During summer, America’s northern regions enjoy extended days and short nights. Pack in all the fun you can have during the long daylight hours in the following places.

Alaska

The Frontier State parties during June. Locals and visitors alike fill the streets in the cities to celebrate Summer Solstice, while tourists embark on trails and waterways to see the state’s magnificent wilderness. Before embarking on Alaska, make plans for the long drive north.

See Wildlife and Get Glacial in Anchorage and Nearby

Alaska’s biggest city is a great base camp for adventures in the nearby wilderness. Southeast of the city on the Seward Highway, the Alaska Wildlife and Conservation Center delights visitors with a hearty population of indigenous wildlife. Take a Walk on the Wildlife Tour and get close-up looks at black and brown bears, moose, lynx reindeer and more.

Feel the heat for memorial day barbecue flavor.

Campground chefs, start your grills! Memorial Day weekend signals the official start of barbecue season, and we want you to wield the tongs and spatula like a pro during your travels. That’s why we’ve canvased our team of experienced camping bloggers for tried-and-true campground recipes. The results bring new flavors to those lazy summer campground gatherings. Bon appetit!

The Blue Hawaiian Burger

The Blue Hawaiian Burger combines distinctive flavors for the discerning campground palette. The sweet and tangy fruit of the fresh pineapple blends brilliantly with the smoky creaminess of the blue cheese to enhance the burger experience. The hint of mixed spices and a touch of brown sugar unite the combination of flavors for an easy-to-prepare gourmet delight.

We all know finesse generally means doing something delicately or in a refined way, but what’s finesse fishing? If you’ve ever read any article I’ve written, you’ll know I preach finesse angling a lot compared to various other techniques. That’s because I grew up fishing the muck and mud of various small ponds throughout Pennsylvania.

During my time growing up, I learned a lot about working lightweight lures, with active presentations and bright and vibrant colors.

That’s just a taste of what finesse fishing is and in this guide, I’m going to break down all the details of finesse fishing so you can start working it in when needed.

What is Finesse Fishing?

The big misconception about finesse fishing is that it means light and small everything, but that’s not necessarily true. If we think about the word as a verb, it’ll help us better understand what finesse actually means.

If we “finesse” a fish, what does that mean?

Major League Baseball season is in full swing. You can put a new spin on your experience by adding an RV to your roster of fan essentials. An RV is a great way to tour North America’s iconic major league parks, from venerable Fenway Park in Boston to San Francisco’s modern Oracle Park. Many parks accommodate your RV for baseball tailgating, allowing visitors can roast hot dogs and hoist brews before the first pitch.

Before your MLB tour, observe stadium rules. Between games, stay at a nearby Good Sam Park and relax and recount the best moments of the game.

Oracle Park, San Francisco, California

Sitting in China Basin and home of the San Francisco Giants, Oracle Park has received accolades for its neoclassical architecture and wide range of amenities. Sometimes referred to as the RingCentral Coliseum, the Oakland Coliseum is home for the Oakland A’s but also hosts concerts and conventions during the off-season. Watch home-run balls splash in McCovey Cove, the section of the bay beyond the right-field wall.

Tailgating: Lot A is located just south of the ballpark, along 3rd Street and Terry A. Francois streets. Cost: $40 ($80 for oversized vehicles). It opens three hours before the first pitch and closes one hour after the last out.

Most of us associate summer with some form of camping or outdoor recreation. But not all national parks are great summer destinations. Many parks in the Sun Belt, for example, experience sweltering temperatures. So if you want to check off a few destinations on your national parks bucket list this year, you’ll need to focus on the best national parks to visit in the summer in the U.S. 

As a general tip, many U.S. parks experience the height of visitation during the summer months. You’ll need to plan ahead to secure campsite reservations, book guided tours and research safety tips for the activities you want to do once you reach your destination. 

Because national park campgrounds fill up quickly, consider campgrounds outside the park too. Park campgrounds can also get expensive, and because they see such high visitation, keeping up with maintenance can be tough for park staff, especially toward the end of the camping season. 

Good Sam Parks provide an affordable alternative to camping inside the parks during peak season. Good Sam members can save big with a 10 percent discount at any of our 2,000-plus Good Sam Parks across North America. Sign up online to purchase a membership or simply buy it at the Good Sam Park you visit (discounts apply immediately).

The 10 Best U.S. National Parks To Visit in the Summer

That being said, your journey begins with a simple decision: deciding which park to visit and planning your national parks road trip! So here are a few of the best U.S. national parks for summer trips: 

There’s a lot to consider when it’s time to get your RV ready for camping season. From spring cleaning to performing an RV walk around to check all components, getting your vehicle prepared to hit the road requires a proper checklist (find one here!). But in addition to all the cleaning and equipment checks that you carry out in your driveway, it’s good to plan a quick local trip to use your RV just like you would on a longer trip. Use these tips for a spring RV shakedown cruise to plan your first trip of the next camping season!

