A Houston to Montgomery road trip will expose you and your family to many amazing vistas and will end at one of the most critical cities for the Civil Rights Movement. The trip will see you traveling west to east, and during the trip, you'll travel through multiple states, including Texas, Arkansas, Louisiana, and Mississippi. Along the way, expect to encounter several state parks; multiple points of interest, such as the USS Alabama; and sprawling cities like beautiful Baton Rouge. This trip will also expose you to miles of coastline, so take the time to fish off the Gulf of Mexico. In this body of water, you’ll find Spanish mackerel, king mackerel, and crevalle jack, all of which make delicious dinners as well as fun for catching.
Hot Springs National Park
The closest national park on this trip is in nearby Arkansas. Hot Springs National Park is a beautiful location that should be included as a detour during your Houston to Montgomery RV road trip. Hot Springs National Park is in Hot Springs, Arkansas, and it’s a little more than 400 miles away from Houston, where your trip begins. Here, you’ll be able to witness some truly breathtaking geological formations, and there is also a spa and bathhouse at the national park. Additionally, there are hiking opportunities, campgrounds, and plenty of chances to observe nature and some of the wildlife species that call the area home.
Sea Rim State Park
Sea Rim State Park is one of the coastal locations that you’ll hit on your way from Houston to Montgomery. There are 5 miles of beachfront at this state park and over 4,141 acres of land to explore. The park is ideal for bird watchers, and there are plenty of activities to do on the water, such as fishing, kayaking, and swimming. There are even horse riding opportunities here.
Palmetto Island State Park
Named for the shaggy palmetto trees that call this area of Louisiana home, Palmetto Island State Park is a swampy state park that rests on the Vermillion River. This location spans over 1,200 acres, and it’s not uncommon to encounter several types of wildlife, including alligators, within the park limits.
Fontainebleau State Park
Named for a beautiful forest near Paris, Fontainebleau State Park began its life as a sugar plantation in the 18th century. Today, the area still gets a week of rain each month, which means that the park is primarily composed of wetlands. At Fontainebleau, there are hiking, fishing, and birding opportunities aplenty, and there are also several nearby RV parks and campgrounds.
Oak Mountain State Park
With almost 10,000 acres to explore, you’ll have a full day at Oak Mountain. This is Alabama’s largest state park – its size is almost on par with some national parks! This park is perfect for birdwatchers, and the weather throughout the year is consistently pleasant.
Imperial Calcasieu Museum
If you want to include some art on your road trip itinerary from Houston to Montgomery, consider the Imperial Calcasieu Museum. This museum was founded in the 1960s and seeks to expand art awareness and appreciation. There are several events throughout the year, and exhibits feature a wide range of subjects, like Remembering Mossville, the Sallier Oak, and Boogaloo. There are also independent programs like Yoga Under the Oak and Toys R Art, which are designed to promote the value of the arts to school-aged children and teens.
Children’s Museum of Acadiana
Located in Lafayette, Louisiana, the Children’s Museum of Acadiana is a good option for parents looking to provide children with hands-on learning opportunities. At the museum, the goal is to teach children practical knowledge, so physical activity is expected. Here, kids can find full-sized exhibits, such as “Ami – The Acadian Ambulance,” which is a full-sized ambulance that’s complete with flashing lights. Additionally, exhibits like “Architecture Alley” and “201 E. Congress, A Site History” provide kids with exposure to important societal elements.
USS Alabama
Converted into a museum, the USS Alabama is a retired battleship that saw action in the Second World War. Today, she serves as a way for children to understand some of the United States’ naval history. There are exhibits about tanks and artillery, an aircraft pavilion, and an eatery called The Galley. Throughout the year, there are also several programs and events that are sure to interest children who want to learn a little more about history.
Civil Rights Memorial
In your final destination of Montgomery, take the time to visit the Civil Rights Memorial, which is there to honor the history of the struggle for equality in the country. Inscribed on a granite fountain are the names of 41 people who were killed fighting for Civil Rights.
Beaumont, Texas
After Houston, the first city you’ll hit during your road trip from Houston to Montgomery is beautiful Beaumont. Beaumont has a population of 118,000, and it is home to the first major oil field in the United States, which was discovered in 1901. Beaumont is also home to the world’s largest working fire hydrant. The area is also known for its alligator population – you can find over 400 of them living in the waterways around town. If you’re looking for a place to offload your gray water, Texas has several dump stations to use.
Beaumont’s campgrounds are fairly numerous. Some noteworthy examples include Bearazinga RV Park, AAA RV Park, and LaBelle RV Park. Each of these has multiple sites for different RV types, and each also has full hookups. For those with animal buddies, LaBelle is pet friendly, and there is plenty of land for you to hike and to walk your furry friend.
Lafayette, Louisiana
Lafayette is the fourth-largest city in Louisiana and is considered the center of Cajun and Creole culture in the United States. The city was established as a home for the dispossessed Acadians expelled from Canada by the British in the 18th century. Today, Lafayette is a foodie’s dream; there’s Cajun food aplenty in the city, and the sheer number of restaurants in the area is staggering. In addition to the culinary value of the town, Lafayette has a thriving art scene that embraces the visual and performing arts. It’s also home to the University of Louisiana at Lafayette.
While in town, you’ll have a variety of local campgrounds to consider. For those looking for parks with both back-in and pull-through sites, consider campgrounds like KOA Kampground of Lafayette or Acadia Park Campgrounds. Both of these have full hookups and accommodate a wide variety of RV types. Acadia Park is even pet-friendly, and there are other pet-friendly locations in the area, such as Bayou Wilderness RV Resort and Chase’s RV Park. There are also several local dump stations.
Baton Rouge, Louisiana
Home to the massive Tiger Stadium, Baton Rouge is a city that has a truly rich history. Originally the home of the Houmas tribe, Baton Rouge has several landmarks that relate to this ancient group. For example, the Indian Mounds here are actually older than the pyramids of Egypt. The name of the city translates to “Red Stick” in French, which is a reference to the stick that was used as a dividing line between the hunting grounds of the native Bayougoula and Houmas tribes. Today, Baton Rouge is home to Civil War battlegrounds, the tallest state capitol in the U.S., and the first successful Civil Rights bus boycott in 1953.
Looking for a place to rest? There are local campgrounds. Some to consider are Baton Rouge KOA Holiday, which has 106 sites; Night RV Park, which is pet-friendly; and Port Allen’s Cajun Country Campground, which has both back-in and pull-through sites for your RV. While here, use one of the local dump stations where you can offload your wastewater.
When you follow this road trip itinerary from Houston to Montgomery, 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 Houston or Montgomery.
Hungerford, Texas RV Rentals Tidehaven, Texas RV Rental Deals Pine Island, Texas RV Rental Deals Lake Village, Arkansas RV Rentals Sterlington, Louisiana RV Rental Deals Glendale, Texas RV Rentals Glenwood, Arkansas RV Rental Deals Horseshoe Bend, Texas RV Rentals Palmer, Texas RV Rentals Arnaudville, Louisiana RV Rental Deals