WEnRV travel news, products, and industry trends

When searching for an RV, identifying the right one can be difficult. First, you must decide between motorhomes and towables. Then you need to identify what type of motorhome or towable is right for you. Before you decide, it’s wise to note just how versatile (and plain awesome) toy haulers are.

Toy haulers regularly come in travel trailer and fifth-wheel forms. A toy hauler is an RV with an added space in the rear, a garage, to store and transport your ATV, motorcycle, dirtbike, golf cart, or any other motorized toys you have that you want to bring along while you travel.

While not everyone needs a toy hauler, everyone should consider this type of RV as an option (especially if you’re an active camper). Regardless of your lifestyle and the places you’re visiting when you hit the road, toy haulers check nearly every box on that long list of must-haves and nice-to-haves. Here are three advantages of the RV type to help you decide before your next RV trip.

Toy Haulers Come With a Large Garage Space

Toy Hauler RV with ATV. Image: Shutterstock

Have a dirtbike, motorcycle, ATV, or golf cart you want to take camping with you? Then a toy hauler is the only way to go. The large garage spaces are perfect for these types of items. In fact, they’re designed specifically for them! They often have tie-down points on the floor and walls for maximum convenience and security during transport.

A fifth-wheel toy hauler, for example, is one most RV enthusiasts gravitate towards and with good reason. The active RVer will have plenty of space to store their favorite toys, you know, the ones that make every destination feel like Christmas morning. Travel worry-free knowing your expensive bikes or ATVs are safe and secure while in transit eagerly awaiting the next campsite stop. After you’re done, storage is simple as you can simply drive them back into their hiding spot.

When most RVers think of hitting the road, their minds immediately jump to the spring or summer months. Understandably so, as those seasons offer some of the best weather of the year. Plus, they can make traveling simply wonderful. But, it’s important not to dismiss fall though as an ideal time of year to hit the road. Fall traveling can mean fewer crowds, more park availability, and more fun to be had in the outdoors as temperatures drop and leaves change. In fact, there are several areas around the country that shine most in the fall.

When considering your next RV excursion, don’t discount autumn as an excellent time to plan for a trip. Witnessing the leaves change colors as Mother Nature paints the landscape in fiery hues never stops being breathtaking. In fact, it’s hard to snap a bad photo when your RV’s backdrop is bursting with fairytale fall foliage. If you want to enjoy the best of late September through November, like scenic drives, picture-perfect overlooks, and crisp weather–then get the family together and go RVing. On the road is really the best way to experience the season in all its glory.

We can assure you there is plenty of fall family fun to be had both off the grid or at the campground. Here are five fantastic, photo-worthy fall RV destinations around the country to fill your Instagram grid or your family photo albums.

Newport, Rhode Island

Set on Aquidneck Island, Newport is a beautiful harbor city in the state of Rhode Island. It’s known as a sailing town with plenty to do, and that’s a true assessment. There is also some seriously inspiring scenery. Without a doubt, you’ll want to enjoy a therapeutic walk through Fort Adams State Park and take advantage of the numerous wineries in the area; you should also drive through the beautiful countryside to soak it all in. 

Take your RV down Route 4, south from Providence, to enjoy some breathtaking views. With the trees changing in the fall you’d better have your camera ready or a full charge on your phone. Rhode Island is packed with RV parks, so you’ll have no problem finding a place to set up camp and relax after a busy day if only to scroll through the dozen, possibly hundreds, of insta-worthy images you managed to capture.

