There are so many different types of RV trips. From weekend boondocking escapes to week-long family trips to months-long journeys across multiple states… Heck, you can even travel abroad.
Luckily, not every road trip requires a spreadsheet of drive times and multiple reservations along the way. Sometimes, we may only want a shorter, sweeter drive. Maybe one that takes us back in time. Perhaps to a story everyone’s heard, but few actually know. Like the Johnny Appleseed Trail, named after John Chapman.
The Man, The Myth
John Chapman, aka Johnny Appleseed, planted not just apple seeds but apple nurseries—that is, tree seedlings that were grown rather than grafted—across the early frontier.
Born right in Leominster, MA, Chapman was there before a wave of western settlers. Once they arrived, he sold or leased the land—and the saplings he had planted there—to pioneers. It was more of a land-business strategy than just a guy walking through the forest barefoot, tossing the seeds he loved on the ground behind him.
Because they were grown from seeds (rather than grafting), the fruit was small and tart. Not that great for eating. It did, however, work very well for making hard cider. And since cider was also safer to drink than water on the wild frontier, his orchards were practical.
Chapman had another goal as he traveled: to spread the teachings of the Swedenborgian Church—his brand of frontier faith. In that light, in addition to planting saplings, he also handed out religious pamphlets.
While Chapman did travel light, often wearing second-hand or handmade clothes, sometimes without shoes, many of the stories of him are more folklore than fact. Tales often grew with the tellings, and soon, there were fantastic stories of his tin pot hat and ability to talk to animals.
A Lasting Trail
Today, you can travel the same trail. The Johnny Appleseed Trail is part of Route 2 in North Central Massachusetts. And if you’re in the area, it makes for an easy, picturesque, fun few days.
The Trail runs between two more famous trails: the Freedom Trail to the east and the Mohawk Trail to the west. And it’s built with travelers in mind. You’ll find a little visitor center as well as orchards and cider mills tucked just off the highway.
A quick note: If you’ve heard of the Johnny Appleseed Trail, you may be asking: wait, isn’t that in Ohio?
No, you’re not imagining things. Ohio, too, has its own Johnny Appleseed Historic Byway (SR-39 and SR-603, Loudonville to Mansfield). This trail also traces back to Chapman but visits where he homesteaded. It’s a worthwhile stop in its own right, but it’s an even shorter small-town route that’s probably better suited to a slower pace than a big rig.
Massachusetts’ Route 2 corridor—the subject of this article—is more RV-friendly. That said, ambitious itinerary planners could treat them as bookends to a longer apple-inspired cross-country loop. Perfect for fall exploration.
With that clarification, are you ready to journey into history through small New England towns?
Why the Johnny Appleseed Trail Is Good for RVers
The Trail itself runs through roughly two dozen towns, including Lancaster, Leominster, Fitchburg, Gardner, Westminster, Ashburnham, Winchendon, Athol, and Phillipston. That doesn’t mean you need to hit them all, but it does mean you have choices when it comes to small town charm.
For RVers, Route 2 is a capable state highway with marked exits. You won’t need to squeeze through a maze of unmarked back roads. (Though some of the towns may be tight for larger rigs.)
To get into the spirit, start at the Johnny Appleseed Visitor Center in Lancaster. It’s right off the highway with big rig parking and home to the 10-foot-tall “Big Apple of New England” sculpture.
Leominster is where Chapman was born, just a few minutes further up the road. Gardner is worth a stop for another oversized roadside icon: the World’s Largest Chair.
Finally, to get into the apple theme, Phillipston’s Red Apple Farm offers both family fun and beautiful photo opportunities. It’s a wonderful place to get out and stretch your legs.
The entire route is charming, with options to pick apples (of course), see some roadside oddities, enjoy some cider, and experience real New England small towns—without a long, demanding drive once you arrive.
RV Precautions
Yes, Route 2 is RV-friendly. There are, however, a few things worth flagging:
- The scenic detours aren’t all built for large rigs. Some of the prettiest parts of Johnny Appleseed Country—such as the covered bridges, historical society buildings, and orchard access roads—are located on narrower local roads just off Route 2. If you have a smaller rig, you will probably be okay. If you have a tow vehicle, it’s worth unhitching, especially if you’re driving anything over 35 feet.
- Fall is the trail’s busiest season—understandably. Foliage weekends and harvest festivals bring more people in to places like Red Apple Farm. Parking lots that usually handle the traffic can fill up fast on the weekends. Plan early or visit mid-week if you prefer a slower pace.
- This is New England, not the open plains. You’ll drive through rolling terrain with tighter shoulders than found in flatter sections of the Midwest.
- Amenities cluster near the bigger towns. When you need fuel, propane, or groceries, you’ll do better in towns like Fitchburg, Leominster, and Gardner than the smaller, charming towns of Phillipston, Royalston, or Winchester. It’s a good idea to gather supplies before heading into the more rural stretches to be safe.
How to Get There
Route 2 runs east-west between the Freedom Trail (Boston) and the Mohawk Trail (western MA).
For the easiest RV approach, exit at Lancaster from either direction and work the corridor from there.
The best time to visit is between September and October for the breathtaking foliage and harvest season. Spring and summer are also good times to go, especially if you prefer a quieter experience and easier parking.
Photo by Mohan Nappapaneini
Where to Camp Your Rig
Even on a short trip, you’ll need a place to pull over and sleep. That’s one of the biggest reasons to RV!
Spacious Skies Campground Minute Man (Littleton, MA) sits near the Route 2/I-495 junction at the trail’s eastern end. You’ll find full-hookup sites, pull-throughs for larger rigs, and consistently solid reviews. This is a strong home base, especially for those starting from the Boston side.
Lamb City Campground (Phillipston, MA) is the closest option to Red Apple Farm. Not only does it offer full-hookup pull-throughs, it also has a hayride that will take you straight to the orchard during the apple, blueberry, and pumpkin season. Some campers really love the laid-back, long-timer community feel. Others may prefer a more modern, polished experience.
Camp Coldbrook Golf & RV Resort (Barre, MA) has more than 400 sites and is close to the trail’s southern end. Reviews, however, are pretty mixed.
RV Johnny Appleseed Trail Takeaways
Not every road trip needs to span across states or an entire continent. Sometimes, the best ones flow through a simple well-marked highway, with a few good stops and some (occasionally odd) beautiful photo opportunities.
The Johnny Appleseed Trail can take you back to a slower time filled with interesting history and some truly unique experiences. And that foliage. Wow!
