Roadtrip with RVshare Little Rock to Talladega National Forest

Choose to visit Talladega National Forest near Brent, Alabama, in the spring to see the wildflowers or in the fall to see the glorious fall colors. Go horseback riding along the Warden Station trails located in the Talladega Choccolocco Wildlife Management Area. Hit the hiking trails for stunning views of the Appalachian Mountains, or go fishing in the Highrock, Liberty Hill, Morgan, and Sweetwater Lakes in this national forest. You can have fun exploring the Great Smoky Mountains National Park and numerous state parks before you get there. Memphis, Tennessee; Tupelo, Mississippi; and Tuscaloosa, Alabama, are just a few of the towns you will want to explore. 

Nearby National Parks

Great Smoky Mountains National Park  

Consider taking U.S. Route 441 through the Great Smoky Mountains National Park to see amazing scenery and find fun things to do. Start your visit at the Sugarlands Visitors Center. Watch the overview movie and then head out to explore some of the nearby short hiking trails. Stop at the Chimney Tops Picnic Area to enjoy the views. Continue to Newfoundland Gap, where President Roosevelt stood when he declared the land a national park. Take the short turnoff to Clingmans Dome Road, and drive to the observation tower for amazing views of the park. Clingman Dome is a great place to go hiking and has a short path leading to its peak. Then, head on to Mingus Mill, where you can see a large water-powered mill for grinding corn. Finish your drive along U.S. Route 441 by visiting the Oconaluftee Visitor Center and the nearby Mountain Farm Museum. 

Nearby State Parks

Woolly Hollow State Park  

You'll want to save time for many of Arkansas' state parks as well! Consider starting your road trip from Little Rock to Talladega National Forest by going north a little to visit Woolly Hollow State Park near Greenbrier, Arkansas. Rent a canoe, kayak, pedal boat, or fishing boat to play on the 40-acre lake. The Enders Fault Trail is a terrific place to go mountain biking across rolling hills and two mountain streams. Riding the path clockwise allows you to enjoy a great downhill run at the end. A lifeguard is on duty at the swimming beach during the summer. Grab a snack at the snack bar, and go shopping at the gift shop. 

Pickwick Landing State Park  

There are also some great state parks in Tennessee that are worth stopping in to visit. Pickwick Landing State Park near Savannah, Tennessee, is a fantastic park to include on your Little Rock to Talladega National Forest road trip. Kayaks, canoes, SUPs, pontoon, and fishing boats are available to rent from the marina, and two boat ramps make launching the vessel easy. This park on the Tennessee River is a great place to go fishing, either in the river or on Pickwick Lake. The 18-hole, par-72 Pickwick Landing State Park Golf Course is a terrific place to play a round or two. There is also a disc golf course. You will want to go swimming at one of this park’s three swim beaches. 

Meeman-Shelby Forest State Park  

You will love seeing the mature Bald Cypress and Tupelo swamp at Meeman-Shelby Forest State Park near Memphis. This park is home to 10 state Champion Trees and two National Champion Trees. Rent a canoe, kayak, tandem kayak, pedal boat, or paddleboard to explore Poplar Tree Lake. You can also use the boat ramp at this park to launch your boat onto the Mississippi River. Challenge your traveling buddies to a game of disc golf on the 36-hole disc golf course. There are two halves to this scenic course, so you can choose to play the whole thing or stop at the midway point. Over 20 miles of hiking and 5 miles of biking trails are available. This park’s bluffs are a superb place to go birdwatching. 

Tombigbee State Park  

Tombigbee State Park near Tupelo, Mississippi, is a fantastic place to go fishing. The state regularly stocks the 90-acre freshwater lake with bass, bream, and catfish. A boat ramp is available. Play on this park’s two 18-hole disc golf courses that wind their way through the beautiful trees. If you bring children along, they will love the playground while everyone can enjoy a friendly game of volleyball. There are many picnic shelters with beautiful views of the lake. 

