Hunting and Fishing News & Blog Articles

Make sweet vacation memories at Candy Hill Campground in Winchester, Virginia. Sitting in the Shenandoah Valley, Candy Hill serves as the perfect base camp for exploring a region known for its lush rolling hills, apple orchards and award-winning wineries. Folks who prefer to stay local can relax and enjoy the ample amenities and activities of the campground. Also, Civil War History and rugged hiking trails are on the menu in this northern Virginia destination.

History and Hiking, Above and Below

Visiting history buffs will discover a bounty of Civil War battlefields. Twenty minutes from Candy Hill Campground, the Cedar Creek Battlefield preserves the spot where Confederate forces surprised sleeping Union troops on an early October morning in 1864. In Luray Caverns to the south, visitors can walk through the cathedral-like rooms of the largest caverns in the eastern United States. Adjacent to the caverns, the Car and Carriage Caravan Museum showcases vehicles that transported people over the past century. Marvel at towering rock columns formed over the course of millions of years.

Hikers will be glad to know that Winchester is a short drive from access points to the Appalachian Trail. The Trails at the Museum of Shenandoah Valley constitutes a network of short, kid-friendly paths with some great art installations along the way. Advanced hikers will find thrilling vistas on Signal Knob, a 10.7-mile trek in the George Washington National Forest. This hike culminates on Signal Knob Overlook, once a Confederate lookout.

Candy Hill Campground also sits just 27 miles away from Shenandoah National Park. The sweeping expanse of land preserves 200,000 acres of a landscape dotted with rocky promontories, fields of wildflowers and bubbling streams. Take a hike to the rock formation known as Old Rag, which dishes out a stunning 360-degree view of the surrounding landscape. Ascend the 4,000-foot-tall Stony Man mountain for even more stellar vistas.

Traveling with a dog may seem like a hassle for some, but there are so many great perks that every RVer should consider. Here are the best perks of traveling with a dog, Jennifer and I have been traveling with a dog for over 10 years now. Since day one of our RV Lifestyle, we’ve had a furry travel companion. A BIG furry travel companion…

Continue reading 5 Best Perks of Traveling with a Dog at RV Lifestyle.

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Great RV Destinations: Tall Texan RV Park In Gunnison, Colorado

Colorado is a gorgeous state that has attracted many RVers over the years. Despite its name, Tall Texan RV Park is located in Colorado and stands out from the competition as a great place to stay. It’s nestled along the Gunnison River, in the beautiful Crested Butte Valley, and offers stunning natural views. If you want to enjoy some pristine woodlands, this is a wonderful place to set up camp.

Tall Texan RV Park can accommodate you in comfort with its full hookup RV sites and charming cabins. With its rustic charm and idyllic setting, this park might just become a new favorite of yours! Read below to learn more about the amenities, reservation details, and reviews for this park.

Overview

Tall Texan RV Park is located at 194 County Road 11, Gunnison, CO 81230. This is in the Crested Butte Valley and is a lovely area within a deciduous forest. The park is surrounded by 10 acres of cottonwood trees, which change colors with the seasons.

Like many parks in this area, Tall Texan RV Park is not open year-round. It’s availability spans from May 1- October 1. Colorado tends to get heavy snow during the winter, so the park is closed during this season. 

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Recent inflation on the costs of nearly everything has everyone tightening their belts and looking for ways to save money. With huge leaps in fuel costs, some RVers are even questioning whether they can afford to take an RV holiday this year.

Luckily, there are still painless ways you can cut back on expenses so you can still RV without breaking the bank. Here are our top RVing solutions for affordable travel during these rather expensive times.

1. Camp close to home

Saving money by not driving as far is one option that makes RVing doable. You’d be surprised what you can find right in your own backyard. There are tons of attractive options for affordable RVing close to where you live. Planning your travels with RV LIFE Trip Wizard can help you find the best places close to home.

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RV propane tank covers are pretty innocuous-looking. Usually made from lightweight, hard-formed plastic, RV propane tank covers might not look as though they are really important to keeping your RV propane system functioning safely.

In this article, we’ll discuss what propane tank covers do and why you need them.

Why is it important to protect your propane tanks?

RV propane tank covers are an important part of your RV. They not only make your propane tanks look streamlined and sleek, but they also perform important protective functions for your propane tanks.   

However, these covers are not just about making your tanks look pretty. RV propane tanks contain highly combustible propane gas. Propane tanks and their valves are made of thinly painted metal. Without protective covers, they become corroded and damaged by rain, snow, and flying road debris. 

When it comes to weather, the scenery, and things for RVers to do, Arizona can't be beaten. Here's our list of the BEST places to camp in Arizona. We absolutely love Arizona. We keep going back again and again. For RVers, it has everything; mountains, National Parks, the desert and even beaches, and the London Bridge at Lake Havasu. From Tucson and the Sonoran desert in the south to Flagstaff (where they actually get snow!) in the north, there are few states that offer more places for the RVer to explore.

