Road Runner Travel Resort: A Jewel on Florida’s Treasure Coast
Resort puts guests in a lush and storied corner of the Sunshine State
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A few days before Christmas in 1979, James and Marilyn Minix bought a small plot of land covered in debris just outside Fort Pierce, Florida, and began the years-long process of turning it into one of the East Coast’s premier RV parks and resorts. Over the years, they cleaned up the once-abandoned property and added acres upon acres to their dream. Eventually, their kids, who began working at the resort bagging ice as youngsters, took over, and a true family business was born.
Photo: Road Runner Travel Resort.
Amenities Galore
Today, Road Runner Travel Resort is a 40-acre Treasure Coast gem with 452 full-service hookups and a plethora of amenities and attractions to make your stay truly one-of-a-kind. In addition to classic conveniences like a public laundry, free Wi-Fi, and well-appointed bathrooms and showers, guests rave about the centrally-located heated swimming pool, the scenic layout (ideal for morning walks and runs!), and the great food and service at Charlene’s Coyote Grill, which boasts a diverse menu as good as any in Fort Pierce proper. Standouts include the fried green tomatoes, the mahi on focaccia bread, and just about everything on the breakfast menu.
The resort also features a three-hole golf course surrounded by Florida pines, and a fishing pond that’s perfect for teaching the little ones about the joys of catch-and-release or simply putting your feet up and relaxing at a natural, hardwood hammock property that’s home to a diverse array of flora and fauna and helps protect the surrounding landscape.
Photo: Road Runner Travel Resort.
Spectacular Surroundings
If that wasn’t enough, the area around Roadrunner is a veritable goldmine of natural beauty and unmissable attractions. Fort Pierce is known as “The Sunrise City” for the spectacular vistas that arrive each morning over the Indian River Lagoon. Enjoying the colorful display at South Beach Park is a must at least once during your stay. The city is also home to institutions like the Navy Seal Museum (a sister museum to the one in San Diego), the A.E. Backus Museum and Gallery, and the Downtown Art Walk, a self-guided tour that highlights the city’s vibrant arts scene.
A short drive to the north, Vero Beach offers an elegant escape from the hustle and bustle of the coastline. The McKee Botanical Garden offers subtropical gardens bursting with color, as well as special exhibits, while the historic Jungle Trail serves up access to eight miles of lush wetlands alongside the Indian River Lagoon that include views of spectacular coastal homes, excellent bird watching, and access to several secluded beaches. The hard-packed sand trail was once used by Florida’s famed citrus growers, but is now perfect for bike rides and jogs.
Historical bridge at McKee Botanical Gardens. Photo: Agape621
Because of its ideal location on Florida’s Atlantic Coast, Road Runner Travel Resort also makes it easy to explore some of the state’s most beloved destinations. Take West Palm Beach, for example. About an hour to the south, the city is a cultural hub with four retail and entertainment districts, as well as a buzzing bar and boutique scene. Head to the Clematis Street district for waterfront fun, free old-school trolley rides, and fountain shows that will leave the kids beaming. There’s also Northwood Village, where all your shopping dreams come true. Scope out an antique shop tucked away down an alley, grab a spa session to alleviate those aches and pains, or simply post up at one of the neighborhood’s casual eateries for some people watching, Sunshine State-style.
Kayak Trips
No trip to Roadrunner would be complete without an outdoor excursion that celebrates the Treasure Coast’s inimitable beauty. You can charter a fishing boat at one of the many marinas in and around Fort Pierce, or join a paddleboat excursion in the canal. But many guests describe a guided kayak tour of the mangroves as their most memorable experience. Fort Pierce Inlet State Park is a great place to start, and a few outfitters in town offer clear kayak excursions, which allow you to feel at one with the turquoise blue waters and mysterious mangrove tunnels that await. Keep an eye out for classic Floridian marine life, including manatees, dolphins, and stingrays.
Kayaking in a mangrove tunnel Photo: Aristeded Carrera.
Many of the 2-3 hour tours also feature snack breaks on shallow sandbars where intrepid guests can search for starfish, snails, and conch, among other animals. Sunset tours are also available, as are wintertime glow-in-the-dark tours, which feature bioluminescent comb jellies, perhaps the region’s most fascinating creature. Top off your outing with a cold one and a plate of catch-of-the-day seafood at one of the waterfront tiki bars along the lagoon.
Greg Donahue
James Donahue is a writer and outdoors enthusiast whose travels have taken him to 45 states and nearly as many countries around the world. When he's not hiking, biking, or fly fishing (or writing about all three), you can usually find him exploring the beaches up and down the East Coast with his wife and daughter.
