WEnRV travel news, products, and industry trends

When it comes to bagging great winter bass, trout, and panfish, it’s hard to beat ice fishing in Upstate New York. We’ve had a few warm seasons in the northeast and I’ll tell you what, the people around here are itching like never before to get out on the ice.

I’m neither a scientist nor a politician, but it seems like some form of climate change is impacting the way we fish in the northeast. It’s been trending in that direction for many years now. I can remember when I was nine or ten years old, there was no questioning whether or not the ice was thick enough to walk on. If it was December or January, it was thick enough and we all knew it without even measuring.

In fact, the ice used to be so thick that we actually had to put extensions onto the augers to get through the ice. We’d plant our makeshift shelters out there and pretty much leave them there for the entire season until late February or early March, when everything started to thaw out. This isn’t the occasion anymore.

Nonetheless, ice fishing is still a hot topic in upstate New York, and there is no shortage of fishing opportunities, whether you’re fishing the hard water or not. Of course, the list goes on and on about the places you could fish, but here are a few of my favorites as well as some tips and tricks I’ve learned over the years.

If you’ve never had elote, you’re missing out! This zesty and creamy corn dish is a popular Mexican street food that’s often sold in food trucks and restaurants. Elote transforms your regular, boring corn on the cob into a delicious side dish with lime, chili and cheesy flavors.

Elote is typically grilled, and this recipe can be made with grilled corn on the cob or even corn cooked over an open fire. But for those who don’t have access to a grill or camping in an area that doesn’t allow campfires, you can still enjoy these flavors with instant pot corn.

This is another one of those super easy recipes that are simple to make at the campground. You can even make the sauce ahead of time and store it in a cooler or your RV’s refrigerator until you’re ready to use it. So instead of slathering your corn on the cob in butter, next time try this delicious topping full of sour cream, mayo, lime juice and salty cotija cheese.

Tips for Making Elote (Mexican Street Corn)

While this recipe calls for making the corn in an Instant Pot, you can easily grill the corn on the grill or roast it over the campfire. If you can’t find corn on the cob, you can also just make the sauce and use it as a topping for frozen or canned corn. If you still want that grilled flavor but don’t feel like standing over the grill the entire time, just make the corn in the Instant Pot and throw it on the grill for a few minutes afterward just to get the charred color and flavor.

Having a secure RV is extremely important when on the road. While instances of break-ins and theft are reasonably rare, at the very least, having someone enter your RV unauthorized would ruin your trip. Nobody likes to think about safety and security concerns when it comes to RVing, but it’s a necessary part of preparing for and planning. 

There are plenty of things you can do to keep your RV safe. If you’re looking for an option that will take things to the next level and help ensure your home away from home stays safe and secure, then you need to consider adding security cameras to your rig. Here’s some way they can help. 

Cameras Monitor Your RV While You’re Away

Cameras provide monitoring of your RV. They’re your extra pair of eyes. That means once you get to a campground and get your campsite set up, you can go off and go hiking, and your security system’s cameras will monitor your RV. 

It’s wise to have cameras both inside and outside your RV. That way, you can see what happens both at the campsite and inside your RV. Because of the RV’s small footprint, a couple of cameras should suffice. 

Stop in and make yourself at home with us at Country Oaks RV Park and Campground. My family and I built this park in 1997 from a section of our 18-acre property.

Our campground is a full-featured destination that is just minutes away from the Georgia coastal waters. You will find the atmosphere friendly and relaxing. All 44 RV sites are full hookups and the campground is surrounded by lush oak and palmetto forest, teeming with wildlife.

Guests at Country Oaks RV Park and Campground aren’t the only anglers to enjoy our fully stocked fishin’ hole. An osprey or two or a great blue heron are regular diners, too.

The convenience of Jacksonville, just across the state border in Florida, is just a few miles south down the road. We’re just off Interstate 95 at Georgia off Exit 1. We’re the last exit before Florida, where you’ll find 2 full-service truck stops. Gas prices traditionally are well below the national average. That’s just one of the many reasons our campground is a great stop-over if you’re just passin’ through, to or from the Sunshine State. Once you’re here though, you might find that you want to stay a spell longer.

