Monthly Archives: June 2010

Cruising in the Catskills

Monty June 30, 2010
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By Vik Kachoria, Real Adventures

Many people think about visiting the Northeast when the leaves change in the fall. But summer can be an especially good time to escape the city heat for quaint towns and lush woods.

With lots of campgrounds, bringing your RV is a great way to save money while enjoying nature.

A good way to start your trip is by heading up route 87 North from New York City. In a few short hours, you’ll find yourself in the heart of the Catskills, with hiking, antiquing, lake swimming and a laid-back atmosphere.

Here are some ideas for your trip:

Giant sculptures and rolling fields: Driving just one hour north of New York on 87 you’ll pass the Storm King Arts Center. Visible from the highway, the estate boasts 500 acres of land nestled in the Catskill Mountains. Have a picnic on one of its lawns underneath the shade of a post-war sculpture. An all-day adult pass is just $12.

The Shawangunk Ridge: Around 45 minutes north of Storm King on 87 is the artist community of New Paltz. The town offers beautiful mountain views and local mom-and-pop stores. Drive just 10 minutes out of town to the summit of Mohonk Mountain and you have some of the best rock climbing and hiking in all of Upstate New York.

For a great day of hiking head to the Mohonk Mountain House, which is located at the summit of Mountain Rest Road. The sprawling hotel sits over a glacial lake and has roughly 85 miles of hiking trails. Look here for a list of good hikes.

Nearby New Paltz is Yogi Bear’s Jellystone Park Camp-Resort at Lazy River. You can park your RV and enjoy the convince of on-site laundry, free cable TV and a general store. The site also has a pool, basketball courts and fishing. To get there, just take Route 44/55 seven miles toward Gardiner.

Summer of Love: 30 minutes north of New Paltz is a small town that has grown to represent an entire generation. Woodstock lies about 20 minuets west of 87 at Exit 19.

The town has amazing views, eclectic food and shopping options. Walk by the village square and check out the characters who look perpetually stuck in the 60s.

Drive up Meads Mountain Road to the top of Overlook Mountain to visit the Northeast’s largest Tibetan monastery. Then hike up to the top of the mountain for a 360-degree view of the Catskill Mountains. Be sure to check out the Overlook Mountain Trail for an interesting hike.

Sunday Drive: Head west out of town on Route 212 for a scenic drive on curving country roads. Stop at Cooper Lake where you can ride bikes around the water’s edge.

The drive will leave you at Route 28, where you can continue west toward Phoenicia or head back toward 87.

If you continue west on 28 toward Phoenicia, you’ll come to Slide Mountain, which is the largest peak in the Catskills and offers great hiking. Drive through Phoenicia and take a left on County Road 47. Follow the route 9.4 miles until it turns into Frost Valley Road – the parking area will be on the left side of the road.

Hudson River School: Continue up 87 to NY 23A. Head west on the road until you see signs for Kaaterskill Falls. The double-tiered waterfall is a quick hike off the road and offers one of the most dramatic views in all of New York State.

The falls were one of the original attractions of the Thirteen Colonies and made famous by Hudson River School painters, who were inspired by its natural beauty.

With so much to do and summer already upon us, you’ll want to start planning your trip soon!

About the Author

Vik Kachoria combined his love of travel and photography to found Real Adventures. He has traveled around the world mining opals, delivering luxury vehicles, biking, snorkeling and meeting people where he went. His passion for hiking trips and hiking tours is reflected by the trips found at http://realadventures.com/hiking-trekking.htm.

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Plan Your RV Vacation Around the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center

Monty June 28, 2010
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Planning an RV camping trip to the Washington, DC area, but would like to avoid the congestion of the Mall? There’s plenty to see near Washington Dulles International Airport, and one of our favorite attractions is the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center. Part of the National Air and Space Museum, it’s where aircraft-loving folks go to see things that can’t be displayed at the main Museum location.

Intrigued by the thought of seeing thousands of aircraft-related artifacts? Let’s look at what’s in store when you turn your RV toward Chantilly, VA and this exciting air and space attraction.

What Will We See at the Udvar-Hazy Center?
Two enormous hangars and an observation tower house this museum’s extensive collection. Perhaps the most exciting find for space travel fans is the space shuttle Enterprise, found in the James S. McDonnell Hangar. Satellites, rockets and dozens of other space-travel-related mementos will keep you and your RV camping crew busy for hours.

