Hunting and Fishing News Blog Articles

Do you want to be the coolest camper at the campsite this season? Sure, you do. Who doesn’t? One of the easiest ways to do that is to have a reliable cooler with you when you pitch the tent, spark up the campfire, and set up your favorite camping chair. Not sure which cooler is the coolest? No worries! We’ve narrowed down ten coolers made for campers that are guaranteed to not only keep your beverages cool but your reputation as well.

Igloo Tag-Along Too Cooler

Sometimes you need your hands to remain free. Whether you’re holding a beverage already or the hand of your favorite person, there are times when you simply can’t afford to have a cooler in your grasp. I understand that and so does the Igloo Tag-Along Too Cooler. Designed with a stylish, adjustable crossbody shoulder strap, this 11-quart cooler has a leakproof lid and can hold sports drinks and bottles upright while keeping them chilled for up to two days. The name says it all, this cooler is the perfect tag-along.

Coleman Space Blue 28-Can Soft Cooler Backpack

If you want to up the drink capacity without sacrificing the hands-free convenience, then the Coleman Space Blue 28-Can Soft Cooler Backpack is perfect. Whether you’re camping out at the beach, tailgating, or hitting that trail you’ve been meaning to hike, the foam insulation of this cooler will keep drinks and snacks cold up to 42 hours. As a bonus, there’s an integrated bottle opener on the front for easy access. Two adjustable padded straps ensure maximum comfort, and the top hatch opens for quick entry.

Igloo MaxCold Playmate Elite 16-Quart Cooler

This one is tried and true and proof that if it isn’t broken, there’s really no need to fix it. The design of the Igloo MaxCold Playmate Elite 16-Quart Cooler is a classic for a reason. Easy to use and carry thanks to its trademark tent-top design that swings open to either side and push-button lid for convenient one-handed operation. It can hold up to 30 cans, unless you’re me, then it holds 29 because I can’t help but grab one before heading out. Sorry not sorry.

Perma Chill 20-Quart Cooler

With five gallons of space and weighing in at only 15 pounds, the Perma Chill 20-Quart Cooler is ideal for any day trip including a visit to the campsite. Ice retention for three days? Check. Freezer-grade gasket for a tight lasting seal? Check. Lockable lid? Tie-down slots? Integrated bottle opener? Check. Check. Check. Oh, and there’s a ruler on the lid to quickly measure your catch of the day. Trust me, you’re definitely going to want to check this one out.

We’ve been full-time RVing for four years and we couldn’t imagine doing it without our RV’s outdoor kitchen. Having this feature helps us spend more time outside, gain additional storage, keep our interior clean and cool, and makes it easier to entertain.

RV Outdoor Kitchen Features

Although it’s referred to as an “outdoor kitchen,” that’s usually all it is. Many outdoor kitchen spaces double as an entertainment center too. Since all outdoor kitchens are different, this is where you get to customize what is most important to you.

Do you want an outdoor TV and entertainment center or extra storage cabinets? Other customizable options include sinks, stove top burners, griddles, and more! Can’t decide what features you love the most? Some RVs have all of the above.

Storage

Tiny living causes you to make the most of your space. Any chance you get to have additional storage — you should take it! Bonus points for any items that can be multi-purpose. For us, that’s exactly what an outdoor kitchen is!

Shelves and Cabinets

Most outdoor kitchens have either a shelf or cabinets. You can use it to stow items for cooking and dishware. Or you can use it for extra storage. The choice is yours. Either way, the more storage you have in your RV, the better!

Our RV Lifestyle community was asked about “must-haves for every RV owner” and our members responded in droves. Here’s what real-life RVers say every RVer needs. Our RV Lifestyle Facebook group is an incredibly useful resource. Our members span everything from brand new RVers to experienced full-timers, from motorhome users to travel trailers, and from young to… less young. Best of all, they’re all happy to share their advice and experiences with each other.

Continue reading Must-Haves for Every RV Owner (According to REAL RVers) at RV Lifestyle.

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"It was a dark and stormy night. A one-armed man had just escaped from prison..." Here's how to tell a good campfire story your friends and family will remember... What is camping without a good campfire story? For many folks, sitting around a warm fire telling tales is the best part of their day.

It brings families and friends together, creating shared memories that last a lifetime. Jennifer and I have many good memories that started with old (and new) friends sitting around a fire.

But how can you make your story really good? After all, you don’t want to bore your audience.

With a little bit of effort and practice, you can take your storytelling skills to an expert level and be the “go-to” storyteller on all your trips!