Desoto Big Tree Sun RV Resort, Arcadia	Riptide RV Resort, Key Largo
Outback Springs RV Resort, Bonifay	Mill Creek RV Resort, Kissimmee
Arbor Terrace RV Resort, Bradenton	Lakeland RV Resort, Lakeland
Horseshoe Cove Sun RV Resort, Bradenton	Rainbow Village of Largo, Largo
Pleasant Lake RV Resort, Bradenton	Monroe Pelican RV Resort & Marina, Marathon
Vista del Lago MH & RV Resort, Bradenton	Glades North Lake Estates, Moore Haven
Blueberry Hill RV Resort, Bushnell	Club Naples RV Resort, Naples
Red Oaks Sun RV Resort, Bushnell	Marco Naples RV Resort, Naples
Grand Lake RV & Golf Resort, Citra	Naples RV Resort, Naples
Buttonwood Inlet RV Resort, Cortez	San Marino RV Resort, Naples
Rock Crusher Canyon RV Park, Crystal River	Zachary Taylor RV Resort, Okeechobee
Blue Jay RV Resort, Dade City	Orange City RV Resort, Orange City
Citrus Hill RV Resort, Dade City	Emerald Coast RV Beach Resort, Panama City Beach
Grove Ridge Sun RV Resort, Dade City	Daytona Beach Sun RV Resort, Port Orange
Polk Kissimmee South RV Resort, Davenport	Nova Camp Resort, Port Orange
Tampa East RV Resort, Dover	Charlotte Shell Creek Park Campground, Punta Gorda
Dunedin Sun RV Resort, Dunedin	Hidden River Travel Resort, Riverview
Ellenton Gardens RV Resort, Ellenton	Sun-N-Fun RV Resort, Sarasota
Broward Paradise Island RV Resort, Fort Lauderdale	Buttonwood Bay RV Resort, Sebring
Groves RV Resort, Fort Myers	Lake Josephine RV Resort, Sebring
Siesta Bay RV Resort, Fort Myers	Spanish Main RV Resort, Thonotosassa
Indian Creek RV Resort, Fort Myers Beach	Baker Acres Sun RV Resort, Zephyrhills
Polk Rainbow RV Resort, Frostproof	Glen Haven Sun RV Resort, Zephyrhills
Central Park MH and RV Resort, Haines City	Majestic Oaks Sun RV Resort, Zephyrhills
Homosassa River Sun RV Resort, Homosassa	Rainbow Village of Zephyrhills, Zephyrhills
Three Lakes RV Resort, Hudson	Settler’s Rest RV Resort, Zephyrhills
San Pedro RV & MH, Islamorada	Southern Charm Sun RV Resort, Zephyrhills
Pecan Park RV Resort, Jacksonville	Sweetwater RV Resort, Zephyrhills
Martin Ocean Breeze RV Resort, Jensen Beach	Water’s Edge Sun RV Resort, Zephyrhills

The post Table Text appeared first on Good Sam Camping Blog.

Alabama

Lake Osprey RV Resort, Elberta

Alaska

Anchorage Ship Creek RV Park, Anchorage

Arizona

Campground USA, Apache Junction
Sunrise RV Resort, Apache Junction
Superstition Sunrise RV Resort, Apache Junction
Weaver’s Needle RV Resort, Apache Junction
Vista Del Sol RV Resort, Bullhead City (N)
Verde Ranch RV Resort, Camp Verde (N)
Verde River RV Resort & Cottages, Camp Verde (N)
Casa Grande RV Resort & Cottages, Casa Grande
Pueblo El Mirage RV & Golf Resort, El Mirage (N)
Eagle View RV Resort Asah Gweh Oou-o At Fort McDowell, Fort McDowell (N)
Arizonian RV Resort, Gold Canyon
Canyon Vistas RV Resort, Gold Canyon
Gold Canyon RV & Golf Resort, Gold Canyon
Apache Wells RV Resort, Mesa
Good Life RV Resort, Mesa
Mesa Regal RV Resort, Mesa
Sun Life RV Resort, Mesa
Towerpoint Resort, Mesa
Val Vista Village RV Resort, Mesa
Valle Del Oro RV Resort, Mesa
Western Acres, Mesa
Payson Campground and RV Resort, Payson (N)
Desert Shadows RV Resort, Phoenix (N)
Picacho Peak RV Resort, Picacho
Sunflower RV Resort, Surprise (N)
Crazy Horse RV Campgrounds, Tucson
Far Horizons RV Resort, Tucson
Rincon Country West RV Resort, Tucson
Grand Canyon Railway RV Park, Williams (N)
Del Pueblo RV Resort, Yuma
Fortuna de Oro RV Resort, Yuma
Sundance RV Resort, Yuma
Villa Alameda RV Resort, Yuma

Arkansas

Crown Lake RV Resort, Horseshoe Bend

British Columbia

Burnaby Cariboo RV Park, Burnaby

Sometimes, there’s a benefit to getting older. That’s particularly true for those looking for the perks and benefits of senior passes for RVers!

