The Northeasternmost state in the U.S., Maine brings to mind fresh Atlantic seafood, a beautiful rocky coastline dotted with historic lighthouses, and the place that ... Read more

When it comes to RVing, having fun isn’t the only prerequisite. There are several essential items you simply must have if you’re looking to get the most out of your adventures on the road.

Everyone has a different idea of what is “essential,” but this collection of all of our must-have lists is a good place to start in customizing your own camping experience.

You’ll find essentials here for a full-timer or weekend warrior, nomads working from the road or escaping the 9-to-5, travelers pulling a travel trailer or driving a Class A motorhome. Your RV trip will be better — arguably your best — if you stock up on everything you must have for RVing.

Must-Have Kitchen Essentials

Image: Camping World

The heart of every home, even your home away from home, is the kitchen. The table is the place where everyone comes together over a warm meal, a family game, or cozy drinks after a long day. In the kitchen and at mealtime, conversations turn into memories.

So, what are the must-have essentials that take your RV kitchen from standard to superb? I’m glad you asked. Check out the must-have kitchen essentials below:

Are you the type of camper that loves to cook delicious meals at the campground while keeping your family on the go? RVs with a kitchen island make it easy to serve your family and guests. See seven of our favorite floorplans available for RVs with kitchen islands below and find the perfect fit for your family!

Find more fifth wheels with kitchen islands on sale at RVingPlanet.com.

2022 Forest River Cherokee Wolf Pack 355PACK14

This Forest River Cherokee Wolf Pack 355PACK14 toy hauler fifth wheel is an excellent example of how a kitchen island can make an RV feel like a home away from home! The kitchen features an island bar with stools to make breakfasts and lunches with your family easy and fun! Inside, you’ll find a spacious separated garage with 14′ of storage space.

Additional Features:

Separate Garage30 Gallon Fuel StationBar Top with StoolsPass-Through with D-RingsBath and a Half“Party Patio”King BedThis nook is great for cleaning up after dinner or a coffee corner!

2022 Keystone Outback 355CG

Another option for taking your toys on the road is the Keystone Outback 355CG toy hauler travel trailer with a dual entry bathroom and more! The 21′ awning ensures you always have plenty of shade at the campground, and you’ll love the power ramp door for loading and unloading your toys. There’s sleeping for up to six in this unit!

Additional Features:

As the world’s first cave to be named a national park, Wind Cave is an outstanding addition to the National Park Service. It is the world’s longest and most complex cave system, with 149 miles of explored passages containing intricate box work and frostwork formations.

Many miss its allure by only noticing the undulating prairie that lies above this geologic anomaly. In fact, the cave’s discovery by white Americans came from two brothers peering into a 10” x 14” hole as the wind whistled out of it. By knocking the hat off the boys’ heads, Wind Cave acquired a name and a reputation.

Why Visit Wind Cave National Park in an RV?

Wind Cave is an excellent destination for RVers who enjoy hidden gems underground and the rolling hills and ranchland above. The park has one campground with plenty of space for motorhomes and travel trailers.

After hiking over scenic trails, then cooling off in the cave, RVers quickly realize that Wind Cave National Park has even more going for it.

The park lies amid many other nationally recognized attractions. In fact, its northern border is next to the popular Custer State Park. Crazy Horse Memorial and Mount Rushmore National Memorial are also nearby.

One of the most exciting aspects of camping begins when the sun goes down, and the stars come out. By the warmth of the campfire, you can toast marshmallows to make the most epic S’more while listening to the lovely sounds of nature.

But beyond the campfire glow lies the dark of night, and what you can’t see can often ruin a good time. Luckily, camp lanterns can save the day — or rather save the night – by illuminating more of your campsite and providing a valuable backup light source in the event of an RV power outage. Not only for RVs, camp lanterns also prove handy to have for the home as an essential part of any storm kit.

From lanterns that double as bug zappers (like the Personal Mosquito Zapper with LED Lantern) to Bluetooth speakers that look like lanterns (like the iJoy Lumina Light-Up Lantern Speaker), you have plenty of options to light up your campsite and let the good times continue as long, and as late, as possible.

Not sure which camp lantern is best for you? No worries. Check out this guide to camp lanterns and let Camping World light the way.

