The Bahamas

Visit a third country along the Great Loop! Located ~50 miles from Miami, Florida, the blue waters of the Bahamas are a destination side trip for many Loopers. If you cruise to the Bahamas, you’ll need to clear customs and pay for a cruising permit.

Dry Tortugas

Dry Tortugas National Park is one of only three (excluding Alaska) national parks that can only be accessed by boat or plane. Add yet another National Park to your Loop. Leave from Marco Island or Fort Myers, Florida. About 20 hours on average.

Lake Okeechobee

Dry Tortugas National Park is one of only three (excluding Alaska) national parks that can only be accessed by boat or plane. Add yet another National Park to your Loop. Leave from Marco Island or Fort Myers, Florida. About 20 hours on average.

St. Johns River

Enjoy the 340 mile round trip on one of the slowest rivers in the world. Cruise from Jacksonville, Florida to Sanford, Florida and back again before continuing on to Georgia. Enjoy many natural springs and some of the best fishing.

Lake Erie

Travel 35 miles up the James River to Historic Jamestowne, the first permanent English settlement in North America, settles in 1607. Nearby Williamsburg was the colony of Virginia’s capitol until the Revolutionary War. Today, Colonial Williamsburg is the world’s largest living history museum.

Richmond, Virginia

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James River

Travel further up the James River to Richmond. Visit Virginia’s historic capitol for delicious eats, breweries (and cideries, and barcades) year-round events. Richmond is also known for its art scene – the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts is one of the largest art museums in the U.S. This trip is ~90 miles each way.

Washington, D.C

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Potomac River

Visit the nation’s capitol! The trip up the Potomac River to Washington, D.C. takes approximately one day each way at trawler speed, and brings you right to Mt. Vernon, the National Mall and Memorial Parks, and the free Smithsonian museums, National Harbor, and so much more.

Instead of leaving the Erie Canal at the Oswego Canal, continue on until it terminates at Lake Erie. As the shallowest of the Great Lakes, Lake Erie is also the warmest of the lakes, and a popular fiishing destination.

Lake Superior

If you have the time, there’s a lot to lure you into Lake Superior – the world’s largest freshwater lake! Isle Royale National Park is one of three national parks that can only be reached by boat or plane.

Nashville, Tennessee

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Cumberland River

Just after Paducah, KY the Loop route passes a junction with the Cumberland River. Travel 175 miles up the Cumberland to the capital of Tennessee, Nashville “The Music City.” While you’re in town, be sure to check out the local music talent and try the local dish – Nashville Hot Chicken.

Chattanooga, Tennessee

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Tennessee River

The Tennessee River runs from Knoxville, TN to Paducah, KY, but only 215 miles are part of the main Loop route. After 250 additional miles, you’ll approach Chattanooga traveling through the massive Tennessee River Gorge, which is often referred to as “the Grand Canyon of the East.”

Knoxville, Tennessee

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Tennessee River

Travel all the way to Knoxville, TN (the “Cradle of Country Music”) on the Tennessee River. It’s 435 miles from the main Loop route, one way, or about 200 miles passed Chattanooga. The Little Tennessee River will take you right up to the base of Great Smoky Mountains National Park!