WEnRV travel news, products, and industry trends

Staying close to home on your RV trips means less time traveling and more time enjoying the fun part of RVing. Planning the perfect RV staycation in your hometown is a great way to explore what adventures await right in your backyard.

Why Plan an RV Staycation?

Staycations can even be more fun than regular vacations. Staying close to home can save you money, take the pressure off planning an elaborate route, and allow you to relax more. In our busy lives, a staycation allows you to take time off work without tapping into all your vacation days. It can really offer the break that you need with little time and effort.

RV staycations are even better because you can leave home while bringing some of your residential comforts with you. Getting away from home removes the temptation to do chores or housekeeping, and being in an RV allows you to bring along whatever you need to relax and be comfortable.

The Benefits of RV Rentals for Staycations

To make life even easier, consider renting an RV for your staycation. Some rentals can be delivered right to your destination so you don’t have to worry about towing or driving a larger motorhome. Then they can be picked up at the end of your trip so you aren’t on the hook for cleaning, unpacking, and reorganizing when you get home.

If you want to drive a rental RV to your destination, Good Sam RV Rentals provides 24/7 Roadside Assistance and up to $1 million in insurance coverage. So you can be at ease knowing you’re protected from anything that could happen on an RV trip.

RVs come in all shapes and sizes. One of those sizes is small–micro to be exact. These micro campers aren’t for everybody, but they can be the perfect RV for those looking to:

Learn about these extra 5 Benefits of Choosing a Smaller RV.

Micro campers come with many advantages to their larger counterparts. They’re easier to maneuver, lightweight, versatile, and affordable. They can be some of the best options out there if you don’t have a large tow vehicle or the money to purchase one. They’re a great choice if you don’t want to own a motorhome. The micro camper designs are unique and interesting, and they’re also pretty inviting despite their small size.

With all that in mind, here are several micro campers that are worthy of your consideration.

Forest River Rockwood Geo-Pro 12RK

If you enjoy camping in all kinds of weather, you’ll want an RV that can keep up with the fluctuating temperatures. What better way to do that than with one of the RVs with fireplaces on order? These amazing floorplans feature entertainment centers with fireplaces to ensure you always are cozy at the campground.

Alliance RV Avenue 36BRM Fifth Wheel

This Alliance Avenue 36BRM fifth wheel features two bedrooms, making it ideal for multi-family vacations or traveling with your kids. You’ll love that the rear bunkhouse is separated from the main living area, giving your kids the privacy they need. The bath and a half design ensure everyone has room to get ready in the morning without stepping on each other’s toes.

Additional Features:

Jayco North Point 382FLRB Fifth Wheel

Take luxury anywhere you go in the Jayco North Point 382FLRB fifth wheel on sale for just $120,547. This unit features a separate living area with a drop-down TV, perfect for hosting friends and family at the campground. You’ll love that the master bedroom has an en suite bathroom with a dual vanity sink. This fifth wheel is the perfect option for snowbirds and full-time RVers.

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Brought to you by Winnebago

Even the best RVs need a makeover every now and then. From keeping up with modern technology to responding to customer feedback, Winnebago’s top class A gas motorhome – the Adventurer – has received a modern shakedown that’s catching a lot of people’s attention. 

With a family-friendly floorplan and the capacity to sleep up to six people, the Winnebago Adventurer 35F is ready for extended road trips, full-time RV living, and luxury RV camping. 

The Winnebago Adventurer

Some of what makes the Adventurer one of Winnebago’s most popular RVs hasn’t changed. It’s built on a Ford F53 chassis with a 7.3-liter V8 engine and electronic stability control to provide a safe and smooth ride wherever you go. 

The Adventurer 35F provides plenty of interior living space for entertaining guests. It’s also fully equipped with all the comforts of home, including large residential appliances, plenty of storage, a guest bath, and the option to include a washer/dryer unit. 

Spend your spring or summer at the doorstep of both the Great Smoky Mountains and Blue Ridge Mountains. You can’t do much better than Asheville, North Carolina.

