Camping in national forests can be wonderful any time of year, but fall is extra special. As the leaves change and the temperatures cool, national forests provide a scenic backdrop for your camping adventures. But, there are some things you need to know to prepare for this unique experience, and we have all the tips and tricks you need for planning the perfect national forest camping trip this fall--or anytime!

Tips for Camping in National Forests This Fall…or Anytime!

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In the first segment of the show we have a huge announcement to make about an upcoming international RV trip that we taking this month. You will have to tune in to the podcast to find out more. And in the second (much longer) segment of the show we will be covering four major trends from KOA's 2024 North American Camping and Outdoor Hospitality Report (which is celebrating its tenth anniversary in 2024.) We have covered major trends from the report since its inception 10 years ago and always love digging into the data.

Stephanie summarized some major trends in this year's report over on the blog at Park Vendor Review. You can read that summary of major trends right here.

To read a high level overview of the report itself --please click here.

On the podcast we discuss the rise of "blended trips" where campers stay at more than one type of accommodation during a single trip. Then we discuss the decline of tent camping and the meteoric rise of glamping. We end the show by discussing how the boomers are back! Many boomers stayed away from camping and all kinds of travel during the pandemic--but they are returning to campgrounds in droves this year!

To listen to Jeremy and Stephanie discuss all of those trends and more click on the media player above--or subscribe to The RV Atlas wherever you get your favorite shows!

Huge Announcement! + 5 Trends from KOA’s 2024 Camping and Outdoor Hospitality Report

The Pacific Northwest is one of the greatest places in America for camping and outdoor adventure. Our 26-day trip to Washington State, Oregon, and the California Redwoods was one for the record books. We are definitely jonesing for a return trip. When we do return we definitely want to camp at Champoeg State Heritage Area. On this week's episode of The RV Atlas podcast we are thrilled to welcome Kristy Dobie from Willa Wanders on to the show for a terrific review of this campground and all of the awesome things you can see and do (and eat and drink) nearby.



To listen to Jeremy interview Kristy please click on the media player above--or subscribe to the RV Atlas wherever you get your favorite shows! Or just read on for this guest post from Kristy. It has all of the details you need to plan a trip to Champoeg and the Willamette Valley. Thanks to Kristy for sharing her knowledge of the area and for sharing her wonderful photos!
Kristy Dobie from @willawanders
Photo by Kristy Dobie

Since 2019, Kristy Dobie has hit the road with Willa, her Airstream Trailer. With her adventurous pup, and Sony camera by her side, she has documented the journey on Instagram, TikTok, and other social media accounts. @WillaWanders is an RV and outdoor travel account that features landscape, wildlife, travel, and lifestyle photography, as well as travel itineraries and tips. Since Kristy also worked as a teacher for over a decade, conservation education is woven into her travel content with the hopes of inspiring action and respect for nature. More recently, Kristy has added international travel to her list of adventures by hosting group trips with likeminded travelers.
Champoeg State Heritage Area and The Willamette Valley
Photo by Kristy Dobie

The Willamette Valley is a large region of Oregon that includes fertile farmland from outside of Portland down south of Eugene. Champoeg State Heritage Area is perfectly situated 7 miles east of the town of Newberg and is surrounded by wine country and some excellent dining. This is a great spot to use as a basecamp to explore Northern Oregon, including day trips to the Oregon Coast or the Columbia Gorge and Mount Hood.

Champoeg State Heritage Area is special because it helps preserve the history of the region. Unlike many other mountainous parts of our state, this campground is in a more pastoral setting along the Willamette River.

There are lots of walking and biking paths that wind through groves of trees and pastures that are home to deer and many bird species. Families may also enjoy visiting the historical museums on site or making use of the fishing and boating dock. The campground is great for a variety of campers since it includes cabin and yurt rentals as well as tent and RV camping. 

Photo by Kristy Dobie

There are three different aspects of history that local museums like to focus on: the time prior to 1840, the start of Oregon’s state government, and the area’s historical importance as a transportation hub.

Prior to 1840: The Champoeg prairie was home to Kalapuya Indians. Their tribe used the area for hunting, fishing, and gathering camas bulbs, which were a staple in their diet. In 1811, fur trappers first visited the area.

The Seeds of Government: Let’s flash forward to 1841 -  area settlers began holding meetings that were appropriately known as “wolf meetings” so they could discuss problems with predators. Eventually, the meetings began discussing larger issues, and in 1843, the settlers narrowly voted to establish a new provisional government for the area.

Transportation Hub: Champoeg is also known as a historical transportation hub. Although this provisional government moved in 1844, Champoeg’s location on the river made it a regular stop for stagecoaches and steam boats.

Oregon’s Champoeg State Heritage Area Campground (With Kristy from Willa Wanders)

Heading to Shenandoah National Park and looking for a scenic camping experience with all of the conveniences and amenities? Put Spacious Skies Shenandoah Views at the top of your list. This bucolic campground offers panoramic mountain views, easy access to national park highlights, and tons of family-friendly activities.