The Brightness of Your Camp Lantern

Photo by Camping World

Before choosing a type, ask yourself how bright you want your camp lantern. Lumens, which measure and determine how bright a light is, are the metric to look at in terms of a lantern’s light output. The higher the number of lumens, the brighter the light will be.

Camping is all about being engaged in your surroundings — soaking in all that mother nature has to offer by way of breathtaking views and dreamy weather. However, being one with the environment doesn’t have to mean subjecting yourself to unfavorable weather.

How do you achieve this? How do you enjoy the benefits of nature without suffering the consequences of its bad days? With a canopy tent, that’s how. Canopy tents allow you to be in, around, and one with nature without being overheated, drenched, bitten, or stung by it.

Not sure how to choose the best canopy tent for you? No worries. We’ve got you covered. (See what we did there?)

What to Look for in a Canopy Tent

Image: Shutterstock

The first thing to note is that canopy tents go by several different names. Why settle for one thing when you can be many, right?

Canopy tents are also known as portable shelters, screen houses, outdoor tent canopies, pop-up canopies, canopy shade tents, and other monikers.

One of the most common sustainability goals I hear from friends is to create less waste. In particular, they want to use less plastic, which isn’t surprising. Plastic and our planet’s overflowing landfills are at the forefront of many conversations these days.

We see stories about plastic debris absolutely everywhere, littering RV parks and campgrounds, piling up in our oceans, and killing wildlife. It’s easy to vilify plastic, especially when you see the disturbing pictures of nature’s plastic victims — adorable seals tangled in plastic bags, birds with six-pack plastic rings on their necks, and the most recent I’ve seen; a raccoon with its head stuck in a plastic bottle. These environmental effects of plastic are heartbreaking and often point directly back to the use and improper disposal of single-use plastics. I’ll teach you some tips and habits to reduce your plastic pollution. Together, as mindful travelers, we can make healthy choices that benefit animals, the environment, and ourselves.

Is All Plastic Bad?

Photo by Stef & James Adinaro @TheFitRV

Plastic, in general, isn’t all bad news. We encounter hundreds of plastic things a day. Just look around. You’re surrounded by it, just like I am.

My computer is plastic. As I look forward, the RV cab’s dash is plastic, the laundry basket to my right is plastic,  and even the many polyester-blend clothing items inside it, yep, those too are another form of plastic.

Plastic makes our lives easier and is a truly extraordinary material. So I try not to lump all plastic together in the “you’re-bad-and-I-must-avoid-you” category.

Make the most out of the waning days of summer and early fall. These legendary Midwest locations will treat you to thrills in the heartland.

See our Regional Travel Calendar for more year-round destinations.

Illinois

Go from big city to small town in the Land of Lincoln, and check out some natural attractions along the way.

Walk Chicago’s Magic Mile

Known as the Windy City, Chicago’s skyline dominates the shoreline of Lake Michigan, and many visitors put the Magnificent Mile at the top of their lists. Just a few blocks from the lake’s shoreline, this stretch of Michigan Avenue is lined with upscale boutiques, gourmet restaurants, museums, and fancy hotels. If you prefer fresh air, hang out at Millennium Park near the lake and gawk at your reflection on the giant Bean sculpture.

Traveling to see the vastness of the country.

More time with your family.

The freedom to explore.

All of these are reasons people consider the RV lifestyle. And it’s no wonder why! The RV lifestyle provides all of that and more.

RVing is the perfect lifestyle for those who enjoy traveling, adventuring, exploring, and sightseeing while also enjoying the comforts of home. RVing literally provides a home-away-from-home with a constantly changing backyard. Does traveling get any better than that?

Dreaming of a warm weather winter destination with numerous opportunities to enjoy nature, be on the water, in the sun, and be a part of a thriving RV community? Whether you’re a family seeking a place to enjoy all winter long, or a couple looking for a winter getaway, then the Florida Keys might be the right winter destination for you!

Make the Keys the end, or beginning, of your RV road trip through Florida. Here’s what you need to know about visiting Florida in an RV. And a few of the The Best Campgrounds on the Beach in Florida. Are you in the tropical mood yet? 

