The Mother Road may be America’s most famous highway, but some of its best experiences live just beyond the headline attractions — which means that even many Route 66 nerds end up accidentally passing them by.
That’s why, in celebration of the Centennial, we’ve gathered these ten Route 66 hidden gems to ensure you make every last worthwhile stop on your RV camping road trip. They may be off the beaten path, these forgotten towns, quirky roadside stops, scenic detours and moments of unexpected natural beauty are the real MVPs of Route 66. (Although we still love you, Cadillac Ranch and Santa Monica Pier.) We’ll also dish out some top-tier tips and advice for RV Route 66 road trips specifically, including how to choose campgrounds, check road conditions, and more.
Why Seek Out Hidden Gems on Route 66?
If you’re driving the road that winds all the way from Chicago to LA (as the song famously posits), you may wonder what the point is in seeking out hidden Route 66 must-sees. After all, with more than 2,400 miles of the route to explore, chances are you’re not hurting for things to see and do. In fact, you probably have too much on your to-do list.
Here’s the thing, though: at that length, driving straight through is darn near impossible unless you’re a full-time traveler who lives (and possibly works remotely) in your RV. Most travelers will instead do a section of the Mother Road or two. And if you are a full-timer planning to do the whole thing, good on you — but it’s still the scenic detours and little things that are going to make the trip truly memorable. Plus, hidden gems mean:
- Fewer crowds
- More authentic local culture (rather than tourist traps)
- Unique photo ops that won’t be in everyone else’s Instagram feed and stories you won’t hear anywhere else
- And, often, easier RV access and parking
Sounds good, right? We think so, too. Let’s dig into this hidden treasure!
Top Hidden Gems Along Route 66
Without further ado, here are our ten very favorite off-the-beaten-path stops along Route 66 that are 100% worth a stopover.
1. Pontiac, Illinois
It would be hard to call a tour of a classic road like Route 66 complete without a stop in this city — although, fun fact, the actual make of car is actually named after Pontiac, Michigan. Still, this stop, with its walkable downtown filled with murals and preserved storefront, is home to the not-to-be-missed Pontiac-Oakland Auto Museum, as well as the Museum Of The Gilding Arts and the Pontiac Doll & Toy Museum, all of which are within a single block from each other.
Why It’s Worth Stopping
We recommend Pontiac because it’s an easy stop that punches above its weight class with lots of to-dos in a small and walkable downtown, making for a satisfying start just a short way outside of Chicago. It feels like a place that understands why people love Route 66 — nostalgia, cars, design, and stories — without turning it into a gimmick.
RV Tip: Pontiac is very RV-friendly, with wide streets and oversized parking near the museums.
2. Bennett Springs State Park, Missouri
For most travelers, the Route 66 drive is more about nostalgia and Americana than the outdoor scenery, especially in the midwestern (rather than southwestern) portion of the trip. That’s exactly why you shouldn’t miss epic natural beauty when it presents itself — which is exactly what you’ll find at Bennett Springs State Park.
Why It’s Worth Stopping
For starters, this hidden-gem stop doubles as an actual campground. In fact, there are five campgrounds inside the state park, one of which offers 48 full-hookup sites for a comfortable and accommodating stay. Additionally, the park’s water ways, including both Niangua River and Bennett Springs, pass over 100 millions of gallons along their way, making it an excellent spot for fishing, swimming, boating, biking, nature-watching, and just plain old relaxing.
RV Tip: Reservations are available for Campground One (where the hookups are) year-round, and we recommend making yours early!
3. Red Oak II, Missouri
Tucked just outside the town of Carthage, Red Oak II is an open-air museum that recreates an Ozark town the way you’d have experienced it if you were here in the 1930s or 40s. From the old school house to the Marshall’s office and everywhere in between, it truly feels like taking a step back in time. It’s also full of excellent photo ops that will have everyone asking where on earth you took those shots.
Why It’s Worth Stopping
Red Oak II is the kind of Route 66 hidden gem that others will be sorry they never heard of when they see your pictures and hear your stories about it. It offers an eerie type of nostalgia for the adults and just plain fun for the kids, and it’s also free to visit (though donations are encouraged and gladly accepted).
RV Tip: Access roads are paved and easy for large rigs, there’s ample room to park near the entrance, and Red Oak Resort & RV Park next door offers full hookups and quick in-and-out access without navigating tight town streets.