Known for its laid-back vibe, artistic locals and breathtaking natural beauty, Asheville has quickly become a haven for those looking to blend outdoors adventures with easygoing city life. Home to some of the best hiking east of the Mississippi, one of the country’s most historic mansions, and a seemingly never-ending array of breweries, restaurants and quirky cafes, you’ll be hard-pressed to see it all it one visit. Of course, you could always do like the locals do and simply sit back, relax and soak it in at your own pace. Either way, don’t be surprised to find a little something for everyone at this Blue Ridge getaway. 

Mansion on the Hill

As stunning today as it was when it was built over a hundred years ago, the Biltmore is one of America’s true architectural gems. For one, it’s the largest privately-owned home in the country, featuring 250 rooms, priceless antiques and incredible artwork. Both self-guided and audio tours of the estate are available. What’s more, the property surrounding the sprawling Gilded Age mansion is equally as inspiring. Miles of forested nature trails wind through the 8,000-acre property, while a series of ornate gardens emphasize the changing seasons and pristine natural landscape. The Biltmore is also home to one of the country’s most widely visited wineries and tickets include a complimentary tasting with an expert host. It’s the perfect way to relax after an afternoon exploring one of Asheville’s most iconic attractions.

Hike Your Heart Out

Regardless of what RV you’re traveling in – travel trailer, fifth wheel, Class A, Class B, Class C, etc. – there’s one thing every RVer wants to do after a long day of driving and that’s kick their feet up to relax. The best way to kick your feet up and relax, especially if you have a bad back, is with a quality camp chair.

We all know that one chair that everyone fights over. It’s the most comfortable. It’s the most convenient to set up. It’s probably the one with a few spills, stains, singe marks, and years of love sewn into its seams.

If your favorite camp chair is showing its age, or you’re ready for a comfort upgrade, find inspiration from our guide to choosing the best camp chair.

Reclining Camp Chairs

If you’re looking for a chair that offers maximum comfort and literally allows you to kick your feet up, reclining chairs are what you want. Reclining camp chairs are popular for good reason. They take vertical stress off the back–the kind you feel after a long day of driving. For stargazers, they’re the best chair to prevent a sore neck.

Roll Your Own Way Recliner

The zero gravity Roll Your Own Way infinity recliner features padded all-weather fabric on a durable steel frame. The removable pillow and non-skid leg protectors ensure your comfort is a priority every time you have a seat.

Having a portable grill with you on your camping trip is a must. It will keep you from having to cook every single meal in your RV’s kitchen. This will ensure the inside of your RV doesn’t become a mess. When I camp, I cook as many of my meals outside as I can. Plus, it’s another way to take advantage of your surroundings and get the most out of living the RV lifestyle.

While cooking over a campfire is always a fun thing to do, it’s not always convenient. That’s why I suggest taking along a portable grill and cooking your breakfast, lunch, or dinner over a controlled flame. Here are several models, available at Camping World, that would be perfect for your next camping trip.

Olive BBQTek Portable Grill

At a price point that’s easy to digest is the Olive BBQTek Portable Grill. This small tabletop gas grill is a fantastic addition to anyone’s camping packing checklist. It’s small and easily portable and has a 234-square-inch cooking area. Pair that with its 12,000 BTU heat output and you should have more than enough heat to cook meals quickly and efficiently.

Char-Broil Grill2Go X200 Portable Gas Grill

Looking for something a little more high-tech that doesn’t break the bank? This Char-Broil Grill2go X200 Portable Gas Grill is a fantastic option. Although it has a slightly smaller 200-square-inch cooking area than the grill above, this grill’s ease-of-use make it worth the upgrade. The grill features a patented TRU-Infrared cooking system and a wider temp range for more evenly cooked meals.