RVing the Florida Keys

The Florida Keys are divided into 3 regions: Upper Keys, Middle Keys, and Lower Keys. Together, the keys make up 800 keys in total and stretch over 180 miles into the ocean off the southern tip of Florida. You might’ve heard of Key West or Key Largo, but explore some of the Lesser Known Florida Keys for RV Camping too.

The Upper Keys offers delicious restaurants and tourist attractions and is your last closest stop to mainland Florida. Key Largo is at the tippy top of the Keys and is the beginning of the Florida Keys experience. It’s just across the bridge from the southern Florida mainland and is home to the first Florida State Park in the Florida Keys.

John Pennekamp State Park

John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park, Florida Keys (Image: Shutterstock)

John Pennekamp offers 39 full hook-up RV spots that are within walking distance of the state park beach and kayak/boat launch. The best thing about visiting this State Park is the maze of mangrove kayak trails! These trails will accommodate any small boat such as kayaks, canoes, or paddle boards and you’re sure to see a ton of Florida wildlife!

The kitchen is often referred to as the heart of the home, so naturally, the sentiment stands up even in your home away from home as well. If you find that your heart isn’t skipping a beat or causing those butterflies in your belly to flutter, then it might be time for some upgrades.

Whether your kitchen needs a full renovation or a few tweaks here and there, we have ten RV kitchen remodel ideas that will take your space from dated to amazing in one weekend. I know they say if you can’t stand the heat to get out of the kitchen, but with items (and prices) this hot, there’s nowhere else you’ll want to be.

FloorPops Raven Peel-and-Stick Floor Tiles

FloorPops Raven Peel-and-Stick Floor Tiles

Let’s start from the bottom and work our way to the top with the FloorPops Raven Peel-and-Stick Floor Tiles. The marble-inspired design gives a polished, high-end look at a fraction of the cost. Dark gray hues make a bold statement while the water-resistant vinyl remains easy to clean. Installation? A piece of cake! Simply peel and stick, trim with a utility knife when necessary, and skip the grout as it isn’t needed. What else could you ask for? Cake? Agreed.

Shop all tile flooring options.

Dometic Americana II Refrigerator

Dometic Americana II Refrigerator

The quickest way to update the look, feel, and function of your RV kitchen is by upgrading the appliances. The Dometic American II Plus Refrigerator has a solid steel frame and convenient design features to give you the best of both performance and appearance. A flexible shelf system, adjustable door bins, and electronic controls all work together seamlessly so your kitchen is a space that stays organized and ingredients are ready when you need them to whip up your next recipe. Let me know when that is, by the way. I’m an expert taste tester.

RV adventures often lead to incredible experiences that teach us about new people and places. Our road trips are often remembered for the unexpected parts of the journey rather than the destination. 

You’re bound to meet fellow campers no matter where you go, but camping at a Harvest Hosts location provides unique chances to meet and learn from locals. If you’re curious about Harvest Hosts, here’s how you can maximize your camping experiences at Harvest Hosts locations. 

What is Harvest Hosts?

Harvest Hosts is a network of more than 3,000 RV camping locations in the lower 48 states, Canada, Alaska, and Baja, California – and their network of locations is still growing. They also offer a golf upgrade, which adds more than 400 options for Members to enjoy overnight stays at golf courses.

The annual membership-based platform gives Members unlimited access to overnight stays at Host locations with no added camping fees. They just ask that you support your Host, which is almost always a small, local business.

Want to get more out of your RV? Subscribe to the Camping World YouTube channel, and never miss a video.

While campers love RV parks and campgrounds with an abundance of trees, that’s not always possible, especially if you’re camping in the American Southwest. That’s why RV awnings are a great addition to motorhomes and towable RVs. 

Awnings are great for providing shade and protection from light rain. They’re easy to operate, but a few important safety precautions must be considered. As a note on safety, RV awnings are NOT meant to withstand high winds and heavy rain. If the forecast calls for either, retract your awning to be safe. 

Types of RV Awnings

There are two basic types of RV awnings: manual and power. The video above contains directions for both awning types, but here are the main differences: 

Photo by Camping World

Power awnings feature a motor connected to a switch inside the coach, which is used for extending and retracting the awning. 

Home to the highest peak in North America, Denali National Park is a vast and untamed wilderness. The park features some of the most rugged terrain in Alaska, a state that is known for its wild landscapes. At the heart of Denali sits the 20,194-foot mountain with which the park shares its name. On a clear day, the summit of the mountain—which was formerly known as Mount McKinley—can be seen in Anchorage, which sits nearly 250 miles to the south.

