One of the biggest frustrations we hear from RVers is how difficult and expensive it is to find an RV camping spot, particularly without advance reservations. People are always surprised to learn that, very rarely do Jennifer and I make advance reservations. Yet we almost always find a great spot, whether boondocking or in a commercial or government run campground.

Our guest in the interview of the week segment for this episode is Mark Koep, a fulltime RVer who travels with his family in a 44-foot RV. Mark seldom makes reservations either, even though finding spots for his big rig are more challenging than Jennifer and I experience.

Mark runs an awesome and totally free website called Campgroundviews.com that makes it easy to find that perfect campsite… without advance reservations.

I asked Mark to break it down for us, step-by-step, to show us just how it works. AZLso this week... lots of RV News… RV Lifestyle tips, Q&A and a great off the beaten path report from the Burketts.

Show Notes for Episode #258 September 4, 2019 of The RV Podcast:

WHAT MIKE AND JENNIFER ARE UP TO THIS WEEK

We’re coming to you this week from the beautiful Emerald Coast in the Northwest Florida panhandle.

We had a great meet and greet gathering Sunday in the Gulf Islands National Seashore.

The weather has been very hot and humid but very beautiful.

We’re getting ready for the fall RV show season. It starts next week in Hershey, PA, where we’ll be attending what is billed as America’s Largest RV Show. We’ll be looking at all the new RVs and doing meet and greets. If you’re attending Hershey we’ll be hanging out with our friends at the Leisure Travel Vans display there so come by and say hello.

RV LIFESTYLE NEWS OF THE WEEK

MIKE

Electric bikes now permitted on national park trails under new presidential order 

Did you hear that electric bikes will soon be permitted on trails in the U.S. National Parks? Last week President Donald Trump signed an order permitting e-bikes to be classified the same as bicycles so they can go on every federal trail regular bikes use. E-bikes are bicycles that are powered by petals and a battery to assist people who are older, have a disability, or maybe would just like a little assistance with pedaling. The move was opposed by many hiking, horse-riding and other outdoor groups who are concerned the electric powered bikes would cause people to go too fast and fundamentally change the experience on the trails. Personally Jennifer and I have had Rad Power Bikes for some time and we really enjoy them. We use them as regular bicycles, and only use the assistance when we need a little help. Here is a video we did some time back explaining how the bikes work.

JENNIFER

Don't get caught speeding in Yosemite National Park's new wildlife protection zones

If you're heading to Yosemite National Park this fall be on the lookout for signs marking wildlife protection zones. So far this year 11 bears have been hit by vehicles in the park. The zones were established to reduce collisions with wildlife, be it bears, butterflies, foxes, deer or other creatures. The wildlife protection zones will have a slower speed limit and officials will be strictly enforcing it in the hopes of preventing more loss of life.

MIKE

Article shows how the early days of RV camping began  

A fun article looking at camping 100 years ago captured my attention last week. The article, complete with pictures, talked about "Tin Can Tourists" and the early days of RV traveling. It showed how when cars were new, the national parks didn't have official campgrounds. People could just drive in and set up camp wherever - even on the National Mall in Washington, D.C. It was a fun read and got me thinking back to the amazing display of early campers at the RV Hall of Fame and Museum. We did an article on it here, and highly recommend a visit.

JENNIFER

Water pipe break at Grand Canyon National Park places entire park, including campgrounds, on water conservation mode