Roadtrip with RVshare Rehoboth Beach to Gatlinburg

If you want to travel from the coast of Delaware to the mountains of Tennessee, then a Rehoboth Beach to Gatlinburg road trip would be right up your alley. You’ll encounter a variety of excellent national and state parks along the way. There are also some interesting cities on your journey, including the U.S. capital. Given the high amount of fun tourist attractions along your route, you won’t have any problem putting together an amazing road trip itinerary from Rehoboth Beach to Gatlinburg. 

Nearby National Parks

Shenandoah National Park  

Half an hour west of New Market, Virginia, you’ll find gorgeous Shenandoah National Park. This 300-mile portion of the Blue Ridge Mountains contains mountains, waterfalls, forests, a popular scenic road, and more. If you want to hike the Appalachian Trail on your road trip from Rehoboth Beach to Gatlinburg, then you won’t find many better opportunities than the 105 miles found within this park. There are plenty of other lovely trails in the park as well, so you’ll have many opportunities for hiking, biking, and horseback riding. 

New River Gorge National Park  

New River Gorge National Park is a relatively new national park, but it’s not new to hikers, rafters, and other adventurers. You can reach this gorgeous national park by traveling only an hour and 20 minutes from Wytheville, Virginia, so it’s a must-add to your Rehoboth Beach to Gatlinburg RV road trip. At this park, you’ll have ample chances to explore the New River Gorge and its surrounding environment on land or on water. Plenty of great trails are available, so you’ll easily be able to see why New River Gorge has been made a national park.

Congaree National Park  

If you’re willing to drive three hours and 45 minutes south of Wytheville, then you’ll be able to visit Congaree National Park. This park is home to America’s largest remaining tract of old-growth hardwood forest; some of the trees here are over a thousand years old. Most of the trails here are flat and relatively easy, so this is an excellent place to go for a stroll along a river, through a swamp, or beside a creek. Wild turkeys, otters, deer, birds, and more all call this park home. 

Mammoth Cave National Park  

Another park that’s just shy of four hours off of your route is the fascinating Mammoth Cave National Park. There are plenty of other parks with caves to explore in Tennessee and Kentucky, but only this national park contains the world’s longest known cave system. At Mammoth Cave National Park, you’ll be able to explore some of the 400 miles of caverns that explorers have mapped thus far. Chambers like Gothic Avenue, Frozen Niagara, and the Rotunda await. Don’t underestimate the appeal of this park’s above-ground options since there are some great places to go hiking, horseback riding, fishing, boating, and more. 

Great Smoky Mountains National Park  

Many travelers visit Gatlinburg in order to go to Great Smoky Mountains National Park, so you can’t pass up the opportunity to do so at the end of your road trip from Rehoboth Beach to Gatlinburg. No national park in America draws more people annually than this one, and its entrance is only five minutes from your destination. Forests, mountains, streams, and a variety of landscapes are home to a wide variety of plants and animals. There are more than 800 miles of trails in this area, so you won’t have to worry about running out of beautiful places to explore in Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

Nearby State Parks

Cape Henlopen State Park  

You’re starting your Rehoboth Beach to Gatlinburg RV road trip on the coast of Delaware, so you should explore this region before setting off on the rest of your journey. Cape Henlopen State Park is only 20 minutes from Rehoboth Beach and eight minutes from your route, so it’s an obvious place to visit on your road trip. People have been using this area for swimming, boating, fishing, and more since 1682, so you’ll be in good historical company. In addition to exploring the natural attractions here, you can also tour Fort Miles and the Seaside Nature Center.

Tuckahoe State Park  

Tuckahoe State Park is only five minutes from Queen Anne, Maryland, so it’s a logical addition to your road trip itinerary from Rehoboth Beach to Gatlinburg. At this park, you can explore nearly 4,000 acres of the Chesapeake Bay. Fishing, boating, hiking, and wildlife watching are some of the most popular activities to do here.

Douthat State Park  

A little more than half an hour west of Lexington, Virginia, you’ll find Douthat State Park. More than 4,500 acres of the Allegheny Mountains contain waterfalls, rolling hills, lakes, and more. Lake Douthat is a wonderful place to fish, swim, and boat. Hikers, bikers, and horseback riders alike enjoy exploring the 40 miles of trails in this park. 

