Posts byTucker Ballister

Feast on a Red and White Tablecloth by an RV in the Forest

Celebrate RV Friendsgiving With Camping Buddies

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,
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A dog surveys a vast canyon.

12 Dog-Friendly National Parks for Adventures With Your Pooch

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
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Four presidents carved into a cliff face.

5 Wild Dakotas Destinations to Rock Your Summer Travel Plans

Early experiences in the Dakotas provided valuable inspiration for the 26th President of the United States, Theodore Roosevelt. That inspiration drove his desire to form the National Park Service, and you can easily imagine why he took up the cause at five national parks destinations to visit in the Dakotas.  Four of these parks are
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Mountains on a blue-sky horizon reflected in a placid pond.

10 Best U.S. National Parks to Visit in the Summer

Most of us associate summer with some form of camping or outdoor recreation. But not all national parks are great summer destinations. Many parks in the Sun Belt, for example, experience sweltering temperatures. So if you want to check off a few destinations on your national parks bucket list this year, you’ll need to focus
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Travel trailer and Class B motorhome at a campsite

9 Essential Tips for a Fun (and Indispensable) RV Shakedown Cruise

There’s a lot to consider when it’s time to get your RV ready for camping season. From spring cleaning to performing an RV walk around to check all components, getting your vehicle prepared to hit the road requires a proper checklist (find one here!). But in addition to all the cleaning and equipment checks that you carry
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Man relaxes in hot spring

Hot and Cool: The Best Natural Springs for Winter

Even if you’ve already winterized your RV, you don’t have to wait until the spring thaw to enjoy your next camping trip. While hot springs are the obvious choice in the winter months, some snowbird RVers might find that their winter destination is a little warmer than expected. That’s why it makes sense to know
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A family looks out at vista from mountain top.

Hiking Great Smoky Mountains National Park

Great Smoky Mountains National Park is one of the best hiking destinations in eastern Tennessee and western North Carolina. While it can be quite busy during the summer, many people believe that the changing colors and cooler temperatures make fall the best time to hike in the park. Because the park covers a total of
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Maine Attractions: Tips for Visiting the Pine Tree State

Visiting Maine is a great way to get out of the city and away from home. There is plenty to do and see in this northeast state, and we are going to focus on providing helpful tips and attractions for those of you visiting Maine this coming camping season. When to Visit Maine As you
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Waterfalls cascading down a rocky cliff under a blue sky.

Turn Up the Fun at Turner Falls, Oklahoma

Regardless of your summer travel plans, you can’t go wrong when you choose Turner Falls in Oklahoma. This town boasts lots of attractions. Its namesake waterfall will make you want to return again and again. To help you plan your trip to Turner Falls, we have highlighted several interesting historical landmarks and recreational activities that
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Lone hiker standing on a promontory overlooking the ocean.

5 National Park Hikes to Get You Into Summer Shape

It is quite natural for us to be more active during the summer months. Whether you just want to get out and enjoy the warmer weather or you are preparing for a longer hike later in the summer, we are going to suggest five national park hikes to get you into summer shape. Our choices
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A pair of riders during sunset.

Cycling on Southern Florida’s Scenic Beach Trails

Southern Florida’s exceptional climate makes year-round recreation easy. While you might get a little more sweaty than normal if you explore some of the scenic beach biking trails in Southern Florida, it’s a small price to pay compared to what you could be enduring in other regions. Thankfully, these trails don’t all require a tricked-out
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A pair of kayakers heading toward Sunset

8 Kayaking Hot Spots in Texas Hill Country

From Austin down to San Antonio, there is no shortage of lakes and rivers in Texas Hill Country to enjoy your preferred flavor of kayaking. Whether you’re into recreational paddling, kayak fishing or whitewater kayaking, the best kayaking destinations in this area of Texas provide opportunities for paddlers of all experience levels. For those of
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A group of people around a campfire.

How to Make Unforgettable Camping Memories

Many of us still have fond memories from the early days of camping with our parents. In many cases, all it takes is the smell of campfire to take us back to those good times. There’s something that’s inherently special about camping with loved ones, whether it’s the detachment from daily routine or the inspired
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Historic Route 66 running through rugged desert country.

Route 66 RV Road Trip Destinations

More than 70 years have passed since the Nat King Cole Trio originally released (Get Your Kicks On) Route 66, but there’s still plenty to see along this iconic highway. Route 66 covers more than 2,400 miles and runs through a total of eight different states, leading motorists through communities that proudly preserve their classic
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Beautiful tree with orange and yellow leaves and sun shining through

‘Local’s Summer’: 5 Sleepy Fall RV Destinations

These sleepy fall RV destinations might make autumn your favorite season. For those of us who live in popular tourism destinations, our shoulder seasons are cherished opportunities for downtime. Those shoulder seasons typically come in the spring and fall, in between the summer and winter busy seasons. In many destinations, fall is considered “local’s summer”
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Man paddling on a red inflatable kayak.

5 Fantastic Inflatable Kayaks for RV Living

These inflatable kayaks combine convenience and fun. While there are certainly ways to strap hard-sided kayaks to the back of your RV or tow a trailer behind your rig, there’s arguably a better way. The best inflatable kayaks for RV living are more compact and much easier to store than their hard-sided counterparts. When you’re
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Airstream Trailer on lakeshore.

Chill Out at the Beach Without Getting Cold

Coastal camping — staying warm when the temperature dips. Camping near the ocean has its obvious perks. You’re close to the surf. You can take those long strolls on the sand with that special someone that you’ve always imagined. The views are usually spectacular, regardless of whether you’re enjoying the sunrise or sunset over the
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Woman hiking wearing yellow backpack in grassy area with mountains in foreground

Follow Fantastic Trails: 5 Epic Hikes in America’s Southwest

Hiking in the American Southwest ranks way up there when it comes to adventures for outdoor lovers. Find RV parks near great trails on Good Sam’s Adventure Seekers page. Amazingly, there’s so much ground to cover in Arizona, New Mexico, California and even parts of southern Utah, Colorado and Nevada, that you’d need years just to
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