There are so many senior passes available that most RVers are not even aware that, had they asked or taken the time to check around, they can get steep discounts on camping, admission fees, products, and services.

It’s hard to come up with an exhaustive list – it would take many pages and thousands of words. But here is our list of what we think are some of the best senior passes for RVers currently out there.

The National Parks Service Senior Pass

The National Park Senior Pass is hands down is the absolute best of the best. It used to be known as the “Golden Age Pass,” but several years ago, the park service made it even easier to understand by simply calling it the Senior Pass. They also raised the price but, still, at its current $80 fee for a lifetime pass ($20 for an annual pass), it provides a value that is truly priceless. That’s $80 for a lifetime pass–paying for itself in just four years.

The only requirement is that you are a U.S. citizen or permanent resident age 62 or older. You must have an ID that proves so like a Driver’s License, Passport, Passport Card, or Green Card.

Temple View RV Park is in the heart of St George, Utah. It’s convenient to everything — 45 Minutes to Zion National Park and a short drive to Las Vegas!

Enjoy the park’s year-round heated pool and hot tub, clubhouse, bathrooms, showers, laundry facilities, putting green, billiard tables and more…

Consistently ranked as one of the fastest growing cities in the nation, St. George, Utah provides an ideal mixture of big-city appeal and small-town feel. The city has become a popular retirement destination and a favorite getaway spot for those seeking pleasant weather, unrivaled scenery and year-round recreation. You will not be disappointed in your surroundings when you choose McArthur’s Temple View Southern Utah RV Park over other nearby RV parks.

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Snowbird season is just around the corner. And if you are frustrated trying to find a winter camping destination that isn’t all filled up by those who made early reservations (sometimes a year in advance!), check out these unsung snowbird destinations. While not entirely undiscovered, these warm destinations are still great locations where you probably can find some openings for the 21-22 season.

The most popular RV snowbird states are Florida, Arizona, and California. These states see a “flock,” of winter visitors, and that’s been a given year in and year out, with and without COVID.

But, four other states are also great snowbird spots that deserve to be on your radar. Consider Alabama, Mississippi, Texas, and New Mexico.

Crab Island. Destin, Florida. Image: Shutterstock

When is Snowbird Season?

In general, the snowbird season is from November 1 to March 1. There are two waves.

The early wave heads to snowbird destinations right after Halloween. The second wave leaves right after Christmas.

Great Smoky Mountains National Park is one of the best hiking destinations in eastern Tennessee and western North Carolina. While it can be quite busy during the summer, many people believe that the changing colors and cooler temperatures make fall the best time to hike in the park.

Because the park covers a total of more than 522,000 acres, you will have many routes to choose from if you want to hike in the Smokies. Today, we are going to highlight five very different options for hiking Great Smoky Mountains National Park that will give everyone from beginners to experts something to enjoy during their trip.

Appalachian Trail Loop From Newfound Gap to Charlie’s Bunion

Distance: 8.1 milesTrail Type: Out and backElevation Gain: 1,640 feetDifficulty: Hard

While you might not initially like the idea of making a bunion your primary hiking destination, no visit to the Smoky Mountains is complete without setting foot on the Appalachian Trail. The trailhead for this hike is located at Newfound Gap on the border of Tennessee and North Carolina.

Be prepared for a nice climb to start the first two miles of this hike, but make sure you lift your head up to appreciate the foliage from time to time. During the spring and summer, wildflowers line the trail and the changing colors of fall are definitely a sight to see.

Planning your trip to the campground this fall is easy; deciding what meal to make while you’re there isn’t always the same story. So be sure to bring along your Dutch Oven and make this roasted chicken for your crew! You’ll love how simple it is to make this filling meal.

