The RV Atlas Podcast

We are pleased to announce that Jeremy’s new camp cooking show Camp Griddemore recently made its debut on Blackstone Griddle’s  YouTube channel.  This show is all about easy, fast, and fun recipes that are perfect for the campground. If you want to step up your pancakes, hot dogs, smash burgers, and even your s’mores--then this brand new show is for you! There is a seat waiting for you around the campfire at Camp Griddlemore no matter where you are in your camp cooking journey. So we hope you stop by and leave Jeremy a like and a comment–and more importantly we hope that you find your next favorite recipe or a new idea for your camp cooking rotation.

New episodes drop every Wednesday night.

Here is a quick look at the first five episodes and a basic tip for each recipe.

So let’s get camping! And let’s get cooking!

The first episode of Camp Griddlemore is all about making delicious Blueberry Butterscotch Pancakes with the Kodiak Cakes Flapjack and Waffle Mix. The number one tip here is to give those pancakes a complete butter bath! Watch the complete episode right here.

In the second episode of Camp Griddlemore we try to determine which is best–a corned beef reuben, or a pastrami reuben. Watch right here to find out which one Jeremy liked best! The pro tip here is to spread Duke’s Mayo on the outside of the deli rye bread and toast it up right on the griddle!

Are you that boring guy or girl that only uses ketchup and mustard on your hot dogs? If so, its time to experiment with some different toppings that are easy to use and easy to find.  The pro tip here is to let your imagination run wild and leave the ketchup and mustard at home on your next camping trip. Check out these three awesome hot dog “recipes” right here!

We are huge fans of Dan Whalen’s book S’mores around here. So we decided to make three of his recipes on this super fun episode of Camp Griddlemore. Which one did we like the best? The Elvis, or the Strawberry Mint Balsamic Glazed, or the Peanut Butter Cup and Jelly S’more? Watch the episode here to find out! And grab a copy of Dan’s book for s’more inspiration. It is absolutely terrific.

Jeremy and Shawn the Camera Guy both grew up at the Jersey Shore where you can get an amazing pork roll, egg and cheese sandwich at any number of places. On this episode of Camp Griddlemore Jeremy cooks up a Pork Roll, Egg, and Cheese Sandwich with a sweet and spicy twist! The pro tip here is to add your favorite hot sauce to the ketchup and use pepper jack cheese instead of white America! Check out this super fun and super easy recipe right here! 

The post Camp Griddlemore Debut (+Tips for Better Pancakes, Hot Dogs, S’mores, Walking Tacos+More) appeared first on The RV Atlas.

The Pacific Northwest is certainly one of the best places for camping in America–and many of the Campgrounds in the Pacific Northwest are quite simply amazing. On today’s episode of The RV Atlas podcast and here on the blog–we are excited to welcome Brooks Smothers from RV Out West. Brooks is an expert on camping in the PNW and he is going to share three of his favorite campgrounds from his beloved home region.

from the RV Out West website…

“Brooks Smothers grew up in the beautiful Pacific Northwest. He has camped in the American West, from backpacking, to car camping, to van life in a ‘78 VW Camper, to a tent trailer with a young family and now to a travel trailer — he has experienced it all. RV Out West is a podcast all about RVing around the Pacific Northwest with some sprinkled in adventures that radiate out from there. On his show Brooks discusses sweet Northwest camping spots, gear and equipment, and tips & tricks — all to make your camping experiences as enjoyable as possible.”

To listen to Jeremy interview Brooks about these three amazing campgrounds in the Pacific Northwest please click on the media player above or subscribe to the RV Atlas wherever you get your favorite shows. Or simply read on right here to learn more!

Thank you to Brooks for providing the pictures for this post–and for coming on our show!

