Hunting and Fishing News & Blog Articles

Perhaps one of the most underrated states in the country, “The Land of Infinite Variety” affords visitors the chance to witness spectacular landscapes, Old West history, abundant wildlife, and Native American cultural sites. From the Black Hills and Badlands to the rolling plains and river valleys, South Dakota is the perfect spot to escape the crowds and enjoy nature’s solace.

National and State Parks

Badlands National Park

Badlands National Park, located near the town of Wall, comprises over 244,000 acres of colorful spires, striped buttes and expansive grasslands. It’s renowned not only for its otherworldly beauty but also as one of the world’s richest fossil beds. Long before the arid badlands were formed, the region was part of an inland sea. Beginning in the late Cretaceous Epoch, roughly 75 million years ago, the landscape evolved when the sea receded, leaving behind clay, silt and sand. Water flowing from the Black Hills eroded this changing landscape, carving out the valleys, canyons, buttes and spires you see today. The colorful stripes within these formations not only tell the tale of time, but they also hold the answers to the first inhabitants of this area. Although no dinosaurs have been found within the park, creatures like saber tooth cats, rhinoceroses, mammoths, three-toed horses, camels and giant marine predators called mosasaurs have been found.

The park is also rich in human history, as evidence of early nomadic people dating back over 10,000 years. These Paleo Indians were big game hunters, and the valleys provided the perfect hunting grounds while the top of the badlands wall served as a lookout for enemies and wandering herds. In addition to oral traditions, further evidence of these early inhabitants has been found in the arrowheads and tools they left behind from hunts and the remnants of their campfires along stream banks. If you’ve wondered how the badlands got its name, you can credit the Lakota people who dubbed the area “mako sica,” which roughly translates to badlands. Later,  French trappers referred to the region as “les mauvaises terres a traverser” — bad lands to travel through, as they found the extreme temperatures, lack of water, and rough terrain hard to navigate.

One of the most overlooked ways to spruce up your outdoor patio area is with a patio mat or outdoor rug. But not anymore! With the wide range of outdoor RV patio mats and rugs available these days, taking your patio from basic to beautiful is easier than ever.

Enjoying the outdoors is perhaps the biggest perk of the RV lifestyle, so why not ensure your patio checks every box on the list of must-haves for an incredible space. Whether you’re looking for a small accent rug or a large statement piece, your choice has the power to drastically transform your outdoor area.

Where to start? With the ultimate guide to patio mats and outdoor rugs, of course.

Where are You Putting Your Patio Mat or Outdoor RV Rug?

Before deciding the type, size, or design of the outdoor rug you want, you first must decide where to put it. The surface under your rug often determines the other factors. There’s nothing worse than finding the perfect patio mat only to discover it won’t work in your intended space.

Here are the three most popular surfaces that outdoor rugs are placed on, along with a few things to keep in mind when choosing your rug.

One thing that every RVer needs to be conscious of is the height of their rig. Unfortunately, not every RV will fit under every bridge or overpass. If you choose to ignore the height of your RV, you can experience disastrous results for your RV’s roof.This is true of all types of RVs from travel trailers and fifth-wheels to small Class B motorhomes and Happier Campers all the way to monster Class A motorhomes.

Here are some tips and information to remember about your RV’s height.

Figure Out and Know the True Height of Your RV

The owner’s manual for your RV will list the actual dimensions of your RV and this includes the height. However, the height listed in the owner’s manual may not always include appliances and additions to your motorhome. For example, If you have a roof rack, a roof-mounted AC unit, or an antenna of some kind, then there’s a good chance the height listed in your manual will be inaccurate.

Instead of going with the number listed, or estimating how much your roof rack or roof-mounted AC unit adds to that number, get your tape measure out. Measure to the top of the roof from the ground when the RV is sitting on a level surface. From there, get on top of the RV and measure any items or appliances that are attached to the roof. Doing this will give you the true height of your RV.

Afterward, you need to make sure anyone who drives or tows your RV knows the true height of the vehicle.

I firmly believe every RVer larger than a Class B campervan needs an RV Leveling System or RV Stabilizer.

If you’re tired of rocking and rolling in your rig (but not to music), It might be time to upgrade your levelers and stabilizers.

Many people inherit jack stabilizers from the previous owner of their RV. Or, if you bought brand new, you might have purchased whatever the salesperson told you to.

But not all rigs are created equal. Maybe you purchased stabilizers, but they don’t work well with your particular RV.

The following is a quick guide for choosing an RV leveling system or stabilizers that you can explore to find the best fit for your rig.

