Epic 1 Year East Coast North America RV Road Trip (U.S. & Canada!)

As full-time RVers, we travel North America in search of the best places to camp, hike, and explore nature. We are always looking for the best RV road trip itineraries that allow us to stay in beautiful places, and experience the best of what each U.S. state, or Canadian Province, has to offer.

After 1 year of following the weather and RVing around the western and southwestern United States, it was time to decide what was next.

So we brought up a map, set our sights on the East Coast, and wondered if we could build an epic road trip covering the entire East Coast… all the way from Key West in Florida through Canada and up into Newfoundland!

If you are looking for a year of travel along the Atlantic Ocean, complete with coastal hikes, delicious seafood, and charming harborside villages, this is the trip for you!

East Coast RV Road Trip Itinerary

Our entire trip from Key West to Newfoundland took us 1 year to complete. Below we will share our entire itinerary to help you plan your own version of this amazing RV road trip!

Whether you are on a year-long adventure or plan to visit a few of these areas on shorter trips, this itinerary will help you plan where to go, where to stay, and what to do all over the US and Canada’s wonderful East Coast!

The major stops along our East Coast North America itinerary

• Dry Tortugas National Park, Key West, & The Florida Keys
• Biscayne National Park & Everglades National Park
• Georgia & South Carolina Coast
• Congaree National Park
• Outer Banks & North Carolina Coast
• Maryland & Virginia Coast
• Shenandoah National Park
• Finger Lakes Region of New York
• Adirondacks & Lake Placid
• Portland Maine
• Acadia National Park
• Fundy National Park (New Brunswick)
• Nova Scotia (including Cape Breton Highlands National Park)
• Newfoundland (including Gros Morne National Park, Terra Nova NP, and St. John’s)
• Prince Edward Island

Other stops on the East Coast to consider

It is important to note that we are originally from New England and have also spent time living in Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Florida.

You might have looked at the list above and thought.. hmmm, it seems like there are some big things missing from that list. And you would be correct!

There are plenty of East Coast gems that we had already spent plenty of time in, that you should definitely consider adding to your itinerary if you have not explored them already.

These stops include:

• Hiawassee & the mountains of North Georgia
• Smoky Mountains National Park on the TN / NC border
• Blue Ridge Parkway in NC
• New River Gorge National Park in WV
• Philadelphia & Gettysburg, PA
• Niagara Falls in upstate NY & Canada
• New York City & Boston
• Cape Cod, MA
• Newport, RI
• White Mountains NH
• Stowe, Lake Champlain, Green Mountains, VT
• The Berkshires of Western MA

Not quite ready to take your travels into Canada? Check out our guide to the Best East Coast RV Trips in the U.S.

A Complete Guide To East Coast RV Road Stops From the U.S. through Canada

Now that you have the lay of the land, we dive into what to do, places to see, and where to stay along your epic East Coast North America RV road trip itinerary!

Florida

Ah, the Sunshine State.

Home of white sand beaches, turquoise blue waters, palm trees, and a popular destination for snowbirds and RVers looking to escape winter.

A mecca for RVing, Florida is a great place to begin or end an epic RV trip along the East Coast of North America.

Here are some of our favorite stops in sunny Florida:

Florida Keys

Want to spend some time in sunny Florida? Consider stops at the famous Disney World and Disney theme parks in Orlando, see amazing Spanish architecture in St. Augustine or head over to the panhandle to explore popular destinations with white sandy beaches such as Destin or Panama City Beach. 

Beautiful beaches all over the state make Florida the perfect location for winter RV trips to help you escape the cold and warm up for a bit.

With a lot of persistence and a bit of luck, we were able to reserve 4 consecutive weeks at State Parks in the Florida Keys, providing us with a whole lot of savings for our RV trip to Florida paradise!

With 2 weeks camping at Bahia Honda State Park and 2 weeks at John Penekamp Coral Reef State Park, we will have the freedom to explore the Florida Keys in our RV at only a fraction of the price compared to some of the other local RV resort options.

While you are down in the Keys, we highly recommend spending the money to visit Dry Tortugas National Park. At right around $400 for the two of us, the tickets to take the ferry 70 miles out to this island park sitting in the Gulf of Mexico was a bit of a shock, but ultimately so worth it!

