Weekends with Twain, Poe & More: Parks for Book Lovers

America is teeming with
spots that pay homage to our most famous and beloved authors making a lit
lover’s road trip fairly simple to plan. When you’re mapping out your
scholarly journey, take a note from Thoreau and remember that the great
outdoors stimulates literary inspiration. So skip the hotel and curl up with
a good book at a nearby campground along your route.

Need some inspiration? Try some of these literary
landmark/campground pairings to round out your perfect reader’s
retreat:

Edgar Allan Poe Museum
Richmond, Virginia

Attracted to the dark genius of Edgar Allan Poe? Then the Poe Museum – just
blocks from the writer’s first home in Richmond – is a must visit. You’ll
explore the world’s finest collection of Poe’s manuscripts, letters, first
editions, memorabilia and personal belongings. Pair your Poe pilgrimage with
a stay at Ed
Allen’s Campground & Cottages, located 30 miles away on the
shores of Chickahominy Lake, which features a wide range of accommodations
and outdoors activities, from fishing to hiking and
more.

Mark Twain Boyhood Home and Museum

Hannibal, Missouri

It’s clear from the minute you set foot in Hannibal that this town is
incredibly proud of its favorite son, Samuel Langhorne Clemens (aka Mark
Twain). In fact, the Mark Twain Boyhood Home and Museum is one of just
countless ways to get to know the author of the Adventures of Huckleberry
Finn and other classics. Campers can keep the Twain vibe going with a stay at
the Mark
Twain Landing Resort & Water Park. Located 20 miles from
Hannibal, this family-friendly park offers up accommodations ranging from RV
spots to cabins and provides plenty of diversions for everyone including a
full water park, water sports, themed nights and weekends, mini golf and
more.

F. Scott Fitzgerald Walking Tours and Sinclair
Lewis Boyhood Home
Minnesota

From your home base at the Ham Lake Campground, you can head to St. Paul
for a 75 minute walking tour of the neighborhood where F. Scott Fitzgerald
spent most of his youth. Then, move on to Sauk Centre to visit the boyhood
home of Sinclair Lewis, the first American to win the Nobel Prize in
Literature. Providing an “up north” feel, yet only 30 miles from the Twin
Cities, Ham Lake
Campground is peaceful retreat with the comforts and conveniences
book lovers crave.

Steinbeck Home
and Restaurant and the Jack London State Historic Park

California

Start your California road trip with a tour of the stately Queen Anne-style
Victorian where John Steinbeck spent his childhood. You can also enjoy an
unforgettable meal in the gourmet restaurant that now occupies a portion of
the Steinbeck home. Then, relax for a day or two at Morgan
Hill RV Resort & Campground, surrounded by the
inspirational rolling hills of the Santa Cruz Mountains. Finally, wrap up
your trek by heading two hours north to the 1,400 acre Jack London State
Historic Park which features trails, stunning vistas and historic buildings
from the era when the famous writer and adventurer lived in the area.

The Ernest Hemmingway Home and
Museum
Key West, Florida
“Papa” called the Spanish colonial at 917 Whitehead Street in Old Town Key
West home for 10 years. Today, in this National Historic Landmark, you’ll
still find many personal touches added by Hemmingway and his wife. After your
tour, take a 30 minute cruise to Sugar Loaf
Key/Key West KOA perfectly located between the waters of the Gulf
of Mexico and the Atlantic Ocean to round out your Keys excursion. Featuring
the largest tent camping area in the Florida Keys in addition to RV spots and
cabins, this campground will keep the entire family occupied from sun up to
sun down.