Table of contents for 012 July/Aug 2023 in RV TODAY

It’s hard to determine what makes Sedona, Arizona, so magical. The majestic red rocks surrounded by evergreen trees, along with sculpted canyons, sweeping mesas, and natural arches, are certainly unique. Many visitors also tout the inspirational effect of the Sedona Vortex. Whatever the reason, it’s a beautiful place to visit with so much to offer, especially if you love hiking, biking, and being outdoors. We visited Sedona for the hikes and the historical locations. With more than 200 trails, it’s easy to find a hike that will suit you. Did you know that Sedona wasn’t always called Sedona? It was originally called Indian Gardens or Camp Garden until it was later renamed Sedona. This land was inhibited by several Native American tribes, such as the Yavapai, the Tonto Apaches, the…

Boondocking is a popular activity for RVers who enjoy exploring remote, off-grid areas, as well as those who want to save some money! Boondockers camp without hookups or campground amenities, relying on their own self-sufficiency and resourcefulness to enjoy a natural, authentic camping experience. It can present some real challenges, though—especially for those who are new to the lifestyle. We spoke with some full-time nomads and gathered valuable insights on boondocking, including their tips and strategies for finding the best spots. Trey and Angela Schmeckpeper @schmecks_treks Trey and Angela travel full time in their RV and enjoy boondocking in beautiful and remote locations across the United States. They choose to boondock in order to enjoy the freedom and independence of off-grid living while exploring the country. When Trey and Angela…

We feature epic boondocking spots in every issue of RV Today’s sister publication, Rootless Living. Since boondocking is the theme of this issue, we wanted to share a few of our favorite boondocking spots for you here as well. Check out Rootless Living if you’re interested in more! Hurricane Cliffs, UT GPS: 37.20057, -113.23166 Hurricane Cliffs dispersed camping, a Bureau of Land Management site located in Virgin, Utah, is just 25 minutes from Zion National Park. We had a beautiful cliffside spot overlooking the Virgin River. We recommend our spot at the top for high-clearance vehicles with four-wheel drive. The roads have ruts and potholes, but we were able to make it with our 42-foot fifth wheel. There are plenty of dirt campsites at the bottom of the mountain with…

As a practiced RVer who’s passionate about helping others get started on their RVing journey, I wrote a book called “RVing for Newbies: The Manual.” Here, I’m sharing some quick tips to make your RVing adventures safer. In addition to this list, always keep in mind that RVs are rolling earthquakes—things shake, rattle, roll, and come loose as you travel. ELECTRICITY Become familiar with 12-volt DC (battery power) and 120-volt AC (shore power, generator power, and/or inverter output power). So many things in your RV rely on electricity, and it helps to know which things are running on battery (12V DC) and which are running on “commercial” (120V AC) power. PROPANE Learn how your propane furnace and water heater work. A furnace is a propane-only device—don’t mistake it for a…

Plus: 2 Crowd-Pleasing Recipes Our Heartland Cyclone fifth wheel came with a standard outdoor kitchen that included a sliding metal countertop, a sink with no drain, a two-burner gas stovetop, a tiny refrigerator, and a television. Here’s how we transformed this space into something much more useful for us: ■ Replaced the metal countertop and sink with a butcher block for more counter space■ Removed the two-burner gas stove and replaced it with a 22-inch Blackstone Tabletop Griddle■ Removed the tiny refrigerator and added a slide-out shelf as a permanent platform for our Traeger Wood Pellet Grill and Smoker■ Replaced the television with a peel-and-stick tile backsplash The new setup is perfect for the kind of outdoor cooking we like to do and a great complement to our indoor oven…

