When it comes to RVing, most people focus on all the exciting adventures the daytime holds. However, when the sun sinks below the horizon, the biggest adventure of all is waiting in the darkness. Stargazing is becoming increasingly popular, especially among the RV community, because of the breathtaking views that only appear between sunset and sunrise in locations without light pollution.

Why is Stargazing Great for RVers?

With stargazing comes astrophotography, which focuses on photographing celestial events, astronomical objects, and certain parts of the night sky. It’s only natural to want to capture what you’re seeing with the naked eye in an image to look back on later. As stargazing becomes more mainstream, the best places to see the stars without light pollution are ideal destinations for RVers due to their remote nature.

If you’ve ever wanted to see a shooting star or point out the little dipper, then consider this a wish granted. The RVer’s guide to stargazing and astrophotography highlights destinations, necessary equipment, and other must-haves perfect for seeing the stars at night from your remote RV campsite.

Must-Have Equipment for Star Viewing

Image: Shutterstock

Finding the ultimate viewing spot, parking your RV, and looking up at the night sky sounds easy enough, but having a few items on hand can take the experience from good to great.

Binoculars

For an up-close and personal viewing, plan to have a quality set of binoculars. While you will undoubtedly be able to bask in the subtle glow of the stars above, binoculars can give you a magnified perspective. Many models offer sharp, crisp images through lenses that allow increased light transmission for perfect viewing even in the darkest conditions. If there’s one must-have item to reach for, it’s this.

Roadside attractions are usually defined as some giant, green-spotted animal (dinosaurs, for the most part) you can see on Interstates. But roadside attractions are sometimes as-is: an attraction by a roadside that’s so eye-catching that you just have to stop and admire it. There are tons of these in the United States, and here we have compiled a list of the top 10 roadside attractions.

The Thing, Arizona

Before arriving in Dragoon, Arizona, you’ll most likely see some “precautionary” signs along the way to alert you of the presence of The Thing. Made up of striped metal sheds, it houses a number of strange things. If you take the time to go inside, you’ll be welcomed by a nauseating surprise. Not only will you be confronted with gimmicky taste in patterns, but you can also get a little history fix as you trek the sidewalk. No spoilers here though, you can simply pass by and admire it. Mini spoiler: Rolls-Royce and mummies.

Miles the Monster, Dover, DE

At the site of the Dover International Speedway in Dover, Delaware lives a massive rock monster with flame red eyes. While the speedway is less-than-scenic, posing with this 46-foot-tall car-crushing behemoth guarantees massive Instagram likes. It seems like it’s from The Thing and The Hulk’s same angular genetic branch. “It actually usually has legs,” says Joe Heller, the racetrack’s PR coordinator,  “but if it did, it could go up to 80 feet tall!” He does have a point there. They compromised by showing the monster’s upper half only.

When it comes to love at first sight, never underestimate the ability of a campground to steal your heart. Just like that first time you laid eyes on your significant other, there are campgrounds out there that give you butterflies in your stomach with a single glance.

If you can’t remember the last time you and your partner hit the road for some alone time, or even if you can and you’re longing to do it again, let this be the encouragement you need to go for it. Spark up more than a campfire with these romantic campgrounds calling for a getaway.

Start by finding the perfect RV for traveling couples, or rent an RV for a quick weekend getaway.

First Landing State Park in Virginia

Beach Campfire. Image: Shutterstock

What better way to start off this list than in the state for lovers–Virginia. If you’re looking for the perfect campground to escape to year-round, look no further than the shores of Virginia beach. First Landing State Park, tucked in near Virginia Beach, offers privacy when you need it and easy access to local tourist spots when you don’t. North Landing Beach RV Resort & Cottages offers 800 feet of private sandy beach for campers, too.

Does it get any more romantic than beachside camping at night? Probably not but exploring 19 miles of trails during the day is a close second. Not only is First Landing the ideal place for a getaway, but the beaches are dog-friendly. What’s not to love about that?

One of the best parts of owning a motorhome or camping trailer is having your home (or second home) on the road. Still, the choice between drivable coaches and towable campers can be tough because of this very question: can you ride in a travel trailer or fifth wheel?

Perhaps surprisingly, there are quite a few states that allow riding in a towable camper. But many have restrictions or conditions that must be met to do so legally. To stay on the right side of the law, follow these recommendations when considering riding in a travel trailer or fifth wheel.

Can You and Should You Ride in a Travel Trailer or Fifth Wheel?