Ingredients

Recipe from SelfProclaimedFoodie.com, adapted for this post.

½ cup dry seasoning rub – ingredients below, just combine thoroughly1 whole chicken½ cup unsalted butter1 pound baby yellow potatoes, quartered4 large carrots, peeled and roughly chopped1 yellow onion, peeled and quartered

Dry Rub:

1 tbsp garlic powder1 tbsp fresh ground pepper1 tbsp kosher salt1 tbsp mustard powder1 tbsp chili powder1 tbsp cumin1 tbsp dried thyme1 tbsp brown sugar2 tbsp paprika

Instructions

Pat the chicken dry with a paper towel and season all over with the dry rub. Wrap in cling wrap and refrigerator for 1 hour to overnight.When you’re ready to cook, build a fire and heat 24 coals. Arrange 8 under your Dutch oven, evenly to ensure even cooking.Add butter to your Dutch oven and melt. Sear the chicken on both sides for five minutes each.Remove the chicken and add the vegetables to the pot.Replace the chicken in the pot on top of the vegetables, breast side up, and close the lid. Add the remaining coals to the top of the lid.While cooking, rotate the lid every 15 minutes to ensure it cooks evenly. After 45 minutes, add a few more hot coals to the fire.Cook until the chicken reaches 165 degrees, approximately 1-1.5 hours.Serve with a side of toast!

This meal is perfect for your dinners at the campground, especially if you are spending a day exploring and need an easy meal to dump in the pot and let it cook.  Find your dream RV at RVingPlanet.com today!

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RVing has transformed the way my family experiences fishing. Gone are the days of booking mediocre hotel rooms so that we can be near our fishing spot when we wake up. And when hotels weren’t an option, I certainly haven’t missed the body aches from sleeping on a hard surface while tent camping.

Instead, we can park our camper just steps from our fishing hole for days or even weeks at a time. We can fish the early morning bite, have lunch, take a cat nap and head back out for the evening bite. We can clean our catch in the kitchen and store fresh walleye fillets in the fridge or freezer or better yet, cook it on the spot. RVing has allowed us to make fishing a family activity because our 2-year-old and 6-month-old now have a place to nap and play comfortably.

Our family fishes year-round and we have a few different pull-behind campers to make that possible. One is a retro camper from the 1970s that we primarily use for ice fishing and the second is a newer camper we use for regular camping. I’m actually in the middle of researching how to convert our newest camper into an ice fish house too. What can I say? We love fishing.

While neither camper has all the things I like, they’ve given me the opportunity to figure out what features could potentially make the perfect fishing RV. I’ll break down the features below.

Off-Grid Living

Most RVs these days come with battery and propane hookups. But if you bought an old converted camper like us, you’ll want to know the basic sources of power for off-grid living.

If you love to take luxury on the road, you’ll fall in love with these RVs with king beds for sale near you! No matter where you go, you can get a great night’s sleep that will keep you refreshed and ready for the day ahead of you. Learn more about these four incredible deals near you.

2022 Alliance Paradigm 310RL

This stylish couple’s coach is ideal for snowbirds who love to live in luxury while at the campground. The 2022 Alliance Paradigm 310RL fifth wheel available for order features a king bed in a slide-out with a spacious wardrobe for all your clothing and gear. You’ll love the kitchen design that features an island, a residential refrigerator, and tons of counter space. 

Additional Features:

Kitchen IslandNo CarpetFlush-Floor Kitchen SlidePull-Out Fireplace StorageIndustry’s Largest OvenMultiple USB Ports

You’ve had a great day exploring, the crickets are chirping, and you’re kicking back around the campfire in the evening. It’s time for camping cocktails! But what are your options when you’re parked away from civilization? Limited space in your RV means you’re probably not bringing along an entire home bar, but that doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy a mixed drink.

