About 50 miles west of the Arizona-New Mexico state line on old Route 66 lies Petrified Forest National Park. Created from ancient river beds and inland lakes, the area is known as the Painted Desert because of its colorful sandstone and mudstone deposits.

What sets it apart from other desert landscapes are its numerous petrified forests, created when the plant material from trees was replaced with quartz over millions of years. Today, the park glistens with multi-hued rock layers and exposed fossils, enticing visitors to explore an out-of-this-world setting for a closer view of nature’s handiwork.

Why Visit Petrified Forest National Park in Your RV?

Photo Credit: NPS Jacob Holgerson

The park is a perfect destination for RVers, with navigable paved roads and spacious pull-outs. Many hikers love the idea of heading off into the hills for an hour or two and returning to the comfort of their RV for shade and a bite of lunch before cruising to the next park highlight.

The park encompasses over 221,000 acres and is home to hundreds of plants, animals, fossils, and rock formations. As of June 2018, the park achieved International Dark Sky Park status. It is also one of the few national parks allowing leashed dogs on most trails.

When to Visit Petrified Forest National Park

The park is open year-round, but with a location in the middle of the Arizona desert, temperatures range from above 100℉ to below freezing. This semi-arid desert grassland is home to plants and animals that know how to adapt to these extremes, so you’ll need to be able to as well. 

If you struggle to get comfortable when you go camping, it’s time to upgrade your RV for an RV with a king bed. Today, we’ll show you six incredible RVs with king beds to help you improve your sleep at the campground and wake up feeling refreshed and ready for the day. Learn more below.

Find a great deal on all the features you love.

2022 Coachmen Freedom Express Ultra Lite 259FKDS

If you’re looking for a camper for a family of four, this Coachmen Freedom Express Ultra Lite 259FKDS travel trailer is the perfect answer. You’ll love that the outdoor features on this RV include a full camp kitchen with a sink and a mini fridge and an 18′ awning. There’s a king bed in the master bedroom and a slide-out in the living room with a Hide-a-Bed sofa for the kids.

Additional Features:

Full Camp KitchenUSB PortsMicrowave OvenPass-Through StorageDual Entry BathYou’ll love having this space to make easy meals at the campground.

2023 Dutchmen Astoria 2913FK

One of our favorite features in this Dutchmen Astoria 2913FK travel trailer is the massive walk-through bathroom with a dual vanity sink. There’s a front kitchen that’s perfectly designed to make it easy to make all of your favorite campground meals. Enjoy plenty of counter space, lots of storage, and all the features you need to make the most of meals at the campground.

Additional Features:

Diesel Pushers are a whole different breed when compared to their gasoline powered cousins.  Not in cost as some top of the line gas coaches can be higher in cost than an entry level DP.  But, when it comes to complexity and things that are similar and can be related to that of an automobile, it becomes clear, the DP is a totally different animal.

But, by reading their vehicle manuals and their years of general automotive mechanical knowledge, the diesel RV owners manage quite well. However, there are operational mistakes that many make.  Most of these we were probably unaware of and are not found in the operator’s manual.  So let’s take a look at some.  See if you were aware of all or some.

Air fully Up Prior To Moving:  Failure to fully enable your air suspension to ride height prior to moving your coach may result in front fender body damage.  If the air suspension is not fully inflated the turning wheel cut may cause the front tires to come in contact with the fender flares.  This can grind off, or rip, a portion of the fenders if the steering is turned at a fair angle.  Additionally, driveline universals joints can be damaged if high torque is applied due to an acute angle between transmission output and the differential.

Applying Hard Service Air Brakes While The Parking Brake Is Enabled:  Applying the brake pedal hard while the park brake is on, an air brake equipped vehicle has the potential to cause mechanical damage. This damage can be done to the brake cams, push rods, and related components.  Fortunately, for many years now, anti-compounding valves have been standard on all domestic air braked vehicles that prevents this issue.  However, it is a common practice to avoid such action to safeguard an issue should the valve fail.

