The trending road trip travel concept is 4-4-4 which translates to driving no more than 400 miles, arriving by 4 p.m. and staying no more than 4 days. As an alternative to the super long road trip, 4-4-4 may be the way to go this summer! Here are a few ideas for trips from major cities to some of our campgrounds:
Seattle, Washington to Bend, Oregon (approximately 328 miles):
Book a stay at Thousand Trails Bend-Sunriver and get ready to enjoy this mountain town that has been consistently named one of the best outdoor playgrounds in the US. The campground itself is set on 283 acres along the Little Deschutes River, so fishing onsite is an option, plus the onsite watersports company offers kayaking, rafting and other guided water trips. Learn all about the Newberry Volcano at the Newberry National Volcanic Monument and hike a one-mile lava tube in the Lava River Cave, check out the waterfalls or enjoy a kayak ride on Paulina Lake. Shopping and strolling are what you can expect with a visit to Bend’s Old Mill District that was once home to two lumber mills but is now a thriving area full of cafes, boutiques and art galleries. If you’re looking for a good float of the non-ice cream variety, check out the opportunities to float the Little Deschutes River, which apparently is the thing to do in Bend for locals and visitors alike. For information on how to float, visit bendparksandrec.org/float/.
Chicago, Illinois to Door County, Wisconsin (approximately 280 miles)
Book a stay at Tranquil Timbers Campground and get ready to “explore the Door.” Wisconsin’s Door County Peninsula has something for everyone from theater and artist colonies to swimming and hiking. Plus, there’s loads of shopping and one-of-a-kind experiences only found in Door County. For example, there are not many other places around where you can see goats hanging out on the roof of a restaurant but if you visit Al Johnson’s Swedish Restaurant in Sister Bay, that’s what you’ll find. An authentic Wisconsin fish boil is rooted in tradition from the Scandinavian settlers who came here in the mid-1900s, and there are several fish boils to be found in the area with the most popular being at Pelletier’s Restaurant in Fish Creek. Peninsula State Park offers 20 miles of hiking trails along with biking trails and eight miles of shoreline along Green Bay. There are wineries, orchards, iconic Wisconsin supper clubs, fishing charter opportunities, outdoor theater (check out what’s scheduled for the Peninsula Players), an old-timey drive-in movie theater and more shops, boutiques and art galleries than you can count.
New York City to Portland, Maine (approximately 285 miles)
Get out of the city and head to the quiet, charming coastal town of Portland, Maine. Book a stay at nearby Thousand Trails Moody Beach or Pinehurst RV Resort and discover New England’s rugged coast and laid-back vibe. Explore Old Port, Portland’s historic district that dates back to the 1600s, although much of it was destroyed in a fire and rebuilt during the 1800s. Shops and seafood eateries set among old cobblestone streets along the waterfront are what you’ll find here. Portland Head Light is Maine’s oldest lighthouse, commissioned by George Washington and built in 1791. It sits in Fort Williams Park which has some lovely walking trails. The Portland Art Museum has over 22,000 works and is currently running an exhibit of David Hockney’s art from a private collection (this runs through July 26). If you’re looking to learn about all the culinary delights of Maine, check out mainedayventures.com/portland-food-tours for the options. Old Orchard Beach is not only home to our Pinehurst campground but also the Old Orchard Beach Pier and the aptly named Old Orchard Beach, which has seven miles of sand to enjoy the Atlantic waters from. In Wells, you will find not only our Moody Beach campground, but also the Rachel Carson National Wildlife Refuge and Wells Reserve at Laudholm. All of this combines into the perfect summer 4-4-4 New England style.
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