Deception Pass State Park (Oak Harbor, Washington) RV and Tent Sites

https://parks.wa.gov

Deception State Park is located on Fidalgo and Whidbey Islands about 80 miles north of Seattle. Its proximity to that great city helps make it Washington’s most visited state park–and so do its cliffs, beaches, tide pools and sunsets. This park, which recently turned 100 years old, is packed with coastal hiking trails and there are numerous places to launch a boat or kayak along its shores. There are three camping locations within Deception Pass. Cherry Lake is the largest and most popular. There are about 230 sites there and about one third of them have hookups. Quarry Pond is a medium sized campground and Bowman Bay is very small and intimate. There are some really awesome concessions here that are worth checking out. Blue Otter Kayaks is located at Cranberry Lake and does a nice job with a variety of rentals and Campstuff Coffee operates out of a vintage camp trailer right by the camp loop entrance to Cranberry Lake. Fidalgo and Whidbey Island islands are connected by the iconic and immensely photographable Deception Pass bridge–so bring your camera when you go. When it comes to campgrounds in the Pacific Northwest this is one of the absolute best.

from Where Should We Camp Next? Budget Camping

Cape Disappointment State Park (IIwaco, Washington) RV and Tent Sites, Cabins, Yurts, Vacation Houses

https://parks.wa.gov

For another epic coastal camping option look no further than Cape Disappointment State Park on the Long Beach Peninsula. Here you will find secluded sandy beaches, dramatic cliffs near the edge of the sea, and lighthouses that are as pretty as a picture. Bring your hiking boots and a rain jacket because there are many trails to explore that wander through old growth forest or lead to views of the park’s lighthouses. There are over 200 sites here and fifty of them have full hook-ups. The best sites here are closest to the windswept beach. These sites do have some shade and protection from the rugged stretch of sand and sea just beyond the trees–but plan on windy conditions and don’t leave the RV awning out when unattended. You may want to leave your tent or RV at home anyway and rent one of Cape Dissapointment’s 14 family-friendly yurts. They are cozy, comfortable, and heated–and just steps away from the beach. When it comes to campgrounds in the Pacific Northwest this one will definitely not disappoint!

from Where Should We Camp Next? Budget Camping

Newhalem Bay State Park (Newhalem, Oregon) RV and Tent Sites, Yurts

https://parks.wa.gov

Nestled between the Pacific Ocean and the bay, this stunning state park is located on a sand spit. The campground itself is filled with fragrant shore pines and the ocean is located just a few steps away right over the sand dune. There is great biking here and the park offers plenty of oppurtunities for wildlife viewing and strolling along the sand. This is a large campground with 265 sites with electric and water and it can be challenging to book during summer weekends. Reservations are accepted up to 6 months in advance so make sure to book early! When it comes to campgrounds in the Pacific Northwest this one should definitely be on your bucket list.

adapted from show notes by Brooks Smothers

The post 3 Great Campgrounds in the Pacific Northwest (With Brooks from RV Out West) appeared first on The RV Atlas.

Whether you’re a new or experienced RVer, adding a solar power system to your RV can seriously expand your camping options. When you first begin researching, it seems like there’s a lot to learn. However, we’re going to explore some RV solar power options from Go Power! to make it easier to find a setup that fits your needs.

Jake Erwin, a sales representative for the RV team at Go Power! is going to explain eight RV solar power system options appropriate for a variety of RVs and use cases. Finding your perfect system involves considering your power needs, your rig, your camping style, and of course–your budget.

Go Power! is just one of many RV solar system provides, but Go Power! is more than just a product. The support is second to none, with a small team of dedicated professionals operating behind the scenes. When you get a system from Go Power!, you’re getting real-live support from real-live humans!

Our family has had solar systems on and off through the years. We currently don’t, and we miss the convenience, especially when we consider those amazing boondocking, Harvest Hosts, and state park sites without electric hookups. So, as we talk about these great solar power systems, we are also considering what would best fit our own needs.

According to Jake, there are several benefits to adding or upgrading a solar power system:

First, let’s talk batteries. Whether you use solar or electric to generate power, the battery is where the power is ultimately stored. When shopping for a mobile power solution, it’s good to decide which type of battery you prefer first. There are a lot of pros and cons to each type to consider:

To hear Jake and Jeremy explain more about each battery option, make sure to check out the full audio podcast by clicking play on the media player above or by searching for The RV Atlas wherever you find your favorite podcasts. 

Now, let’s take a look at eight solar power kit options from Go Power! To fully explore the specs on each and to learn more about the pricing and battery options, make sure to head to the Go Power! website and to listen to the podcast episode paired with this post.

OPTION 1: Duralite Portable Solar Kit

The Duralite Portable Solar Kit is a super lightweight, portable option, weighing in at approximately 10 pounds. Despite its light weight, it packs a powerful punch, offering 100 watts. You can add expansion panels, as well. This is a great entry point, and it’s perfect for overlanders, tent campers, and van life folks. Pricing comes in under $600.