Upcoming RV Events and Rallies Stay connected with fellow RVers at these 2023 and 2024 events. Visit rvtoday.com/rv-rallies for more information. AUGUST 2023 Forest River Owners Group International Rally August 13–19 Goshen, IN Let’s Go Sunshine Coast Caravan and Outdoor Expo August 18–20 Nambour, Queensland, Australia The Western Motorhome and Campervan Show Aug 18–20 Malvern, Worcestershire, England SEPTEMBER Adventure Van Expo September 2–3 Ogden, UT Adventure Van Expo September 16–17 Olympic Valley, CA Bus Conversion Travelers’ Rally September 26–October 2 Camp Verde, AZ OCTOBER Tiffin New England Rally October 2–6 Essex Junction, VT O.C.T.O. Fest 2023 October 14 Long Beach, CA Fast Times at Farmington #39 October 15 Mocksville, NC NOVEMBER Trail Along to Pismo Vintage Trailer Rally November 2–5 Pismo Beach, CA Rainbow RV CA Palm Springs Pride 2023…

“Changing scenery from the comfort of my home”@collettaandco “Nature, waterfalls, mountains, canyons, wildlife—seeing the country without having to pack or fly”@whatlaceyloves “I don’t need to dream while I’m traveling because I see miracles every minute.”@travel.with.veronika “Being able to work remotely, be myself on my own time, and travel with my dog!”@roamwithlisa “The freedom of constantly changing locations and seeing America the Beautiful!”@snorkelsandsnowpants We want to hear from you! Share what makes you a happy camper by sending an email to collab@rvtoday.com.…

Attractions Campgrounds Information Harvest Hosts Harvest Hosts locations and reviews generously provided by the team at Harvest Hosts. Visit harvesthosts.com for a 15% off discount. COST FAST FACTS Have a place to see and/or stay? Visit rvtoday.com/work-with-us and click the Campground or Attractions form to share your favorite road trip spots! Pacific GUM WALL 1428 Post Alley, Seattle, WA 98101 You’ll want to stop in Seattle’s Pike Place Market, of course, but the main attraction is down the alleyway outside of the business, where the vibrant color of Seattle’s Gum Wall will both delight and disgust. Surely one of America’s grossest attractions, it was started in the 1990s, when a band and their fans stuck their chewed gum on the wall, and it’s only been cleaned off once, in 2015. Feel free to add…

I love introducing people to new places, but writing this article makes me feel like a miner spilling the secret location of his lucrative vein of gold. Northwest Alabama’s Bankhead National Forest is a gold mine for lovers of the outdoors, and it’s a bit off the beaten path, which is probably why it’s not very well known outside of the region. Bankhead National Forest also contains the Sipsey Wilderness, which protects parts of the wild and scenic Sipsey River. The forest sits at the conjunction of the Coastal Plain and the Cumberland Plateau. This leads to diverse plant and animal life and beautiful rock formations. Lush green ferns, dense forests, and emerald green streams litter the landscape. Bankhead covers more than 180,000 acres, so there are many, many miles…

In each of our five years of full-time RVing, we’ve set goals in an attempt to motivate ourselves and inspire others. This year, our goal is to visit 51 national parks in 52 weeks—that’s a lot of ground to cover, a lot of hiking to do, and a lot of incredible stories to tell! Throughout the year, we’ll be sharing adventures in RV Today from parks across the United States, along with recommendations to help you plan your own national park trip. We’re kicking off the series with Saguaro National Park. SAGUARO NATIONAL PARK Saguaro National Park has about 2 million saguaro cacti, which are among Katelyn’s very favorite plants. The park is divided into two districts that are about an hour apart, with the city of Tucson, Arizona, right…

Many of the early camp trailers were homemade, like this one owned by a construction worker at Camp Livingston in Alexandria, Louisiana. Also known as a house car, this photo taken in 1940 by Marion Post Wolcott shows the unique craftsmanship and ingenuity of early RV designs. Photo courtesy of Wolcott, M. P., photographer. (1940) Construction worker’s trailer home-made house car. He has a job at Camp Livingston. Alexandria, Louisiana. United States Alexandria Louisiana Rapides Parish, 1940. Dec. [Photograph] Retrieved from the Library of Congress, https://www.loc.gov/item/2017805880/.…