With a little planning and preparation ahead of time, you can easily make cocktail bases that save space and time for your camping trip. From slushy margarita mix to fruity sangria, we have three recipes that can be easily made ahead of time and transported to your campsite in a cooler or an RV fridge/freezer. They all have less than four ingredients and only take minutes to assemble. And they all make between 4-8 servings, so they’re perfect for group camping and campsite happy hours.

So whether you’re heading to the woods or parking your rig next to a lake, try mixing up one of these summer camping cocktails for your RV trip. And of course, always drink responsibly and never drink and drive.

Prep at Home Camping Cocktails

If you’re planning to visit the beautiful Grand Lake, Oklahoma, area, be sure to stop into Cherokee Casino Grove during your stay. This stunning new casino is the new Number One Choice for Grand Lake nightlife. Nestled near Tom Cat Corner and Shangri-La Golf Club Resort & Marina at Monkey Island, Cherokee Casino Grove is the crowned jewel by Grand Lake. The casino is located 8 miles north of Grove on Highway 10, just 1 mile from the Grand Lake O’ the Cherokees.

When you’ve enjoyed your day on the water and want to have some adult fun to round out your vacation, Cherokee Casino Grove offers everything you need for a great night out. The 39,000-square-foot casino offers more than 490 of the newest electronic games, a full-service bar, a live music venue, a dance floor, complimentary nonalcoholic drinks, and a restaurant offering breakfast, lunch, dinner and late-night options.

Whether you LOVE GAMING or this will be your First Gaming Experience, we have everything at your fingertips to LIVE YOUR LIFE GRAND.

Guests who walk in our doors have come to expect EXCELLENCE. We opened our doors in January 2017 and offer a clean, new and exciting place to play. Our gaming floor features many of the MOST POPULAR GAMES IN THE INDUSTRY. Some of our fan-favorites include our theme-based options, such as “Walking Dead,” Red Ruby and Harley Davidson’s Cycles.

Take Your Gaming to the Next Level

Whether you’re loading up the RV for a specific hunting location or you’re driving from camp to camp to make the most of the season, choosing what to bring with you can be a challenge. Some of us are notorious over-packers leaving little room for any excess, while the rest are infamous for not packing enough and wishing for items left behind. Regardless of which category you fall into, worry no more! Camping World partners, Zach and Mary, share their RV pro tips for how to pack your RV for a hunting trip.

Tip #1: Use Storage Containers

First things first, it’s all about storage. Start by assessing how much storage space you have available in your RV, and purchase the right storage containers. Whether it’s storing weapons, additional clothing, or camera gear, you really need to have everything stored safely and securely to avoid it knocking around and breaking while in transit. RVs are short on space, but a lot of thought is put into savvy storage capabilities, so it’s wise to look at and utilize the storage options in the best possible way.

Consider where your gear will go in your RV and tow vehicle.

Tip #2: Analyze Your RV’s Floorplan

Some RVs are built to accommodate lots of gear, toys, and tools for your outdoor recreation adventures. With a toy hauler, for example, you always have a garage behind you. Pause and contemplate how to pack the garage so that everything fits and is tied down securely using the tie-downs on the floor. There’s a lot of room, so think about all you can bring along: kayaks, camera gear and cases, coolers, pet crates and toys, and even an ATV. It can feel like an intense game of Tetris, but it can also be fun once you master how to effectively pack and unpack it. One of the benefits that many love about a toy hauler is it gives them closer access to hunting grounds. Simply pull the unit up, unpack and drive out on the ATV to get close to the deer stand. The challenge of getting to the hunting site is eliminated.

A toy hauler RV offers plenty of storage space and a separate space for dirty gear.

Tip #3: Make Sure Cords are Safely Put Away

If possible, use some of the drawers inside the unit to store all the electrical cords. Between locations, it’s not uncommon to drive over a lot of bumpy roads or off roads, so using drawers and cabinets in the kitchen will help keep loose items safe and secure. Ask any RV rookie what lesson they’ve learned the hard way and most will have stories of leaving wine bottles or coffee containers out on the counter. It’s a scenario that always ends in a mess. Try storing those items in drawers with dish towels or mats in between them to prevent movement. Bonus tip: invest in a quality broom and mop.

