This Saturday, September 30, is National Public Lands Day. Celebrate in a National Park! All national parks throughout the country will waive entrance fees and many will sponsor volunteer work events. National Public Lands Day is the country’s largest one-day commemoration of shared spaces. There is something for everyone. Visit a national park for free. Attend a special event. Or lend…
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Nice neighbors but noisy generator – What to do?
Dear RV Shrink: We were recently camping in Yellowstone in one of our favorite, usually quiet campgrounds. Unfortunately, we ended up next to a lovely couple with a very noisy generator. I don’t think it even had a muffler. During the summer season it is combat camping and moving was not an option. We were lucky to get the spot…
Read MoreThinking of camp hosting? Here’s how
Here’s a question from a reader of RVtravel.com about boondocking. Hi Bob, We’ve stayed at a couple of Forest Service campgrounds and like them very much, especially the space, plants, and trees surrounding each site. In one of them, there was a camp host that seemed to be in charge and kept the campground neat and tidy. How does one…
Read MorePublic lands management — Does history repeat itself?
By Bob Difley Editor’s note: In light of the recent push by some agencies of the U.S. government to increase the amount of management of public campgrounds by private concessionaires, it’s interesting to look back to 2010 regarding the same topic. Writing under the headline “Campers express displeasure with public lands campground concessionaires,” Bob Difley presented some interesting notes…
Read MoreWife critiques every campsite, driving hubby nuts
Dear RV Shrink: My wife and I love the RV lifestyle. We hope to visit every National Park in the country and all the other interesting points along the way. Although we stay in many wonderful state and national park campgrounds, my wife has developed an annoying hobby of critiquing each site we occupy. She can always find fault…
Read MoreNational Parks to get millions for maintenance
By Russ and Tiña De Maris Recognizing that U.S. National Parks are in need of an injection of cash to handle deferred maintenance backlogs, it was of interest that Ryan Zinke, U.S. Secretary of the Interior, appeared before the press to announce funding to help cover the backlogs. Zinke made the reveal July 22, using Colorado’s Rocky Mountain National…
Read MoreVideo: Tips from rangers about visiting Yellowstone
You probably already know that visitation at American National Parks is at an all-time high. If you plan to visit Yellowstone National Park, here are some tips from rangers to help ensure your trip is safe and enjoyable. ##RVT804
Read MoreHurry! National Park Senior Pass price on the rise
If you don’t already have your $10 Senior Pass from the National Park Service make sure to get it before the new price increase on August 28, when the price will jump from $10 to $80. Since 1994, the pass has been an incredible bargain for U.S. citizens and permanent residents 62 and older. The hike comes as a requirement…
Read MoreProposed NM campground to aid overcrowding
With the successful addition of a swimming area in Farmington Lake (in the city of Farmington, N.M.,) the town is now considering adding a dry campground, according to a report by the Daily Times. A new campground means more sites to help with existing overcrowded parks. Farmington Parks, Recreation and Cultural Affairs Director Cory Styron will present plans to…
Read MoreWhere can I boondock and see California condors
Here’s a question from a reader of RVtravel.com about boondocking. Hi Bob, My wife and I are RVers from the Midwest and would like to see the California condors that have been introduced into the wild in California. Are there any places to boondock where we can see them? —Bernie Hi Bernie, Here’s a worthwhile choice, not only to see…
Read MoreBear charging you? Spray it!
Summer is here and for many RVers that means a visit to a national park or other rural or scenic area. In some of those places, humans are not the only creatures enjoying an experience with nature: among those other creatures — bears! Sadly, the meeting of bears and humans occasionally ends up bad with humans coming out on…
Read MoreGet free, but valuable, RV info from the Forest Service
By Bob Difley Summer is almost here, and boondockers will soon be looking for campsites in the national forests. These tips may help make your camping trip more efficient and more pleasurable. Plan to reach the Forest Service (FS) office or visitor center before it closes, but also allow enough time to dump, fill water, and shop for food…
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