Roadtrip with RVshare Dover to Chattanooga

A Dover to Chattanooga road trip is filled with exciting things to see and do. Make sure to stop in Washington, D.C., to explore some of the museums and visit the White House. Baltimore is also not far from the route that you will be traveling, so you can make a stop, get some delicious Maryland crab cakes, and enjoy the bay. Once you are on your way, you will also find several national forests that you can explore.

Nearby National Parks

Shenandoah National Park

Shenandoah National Park is one of the most breathtaking locations to visit on the East Coast. The park covers approximately 300 miles, and the Blue Ridge Mountains have beautiful forests and waterfalls that you can explore. Hiking and biking are activities that can be enjoyed in Shenandoah National Park, but since there is a mountain range in the park, rock climbing is also an option for anyone with the skills to traverse the cliffs. Anglers will also enjoy fishing in the mountain waters.

Nearby State Parks

Shenandoah River State Park

Shenandoah River State Park is more than 1,600 acres of land that you can explore, and more than five miles of the park is situated along the shores of the Shenandoah River. This makes it a great place to stop and enjoy some fishing or boating. You can also wade in the river. There are also a few waterfalls in the park that you can enjoy. If you prefer to stay dry, there are 24 miles of trails that you can walk, bike, or enjoy on horseback.

Claytor Lake State Park

You will also want to include Claytor Lake State Park on your road trip itinerary from Dover to Chattanooga. The park is 472 acres, with Claytor Lake in the center. In the lake, you can enjoy fishing, swimming, and boating. There is a swimming beach that is good for the little ones to swim around safely. There are also plenty of trails to hike and a nature exhibit center that you can explore.

Hungry Mother State Park

Hungry Mother State Park is a great place to explore when you are looking for adventure. Hungry Mother Lake is ideal for kayaking, canoeing, swimming, fishing, and more. If you don’t have your own boat, there are rentals available at the park that you can use. In addition, Hungry Mother State Park has 10 trails that you can hike or ride a bike on. There are even paved trails that are great to explore with young children and pets.

Harrison Bay State Park

Harrison Bay State Park is located right along Chickamauga Lake, which means the 35,800- acre lake is great for anglers and anyone who wants to take a boat out on the water to enjoy the day. The park is approximately 1,200 acres of land you can enjoy by hiking trails, picnicking, or looking for wildlife. There is a professional-level golf course in the park where you can improve your swing. There is a historical museum that will help you learn more about the history of the Chickamauga Dam and the surrounding area.

Along the Way

The Strasburg Museum

If you are a train enthusiast, make sure that you stop at the Strasburg Museum on this Dover to Chattanooga RV road trip. You can see exhibits like a genuine red caboose, a working railroad, and an old country store display at the museum. You can also see a large collection of Strasburg pottery, historic photos, Civil War artifacts, and more, all in Colonial and Victorian-style rooms. There is even a gift shop where you can get homemade pickles and apple butter to take home with you. Train rides are available from the museum, so this is a must-stop for train enthusiasts or anyone traveling with children. 

Dinosaur Kingdom II

Dinosaur Kingdom II is a place where dinosaurs come to life and, in this fictional universe, are used by the Yankees in 1864 as weapons against the South. If you are interested in Civil War history, adding prehistoric creatures into what happened will create an exciting reenactment. If you love Jurassic Park, this is the next best thing, and depending on the time you visit, you can even meet Mark Kline, the creator of this park.

Knoxville Museum of Art

The Knoxville Museum of Art is a great place to visit and get to know the artists of Eastern Tennessee. The museum celebrates its art and engages visitors by telling enthralling stories about each artist. There are tours, lectures, and educational programs that you can attend, so make sure to check their calendar to see what’s available during your visit. There is also a gift shop on the top floor that you will want to visit before you leave.

Main Cities You Will Pass Through

Annapolis, Maryland

Annapolis is on the Chesapeake Bay, so it has beautiful views of the ocean and some amazing museums and historic sites to visit. Annapolis is one of the oldest cities in the country, so it has a lot of history. Make sure to take a tour of the Annapolis Historic District to find out more about this city when it was the capital. The U.S. Naval Academy Museum, the Maryland State House, the Banneker-Douglass Museum, and The Annapolis Maritime Museum can all be found in this city. Save time to go on a sailing excursion in the bay during your visit.

Annapolis campgrounds are easy to find in the area, especially for anglers who are looking for a place to stay that is close to good fishing opportunities. Before you leave Maryland, make sure you look for a local dump station where you can offload your wastewater. Most locations only charge a small fee to use their dump station.

Roanoke, Virginia

Roanoke is a place where you can explore many quirky attractions and places to rock climb, hike, and fish. If you enjoy exploring the great outdoors, stop by Carvins Cove Natural Reserve, which takes up more than 13,000 acres of land and has plenty of trails to hike. Smith Mountain Lake is ideal for anglers to visit; in fact, it has a large striped bass population, so don’t forget your fishing gear. McAfee Knob is another great place to hike and rock climb if you are up for a challenge. There is also a Living-Coral Reef Aquarium, a Butterfly Garden, a Roanoke Pinball Museum, and much more that you can enjoy during your visit.

To see all of the attractions, look for campgrounds in the Roanoke area where you can stay for a night or two. Many of the RV parks and campgrounds in the area have dump stations that visitors can use for little to no cost. 

Knoxville, Tennessee

The last major city you will be stopping at on this road trip from Dover to Chattanooga is Knoxville. The city has a lot of history and culture that you can learn about by visiting museums, historic buildings, monuments, and parks. Some of the highlights include the McClung Museum of Natural History and Culture, the Mabry-Hazen House Museum, the East Tennessee History Center, and the James White Fort. Nature lovers will want to visit World’s Fair Park, the Ijams Nature Center, and the Knoxville Zoo. 

If you are planning on staying in the area for more than a day, consider some of the Knoxville campgrounds that are near attractions that interest you. Southlake RV Park is a family-friendly option that is located right in Knoxville. There are also plenty of dump stations in Knoxville that you can use to offload your wastewater before continuing on your RV trip. In fact, Southlake RV Park even offers free use of its dump station to guests.

Find Adventure from Dover to Chattanooga

Find your One-Way Rental

When you follow this road trip itinerary from Dover to Chattanooga, 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 Dover or Chattanooga.