Awesome Fall Foliage in Georgia’s Vogel State Park

If you're new here, you may want to subscribe to our E-mail Digest or RSS Feed. We will then send you the stories that are posted each day in an e-mail digest. We use a service called Feedburner for delivery of these emails. You will receive an e-mail from Feedburner after you subscribe and you must click on that email to activate your subscription. Thanks for visiting and enjoy all the information! RV.Net Blog AdminGeneral Info: One of Georgia’s oldest state parks, Vogel State Park is a popular destination for visitors searching for outdoor recreation in Blairsville. Located at the base of Blood Mountain (about 20 miles as the crow flies from the North Carolina border) the park’s 233 acres are surrounded by the Chattahoochee National Forest. Hours and Fees: The park is open daily from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m., while the park office is open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Call the park office at (706) 745-2628 for more information. Activities: The 22-acre lake is open for non-motorized boats only, and there is a scenic beach for swimming along the shores. You can bring your own canoe or kayak, or rent a pedal boat on site in the summer to cruise around the lake. Take a break at the covered picnic areas, where you can enjoy your refreshments in the shade of the park’s woodland canopy. Vogel State Park has several hiking trails of various length and intensity where you can get a better look at the park’s beautiful wilderness. Gather the troops for a round of miniature golf on the park’s... Read more

Marvel at the Extreme Tides of Canada’s Bay of Fundy

General Info: Fundy National Park, in southern New Brunswick, Canada contains two distinct environmental systems. The Bay of Fundy marine coastal environment features salt marshes, tidal flats and rocky shores. The park’s interior is part of the Caledonia Highlands plateau, featuring pine forests, deep river valleys and bogs. Download the park brochure PDF to learn more about the area. digg_url = 'http://digg.com/travel_places/Marvel_at_the_Extreme_Tides_of_Canada_s_Bay_of_Fundy'; The Bay of Fundy sees the biggest tidal changes in the world. At the head of the bay, the difference between high and low tide can be 16 meters–that’s the height of a four-storey building! The park is a wilderness area so visitors must take care of their personal safety and be mindful of natural dangers. Hours and Fees: The Headquarters Visitor Reception Center is open daily in summer from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m., and from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. in spring and fall. In winter the reception center is only open from 8:15 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. The Wolfe Lake Information Center is open from June 26- August 23 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. A daily entrance fee of CAN$7.80 applies to each adult (ages 17 to 64), CAN$6.80 for seniors (age 65+) and CAN$3.90 for youths (ages 6 to 16). A group rate of CAN$19.60 covers two adults and up to five children all traveling in the same vehicle. Season passes are also available. Activities: Fundy National Park hosts loads of outdoor recreational activities... Read more

Revel in Flowering Meadows and Towering Forests in BC

General Info: Mount Revelstoke National Park in southeastern British Columbia protects a portion of the world’s only inland temperate rainforest, nurtured by the warm, moist climate. The steep, rugged Columbia Mountain range is distinct from the Rockies and the Coast Mountains, and is blanketed with stands of old-growth red cedar and hemlock. The beauty of Mount Revelstoke’s meadows full of spring wildflowers inspired a group of townspeople from Revelstoke to lobby for the creation of the park in 1914. Learn more about Mount Revelstoke’s cultural and natural history.digg_url = 'http://digg.com/travel_places/Revel_in_Flowering_Meadows_and_Towering_Forests_in_BC'; Since the Meadows in the Sky Parkway is a narrow, mountain road with 16 switchbacks, trailers and motorhomes are not permitted. You can park your RV .5 km up the Parkway from the Trans-Canada Highway interchange (watch for signs indicating the Nels Nelsen Historic Area). If driving your toad up the Parkway to the summit isn’t convenient, you can take the shuttle bus from the parking area at Balsam Lake to the summit from 10:00 a.m. to 4:20 p.m. Or, if you want to stretch your legs a big you can take an easy stroll or a longer hike from the Balsam Lake area to the summit area instead. You’ll be rewarded at the summit with beautiful photography opportunities, picnicking areas and mountaintop hiking and strolling. The historic mountaintop firetower also serves as a good subject for closer inspection and keepsake... Read more