But be sure to save time to visit the Boeing Aviation Hangar, where you’ll find the B-29 Superfortress Enola Gay. Once you’ve looked to your heart’s content at other aircraft in this three-story hangar, go next door to the Observation Tower and watch the planes come and go at Dulles International.

How Do We Get to Chantilly?
The Udvar-Hazy Center is just a few miles south of Washington Dulles International Airport in Chantilly, VA. Chantilly is only about fifteen minutes from our El Monte RV Rentals location in Sterling, VA and just one hour from our Baltimore South RV rental location. If you’re coming from the west, I-68 to I-270 will also get you to Chantilly. From the south, I-95 is a good route.

Is There RV Camping Nearby?
Scenic Northeast Virginia offers plenty of comfortable RV campgrounds. Try Bull Run Regional Park’s RV campground in nearby Centreville, VA. You’ll also find plenty to do at Hillwood Camping Park in Gainesville, VA, just twenty minutes west of Chantilly.

Other Area Attractions
Not only will you enjoy a premier air and space museum in Chantilly, you’ll find yourself in the heart of historic Northern Virginia. George Washington’s beloved Mount Vernon estate is just thirty minutes south of Chantilly in Alexandria (and don’t miss Old Town Alexandria while you’re going!)

If you choose to remain outside the D.C. metro area, go southwest from Chantilly to Manassas National Battlefield, site of the pivotal Civil War engagement. Another memorable location to visit is Great Falls National Park, northeast of Chantilly on the Potomac.

These are just three of the hundreds of historic and scenic attractions in northern Virginia. Why not start your RV camping trip with a visit to the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center and then let yourself explore the region before returning home? Vacations are all about following your flights of fancy, and there’s no better place than this worthy extension to the National Air and Space Museum in Chantilly, Virginia.

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RV Camping Trip – Olympic National Park

Monty June 25, 2010
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Picture taken in Olympic National PariRV campers love Olympic National Park, and with good reason! Not only is this National Park one of the most scenic places in the Pacific Northwest, it’s custom-made for memorable motorhome camping experiences, year after year.

Olympic National Park may sound like a mountain wonderland, but that’s only part of the picture. Drive your RV through the Park and you can see the mountains at sunrise, have a picnic in a rainforest and watch the sunset on a beach. With almost a million acres to explore, campers can do it all or focus their attention on one particular ecosystem.

Use this quick list of ways to enjoy Olympic National Park to start your own vacation planning:

  • Take the perfect photo of Mount Olympus. Spend a day focusing your photo equipment on the Park’s signature mountain from several perspectives. Sunrise, sunset or a bright peak beyond the clouds-Olympus is a world-class photo subject.
  • Get to know the beauty of Hurricane Ridge. This scenic treasure offers the best of the mountains within easy reach of Port Angeles. Hike, climb, photograph and get close to nature at this remarkable destination. We promise, the views will take your breath away!
  • See the “sea stacks” at Rialto Beach. Unusual rock formations just offshore at Rialto Beach also make for great vacation photos. Abundant marine and animal life can be viewed at the beach and in the Moro Region, an adjacent temperate forest.
  • Visit Sol Duc Valley. Salmon Cascades, Sol Duc Falls and the Valley’s famous hot springs are just three of the reasons not to miss Sol Duc.
  • Take a drive on Hwy 101. Scenic Hwy 101 maps a course almost completely around the National Park. Jump on the highway sixty miles south of Seattle; you’ll find connecting roads to every attraction at Olympic National Park.
  • Camp in one of the Park’s RV campgrounds. With more than a dozen campgrounds inside the National Park boundaries, RV campers can find their ideal vacation setting easily. Use this guide to information on campgrounds like Kaloloch, Mora, and Sol Duc. You might also decide to stay in one of the area’s luxurious private campgrounds. Here are just a few of the possibilities:
  • Enjoy a scenic drive. The park is filled with picturesque byways to discover; here are favorites reported by RV campers:
    • Elwha Valley Road
    • Hamma Hamma Area via FS Road #25
    • Hoh Rainforest via Upper Hoh Road
    • Hurricane Ridge Road
    • Sol Duc Valley via Sol Duc Road

We hope you’re already beginning to plan your RV camping trip to Washington’s Olympic Peninsula. From the Elwha to the Quinault Rainforest, from the Sol Duc to Staircase, Olympic National Park showcases the Peninsula’s best features. If you don’t own an RV, but would love to experience motorhome comfort on this trip, our staff at El Monte RV Rentals Seattle location has just what you need. Why not let yourself experience Olympic NP soon?