4. Galena, Kansas
Red Oak II may recreate the past, but Galena, Kansas allows you to truly step into it in real time. A still-thriving (though small) community, Galena was once a booming lead-and-zinc mining hub. After the bust, it reinvented itself as a nostalgic pit stop filled with restored storefronts and curated roadside stops designed for great photos. Oh, and it’s also home to Cars on the Route, which your kids definitely don’t want to miss.
Why It’s Worth Stopping
Cars on the Route alone would put Galena on our list, but even without kids aboard, this one’s a classic Route 66 stop that’s all too often passed over. It’s small enough that you’ll be satisfied with an hour to explore, but big enough that there’s more to discover if you make it into an overnight.
RV Tip: Galena is easy to access with an RV via Route 66 (aka Main Street), with room to park near Cars on the Route and nearby pull-offs.
5. Tucumcari, New Mexico
If you’re into big skies and even better photos, it doesn’t get better than Tucumcari. Think sprawling murals and neon signs offset against the blue-gold spectrum of a desert sunset. The town also used to be the junction for the transcontinental train service. In other words, it combines real history with a beauty that’s both vibrant and vintage. It’s a must-do.
Why It’s Worth Stopping
Tucumcari may be a hidden gem, but it’s home to some well-known Route 66 stops like the Blue Swallow Motel (which offers, per its nostalgic sign, “100% Refrigerated Air.” Plus, walking through Tucumcari’s downtown truly feels like inhabiting a post card. You just can’t miss it.
RV Tip: Tucumcari features wide streets, easy access from I-40, and multiple RV parks with full hookups (including a KOA) right along Route 66, making it an ideal overnight stop without tight turns or tricky parking.
6. Two Guns, Arizona
This one, you’ve probably never heard of before — and if you get the chane to stop, you’re going to be glad we brought it to your attention. Two Guns, Arizona is a truly desolate place in the best sense of the word. An authentic ghost town built on top of real tragedy, this spot actually used to be a tourist trap. Now, it’s one of the most authentic Route 66 hidden gems there is.
Why It’s Worth Stopping
Perhaps the most compelling (and creepy) reason to visit Two Guns is the Apache Death Cave, where a group of Navajo warriors ambushed and killed 42 Apache raiders inside the lava tube in the late 1800s, suffocating them with a fire. The history may be fictional, but it’s still an interesting stop — along with the town’s ruined zoo, graffiti-covered gas station, and general desolation vibes.
RV Tip: Here’s the catch. Two Guns is not RV-friendly beyond the pull-off — access is via rough dirt roads with no services, tight turnarounds, and soft sand, so it’s best to park a large RV safely along the Route 66/I-40 frontage area and explore the site on foot.
7. Hackberry General Store, Arizona
Strung between the truly tiny towns of Valentine and Antares, the Hackberry General Store is one of those places where authenticity and tourism collide. Yes, it’s basically an old gas station and soda fountain, but it’s also a one-of-a-kind experience that takes real work and intention to get to. And, a super fun fact: Bob Waldmire, the artist who originally operated this place, was the inspiration for the character Fillmore in the movie Cars.
Why It’s Worth Stopping
The photo opps are truly epic (there is no other word), and the desert around you will reverberate. You’ll feel both nostalgia and distance all at once. In short: it’s a place that feels like Route 66.
RV Tip: Hackberry General Store is easy to access with an RV, with a large gravel lot right off Route 66 that can accommodate big rigs, though there are no hookups or overnight camping on site.
8. Oatman, Arizona
If you wanted the wild west, you’ve arrived in it! Oatman, Arizona is truly rugged, scenic, and one-of-kind. (And it doesn’t hurt that it’s perhaps best known for its burros, cutie-pie donkeys that are descended from the ones that miners used to use to help lighten their loads back in the day.)
Why It’s Worth Stopping
Lively and absurd on the surface, Oatman is ringed by stark, silent desert that reminds you how isolated this place really is. Plus, the drive in is one of the most dramatic on the entire route. Once you’re there, even a short walk reveals old mine entrances, bullet-pocked walls, and panoramic views that quickly pull you past the tourist veneer into something more authentic and memorable.
