Monthly Archives: April 2010

12 of America’s Most Beautiful Campgrounds!

Monty April 30, 2010
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Sure, you could pull your RV off the road and sleep in a Walmart parking lot. Sometimes that’s the best option after a long day of driving. But what if you could camp, instead, in one of America’s most beautiful RV campgrounds? We headed out in search of those prime RV parks, and here’s what we found:

America’s Most Beautiful Campgrounds – Southwest

  • Austin Lone Star Resort – Austin, Texas: Right smack in the heart of Texas there’s a tree-shaded, family-friendly RV resort that’s earned the attention of Time Magazine, USA Today and the New York Times. Wake up to the quiet beauty of Texas Hill Country, and don’t miss the one-dollar breakfast special at the campground cafe!
  • Rose Valley RV Ranch – Silver City, New Mexico: This campground was created with an eye to preserving both the Old West heritage of the original ranch setting and the habitat for the area’s abundant wildlife.

America’s Most Beautiful Campgrounds – Northwest

  • Fidalgo Bay Resort – Anacortes, Washington: “Gateway to the San Juan Islands,” doesn’t that sound like somewhere you’d like to go RV camping? Spectacular Fidalgo Bay wraps around this RV park on Fidalgo Island, offering campers both serenity and countless vacation photo ops.
  • Last Resort Camp Store & Blue Mountain KOA – Pomeroy, Washington: Does the name of the campground give a clue to its gorgeously remote setting? Located very near Tucannon-Wenaha Wilderness Area and Umatilla National Forest in Eastern Washington, it’s perfectly situated for weeks of outdoor exploration.

America’s Most Beautiful Campgrounds – Central USA

  • Mountaindale Campground & Cabins – Colorado Springs, CO: Close enough to visit Pikes Peak, Garden of the Gods and Royal Gorge, but remote enough to offer serene, mountain camping, this wonderfully wooded campground definitely wins our vote!
  • Paradise Camping Resort – Grand Prairie, Illinois: Hoping to stay in the Midwest this summer, but looking for a scenic park with abundant amenities? This resort sits on the shores of a private fishing lake and offers a wide range of outdoor adventures.

America’s Most Beautiful Campgrounds – East Coast

  • Pine Valley RV Park & Campground – Binghamton, NY: Each summer families flock to the Susquehanna River Valley for area festivities, and they make their temporary home at this beautiful RV campground. Come early and plan to stay awhile; it’s the perfect remedy for concreteitis!
  • Millbridge Village Camp Resort – Paradise, PA: What could be more beautiful than Lancaster Country, Pennsylvania, the heart of Amish Country? This campground in a village-style setting is the perfect place for couples, families or a group of friends on vacation.

America’s Most Beautiful Campgrounds – Western States

  • Flying Flags RV Resort – Buellton, California: This superbly-designed RV campground on California’s Central Coast is also in the heart of the Santa Ynez Valley wineries. Camp in lush, green surroundings and take advantage of their Wine Getaways for special rental rates and excursions to area vineyards.
  • Bear Paw Lakeview Fishing Resort – Panguitch Lake, Utah: If you’ve been yearning for a “Wow!” experience while RV camping, this is it. The sheer beauty of Panguitch Lake at dawn is enough to make a person speechless. This campground at above eight thousand feet may be remote but it’s also well-equipped, so plan to stay awhile.

America’s Most Beautiful Campgrounds – Southeast States

  • Sherling Lake Campground – Greenville, Alabama: Operated by the City of Greenville, AL, this tree-studded lakeside campground offers two lakes for fishing and woods you’re going to want to explore.
  • Ocean Grove RV Resort – Anastasia Island, Florida: Imagine an island setting on St. Augustine, Florida’s Intercoastal Waterway, only a block from the beach. That’s the idyllic location you’ll find at this northwest Florida coastal campground.

That finishes our “perfect dozen” of scenic RV campgrounds we suggest you visit on your next vacation. We invite our readers to let us know which RV parks you’ve found in your search for America’s Most Beautiful RV Campgrounds. We’re looking forward to expanding our list here on the blog as you share the beauty of America’s RV campgrounds!