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RV Camping in Cuyahoga Valley National Park

Monty June 23, 2010
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Travel by RV this year to Cuyahoga Valley National Park in Ohio for a chance to experience exhilarating natural beauty. That experience can take many shapes – biking on the well-planned trails, hiking the hills and forests of the Cuyahoga River Valley or taking a train ride through the Valley, learning about the area from many perspectives. Those are only three of the reasons RV campers are drawn to this National Park. Create your own experience in Ohio’s Cuyahoga Valley National Park with the help of these travel tips.

RV Camping in the Cuyahoga Valley
Camping near Cuyahoga Valley National Park is simple, thanks to the abundance of State Park and private campgrounds (PDF format) nearby. More than a dozen RV campgrounds in scenic towns such as Stow, Ravenna and Streetsboro offer the chance to camp near picturesque forests and lakes.

Only twenty-two miles from Cleveland and less than twenty minutes from Akron, you’ll find the Park easy to reach by RV. It is accessible from the east or west on the Ohio Turnpike and on Hwy 77 from Akron. Plan your route with plenty of time to enjoy the splendid green spaces of northern Ohio. If you’re new to the area, you may also want to stretch your trip to include a visit to Lake Erie, just north of the National Park.

Attractions at Cuyahoga Valley National Park
Once at the National Park itself, there’s so much to explore you may wish you’d planned a longer vacation. Here are some perennial favorites for Cuyahoga Valley National Park visitors:

  • Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad offers a wide variety of excursions up and down the Valley. Take advantage of the state-of-the-art audio tours that accompany your trip and enrich the experience with stories triggered by GPS technology.
  • The Ohio & Erie Towpath Trail leads bicyclists and hikers along twenty miles of this historic canal within the National Park’s boundaries, or you can use the Park as a starting point to travel the entire Trail.
  • Horseback Riding Trails throughout the National Park offer equestrian RV campers the chance to see the Cuyahoga River Valley from a unique vantage point. Eight trails are currently open for your riding enjoyment; check the NPS website for more information on parking, trails and special events.
  • Cultural Events are planned and held each year by the NPS in conjunction with local arts organizations. Be sure to check the Park’s NPS website for more information so you don’t miss concerts, art shows and dances scheduled during your visit.

In addition to these major attractions at Cuyahoga Valley National Park, there are dozens of ways to enjoy the beauty and history of the area. Hold a family meeting or gather those traveling with you to Ohio and decide which ways you’d like to explore the area. Use the National Park’s website to find maps, brochures and suggestions for vacation activities. All that’s left is to pick your dates, pack your suitcases and set your RV on a course for a memorable Cuyahoga River Valley vacation.

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Planning an RV Camping Trip to Carlsbad Caverns

Monty June 21, 2010
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Picture of the Temple of the Sun in Carlsbad CavernsA journey to explore the caves at Carlsbad Caverns National Park in southeastern New Mexico can be the beginning of a lifelong love affair with caves. Spectacular underground formations and the beauty of the Chihuahuan Desert greet visitors to this beloved Park, and that’s just a small sampling of what you’ll find there. Here’s our quick checklist for planning your first RV camping trip to Carlsbad Caverns National Park.