RV Tip: The road into Oatman is narrow, steep, and winding with sharp drop-offs, so large RVs should not attempt it. Park in Kingman or Bullhead City and visit Oatman by towed vehicle or car instead.
9. Amboy, California
A near-abandoned desert outpost anchored by the iconic Roy’s Motel & Café. Amboy is set along a dead-straight stretch of old Route 66 and surrounded by vast Mojave emptiness. Amboy feels stark and exposed — sun-bleached buildings, volcanic hills, and wind moving through a place that time largely forgot.
Why It’s Worth Stopping
Ready to slow down? Amboy isn’t really about doing so much as being. And it’s an iconic and picturesque stop toward the end of your Route 66 journey (or the beginning, if you’re taking the Mother Road northward.) Don’t miss the abandoned airport, which dates back to World War II.
RV Tip: Amboy is easy to reach with an RV via Route 66, with plenty of flat pull-off space near Roy’s for short stops, but there are no services, hookups, or overnight camping. Plan to stay elsewhere and treat it as a daytime pause.
10. The Integratron, California
Okay, yes, the Integratron is technically a ways off of Route 66. But if you’re in this part of the country, you’re likely taking a detour to visit Joshua Tree National Park anyway, and this one is truly the perfect weird-yet-wonderful ending to a long and winding weird-yet-wonderful trip.
Why It’s Worth Stopping
George Van Tassel, the original designer of the Integratron, claimed it was designed by Venusians for time travel. These days, the travel is a bit more terrestrial, but the sound baths that are held here really can make you feel transported. Even just walking around the grounds and hanging out in the hammocks can feel like a good way to let the road slide off your back.
RV Tip: There’s limited on-site parking (and no overnight parking) at the Integratron, so larger rigs should plan to arrive early, park carefully on the dirt lot, and consider staying at nearby BLM land or RV parks.
RV Travel Tips for Exploring Route 66 Hidden Gems
Now that you know where you’re going, here’s how to enjoy these hidden gems to the very fullest.
- Stay flexible. It can be tempting to over-plan, but the truth is, less can be more, especially with a long trip like a Route 66 expedition. (Also, consider a one-way RV rental so you can spend more time enjoying the journey and less figuring out the trip back. Almost three-quarters of travelers say they’d take more RV vacations if they could go one way only, and now, you can!)
- Check road conditions ahead of time, especially when you’ll be traveling on original Route 66 segments. We’ve done our best to give you a heads up about these specific hidden gems, but there are other spots along the way that might be tricky in a big RV.
- Choose RV-friendly campgrounds near small towns. Just because you’re in the middle of nowhere doesn’t mean you have to camp like it! There are well-appointed resort-style campgrounds within a couple hours’ drive of even the most remote hidden-gem stops along the way.
- Keep extra water, fuel, and food with you when you’re in remote desert stretches. Our rule of thumb: Treat half a tank like empty, and fill up every chance you get. You just never know when a planned filling station might be out of gas.
FAQs: Route 66 Hidden Gems & RV Travel
Some top hidden gems include Pontiac (IL), Galena (KS), Tucumcari (NM), the Hackberry General Store (AZ), and Amboy (CA). But truly, the list could go on and on!
Yes. Many towns along Route 66 cater specifically to RV travelers, with campgrounds, pull-through sites, and easy parking. However, you should always check ahead of time to ensure the specific area you’re visiting has wide turnarounds and bridges with high enough clearance, as some historic areas can be more challenging.
Most travelers plan 10–21 days, depending on how many hidden gems and detours they want to explore. That said, you can explore shorter legs of the trip in just a long weekend and still have an amazing and memorable experience!
Large portions of the original are still drivable, though some segments require short detours onto modern highways. Even so, you can easily follow the original Route 66 corridor the entire way from Chicago to Santa Monica, and enjoy many original roadside attractions along the way.
Final Thoughts: The Best Route 66 Stops Aren’t Always Famous
Route 66 isn’t just a road, it’s a collection of stories. It’s an original piece of American history that you can experience for yourself today. The hidden gems scattered along the way are, for many travelers, where those stories feel most alive: the places where tourist-coded curation gives way to authentic American nostalgia, and even sometimes grief.By venturing beyond the most popular attractions, your RV road trip becomes more personal, more flexible, and far more memorable. And of course, from the time you book your perfect RVshare rental, we’ll be here at every stop along the way.
