While you can travel from the highlights of Dallas to the beaches of Jacksonville within a day, there are loads of things to explore, see, and do. Along the route, you can find plenty of options to stretch your legs or shop, and of course, you'll want to stop and get something to eat. It also would be a shame to drive so close to Pensacola Beach and not stop off and see the crystal clear waters. Why not expand your trip a few days or even a week to see all you can on your road trip?
Hot Springs National Park
Consider adding Hot Springs National Park to your road trip itinerary from Dallas to Jacksonville. This park in Arkansas is about three hours from your route, adding a total of six hours to your trip. However, it's well worth the extra travel. Hot Springs is the home of the ancient thermal springs, and it's the perfect place to relax and unwind. The springs are piped into Buckstaff and Quapaw bathhouses, allowing you to submerge yourself fully. You can also explore nature, culture, and history or go camping at Gulpha Gorge.
Tyler State Park
Tyler State Park is the first state park you'll come to on your Dallas to Jacksonville road trip. It's a great place to go hiking or take a stroll through nature. There are some historic structures to explore and 100-foot-tall trees to get lost in. The 64-acre spring-fed lake is the ideal place for going fishing, boating, and swimming. For your convenience, canoe, kayak, and boat rentals are offered here. You can also take a hike with a ranger through the Pineywoods and learn how to make something in a Dutch oven or start a fire. To discover more of the area, consider parking your RV at the campground for a few days while you explore the amazing city of Tyler, Texas, known as "America's Rose Capital."
Tickfaw State Park
Tickfaw State Park in Louisiana offers one of the most exciting hiking experiences you could ever have at night or during the day. Stroll through the four ecosystems and experience the sounds of bottomland hardwood forest mixed with pine and the flow of the Tickfaw River. At night, you can hear the swamp nightlife from your RV. You can stop at the nature center and view the 800-gallon aquarium stocked with various fish species found in the Tickfaw River. Consider watching the eight-minute introductory video about the park's history. On hot summer days, your kids will have a fun time splashing around at the water playground.
Falling Waters State Park
Falling Waters State Park is another park along your road trip from Dallas to Jacksonville. It holds Florida's highest waterfall that drops 73 feet to the bottom of the sink, a 100-foot-deep by a 20-foot-wide cylindrical pit. If you like to go birdwatching, you're in luck because there are well over 100 birds known to live at this state park. You can also have a blast fishing and swimming in the 2-acre lake or observe the wildlife that lives at the park. Stay even longer, and explore the history within the park's boundaries from as early as 5,000 years ago. On the other hand, many of the park's artifacts originate from the 19th and 20th centuries.
Suwannee River State Park
Suwannee State Park is an amazing place to go canoeing or kayaking in the Suwannee and Withlacoochee rivers. This Florida park presents historical remnants of a 19th-century steamship and two ghost towns located in its sandhill wilderness. This area is also the home to many different and imperiled native species. Bicyclists can select from paved or off-road regions to explore, and those who have fat tires on their bikes can travel through hardwood canopies, pines, and along the bluffs overlooking the river.
Dark Wood Adventure Park
You'll reach Natchitoches, Louisiana, in about three and a half hours after starting your Dallas to Jacksonville RV road trip. While you're visiting this city, take some time to explore the Dark Woods Adventure Park. At the park, you can pan for hidden gemstones, crystals, minerals, and fossils from many parts of the world.
Coastal Mardi Gras Museum
Coastal Mardi Gras Museum is an educational facility located in Biloxi, Mississippi. This small yet unique museum provides an informative film that highlights the illustrious 300-year history of Mardi Gras in the South. The professional staff dresses in period costumes to give guests the full experience.
Sam’s Fun City Park
Consider stopping at Sam's Fun City Park in Pensacola, Florida, if you want to join in on all the amusement and water park fun. It's also the Gulf Coast home of the famous cartoon duo Rocky and Bullwinkle. If you get hungry while you're visiting, Bullwinkle's Family' n Fun restaurant is on site to supply you with hamburgers, pizza, hot dogs, fresh salads, and deli sandwiches.
Wild Adventures
Suppose you're into exotic animals, waterparks, or theme parks. In that case, you'll want to detour about 30 minutes north from Madison, Florida, to Valdosta, Georgia, to see the Wild Adventures as they have it all. Prepare yourself for unforgettable thrills and getting your feet wet on these amazing 170 acres. The park also features live concerts at the All-Star Amphitheater.
Shreveport, Louisiana
Shreveport lies along the Red River in the northwest part of Louisiana. In Shreveport's early days, it was the center for steamboat commerce and was briefly considered the capital of Louisiana during the Civil War. This city is now the third-largest city in Louisiana. The city highlights riverboat casinos, a zoo, and the largest rose garden in the United States. You can also explore the historical museums to learn the history of this amazing city.
There are plenty of campgrounds in the Shreveport area to park an RV for the night. This will allow you more time to explore the city. The Shreveport/Bossier City KOA is a great place to stay, and if you do, you can use their dump station for free.
Mobile, Alabama
Mobile is a port city on Alabama's Gulf Coast and where the historical WWII-era USS Alabama battleship is anchored. It's the second-largest city in Alabama, offering plenty of sunshine and endless outdoor recreational opportunities. Consider making time to enjoy the bayous, bays, and beaches of Mobile. You'll also find hands-on learning museums, boat-fresh dining, and beautiful parks to take a stroll through.
Shady Acres is a popular RV campground in Mobile with 92 sites to choose from, including ones right along the river. Unfortunately, there is no dump station at this campground, but the nearby Island Retreat RV Park does provide one for free to all registered guests.
Hattiesburg, Mississippi
The location of Hattiesburg was the center destination point of railroad line crossings. It rapidly became known as the Hub City. Today, the city is a great place to visit because of its big-city shops and small-town conveniences. The Choctaw Native Americans initially inhabited this city until November 16, 1805, when the Treaty of Mount Dexter was signed. Some of the top attractions you can explore in this city include the Mannoni Performing Arts Center, the historic Saenger Theater, and the Freedom Summer Trail.
Hattiesburg campgrounds are excellent places to park your RV while seeing the sights. If you're looking for a dump station, you can easily find one at the Navy Getaways Shields RV Park in the nearby city of Gulfport.
Tallahassee, Florida
Tallahassee is Florida's state capital and is home to electrifying nightlife, historic sites, and family-friendly attractions. This city will not let you down when it comes to outdoor recreation; there are well over 700 miles of nature trails to explore and undeniably gorgeous landscapes that you can't help but enjoy. This city is also a great place to find vintage treasures, apparel, and keepsakes.
When you follow this road trip itinerary from Dallas to Jacksonville, you will enjoy historic locations and beautiful scenery along the way. If you want to travel in comfort and style, consider an RV rental from RVshare. From large motorhomes to compact campervans, there is a rig that will meet your travel and budget needs. Once you hit the road, you are protected by our renter guarantee and 24/7 roadside assistance. Find the perfect vehicle for your travel needs in Dallas or Jacksonville.
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