Grayson Highlands State Park  

Grayson Highlands State Park is about 45 minutes southeast of Chilhowie, Virginia. Wild ponies run free in this gorgeous stretch of the Appalachians in George Washington and Jefferson National Forests. If you want to go bouldering on your road trip from Rehoboth Beach to Gatlinburg, then Grayson Highlands is the place to do it thanks to the more than 700 climbing routes present in the park. Virginia’s highest peaks, the Appalachian Trail, and more await you here.

Roan Mountain State Park  

Roughly 50 minutes south of Bristol, Tennessee, is Roan Mountain State Park. This park is located at the base of lovely Roan Mountain, so there are plenty of forests and ridges to explore. You can also go fishing for trout and more on the lovely Doe River. If you want to swim, you can do so at the park’s swimming pool.

Along the Way

Patriot Cruises  

Patriot Cruises is located 35 minutes south of Centreville, Maryland, on the Chesapeake Bay. As its name implies, you can take a cruise on the Chesapeake River on a lovely ship called the Patriot. At this park, you can also tour the Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum and explore the historic town of St. Michaels. 

Scott’s Run Nature Preserve  

When you think about rugged exploration, rare plant preservation, and cliffside hiking, you likely don’t expect the entrance to such a place where you can do these things to be a minute or two off the Capital Beltway. Nevertheless, you can have a great outdoor adventure just across the Beltway from George Washington Memorial Parkway. Cliffs, crags, bluffs, hollows, and more are ripe for exploration at this park close to America’s capital.

Luray Caverns  

There are numerous caves and cave systems along your route that you could explore, but none is as famous as Luray Caverns. These caverns are the largest in the U.S., and they’re only 20 minutes west of New Market, Virginia. In addition to touring these magnificent caverns, you’ll also be able to visit the Car & Carriage Caravan Museum, Shenandoah Heritage Village, and Toy Town Junction. 

Wintergreen Resort  

About 40 minutes southeast of Staunton, Virginia, you can find the Wintergreen Resort, which is home to the Discovery Ridge Adventure Center. This adventure park features indoor and outdoor activities that are fun for all ages. The ninja warrior course, the bungee trampoline, a tubing park, a zip line, and more await you here.

The Island in Pigeon Forge  

You drive right through Pigeon Forge before you get to Gatlinburg, so how could you pass up the opportunity to explore some of it on your Rehoboth Beach to Gatlinburg RV road trip? The Island in Pigeon Forge is five minutes from downtown Gatlinburg and right off your route, so it’s easy to reach. You can experience attractions like the Great Smoky Mountain Wheel, the Flying Horse Carousel, and the Islands Rope Course.

Main Cities You Will Pass Through

There are plenty of dump stations in Maryland, Virginia, and Tennessee, so you’ll be able to find places to clean out your camper on your road trip from Rehoboth Beach to Gatlinburg. 

Annapolis, Maryland  

Annapolis is considered America’s sailing capital, so it’s only right that you visit the U.S. Naval Academy. There are plenty of great campgrounds in the area that will accommodate you while you’re touring places like the Annapolis Historic District and the Maryland State House.

Washington, D.C.  

America’s capital is full of awesome attractions like the National Mall, the U.S. Capitol, and the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History. Whether you decide to explore this fascinating city for a day or a week, you’ll have your pick of multiple excellent campgrounds.

Harrisonburg, Virginia  

Some fun places to visit in Harrisonburg are White Oak Lavender Farm & The Purple WOLF Vineyard and the Edith J. Carrier Arboretum. Multiple quality RV campgrounds are close by.

Roanoke, Virginia

While exploring Roanoke, be sure to check out great places like the Virginia Museum of Transportation and Mill Mountain Star & Park. Many top-notch campgrounds are available nearby.

Bristol, Tennessee  

This city is known for the Bristol Motor Speedway, but it’s also home to interesting attractions like the Bristol Caverns and Steele Creek Park. You’ll be able to park your RV at some nice campgrounds that are in the area.

Find Adventure from Rehoboth Beach to Gatlinburg

Find your One-Way Rental

When you follow this road trip itinerary from Rehoboth Beach to Gatlinburg, 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 Rehoboth Beach or Gatlinburg.