Viewed up close from within the national park, Denali stands as a stone sentinel over a wilderness stuffed with wild animals, wild terrain, and wild dreams. Here’s a guide to this unforgettable destination and how to explore it from an RV.

Photo Credit: NPS Emily Mesner

Why Visit Denali National Park in Your RV?

Spread out across almost 5 million acres of land, Denali National Park is enormous. That leaves a lot of ground to cover on your vacation. Wouldn’t you rather camp inside the park, catching a shuttle bus every morning to a new hiking destination? Driving outside the park’s boundaries every night to stay at a motel takes time that could be used to explore Denali’s wonders. With your RV in a park campground, you may even spot some of the park’s most popular residents, like moose, marmots, and bears.

Photo Credit: Paxson Woelber (CC BY-SA 3.0)

When to Visit Denali National Park

Denali is open year-round, although your experience in visiting the park will vary greatly depending on when you go. This is what you should expect during each season:

Denali National Park in Spring

Spring is slow in coming to Denali, with cold conditions and snow common all the way through April. Dress in warm layers and expect conditions to change quickly. The Park Service begins plowing the road in mid-March, with the weather slowly changing after that. By May, temperatures begin to rise and the skies clear, as it is the driest month of the year inside the park.

Would you believe it if someone told you that you can find a rustic, well-appointed camping getaway near a sprawling lake just 29 miles east of downtown Los Angeles?

Welcome to Bonelli Bluffs RV Resort and Campground in San Dimas, which overlooks 250-acre Puddingstone Lake and is close to some of Southern California’s top attractions. With 504 spacious paved sites, all with full hookups and room to stretch out and enjoy the outdoors, RVers can enjoy a friendly, easy-going environment.

Guests can choose from lake-view sites to group sites, with lush tree-shaded spaces that can accommodate large gatherings. The group sites are adjacent to multiple bathrooms, showers, parking and a fishing beach. Pull-through sites are available.

Onsite, you’ll find scenic biking and pet-friendly walking trails; a fully stocked store with RV supplies; ice cold soft drinks, beer, wine, firewood and ice cream; laundry facilities; 24-hour security to keep guests safe and secure; and a fun social community. There are two pools: One for all ages and one just for adults. 

Cuyahoga Valley National Park in Ohio is truly a unique mixture of city attractions and rural life, where history is preserved amid today’s hectic existence. It’s a fantastic place to go if you want to camp, and even if you have an RV and can’t camp right in the park, there are plenty of places nearby that offer camping accommodations.

With that in mind, let’s dig into what makes Cuyahoga Valley National Park so special.

Why Visit Cuyahoga Valley National Park in an RV?

Cuyahoga Valley is unusual in that it lies between two urban areas and is crisscrossed by metropolitan attractions and amenities. RVs make a perfect home when parked in any of the nearby campgrounds. When RVing, you can access the region by walking, biking or even riding the train. There’s plenty to do and see here, so you should take the time to make the most of it.

It’s the park’s location that makes it such a wonderful Midwestern destination to visit. Are there other fantastic places to camp in the Midwest? Yes, of course, but there’s no other place out there like this unique national park. Ohio has a real gem in this park, although it’s one that is often overlooked in favor of the other more-common national parks, you will never regret spending time at Cuyahoga Valley National Park.

When to Visit Cuyahoga Valley National Park

Image: Shutterstock

The park is open year-round, some places close at dusk, but everything else is open 24 hours a day. As with any destination, check the operating hours before visiting to ensure you’re visiting within any fluctuating seasonal schedules.

Nothing says good old-fashioned camping like a retro-style camper. Whether you’re a fan of the adorable canned ham variety or the kind that reminds you of a vintage silver toaster, retro-style travel trailers are not only a nod to the past, but they’re here to stay.

RV manufacturers know these retro-style travel trailers offer character while also providing a comfortable way to travel or live on the road. That’s why we’re highlighting a few of the best retro-style travel trailers that keep the vintage vibes alive while rocking all of the modern conveniences of today’s RVs.