Lakes and Vineyards Abound on One Tank through British Columbia

British Columbia is known as Canada’s outdoor playground. The southernmost part of the province tends to be a bit more temperate year round, making it ideal for golfing or strapping on those hiking boots to explore the many trails that wind through BC’s incredible wilderness areas. In winter, there’s no better place to enjoy the snow than British Columbia. In fact, Vancouver is the site for the 2010 Winter Olympic Games! This one tank excursion from Woodall’s will give you a nice introduction to the diversity of British Columbia’s attractions.digg_url = 'http://digg.com/travel_places/Lakes_and_Vineyards_on_One_Tank_through_British_Columbia'; Revelstoke For a different view of BC, start a ways off from the well-traveled areas of Vancouver and the province’s capital of Victoria. The scenic town of Revelstoke, which is situated quite close to Mount Revelstoke National Park, will set the tone for the rest of this relaxing trip. There’s an abundance of fishing to be had in any of the several freshwater lakes in the area, and the hypnotic natural beauty of Revelstoke can be enjoyed via a network of hiking and mountain biking trails. After a day out in the woods, you may want to take a rejuvenating soak in the local mineral hot springs. Locals swear by their restorative powers. While in Revelstoke, a place of interest to history buffs is the Revelstoke Railway Museum, which features exhibits about Canada’s first transcontinental railway. The nearby Revelstoke... Read more

Spectacular Peaks Along British Columbia’s Skeena River

          This week I’ll be making good on my promise to include Canada in my nature parks series. I’ll start my foray into the Great White North with the province of British Columbia.digg_url = 'http://digg.com/travel_places/Spectacular_Peaks_Along_British_Columbia_s_Skeena_River'; General Info: Seven Sisters Provincial Park & Protected Area includes 39,206 hectares and is named for the peaks visible from Highway 16. Download the park access map PDF to help get the lay of the land. Read more Tell a Friend Read More →

Rustic S. Dakota Charm at Rafter J Bar Ranch Resort

Trailer Life Cream of the Crop Campsites: Rafter J Bar Ranch Camping Resort—Hill City, SD Situated right in the middle of the Black Hills, Rafter J Bar Ranch Camping Resort is a large resort with luxurious amenities in a rustic setting. There are five camping areas separated by sweeping meadows and shaded by towering Ponderosa pines; take your pick of a remote site or one closer to the resort’s activity center. There are spacious and sunny big rig sites with full hookups (50 amp service). Pull-thrus and back-ins measure 40x 60’ and both grass and gravel sites are available.digg_url = 'http://digg.com/travel_places/Rustic_S_Dakota_Charm_at_Rafter_J_Bar_Ranch_Resort'; The park offers gas, propane and firewood for sale and the well-stocked camp store has plenty of groceries and camping supplies. You’ll also enjoy free WiFi Internet and free hot showers! Laundry facilities and a public phone are available for your convenience. For a detailed list of resort amenities, see the Trailer Life Directory. The kids will love the huge playground! The park has a recreation room for games and cards, as well as an arcade. There’s also freshwater fishing in Spring Creek to while away an afternoon. Take a swim in the large heated outdoor pool or soak the aching muscles in the hot tub. You can even rent a bike on site to ride along the George S. Mickelson hiking and biking trail. Grab a short stack at the daily pancake breakfast from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. between Memorial Day and Labor Day!... Read more

Majestic Sioux Falls and the Corn Palace on One Tank

South Dakota is where the Heartland plains collide with the west’s magnificent mountain ranges. It’s a spot for both big city life and rustic frontier towns, where rolling rivers quench the thirst of the buffalo that still roam free, and where the faces of four of our finest presidents gaze down upon us from the majestic monument Mount Rushmore. In short, South Dakota is the perfect place for RV vacationing with the entire family! This route from the folks at Woodall’s starts off in Sioux Falls and takes you through southeastern South Dakota along the Missouri River on just one tank of fuel. digg_url = 'http://digg.com/travel_places/Majestic_Sioux_Falls_and_the_Corn_Palace_on_One_Tank'; Sioux Falls Starting in Sioux Falls, you can spend a good part of a day touring the various historic sites, such as the McKennan Historic District and the Old Courthouse Historic District. Any of the sites can be toured on foot, or you can hop on the local trolley for a quicker stop-by-stop tour. But without a doubt, one absolute must-see visit is the very spot the town was named after, Sioux Falls. These awe-inspiring waterfalls were created roughly 14,000 years ago, and lured settlers to the area as far back as 500 B.C.E. Lewis and Clark described their majesty in their expedition journals. In addition to the waterfalls, the Great Plains Zoo and Delbridge Museum are great places to spend some time while in town; the zoo features more than 500 animals on its 45-acre preserve, showcasing... Read more