If you love snorkeling, amazing blue waters, and interesting historical forts – visiting Dry Tortugas National Park is the trip for you!

While you are down visiting the Florida Keys, this is a great time to also consider visiting Everglades National Park and Biscayne National Park.

After heading north from the Keys, we stayed in Everglades National Park and used that as our “home base” to explore both parks.

READ MORE: How To Book Competitive Florida Keys State Park Campgrounds

What To See & Do While RVing in The Florida Keys

• Key West (don’t forget the Southernmost Point marker, Mile Marker 0 for Route 1, the 6-toed cats at the Hemmingway House, Duval Street, Mallory Square, or the Key West Lighthouse)
• Snorkeling and tour the fort at Fort Zachary Taylor Historic State Park
• Dry Tortugas National Park (a bucket list trip for us that was well worth the expense)
• Snorkeling or scuba diving at John Pennekamp State Park
• Eat Key Lime Pie!
• Support friends of “Crush” at the Turtle Hospital in Marathon
• Include a trip to Everglades National Park and Biscayne National Park just north of the keys to hit all of Florida’s National Parks!

Key West is also a great place to splurge on some tours or excursions to get out on the water (unless you have an RV that floats of course….)

Campgrounds to consider:

If you are able to plan your trip in advance and book out 11 months ahead of time, you can get great camping spots for budget-friendly prices at the State Parks in the Florida Keys!

• Bahia Honda State Park
• Curry Hammock State Park
• John Pennekamp State Park (these sites even have full hookups!)

There are also several private campgrounds, just prepare yourself – many of them are quite pricey!

Everglades National Park

The best place to see “the original” Florida. An area that has been untouched, unspoiled, and holds the raw natural beauty of the largest subtropical wilderness in the U.S.

In the park, you can find a variety of rare and endangered species, explore a large system of waterways that acts as the lungs of Florida, and learn about the storied past and unique history of the Native Americans who once thrived here.

The best time to visit is during the dry season from December to April. You will find many of the campgrounds close between April/May and fall and winter each year so be sure to check on that while you are planning your trip!

Top Things To Do:

• Take an airboat ride! There are 3 approved companies that do tours inside the National Park: Coopertown Airboats, Everglades Safari Parks, Gator Park ( located along US Hwy 41/Tamiami Trail between Miami and Shark Valley). Reservations are not required and are typically not necessary.

• Backcountry Boat Tour from the Flamingo Marina in Everglades National Park

• Florida Bay Boat Tour from the Flamingo Marina in Everglades National Park

• Visit the Shark Valley Observation Tower: Bike or take a guided tram ride on the 15-mile paved trail
  • For tram tours, advance reservations are highly recommended!

• Canoe and kayak: There are plenty of paddling trails throughout the park, as well as camping areas only accessible by boat

Campgrounds to consider:

National Park Campgrounds

Two campgrounds, typically open November – April/May each year.

• Flamingo Campground: Electric and primitive campsites 40 miles south in the park close to the Flamingo Marina, Flamingo Beach, and the Guy Bradley Visitor Center. This will leave you about 2 hours from the airboat ride tours and Shark Valley observation tower. AT&T service only, many sites good for Starlink

• Long Pine Key Campground: Dry campsites close to the Ernest F. Coe Visitor Center. AT&T and Verizon service is available and it is located about 1.5 hours from Shark Valley

READ MORE: Complete Guide To Everglades National Park Camping

Biscayne National Park

This park is 95% water, meaning some of the best ways to explore are either in or on the water!

Consider a guided boat tour or hop in a kayak or on a paddleboard to experience the park.

To get up close and personal with the marine life and coral reefs the park protects, opt for a scuba diving or snorkeling excursion.

If you are short on time, you can still appreciate and learn more about the park by exploring the Visitor Center and walking the Convoy Point Jetty Walk along the water, with views of the Miami skyline.