If you’re not traveling to see family this Thanksgiving, hosting an RV Friendsgiving is a great alternative for a stress-free celebration. For those of you staying in RV parks or campgrounds near friends, you should know how to host a Friendsgiving gathering in your RV. 

How Many Friends Can You Host in Your RV?

First, you need to decide how many friends you’re comfortable hosting. This will largely be dictated by the size of your RV and the weather in your region. 

If you’re hosting a warm-weather Friendsgiving, we recommend popping out your RV awning and setting up for an outdoor dinner. That way, you’ll keep your RV kitchen dedicated to meal prep and cooking instead of trying to make enough space to cook, eat and entertain inside.

For those hosting Friendsgiving in a colder location, you may be more limited to hosting a smaller group. As a rule of thumb, we’d recommend keeping your gathering to a maximum of 5 to 6 friends if hosting inside your RV. 

You don’t have to be a full-time RVer to enjoy the benefits of winter workamping. If the coldest days of the season are getting to you, here are three reasons why it’s smart to consider taking a seasonal workamping job.

Why Winter Workamping is Worth a Try

If you are allergic to winter, workamping offers a chance to head south to more pleasing weather. The sunbelt states often come with a high cost of living, but they also provide the greatest range of places to try workamping.  When you decide to take a seasonal winter workamping job in a place like Florida, Texas or California, it’s a win-win. You’ll save on rent and often earn a few bucks to offset your expenses. But that’s not the only reason why it’s such a fun thing to do. Other reasons to try this unique opportunity include:

1. Even non-retired People Can Fly South for Winter

Most people assume that only retired RVers get to fly south for winter. But that’s just not the case anymore. Technology allows more people than ever to work in flexible jobs from any location. Winter workamping can be ideal for everyone, from entrepreneurs like me to stay-at-home moms to remote employees who can spare a few hours in a workamping role. Sure, being a full-time RVer makes it easier to fly south and commit to a workamping job, but even if you’re in a traditional housing situation, with enough planning, you can probably find a way to do it. For example, a homeowner could list their place on Airbnb for the season. Renters might be able to sublet their apartment if their landlord allows it. If you have school-age kids, consider road schooling them during winter? You don’t always need to sell your possessions and hit the road for good. Whatever your situation, there is likely some way that you can fly south for winter workamping.

Every season adds beauty to our world. But winter RVing living can make it tough to enjoy the coldest part of the year. If you want to have fun in cold winter destinations, here’s what you need to know about staying warm, safe and happy.

Don’t Let Winter RVing Steal Your Fun

I spend most of my time in sunbelt states, where year-round RV living is possible. But those mild winter days can lull snowbirds like me into a false sense of security. Love it or hate it, winter always feels like an unwanted surprise — especially when I’m soaking in the spa at my favorite RV park in December. I find it easy to forget that unpredictable weather can be just around the corner. But even my favorite sunny regions like the Southwest often get hit with epic cold fronts that keep us indoors more than we’d like. A Midwesterner might laugh at my definition of “cold,” but the fact is that even the most well-built RVs like mine are not impervious to occasional arctic blasts and wet weather. I love my “four-season” RV, but cold always finds a way in somehow. This is what I do to keep it out:

Monitor the Weather

Winter weather camping can test your appreciation for this lifestyle. It pays to know the weather headed your way in case you need to batten down the hatches, so don’t ignore weather reports. You can get a general sense of your region’s upcoming weather by tuning into any TV station’s news report. But for the most accurate weather reports for your specific location, the Internet is your go-to source. Visit The National Weather Service first. You’ll get instant knowledge of weather changes, pending hazards, and freezing weather that reminds you to detach your drinking water hose from the campsite spigot.

Located only one mile from Osprey Point RV Resort in Lakeside is the Oregon Coast with its miles of beautiful beaches, unusual rock formations and much more. Many beaches along the Oregon Coast are off-leash beaches, so your furry children can run, play and paddle in the water right along with you!