Continue reading The absolute BEST places to camp in Arizona for RVers (2022) at RV Lifestyle.

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I used to think that having pizza while camping meant finding a local place and ordering delivery — this, despite pizza being a family favorite. To say my family loves pizza would be the understatement of the year. I grew up not far from NYC, and anyone who has tried a delicious slice of NYC-style pizza knows how a good slice can turn around your whole day. And yes, I fold my pizza slices. 

We started eating pizza regularly, so we have changed our Friday meal plan and renamed it “Pizza Friday“. We don’t just do take-out pizza – no way. We have taught our kids how to make homemade pizza, everything from fresh dough to unlimited toppings. The kids have really gotten into creating their own pizza masterpieces.

Pizza Night at the Campsite

It has been fun to see them grow in the cooking process and experience the joy of making something with their own two hands. So it was natural for me to try to figure out how to incorporate our Pizza Fridays while we’re camping. I looked up many recipes on how to cook pizza outdoors. Most of those search results yielded how to do so over a campfire or in a cast iron pan.

I love my cast iron pan and cook many different dishes in it. As for cooking over an open flame, I’ll admit that I have not mastered that type of cooking yet (that excludes my excellent s’mores). And to be a hundred percent truthful, we travel in a Class A motorhome and enjoy bringing along as many of our “at-home “ cooking gadgets with us. This truly makes us feel that we’re home wherever we park our motorhome.

Use a Portable Pizza Oven

Since I’ve taken the lead on cooking outdoors during our trips, I’m facing the dilemma of how to make pizza at the campground. For us and many of you, the best and possibly easiest answer will be a portable pizza oven. I know, I know storage space is at a premium. I already carry at least two grills and adding a pizza oven would definitely make a dent in my precious storage space. After checking out a few on the market, I settled on Pizza D’lite propane-powered kit.

We're big fans of Harvest Hosts, but you don't have to take our word for it. Here are Harvest Hosts reviews that RVers just like you have shared in our Facebook group...

In short, Harvest Hosts is a unique camping membership. You pay a membership fee to join, and then you can stay overnight at different locations for free. While you don't get charged for the camping, members are usually expected to patronize the place they are visiting.

Continue reading Harvest Hosts Reviews: What RVers are Saying (+ Big Discount) at RV Lifestyle.

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A tour of America’s national parks is on many RV bucket lists, but bringing your pup to these destinations can be a challenge. It’s important to know pet restrictions in the national parks you’re hoping to visit in order to minimize your impact on these sensitive environments. But an easier alternative is to target the most dog-friendly national parks in the US. Some of these parks offer miles of pet-friendly hiking trails, as well as boarding services if you plan a hike to a location where your pups can’t go. 

So let’s check them out!

Acadia National Park

The most northeastern park in the United States offers nearly 120 miles of pet-friendly hiking trails. The park’s multi-use carriage roads, which are popular for horse-drawn carriage rides and biking, also are open to dogs. 

The only exceptions include technical trails that require ascending iron rungs or ladders, as well as several public areas in the park. Those exceptions include Duck Harbor Campground and the Wild Gardens of Acadia year-round, as well as Echo Lake and Sand Beach from mid-May through mid-September, the park’s busy season. 

On March 1, 1872, President Ulysses S. Grant changed the world. On that day, Grant signed the eloquently written “Yellowstone National Park Protection Act,” which stated that a huge corner of Wyoming and narrow slivers of Idaho and Montana would be “hereby reserved and withdrawn from settlement, occupancy or sale…and dedicated and set apart as a public park or pleasuring-ground for the benefit and enjoyment of the people.”

“What an audacious idea it was,” said Ryan Hauck executive director of Cody Yellowstone. “The very thought of setting aside 2.2 million acres of natural resource-rich land must have seemed outrageous. But a few visionaries convinced Congress and President Grant that it was the right thing to do. And the entire world is fortunate they did.”

Cody Yellowstone is the marketing arm for Park County, Wyoming, which includes the Yellowstone gateway communities of Cody, Meeteetse and Powell, the Shoshone National Forest to the east and a large swath of Yellowstone National Park.

“Yellowstone was preserved to be a ‘pleasuring ground’ for everyone, and 150 years later, it still is,” said Hauck. “I’d call that a huge success and a testament to the scores of people who have dedicated their lives to ensuring that we continue to respect and promote the vision of the park’s founders.”

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Sponsored by Jackery

Jackery Explorer 2000 Pro Loaded With Updates, Improvements, and Power

Having reviewed the Jackery 1500 over a year ago in this article, I initially passed on the opportunity to review the Jackery Explorer 2000 Pro. In my mind I thought, well…bigger and more powerful, what else is there to say? Turns out I was quite wrong. The Explorer 2000 is both of those things, but with a host of refinements that make it clear Jackery has listened to their customers, and they convinced me to check out the latest model.

