The TransAmerica Trail (TAT) is a beautiful winding route for motorcyclists and 4X4 vehicle drivers to venture off the paved highways and experience America’s stunning landscapes. Camping on the TAT is an incredible way to travel across the country, and Kampgrounds of America provides fun and relaxing ways to stay at each destination along your journey.
Tips for Driving and Camping on the TransAmerica Trail
Use the following tips to plan an exciting, safe trip along the TransAmerica Trail.
Book Campsites to Rest and Recharge
Motorcycle camping on the TransAmerica Trail is a cost-effective way to rest, rehydrate and eat before hitting the road again. KOA offers several locations near the TAT where you can sleep under the stars along your journey and enjoy convenient amenities such as hot water and various food options. Booking a campsite is safer than stealth camping in undesignated areas, and it helps you avoid potential fines. When you stay at KOA, you can refresh with a clean shower, wash your clothes in a laundry facility and recharge with a good snack or meal.
Stay on Public Routes
The TAT is a series of public and backcountry roads that take you through the following states:
- West Virginia
- Virginia
- North Carolina
- Tennessee
- Georgia
- Alabama
- Mississippi
- Arkansas
- Oklahoma
- New Mexico
- Colorado
- Utah
- Idaho
- Wyoming
- South Dakota
- Minnesota
- Side route through Oregon
Stay on permissible public roads to respect private landowners and avoid citations. Many individuals post unreliable maps and GPS routes that may take you through private land, so it’s important to follow a route you trust and check for updates.
Drive a Dual-Sport Motorcycle
A dual-sport motorcycle is the most reliable option for the TAT, and it must be street-legal in your home state. It can handle the loose gravel, mud, rocks, sand and snow you may encounter along the way, helping you stay on the road and avoid delays. A safety check and tune-up are also helpful because they can enhance your motorcycle’s performance on the trail.
Drive East to West
TAT maps are specifically for driving east to west. Following this direction helps you avoid potential challenges due to one-way paths.
Choose the Best Season
The best season to drive the TAT depends on which states you plan to travel through. Late June through early September are the best months to avoid snow in states such as Utah, Colorado and Oregon. Also consider how much desert heat you can handle along the Utah and Nevada border, and opt for late spring or early fall if you want to avoid the highest temperatures.
Campgrounds for Motorcycles on or Near the TransAmerica Trail
KOA locations across America offer various types of campsites where you can park your motorcycle or 4X4 vehicle and rest before continuing your trip. Whether you stay in our Tent Sites, Camping Cabins or Deluxe Cabins, KOA offers hot water, clean bathrooms and various amenities to meet your needs. Each KOA location also features a store with various supplies, and some KOAs also have food options. Here are the best campgrounds for motorcycles on or near the TransAmerica Trail.
West Virginia and Virginia Campgrounds
You can stay at these KOA locations near the TAT as you start your journey in West Virginia and make your way through Virginia:
- Flatwoods KOA Journey
- Lynchburg / Blue Ridge Parkway KOA Holiday
- Natural Bridge / Lexington KOA Holiday
- Wytheville KOA Holiday
- Fancy Gap / Blue Ridge Parkway KOA Journey
North Carolina Campgrounds
North Carolina is a beautiful section of the TAT where you can find the following nearby campgrounds:
- Boone KOA Holiday
- Asheville East KOA Holiday
- Asheville West KOA Holiday
- Cherokee / Great Smokies KOA Holiday
- Murphy / Peace Valley KOA Holiday
Tennessee Campgrounds
Consider exploring Great Smoky Mountains National Park as you travel through the Tennessee section of the TransAmerica Trail. This is a great opportunity to experience Tennessee’s unforgettable views, hiking trails, waterfalls and wildlife, and you might even spot a black bear on your excursions. You can find rest at the following campgrounds as you make your way through Tennessee:
- Townsend / Great Smokies KOA Holiday
- Sweetwater KOA Holiday
- Chattanooga North / Cleveland KOA Journey
- Blue Ridge / Toccoa River KOA Holiday
- Lookout Mountain / Chattanooga West KOA Holiday
Arkansas and Oklahoma Campgrounds
You can stay at these nearby KOA locations for rest and relaxation about halfway through your Arkansas trek and the first leg of your Oklahoma stretch:
- Little Rock North / Jct. I-40 KOA Journey
- Sallisaw / Fort Smith West KOA Holiday
- Tulsa NE / Will Rogers Downs KOA Journey
New Mexico Campgrounds
While the TransAmerica Trail’s New Mexico section is small, this is a fantastic opportunity to see more of the state. Take a side trip to White Sands National Park, and stop at one of the following KOAs before continuing your trip:
- Raton KOA Journey
- Las Vegas, New Mexico KOA Journey
- Alamogordo / White Sands KOA Journey
- Las Cruces KOA Journey
Colorado Campgrounds
Two sections of the TransAmerica Trail run through Colorado. One is part of the main route that leads to Utah, and the other is a side spur that takes you north toward Wyoming. You can visit Great Sand Dunes National Park as you travel through this remarkable state, and you can stay at the following campgrounds along the way:
- Royal Gorge / Canon City KOA Holiday
- Denver West / Central City KOA Holiday
- Ouray KOA Holiday in Colorado
- Montrose / Black Canyon Nat’l Park KOA Journey
Utah and Nevada Campgrounds
A significant portion of the TAT runs through Utah and along the Utah and Nevada border, offering the perfect opportunity to visit Canyonlands National Park, Arches National Park, Capitol Reef National Park or Great Basin National Park. The following campgrounds are KOA’s closest locations to the TAT in Utah and along the Utah-Nevada border:
Idaho Campgrounds
You can stay at these KOA locations as you make your way through Idaho:
Montana and Wyoming Campgrounds
As you make your way into Wyoming, consider spending time in Yellowstone National Park. The following KOA locations in Montana and Wyoming are excellent places to stay as you travel the Wyoming section of the TAT:
- Yellowstone Park / Mountainside KOA Journey
- Rawlins KOA Journey
- Douglas KOA Journey
- Devils Tower / Black Hills KOA Journey
South Dakota Campgrounds
A long stretch of the TAT takes you through South Dakota, where you can take memorable detours to Wind Cave National Park and Badlands National Park. Stay at the following KOA locations to rest and sightsee before heading to the next state:
- Spearfish / Black Hills KOA Holiday
- Deadwood / Black Hills KOA Holiday
- Rapid City / Black Hills KOA Holiday
- Badlands / White River KOA Holiday
- Belvidere East / Exit 170 KOA Journey
- Kennebec KOA Journey
- Mitchell KOA Journey
- Sioux Falls KOA Journey
Minnesota Campgrounds
The final leg of the TAT runs through southern Minnesota, where you can stop at the following KOA Campgrounds:
Stay at KOA Along Your TransAmerica Trail Adventure
The TransAmerica Trail is an exhilarating, rugged route for motorcyclists and 4X4 drivers to experience the incredible, less-traveled areas of the United States. KOA offers camping locations across North America, making it easy to rest and recharge while following the TAT.
With various ways to stay, you can find comfort at KOA camping locations. Whether you pack a tent or prefer to stay in a cabin, KOA offers excellent amenities, various food options and recreational activities to make each stop enjoyable. Reserve a stay at KOA to start your TransAmerica Trail journey.
About the Author: Kampgrounds of America
Kampgrounds of America is the largest system of open-to-the-public campgrounds in the world, with over 500 locations across the United States and Canada. Founded in Billings, MT in 1962, KOA’s family of campground brands – KOA Journey, KOA Holiday and KOA Resort – today serve more than a million camping families each year. KOA is dedicated to “connecting people to the outdoors and each other” by providing people with a variety of camping experiences and the information they need to make the most of their camping trip. Read more of their camping and travel resources by visiting KOA.com/blog.