  • Plan Your Route: Whether you’re coming east or west, U.S. Highway 62/180 leads to the National Park. Carlsbad Caverns NP is one hundred fifty miles east of El Paso, Texas, just north of the Texas/New Mexico border. You can also fly into Albuquerque, NM, pick up your El Monte RV rental there and head south on Hwy 85/60 to Hwy 180 at Las Cruces, then east to the National Park.
  • Plan Your Campgrounds: The town of Carlsbad, New Mexico is just twenty miles from Carlsbad Caverns National Park, and home to several great RV campgrounds. Carlsbad RV Park & Campground can accommodate any size rig. Whites City RV Park is very near the National Park entrance, so you might want to give them a call, too.
  • Plan Your Cave Tours: Because there are both guided and self-guided tours at Carlsbad Caverns National Park, there’s a way for just about anyone to enjoy the Park’s underground mysteries. Here are some of the most popular tours. Be sure to check the NPS website for even more options:
    1. King’s Palace Ranger-Guided Tour: This one-hour, one mile cave tour takes you eight hundred feet below the surface. The kids will love it when the Ranger turns off the lights for a moment of complete darkness underground!
    2. Hall of the White Giant Tour: If crawling, climbing and squeezing through amazing cave formations sounds like a wonderful way to spend a vacation, this tour should not be missed. The sights you’ll see make this hair-raising journey worthwhile, and it just might be the thing your teens remember most from your trip!
    3. Spider Cave Tour: Imagine hiking through a gorgeous desert canyon on your way to a four-hour adventure in an underground maze. That’s what you’ll experience on the Spider Cave Tour. Caution: not for the faint of heart!
    4. Big Room Tour: This self-guided walk around the largest underground room at Carlsbad Caverns gives you the chance to see the attractions that make this the most popular tour at Carlsbad. It’s accessible most of the way and you reach the Big Room by elevator, so RV campers of all ages and abilities will enjoy the experience.
    5. Natural Entrance Tour: Don’t miss the Bat Cave and the Boneyard as you make the challenging hike down to the Big Room from ground level through the Cavern’s natural entrance.
    6. Bat Flights: Hundreds of thousands of Mexican freetail bats make the Caverns home during the summer. You can see their mass flight from the cave to find food each evening by attending the bat presentation in the amphitheater.
  • Things to Remember: Here are two more important things to remember as you plan your RV camping journey to Carlsbad Caverns National Park:
    1. Kids: You’ll have to carry babies in backpacks in the caves, no strollers are allowed underground (kids under three are not allowed on the Ranger-guided tours.) Older kids under age sixteen must be accompanied by an adult.
    2. Dress Code: Except for the Big Room self-guided tour and the King’s Palace Ranger-guided tour, there’s going to be a little dirt involved, so dress accordingly. Remember to wear good walking shoes and bring a jacket; the average temp in the caves is about fifty degrees year-round.

Carlsbad Caverns National Park is a natural treasure all RV campers should visit. Pack your walking shoes, book space at an RV campground and get going to New Mexico. There’s a whole underground world of wonder waiting to be discovered!

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Campgrounds and Resorts Offering Challenging and Unique Activities and Accomodations

Monty June 19, 2010
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A campground in Ohio has a 300-foot-long zipline, while parks in California and Michigan offer challenging ropes courses. Some offer paintball and laser tag. Another campground in Wisconsin has just installed a 4-story inflatable waterslide, while a campground in Missouri offers its guests a chance to go hunting with bows and arrows.

And if you’re looking for unique places to camp, a campground in Virginia offers tree house cabins, while a campground in Maryland has converted vintage cabooses into rental accommodations. Others offer yurts and teepees.

Campground owner Mark Kasper shook his head in disbelief when his 79-year-old mother, Phyllis, climbed a 30-foot staircase and rode his park’s 300-foot long zipline, literally dangling alongside a river that skirts the west end of the park. That was four years ago, and to this day, 83-year-old Phyllis Kasper holds the record for being the oldest person to ride the zipline at Lazy River at Granville, a 195-site campground in Granville, Ohio, just east of Columbus. But don’t think for a moment that the elder Kasper will easily surrender her title. ‘She told me that if anyone older than her rides the zipline, she’ll wait until she reaches that age and ride it again,’ Mark Kasper said. ‘We hope she will.’

“Lazy River at Granville is one of many privately owned and operated campgrounds across the country that are investing in unique and challenging physical activities to keep their guests entertained”, said Linda Profaizer, president and CEO of the National Association of RV Parks and Campgrounds. “Many campground operators believe they can gain a competitive edge if they offer unusual activities that aren’t typically seen at other campgrounds, RV parks or resorts in their immediate area,” she said.

And their efforts aren’t solely aimed at providing unique activities. Some parks are also distinguishing themselves from their peers in the industry by offering unique accommodations.

One case in point is Treehouse Camp in Rohrersville, Md., near the Appalachian Trail, which offers its guests the chance to escape to the forest, while spending the night in tree house cottages that literally stand on stilts, eight to 10 feet above the ground. “We have really happy guests,” said Louise Soroko, the park’s co-owner. “The kids really have a lot of fun here, and when the kids are happy, the parents are happy. I had a dad who was here a few weeks ago and his daughter said, ‘Daddy, I want to stay here forever.’”

