Posted by on Aug 16, 2010
If they build it, will they come? It’s a gamble, but casino investors are betting that RV owners will flock to a casino built to cater folks that travel in motorhomes and travel trailers. Penn Harris Gaming last week announced plans to build a casino resort and RV park in Carlisle, Pennsylvania. If approved and built, the casino development would feature an RV park with full hook-ups and amenities for RV travelers as well as 36 on-site RVs available for rental by casino guests.
The proposed casino resort/RV park is the latest incarnation of a new trend in RV resort development. RV resorts and campgrounds that are designed around a particular interest are on the rise nationally. Late last year NASCAR announced its intention to build NASCAR-licensed RV family campgrounds. In partnership with Morgan RV Resorts, the first 13 NASCAR-themed RV parks opened this June in 8 states. The branded resorts immerse RV families in a total NASCAR experience with Sprint Cup and Nationwide series races shown on giant screens, exclusive pre- and post-race programs, driver interviews, race official interviews, on-track commentary and other events available only at official NASCAR RV resorts. Special tailgate events, parade laps, kids games, barbecues and designed to bring NASCAR fans together to share race day excitement.
Expect to see more branded RV resorts and RV parks dedicated to special interests in the coming years. As the RV Nation continues to grow, more major brands will use RV resorts as a way to court consumer interest and loyalty.
Posted by on Aug 09, 2010
Americans love their pets. We treat our pets like part of the family, kind of a fuzzier (and often more obedient) child. We have doggy day care centers, doggy play groups, doggy fashions and doggy bakeries. There are even a few restaurants that cater to our K-9 pals. Dog parks can be found in most American towns, and seaside communities usually set aside a stretch of beach where dogs can romp. But this summer has seen a new wrinkle in Americans’ love affair with our furry friends — pet-centered vacations.
Bringing Fido or Fluffy along on the family vacation isn’t a new concept for RV owners. RVers often travel with their family pets. The ability to bring your pet along for companionship is one of the true joys of traveling in an RV. But the new trend in pet vacations goes beyond taking Rover along on hikes and letting him snuffle around the RV campsite. New pet camps offer pet obstacle courses and agility activities that give both pets and their owners a good workout. The focus is on activities people can enjoy with their pets.
Four Paws Kingdom in Rutherfordton, North Carolina near the Chimney Rock and Lake Lure recreation areas has jumped on the bandwagon, opening the first dog-dedicated campground. Premium RV campsites are surrounded by 8 dog parks, a lake and creek (fenced for off-leash play and exploration), two agility courses and bathhouses for both dogs and their owners with plenty of scheduled activities to keep everyone happy.
Posted by on Jun 23, 2010
The horrific flash flood that ripped through a remote Arkansas campground, claiming the lives of 19 campers, brought home the unpredictability of nature. Families camping at the remote Albert Pike Recreation Area certainly didn’t expect to be fighting for their lives when they parked their RVs for the weekend. When tragedy struck in the middle of the night, most campers were sleeping, unaware of the flash flood warning issued at 2 a.m.
When you set out in your RV for a camping weekend, few people expect to battle a natural disaster. But floods and fires do occur, often with little warning. To ensure your family’s safety when camping, RV campers should follow these safety tips:
> When checking into a campground, register your campsite location and note any warnings.
> Know the safest way out of the campground by road, but also decide the route you’ll travel if forced to hike out.
> Designate a check point in case of disaster so family members know where to meet if separated.
> Carry a battery-powered NOAA weather radio and act quickly if warnings are issued.
> When choosing a campsite, check overhead for dead tree limbs that could be hazardous in high winds.
> If camping near water, look for debris up banks and in trees for indications of previous flooding and potential flood height.
Posted by on Jun 16, 2010
Sharing the sensibilities of ancient nomads and medieval vagabonds, boondockers seek to pursue not merely the road less traveled, but the road never traveled. These modern-day gypsies eschew neighborly RV parks and their upscale amenities for secluded groves far from mini marts and mini golf to live off the grid — no hookups, just you, your RV and nature.
Boondocking is a minimalist approach to RV living that’s particularly appealing to the frugally minded. Most boondockers prefer smaller RV travel trailers or compact Class B and Class C motorhomes for their versatility and easy maneuvering on gravel and dirt back roads. Off-grid living means it’s important to travel with a full propane tank, plenty of fresh water and a well-maintained RV battery. Dedicated boondockers often add solar panels, portable water and waste water tanks for long journeys into the back woods, and extra batteries.
There are plenty of places to go boondocking. The Bureau of Land Management and many national forests offer long-term visitor areas or unimproved sections for disbursed camping. You can often camp at no charge or for only a nominal fee when water, trash and dump site services are offered.
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Posted by on Jun 14, 2010
These are not your grandfather’s RV parks! Sure, you’ll still find plenty of quiet, shaded RV campgrounds across America that feature the fishing pond, playground, swimming pool and grocery counter common to RV parks for decades. But to attract vacationing RV owners, many new RV parks have elevated the once humble RV campsite to exciting new heights worthy of any 5-star vacation resort.
Search RVT.com’s RV campground finder and RV owners will discover RV resorts that offer a lavish selection of onsite recreational activities, including: elaborate swimming pools with slides and lazy rivers, adventure mini golf, horseback riding, canoe and kayak rentals, bicycle rentals, naturalist-led nature hikes, supervised day camp activities for kids, 18-hole golf courses and driving ranges, community barbecues and hayrides, gaming rooms, tennis courts, hot tubs, billiard rooms, basketball courts, Wi-Fi and cable connections; big-screen TVs, laundries, mini-marts and more.
Many of the more elaborate RV resorts are located in southwestern states where RVers stay for months at a time to escape cold northern winters. These RV resorts offer many communal activities from spa treatments and fitness activities to ceramics classes, woodworking shops and creative writing seminars. RV Resorts usually place a greater emphasis on providing planned activities, entertainment and luxury amenities than typical campgrounds. Wine tastings, weekly dinner-dances, tennis and golf tournaments and talent shows bring camping RVers together and establish a sense of community.
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