Lake Lurleen State Park  

If you love water activities, Alabama has some great state parks including Lake Lurleen State Park, on your Little Rock to Talladega National Forest RV road trip. Head to the beach on the 250-acre lake for swimming fun. Rent a boat and buy some tackle at the park store to go fishing. The state stocks this lake with largemouth bass, bream, catfish, and crappie. This facility also has three fishing piers. Bikers and hikers will love following the 15-mile multi-use trail. 

Along the Way

ESSE Purse Museum  

ESSE Purse Museum depicts how women’s purses changed from 1900 to 1999. The museum creatively displays purses from each decade along with photographs and other artifacts. This downtown Little Rock, Arkansas, museum is one of only three purse museums in the world. 

Graceland  

Tour Graceland, where Elvis Presley lived in Memphis. Then, head outside to see the gardens and tour the airplane that he used to travel the world. You can also visit the Chapel in the Woods. 

The American Village  

Stop at The American Village in Montevallo, Alabama. This unique village has several replicas that you will want to see, including a home inspired by George Washington’s Mount Vernon, a Colonial courthouse, a Colonial chapel, and a reproduction of the Oval Office. Watch performances in the auditorium, films in the theater, and explore the museum. You can often participate in hands-on learning experiences led by costumed historians. 

Cahaba River National Wildlife Refuge  

Cahaba River National Wildlife Refuge near West Blocton, Alabama, is a great place to go fishing, canoeing, and hiking. You will want to bring along your camera to take photos of wildlife. The river is home to several threatened fish species, including the Cahaba shiner and the Goldline darter. A festival occurs every May to celebrate the Cahaba lilies that grow in abundance at this location. 

Paul W. Bryant Museum  

The University of Alabama campus in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, is home to the Paul W. Bryant Museum. You will want to watch the videos showcasing some of Bryant’s most outstanding players on the touch-screen video console as you enter the museum. Stroll through the chronological exhibits presenting each of the teams between 1892 to the present day. Tour the replica of Coach Bryant's office. See a crystal replica of Bryant’s famous hat, and listen to radio broadcast moments from infamous games. 

Main Cities You Will Pass Through

Memphis, Tennessee  

Be sure to take in a blues concert on Beale Street when visiting Memphis. The city boasts more than 60 miles of biking trails. You can find great Memphis campgrounds at Fort Pillow State Park, Navy Lake, and Meeman-Shelby Forest State Park. Find RV dump stations in Memphis at Elvis Presley Boulevard RV Park, Graceland RV Park and Campground, and T.O. Fuller State Park. 

Tupelo, Mississippi  

The birthplace of Elvis Presley, Tupelo, is a fun place to explore. See the Tupelo Buffalo Park & Zoo, the Elvis Presley Museum, and the Tupelo Veteran's Museum. Find great campgrounds in Tupelo at Campground at Barnes Crossing, Elvis Presley Lake & Campground, and Tombigbee Lake State Park. RV dump stations in Tupelo are available at Trace State Park, Whitten Park Campground, and Davis Lake Campground. 

Tuscaloosa, Alabama  

Tuscaloosa is the home of the University of Alabama. While taking in a game at Bryant-Denny Stadium can be a fun activity, you can find many other fantastic things to do in Tuscaloosa. Visit the Paul W. Bryant Museum, stroll along the Tuscaloosa Riverwalk, and explore the Mercedes Benz U.S. International Visitor Center and Museum. There are many great campgrounds in Tuscaloosa, including Bama RV Station, Lake Lurleen State Park, and Burchfield Branch Park. Find RV dump stations in Tuscaloosa at Burchfield Branch Park, Lake Lurleen State Park, and Moundville Archaeological Park. 

Find Adventure from Little Rock to Talladega National Forest

Find your One-Way Rental

When you follow this road trip itinerary from Little Rock to Talladega National Forest, 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 Little Rock or Brent.