Tip 1: Set Your Intentions

Let’s be clear: the idea of a shakedown cruise is to focus on general RV maintenance. It gives you a chance to operate all of your RV’s components and appliances to double-check that nothing needs major repairs. 

You might find that certain things require a tune-up (i.e., changing the oil in your generator). So make sure you build some time into your shakedown itinerary for general RV maintenance. 

That said, you can have additional intentions for your shakedown cruise. Planning an RV staycation is a great way to explore areas close to home that you might otherwise overlook on your way to far-flung destinations. 

Shelter Cove Resort and Marina — a TripAdvisor Certificate of Excellence Winner.

Visit Shelter Cove Resort and Marina just once and you will see why it received this coveted award in the travel industry! Opened year-round, fishing, skiing, swimming, hiking and boating are just a few of the adventures that await at Shelter Cove Resort and Marina.

Water Recreation abounds on Oregon’s Odell Lake

With nine docks, moorings and a boat launch, there is plenty of room for you to enjoy your water toys on Odell Lake.  After a successful day of fishing, a fish cleaning station is conveniently located near the boat docks, so you can clean your catch for a campfire grilled fish dinner! The cabins at the resort also have fully equipped kitchens if you choose to cook indoors. Forgot to bring everything you need for that yummy fish dinner? Pick up the items you need in the convenient on-site store located next to the Hook and Talon grill. You don’t need to bring your own boat or be an expert angler to enjoy Odell Lake. Shelter Cove offers boat rentals as well as connections to the area’s knowledgeable fishing guides. Fishing licenses are also available in the convenience store.

Cross-Country and Downhill Skiing

Winter weather brings out the downhill and cross-country skiers who enjoy skiing and snow-shoeing the Oregon Cascades, as well as the Deschutes National and Willamette National Forests.

So you decided to take the plunge into the RV lifestyle. You have made the wise decision to rent an RV to see if you like the experience or the type of RV. You have navigated the RV rental options, like Good Sam’s rentals. Your trip is only a few days away, and the euphoria of booking your first RV trip has switched to pure panic. You read blogs and watched YouTube videos on everything you need to know about your destination, where to stay and sites to visit. Only one big mistake… You have no idea what to pack for your trip! Well relax; I’m here to help make this first RV rental a memorable one for you and your family. Check out the top 10 things to pack on your first RV rental trip.

Blanket/Sheets/Towels

While some rental companies will either provide or offer a charge for a package of linens, we highly recommend you bring your own. First of all, you will know they are clean and only your family has used them. Secondly, if you enjoy higher thread count linens, it’s not easy or comfortable to step down.

And if you have kids ( like we do), they love bringing one of their favorite blankets from home. It really makes the RV “feel” like a second home, no matter where you wake up.

RV Toilet Paper

If you didn’t know before, you learn quickly that you cannot use just any toilet paper in RVs. If you love the soft triple-ply toilet paper, you’ll be out of luck. Most likely, your rental company will provide some RV toilet paper, but our experience is that it’s the cost-effective type that if you hold a sheet up to the sun, it won’t block a single ray. We recommend you get a septic tank-safe soft brand. Your bottom will thank you for it.

Fire Starter

So you’ve rented an RV and are ready for a trip of a lifetime to make incredible memories. If your visions include enjoying s’mores, telling stories, or singing songs around a campfire; trust me, those times and moments to just sit and enjoy your family are so precious. Only one problem, you have never made a campfire!

One of the largest vintage trailer rallies in the country is set to take place on May 19- 21 at Pismo Coast Village RV Resort in Pismo Beach, California.

“We’ll have over 300 vintage trailers along with their proud owners,” said Jay Jamison, General Manager of the resort, which has hosted the annual Pismo Vintage Trailer Rally for 14 years.

The highlight of the weekend is the open house and swap meet, which takes place from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, May 21.

The rally features beautifully restored travel trailers from the 1930s to the 1970s with famous names like Airstream, Boles Aero, Shasta, Silver Streak, Vagabond and Westcraft as well as unique special edition trailers. Many of the vintage trailer owners tow their units with beautiful vintage vehicles with matching color schemes.

Most RV owners in North America do the majority of their travel and camping in the summer and extended shoulder seasons. This generally avoids their exposure to driving in winter-like weather such as snow and ice. But poor weather driving conditions are not necessarily confined to the colder months. Late spring and early summer rains can put a damper on your RV trip. Indeed, precipitation can present very challenging driving conditions. Don’t underestimate the impact that even light rain can cause on your travels.