According to Go Power!, the Overlander Solar Charging Kit is the “largest single 12-volt solar charging kit on the market, with 200 watts and 9.6 amps of power charging capability.” This has been a long-selling classic kit that’s been updated over the years. It’s one of the most popular options! The 200-watt panel is rugged and durable and holds up well on the road. It produces 10 amps of charge per hour per panel and can be upgraded if your needs expand. Expect to pay around $650 for this kit minus the batteries.

OPTION 3: Weekender ISW Solar Charging Kit

While the other options we’ve looked at so far focused on providing the solar panel and basic accessories, the Weekender ISW Solar Charging Kit is more of a full power system, meaning it comes with a 1500-watt inverter and a transfer switch. The inverter pulls 12-volt power from the batteries and converts it to standard 110-volt power that’s used to run your various appliances. As its name implies, this kit can take you off the grid for the weekend and should tackle most, if not all, of your needs! You’re looking at a $2000 price tag plus your batteries.

What if you want to camp for more days or have higher power needs? The Solar Elite Charging Kit is the next step up from the Weekender. According to Go Power!, this system includes a “2000 watt Inverter Charger, a supreme all-in-one unit that combines 2000 watts of pure sine wave AC power with a built-in battery charger and transfer switch.” It can run pretty much everything in your rig. To get this level of power, expect to pay around $3000 plus the battery costs.

As its name implies, the Solar Extreme Charging Kit is made for someone with extreme power needs (including AC, if you have a proper battery setup). To compare this to a car engine, this would be your V8. This system can run 3000 watts of electricity, while also charging your batteries. Expect to pay upwards of $4000.

Go Power! is continually researching and developing new options. Currently, the cutting-edge technology is found in the Go Power! PowerTrak solar systems. These are designed to be complete RV power packages, including powerful panels, a 3000-watt inverter, and upgraded solar controllers. Go Power! has 3 of these all-new options:

These systems feature the latest and greatest options for operating your system, including a smart touch-screen display that integrates with all of the parts, making it easy to monitor and control everything. Plus, they offer a major boost in capabilities. Expect to pay $4000-$6000 plus.

To hear Jake and Jeremy explain more about each of these RV solar system options, make sure to check out the full audio podcast by clicking play on the media player above or by searching for The RV Atlas wherever you find your favorite podcasts. 

We hope this helps you begin to understand the world of RV solar power! We know it’s complicated, but these kits from Go Power! are designed to make it easier. Go Power! partners with websites, dealers, and manufacturers across the nation, making it easy to find their products and to learn more about them.

Finally, make sure to check out the resources page on the Go Power! website and YouTube channel. You may also look for Jake and the Go Power! crew at upcoming RV and overlanding shows across the U.S. Bring your questions! Check out the demo displays!

All images are from the Go Power! website.

The post 8 Options for Upgrading Your RV Solar System With Go Power! appeared first on The RV Atlas.

In our latest book, Where Should We Camp Next? Budget Camping we make the case that a Harvest Hosts membership is one of the great values in American camping right now. And the more we use our membership–the more we believe this to be true. An official Harvest Hosts stay is limited to one night–so many RV owners that we know use them as stops on their way to and from destinations. Staying at a Harvest Hosts location is a great way to rest up after a long drive, or to extend a great vacation just a little bit longer. Why spend the night in the parking lot of a big box store when you can spend the night at a winery, a brewery, or a farm? Harvest Hosts locations are also spread out across the entire country and there are over 5,000 of them. So it would be quite hard to visit all of them in a single lifetime.

The thing that we may love the most about our Harvest Hosts membership is that, while they may be known for wineries and farms, there are dozens (if not hundreds) of other types of hosts in their extensive network. How does a comfortable overnight at a minor league baseball stadium, a space museum, or a 1950’s diner sound? There are so many cool locations for nostalgic Harvest Hosts stays–and many of them are also perfect for summer.

To listen to Jeremy interview Harvest Hosts CEO Joel Holland about “12 Nostalgic Harvest Hosts Locations that are Perfect for Summer” please click on the media player above or subscribe to The RV Atlas wherever you get your favorite podcasts. 

To get your own annual Harvest Hosts membership make sure to use promo code ECLIPSE24 to save 20 percent.

