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10 Easy Camping Road Trip Routes In Your Subaru

Are you wondering where to take your Subaru Crosstrek, Forester, or Outback for a camping adventure this summer? My report has ten pre-planned routes, making it a breeze to get outside and explore in your new Subaru.

Let's go camping.

You bought a Subaru Crosstrek, Forester, or Outback to get outside, explore, and camp. These all-wheel-drive Subaru vehicles are designed for adventure, making it easier to navigate rough terrains and reach remote camping spots. Read my How To Easily Turn Your Subaru Into A Campsite report here for more information. 

Subaru of America and Hipcamp have announced a new resource. There are ten electric vehicle-ready road trips across the U.S., which I've included below. 

Subaru says, "From easy access EV charging to pet-friendly and family stays, road-trippers can filter for options along each route to find the best camping location that fits their needs."

Don't own an EV? No problem.

You don't have to own a Subaru Solterra EV, but if you do, you'll enjoy the benefits of zero-emission driving and the convenience of the included road trip guide.

You can drive any Subaru all-wheel-drive vehicle, and if you buy a Subaru EV in the future, you already know the best camping route, EV charging and camping spots.

Explore them in their entirety or shorter segments.

You don't have to take the longest route. Depending on what you are looking to do and how much time you have, you can break it up into shorter segments. 

Alyssa Ravasio, Hipcamp Founder and CEO, says, "Our mission at Hipcamp is to get more people outside. With our new collection of routes that prioritize EV-charging opportunities, we hope to make it simpler than ever to plan your next outdoor adventure. We are here to improve your camp experience and have shared some of our top points of interest and national parks."

Here are the ten easily accessible U.S. road trip routes. Click on each route to get more information. 

Blue Ridge Parkway: This route starts in stunning Shenandoah National Park and leads to the beautiful Smoky Mountains. It features two national parks, the vibrant city of Asheville, and waterfall hikes. 

California Coast: Travelers can start this route in Redwood National and State Park and continue their journey south, experiencing breathtaking views of the West Coast as they pass through places like Glass Beach, Capitola Beach, and Huntington State Beach, with a final destination of Cabrillo National Monument.

Chihuahuan Desert: This route begins in Austin and makes stops in San Antonio and the breathtaking Santa Elena Canyon. The final stop is in Marfa at El Cosmico.

Olympic Peninsula: Starting in Seattle, drivers can make their way through the Olympic Peninsula and take in the unbelievable views of the mountains in places such as Hurricane Ridge and beautiful beaches like Shi-Shi and Ruby Beach, marking their final stop at Kalaloch Beach.

Utah's Mighty 5: Kicking off in Moab, this route hits all of Utah's national parks: Arches, Bryce Canyon, Canyonlands, Capitol Reef, and Zion. Take your time driving while soaking in the breathtaking beauty of the Beehive State until arriving at Cedar Breaks National Monument.

Route 66: Sightseers looking for a longer trip can begin their journey along the famous Route 66 in Chicago and travel through staples, including Route 66 State Park, the Blue Whale of Catoosa, Tulsa, Albuquerque, and the Santa Fe National Forest, ending the route at the iconic Santa Monica Pier. 

Sierra Nevada: This route begins in Yosemite National Park and stops at Nevada Falls, Eastern Sierra Lakes, and Kings Canyon National Park. It ends at the giant sequoia in Sequoia, the General Sherman Tree.

Grand West: Starting in St. Mary, this route stops at Montana sites like Whitefish, Flathead Lake State Park, Bozeman, and Yellowstone National Park before ending in Jackson, Wyoming.

Great Lakes: This lakeside journey beginning in Duluth guides travelers through a picturesque road trip, making stops at Apostle Islands National Lakeshore, the Keweenaw Peninsula, Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore, and Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore.

Grand Canyon State: Starting in Flagstaff, drivers take this scenic route, which includes stops in Sedona, the Grand Canyon, and Antelope Canyon, and a final stop in Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park.

Alan Bethke, Senior Vice President of Marketing at Subaru of America, says, "At Subaru, we believe everyone deserves access to the outdoors and all its beauty. We are excited to partner with Hipcamp to provide a resource to help drivers and their friends and family explore."

Which is the best Subaru model for camping?

If you're planning to use your all-wheel-drive Subaru for camping, the 2024 Subaru Crosstrek, Outback, or Forester Wilderness should definitely be on your radar. These models are designed with camping in mind, offering the versatility and ruggedness you need for your outdoor adventures. 

Read my Subaru Wilderness report here

The all-new Crosstrek Wilderness roof rails can handle up to 700 pounds of static load for bikes, kayaks, or rooftop tents. Extra tie-down points provide even more cargo-hauling versatility so that you can bring extra camping gear.

Are you a camper? 

Please share your camping experiences in a Subaru vehicle by clicking the red 'Add New Comment' link below. Your comments will be visible to other readers and will help to inspire more Subaru owners to explore the great outdoors. 

I am Denis Flierl, a top Torque News reporter since 2012. I’ve invested over 13 years in the automotive industry in a consulting role, working with every major car brand. I am an experienced Rocky Mountain Automotive Press member. You'll find my expert Subaru analysis here. Follow me on my X SubaruReport, All Subaru, WRXSTI, @DenisFlierl, Facebook, and Instagram.

Photo credit: Subaru