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RV Camping to Fastpitch Softball Tournaments

Monty April 28, 2010
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Sports fans and athletes who love the sizzling action of fastpitch softball are thrilled at the way this sport has grown. Not only do well-organized amateur fastpitch leagues cater to players elementary age all the way up to adults, there are college and professional fastpitch softball teams, too. So, what does that have to do with RV camping? Traveling by RV allows you to enjoy fastpitch tournaments in a way “hotel campers” can only dream of.

For those of you who follow your favorite teams out of town for tournaments, here are some suggestions for maximizing your motorhome during fastpitch softball season.

  • Use your RV for fastpitch tournament tailgating. Grill burgers and dogs or serve sandwiches that will earn you the “team hero” award. No matter what your favorite tailgating recipes, they’re easier to prepare in a motorhome kitchen.
  • Why drag coolers back and forth to the diamond? Stock your well-designed RV kitchen with healthy snacks and drinks and keep your players well-fueled between games.
  • “Boondock” during weekend tourneys right in the parking lot, where allowed, and save on RV campground fees.
  • Volunteer to transport equipment, uniforms and meals for the entire team. Spacious RV storage makes it easy to pack team supplies and still transport your family.

No matter whether it’s a weekend tournament close to home or a multi-day tourney in another state, travelling there by RV makes it a pleasure. Here are just a few of the events fastpitch fans will want to experience this year:

2010 USSSA Fast Pitch World Series
Divided over fourteen states throughout the summer, this Series has something for every fan and every age player. From Florida to California, USSSA fastpitch teams vie for overall standing. Here are a couple of suggestions for comfortable RV campgrounds near USSSA World Series sites:

ASA Gold Tournament – Marietta, GA – August 1 through 7
Join college scouts in the stands as they watch the best in girls’ 18 and under fastpitch softball. The 2010 ASA Gold Tournament will be played at Lost Mountain Softball Complex in Marietta, Georgia. Sweetwater Valley RV Park is just down the road in Villa Rica, on the banks of Sweetwater Creek.

Can’t wait to watch (or play) some fastpitch softball? Getting to the games this year will be the easy part! If you’re in need of an RV rental for fastpitch tournaments, be sure to let us know at El Monte RV Rentals. We’ll make sure you get to the ballpark on time, in luxurious RV style.

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RV Trip to NASCAR Hall of Fame Grand Opening

Monty April 26, 2010
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We have the perfect excuse for the ultimate RV road trip – the grand opening of the NASCAR Hall of Fame in Charlotte, NC! Imagine a trip that combines RV camping comfort with all the NASCAR-related events you can experience in one vacation. For those of you who simply must be in the crowd May 11 when the doors open at this NASCAR mecca, here are the details.

What & When: NASCAR Hall of Fame Grand Opening May 11, 2010
The fun starts at 9 a.m. on Tuesday, May 11, 2010 in front of the Museum with an opening ceremony on Ceremonial Plaza. Once the Museum is open, you can either purchase a ticket (or order one in advance) or hang out on Ceremonial Plaza, where driver appearances, autograph sessions and concerts will take place from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. By the way, you should plan to spend at least three hours once inside the Museum in order to see all the interactive exhibits, memorabilia and multimedia presentations.

Where: Uptown Charlotte North Carolina
This state-of-the-art, 40,000 square foot museum celebrating everything NASCAR is located right in the heart of the action in Uptown Charlotte. Located at the intersection of Martin Luther King, Jr Boulevard and Brevard Street, the museum is adjacent to the Charlotte Convention Center. The City of Charlotte, owner and operator of the Museum, has committed to offering the ultimate NASCAR experience to every fan.

It’s easily accessible from the John Belk Freeway, so you’ll find traveling to the NASCAR Hall of Fame a breeze. It’s also right on Charlotte’s LYNX light rail line.

Charlotte Area RV Camping Information
One Charlotte area campground has the added appeal of being located in a nature preserve. McDowell Nature Preserve Campground is located on the shores of Lake Wylie, and offers motorhome campers a chance to roam scenic trails, fish and observe the abundant wildlife.

Or if you’re traveling to the grand opening of the NASCAR Hall of Fame with kids, why not make it a vacation for the record books by staying at Carowinds, the South’s premier amusement park? Camp Wilderness, Carowinds’ on-site RV campground, can be the center of your Charlotte stay, with its easy access to the City’s light rail system.

Join the race to Charlotte this May for the grand opening of the NASCAR Hall of Fame! Traveling by RV makes going there easy, comfortable and affordable. We have El Monte RV Rentals locations all over the country where you can rent the right RV for the trip. Ladies and gentleman, start your RV engines and make tracks for Charlotte for this premier NASCAR fan event!