Experience Sacred Ground in South Dakota’s Black Hills

The southwest corner of South Dakota is packed with significant cultural and historic sites. The Black Hills have long been a sacred area for many Native American tribes. When gold was discovered there in 1874, the onslaught of white settlement created cultural upheaval and violent conflict for both groups. digg_url = 'http://digg.com/travel_places/Experience_Sacred_Ground_in_South_Dakota_s_Black_Hills'; General Info: Near the Black Hills National Forest and six miles northeast of Sturgis is Bear Butte State Park. The park protects the mountain called Mato Paha (Bear Mountain) by the Lakota tribe. The Cheyenne name is Noahvose. Bear Butte is a sacred site to both groups, who view it as a place where people can communicate with the creator through visions and prayer. Please respect the area as a religious site and don’t disturb worshippers. Prayer cloths, tobacco ties and other religious offerings hanging from the trees are not to be photographed or otherwise disturbed. Hours and Fees: The park is open daily year-round for day use only. Entrance costs $6 per vehicle per day, or $28 for an annual pass. Activities: Hiking the mountain is a great way to enjoy its natural wooded splendor and appreciate why the area is sacred to native tribal peoples. The trail around Bear Butte Lake is an easy scenic route, while the more-challenging Summit Trail gains 1000 ft. for extensive views of four states from the peak. Be sure to bring water with you because it’s only available at the... Read more

Northwestern Grandeur at Olympic National Park

General Info: Olympic National Park spans three distinct ecosystems across 922,000 acres. Here you’ll marvel at old growth and temperate rain forests, wild Pacific Coast and jagged glacier-topped mountains. Ninety-five percent of the park is designated wilderness, protecting the flora and fauna that live here. The April ’09 edition of Highways Magazine features an article about Olympic National Park with some great tips for seeing the park by RV.digg_url = 'http://digg.com/travel_places/Northwestern_Grandeur_at_Olympic_National_Park'; Hours and Fees: The park is open 24 hours a day all year round, but some park facilities and roads may close for winter or temporary weather conditions. See the 2009 calendar list for more info. An entrance fee of $15 per vehicle is good for 7 consecutive days. The RV dump stations cost $5 per use (see camping info below for locations). Activities: There are literally too many things to see and do in this park for a detailed list in this blog post. However, I can tell you that there are activities to suit every taste and ability, from auto touring and dayhikes to fishing and backpacking. Pets: Your leashed pets are only permitted in park campgrounds, picnic areas and parking lots. Don’t leave you pet unattended. Read the full park pet rules. Weather: This park has a wide variety of weather conditions that change quickly. In general the Olympic Peninsula has a moderate coastal climate. Summers are warm (65-75 °F) and winters at lower elevations... Read more

Washington’s North Cascade Range on One Tank

Among its many attributes, The Evergreen State is a place where the enjoyment of the outdoors is a way of life. The beautiful Cascade Mountain range is known as the “Switzerland of North America,” and can be accessed within a two-hour drive from any metropolitan area in the state. Washington is also the home of majestic Mount Ranier. As the home base of Starbucks, the state serves as the Coffee Capital of the World. This one tank RV trip route from Woodall’s will take you through some of the state’s best scenery.digg_url = 'http://digg.com/travel_places/Washington_s_North_Cascade_Range_on_One_Tank'; Leavenworth Our journey begins in the quaint Bavarian-style village of Leavenworth, where we can enjoy a European alpine experience without ever getting on a plane. The shops contain authentic Bavarian souvenirs, and the food is also 100% European. In winter, the city comes alive with the Ice Fest; blanketed in fresh snow, the city celebrates the winter season with decorations and festivals. Spring brings the Ale Fest and the Spring Bird Fest. Summer features the Wine Walk and 4th of July extravaganza, while fall sees the return of - naturally – Oktoberfest! This grand spectacle runs the first three weekends of October, and is not to be missed by fans of fine brews and bratwurst. Anacortes Getting on the road, head northwest on Highway 2 for a little more than 100 miles, then merge with the southbound I-5 for just under 40 miles, which takes you into Anacortes.... Read more

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