This is a tricky situation because every state is different and the rules change depending on the type of RV you’re traveling in. Many states have different rules for travel trailers and fifth-wheels, for example.

Besides that, there’s the question of safety. Even if something is legal doesn’t necessarily mean it’s a safe or smart thing to do.

Most towable campers lack seat belts, which means getting into an accident with passengers riding in a trailer could result in significant injury or death. Few travel trailers or fifth wheels are equipped with airbags and other safety features that reduce the likelihood of serious injury in the event of an accident.

Known for its massive sandstone cliffs and spectacular canyons, Zion National Park is one of Utah’s “Big 5” National Parks. It was also the state’s ... Read more

The National Park Service, formerly known as the National Park System, grew in the century between 1872 and 1972 from a single, original public reservation called Yellowstone National Park to embrace almost 300 historical, cultural, recreational, and natural properties situated throughout the United States, its island possessions, and territories. The said properties have come to include increasingly diverse categories in 400 areas — not only National Parks, but also National Monuments, National Memorials, National Military Parks, and others. You may be wondering how this remarkable growth and diversification occurred. These areas now cover 84 million acres across all fifty states.

This incredible story began with just one park that didn’t bring any revenue. The concept of the national park is largely credited to George Catlin, an American painter who, in 1832, traveled across the Great Plains to document disappearing native American tribes. According to Catlin, “A nation’s park, containing man and beast, in all the wild[ness] and freshness of their nature’s beauty!”

Decades later, his dream came true when a natural wonderland spanning Wyoming, Montana, and Idaho became the world’s first official national park. They called it the Big Yellowstone.

In California’s Yosemite Valley, controversy was brewing. John Muir believed that the state-managed areas were being exploited and lobbied congress for it to become a national park under full federal control. In 1903 Muir convinced President Theodore Roosevelt to join him on a camping trip in Yosemite. Three years later, the park was under full federal control. Roosevelt took swift action, making Wyoming’s Devil’s Tower the first national monument that year and establishing a tradition of a continued today.

RVing is different for everyone. For some, it’s a weekend getaway or short vacation. For others, it’s an entire summer or season, crossing terrain and following the weather. And then you have those that make it into a full-time lifestyle.

Bryanna and Craig Royal of Crazy Family Adventure fall into that last category. For the past seven years, their family of six has lived full-time in an RV – traveling the country and growing as a family, without putting down any roots. The couple recently sat down with Camping World to discuss their full-time RV life and how they turned their RV into a family home.

To RV or Not to RV
“There was no ‘Aha’ moment,” explains Bryanna Royal regarding the decision to full-time RV with her husband, Craig. They seemingly had it all – a newly built home with four young children (ages at the time of 6, 4, 4, and 2) and a steady job. However, something was missing. “We wanted to do more, travel more, see more,” says Bryanna. They saw other people, including extended members of their family, living full-time RV lives. The two toyed with the idea of RVing as a family and began to question if it was something they could really do.

The answer evolved into a resounding “yes.” The Royals decided they could always pack it up and go back to their “regular life” if the lifestyle didn’t pan out, so they had nothing to lose. They were already homeschooling their children, so schooling on the road wouldn’t be too much of an adjustment learning-wise for the kids. Luckily, Craig’s career in the tech field allowed him the flexibility of working remotely. So, with all the initial boxes checked, they took the leap in May 2014.

Seven years later and still RVing, it’s safe to say the Royal family is a fan of RV living.

Adapting to the RV lifestyle can be overwhelming – overwhelmingly fun. Sure, there are a few things here and there to get used to but, overall, it’s an adventure you’ll wish would never end. To relieve any stress or anxiety you may have about the new lifestyle, and to help elevate the fun of it all, we’ve gathered 50 RV hacks and tips you haven’t tried to ensure your next trip is your best trip.

1. Create an RV Departure Checklist

Whether it’s a physical copy or one stored on your phone, having a checklist available can save you the trouble of leaving something behind or having to turn around once on the road.

2. Plan an RV-Friendly Route

Regardless of where you’re going, take advantage of tools like the Good Sam Trip Planner that help navigate your RV through the country while suggesting campsites and RV parks along the way.

3. Level the RV Before Filling the Tanks

Level your RV before filling any of the tanks (freshwater tanks, especially). This will help ensure that you’re really getting a full tank with each fill-up by preventing false reads on your tank sensors.