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Spring RV Camping Ideas Just a Few Hours from Home

Monty April 23, 2010
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School’s still in session and, for most of us, Spring Break is over. But that doesn’t mean we can’t take quick trips to indulge in some RV camping. We’ve come up with ten special places to visit within a few hours’ drive of large US cities. If you’re itching to travel but don’t have much time – these trips are the perfect cure!

RV Camping One Day’s Drive from Albuquerque
Travel three hours south of Albuquerque to exciting Ruidoso, New Mexico, home to world-famous Ruidoso Downs Race Track and Casino. Spend a few days at the track or try some golf on world-class greens. Outdoors enthusiasts will enjoy White Mountain Wilderness Area’s trails. Camp among the tall pines at Rainbow Lake RV Resort for a truly relaxing experience.

RV Camping One Day’s Drive from Atlanta
Take a five hour drive from Atlanta to the South Carolina coast to find the wilderness named for the famed “Swamp Fox.” Cypress swamps, old growth forests and abundant coastal wildlife make Francis Marion National Forest the perfect getaway for nature lovers. Developed campgrounds are listed on the Forest’s website and offer a variety of camping experiences.

RV Camping One Day’s Drive from Boston
Why not visit the hills of Western Massachusetts with a quick trip to Northampton, MA? A short two-hour drive can have you parking your RV at Windy Acres KOA RV Kampground, right on the banks of the Connecticut River. Take a day trip to Old Sturbridge Village or the Dr. Seuss National Memorial before settling in for serious hiking and fishing.

RV Camping One Day’s Drive from Chicago
Springfield, Illinois, just three hours south of Chicago, is the perfect place to immerse yourself in history for a weekend. Walk the streets surrounding the Lincoln Home and relax in the small-town atmosphere. Riverside Park, operated by Springfield Parks Department, has full-service RV campsites.

West Elks AVA (Paonia, CO)

West Elks AVA (Paonia, CO)

RV Camping One Day’s Drive from Denver
There are so many gorgeous RV camping spots in Colorado, it’s hard to pick just one near Denver. Our pick is Grand Junction, four hours west on I-70. Relax in Colorado’s wine country with a visit to one of seventeen area wineries, or take a rafting trip down the Colorado River. No matter what you choose to do, plan to stay at Junction West RV Park for a superior RV camping experience!

RV Camping One Day’s Drive from Los Angeles
Hike the sand dunes, mesas and ancient volcanic fields of Mojave National Preserve, just four hours northwest of Los Angeles. Well-planned campgrounds put you right in the center of this fascinating park, so pack your RV with hiking boots, trail mix and sunscreen and hit the road!

RV Camping One Day’s Drive from Miami
Head north from Miami to Ocala in Northern Florida for a completely different Florida camping experience. Right in the heart of Florida “horse country,” Ocala is also home to Silver Springs Nature Park and Ocala Speedway, where dirt track racing has been held since 1952. Camp at spectacular Ocala RV Resort for an unforgettable trip to Northern Florida.

RV Camping One Day’s Drive from New York
Green Mountain National Forest, just five hours from New York City in Vermont, offers an exciting weekend of outdoor recreation. Waterhouse’s RV Campground near Salisbury, VT is the perfect home base for hiking, biking or simply relaxing in the beauty of the forest.

RV Camping One Day’s Drive from Phoenix
If the bustle and noise of Phoenix have you dreaming of RV camping, pack your camera and binoculars and head for Joshua Tree National Park, four hours straight west in California. Hiking, biking and climbing can be combined with a rewarding weekend of wildlife photography at this enormous park. Joshua Tree Lake RV Campground is close enough to enjoy the Park while avoiding the crowds.

RV Camping One Day’s Drive from San Francisco
Stanislaus National Forest, three hours west of San Francisco, is a fisherman’s dream come true. Beautiful mountain lakes and streams create endless possibilities for a weekend of fishing.

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How About Traveling by RV to Help with Dietary Restrictions?

Monty April 22, 2010
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It turns out that traveling by RV can be a great way to go for people with dietary restrictions. Not only does your hotel (the RV) go with you, but a kitchen comes along for the ride where you can cook your own meals that meet your dietary needs.