Without further ado, here is a sneak peek at Joel’s terrific list of nostalgic Harvest Hosts locations. To find out more about each one make sure to listen to our interview with Joel on the RV Atlas podcast.

How cool would it be to catch a minor league game and enjoy a cold beer and then be able to walk right back to your RV for a safe and comfortable overnight stay in the stadium’s parking lot? At the Gateway Grizzlies Stadium in Sauget, Illinois you can do just that. Singing “Take Me Out to the Ballgame” during the seventh inning stretch takes on a whole new meaning when your RV is waiting for you out in the parking lot. When it comes to nostalgic Harvest Hosts locations that are perfect for summer this one is certainly top notch and fun for the entire family.

Is there anything more nostalgic than an authentic 1950’s American Diner?  Imagine pulling into Peggy Sue’s 50’s Diner in Yermo, California after a long day of driving and parking your rig and heading inside to the counter to order a burger and fries. Or imagine waking up with the Calico Mountains as your backdrop and heading into Peggy Sue’s for coffee and breakfast before hitting the road. Either scenario sounds terrific to us. Just make sure you say hello to Betty Boop before you go!

Parking your rig for the night at a drive-in movie theater like the Galaxy Drive-In in Ennis, Texas and catching a summer movie sounds like a dream to us. And this isn’t the only Drive-in movie theater in the Harvest Hosts system–there are a whole bunch of them. What an amazing slice of Americana and how convenient if you are traveling near one of these locations! Sign us up for an epic night in front of the silver screen in the great outdoors!

If Roy’s Motel & Cafe in Amboy, California seems like something out of an old movie–that’s because it is. This location was often used by film and music video directors because of its stunning desert sunsets and nighttime skies filled with stars. Make sure you grab one of the over four dozen craft sodas while you are here. They make for a perfect summer treat after a long, hot day of driving.

There seems to be a strong correlation between people that love RV’s and people that love classic automobiles. If that sounds like you then make sure you put a stop at the Tallahassee Automobile & Collectibles Museum in Tallahassee, Florida on your personal Harvest Hosts bucket list. This museum earns raves reviews from guests and may be one of the most popular Harvest Hosts locations in the country.

The Stafford Air & Space Museum in Weatherford, Oklahoma has an excellent permanent collection of aerospace artifacts and interactive exhibits that is appealing to anyone who is interested in the history of flight and space exploration–and who isn’t interested in the history of flight and space? We certainly are. There are four parking lots here for self-contained RVs, and they are level and easy to navigate. The staff here is also very helpful, and they respond quickly to requests for reservations.

Mike’s Route 66 Outpost & Saloon has “a beer and wine bar that boasts a trove of local brews and fine wines. And a “full menu [that] caters to both the ravenous explorer and the culinary connoisseur.” And it is located in Kingman, Arizona on historic Route 66. This Harvest Hosts location has nostalgic summer vibes that will appeal to the. most road-hardened and wanderlust-filled travelers. So if you ever feel like heading west–head to Mike’s Route 66 Outpost and pull up a chair at the bar. They are waiting for you with a frosty mug and a surprisingly adventurous menu.

The RV parking sites at Train Mountain Railroad in Chiloquin, Oregon are lovely and shaded and adventure awaits just around the corner. This Harvest Hosts location boasts “over 36 miles of 7.5 gauge track, creating a network of miniature railroads that span an impressive area 2 miles by 4 miles” that “awes its visitors.”  The woods here are lovely and your entire family will love exploring them on these charming miniature railroads.

Whether you are looking for a cute trinket to decorate your next campsite or your next great read, make sure to stop at  Mom’s Memories Antiques & Mary’s Book Shop in West Plains, Missouri. Whether you are a full on junker or just a casual reader–you will find a treasure or two to bring home on your next great road trip. The RV parking is also shady and spacious.

It’s hard to beat a good country store for sweets and treats and specialty items that are perfect for stocking up an RV on a roadtrip. At The Battlefield Country Store you can “wake up with the aroma of freshly brewed coffee tantalizing your senses” or “treat your taste buds to a kaleidoscope of ice cream flavors that promise to be as unique as your journeys.”  Fredericksburg, Virginia is also an incredible part of the country for history buffs that love a good road trip. Put this delightfully sweet Harvest Hosts location somewhere near the top of your summer road trip bucket list.