4. Turn the Propane Valve Off Before Traveling

This should definitely be on the departure checklist, but fire safety is worth stressing more than once. Traveling with your RV’s propane valve open is a fire hazard. With all the shaking that occurs on and off the road, propane connections can loosen or come apart entirely while in transit.

Levy County is an untamed slice of Florida’s Gulf Coast. Here, you’ll find rivers winding through lush forests and a profusion of wildlife that thrives in expansive public lands. After adventures on the mainland, head out to Cedar Key to savor a laid-back community that epitomizes “Old Florida.”

Cedar Key: Great for Snowbirding

Situated on Florida’s northwest coast, Levy County sits an hour west of Gainesville. U.S. Route 98, which runs parallel to the coast, connects many of the small towns in the region, including Chiefland and Crystal River. Those venturing out to the collection of islands known as the Cedar Keys will take Highway 24 west. The largest island is home to the small town of Cedar Key, with fewer than 1,000 residents. Snowbirds are attracted to this region’s mild winters, with lows rarely dipping below 50 degrees.

Florida Wildlife

Featuring a host of protected lands, the region is a prime location for hunting, fishing and wildlife watching. Cedar Key Scrub State Reserve and the Lower Suwannee National Wildlife Refuge entice hikers to explore salt marshes and grand cypress and oak trees. Nearby, the Waccasassa Bay Preserve State Park, accessible only by boat, is ideal for canoeing and kayaking in unspoiled landscapes. Keep an eye out for migratory birds, manatees, alligators and more. With both saltwater and freshwater fishing, anglers will find diverse habitats. Bicyclists won’t want to miss the Nature Coast State Trail, which includes 32 miles of a rail-to-trail conversion. The Gulf Hammock Wildlife Management Area offers more than 24,000 acres of hunting grounds that teem with whitetail deer and feral hogs.

If you are looking forward to a year of adventure with your family, the class C motorhomes for sale are the perfect RV to get you out to the campground. Today, we’ll look at four of the best class C motorhomes for travel in 2022. Check out these family RVs below!

Coachmen Cross Trail Transit 20CB

Your family of five will be set for a week at the campground in one of the Coachmen Cross Trail Transit 20CB class C motorhomes for sale near you! This RV features an over the cab bunk that can comfortably sleep two. You’ll enjoy the countertop extension that gives you plenty of space for cooking meals in the kitchen. 

Additional Features:

J-Lounge with TableRear Corner BathCabover BunkCountertop Extension

The tiny living movement has been growing off the charts over the last five years as more and more people chase a nomadic lifestyle of adventure. The trend to purchase or build a home on wheels gives so many of us the freedom to travel and take our homes everywhere. When we first became full-time RVers, we purchased a 30 ft travel trailer. Ever since then, we envisioned going even bigger and upgrading to a 40 ft fifth-wheel, but as time passed, we did the opposite – we went smaller.

Big rigs are great for full-timing in resorts and campgrounds, but they make it more challenging to get out into nature and off-grid. Over the past few years, we’ve seen more and more people selling their things, buying a small adventure camper, and setting out on an adventure of a lifetime. It makes sense why – the smaller your home on wheels, the more you can explore! Small campers like class Cs, class Bs or vans, and truck campers are all great choices!

We personally chose the truck camper route and wouldn’t have it any other way. We already had the truck, and we found the perfect truck camper. Since getting a truck camper, our country has become our playground. We’ve been able to camp on a sandy lakeside beach in Utah, among the red rocks of Arizona, and in the snow-covered mountains of Colorado! Traveling in our truck camper has allowed us to be so spontaneous – it’s so easy to hit the road without any plans in mind. We now have the freedom and capability of being able to stop anywhere because of our size. If you love adventure and being spontaneous, keep reading to learn more about how truck campers can be a great option.

A truck camper is an agile RV for boondocking in remote locations.

Why We Bought a Truck Camper

Choosing an adventure vehicle was tough – we were torn between a van and a truck camper. We weighed the pros and cons, cost, features, and more before deciding to proceed with truck camper life.

Overall, it made so much sense to choose a truck camper over a van for our situation. If we went the van route, we would have had to trade in the SUV that we use to commute to work in exchange for a van to build out. The costs of time needed to build out a van and the thought of getting rid of our current vehicle wasn’t worth it to us. We already had a capable truck and could find a used truck camper that was compact enough to fit inside the bed of our truck with our tailgate closed. And, it allows us to tow our 30 ft travel trailer at the same time. We were fortunate to find a road-ready truck camper that was in excellent shape, only two years old and less than half the price of a new truck camper off the lot.