Here’s a sampling of other privately owned and operated campgrounds, RV parks and resorts across the country that offer unique activities and accommodations:

  • Beaver Lake Campground in Custer, S.D.: This 81-site campground, located roughly 20 to 25 minutes from Mount Rushmore and Wind Cave National Park, offers a 360-foot-long water slide as well as cabin and teepee rentals. The park also offers more than 40 bicycles for guest use.
  • Camp Dakota Family Camping and Paintball in Scotts Mills, Ore.: This park, located in the foothills of the Cascade mountains, roughly 35 miles east of Salem, offers numerous activities, including paintball, gold panning, treasure hunting with metal detectors, ATV trails and an electric RC racing track. The park also offers yurt and teepee rentals in addition to tent and RV sites.
  • Camp Taylor Campground, Columbia, N.J.: This park, located just one hour from New York City, has a wolf preserve on site with 25 arctic and gray wolves, so you can literally hear them howl at night. Deer and bear sightings are also common here. The campground has RV sites as well as remote tent sites along with a modern restroom facility and camp store.
  • Coloma Resort in Coloma, Calif.: This Sierra Nevada park, located near the site where gold was discovered in California, offers a challenging ropes course as well as opportunities for gold panning, white water rafting and even classes in yoga. For those who don’t have their own RV or tent, the resort also offers tent cabins and RVs, park models and bunkhouse rentals.
  • Heavenly Acres in Stanardsville, Va.: This campground, located not far from Shenandoah National Park, has train cabooses that have been remodeled into cabins. Each caboose comes equipped with a fully equipped kitchen and bathroom. The park, which also offers fishing, mountain bike trails and hay rides, also offers standard cabins and RV sites.
  • Pineland Camping Park in Arkdale, Wis.: This campground just installed PineZilla, the world’s largest inflatable waterslide, which stands over four stories tall and features a 175-foot-long slide with a 45-degree descent at the drop zone.
  • Redbeard’s Ranch in Lebanon, Mo.: This campground offers quiet campsites on a wooded 295-acre ranch with weekend bow hunting of whitetail deer and wild turkey. The park, which is located along the Niangua River, also offers weekend classes in fly-fishing, along with canoe, raft and kayak rentals and hay rides. The park also offers three heated Sioux Indian-style teepees, which are popular with families, as well as a fully furnished, luxury ‘Glamping’ tent cabin.
  • Sandy Pines in Hopkins, Mich.: This membership resort campground, whose amenities include a lake, spraygrounds, swimming pools, miniature golf, an 18-hole golf course and a fitness center, has recently added a ropes course.
  • Santa Cruz / Monterey Bay KOA in La Selva Beach, Calif.: This park features numerous unusual activities, including a mechanical bronco bull that guests can ride, a jumping pillow, a climbing wall, miniature golf, banana bike rentals, and an outdoor movie theatre. Accommodations include bare bones cabins and luxury park model cabins, which KOA markets as ‘Kamping Lodges,’ as well as Airstream travel trailers.
  • Sweetwater Campground, RV Park & Riding Stables in Loranger, La.: This park, located in the hill country of Loranger, roughly 50 miles northwest of New Orleans, offers daily guided horseback riding as well as periodic rodeos. ‘It’s very exciting here,’ said Rita Robichaud, the park’s co-owner. ‘Our rodeos include a yearly series of 10 youth rodeos with sheep, calf and steer riding, goat-tail pulling, calf roping, saddle bronc riding, barrel racing, bull riding and more.’ Other park activities include hay rides, arts and crafts classes, dances and horseshoe tournaments. The park also has a restaurant on site, which serves ‘all you can eat catfish’ on Friday nights and steak specials on Saturday nights.
  • Yogi Bear’s Jellystone Park Camp-Resort in Canyon Lake, Texas: This park’s activities in addition to weekly themed weekends and special events, include laser tag and a jumping pillow and an on-site gem mine. The park also offers a shuttle for guests who like to go tubing on the Guadalupe River.
  • Yogi Bear’s Jellystone Park Camp-Resort in Castle Rock, Colo.: This park’s amenities include a mining sluice, park model cabins, teepees, yurts and safari tents. Special activities this summer, in addition to Yogi’s weekly themed weekends and special events, include a magician’s camp and theatre camps.

This was kindly provided to us by the National Association of RV Parks and Campgrounds where you can find more help locating unique campgrounds in your area or for additional commentary, statistics and sources on the latest camping trends.