A mere 15-minute drive away from Osprey Point, you can visit one of the many natural wonders of the Oregon Coast, the Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area. Here you can witness wind-sculped sand dunes that tower 500 feet above sea level and experience the thrill of riding your off-highway vehicle on the dunes, hiking, biking, horseback riding or just sitting back and capturing photos of this natural wonder! There is so much to see and do at the Oregon Dunes, just down the road from Osprey Point RV Resort.

Lake Location

Osprey Point RV Resort is located on Tenmile Lake, known throughout the Pacific Northwest and California for great fishing and other water recreation. You can start your day enjoying one of our specialty coffees in our Coffee House. After a day of fishing, boating, riding the Oregon Dunes or simply beachcombing, end your day enjoying a pizza or burger in Osprey Point Pizza Pub.

The Big Easy. Crescent City. NOLA. Birthplace of Jazz. No matter what you call this Louisiana city on the Mississippi, New Orleans never loses its allure. After all, New Orleans is one of the most beloved cities in the U.S. and home to the infamous Bourbon Street and historic French Quarter. But there’s more than meets the eye in this town of above-ground cemeteries and voodoo priestesses.

Hop on a streetcar for a fun way to view the town. World-class museums offer a close-up inspection of Southern art, local religion and World War II from a NOLA perspective. City Park is renowned for its regal centuries-old oak trees and a beautiful place for whiling away an hour or two.

The Crown Jewel of New Orleans

When you enter Bourbon Street, you’ve stepped into 13 blocks of pure New Orleans culture. Grab a bite of authentic Cajun food at a local restaurant or check out Lafitte’s Blacksmith Shop, said to be “the oldest bar in the U.S.” and the supposed stomping grounds of the ghost of pirate Jean Lafitte (the bar serves great drinks, too). With an abundance of shopping and interesting architecture, there’s plenty to do until night falls and the streets come alive because this is the site of Mardi Gras.

Experience your oasis in the desert while staying at Lakeside Casino & RV Park this fall. Located just 45 minutes west of Las Vegas, the Lakeside RV Park is perfect for outdoor enthusiasts with plenty of hiking and biking trails just steps away. Guests are invited to take in the entertainment offerings of rural Nevada. The Lakeside RV Park carries a 10/10*/10 Good Sam rating.

The Lakeside Casino & RV Park has a full-service, 159-space RV Park that can serve as the home base for recreational vehicle travelers to discover the outdoors or just relax next to a lush seven-acre man-made lake.

The property is less than a five-mile drive to the Sanders Winery, where the tasting room is open daily, and the 18-hole Mountain Falls Golf Course, which offers a pro shop and grill room.

Lakeside’s amenities include the property’s man-made lake, which offers kayak and pedal boat rentals and fishing activities. The lake includes a sandy beach, swimming pool and hot tub, along with a nine-hole Frisbee golf course and a horseshoe pit. An enclosed dog park also is included in the facilities. There are also three comfort stations on the property available exclusively for guests who stay at the RV Park.

Located just minutes from the Las Vegas Strip, Arizona Charlie’s Hotel, Casino & RV Park is home to more than 200 RV spaces with access to a handful of additional amenities. With easy access from the 93/95 highway, the RV park is the perfect destination for both Las Vegas visitors looking to explore the city and those who are in need of a great place to stop on their way home. The full-service park includes everything for both groups — renovated bathhouses, a pool area with access all year round, a private clubhouse with a large-screen TV, fitness equipment, complimentary wireless internet, 24-hour security, including brand new security gates, full hookups with 30/50-amp, propane service, pull-through parking and a remodeled guest laundry room, available for 24-hour use. Plus, the RV park is just steps from Las Vegas’ friendliest casino, a variety of dining options and more.

Arizona Charlie’s thrilling casino experience boasts both comfort and excitement when playing one of its many slot machine games and bingo. The casino offers 658 ticket-in, ticket-out slots and video poker machines, including traditional games like Double Double Bonus Poker, Jokers Wild, Ultimate X and Deuces Wild, as well as some of the latest games, including Dragon Link, Buffalo Link, Lightning Link, Buffalo Gold and Hot Wicked Wheels. Notorious for its bingo, Arizona Charlie’s hosts eight sessions daily during every odd hour from 9 a.m.–11 p.m., plus bingo and other gaming promotions, weekly. Also on the casino floor, bettors can take their pick at the William Hill Sportsbook.