Happier Camper HC1

Be ready for a one-of-a-kind adventure with Happier Camper. While it looks retro with its clean, curved lines and fun hues, Happier Camper’s HC1 is a completely modern travel trailer that’s redefining camping with its modular Adaptiv grid system. You can customize your travel trailer based on your needs and create a layout that will work for you regardless of where you are in life.

Whether you’re traveling solo, as a couple, with a growing family, or with a group of friends, you can create a smart, ergonomic layout that works for you. There are even off-the-grid options for those who want to overland. One of the best features of Happier Camper’s HC1 model is that you can tow it with most cars because it’s so lightweight.

Shop all Happier Campers RVs.

Located on the border of California and Nevada, Death Valley National Park is a place of extremes. It’s the hottest (134° F) and driest (1.3 inches of moisture per year) place in North America, the second lowest point in the Western Hemisphere (282 feet below sea level), and the largest national park in the contiguous United States. 

It also features a fantastic range of habitats, ranging from 282 feet below sea level to 11,049 feet above. The park offers the unique and unusual, including ancient geology exposed to upheaval from within the earth to playas holding primeval stories and valuable minerals. 

Death Valley is home to canyons curving through arid landscapes and flora and fauna that have adapted to thrive in harsh conditions. This is a destination for the curious, the hearty, and the exuberant because it requires close inspection and dogged resilience to celebrate the discoveries made where few dare to explore.

Why Visit Death Valley National Park in Your RV?

With all the extremes that Death Valley presents, why would you want to visit the park in your RV? As you venture from the lowest spot in the country to desert mountaintops, your RV home allows you to explore the park in comfort. 

With a motorhome or travel trailer, you can bring your own shade and experience more of the park on your own schedule. In fact, many RVers stay for long stretches in this unusual place, exploring its many juxtapositions. 

So you want to go to Disney World and you want to bring your RV? Disney World is known as “the most magical place on earth,” and it’s often a bucket-list destination for traveling families. it’s also known for its fantastic RV resorts, restaurants, and even five-star accommodations. But can you RV to Disney World? The short answer is yes!

The Magic of Disney World and RVing

There are typically three main factors affecting your camping experience while visiting Disney World.

First is location, how close to Disney World you will be?The second is price; proximity will determine how expensive the trip will be. Finally, availability of reservations at nearby campsites.

Let’s take a look at a few very popular camping locations you should consider if you want to plan an RV trip to Disney World.

Disney World’s Fort Wilderness

Image: Keith of Soulful RV Family

The first, and most expensive, route happens to be the closest to the Magic and that is staying on Disney property in Disney’s very own Fort Wilderness. This campground annually ranks as one of the country’s top 10 campgrounds in the US. Located on 750 acres of woodland within the Walt Disney World Resort, this campground has multiple options for every camper. From tent sites, and cabins to premium campsites, there’s truly a type of accommodation for just about everyone.  

Fort Wilderness is the only campground that provides you the same benefits as staying in a Disney World hotel. These benefits include early park admission, specialty events, and free transportation from the campground to all the theme parks, plus many more. 

When I first set out on the road full time, I had big ambitions. I was going to visit all the national parks and all 50 states. Twelve months after I started my new life I was obviously going to arrive in Alaska with perfect conditions to embark upon the famed Alaska – Patagonia trip that is a full-time nomad’s rite of passage.

Unfortunately, my dreams were a lot bigger than my gas tank, and my previous rig didn’t take me on half of the adventures I’d hoped it would. It did, however, teach me a lot about the speed and ways that I prefer to tackle traveling. While I’m still no expert, I find that it has provided me a basis from which to advise friends, family, and folks on the internet when they ask the question “how fast should I realistically be trying to travel?”

Finding Your RV Travel Type

Image: Jupiter Moon

I like to think most travelers fall into one of three categories:

The Wanderers

First, we have “Wanderers”. They’re slow-moving and thorough in the experience of a place, state, or region. When I’m not on a timeline for a shoot or project, I find that my travel style naturally falls into this category.

Wanderers enjoy spending anywhere from several days to multiple weeks in one spot (some will even call the same locale home for a month or more if it suits them). They’re generally intentional about building flexibility into their travel plans. These folks generally work from home or are retired, and are happy to set up a home base anywhere there’s a good cell signal and a nice view.