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RV Camping Trip to the Pro Football Hall of Fame

Monty June 18, 2010
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Millions of Americans share two great loves, RV camping and professional football. One way to indulge those dual passions is by RV tailgating at pro football games. Another is to take an RV road trip to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio.

Before we expand upon the joys of a place solely dedicated to professional football, let’s talk about the best way to get to Canton, Ohio by RV. Canton is easily accessible via major highways. It’s located about an hour due south of Cleveland on I-77. It’s also six hours east of the greater Chicago area and two hours west of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

Because you travel by RV to enjoy the sights and sounds of America, you’ll be interested to know that the lush Cuyahoga Valley National Park begins just twenty miles north of Canton in Akron, Ohio. If you’d like, you can plan a little extra time on your trip to take the historic railway tour through the Valley.

Now, onto what’s really bringing you to Canton, the Pro Football Hall of Fame. This beloved epicenter of US professional football holds events year-round as well as hosting permanent exhibits and activities that showcase Hall of Fame honorees.

Of special interest to hardcore pro football fans is the weeklong Enshrinement Festival in August. This extravaganza includes such events as a balloon launch, a barbeque “burnoff”, a huge parade, and a drum corps competition, in addition to the annual Pro Football Hall of Fame Game and the Enshrinement Ceremony for the year’s Hall of Fame inductees.

Depending on when you decide to attend, there may be autograph sessions scheduled with featured Hall of Famers. You’ll always find exhibits featuring such artifacts sacred to football fans as Tom Brady’s Patriots draft card and the football commemorating Len Dawson as MVP in Super Bowl IV. There are literally so many videos, artifacts and educational materials related to pro football on display at the Hall of Fame that football fans will think they’ve gone to Heaven.

As an added bonus, a specially-priced Hall Pass available from either venue gives you access not only to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton, but to the Rock ‘n Roll Hall of Fame in nearby Cleveland, as well.

There’s really no excuse for a rabid fan of professional football not to visit the Hall of Fame at least once. Spending time there gives you the chance to pay homage to the best players in the sport. Getting there by RV makes the trip enjoyable and affordable. To make things even easier, there are scenic and well-equipped RV campgrounds just a short trip from the Hall of Fame. CampingUSA.com has a complete list of campgrounds in the Canton/Akron area.

It’s time to get into the game for this year’s RV road trip to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio. You’ll score a touchdown by taking your favorite football fans along, and the memories you’ll come home with will be ones for the record books.

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RV Camping Trip Idea – Montana’s Going-to-the-Sun Road

Monty June 16, 2010
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Picture of Cars on the Going to the Sun RoadMontana’s Glacier National Park is home to one of America’s most scenic drives-Going-to-the-Sun Road. This suggested RV road trip crosses the Continental Divide and takes visitors on a memorable north-country journey. Here’s the lowdown on how to experience Going-to-the-Sun Road this summer.

What to Know About Going-to-the-Sun Road

  • How Long is the Scenic Drive? The route from St. Mary to West Glacier is fifty miles long, and is travelled at speeds from forty mph at the lowest elevations to twenty five mph at the highest.
  • What Will I See on the Drive? This is our favorite part-getting to tell you about picturesque Lake McDonald, formidable Jackson Glacier and breathtaking Logan Pass, where you’ll cross the Continental Divide. Along the way, watch for bighorn sheep, mountain goats, grizzly bears, grey wolves and golden eagles. Those are only a few of the dozens of species that call Glacier National Park home.
  • Is it Dangerous? Drivers who observe the posted speed limits and remain vigilant for sudden stops, wildlife and rapidly changing weather conditions will find the trip exhilarating but not dangerous. Skimming along mountain curves isn’t for everyone, though, so if you’d rather not drive, see #9 below.
  • What Vehicles Are Allowed? Glad you asked! Because it is a two-lane mountain road, vehicles over twenty-one feet in length and eight feet in width aren’t allowed on Going-to-the-Sun Road. If your RV exceeds those limits, or is over ten feet in height, you’ll have to drive your tow-along vehicle instead.
  • Can I Stop Along the Way? There are a number of scenic overlooks along the way, as well as a large parking lot at Logan Pass. Feel free to pull over (safely!) at one of these pull-offs and gaze at the scenery as long as you’d like.
  • Is There a Visitors Center? Yes! On the East end of the “Sun Road,” the St. Mary’s Visitors Center can help you plan your drive. There’s also a Visitors Center at Logan Pass, as well as Glacier National Park Headquarters at the West end of the drive.
  • Is There RV Camping Close By? This is the best part for RV campers! There are five scenic campgrounds near the East and West entrances to the National Park. Here’s a link for information about these campgrounds.
  • Can I Take the Trip Year-Round? In a word, “No!” This beautiful byway is famous for collecting as much as eighty feet of snow in winter. The road is generally cleared of snow by mid-June and remains open until mid-September, so plan your RV camping trip accordingly.
  • What if I’d Rather Not Drive? No problem! You can still see magnificent sights such as Big Bend, Lake McDonald Lodge and Avalanche Creek by riding the free Park Shuttle or with a reservation on the Red Bus or other commercial tours. Use this link for information on Glacier National Park shuttles and tours.
  • How Do I Get to Glacier National Park? Glacier is located about two hours north of Missoula, Montana on US Hwy 93, about nine hours west of Seattle, WA on I-90 and about ten hours straight north of Salt Lake City on I-15.