The following are ways to help you hone your campfire story craft! I start out with tips for making your campfire tale great. Then, I give you an easy five-step outline to tell your own story!

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I remember when I was a kid running around and enjoying the Fourth of July celebrations. I was mainly enjoying it because I was out of school, but I also was having a great time because I didn’t think about how hot it was at all. As I get older, I’m a little more intolerant of 100+ degree weather. Well, I’ll be honest…getting over 85 degrees F is sometimes pushing it. I have a lot of tips and tricks I use to stay at a comfortable temperature in my everyday activities. Try some of these ideas.

1. Plan your meals ahead of time.

You are going to want all your fun traditional foods you share with family and friends for the holiday. If you have items you bake yourself, prepare them ahead of time at your brick-and-mortar. If you full-time or will be at the campground a while before your celebration meals, make them later at night or in the morning so you don’t heat up the RV during the hottest time of the day.  This is usually around 3-6 p.m. 

Better yet, fire up the grill and cook outside so you are at least leaving the RV cool inside.  You can always go out and enjoy a meal at a restaurant and you don’t have to heat up the RV at all. Shoot for a late lunch so you can utilize a venue’s air conditioning. Be sure to add lots of water and cool drinks at every meal to help keep you cool too.

2. Try wearable coolants. 

Take your Fourth of July celebration to the next level with wearable items that will also keep you cool. Nothing keeps me cooler than a bandana with ice wrapped inside. 

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What Are The Benefits Of Permanent Campsites?

Whether you’re a weekend camper or full-time RVer, you’ve probably been to at least a few campgrounds that offer permanent campsites. Maybe you didn’t think anything of those sites, or they left you wondering, “Are permanent campsites a better choice?”

The answer to this question isn’t an easy one, as there are many factors that come into play. That said, we will say that depending on your situation, it might makes sense to consider a permanent campsite. You see, while a permanent site does tie you to one place for a while, these long-term campsites come with a whole host of benefits. 

Let’s explore this topic further, discussing who might benefit from a long-term campsite, what they should consider, as well as what kinds of benefits they should expect. 

Why choose a permanent RV site?

First, let’s discuss when you might benefit from choosing a permanent campsite. These long-term campsites are ideal for those who:

What is better than RVing? RVing and wine tasting! Here are some of the best places to go RV camping in wine country across the U.S. Did you know that there are many different wineries that now allow you to stay overnight on their property? Some offer tent and RV camping, while others offer “glamping” where you don't bring your own set-up. Many of these places can be found using Harvest Hosts, which is a very unique camping club. In fact, Jennifer and I love using Harvest Hosts and have written about it and discussed it on podcasts many times! 

Continue reading Best RV Camping in Wine Country Across the U.S. at RV Lifestyle.

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For the past six years, my husband and I have RVed all over the country. We’ve also owned four different RVs in that time. But, I can honestly say that we’ve never considered renting any of those RVs out…until recently.

We had heard about other RVers who were making extra money on their campers while they weren’t using them by renting them out. While we thought it was a brilliant idea, the main reason we didn’t rent any of our RVs was because we were using them so much. In fact, we lived and traveled full-time in our first two RVs for over two years. Even after full-timing, we continued to spend more months out of the year on the road than at home, so our RVs rarely sat in storage for much longer than a couple weeks.

Recently though, after starting a family, we downsized to a travel trailer and now prefer to enjoy taking shorter camping trips close to home when the Colorado weather allows. So after planning out our camping adventures for this summer and fall, we saw several weeks on the calendar where our camper would just be sitting on our property.

We’ve made so many special memories throughout our years of RVing and are always encouraging others to get out there and adventure as well. However, we know that not everyone can justify the cost of buying and owning an RV if they only use it once or twice a summer. For those people, renting is an excellent option and we figured it would be a win-win for us to make some extra money while allowing other people to experience the joy of RVing!

Of course, we had our fears about renting out our camper. What if the renters destroy it? How will the insurance work? Can you really trust strangers to take good care of your camper?

Wyoming is home to two of the most visually striking national parks in the US: Yellowstone and Grand Teton. While Yellowstone encompasses much of the state’s northwestern corner, Grand Teton National Park to the south is equally breathtaking. 

The striking mountains of the Teton Range rise from the Wyoming plains to staggering heights. Grand Teton Mountain, the park’s highest peak, reaches an elevation of 13,775 feet, which is also the second-highest peak in Wyoming, behind Gannett Peak. 

Why Visit Grand Teton National Park in an RV?