Power from inside the Earth’s crust has molded California’s Lassen Volcanic National Park into an active landscape that continues to transform today. From erupting geysers to bubbling mud pots, the park is a living example of vulcanism and the considerable strength it has to alter the planet and move land masses. The Earth’s tectonic plates are locked in an ongoing battle in northern California, where four distinct types of volcanoes are in full view to park visitors.

The park is also home to jagged peaks, scenic waterfalls, and alpine meadows full of wildflowers that bloom in the spring and flourish all summer long. Winter brings its own treasures, as adventurous travelers on snowshoes will discover. Hiking past boiling lakes billowing with steam while surrounded by fresh snow is a surreal experience for the winter explorer. No matter the season, this wild and tumultuous land will entice visitors with surprises around every corner.

Why Visit Lassen Volcanic National Park in Your RV?

Northern California has a lot to offer visiting RVers, and Lassen Volcanic National Park is one of the region’s best features. In addition to its stunning and dramatic landscapes, Lassen has five campgrounds that provide space for motorhomes and trailers. Additionally, the north and south entrances are paved for easy access, and the Manzanita Lake Camper Store caters specifically to the needs of RVers and tent campers. These amenities make exploring the park’s geothermal features and hiking to its mountain lakes and waterfalls more enjoyable. Especially when you can return home to your “mobile cabin in the woods” for a good night’s rest at the end of the day.

When to Visit Lassen Volcanic National Park

The park is open year-round, but some roads are closed in the winter due to snowfall. The spring and fall shoulder seasons are a good time to go, as crowds are minimal and the weather remains quite good. Here’s what to expect during each season:

Lassen Volcanic National Park in Spring

Spring brings warming temperatures and slow but steady snowmelt to Lassen Volcanic National Park. Still, it can take some time for the snow to disappear altogether, and it is not unusual for some sections of the park to remain closed into June. Daytime highs average around 70ºF, with overnight lows falling into the 30s. But the weather can be unpredictable, with snow showers occurring on a regular basis. Before going to the park, check the website for updates on current conditions.

Attention, snowbirds: Need a good reason to fly south sooner? How about ten reasons? Our list of the best fall festivals for snowbird RVers is a must-see during your southbound travels.

The 10 Best Fall Festivals for Snowbirds

Fall made a brief appearance yesterday at my campsite near Carson City, Nevada. A thin dusting of frost coated the RV rooftops, reminding me that it’s only a matter of time until it’s time to seek warmer accommodations. And when we do, we won’t be able to resist these incredible fall festivals in snowbird RVer destinations.

Alabama

Folk and Americana music fans and musicians are headed to the 3rd annual Opelika Songwriters Festival. The mid-October showcases rising stars and world-renowned musicians from North America in a small, intimate setting around historic downtown Opelika music venues. The 2022 headliners include the Indigo Girls and Rickie Lee Jones. Park your rig at Lakeside RV Park and you’re just minutes from the three-day festival.

Arizona

Wintering at an Arizona RV park this season? Get there early for The Arizona Fall Fest. Held during the first weekend in November, it’s the largest event in the Valley of the Sun, featuring 200 of Arizona’s locally-grown businesses. From restaurants to wineries, artisans to adventure sherpas, it’s a family- and dog-friendly event that showcases all things uniquely Arizona. Best of all, it’s free! Stay at the Royal Palm RV Resort and you’re less than ten miles from the fun.

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October is known for fall camping fun, from spooktacular campground Halloween-themed events to leaf peeping color tours of nature's autumn beauty. This week on the RV Podcast, we talk to a representative of Jellystone Parks about how fall camping fun has made October one of the busiest times of the year for RVers - so busy that weekend reservations are needed long in advance in most state parks and private campgrounds.

Continue reading Fall Camping Fun at RV Lifestyle.

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Few things are more refreshing than a dip in some natural hot springs. If you want to travel in style and enjoy this level of comfort, you should check out the Catalina Spa RV Resort in California. This is a highly rated park that offers odorless mineral hot springs as well as luxurious amenities.

California is a destination for many snowbirds, but even this state can get a bit chilly during the winter months. At times like this, it’s great to stay somewhere that offers heated pools and top-notch living quarters. Catalina Spa is a popular destination in the Palm Springs area, so keep it on your list if you plan to travel around here. 

Although the spa and hot springs element of this resort make it stand out, it also provides plenty of other amenities that guests have enjoyed. If you’d like to learn more about the Catalina Spa RV Resort, read on!

Overview

The Catalina Spa RV Resort is located at 18800 Corkill Rd, Desert Hot Springs, CA 92241. Although it’s in the smaller town of Desert Hot Springs, it’s quite close to the larger destination of Palm Springs, CA. Larger cities like Santa Barbara and San Diego are also close by.