Ready for an RV road trip to the great North? Don’t miss the wild beauty of Montana’s Glacier National Park, and especially Going-to-the-Sun Road. And don’t forget to send us pictures!

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RV Camping in Denali National Park

Monty June 14, 2010
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Picture of Wonder Lake in Denali National Park

Wonder Lake in Denali National Park

The sight of Alaska’s Mt. McKinley is something we urge all RV campers to see at least once. “Enormous”, “mysterious” and “constantly changing” are adjectives motorhome travelers have used to describe North America’s tallest peak. The wild frontier waiting to be explored at Denali National Park, created to celebrate McKinley’s awesome beauty, can be appreciated in many ways. Let’s look at some helpful information to help you plan your Denali RV trip.

Getting to Denali National Park
The easiest thing to say about getting to Denali is “It’s a long way from here!” That doesn’t take into account, however, the amazingly scenic route you’ll take to get there. About 240 miles north of Anchorage and 120 miles south of Fairbanks, Denali is most easily accessible by traveling the Alaska Highway (Alcan).

Assuming you’ll start in Ferndale, WA by picking up your El Monte RV rental, travel to Prince George, BC, than along Hart Highway to Dawson Creek, BC, starting point for the Alaska Highway. It’s then a fantastically scenic stretch across British Columbia and the Yukon Territory to the beautiful port city Anchorage, AK. The distance from Ferndale to Anchorage is about 2300 miles. It’s then only 300 miles up Alaska’s Hwy-3 to Denali. A note for RV drivers-the Alcan is a two-lane highway that may have “frost heaves” in the pavement. You won’t be driving nearly as fast as you would on a California interstate! Since you’ll be stopping at least one night along the way, use this RV campground finder at Campgrounds-Alaska.com.

RV Camping at Denali National Park
Vehicles are only allowed fifteen miles into the Park, but two RV campgrounds are located near the entrance. The third campground that allows RVs is Teklanika River (Tek) Campground, twenty-nine miles into the National Park. To stay there, you’ll have to park your RV for the duration of your stay and make a reservation for at least three days at the campground. There are no hook-ups at any of the campgrounds, so plan for dry camping. Here’s a link to more information on RV campgrounds at Denali National Park.

Exploring Denali National Park
The first thing you should know about exploring the wonders of Denali is that it won’t be from your RV. Shuttle buses and charter tours are the easiest ways to see the sights. Plan to make reservations early for these. If you’re up for an unforgettable bike trip, traveling Denali by bicycle is an even more intimate way to explore. There are also almost limitless hiking opportunities in this six-million acre preserve.

No matter which way you travel, you’re sure to see abundant wildlife. Moose, grizzly and black bears, caribou, Dall’s sheep and wolves are just a few of the species you’re liable to spy. Look to the skies for a chance to see golden and bald eagles, and watch the undergrowth for fox, arctic ground squirrels and marmots.

There’s one very special activity you’re not likely to experience at other National Parks-a visit to a sled dog kennel! That’s where you’ll see the dogs that transport Park rangers in winter.

If you’re looking for photography subjects, simply stand still and point your camera in any direction! Mt. McKinley, even on cloudy days, is a once-in-a-lifetime photo op. Wildlife, glaciers and stunning mountain views will fill your camera with exciting memories.