The Grand Teton is an icon in the American mountaineering landscape, but there’s more to do than climb tall mountains in this wonderful park. There are lakes for kayaking and boating, the Snake River for floating and whitewater adventures, and much more. 

To truly experience what the Tetons have to offer, renting an RV or taking yours on a road trip to Wyoming is the way to go. There are RV-friendly campgrounds in the park, as well as nearby. And the proximity to Yellowstone National Park allows you to hit two of the most popular parks in the country in a single adventure. 

Or, if Yellowstone is too busy, the Tetons are one of the best alternatives to Yellowstone. From casual scenic drives to rock climbing and mountaineering, there’s truly something for everyone in the Tetons. 

When it comes to exploring the outdoors, the sky’s the limit in Big Sky Country. Montana is undoubtedly one of the most breathtaking, pristine, and multi-faceted regions in the country. Being the largest landlocked state in the US, the Treasure State’s landscape encompasses desert, badlands, prairie, snow-capped mountains, and more than 8 million acres of national forest. From panoramic vistas, wild and scenic rivers, abundant wildlife, and Old West history, Montana’s offerings are endless. Visitors from around the world are drawn to its ancient glaciers and canyons, old-growth forests and nearly 100 different mountain ranges. Throughout the state, enjoy world-class fishing, Native American cultural sites, ghost towns, and dozens of hot springs. Despite its global visitation, you’ll still find more cows than people in Montana— making it the ideal spot to plan an escape.

This spring, many parts of Montana received record rainfall, and places like North Yellowstone and Red Lodge suffered catastrophic flooding with a 1-in-500-year meteorological event. With that being said, now is the perfect time to plan your 2023 trip to the impacted areas or explore other parts of Montana in 2022.

Libby and the Kootenai River

Founded in the 1880s, Libby Montana can be found in the Northwestern corner of the state along the Idaho panhandle border. Situated along the Kootenai River and flanked by the Cabinet Mountains, the town is in the heart of 2.2 million acres of national forest. Libby is home to over 140 lakes, 3 major rivers, and over 1,400 miles of trails- leaving plenty of opportunities to enjoy the great outdoors. While exploring this remote part of Montana, head to the famed Kootenai Falls and Swinging Bridge. Follow the 1.6mile out-and-back trail to the suspension bridge, spanning 220 feet across Kootenai Gorge. Continue on to Kootenai Falls, one of the largest free-flowing waterfalls in the Pacific Northwest. Extending the entire length of the river, the vibrant turquoise falls dramatically cascade down the craggy rocks as it heads towards the gorge. If this scene looks familiar, that’s because it’s been a popular Hollywood filming sight, including credits in The Revenant and The River Wild.

James and I have been RVing for about 12 years now. We’re outdoor lovers, and RVing has been the catalyst for getting us closer to nature anywhere we want to go — which, like most RVers, is everywhere. Being able to easily get to giant outdoor playgrounds around the country has been absolutely wonderful.

What’s even more wonderful is when we can do it responsibly. I’m by no means perfect, but I do recognize the importance of being mindful of the impact we’re having on nature when out RVing. Over the course of our 12 years, we’ve come a long way in our sustainable RVing practices.

But the unfortunate truth of it is, there’s going to be some impact. RVing requires driving, after all, and until all-electric RVs become the norm, there’s just no way around us creating greenhouse gas emissions. The good news though is that there are ways to mitigate that, as well as many other RV lifestyle practices that weigh heavy on our planet.

Here are some of the changes we’ve made to be better environmental stewards on our RV trips. Perhaps some of these can work for you, too.

Be More Fuel Efficient

According to Natural Resources Canada, efficient driving can lower your vehicle’s fuel consumption and carbon dioxide emissions by as much as 25%. We all know the common sense ways to be more efficient — using cruise control when you can, keeping your speeds down, and avoiding idling. But did you know your vehicle’s air conditioning can increase your fuel consumption by as much as 20%? It’s good to get in the habit of using the A/C sparingly when you can.

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5 Vegan Camping Recipes You’ll Love

Many RVers have adopted a plant-based diet these days.  Taking a healthy vegan lifestyle RV camping is easier than ever before.  There are always the obvious vegan camping food choices including easy plant-based meat options (like Beyond Meat products).  But for plant-based foodies, vegan camp cooking can be creative and fun.  We’ve got 10 vegan camping recipes that everyone will love

Vegan Breakfast Avacado Toast

Start your day with protein-packed avocado toast that’s nutritious and delicious.  These breakfast sandwiches incorporate Just Egg Folded, an amazing bean-based product egg replacer (easy to pack in the RV fridge), avocado and Yves veggie bacon on a bed of spinach and are topped with slices of tomatoes. 

