If you want to follow the open road as far as it will take you, then you may want to make an Indianapolis to Key West road trip. On your journey, you'll be able to visit some top-notch national and state parks full of mountains, beaches, historical buildings, swamps, lakes, and more. There are plenty of urban wonders on your trip as well in the form of great American cities full of fascinating places to visit. Once your bags and camper are packed, you'll be ready to embark on a road trip from Indianapolis to Key West that will take you all the way from the heart of Indiana to one of the southernmost points in the contiguous US.
Mammoth Cave National Park
About 20 minutes west of Cave City, you’ll find Mammoth Cave National Park. Cave tours are extremely popular here, as you'll get to tour some of the world's largest known cave systems on your Indianapolis to Key West RV road trip. The Rotunda, Gothic Avenue, and Frozen Niagara will provide you with a great venue for an underground adventure. There are plenty of great places for exploration above ground as well; the Green River and the Nolin River provide excellent opportunities for fishing and swimming, while several trails are great locations for hiking, biking, and horseback riding.
Great Smoky Mountains National Park
Before heading south into Georgia, you should travel two hours northeast of Chattanooga, Tennessee, and visit Great Smoky Mountains National Park. You won't have to stay here long to understand why it's America's most-visited national park, and millions of visitors come here to experience the scenic mountain vistas for which this park is known. Before you hit the beaches of Florida, be sure to experience the mountains, forests, streams, and wildlife of this 500,000-acre park.
Biscayne National Park
Speaking of Florida beaches, Biscayne National Park has some lovely stretches of waterfront that you can walk along on your road trip from Indianapolis to Key West. The park's entrance is only 20 minutes east of Homestead, Florida, so it's easy to reach. A 10-mile trail takes you along the park's shoreline, so you can enjoy the rock-strewn beaches of this gorgeous area. The real star of Biscayne National Park, however, is the water and the treasures found beneath it. This area is nationally famous for its elite diving and snorkeling areas; fishing, boating, and swimming are also popular here.
Everglades National Park
Everglades National Park is another national park that’s only about 20 minutes from Homestead. This park is home to America's largest tropical wilderness, so you won't have to worry about running out of places to explore in this 1.5 million-acre national park. You can see everything from mangroves to marshes and numerous exotic, and even endangered, species call this place home. Airboat tours are popular, but you can use other types of craft to explore the aquatic part of this wilderness. Whether you want to walk a fifth of a mile to Pahayokee Overlook or bike 15 miles through Shark Valley, you can find plenty of adventure at Everglades National Park.
Dry Tortugas National Park
There is no denying that Dry Tortugas National Park is one of the more distinctive places to visit on your road trip from Indianapolis to Key West. This unique national park can only be reached by seaplane, boat, or ferry, as it is 70 miles from Key West. Seven islands make up this park containing a 19th-century fort, a lighthouse, coral reefs that provide prime snorkeling opportunities, and a large population of sea turtles.
Brown County State Park
Brown County State Park is only 20 minutes west of Columbus, Indiana, so adding it to your road trip itinerary from Indianapolis to Key West is sensible. You'll be visiting the Great Smoky Mountains later in your journey, but you should stop by these Little Smokies before you do. Ridges, hills, slopes, and ravines provide many scenic views that are accessible by multiple hiking and mountain-biking trails.
Nolin Lake State Park
Before you view the underground wonders of Mammoth Cave National Park, you should stop by Nolin Lake State Park. This gorgeous park on Nolin Lake provides you with a great place to fish, boat, and swim. Nine miles of trails are ideal for hiking and mountain biking; wildlife-watching and picnicking are also popular at Nolin Lake State Park.
Rock Island State Park
Roughly 45 minutes east of Manchester, Tennessee, you’ll find Rock Island State Park. The Rocky River, the Caney Fork River, and the Collins River all converge here, allowing plenty of places to go boating, fishing, and swimming. One big attraction here is Great Falls, which is a lovely 30-foot horseshoe cascade. There are also plenty of rocks to see, thanks to the 9 miles of trails that take you around the park.
Red Top Mountain State Park
Red Top Mountain State Park is only 10 minutes from Cartersville, Georgia, so it’s conveniently close to your route. This park is set on Lake Allatoona and is a great place for water sports. More than 15 miles of trails and a 4-mile biking trail give you plenty of options for exploration. You can also play mini-golf and tennis here.
Bahia Honda State Park
Since Bahia Honda State Park is only two minutes from the heart of Bahia Honda Key, you can't pass up the chance to visit one of the greatest state parks in the Keys on your road trip from Indianapolis to Key West. The pristine blue water is perfect for swimming and snorkeling. Don't pass up on fishing, beach-combing, or stargazing as well.
Kentucky Derby Museum
The Kentucky Derby Museum is only 10 minutes from Downtown Louisville. In addition to touring the museum itself, you can also take a tour of nearby Churchill Downs. Other attractions include the Derby Cafe Express, an 18-minute film about the Derby, and the Gift Shop.
Centennial Park
Eight minutes from the heart of Nashville is Centennial Park. This park is known as one of Nashville's best for a good reason. Its biggest attraction is the Parthenon, which is a full-scale replica of the famous Greek attraction—complete with a replica statue of Athena. This park also contains Lake Watauga, the Centennial Art Center, and the Centennial Sportsplex.
Atlanta Botanical Garden
Atlanta Botanical Garden is about 10 minutes from Downtown Atlanta. This urban oasis is 30 acres large, so there's plenty of room to walk around and enjoy the plant collections, exhibitions, and art displays found here. Be sure to check for seasonal events before planning your road trip itinerary from Indianapolis to Key West.
Universal Orlando Resort
Orlando is considered the heart of the theme park world, but Universal Orlando Resort is right off your route, and only a dozen minutes from Downtown Orlando, so it's a must-see. This blockbuster park contains areas like The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, Islands of Adventure, and Volcano Bay. Great rides, dining venues, shows, shops, and more await.
Zoo Miami
If you want to visit the continental US' only sub-tropical zoo, then Zoo Miami needs to be a part of your Indianapolis to Key West RV road trip. South Florida's unique climate allows this zoo to host animals from Africa, Asia, and Australia in native environments. More than 500 species call this 750-acre zoo home, so be sure to stop by and see them.
Louisville, Kentucky
Louisville is a great sports city, so feel free to visit places like Churchill Downs, the Muhammed Ali Center, and the Louisville Slugger Museum & Factory. There are multiple dump stations and campgrounds in the area for your camper.
Nashville, Tennessee
While you're hanging out in Music City, be sure to stop by the Grand Ole Opry, the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum, and Gaylord Opryland Resort Gardens. Plenty of dump stations and campgrounds are close by.
Atlanta, Georgia
There's always something fun to do in Georgia's capital, so you should stop by places like the Georgia Aquarium, the World of Coca-Cola, and Atlanta Botanical Garden. You won’t have to look hard for quality local dump stations and campgrounds.
Orlando, Florida
Amusement parks like Universal Studios Resort, Disney's Magic Kingdom Park, and SeaWorld are all in the Orlando area. Unsurprisingly, there are many great dump stations and campgrounds in the area that visitors to these renowned parks can use.
Miami, Florida
Little Havana, Bayside Marketplace, Dolphin Mall, and more await you in this truly diverse city. There are a range of different dump stations and campgrounds close by.
When you follow this road trip itinerary from Indianapolis to Key West, 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 Indianapolis or Key West.
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