Weber Q 1200 Portable Gas Grill

A list of grills wouldn’t be complete without having a good grill from Weber on it. While the Weber Q 1200 Portable Gas Grill is a little higher-end, the quality of the product is what sets it apart. You will have this grill for years to come. This grill has a porcelain finish, cast iron grates, fast electronic ignition, built-in thermometer, and is built to cook food evenly. Imagine your chef skills at work on its 189-square-inch cooking area.

Open year-round, Nitehawk Wilderness Campground & RV Park in Grande Prairie, Alberta, is your ultimate escape to adventure and/or relaxation! Our quiet, serene setting is a great place to immerse yourself in nature. Overlooking the banks of the Wapiti River, you will not find a better place to relax and enjoy nature.

Our sites are set amongst the forest trees and are very private. Newly renovated, on-site showers, laundry facilities and washrooms are provided for your comfort and convenience.

The park offers 58 full-service, long-term sites, 50 power and water sites and 20+ overflow power sites (water and pump-out available), plus 14 in our group camping area.

Nitehawk’s group area is ideal for your larger gatherings, friends, family or reunions of any kind. Our group area includes 12 individual power & water sites, a 600-square-foot pavilion, and a large, landscaped area for your enjoyment. There are flush toilets onsite as well as the use of many of Nitehawk’s other amenities.

Facility Rental

Looking for a wedding venue, staff retreat or even a birthday party? Nitehawk Wilderness Campground & RV Park has it all, from a full-service lounge to a wonderful deck overlooking the Wapiti River. We cater to all your needs: and best of all we offer an amazing location complete with decks and views!

Campark Niagara is the perfect family vacation spot! Road trips and camping are one of the safest family activities these days and besides, who doesn’t have great childhood memories of going camping with their family?

Whether you have a large RV, a tent or you rent one of our cabins you will feel equally welcomed and at home at Campark Niagara. There is something to suit every traveler.

Niagara Attractions

Campark Niagara is conveniently located on historic Lundy’s Lane, and only minutes from Niagara Falls and many fun tourist attractions. When you’re a child, and you see the Falls for the first time, and hear the thundering power of all that water, you never forget it. The Niagara Falls Adventure Pass includes many of the most popular activities, including Journey Behind the Falls, The Hornblower Boat Tour, Niagara’s Fury, Whitewater Walk and a Two-Day WEGO pass (Niagara Falls bus pass). Don’t forget to take the family up the Skylon Tower for the most spectacular views of Niagara Falls. If you buy lunch or dinner at the Tower, the ride up is free.

As a kid, I used to loath washing my parent’s RV. We did it regularly after each trip, so I learned how to wash an RV at a young age. Now that I’m older, I look around and my parent’s 2000 Fleetwood Bounder looks better than some modern motorhomes I see in our favorite RV parks. 

Washing your RV may not be glamorous, but it’s an important part of maintaining your RV. It can extend the life of your RV as a whole, help you avoid costly fiberglass or paint repairs, prevent mold, and maintain seals and gaskets to keep your interior protected from the elements. 

Plus, a clean RV is more visually appealing. With many RV parks only allowing RVs manufactured within the last 10 years (and reviewing older RVs on a case-by-case basis), washing and maintaining your RV’s exterior could be the difference between being turned away or enjoying a comfortable stay in your desired campground.

How To Wash an RV

Washing an RV is not like washing a car. It’s a lot more like washing a small house–with wheels. There isn’t an abundance of commercial RV wash locations to simply drive your RV through. Rolling up to a high school fundraiser and letting them tackle it is a lot to ask.

Before we get into the details, here’s a short overview of the steps for washing an RV:

The best thing about owning a toy hauler is being able to bring your big toys on all your camping trips. But to make sure everything stays in good shape while you’re towing, you need to know how to safely pack a toy hauler with flammables. 

Securing everything is important when packing ATVs, dirt bikes, and other toys containing flammable liquids – not to mention the canisters of extra fuel you’ll bring to keep your toys refueled. 