One of many luxuries of modern RVs is the ability to create shade with a button. RV awnings protect you from light rain and sun and create an outdoor patio space perfect for grilling, relaxing, or hosting tailgate parties.

RV awnings aren’t complicated, but you must know how and when to use them correctly. Otherwise, you could wake up in the middle of the night to the sound of your awning ripping off your RV because you forgot to retract it before bed. 

Here’s everything you need to know about RV awnings. 

How to Open and Close an RV Awning

Before you operate an RV awning, it’s important that your RV is parked, leveled, and stabilized properly. Check out this video to learn how to level and stabilize your RV: 

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With more than 8,000 acres of open space, San Bernardino County Regional Parks offers natural, diverse outdoor recreational opportunities for everyone to enjoy whether your taste is for camping, fishing, picnicking or even exploring a ghost town. We have it all at a low cost for the entire family.

Amenities range from playgrounds and splash pads to swimming pools and waterslides. A golf course, equestrian center, archery and Olympic shooting range are available at Prado. Adjacent to Cucamonga-Guasti is a brand new Topgolf entertainment venue. Our parks also are home to native species of plants, birds and wildlife, and offer great photo ops for nature enthusiasts.

Tent and RV campgrounds are available at Calico Ghost Town, Glen Helen, Mojave Narrows, Mojave River Forks, Prado and Yucaipa. Calico also offers cabins and bunkhouse rentals.

A new RV rental experience is now available at Calico, Mojave Narrows, Prado and Yucaipa, with 22-, 28- and 30-foot Evo Select travel trailers by Forest River to choose from. Photos and details can be found on our reservation website at sbcountyparks.com.

For a visit to the untamed Alaskan wilderness, where your survival depends solely upon you, find your way to Gates of the Arctic National Park and Preserve. There are minimal named locations on a map of this park. In fact, there are no roads and no services — just mountains, rivers, wildlife, and solitude.

Visitors come to this region above the Arctic Circle to really get away from it all, at a rate of fewer than 10,000 people per year.

Why Visit Gates of the Arctic National Park?

Photo Credit: NPS by Laurie Smith

Imagine ecosystems that haven’t been tampered with, vibrant colors as far as the eye can see, and the northern lights in winter. Gates of the Arctic is a frontier of glaciers, rivers, and wildlife unseen by most, making it a bucket list adventure for any traveler.

Because there are no roads into the Gates of the Arctic, visitors must take an air taxi or hike into the park. Drive your RV to Fairbanks, as several RV parks can act as your home base in this part of Alaska. Then catch a bush plane into any region of the national park for hiking and backpacking in the summer or snowshoeing in the winter.

When to Visit Gates of the Arctic National Park

Photo Credit: NPS by Laurie Smith

Gates of the Arctic is a wilderness park, open year-round to those seeking solitude and exploration. Time frames to come to the park are dependent upon visitors’ activities.

Today, we’ll show you the best toy hauler fifth wheels options to take your family to the campground in 2023. Learn more about our seven favorite floorplans below and find your next big adventure. Order today and save big on your future vacations.

Take home your next toy hauler fifth wheel today.

2023 Heartland Cyclone 4006

You’ll love that this Heartland Cyclone 4006 toy hauler fifth wheel offers a 13′ garage space with a loft overhead for additional sleeping or storage space. The living room features dual opposing slides and triple sofas to give you plenty of sleeping space for your whole family. The kitchen is a compact design with plenty of cabinet space.

Additional Features:

LoftDual Entry DoorsBath and a HalfFront Master SuiteOutside RefrigeratorGet a great night’s sleep.

2023 Grand Design Momentum 376THS

Another way to haul your camping gear to the campground is this Grand Design Momentum 376THS toy hauler fifth wheel that offers a garage below the master bedroom. You’ll find a ramp door and 9′ 9″ of garage space to make it easy to haul your toys and more. There’s a front living room in this floorplan, which is perfect for entertaining guests or family movie nights.

Additional Features:

The Southwest welcomes the holiday season with candlelight celebrations and novel ways to welcome St. Nick.

Southern Arizona

During the holidays, southern Arizona lights up with luminarias and centuries-old festivals.