Top Things To Do:

• Snorkel Tours & Scuba trips: Guided tours depart from the Dante Fiscell Visitor Center
  • See coral reefs and remnants of a shipwreck on the Biscayne Maritime Heritage Trail
• Convoy Point Jetty Walk
• Boca Chita Key & Lighthouse and Biscayne Bay (via a boat tour, boat rental, or your private boat)
• Boating, Canoeing, Kayaking

Florida Overall

Top State Parks in Florida:

• Anastasia State Park, St. Augustine
• Bahia Honda State Park, Big Pine Key
• Big Lagoon State Park, Pensacola
• Blue Spring State Park, Orange City (a great spot for manatee viewing in the winter months!)
• Curry Hammock State Park, Marathon
• Henderson Beach State Park, Destin
• John Penekamp Coral Reef State Park, Key Largo

Top RV Parks in Florida:

• Sunshine Key RV Resort & Marina (Florida Keys)
• Bluewater Key RV Resort (Florida Keys)
• Fiesta Key RV Resort & Marina (Florida Keys)
• Disney Fort Wilderness Resort (Orlando/ Disney World)
• Destin West RV Resort (Florida panhandle)

Example Shorter RV Road Trip Routes For Florida:

• Panhandle: Panama City Beach -Destin -Pensacola
• St. Augustine – Orlando- Tampa – St. Petersburg
• Sarasota – Naples – Everglades NP + Biscayne NP (Homestead, FL) – Florida Keys
• Florida Keys: (Key West or other Keys) – Everglades – Biscayne National Park (Homestead, FL can be a great home base for seeing both Everglades and Biscayne National Parks))

Georgia

The Peach State has both a beautiful coastline and rolling mountains to explore, only a few hours apart.

With mild winters and beautiful spring and fall weather, this is a great place to be in the early or late months of the year, depending on which direction you plan to travel as you explore the East Coast of North America.

This is a state we would love to explore more, with much of our time here so far having been spent camping in the mountains or playing golf on the coast!

Great Places To See & Explore:

• Savannah
• Tybee Island
• Skidaway Island
• Jekyll Island
• St. Simons Island

Top Campgrounds & RV Parks:

• Skidaway Island State Park
• Creekfire RV Resort
• Fort McAllister State Park
• River’s End Campground & RV Park
• Laura S. Walker State Park
• Crooked River State Park Campground
• Blythe Island Regional Park

South Carolina

In South Carolina, you can explore the low country by the ocean or head to the upstate for lakes and rolling hills.

Winter or spring is a great time to enjoy pristine beaches and charming coastal towns before the summer peak season while you wait for more northern destinations to thaw out.

Great Places To See:

• Columbia & Congaree National Park (see the largest intact expanses of old-growth bottomland hardwood forest in the United States)
• Edisto Island (a laid-back beach stay that feels like a hidden gem)
• Charleston & Folly Beach (experience the rich history, walk the cobblestone streets, enjoy amazing food, and soak in a picturesque sunset)
• Kiawah Island (a golfer’s paradise)
• Pawley’s Island, Murrells Inlet, & Myrtle Beach (more touristy, plenty to do and lots of fun to be had)

Top Campgrounds & RV Parks:

• Santee State Park
• Edisto Beach State Park
• Buck Hall Recreation Area
• James Island County Park Campground
• Hunting Island State Park
• Big Rig Friendly RV Resort (For Congaree National Park)

North Carolina

At one time we called this great state home!

North Carolina still holds a special place in our hearts, with its great mix of untouched barrier islands, beautiful trails and wildlife, and charming mountains.

While this itinerary focuses on the coastal areas which we had not explored much during our time living here, if you have not yet visited we highly recommend spending time in and around Asheville and the Blue Ridge Parkway as well.

A state that has winding roads through orange, red, and yellow foliage-covered mountains and a bright blue sparkling ocean coastline… what more can you ask for!?

Great Places To See:

• Carolina Beach (don’t forget Kure Beach right next-door as well!)
• Bald Head Island (a great way to slow down and escape to a car-free island)
• Beaufort & The Crystal Coast (charming coastal towns and pristine beaches)
• Cape Lookout National Seashore (the lesser visited, southern section of the Outer Banks)
• Outer Banks (a magical stay on a narrow strip of barrier islands that feels like paradise)

Top Campgrounds & RV Parks:

For Beaufort, The Crystal Coast & Cape Lookout National Seashore

• Oyster Point Campground
• Cedar Point Campground
• Flanners Beach-Neuse River Campground
• Cape Lookout National Seashore Beach Camping

For Carolina Beach & Wilmington North Carolina

• Carolina Beach State Park

For The Outer Banks

• Ocracoke Campground
• Frisco Campground
• Cape Point Campground
• Oregon Inlet

Maryland & Virginia

Another great area of the East Coast, where you can find both mountains for hiking and the Atlantic Ocean for all things water.