Sourdough Café is Arizona Charlie’s traditional café restaurant, which offers comfort cuisine at an exceptional value in a casual atmosphere. Recently, Arizona Charlie’s has also welcomed local favorite, PT’s Express and coffee chain, Dunkin’, to each of its locations. PT’s Express is a first-of-its-kind, on-the-go burger, wing and sandwich joint, conveniently open 24-hours, daily. In addition to local favorites, Dunkin’-lovers may enjoy morning coffee, breakfast, wraps, sandwiches, muffins and more.

With the high costs of both gasoline and diesel fuel, it’s a good idea for RV travelers to modify driving habits to help reduce vehicle fuel consumption. Driving slower, accelerating at a moderate rate and keeping your vehicle in a well-maintained state are undoubtedly great ways to cut RV fuel costs. But many wasteful driving styles haven’t changed.

Consider how the following fuel wasters impact your budget’s bottom line:

Following Too Closely

Referred to as “tailgating,” this habit can cost you dearly at the pump and is hazardous for both you and the person in front. Looming close behind other vehicles, tailgaters work the throttle to maintain the distance between their vehicle and the one ahead. Frequent brake applications are required in maintaining this close proximity and the constant throttle-adjustment surges result in wasted fuel burn. All that braking consumes energy from the vehicle’s momentum — momentum that was built by fuel. And more fuel will be needed to regain that same speed.

Delayed Braking Application

Every day, we see people approaching a stoplight or sign at a speed looking like they’re not going to stop. Then, miraculously, they hit the brakes hard, halting their vehicle at the last second. This habit not only puts a lot of strain on your brakes but also delays the retarding of the throttle, which burns fuel needlessly. Starting to slow down appropriately begins with reducing the throttle input to zero at an appropriate distance for a normal braking application based on the vehicle’s weight and momentum.

Good Sam continues to attract outstanding RV parks to our network. This new batch of 76 parks expands your chances of finding savings and value on the road. Remember, Good Sam members can save big with a 10 percent discount at any of our 2,000+ Good Sam parks.

Not a member? Sign up online to purchase a membership or simply buy it at the Good Sam Park you visit (discounts apply right away). Check each park’s link to determine seasonal availability and to make reservations.

Alabama

Eagle’s Landing RV Park, Auburn
The closest RV park to Auburn University features basic to full hookups, concrete pull-throughs and gravel back-ins, along with a clubhouse with full kitchen, big screen TV, laundry, clean restrooms, propane and free Wi-Fi. Take the game-day shuttle to Jordan-Hare Stadium.

Bama RV Station, Cottondale
This park opened in 2009 with the goal of providing guests with a trouble-free and enjoyable RV camping experience. Stay in one of the 76 campsites with top-quality amenities.

Hi all! This month, we’ve got questions on various RV appliances. Remember to send your RVing questions to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Hi Mark,
We’ve noticed an increase of icing on our fridge-cooling fins. It is the original Norcold fridge in our 1996 Itasca Sunrise. Food remains cold at a midrange setting and the freezer seems to keep things frozen sufficiently, so there is nothing to complain about other than a concern about the icing. We do clean out the fridge and freezer routinely. The icing is occurring while we’re hooked up to shore power and doesn’t seem to be any different whether it is set for normal operation or high humidity.  We only run on gas infrequently. Wondering if there is something we should be doing differently.
Thanks,
Phil

Hi Phil,
Usually, when an RV refrigerator starts forming more frost but still cools normally, I’d look at the door gasket. It doesn’t take much of a leak to let humid, warm air into the fridge and that will definitely increase frost production.

Visually inspect the door seal for any tears or obvious problems. Clean both surfaces. Now, close the door with a dollar bill inserted between the door seal and the body of the refrigerator. You should be able to pull it out with some resistance, but in areas where the seal is not making, it will be very easy to pull out or entirely loose. Usually, there’s no way to fix a door seal, you just have to replace it. It’s not a very hard job to do.