We all enjoy hot water in our daily lives and that doesn’t have to change when we go camping. That’s why recreation vehicles (RVs) come equipped with water heaters. If you have to upgrade or replace your unit, choosing a water heater for your RV can be a little daunting but it doesn’t always have to be.

Why Replace an RV Water Heater?

If you keep your RV long enough, the day will come when you decide to replace or upgrade your water heater. It might just be that your heater went bad after more than a decade of use. Or maybe the water heater tank froze, expanded, and cracked because you didn’t winterize your RV properly.

Maybe you just want a newer, bigger, better model. Or maybe you can’t find the right parts and accessories for a simple fix so you’re forced to replace the entire unit. Whatever the reason, it’s good to know what types of water heaters are on the market and how to pick the right one for your RV.

A Primer on RV Water Heaters

If you don’t have any experience using RV water heaters, the first thing to know is that you won’t be able to take those long hot showers you’re accustomed to at home. The majority of models have six or 10-gallon hot water tanks. A bigger tank is typically preferable for family camping.

This also means being frugal when washing dishes. The good news is that new technology for RV water heaters provides advanced designs that increase the amount of hot water they can produce, so you can enjoy slightly longer showers and have plenty of hot water for dishes.

Located in Colorado to the south of the La Plata Mountains, Mesa Verde National Park protects the cultural heritage of the Ancestral Pueblo people and is a World Heritage Site with roughly 4,700 archaeological sites and about 600 cliff dwellings. 

If you want to step back in time and see how the Ancestral Puebloan people lived, RVing Mesa Verde National Park will leave you in awe as you walk around some of the most well-preserved archaeological sites in the United States. 

Why Visit Mesa Verde National Park in an RV?

Mesa Verde is ideal for visiting in an RV since it is much less crowded than other national parks and is the perfect place to stop to rest and recharge for a few days while you are RVing around the American southwest.

Spend a few days hooked up at Morefield Campground located inside the park, and drive less than 40 minutes away to explore the mountain town of Durango. Make sure to make a reservation ahead of time since the campground only includes 15 full hookup RV sites.

Driving around the park takes around two hours and is accessible by all motor homes with parking options at most overlooks. If you have a trailer or car hitched on the back of your RV, make sure to unhook just past the main entrance gate due to a few tight turns throughout the park and trailer restrictions.

Waste not, want not — it’s a way of life. Much like the RV life, the motto focuses on getting the most out of everything. The adventure. The journey. The destination. It applies to nearly every situation, every scenario, except one.

Actual waste.

When it comes to your RV waste, the only thing you want to know is where to dump it. We’ve gathered the details on how to find an RV dump station near you. It can be a dirty job, but someone must do it. And if that someone is you, it helps to know where you can dump your RV waste.

So, let us help.

What is an RV Dump Station?

Before finding one, it’s important to know what an RV dump station is. The last thing you want is to find it and then not know what its purpose is. Talk about waste — a waste of time.

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Sponsored by National Vehicle

You may be asking yourself, “How have the recent changes in US economics impacted the RV industry?” With inflation and gas prices climbing to unprecedented levels, and interest rates repeatedly being raised by the Fed, should you wait on buying or selling an RV?

The simple answer to the question, “Should I sell my RV now?” is yes. Even with all the recent upheaval in the US economy, there is still a huge interest in RVing, and most people think inflation and rising gas prices are a short-term phenomenon.

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What You Should Know About RV Hitch Storage

Have you made a really dumb RVing mistake? You're not alone! Here are the dumbest RV camping mistakes our fellow RVers see often. Recently, an RV Lifestyle member asked a question in our Facebook group: “What are the dumbest RV camping mistakes you see all the time? (I don’t want ot be one of THOSE guys!)”

Her question elicited more than 440 comments! Like I said, we have all made mistakes.

The good news is that we can laugh about some of the dumb things we have done. The bad news is that some mistakes may cost you time or money, or both!

Continue reading 43 Dumbest RV Camping Mistakes: DON’T DO THIS! at RV Lifestyle.

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Your sleeping bag choice matters when you go camping. A comfortable bag for summer can leave you shivering when temperatures drop in the fall, but a winter sleeping bag can make you sweat during the warmer months. 

Some RVers stock sleeping bags for hosting guests inside their RV, while others use them to make tent camping comfortable for guests or their kids. Even if you’re a car camper or just renting an RV, you need to know how to choose a sleeping bag for any season.

So, here are some tips for choosing the best one for your needs!

Types of Sleeping Bags

There are two distinct types of sleeping bags: those for RV or car camping and those for backpacking. Sleeping bags for RV or car camping are roomier, but they don’t pack up as well as backpacking sleeping bags.

Sleeping bags for backpacking are light and compact, making them easy to carry and easier to get back into a compact stuff sack when storing. Their downside is that they can be very snug when you climb inside.