Preliminary Tips for Packing a Toy Hauler Safely

Whether you’re packing a toy hauler with flammables or renting a regular RV, make sure it is equipped with at least one fire extinguisher. Check the date on the extinguisher to ensure it will still be effective if needed. 

If your extinguisher doesn’t have a clearly labeled expiration date, check the pressure using the gauge or green test button on top. For extinguishers with gauges, the reading should be in the green. For models with a button, push it down completely and release. The button should pop back up if the extinguisher isn’t expired. If it stays down, it’s time to get a new one. 

It is a good idea to pick up an additional fire extinguisher when traveling with a toy hauler. Keep one in the garage and the other somewhere in the cabin. This is also the time to check carbon monoxide, propane, and smoke detectors to make sure they are working properly. 

James and I just got back home from a week-long RV trip. We didn’t go far, just took our Ekko Number One to a state park we had never been to that’s only a few hours away. It’s funny, we’ve been RVing for a dozen or so years now, all over North America, and it’s the close-to-home destinations we’ve yet to visit.

We met some RV friends there for our typical RV shenanigans; biking, hiking, exploring the area. So now that we’ve wrapped up the trip, I’m currently experiencing the post-trip glow. If you’re an RVer, you know the glow. It’s those feelings of contentment and satisfaction that settle in after any good trip—where your mind is happily at work filing away the trip memories and polishing the experience.

According to research, there’s actually something to the post-trip glow. There are many research-backed mental health benefits to traveling, research that supports my current healthy frame of mind. Those benefits go way beyond your typical expectations of traveling, like having a chance to relax.

Sure, relaxing tends to be a major draw for wanting to hit the road. Ironically though, if you take an RV trip and all you do is kick back and relax, you’re doing exactly the opposite thing you need to boost your mental health. To reap the health benefits of travel, forgo rest and instead do things that get you out of your comfort zone. Find opportunities where you can experience and learn new things. Because it’s when our RV trips challenge us that the real health-boosting magic happens.

With that in mind, here are 5 ways RV traveling benefits our mental health.

Your health should be a priority regardless of your living situation. Whether you live in a sticks and bricks house or RV full-time, it’s important to make time for yourself. If you do reside full-time in an RV, living in 300 square feet is no excuse to not work out. Here are six ways to stay fit while RVing, each with its own adventure rating from light (1) to intense (5) levels of exercise.

Biking

Adventure Level: 2

Whether it’s on a mountain, around town, or even around the campground, biking is always a great workout. It gets the heart pumping and is also a wonderful way to check out the surrounding area where you are camping. For a gentler ride, consider an electric bike to assist in propulsion. Learn How to Know Which E-Bike is Right for You.

Biking can be a fun workout for the entire family or the perfect opportunity to clear your mind on a solo ride. Not sure how to travel with a bicycle in tow? A bike rack can easily mount onto the bumper or rear hitch of your rig.

Find a bike to take on an RV trip.

Most modern motorhomes come with an RV black tank flush. This feature helps clean your RV’s black water tank after emptying its contents. If this feature is new to you, let’s talk about how to use an RV black tank flush. 

Why Use an RV Black Tank Flush?

Most RV old-timers probably remember the days before this feature was commonplace. Without it, the best way to flush your black tank is to go inside and flush the toilet a bunch of times—filling your tank with several gallons of water—before emptying it a second time. 

Or, you open your bathroom window, run a hose inside, stick it down the toilet, and try to flush your tank out that way. DON’T TRY THAT! I’ve been there and done that—unsuccessfully.  As a result, I think I’m blacklisted from a certain Southern California RV park. But that’s a story for another time. 

Here are the benefits of an RV black tank flush: 

Where Can You Use an RV Black Tank Flush?

Campgrounds with full hookups and RV dump stations are the best places to utilize your black tank flush. They offer the two main things you need to get your black water tank clean: a place to dispose of your waste and a source of clean water to clean out your tank. 