Camp with the wild horses, lay on the beach, and then head to the mountains for waterfall hikes that will take your breath away.

Great Places To See:

• Assateague Island National Seashore & Chincoteague (VA) (hang out with the wild horses at camp or on the beach, capture plenty of wildlife, enjoy untouched wilderness)
• Ocean City (a more lively, traditional seaside experience)
• Shenandoah National Park (head to the mountains and hike for epic views and cascading waterfalls)

READ MORE: Complete Guide To Camping At Assateague Island National Seashore

Top Campgrounds & RV Parks:

For the coast

• Assateague Island National Seashore Campground (Oceanside & Bayside)
• Sun Outdoors Ocean City
• Assateague State Park Campground

For Shenandoah National Park

Be sure to check for cell signal and tree coverage (suitability for Starlink internet) before choosing a campground! Many parks on the western side of the park have limited cell signal and are heavily wooded, which led us to stay on the eastern side of the park at Madison Vines so that we could work without worry.

• Endless Caverns RV Resort
• Luray RV Resort
• Fort Valley Ranch Campground
• Spacious Skies Shenandoah Views
• Madison Vines RV Resort & Cottages
• National Park Campground Options (no cell service, could be tough for Starlink)
  • Mathews Arm Campground
  • Big Meadows Campground
  • Lewis Mountain Campground
  • Loft Mountain Campground

New York

Drawn to nature and quiet spaces, this time our native New England selves headed for upstate New York.

And we couldn’t believe what we found there!

You will not want to miss the deep blue lakes and crisp mountain air waiting for you only a few hours from the hustle and bustle of one of the largest cities in the world.

A few of our favorite spots:

Great Places To See:

• The Finger Lakes
  • Watkins Glen State Park
  • Buttermilk Falls State Park
  • Taughannock Falls State Park
  • Ithaca & Cascadilla Falls
  • Wineries, vineyards, and cideries galore! (2 favorites were Thirsty Owl & Finger Lakes Cider House)
• The Adirondacks
  • Lake Placid
  • Adirondack Mountain Reserve (Indian Head & Rainbow Falls Trails)
  • Whiteface Mountain (drive Whiteface Veteran’s Memorial Highway – $20, but worth it!)
  • Cascade Mountain
  • Olympic Jumping Complex
  • Big Slide Brewery & Public House

Top Campgrounds & RV Parks:

For the Finger Lakes

• Sned Acres Family Campground (we loved this no-frills stay with a great location overlooking Cayuga Lake)
• Finger Lakes RV Resort
• Watkins Glen State Park
• Taughannock Falls State Park Campground
• Sugar Hill Fire Tower Designated Dispersed Camping
• Robert H. Treman State Park Campground
• Buttermilk Falls State Park Campground

*Note: Most state park campgrounds do not open until mid to late May in this area

For The Adirondacks

• Draper’s Acres
• Thornbush Acres RV Park (although roughly 1 hour from Lake Placid this was a quiet and beautiful stay in the foliage)
• Lake Placid Whiteface Mountain KOA

Maine

Touted “Vacationland,” much of Maine feels like a best-kept secret.

Our relatives call much of Maine “God’s country” and once you get out of the city and into the woods, it is clear to see why.

Come for a breath of fresh air, take a walk in the woods where the sounds of nature bellow, and stay for the welcoming people and fresh seafood.

Great Places To See:

• Portland
• Acadia National Park
• Schoodic Peninsula

Top Campgrounds & RV Parks:

For Portland

• Sun Outdoors Old Orchard Beach
• Winslow Park & Camping
• Wassamski Springs Campground (we had a comfortable stay here in the open field section)

For Acadia National Park

• Bar Harbor Campground (first come, first served; no reservations. We have stayed here twice when visiting Acadia and love it!)
• Timberland Acres RV Park (great for big rigs)
• Mount Desert Campground
• National Park Campgrounds
  • Schoodic Woods Campground (1 hour from Bar Harbor on Schoodic Penisula but a nicely laid out campground with large sites)
  • Blackwoods Campground
  • Seawall Campground

READ MORE: Guide To The Best Camping Sites Near Acadia National Park

Atlantic Canada

Being from the East Coast of the United States, we didn’t add many new states to our map while working our way north from Florida.