Check out our the new page on this on the El Monte RV Rentals website: Dietary Restrictions.

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Royal View Campground: Overlooking the Royal Gorge Bridge and Park

Monty April 21, 2010
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Royal Gorge BridgeThe Royal Gorge Bridge is the highest suspension bridge in North America and the 2nd highest suspension bridge in the world (it was surpassed by a bridge in China in 2001). The deck of the bridge is 955 feet above the Arkansas River in Canon City, Colorado. It was listed in the National Register of Historic Places in 1983. The bridge is part of the Royal Gorge Bridge and Park which also features the longest single-span aerial tram as well as the world’s steepest incline railway.

The place to stay, overlooking the bridge and park, is the Royal View Campground. The Park offers level and spacious pull-through RV sites with both 30 and 50 amp full hook ups. Other amenities include, modern restrooms, hot showers, laundry, a clubhouse with meeting room, game room, and one of the largest swimming pools in the area. Free WiFi is also available throughout the campground.

Discounts for El Monte RV Rentals Customers!
Royal Gorge CampgroundPerhaps the nicest part of staying at the Royal View Campground for El Monte RV Rentals customers are the discounts the kind folks at the Park are offering our customers:

  • For Friday/Saturday stays they are offering El Monte RV Rentals customers a 10% discount
  • For Sunday through Thursday stays they are offering a 15% discount

In addition to the discounts they are offering El Monte RV Rentals customers, the Royal View Campground also has discount tickets for numerous area attractions including the Royal Gorge Train, and rafting.

Other things to do in the area include:

  • River Rafting & Kayaking
  • Helicopter Tours
  • Hot Springs
  • Royal Gorge Bridge
  • Buckskin Joe’s
  • Dinosaur Museum
  • Territorial Prison Museum
  • Skyline Drive
  • Hiking, Biking, & Rock Climbing
  • Wildlife & Scenic Viewing

To see more see Royal Gorge Attractions & Activities.

For fishing enthusiasts, fishing the Arkansas River can be quite an experience and other local reservoirs provide excellent fishing as well.

Many thanks to the Royal View Campground for offering El Monte RV Rentals customers such generous discounts!

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RV Camping America’s Southwest National Parks Itinerary 2

Monty April 19, 2010
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Itinerary #2: Southern Arizona National Parks
Casa Grande Ruins National MonumentIf your trips to Arizona have only encompassed the Grand Canyon, it’s time you learned the beauty of Southern Arizona’s National Parks. About an hour south of Phoenix (or an hour north of Tucson) RV campers with a thirst for ancient Native American culture will find Casa Grande Ruins National Monument. This Park preserving the history of the “Big House” Pueblan ruins was the very first archaeological site protected by the US government.

Back in Tucson, you’ll find a national treasure in the form of Saguaro National Park, home to thousands of this region’s giant cacti. Not only will you experience the beauty of this Giant Saguaro forest, you’ll also be surrounded by the jaw-dropping scenery of two mountain districts. Tucson and Rincon Mountain Districts both serve up spectacular scenery and are well worth the round-trip drive. For a true high-desert camping experience, try Catalina State Park just north of Tucson.

To complete your Southern Arizona National Parks education, make the loop southeast of Tucson to Fort Bowie and Chiricahua National Monuments. There you’ll experience both stunning desert beauty and a taste of the bitter conflict between Native Americans and early settlers. By the way, there is “no-hookups” camping available at Chiricahua and you’ll find full-service RV campgrounds nearby in Willcox, AZ.

Once you’ve explored these two parks to your heart’s content, swing south to the Southern edge of Arizona to Coronado National Monument. The fascinating Coronado Cave Tour, numerous hiking trails and scenic motorhome camping in surrounding Coronado National Forest make this site commemorating the Spanish explorer’s journey north unforgettable.

Complete the Southern Arizona loop by heading northwest from Coronado to Tumacacori National Monument. Three Spanish colonial mission ruins can be visited within this Park’s boundaries. Learn about the work and influence of Jesuit and Franciscan missionaries in the former New Spain region of Pimiera Alta in Arizona and Sonora, Mexico. Nearby Amado, AZ offers two RV campgrounds right off the highway.