Birds zip and zoom around us every day. But like many RVers, I hardly gave winged creatures a second thought unless a hummingbird buzzed past my head. All that changed the day I accidentally camped at one of the best winter birding destinations for RVers in the southwest.

Birds Bring Natural Stress Relief

It was getting late while driving to Tucson and we needed a place to stop for the night. An online directory pointed me to a nearby wildlife refuge near Willcox, where overnight camping is allowed. Easy to access with wide-open spaces, we pulled in alongside a stunning little lake. Little did we know that the daily display of Sandhill Cranes in flight was about to begin. Moments after logging onto our computers to manage an onslaught of incoming emails, an interesting faraway sound pulled us away from our screens.

As the deep orange Arizona sun sank low on the horizon, a loud chorus of honks and squawks slowly drifted toward us. We opened the trailer door just as thousands of giant cranes swooped overhead, traveling westward to their nightly destination. With broad wingspans averaging 78 inches across, they elegantly breezed along and dazzled us with their graceful V-shaped flight patterns. The Sandhill Cranes put on a show like no other, making us forget about the long, exhausting drive we had just endured. It was a free show that provided instant stress relief, connecting us to nature and the whole reason why we full-time RV in the first place.

Relax at the Best Winter Birdwatching Destinations

I had no idea that birdwatching can be a free, easy way to relieve stress. Armed with a great pair of birdwatching binoculars and a wide-brimmed sun hat, anyone can let go of their worries and get closer to nature through birdwatching.

Getting to Carlsbad Caverns requires departing from the well-trodden path. If you’re willing to do so, you’ll be rewarded with a welcome into a mind-bending underground world. In Camping World’s Guide to RVing Carlsbad Caverns National Park, we’ll cover campsites, attractions, the best times to visit, and more. 

The park is best known for its massive limestone caves and one of the most well-preserved fossil reefs in the world. Yes, the park was once covered by a vast inland sea more than 265 million years ago. Nowadays, it’s plenty dry for your RV adventure!

Why Visit Carlsbad Caverns National Park in an RV?

Photo by Doug Meek via Shutterstock

Carlsbad Caverns is located in the southeastern corner of New Mexico, approximately 40 minutes south of the city of Carlsbad and 2.5 hours northeast of El Paso, Texas. 

The remote nature of the park makes RVing here the clear and obvious choice. It’ll give you a basecamp from which to explore all that the park has to offer. Plus, you’ll be able to enjoy dinner and beverages in the parking lot if you stay for the nightly bat display around sunset (from April through October). 

As a visitor, you are welcome to explore the well-lit caverns at your own pace, but the way to learn the most about this underground environment and its inhabitants is to sign up for a ranger-guided tour. The park also offers miles of desert hiking trails, evening bat programs, and exceptional stargazing. 

January is the start of the busy season for RV Shows in the U.S. and the Tampa RV Show is one of the most popular ... Read more

If you have an RV and a dog (or two), head to the South! There are endless paws-ibilites for travel. The best part about traveling, for our family, is being together, and that includes our dogs. So we look for destinations that welcome us both with activities, sights to see, and camping spots that are drool-worthy!

Tampa Bay, Florida

We admit that we are partial to the Tampa Bay, Florida area. Both of our dogs Peanut Butter Brickle and Digby Pancake were adopted from the Humane Society of Tampa Bay. Tampa, Florida has so much to offer to travelers with their dogs. One of our favorite spots to take Brickle and Digby is Davis Island Dog Beach. Dogs can play, swim and run off-leash in this fenced oasis. There are two separate dog park areas. One is the beachside that is fenced on three sides leading to the water. The other dog park area is a fully fenced, grassy space. After playing, you can wash your dogs off at the cleaning area, and then be sure to stop for a treat at Wag Natural Pet Market.

Tampa Bay is home to hundreds of pet-friendly restaurants, breweries, hotels, and 16 dog parks and beaches, including Picnic Island. But that is not all. For senior dogs, Florida is a great place to hike due to its flat terrain. The 2.6 mile Tampa Riverwalk is perfect for a stroll at night when the temperatures have cooled down.

If you are looking for a little alone time, and your dog needs to burn off some energy, Unique Dog Boarding north of Tampa is your home away from home. Unique Dog Boarding is a ranch for dogs! With transportation services available, even from your hotel, give your dog a vacation too. As your dogs relax in the lap of luxury, we recommend going to see a movie at the historic Tampa Theatre in downtown Tampa.