Because we have driven in rain countless times, little thought is given to wet weather. However, rainy weather can create several driving hazards, especially with a large heavier vehicle. Let’s take a look at some of the problems that precipitation can spawn.   

Slippery Road Surfaces

Wet road surfaces have less traction than dry surfaces, resulting in reduced tire grip and braking effect. This is especially true during the early phases of the precipitation, as oil from the highway traffic disperses. Loss of tire grip can result in skidding sideways in a turn. If you drive around a corner at a speed that is close to the side force grip of a tire’s traction threshold, even a slight bump may launch you into a skid.  Reduce speed in all turns. 

Possible Flooded Roadway

1. Food is fresh, like really fresh. On Prince Edward Island, we take farm-to-table and boat-to-table to a whole new level. As you tour the Island, you’ll better understand that food is a way of life here. You’ll see farmers cutting hay, cattle grazing in wide-open pastures and potato fields blossoming with colors of pink, white, yellow and purple. Our rivers and estuaries provide the ideal conditions for harvesting mussels and the world’s finest oysters. Perhaps you’ll catch the fishing boats coming back to the harbor in the early afternoons of June and September as fishers return with their catches of delicious Prince Edward Island lobster.

2. Highly trained chefs. Our best butchers, bakers and culinary artmakers are graduates of the Culinary Institute of Canada in Charlottetown. For a unique gastronomic experience, be sure to visit the on-site market or make reservations for the dining room for a spectacular view of the Charlottetown Harbour.

3. Chefs, farmers and fishers are neighbors and often friends. The Island provides the perfect growing conditions for food and relationships. Within minutes, chefs can visit local producers to select menu ingredients. In fact, many of our local chefs and kitchen helpers grew up in the small fishing and farming communities — quality assurance at its finest.

4. Find the makings of dinner along the way. Along our highways and byways, you’ll find roadside stands selling anything from potatoes to pumpkins and free-range eggs to firewood. You can even find a honey hut. If the season is right, ask about buying a feed of lobster at the wharf. Here, fresh can be both savory and self-serve. Most stands accept cash only so be prepared before you head out.

Peace River: A place where history, beauty and adventure collide!

Rendez-Vous RV Park is located in Peace River, Alberta, in Northern Sunrise County. We are a year-round park with all the all amenities you need for an amazing stay. Rendez-Vous RV Park has 57 pull-through and 50 back-in sites, all fully serviced with 30 or 50 amp power and extremely spacious sites making us perfect for Big Rigs!

Our park has all your necessary amenities, including an immaculate shower house and 24/7 laundry. The office also features a convenience store with an ever-growing inventory of U-Haul supplies, groceries, ICE CREAM, firewood, propane and items for your RV.

No RV? No problem. We have 3 fully furnished luxury cabins complete with TV and free WiFi just waiting to welcome you home each night after a day of exploring the Peace!

Surrounded by the natural wonder of the Pend Oreille River Valley and the Selkirk Mountains, Kalispel RV Resort features full hookups and cozy cottages for every adventurer. With nearby outdoor recreation for every season and indoor entertainment and dining that’s just steps away at Kalispel Casino, this is your perfect basecamp in Cusick, Washington.

Room to Roam

Warm weather ushers in plenty of outdoor fun for the whole family. You’re free to roam more than a million acres in the surrounding Colville National Forest, with abundant trails for hiking and off-road riding.

Pend Oreille River Water Trail

For paddlers of all types, the Pend Oreille River Water Trail offers 70 miles of river to explore by canoe, kayak or stand-up paddleboard.

Fishing and Boating

Anglers will enjoy casting in the river and at dozens of nearby lakes, with Browns Lake exclusively reserved for fly fishing. And boating enthusiasts can launch at the nearby Cusick City Park boat launch to enjoy a relaxing cruise along the Pend Oreille River.

Black-Footed Ferret RV Resort — Wyoming Glamping at Its Finest!

Come enjoy our hospitality and meet Meeteetse, Wyoming! The town’s name is derived from a Native American term for “meeting place.” Our brand new RV Resort is named after the last known wild population of black-footed ferrets that were discovered in Meeteetse in 1981. All black-footed ferrets today are descended from these animals.

Home On The Range In MEETEETSE, WY!

Black Footed Ferret RV Resort is located in the Authentic Western Town of Meeteetse.