Spacious Skies Shenandoah Views in Luray, Virginia (Campground Review)

On this week's Q+A episode of The RV Atlas podcast we are tackling three more questions from the RV Atlas Group on Facebook.

 	What are the best options for a budget-friendly RV water filter that gets the job done?
 	How to spend three days in and around Custer State Park?
 	Can you take Buc-ees out of Texas? Or is it not as good in other states?

Talking Water Filters With Noah and Noah from Camco


In the first segment we invite Noah Haut and Noah Cronin from Camco to discuss the new and improved TastePURE Water Filter and why it is a great value for RV owners who want clean water at the campground without having to use bottled water. Camco's TastePURE water filter is Made in the USA and has six stages of filtration. It also has almost 50,000 four and five star reviews on Amazon--which is pretty amazing if you stop and think about it! When it comes to budget-friendly RV water filters this one is the best in show.
Custer State Park (What To Do and What To See)


Then we welcome Stephanie back on the show and talk about things to do and see in Custer State Park--and how to spend three days there with kids. Are we team Mount Rushmore--or team Crazy Horse? Or team neither? And do we think Jewel Cave is worth the visit? Or should visitors concentrate their time within Custer itself?
Can You Take Buc-ees Out of Texas?


In segment three we discuss Buc-ees and whether you can take Buc-ees out of Texas. Our experiences with Buc-ees inside of the great state of Texas were stellar--but our experiences with some of their new locations outside of the Lone Star State have been a mixed bag. Newer locations have been insanely crowded with less parking and a whole lot of madness. Jeremy loved the madness. Stephanie felt a little claustrophobic.


RV Water Filters, Custer State Park, Can You Take Buc-ees Out Of Texas?

Are you a happy camper? Or do you find yourself getting cranky over some of the challenges that are related to the RV and camping lifestyle? Reservations can be hard to get--and prices for campsites have gone up--and so have the prices of RVs. There are some legitimate issues and concerns out there--but camping is still awesome, right?

We think there are still an abundance of things to love about the RV and camping lifestyle--and there always will be. In fact, we think camping and RVing are good for the mind, good for the body, and good for the soul! We want YOU to be a happy camper in 2024.

It's all about having the right mindset.



On this week's episode of The RV Atlas podcast we welcome our friend and camping buddy Phil Travaglia back on to the show to discuss tips for being a happy camper in 2024. Phil is the perfect person for this topic because he is the happiest camper we know. On this episode Phil shares 8 tips, Jeremy shares 8 tips, and we share 8 tips from the RV Atlas Group on Facebook--for a total of 24 tips for being a happy camper in 2024.

To listen to this episode of The RV Atlas please click on the media player above--or subscribe to the RV Atlas wherever you get your favorite shows.

Or just read on right below for Phil's 8 tips for being a happy camper in 2024!
Phil's Tips for Being a Happy Camper


Tip #1 Do your homework - When you go camping, whether it be in an RV or a tent; spend some time looking into the area where you will be staying.  Getting a sense of the weather, the stores and amenities nearby (in case of an emergency) and having an idea about the wildlife are important.  They will help you avoid unexpected situations that may negatively impact your overall experience.  A little research (and I really mean a little) can mean the difference between a great trip and wanting a “do over”.

For example: When we go camping in Montauk, knowing the weather and especially, the wind conditions will greatly affect the trip.  If you plan for a windy weekend, the things you bring will be useful and not a hindrance i.e. portable canopies or shelters that will end up on the other side of the campground. Another example would be if the surf is too rough, I won’t bring my fishing gear.  Which can be cumbersome to have to cart around; just to not use it.

Tip #2 Take inventory - We all know that a big part of the fun of camping is picking up gear along the way.  However, this gear can really negatively impact your experiences if you are constantly shuffling it and rearranging it in the RV.  As you camp during the season, take inventory.  Keep a mental tally of the things you use regularly and the things you regularly shuffle around.  Don’t be afraid to take the cluttering items out of the RV.  Having more room in the RV and having to manage less stuff makes a huge difference in the happiness meter on a trip.  For example: cooking accessories that are not going to be used take up so much space in the RV and are a constant source of frustration.  It is no fun to have to play a camping version of tetris under the sink every time you need to get a pot or pan! If you are not planning any crock pot or Dutch oven meals during the trip… leave them home.  They’ll still be there for you when you get back. Another example is board games.  How many board games do you actually need in the camper!  Bring one or two that you know will be fun for the group on your trip.  Free up some space and have less to manage.

Tip #3 Be flexible - One of the biggest things to remember about camping is a lot of unplanned things happen.  The weather is bad, traffic on the way causes major delays… I could go on forever.  The thing to help get through these events is to be flexible.  Having the ability to modify your plans is essential in being a happy camper.

Tips for Camping in National Forests This Fall…or Anytime!

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