See Light in the Valley of the Sun

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

Taking up 140 acres in the heart of Phoenix, the Desert Botanical Garden serves as a home to more than 50,000 plants, including many indigenous cacti and agave. During the holidays, the landscape basks in the soft glow of hundreds of luminarias — along with electric holiday lights. Known as Las Noches de las Luminarias, the event guides guests through a desert wonderland that will make you see nature in a whole new way.

We want to hear the unique way you RV. Tell us about your rig, your camping style, and what you love about the RV life.

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North Cascades National Park, located in Northern Washington, is where the crowds are few, but the adventures are abundant. Steep, gray, snow-capped mountain terrain expands for hundreds of miles, and the park is just 2.5 hours from Seattle.  

Sometimes known as the “American Alps,” the North Cascades are surrounded by vast pine forests, vivid glacier lakes, and wildflower meadows. Elevation in the park reaches 9,206 feet. The North Cascade Mountains call every lover of the outdoors to come to visit its wild terrain.

This park boasts over 300 glaciers, which makes it the highest concentration of glaciers in a national park, second only to Denali National Park in Alaska. In addition to its raw beauty, it is less congested with people, even during peak season. North Cascades ranks in the top 10 least-visited national parks, making it a prize for many.

Why Visit North Cascades National Park in an RV?

Photo by Michal Balada via Shutterstock

The North Cascades is meant to be driven. The North Cascades Highway, or State Route 20 (SR 20), is the only paved road through the park and the main means of travel. There are 30 miles of SR 20 that belong to the park, and an average drive-through takes about an hour. 

The rest of the highway continues for another 50 miles that comprise part of a 440-mile loop that has recently been named the “Cascade Loop Northern Scenic Byway.” There are numerous overlooks along SR 20, showcasing the park’s vibrant glacier lakes and alpine ranges. 

Sequoia National Park covers an expansive 1,300 square miles and is home to Mount Whitney, the tallest peak in the lower 48 of the United States. With roaring mountain rivers, granite peaks, an extensive backcountry, and signature Giant Sequoia trees, Sequoia National Park brings in over one-million annual visitors to experience its beauty. 

If you’re looking for the only place in the world to feel the immense power of these storied trees, then gas up your RV and hit the road. But before you do, here’s what you need to know about RVing in Sequoia National Park.

Why Visit Sequoia National Park in an RV?

Photo by Virrage Images via Shutterstock

Have you ever wanted to walk among giants? California’s two-for-one national park duo of Sequoia and Kings Canyon lets you venture into a land of otherworldly trees that almost seem too grand to be real. And with these giants growing only within a 60-mile area high in the Sierra Nevada mountains, it’s the only place you’ll be able to experience their power.

Sequoia National Park is easily accessible in under four hours from Los Angeles, Sacramento, and San Francisco, and can easily be looped into a National Parks road trip with Yosemite to the North or Death Valley to the Southeast.

Because Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks are in close proximity, having an RV for your visit to these parks allows you to easily bounce back and forth. You can easily go from seeing General Sherman Tree on the Sequoia side of the park to the Zumwalt Meadow on the King’s Canyon side on the same day.

Camping is a great activity that you can enjoy for a couple of days or for weeks or even months on end. While I know several people who spend long periods of time in their RV camping at various campgrounds around the country, I also know plenty of others who only camp on the weekend.

These weekend warriors need gear just like the camper who spend large periods of time hanging out at campgrounds. If you have someone in your life who loves to spend their Saturdays and Sundays camping, then this is the list for you.

Perma Chill 50 Quart Cooler

Made in the USA! This 12.5 gallon cooler is rated for 7 days of ice retention, making it perfect for backwoods camping and long fishing trips. The Perma Chill’s freezer-grade gasket, lockable lid, and tie-down slots make it easy and safe to haul to your campsite’s location.

The cooler features an integrated bottle opener, inch ruler for measuring your catch of the day, and comes in five colors.

Learn to make the most of your RV. Subscribe to the Camping World YouTube channel, and never miss a video.