For us, the main highlight of our year-long RV trip up the East Coast of North America came when we crossed the border into Canada.

Exploring the 4 easternmost provinces in Canada that makeup Atlantic Canada, you are treated to some of the best views the East Coast has to offer.

You won’t want to miss this highlight reel of North America’s eastern coast… trust us.

Great Places To See:

New Brunswick

• Fundy National Park (be sure to check out the Fundy Coastal Trail)
• Bay of Fundy (highest tides in the world!)
• Hopewell Rocks (A great place to witness just how drastic the tides are)
• Cape Enrage (check out the lighthouse or opt for a zipline experience!)

Newfoundland

• Gros Morne National Park (walk on the Earth’s mantle, camp on the cliffside, take a boat tour through fjords)
• St. Anthony & Quirpon (Icebergs, whales, and history at the northernmost tip of Newfoundland)
• L’anse Aux Meadows National Historic Site (amazing Viking history!)
• Twillingate (local charm, amazing hikes, and opportunities for more iceberg and whale viewings)
• Terra Nova National Park (untouched wilderness, stunning views, great hikes)
• Bonavista & Trinity (another epic peninsula, and one of our favorites of the trip! Icebergs, whales, puffins, and a world-famous hike)
• St. John’s (the largest city on the island, perfect for foodies and history buffs!)
• The Irish Loop – be sure to include Castle Hill National Historic Site & Cape St. Mary’s Ecological Reserve (the best scenic drive on the rock)

READ MORE & GET PLANNING: The Perfect Newfoundland RV Trip

Nova Scotia

• Cape Breton & Cape Breton Highlands National Park (don’t miss the scenic Cabot Trail)
• Meat Cove & Money Point (a bit off the beaten path with some of the best views around)
• Fortress of Louisbourg National Historic Site (tour the reconstruction of an 18th-century French Fortress)
• Halifax (Nova Scotia’s capital and largest city)
• Lunenberg UNESCO World Heritage Site (a colorful seaside town that was once a British settlement)
• Kejimkujik National Park (Inland & Seaside Units)

READ MORE & GET PLANNING: Plan The Perfect East Coast Canada Road Trip In Your RV

Top Campgrounds & RV Parks:

For New Brunswick

• Fundy National Park Campgrounds
  • Cannontown Campground (great location and open skies for Starlink)
  • Headquarters Campground (FHU sites, but tightly packed together)
  • Chignecto Campground (wooded sites further from the Bay of Fundy)

For Newfoundland

• Berry Hill Campground (dry site or hookups in the heart of Gros Morne National Park)
• Viking RV Park (FHU sites in the heart of iceberg territory and close to L’anse Aaux Meadows)
• Peyton’s Wood Campground (great views to the water in Twillingate)
• Newman Sound Campground, Terra Nova National Park

For Nova Scotia

• Graves Island Provincial Park (on the water close to Lunenberg and Halifax)
• Broad Cove Campground (Cape Breton Highlands National Park)
• Cheticamp Campground (Cape Breton Highlands National Park)

READ MORE: How To Plan The Perfect RV Road Trip Step By Step

East Coast North America RV Road Trip Highlights Map

To save the map from being completely overwhelming, below we have added some of the main points of interest for a larger East Coast RV trip covering the U.S. and Canada.

With a longer RV trip covering so much ground, it inherently becomes more difficult to see and do it all in each place.

With trips like this, there will be sacrifices, but you will see and do a lot too!

Use this itinerary as a sampler to bookmark for later more in-depth trips to certain places, or consider only adding stops that are at the top of your bucket list.

The map below provides a starting point for stops we consider the biggest destinations on the East Coast of North America. Use it to plan a larger route, or as a starting point to find attractions and experiences you are interested in as you build out your perfect itinerary.

When used in combination with the itinerary articles linked throughout this article where we break down specific areas (like the North Carolina Coast and South Carolina Coast or the East Coast of Canada specifically), you will be well on your way to planning to perfect RV trip along the east coast of North America!

READ MORE: 16 Best National Parks In The Southeast U.S.

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