Fall is in full swing, and that means it’s time for all things apple! If you’re an apple lover, it’s the perfect opportunity to start cooking with these delicious fall fruits. In fact, October is National Apple Month, so why not whip up a tasty apple treat on your next camping trip?

Apple crisp is such an easy and delicious dessert, which makes it perfect for camping trips! The cinnamon and sugar go so well with the crisp apples and oat topping in a way that just screams “fall.” But while most apple crisp desserts need to be baked in an oven, this foil packet recipe is easy to make at the campsite and can be cooked over the fire, on a grill, and yes, in a tiny RV oven. You can even prep some of the ingredients at home, which makes this dessert even easier when you’re on the road!

If you’re traveling to a northern state that’s known for apples, stop by an orchard or farm stand and pick up some fresh apples to use in this recipe. But even if you’re heading south for the fall, grocery stores will be brimming with apple choices this time of year. What variety of apples work best with this recipe? Many! Any good baking apple will work great, and some of our favorites include Granny Smith, Honeycrisp, Braeburn, Pink Lady, Fuji and Gala.

So if you’re enjoying the cool weather and sipping on something warm around the campfire, add this recipe to your lineup for a festive fall camping dessert!

Don’t let the spirits of October catch you by surprise. To help you plan a fun and spooky Halloween road trip, we’ve compiled a list of some of the scariest places and events in North America. Many of these spots stay open long past October 31, giving you a chance to get your fright on well into autumn.

Find a Good Sam Park near each scary stop on this list. 

Gunfighter Ghost Tour, Tombstone, Arizona

If the town’s name and wild past doesn’t convince you that this place is haunted, then a tour through its neighborhoods might turn you into a believer. The Tombstone Gunfighter and Ghost Tour starts at Big Nose Kate’s Saloon, once the elegant Grand Hotel. A stroll down Allen’s street takes tourgoers to sites of some of the bloodiest Old West gunfights; guests are advised to be vigilant for spirit sightings. Of course, the tour includes a stop at the infamous O.K. Corral, the place where lawmen led by Virgil Earp gunned down three outlaws in 30 seconds in 1881. Whet your whistle at Doc Holliday’s Saloon after a day spent walking with ghosts.

Stay: CT RV Resort in Benson offers luxury living with spectacular views just minutes from Tombstone.

Sink your claws into this fact: RV travelers love bringing their pets on the road with them. Surveys have shown that more than 60 percent of RVers are accompanied by animal friends on camping trips. This should come as no surprise if you’ve spent any time in campgrounds across North America (at least the ones that allow pets). People walking their dogs, and to a lesser extent, cats, are a common sight. There are also RV owners camping with parrots, iguanas, ferrets and a whole lot more. But for this post, let’s focus exclusively on cats and dogs. Let’s talk about safeguarding your pets on the road.

Finding the Right RV Park

Keep in mind that it’s essential to review the pet policies of the parks you’re visiting. Most campgrounds require dogs to be kept on a short leash and not roam free. However, many private campgrounds offer dog walks or off-leash dog park areas to accommodate pet owners. Check the Good Sam listing of the park you plan to visit to determine pet policies. You’ll find information about pet restrictions in the campground listing’s Policies section.

Differences in Geography

So how do we keep our furry friends from harm while traveling the country in our RV? How is safeguarding them while traveling any different than caring for them at home?

There are other things that change with the geographic area. Depending on where you travel, you may encounter birds and reptiles that may pose a problem. Snakes, for example, pose little danger for most of us as they will scurry away should we ever get near them. But dogs and cats like to sneak around and investigate. They might just find a Florida favorite, the pygmy rattlesnake. Not only might they come upon a snake, but cats may actually bring one back to your RV to show you what they caught. This I have witnessed several times with a park neighbor. Fortunately, these were not venomous types but more in the grass snake group.

In every camping escapade, from the early mornings to starry nights, only two things are constant: campfires and food. For children, camp stories will be an addition. While camping, a child’s vivid and nostalgic memories revolve around these three. Cooking by the campfire, especially with its varying temperatures, which will need extensive patience from everyone, will always be a challenge. But for the kids, what can we do? Cooking in the wilderness is fun enough that the challenges to be encountered (i.e., the fire going off with every gust of wind, keeping the food at the right temperature, etc.) will likely be worth it in the long run. But for a hungry brood of kids to feed, having scrumptious recipes planned out in advance will be best. Pack up the essentials, grab your ingredients and cookware, and cook up these kid-friendly camping recipes we’ve listed below.