And we can’t leave Denali National Park without mentioning the mountaineering possibilities. Mighty Mt. McKinley attracts climbers from around the world. Guided climbs are available, or experienced climbers can go solo. There are also many other mountains there that offer challenging climbs. One more way to “climb” the Park’s mountains is by “flightseeing” in small planes that land directly on the glaciers!

We’ve only scratched the surface of what an RV camping vacation to Mt. McKinley and Denali National Park can be. Use the NPS site for Denali to plan your vacation, as well as helpful guides such as TheMilePost.com, TravelAlaska.com and NorthtoAlaska.com. Your trip to Denali can be as unique as you and your fellow travelers, but it won’t be one you soon forget.

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RV Road Trip Idea: Great Lakes Circle Tours

Monty June 9, 2010
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You may have visited Chicago, Cleveland or some other city on the Great Lakes, but have you ever considered a multi-day RV tour around one of the lakes themselves? People who treasure the Great Lakes and all they have to offer have developed a great group of driving excursions known as the “The Great Lakes Circle Tours.”

Sixty-five hundred miles of shoreline are there to be enjoyed on the Circle Tours. You’ll find these routes well-marked with special green and white road signs, and there are plenty of interesting places to stop along the way. Read through our highlights of each lake’s tour to help you plan your RV trip along at least one of the Great Lakes Circle Tours.

Lake Huron Circle Tour: Approximately one thousand miles long, this driving tour takes you through both Ontario and the State of Michigan. You’ll cross over the Straits of Mackinac on Mackinac Bridge, the longest suspension bridge in the western hemisphere. Other points of interest:

  • Barrie, Ontario: Gorgeous, white sand beaches and an historic downtown area are only two reasons to make a stop along your route in Barrie. Consider camping at Barrie KOA, with their family, adult and pet-friendly RV camping sections.
  • Bruce Peninsula National Park on Georgian Bay is an absolute showstopper, with rugged cliffs, sparkling waters and wonderfully diverse ecosystems.
  • Port Huron, MI: This city on the shores of Lake Huron features maritime-themed museums and displays, as well as a working lighthouse, a lightship and a lively waterfront area.

Lake Michigan Circle Tour: This eleven hundred mile trek around Lake Michigan leads RV campers through Wisconsin, Illinois and Michigan. Highlights: Mackinac Bridge, Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, and Manistique, MI, with its lighthouse, boardwalk and “The Big Spring.” Here’s the link to RV campgrounds at Sleeping Bear Dunes. You’ll also have a chance to visit the urban attractions of Green Bay, Chicago and Milwaukee.

Lake Erie Circle Tour: Only have a few days, but would love to get to know one of the Great Lakes? The Lake Erie Circle tour offers landscapes in Michigan, Ohio, Pennsylvania, New York, and Ontario. You’ll cruise near such treasures as Niagara Falls and Cedars Point Amusement Park in Sandusky, OH. You’ll also tour towns such as Erie, PA, where you’ll find Folly’s End Campground and other great places to stop.

Lake Superior Circle Tour: RV camping fans who like international travel will relish this trip into Canada’s Ontario Province along Lake Superior. Before leaving the States, stop in Sault Ste Marie, Michigan for a look at this beautiful port city’s lighthouses and Great Lakes Shipwreck Museum. Then drive your RV across International Bridge into Sault Ste Marie, Ontario, Canada, a much larger metropolitan area. Here’s more information about what’s required for crossing the international border. Be sure to plan time for stops in Ontario’s Thunder Bay area, where unforgettable Kakabeka Falls glistens down twelve stories into a gorge and Fort Williams Historical Park educates and entertains about Ontario’s past. Happy Land Campground is perfectly located for trips to both attractions.

Lake Ontario Circle Tour: This 900 mile trek follows a shoreline shared by both Ontario and New York State. The largest cities along your route are Buffalo, NY and Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Old Fort Niagara at the south end of the lake, complete with its famous lighthouse, and the fabulous 1000 Islands Region, where the St. Lawrence River meets the Great Lakes, are both fascinating side trips. Cross the bridge at Massena, NY into Canada and head southwest to Niagara Falls, then loop back up the Eastern Shore to complete your trip.

Whew! We admit to being a bit long-winded on this blog post, but we wanted to ensure you had the details you need to start planning. The Great Lakes Circle Tours present weeks of travel possibilities for the intrepid RV camper. Which one will you be taking this year?

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