When your RV is plugged in, 120-volt alternating current (AC) can run appliances and small electronics. Just like in your home, circuit breakers control AC power and allow you to plug in safely. 

But what happens when power outlets or specific appliances stop working? Troubleshooting RV circuit breakers may only be part of the solution, but it’s an important piece when troubleshooting your RV’s entire electrical system. 

The video above shows you how to troubleshoot electrical issues associated with pulling too much power, like tripped breakers or blown fuses, and how to fix them. Below, we’ll go into more detail about RV circuit breakers, how they operate, and how to troubleshoot them. 

Understanding AC versus DC Power in your RV

Before you dive into circuit breaker troubleshooting, it’s essential to understand how RV electrical works. Here’s a short video introduction: 

Finding the perfect gift ideas for RV owners can be a real struggle. The last thing an RV owner wants is one more item to fit into their camper’s limited storage space. But not all gifts have to be clunky and cumbersome. Great gifts serve a unique RV purpose.

Start by considering who you are gifting to this year. Ask what they love most about RVing and learn how they travel. Use this information to guide your giving.

In need of some help brainstorming gifts for RV owners? Discover Camping World’s Holiday Gift Guide for inspiration.

Gifts for the Camp Foodie

Click to view slideshow.

There’s just something about cooking outside that’s thrilling. For those that love firing up the grill and covering the picnic table with a spread of good eats, consider cooking gifts for RV campers.

Camp Chef Artisan Pizza Oven is a real crowd-pleaser and the best way to make everyone’s favorite meal—pizza.Give the chef a practical gift to make life easier, a workspace all his own with the Folding Aluminum Grill Table.A Cast Iron Pie Iron is a fun tool for cooking tasty hand pies over the coals.RV ovens aren’t like the ones at home. The Omnia Stove Top Oven makes oven baking in your RV kitchen energy efficient and simple.Don’t let a delicious meal go to the flies. A Mesh Food Cover is a great gift idea for outdoor eating.This Telescoping Camp Fork is a perfect stocking stuffer and essential for marshmallow toasting.

Browse everything you need for a camp kitchen.

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

In your house, you rarely need to think of your oven pilot light — you only worry if it goes out. But in your RV, you’re responsible for lighting it and turning it off before you start driving.

The video above gives a quick, simple walkthrough of how to light your RV oven pilot light. Plus, you’ll learn when to leave it on and when to turn it off. Let’s cover all that. 

How to Light Your RV Oven Pilot Light

Your oven’s pilot light is located under the bottom tray inside the oven. Here are the steps for lighting it: 

Pre-Checks

Photo by Camping WorldPark, level, and stabilize your RV. Ensure you have LP in your container(s).Open the valve on top of the container.Set the regulator switch to the correct position (for towables with multiple containers). Check adequate propane flow by lighting a burner on your RV’s cooktop. 

Step 1: Open the oven door.

This makes it easier to check the pilot is being lit and prevents LP gas from dangerously building up inside your oven. 

Traveling is easy wherever you plan to go when you have a class A motorhome. You’ll find that these class A motorhome for under 120K are an excellent way to get to the campground and enjoy an easy setup and spacious interiors. Learn about our favorite floorplans below!

Find more amazing options when you shop at RVingPlanet.com!

2023 Thor Motor Coach Vegas 24.1

Save over $50,000 on this Thor Motor Coach Vegas 24.1 class A motorhome today! Inside, you’ll find a set of twin beds that easily convert into a king so that you can get a great night’s sleep wherever you go. Additionally, you’ll find a flip-up countertop in the kitchen so that you have plenty of space for making meals for your crew.

Additional Features:

Twin Beds with King ConversionDrop-Down Overhead BunkSofa Bed with Removable TableWinegard ConnecT 2.0Touchscreen Dash RadioThe large slide-out opens up the living space.

2023 Thor Motor Coach Vegas 24.4

On sale for just $116,000, this Thor Motor Coach Vegas 24.4 class C motorhome is a steal! You’ll love that there’s a coffee table between the driver and passenger seats. The Murphy bed allows you plenty of space for entertaining and a cozy spot to rest at the end of the day.