For each vegan toast, you’ll need:

If you can toast your bread over the campfire, you’ll be able to incorporate a lovely, lightly smoked flavour into this breakfast sandwich.  We recommend using a campfire grill basket with an adjustable handle for this.  If you don’t have one of these handy devices in your campfire cooking arsenal, you should get one.    

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Yogi Bear Continues To Attract Older RVers & Inspire New Ones

Growing up as a kid in Pennsylvania, we would watch cartoons every Saturday morning. One of the most popular cartoons was Yogi Bear with his pal Boo Boo. The adventures of Yogi would drive Ranger Smith crazy, as Yogi was always trying to get some unsuspecting camper’s picnic basket. That Yogi Bear cartoon ran a meager 33 episodes and left an enormous impression on future campers like me.

Memories that last a lifetime often begin with growing up with tent camping, cabins, or RV family camping. This rite of passage bonds the family and sparks the lifestyle for the next generation. Today, families are limited by rising fuel costs, economic downturns, and strapped with full-time employment. In any event, people will take more meaningful, albeit brief, periods of escape. Therefore, priority is placed on finding the perfect destination, with zero tolerance for choosing the wrong spot.  

Yogi Bear’s Jellystone Park Camp-Resorts were founded in 1969 by Doug Haag & Robert Borkovetz. The idea to start a campground came to Haag during a drive down the local highway. As he passed cars and campers on the highway, he got the idea to give families a destination where they could camp and vacation for the summer. Today, Yogi Bear is still trying to get that picnic basket in 80 locations around the United States and Canada. Campers of all ages headed towards the Midwest should consider these two Yogi Bear Jellystone Park campgrounds.

Fremont Jellystone Park Wisconsin and O’Connell’s Yogi Bear Park in Illinois are up for your travel days this summer. Let’s look at two kid-inspired Jellystone Park family destinations.

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Keep Your RV From Getting Sun Damaged

Ah, the sun… it’s beautiful, bright, warm, and we rely on it for life. However, the sun can create some harmful effects over time, especially on manufactured products like RVs. That’s why you need to know how to protect your RV from sun damage. 

UV radiation is an everyday part of life. Most people can just wear sunscreen and a hat and go about their day as usual. But vehicles don’t have that option! They need different types of protection from sun damage. An unprotected RV can become faded and damaged after constant exposure to sunny conditions. 

Once severe sun damage has set in, it’s hard to repair unless you’re willing to replace large sections of your RV. Fortunately, there are ways to prevent or slow this process from happening. It is possible to protect your RV from sun damage, so read on to find out how!

Regularly inspect the RV

First things first, you can prevent a lot of problems by being vigilant about the condition of your RV. There are a lot of issues that can creep up on you if you’re not paying attention. This is why it’s a good idea to perform regular inspections of your RV. 

Whether you love to plan movie nights at the campground or you just enjoy kicking back after a long day, these RVs with theater seats will help you do just that. Find spacious interiors, luxury amenities, and so much more when you shop the new RVs for sale with theater seats. Check out our top five picks for these incredible floorplans!

Find luxury in every inch of this Jayco Pinnacle 36SSWS fifth wheel. This fifth wheel features a master suite with a fireplace, a king bed, a wardrobe, and a bench. The living room offers dual opposing slides with a kitchen island and entertainment center to make the space feel homey and inviting. You’ll love that the theater seats are set into the slide-out to give you a great space to relax in the evening.

Additional Features:

If you love adventuring with your family, the Forest River Cardinal Limited 377MBLE fifth wheel is an excellent option. This floorplan features a mid-bunkhouse for the kids with a loft overhead. You can easily sleep up to nine in this RV, and the pass-through storage provides ample space for all your camping equipment.

Additional Features:

One of the top questions people ask when starting their RV journey is: should I buy a new or used RV? 

While there are some definite advantages to buying new, buying a used RV is a great option for your family, especially if you’ve never owned a family RV before. There’s a lot to learn when you’re just starting out. 

Here are a few ways a used RV can ease your learning curve:

Save Money

The biggest benefit of buying a used RV is financial savings. Used RVs are often 30-40% cheaper than a comparable new RV. In this case, comparable refers to a similar length, features, and type of RV.

That lower purchase price may also come with lower insurance costs, less money toward interest payments (if you’re financing), and, in some cases, lower in-state registration fees.