Savory Breakfasts

For early morning arrivals at camp, watching the sunrise will be the best way to spend the time. What better way to upgrade this experience than eating an extra special breakfast that will keep you and your family energized throughout the day? Pancakes make the perfect campfire food: You can pre-make (and pack) the dry and wet ingredients separately, then mix them up just when you need them. Another classic that kids can make themselves are peanut butter and jelly with a twist: they’re muffins. These can make this classic delicacy easy to grab and go.

Super Sandwiches

If barbecuing would be your choice for lunch, halloumi would be a perfect option as it holds its shape while cooking and develops a beautiful chargrilled, salty flavor. Light up the coals and get grilling with those cheese slices! Try these quick and easy veggie halloumi burgers (top) featuring toasted brioche buns with fresh lettuce and tomatoes. These tasty little salmon tacos with lime dressing will be a real treat for your kids as they can assemble their own after you’ve cooked the salmon on the barbecue. With just a frying pan in hand, a tasty no-oven pizza is a popular camp meal for the kids. They can simply make their dough and choose a selection of their favorite toppings to garnish!

In Destin, located on Florida’s panhandle, the menu for fun includes fishing, paddleboarding, shopping and dining on fresh seafood. Once a sleepy fishing village, Destin has grown to become one of the premier vacation destinations in the Sunshine State. Between the soft, white-sand beaches, the world-class fishing excursions and the thrill-a-minute attractions on shore, there’s a little something for everyone in this warm-weather paradise. Drop a line in Destin for snowbird adventure.

For a great place to stay, Camping on the Gulf is a top-rated destination situated right on the coast.

Hook, Line and Dinner

Billed as the “World’s Luckiest Fishing Village,” Destin is home to one of the country’s largest charter fishing fleets, making it easy to arrange the excursion of your dreams. For an accessible, family-friendly outing, try the inshore waterways of Choctawhatchee Bay, where king mackerel, red snapper or grouper are a quick cast away. However, more serious anglers will want to book a deep-sea outing 25-miles offshore, where the shallow waters of the harbor give way to the rich waters of the Gulf of Mexico. Tuna, billfish, and sharks, as well as plenty of seasonal sportfish, call these bountiful waters home, so you can expect plenty of fight and plenty of fish as you cast a line alongside some of the Gulf’s most experienced guides.

Surf and Sand

Baltimore and the surrounding area seem tailor-made for autumn. The fall colors in the trees add splashes of bright crimson and gold to the town and the outlying regions. The many historic sites related to local hero Edgar Allan Poe are the perfect companions to Halloween season. And the hot seafood from the Chesapeake Bay wards off the fall chills that blow off the Chesapeake Bay. Discover Baltimore’s natural side this fall.

Known as Charm City, Baltimore is home to bustling communities, historic ships, exciting museums, and the Inner Harbor — the city’s focal point. When you’re not outdoors, explore this Jewel of the Chesapeake with a visit to the art museum with a huge selection of Impressionist paintings while harbor ships provide history lessons that span the centuries. With the African American Wax Museum, the National Cryptologic Museum and a chance to follow Edgar Allen Poe’s wanderings, you’ll find plenty to keep your mind stimulated.

Camp out in a nearby Good Sam Park and enjoy the magic of Charm City.

Hiking Outside of Town

Before exploring urban landscapes, check out the natural areas surrounding the town. Escape to Gwynns Falls, an urban hiking and biking trail with nine trailheads connecting 30 neighborhoods along with a historic greenway stream valley that provides access to Baltimore. Gunpowder Falls provides views of 18th-century Hoffmanville Cemetery and leads to Pretty Boy Reservoir. On the Chesapeake, Downs Park offers a variety of natural and recreational activities throughout its 236 acres. Black Marsh Trail winds for six miles along wild wetlands and bordering forests, perfect for birders and naturalists searching for bald eagles and swamp sparrows.