Additional Features:

Camping has long been associated with uncomfortable nights sleeping on the ground. That’s not the case if you take the time to upgrade your RV bed, which is a no-brainer when you spend roughly a third of each day using it.

Interested in reimagining what your RV bedroom could look and feel like? Camping World Design Centers help RVers plan and complete interior design projects, including making your RV bed the most comfortable bed ever.

How to Upgrade Your RV Bed

From replacing your old mattress to fitting it with the correct RV bedding, here are seven easy ways to upgrade your RV bed:

1. Get a New RV Mattress

Photo by Camping World

How old is your RV mattress? If your RV is more than eight years old, there’s a good chance your mattress is too. RV mattresses should be replaced every 7-10 years. If your mattress is older than that, it’s time to upgrade.

When considering an upgrade, it’s essential to be familiar with RV mattress sizes because they differ from regular mattresses. Here’s a quick breakdown: 

Whether you’re new to the RV lifestyle or you’ve been RV camping for years, it never hurts to hear some advice from time to time. After all, aren’t we all striving to make our next adventure our best adventure? We asked RVers for some of their best camping advice, and they had a lot to say. But first, let’s meet these road travelers.

Meet Our Experienced RV Campers

Image: Mike Wendland

Mike Wendland – The RV Lifestyle

Mike started his website, RV Lifestyle, with his wife in 2012 after deciding to spend their retirement traveling throughout the country. He also runs The RV Podcast.

Follow Mike on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube.

Stef — The Fit RV

Stef is a health and fitness professional who promotes healthy RVing on The Fit RV. She, along with her husband, James, offers RV-related tips centered around fitness and tech.

Follow Stef on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube.

The recent pandemic was no fun, but I can think of one good development: working while RVing is now easier than ever. If you’re also thinking about trying the lifestyle, don’t turn the key just yet. My five best tips for working while RVing from anywhere are critical reading before you give it a try.

The 5 Dos and Don’ts of Working While RVing

Many aspiring nomads enjoy browsing the social media profiles of full-time RVing influencers. It’s a fun way to daydream and do your research, but be warned: you may only be seeing the extremes of nomadic living. Most profiles tend to focus on the good days of this lifestyle. Some like to share a gritty story, but rarely do full-time RV influencers expose the whole truth about living and working on the road. If you’re planning to travel and earn money, my five reality checks about combining work and RV travel will put you on the best path forward.

Don’t Let Work Take Over Your RV Adventures

Work isn’t always a four-letter word. My husband, Jim Nelson, and I have spent the last 15 years working on the road and it pays for full-time RV travel and living expenses. We don’t work every single day, but as two self-employed people in a 27-foot fifth-wheel, the line between work and home life is razor thin — even more than when we had a sticks-and-bricks business in Northern California. We’ve discovered that separating work and play on the road is difficult at best. But when we prioritize fun at great destinations, our effort to clock out reminds us why we full-time RV in the first place. For instance, a trip to Dinosaur National Monument in Utah reminded us that walking away from work a little more than usual rewarded us with unforgettable experiences at park attractions, like Dinosaur’s gorgeous hiking trails.

Have Multiple Ways to Get Online

New nomads working on the road quickly discover that relying on RV park and campground wifi is a fool’s game. Although many top-rated RV parks have installed wifi networks throughout their campsites, the sad truth is that rarely does the technology keep up with everyone’s needs — especially now that more of us are working online. So if your job or nomadic business depends on internet access, don’t leave home until you buy the best RV internet connectivity hardware and service plans you can afford. And always have service with at least two different providers. That way, when (not if) one service goes down, the other is your backup way to get online, so you can keep bringing home the bacon.

If any of these winter festivals are within visiting distances of you and yours, we highly recommend the trip to fully enjoy the season. 

 

Temperatures may be dropping, but the festival season is just warming up. Whether you’re looking to extend your holiday vacation or get your family uncooped from the house, there are still plenty of events to keep you busy.

 

To help you make the most of the frigid temps, here are 10 winter festivals to put on your radar.