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RV Camping America’s Southwest National Parks Itinerary 1

Monty April 16, 2010
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Itinerary 1: Albuquerque to Ramah, New Mexico
Petroglyph National Monument, located just west of Albuquerque, New Mexico, is a fascinating start to this Southwest National Parks itinerary. Hundreds of ancient carvings or “petroglyphs” are visible along the trails that snake through canyons, volcanic cinder cones and Pueblo ruins.

Plan to spend enough time to take more than one trail from start to finish. Not only will you leave knowing more about the ancient Pueblo tribes, you’ll also be treated to views of the Sandia Mountains and the Rio Grande Valley. There’s no camping allowed inside the Monument, but Albuquerque has abundant RV parks waiting for your reservations.

El Malpais National MonumentWhen you’re ready for more National Parks RV camping adventures, head southwest of Albuquerque to El Malpais National Monument. This unforgettable Park features lava tube caves, cinder cones and other volcanic formations to experience from its trails and scenic overlooks. The Bureau of Land Management runs a campground onsite, and there are numerous RV campgrounds in nearby Grants, New Mexico.

Don’t leave the region without making the forty-two mile drive farther west to Morro National Monument. This ancient watering hole near Ramah, NM preserves the carvings and other evidence of ancient Pueblans, seventeenth century Spanish explorers and later Anglo settlers. Hike the trails or just spend an afternoon in the visitor’s center; you’ll leave with a deeper respect for America’s early inhabitants.

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Wow! Free Entrance to America’s National Parks April 17-25!

Monty April 15, 2010
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National Park WeekRV camping at America’s National Parks is always a great way to spend a vacation. Now the National Park Service has made it even more affordable to enjoy the beauty of America by RV! During National Park Week, April 17-25, 2010, the normal entrance fee has been waived at all US National Parks.

This generous offer is part of an effort by the National Parks Service to encourage everyone to get to know our country’s National Parks, Monuments and Recreation Areas. During National Park Week, many NPS locations are holding special events to further capture the public’s interest. Considering there are 392 National Park locations, that’s a whole lot of vacation fun waiting to be experienced in April!

Doesn’t this sound like the perfect excuse to indulge in a quick National Park RV camping vacation? Check the NPS website at the links above for more details on special events during National Park Week at your favorite Park.

El Monte RV Rentals will be standing by, ready to help you find the perfect RV rental and plan your even-more-affordable National Park vacation.

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RV Camping Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area

Monty April 14, 2010
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Rafting on the Chattahoochee RiverWho would have guessed that a river full of outdoor activity could be found in the middle of a bustling Southern city? Atlanta, Georgia surrounds Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area, a National Parks site filled with possibilities for an RV vacation. Follow us down this lazy river to find out why Chattahoochee River NRA is such a favorite with RV campers.

What Can We Do?
One activity motorhome campers report you must do when you visit this Park is boating. Float trips available in lengths from one to twelve hours will challenge most kayaking, rafting and canoeing enthusiasts. Fifty-degree waters, complete with placid stretches and invigorating rapids, guarantee that boating enthusiasts of all ages will enjoy the ride.

Fishing is another reason motorhome vacationers flock to the Chattahoochee. Be sure to buy your Georgia fishing license, and then try your hand catching trout or catfish from a boat or from the riverbank. If you’re not a fan of fishing, spend some time getting to know the area’s abundant wildlife. Nature photographers will find plenty of subjects to shoot along this river.

Bowman’s Island (PDF), another popular section at Chattahoochee River NRA, is an ideal spot for a peaceful day on horseback. Numerous riding trails have been developed, and the scene is so secluded you’ll forget you’re within minutes of city streets. The Island is also a favorite place for hikers, who enjoy exploring the river’s beauty in this deep, green wonderland.

Whether you’re shooting the rapids in a kayak or strolling along riverbank trails, Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area will fast become a place you visit often.

Where Should We Stay?
Since you’ve wisely chosen to save money, time and frustration by camping in an RV, you’re halfway to the perfect accommodations. All that’s left is to choose an Atlanta-area RV campground that suits your style.

Atlanta Marietta RV Resort is a lushly green motorhome campground just thirteen miles from Atlanta. Sleep among the dogwoods and pines and let yourself truly relax in this full service campground.

Another memorable RV campground in northwest Georgia is Banning Mills RV Park, where you can continue your outdoor adventures just forty-five minutes from Atlanta. Ride the zip line, hike the surrounding forests and thoroughly enjoy the natural beauty of Georgia.

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