While the beaches of Florida are justifiably popular, we have found RV campgrounds near dreamy Florida freshwater springs that have made us appreciate the Sunshine State just as much (or more) than the flashier tourist spots on the coast. We’ve done so with way fewer crowds, up close, and experiential. And, we’ve almost always been able to get a reservation or find a spot. in these days of crowded campgrounds, especially in A1 destinations like Florida, it’s a treasure worth sharing.

Florida’s peninsula – bordered by the Atlantic ocean on the east and the Gulf of Mexico to the west – has a huge underground aquifer that pretty much stretches from Gainsville on the north to the Keys on the south. And from it bubbles up nearly 900 natural springs.

No other geographic area on earth has more.

Florida’s freshwater springs produce an estimated 800 billion gallons of crystal clear water every single day, mostly never more or less than 72 degrees all year round. The characteristic of those springs is a lush and diverse surrounding ecosystem of plants and trees and wildlife. And, in many spots, RVers can swim, float, kayak, snorkel, SCUBA dive, and explore in glass-bottom boats.

Ready for some suggestions for excellent and interesting Florida campgrounds? Here are my three favorites.

Move over Portland, there’s another city winning over beer lovers in the Pacific Northwest. Between Vancouver’s beaches and mountain peaks is a thriving craft beer scene gaining accolades and finding fame across the globe. You’ll find breweries peppered throughout the city, with beer hubs centered around East Vancouver (aka “Yeast Van”) and the Mount Pleasant neighborhood. Whether you’re into West Coast IPAs or more experimental brews, I’ve rounded up Vancouver’s 13 best craft breweries, so you’re guaranteed to find that perfect pint.

East Vancouver

Storm Brewing

The city’s longest-running craft brewery, Storm Brewing is known for concocting creative brews like the Cream Soda Pilsner and Vanilla Whisky Stout. All beers are unfiltered for maximum flavor, made without additives or preservatives and crafted in small batches to ensure freshness. Swing by and see what’s on the ever-changing beer menu. There are no tables or chairs, but you’re welcome to stand and sample what’s on tap.

Powell Brewery

Run by a husband-and-wife duo, Powell Brewery focuses on full-flavored beers made with natural and local ingredients. Grab a spot on the outdoor patio and try the Old Jalopy Pale Ale, which has won countless awards over the years. Tasting flights are also available if you want to sample the wide array of IPAs and pale ales.

Parallel 49 Brewing

Parallel 49 will win you over with its cartoony beer labels, funky murals and food cart that functions as a full working kitchen. Dozens of taps spit out everything from pilsners and radlers, with local favorites including the Trash Panda IPA, Gypsy Tears Ruby Ale and Salty Scot, a sea salted caramel Scotch ale. Pair your pint with a poutine and you’ve got a match made in heaven.

If you are looking for a great RV for your family of six to travel to the campground with, we’ll help you find five amazing models for sale near you. These RVs are the perfect way to give you entire crew plenty of space for all the kids. Learn more about these deals going on today for RVs that sleep up to six.

2022 Coachmen Clipper Camping Trailers 107LS

Looking for an easy-to-tow RV that gives you an upgrade from tent camping without losing the things you love about camping. This Coachmen Clipper Camping Trailers 107LS pop-up camper features two queen bed tents and two gaucho sofas for the kids. The interior storage space gives you plenty of space for keeping everyone’s things in order.

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2022 Keystone Cougar Half Ton 25RDS

You’ll fall in love with the open floorplan of this Keystone Cougar Half Ton 25RDS travel trailer that features dual entry doors that offer easy access throughout the RV. The open kitchen design with a three-burner stove and a large stainless steel undermount sink, you’ll feel like you’re cooking at home. The fireplace ensures you’ll be comfortable even on chilly nights.

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Are you craving some warm weather and beach time? Dreaming of an RV vacation? This time of year, aren’t we all? Well, the following five waterfront RV parks and campgrounds will have you ready to hop in your RV and go. They literally have me trying to figure out how to fit every one of them into my summer RVing plans. The even better news is that they are all part of the Good Sam network, which means if you’re a member you can get 10% off your stay.