Meeteetse has a rich history of the land where outlaws rode and cattle barons ruled. Wooden boardwalks, hitching rails and water troughs still line the streets. Here is where the Absaroka Mountains and the Wyoming Bad Lands meet. We are Wyoming’s best-kept secret, offering some of the best fishing, hunting, sightseeing and wildlife viewing.

Bryce Valley Ranch RV & Horse Park is a Brand New RV Park. It’s located near Bryce Canyon National Park and on America’s most scenic byway — Scenic Byway 12 — in Cannonville, Utah.

Welcome to Heaven on Earth at Bryce Valley Ranch RV & Horse Park, offering stunning landscape views in a quiet setting close to Bryce Canyon National Park and Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument. We are located in the middle of it all!! This is where your adventure begins & memories are made to last.

The area is surrounded by views of mountains, rock spires, hoodoos, canyons and vistas in many colors of reds, whites and coppers. You will see alfalfa fields, antelope, deer, elk, turkey, hawks and other wildlife.

This peninsula along the state’s eastern shore is a hodge-podge of orchards, lighthouses and state parks, all nestled within a landscape that harkens back to a simpler time. The region is also a haven for lake lovers and watersports aficionados who arrive each summer to enjoy the more than 300 miles of pristine shoreline. Whether you’re looking for fun-in-the-sun or laid-back luxury, life just seems a little easier in Door County.

Loads of Lighthouses

Getting its name from the 19th-century ship captains who called the waters around its northernmost point ‘Porte des Morts’ – or ‘Death’s Door’ – it’s no wonder that the coast of Door County is dotted with lifesaving lighthouses. These days, touring all eleven is the perfect introduction to the region’s quaint waterfront towns. Sturgeon Bay, the county’s largest, has three lighthouses, as well as quirky boutiques, carriage rides, and plenty of boating opportunities. Farther north, the lighthouses around Bailey’s Harbor are easily accessible, with many open to the public. The most photogenic of the bunch, the Cana Island Lighthouse, lies just off the coast and can be waded to during low tide. More remote lights, like the Chambers Island Lighthouse and the Pottawatomie Lighthouse on Rock Island, are only accessible by boat or ferry.

Nautical Past

To learn more about the region’s longstanding relationship with Lake Michigan and beyond, head to the Door County Maritime Museum in Sturgeon Bay. Exhibits at the waterfront site include deep dives into the area’s long history of shipbuilding, its most fantastic captains and craftsman, and a growing number of workshops and classes for those looking to gain hands-on experience. At the northernmost tip of the peninsula, in the small fishing town of Gills Rock, the Death’s Door Maritime Museum offers up insight into the shipwrecks and storms that have come to define the region’s waterways. You can explore a 45ft wooden fishing tug, see artifacts from decades old wrecks, and learn more about the finely-crafted lenses used in the nearby lighthouses. Amazingly, many of the most prominent shipwrecks are submerged in less than 60ft of water, which means that kayakers and snorkelers can see them from the surface when the water is clear. Join a guided boat tour or scenic cruise for an even closer look.

Cape Cod lives up to its reputation as a postcard-worthy New England excursion. Jutting out into the Atlantic like a flexing arm, this 339-square-mile Massachusetts playground is home to pristine sandy beaches, rugged natural landscapes and charming seafaring villages. This is where a quiet stroll can lead past Gilded Age mansions, expansive dunes and sun-dappled forests. Check out the charming Cape towns for tranquil walks among coastal pine forests, craggy bluffs, salty marshes and sandy beaches.

Visit the historic lighthouses, tour the wild cranberry bogs, or walk in the footsteps of America’s 35th president. Sample succulent lobster and get crackin’ with the best oysters in New England. Learn the history of the U.S. Coast Guard and explore where Mayflower residents began a new life. This New England coast is steeped in history, legends and romance.

Bay State Paradise

Cape Cod National Seashore, on the tip of Cape Cod, is a 40-mile natural paradise filled with marshlands, freshwater ponds, wild cranberry bogs and beautiful pristine beaches. Wildlife and sea critters are plentiful along with picturesque lighthouses guiding ships at sea to safe harbor. There’s even an ocean graveyard between Chatham and Provincetown where more than 1,000 shipwrecks are buried.

May has the biggest barbecue event of the year: Memorial Day, when chefs fire up the grills and cook up tasty cuisine at campgrounds across the U.S. Backyard chefs will argue over which state has the best barbecue, but we don’t have time to engage in a debate. Instead, let us recommend two gorgeous states where the food is as spectacular as the scenery.

Kentucky

Get in the Bluegrass State spirit at these delicious destinations.

Explore Daniel Boone National Forest

Set within Daniel Boone National Forest, Cumberland Falls State Resort Park is home to what locals affectionately refer to as “Niagara of the South.”