If you are looking for a peaceful camping spot away from the crowds but close to the action, check out dog-friendly Hillsborough River State Park or Fort Desoto Park.

Finding the perfect toy hauler for your outdoor adventures is easy when you shop the 2022 toy hauler travel trailers for sale at a dealer near you! RVing Planet makes it easy to find toy hauler travel trailers with all your favorite features for sale at a great price. Check out six of our favorite options available today!

2022 Forest River RV Cherokee Wolf Pack 23PACK15

Get everything you need to make your camping experience fun and comfortable for everyone in the Forest River Cherokee Wolf Pack 23Pack15 toy hauler travel trailer. The 15′ power awning gives you ample shade no matter where you go, and the 30-gallon fueling station ensures your toys are always ready to go! 

Additional Features:

Single Slide30 Gallon Fuel Station15′ Power AwningMaster Suite15′ GarageWater PumpPower Tongue Jack15K BTU A/C

In January, many of us try to stick to the New Year’s resolutions we made the previous year. How many of us have the determination to see it through?

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

The following places might just inspire you to live up to the promises you made to yourself as the clock ticked down to 2022. If you resolved to get more exercise, take a jog on a sandy gulf beach or paddle a kayak along the coast of a barrier island. Was a better diet on your list of resolutions? Try a healthy fish-and-greens diet found at a seaside eatery.

Find a destination below and then book a stay at a nearby RV Park (click on the links for more information).

Alabama

Alabama’s small but beautiful stretch of Gulf Coast entices beachcombers to explore sugar-white sands.

One of our favorite places to stay in an RV is Disney’s Fort Wilderness Campground and Resort in Orlando, Florida. For anyone looking for the ... Read more

If your dreams for 2022 include traveling the country with your loved one, you won’t want to miss the deals on these class B motorhomes for sale near you. We’ll take an in-depth look at four of our favorite deals ongoing now! Get your next RV for less when you shop for new class B motorhomes for sale on RVingPlanet.com.

2022 Winnebago Travato 59G

This 2022 Winnebago Travato 59G class B motorhome on sale today is the ideal way to get to your dream destination. Inside, you’ll find a cozy bed for two that will ensure you get a great night’s sleep no matter where you go. The wet bath makes it easy to go off the grid or enjoy a hot shower before bed.

Additional Features:

All new interior styling with your choice of Bleu with Weathered Teak, Walnut or Walnut with Matte White Upper cabinetry doors atop Italian Tecnoform cabinetryInsulated floor, with vapor barrier and new flooring, with optional complete coach matLagun table with dual mounting positionsPop up power outlets from entry pedestal with Lagun table mountFront dinette with two automotive-style seats with 3 point safety belts in eachNew positive-lock latching system for Italian Tecnoform cabinetry

Caring for your RV is one of the most important things you can do. Your RV is an investment, and that means you need to protect it and maintain it so you can continue to enjoy it for years to come.

With this in mind, it’s clear that maintenance is going to be something that you’ll need to focus on. Also, properly using your RV and its various systems is key.

To help, Camping World would like to share with you a downloadable booklet that will help you in your journey. Our service centers are always here to help take care of your maintenance needs. That said, having a booklet like the one you’ll find below will help make keeping up on maintenance a little easier.

Here’s what you’ll find in the booklet:

Company Beliefs

Title workWarrantyReferralsChassis WorkOrdering Parts for Service RepairsService Work RepairsInsurance on Your RV

Helpful Hints

WinterizingToilet and Drainage SystemsRV RefrigeratorsFresh WaterWater HeatersCheck Your OilTiresRoof Air Conditioners110-Volt Appliances30-Amp AppliancesExtension CordsPaperwork and Manuals12-Volt BatteriesStorage CompartmentsLP TanksWater PressureRecreational Vehicles are Not AutomobilesLP Leak DetectorsChassisAir BagsGeneratorsCondensationRoof & Seam SealantsMiscellaneous Helpful Hints

Who to Contact at the Dealership

Service AdvisorAccessories DepartmentTitle ClerkSales ManagerBusiness Manager

Maintenance Schedule

Every Trip and/or 1,000 MilesEvery 3 MonthsEvery 6 MonthsAnnually

Important Information

Important AddressesPolicy NumbersAppliance Serial and Model Numbers

Get your downloadable RV Owner Handbook!