Here in the Southeast, we’re blessed with incredible weather – and there’s no better way to enjoy it than being outside. But when you decide to camp, you have a few choices to make.
Let’s face it – while RVs are appealing in their size and comfort, they’re also expensive. And camping in a tent is fun, but insects and dirt aren’t for everyone.
That’s why camping in your Toyota may be the perfect middle ground. And if it is, we have a few suggestions on where to go.
Cheaha State Park, Alabama
Cheaha has your typical hiking trails and sprawling mountain views, but it’s known for its more unusual features. Visitors will get to see ancient, warped trees and almost 3,000 acres of enormous granite boulders on hiking trails that range from one mile to a whopping 30.
The Talladega National Forest wraps the site in over 350,000 acres of pine and oak trees, so it can seem remote. But it’s actually only 30 minutes away from historic downtown areas like Oxford, Heflin and Ashland, where you can shop and dine.
The park has new campgrounds with extras like electrical hookups. Still, you can save money by booking the average campground instead with the 2021 Toyota Sienna. It has an optional 1500-watt power inverter to use camping equipment like a minifridge or portable stove. The Sienna soon will also feature a minifridge and a built-in car vacuum to pick up dirt tracked from trails easily.
Cape Lookout National Seashore, North Carolina
Camping doesn’t have to be all trees and greenery. Sometimes, it’s sand and ocean and a bright blue sky.Made up of several barrier islands, North Carolina’s Cape Lookout National Seashore stretches out across the Crystal Coast, giving you sparkling views of the Atlantic Ocean for 56 miles. What was once a historical home for fisherman and whalers is now a site where you can go sunbathing, surfing, fishing, birdwatching and clamming for up to two weeks.
Campers with a vehicle are allowed on two islands: North Core Banks and South Core Banks. After a short ferry ride, you’re free to drive and park your car across the beach, even right along the shoreline.
If swimming isn’t for you, that’s okay. The islands offer other sights to see, like the Portsmouth Village Historic District on North Core Banks. The town has been abandoned since 1971, but many buildings are restored and open to visitors. South Core Banks is home to the Cape Lookout Lighthouse, which is 163 feet tall if you’re up to the challenge of climbing it.
But you can’t bring just any car to the islands – the wheels will get stuck in the sand. It’s best to bring a vehicle like the Toyota Rav4, whose 2021 LE model has all-wheel drive and a setting for driving in sand. You can fold the back seats down to make a flat space for sleeping bags or an inflatable mattress – but you can also tow a camper weighing up to 5,000 pounds if you prefer more space.
Red Top Mountain State Park, Georgia
If you want to camp by the water but don’t want to worry about sharks and stingrays, Red Top Mountain State Park in Georgia is the place for you.
Lake Allatoona is the heart of the park, a 12,000-acre body of water edged in with 270 miles of shoreline. Visitors spend their time swimming, water skiing and fishing – but there are also more than 15 miles of trails, biking paths, and archery for the less aquatic. The park sometimes hosts special events like iron pouring, historical reenactments and animal programs for the kids.
Red Top Mountain is named after its bright red soil, which is rich in iron ore. Remnants of the miners who used to live there are seen in an on-site reconstructed 1860s home. History buffs can also go to the Allatoona Pass Battlefield, whose trenches are still well-preserved from the Civil War.
You can rent equipment locally, but you can also bring your own. That’s where the Toyota Land Cruiser comes in. It can tow over 8,000 pounds if you have a boat or camper. The 2021 Heritage Edition also comes with a Yakima® MegaWarrior roof rack that can carry hundreds of pounds, including bikes, kayaks or canoes.
No matter the location, your Toyota can take you there
Whether your destination includes rough terrain, smooth waters or anything in-between, Toyotas are equipped to take you wherever you want to go. So go on – have fun camping! You deserve it. And don’t forget to check out your local Toyota dealership to see which Toyota is right for your next adventure.