The naming conventions that Jackery uses are interesting. By itself, the 2000 Pro is called the Jackery Explorer 2000 Pro Portable Power Station. However, when paired with the SolarSaga 200W solar panels, it becomes the Jackery Solar Generator 2000 Pro. Either result is a powerful alternative to gasoline-powered small generators.

The use cases for the Jackery Explorer 2000 Pro are all over the map. For those that are tent camping or have small travel trailers, this power unit packs the same punch as the ever popular Honda EU2000 gasoline generator, offering the same 2200-watt power. The obvious difference here is that you will charge up the Jackery 2000 via its AC/DC/solar sources for use, rather than carrying and using gasoline. For those with larger RVs, the 2000 is a great supplemental power source.

Jackery Explorer 2000 Pro – By the numbers

The power

The Jackery Explorer 2000 Pro provides 2160Wh (43.2V 50Ah) through its lithium-ion powered battery, monitored and managed by a 2-chip battery management system. As mentioned, it sports 2200W (4400W Peak) of power AC power at 120V. The two USB-A Quick Charge 3.0 ports offer 18W Max, while the two USB-C ports offer their standard fare of 100W Max, (5V, 9V, 12V, 15V, 20V up to 5A). A 12V, 10A car output (think cigarette lighter, if you remember those) is available as well.

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If you love camping, then you know that nature can be unpredictable. Storms, floods, wild animals, and natural disasters can strike at any time, so it’s important to be ready for anything. Dust storms (also known as sand storms or haboobs) are not super common in the US, but it’s still good to know some dust storm safety tips. 

Dust storms tend to move through an area fairly quickly. They usually pass in 30 minutes or less. However, they can do some serious damage during this time. The sand particles can damage your skin, eyes, nose, and lungs if you’re not protected. High winds can also blow away loose items and damage structures. 

Whether you’re in the car or in your campsite, dust storm safety is important. There are several things you can do to protect yourself and your loved ones if you act quickly. Read below to learn more. 

What to do if you’re driving in a dust storm

Stay calm

Dust storms can easily overtake you, even if you’re driving at highway speeds. They can appear suddenly and limit your visibility. The winds can also rock your car and make it harder to stay on course.

St. Augustine has a fascinating and storied history stretching back over four centuries. It was first discovered in 1513 by explorer Juan Ponce de Leon in his search for the Fountain of Youth.

The first settlement was established on September 8, 1565, by conquistador Don Pedro Menéndez de Avilés. He named it “San Agustín” because his ships first sighted the Florida coast eleven days earlier on August 28, the feast day of St. Augustine.

This means that St. Augustine is the oldest continuously inhabited city in America, as it was founded 42 years before the English colony at Jamestown, Virginia, and 55 years before the Pilgrims landed on Plymouth Rock in Massachusetts.

Isn’t that amazing?! That’s why there are so many interesting things to do in St. Augustine. There is great RV camping nearby, too.

Continue reading 10 Best Things to Do in St. Augustine Florida (2022) at RV Lifestyle.

RV travel has increased in popularity over the past few years! More young couples and families are chasing adventures than ever before. RVing allows you to explore so many new locations from the comfort of your own place.

While RVing appeals to many, it isn’t for everyone. Purchasing your own RV is a commitment. If you’re interested in taking the road less traveled and chasing adventures in an RV, we recommend you rent one first through an RV rental service, like Good Sam RV Rentals.

Why You Should Rent an RV

As RVing grows in popularity, you may start to wonder if RVing is a good choice for you. Renting an RV is a tried and true method to get a glimpse into the RV world. The ability to rent hasn’t always been around, but it’s a good thing it is now! Keep reading to find out the steps to choosing the right RV and what you should do on your rental trip.

Choosing Your RV

When it comes to your rental trip, you will want to choose an RV that fits your needs. Some things to consider are the type, size, and layout of the RV. If you’re thinking about buying, we recommend renting one similar to the kind you’d like to buy someday. Think of this trip as a test run. The good news is if you don’t like it, you aren’t stuck with it permanently. There are always other classes and layouts to try.

Choose an RV Class

There are so many different classes of RVs with each having its own pros and cons. RVs vary from drivable motorhomes like Class A, Class B, and Class C to towable campers like travel trailers and fifth wheels. Are you planning on driving your RV or do you already have a truck and want to tow it? These are some of the questions you’ll want to ask yourself to help you choose the right class of RV.

Across the RV industry these days, the question on everyone’s mind is has the RV boom ended?

The recent economic downturn is claiming lots of victims and the RV industry is no exception The industry is still very strong and no one is panicking – yet – but the indications are that sales, production, RV travel, and consumer demand are all starting to slide.

That’s the main topic of this week’s Episode 403 of the RV Podcast, along with the RV News of the week, RV questions, tips, and audience feedback.

Continue reading Has the RV Boom Ended? at RV Lifestyle.

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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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