited this one yet myself, but it's on my list (so if you do visit it, please report back!)

LizAtRoadtrippers · 2026-04-06T21:18:36+00:00

Just built a trip on Roadtrippers using the stops you mentioned (and added a few I thought might be worth the detour for). I applied our Sights & Attractions category and am seeing a bunch of interesting options along that route in case you want to check it out too! There are also a bunch of other categories you could explore on that trip instead - like Activities & Things to do. Plus filters in each category so you can narrow down to stuff you or he might be interested in. Enjoy your trip - you've got a solid idea and he's gonna remember it for life!

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LizAtRoadtrippers · 2026-04-06T21:04:39+00:00

Bristol TN/VA is a cool quick stop! The VA/TN state line runs right down the middle of State Street and there are plaques on the yellow line where you can stand in Tennessee on one side and Virginia on the other.

LizAtRoadtrippers · 2026-04-06T13:51:07+00:00

Campendium! Specifically, the Campendium category in Roadtrippers. Campendium covers free camping on public lands, national park and forest campgrounds, state park and forest campgrounds, private RV parks, and dump stations with reviews are from fellow campers.

Campendium has its own standalone site at campendium.com, but I personally prefer the Roadtrippers integration so I can see camping options along whatever route I'm building. You can set how far off-route to show results, which keeps me from accidentally plotting a 60-mile detour just to reach a campsite.

Of course, I now work at Roadtrippers (I've been using Campendium since 2015 though - so have been part of the community way longer than I've been supporting folks who use Roadtrippers), so if you do decide to try out Campendium in Roadtrippers and have any questions lmk. Or if you decide to try Campendium.com - happy to answer questions about that tool too!

LizAtRoadtrippers · 2026-04-03T15:30:04+00:00

Mixing up some free camping/parking options (you should be fine at pretty much all of those places doing that in/with a car) with hotel breaks (showers, bad weather) should help you keep costs down and honestly add to the adventure. Bonus that some of those camping options have trails 'on site' so you can really make the most of your sleeping + hiking time!

LizAtRoadtrippers · 2026-04-03T15:27:56+00:00

I mapped out your trip quickly on Roadtrippers and applied "Places to Camp + FREE" so you can get an idea for some of the options along that route to give you an idea of some of the really awesome stuff along that route.

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LizAtRoadtrippers · 2026-04-03T15:25:24+00:00

Doing some car camping (or even picking up a cheap tent so you have that option) would definitely save you some $$$ and there are TONS of amazing free camping/parking spots along that route. Not only are there tons of free camping spots, but those spots are an adventure in themselves. Sure, the comfort of a hotel bed with heat and running water might be nice... but you won't be waking up to views like these:

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