Try our tips for savvy kitchen organization ideas and notice how cooking becomes easier.

The Los Angeles RV Resort (formerly Acton / North LA KOA) is now open as a Good Sam Park for guests in historical Acton’s beautiful Soledad Canyon. Located just 45 miles from Los Angeles, Action Camp has all you need for the ultimate camping getaway or as a base camp for your SoCal explorations. The fun family-friendly campground offers lots of amenities.

Enjoy the swimming pool, volleyball & basketball courts, convenience store, outdoor café-style area, indoor lounge and more. Perfect as a large group retreat center with wide open fields for family reunions, school groups, clubs and nonprofits. There are full hookup RV sites but if you don’t have an RV, reserve our Woody tents, cabins or teepees or maybe a deluxe tent site with power. Camp with a touch of glamour… Glamping! This lovely canyon area has limited cellular signal but there is Wi-Fi available for those times you do need to stay connected. There are plans to add educational programs and more, so checkout our website often for activities.

Local area attractions include Universal Studios, Hollywood, Disneyland, Six Flags Magic Mountain, Dodgers Stadium, museums and more! Enjoy day trips to Santa Monica, Malibu and Venice Beach. AND it’s a must-stop base camp for hikers on the Pacific Coast Trail. Stay for a night, a week, a month or more!

Book your travel today at LARVResort.com or call (661) 268-1214

The post Los Angeles RV Resort is now Open appeared first on Good Sam Camping Blog.

RVing makes it so easy to try on different lifestyles. When I feel like being a surf bum, I just head to cute small beach towns with RV resorts and campgrounds. Great destinations like Jacksonville, North Carolina, Rockport-Fulton, Texas and California’s seaside San Luis Obispo County make it easy to reap the rewards of oceanfront real estate—at a fraction of the cost! Playing in the sun and sand with my home on wheels in tow allows me to enjoy waterfront real estate on my terms.

First stop, Jacksonville, North Carolina

There are 23 U.S. cities named Jacksonville, but only Jacksonville, North Carolina, has plenty of sun and sand for RVers. Located in the state’s Crystal Coast region and nestled along the New River, this fun beach town is currently ranked as one of North Carolina’s fastest-growing small cities. It’s adjacent to Camp Lejeune, the East Coast’s largest Marine Corps base, giving it youthful energy that welcomes visitors into this vibrant community with so much to do.

Life begins on the Jacksonville Landing

Every day, you’ll find anglers, kayakers, boaters, and bird watchers gathering at fishing piers and boat launches to enjoy the day on calm, clear water. Back on land, Jacksonville’s 19 miles of multi-use paths and greenways meander through fun and interesting places like the old train depot at Riverwalk Crossing Park, or Lejeune Memorial Gardens, the second largest Vietnam Memorial in the United States.

A year ago, Karen and her husband Sylvester decided they wanted to RV full time. And they didn’t waste any time after that. In fact, within a week, they had sold their home, bought a Class C RV, and were off — travelling across the country with their seven-year-old-son, Aiden. Speaking about the situation, Karen explained, “It happened very quickly.”

Today, The Apkans partner with Camping World to share their full time camping lifestyle with others, and spread the word on why RV life is so awesome.

Despite their busy schedule, crisscrossing the United States, homeschooling their son, Aiden, and Karen keeping up her blog The Mom Trotter, the couple managed to find the time to sit down with Camping World and talk about their RV lifestyle at the 2020 Ultimate RV Show. They discuss how and why they decided to pull up their roots and what 2020 has been like for them. Watch their interview below.

A Field Trip Every Day
Making the jump to full-time RVing is unique to each person. For Karen and Sylvester, it was full of its challenges. But, it also came naturally to them given their experience travelling.

Prior to RVing full-time, the family was travelling internationally on a monthly basis. Homeschooling was another area where the family came prepared.

“We’ve always homeschooled since day one so this wasn’t any different for us,” Karen adds. The family now weaves homeschooling into their travels. Studying topics and historical events then visiting those regions to see them in person where their son will deliver a report on what he’s learned.

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