1. Ocean Lakes Family Campground – Myrtle Beach, SC

The Ocean Lakes Family Campground ranked in the top 1% out of 8,000 different parks! For good reason, too – as if the location and beach access weren’t enough, you won’t believe the amenities!

You can’t beat its location in Myrtle Location, which is known for its 60 miles of beautiful beaches, large selection of golf courses, excellent seafood restaurants, and endless entertainment and fun for the whole family. Ocean Lakes is the largest campground on the east coast and one of the largest in the country, with 210 oceanfront acres, almost a mile of beach, and 859 campsites. It’s a huge park with, as I mentioned, huge amenities.

There are 9 different beach accesses on-site, but you may have to be pulled away from the on-site Sandy Harbor Family Fun Center to even go to the beach. The center’s most notable feature is its water park, which has a mat racer, tube slide, lazy river, an additional kiddie pool, and a Splash Zone for kids. The family fun doesn’t end there though, you can enjoy a game center, a Mini-Golf Course, and an indoor/outdoor café. Guests will also love Ocean Lakes’ large playgrounds, workout stations, volleyball in the sand, shuffleboard, basketball, and can even rent bicycles to cruise around on. Find some shells on the beach? Take them into the Ocean Lakes Nature Center Discovery Lab, where they have 10,000 shells and fossils!

Along with all the fun that’s offered, Ocean Lakes also has a store and laundromat for your convenience. But get this, they also have an RV Center, with new and used RVs for sale, an RV supply store, and an award-winning service and parts department! You literally never have to leave the property if you don’t want to. They even thought of little details that make a huge difference, like having an express check-in so that once you arrive, the fun begins! Now pick your jaw up off the ground and go book your next RV vacation at Ocean Lakes Family Campground now. You can visit their website to book your stay.

RVers love nature and when nature is in its most beautiful attire, it’s covered with wildflowers. But it’s the nature of wildflowers to grow up fast and fade away, maybe lasting a month or two at most. If you want to see them year-round, you’re going to have to rely on planning and timing things just right. Don’t worry, it can be done!

What is a Wildflower

The proper definition of a wildflower is a flower that was not planted, that grows naturally in the wild. But I’m not going to be a stickler here. In some locations — think Texas and its famous Bluebonnets — wildflower seeds have been collected and intentionally planted in gardens and along highways and wayfares. Wildflowers, because they grow in the wild with basically no tending, they are hearty flowers and when you catch them in bloom, it’s like an explosion of color. No matter what variety you see.

Peak Time for Wildflowers

Obviously, in most places, the peak time for flowers is in spring. But spring comes at different times in different parts of the country. Here’s where that timing thing comes in.

In Florida and the southern states, wildflowers start popping out in early spring – think late February or March – and last until late fall, around Thanksgiving. In the north, they may not start showing up until late May or even early June, and last, in different waves for different species, until the first frosts of fall. Generally, they start to fade and wilt a bit in the full heat and humidity of summer.

But contrary to what many think, wildflowers bloom pretty much all year round as long as it’s not too cold. So if you want to see wildflowers year-round, you’ll want to set up a route. Fortunately, that route pretty much follows what just happens to be the favorite travel migration of many full-time RVers.

Location, location, location! When choosing the right home base for experiencing an area, location is a priority. It can make or break your experience. That’s why Burnaby Cariboo RV Park  (BCRV), your top-rated Good Sam Park, is your best choice!

We’re within easy access to everything Vancouver and the surrounding area have to offer. Conveniently located adjacent to the Sky Train, a rapid transit system. You can just park your RV and enjoy your time in the area. Why fight traffic if you don’t have to?

If there is a festival, the Vancouver, British Columbia, area has it! From music, art and food to heritage, it’s all here! Experience unique shopping areas, museums, tours and markets of every kind.

Prefer to explore on your own terms? Hiking, kayaking, whale watching, mountains, lakes and oceans are all day trips from Burnaby Cariboo.