If you are a country music fan then a stop at The Birthplace of Country Music Museum in Bristol, Virginia is an absolute must! This Harvest Hosts location is “an affiliate of the Smithsonian Institution” and an “award-winning museum that invites you to delve into the pivotal 1927 Bristol Sessions” which is “an event that music historians fondly dub as the “big bang” of country music.”  This location straddles the Tennessee/Virginia border and will please casual fans of country music and its most loyal diehards.

This quirky and unique Harvest Hosts location in Hamilton, Missouri  “invites road-weary travelers to park their home on wheels and explore an enchanting blend of delectable lunches and the simple joys of handcrafted toys.”  Mrs. Littles Teas and Toys allows its guests to take a step back in time to an America where life was lived at a slower and more relaxed pace–and enjoy a tasty lunch while they do. It sounds perfectly inviting and perfectly charming to us!

So do the rest of these nostalgic Harvest Hosts locations. All of them pass the summer road trip travel vibe test with flying colors!

The post 12 Nostalgic Harvest Hosts Locations That Are Perfect for Summer appeared first on The RV Atlas.

Utah is certainly one of the greatest states in the country for RV travel. It is beautiful from top to bottom and its “Mighty Five” collection of National Parks is on just about everybody’s bucket list.  Zion National Park is the most visited of the so-called “Mighty Five” and it is truly one of the most famous and magnificent national parks in the entire world. Jellystone Park Zion (which is located in Hurricane, Utah less than 30 miles away) recently opened its doors to guests and it is already earning rave reviews for its attractions, amenities, spacious RV sites, and modern cabin options.

If you are looking for a place to park your rig or cabin camp on that epic trip to Zion National Park that you have been dreaming about–then you definitely want to give Jellystone Park Zion a very good look. Particularly if you are traveling with kids of any age that love to cool off and get wet after a morning of exploration and adventure in the great outdoors.

This park has an almost endless list of attractions and amenities–but here are the three most compelling reasons why we think you should consider booking with them if you are heading to Zion at any point in the near future.

To listen to Jeremy interview Scott Nielson, the owner of Jellystone Park Zion, and to find out so much more about this brand new Jellystone Park, click on the media player above or subscribe to The RV Atlas wherever you get your favorite shows!

Let’s take a closer look at the park’s astonishing “4-acre multi-level water zone” which includes multiple water slides, a lazy river, a floating obstacle course, multiple pools, a hot tub, and so much more.

If these pictures don’t make you want to drop everything and book a trip to Jellystone Park Zion then we don’t know what will. The water attractions at this park have to be among the best in the country. During our interview with Scott Nielson he also mentioned that they plan on heating the pools into the fall so you can go swimming–even on Halloween weekends–which sounds like a terrific option after the kids go trick or treating.

While the water attractions (and the location) may be the biggest draw at Jellystone Park Zion—they still have a heck of a lot more to offer. There are playgrounds, pickleball courts, basketball courts, two dog parks with obstacle courses, a jumping pad, and seriously–so much more! Let’s let the pictures do the talking and take a look at some of these other amenities…

Whether you have littles that want to play at the playground or jump on the jumping pad, or teens and tweens that want to play basketball, Jellystone Park Zion has got you covered with great options. We particularly love seeing those sports courts for the older kids and for mom and dad! Our whole family loves to play pickleball together and I think you would definitely find us there every evening when we visit this park.

Jellystone Park Zion also has tons of planned activities and themed weekends–so the kids will be busy all day long–and sleep plenty good at night. Some examples of the themed weekends are Hawaiian Luau Weekend, Western Wet and Wild Weekend, Fireworks and Fun Weekend and tons more–you can find a complete list of themed weekends for 2024 right here.

The owner of Jellystone Park Zion was an RV dealer for many years and he knows that RV owners really love to have spacious sites that are easy to navigate. The RV sites at Jellystone Park Zion are truly spacious by private RV resort standards. Click here for more details on the different site categories, prices and sizes.

The cabins are also spacious and light, bright and airy with modern decor and lots of sleeping options for larger families and groups. To find our more about the Yogi Bear and Boo Boo cabins please click here.

Jellystone Park Zion also has a well-stocked camp store with plenty of merch for the kids and plenty of add-on options to make your vacation even more special. The private poolside cabana rentals look like a great option on a hot summer day. They also offer a variety of onsite dining options including some awesome food trucks from local vendors.

Their location near Sand Hollow State Park also creates plenty of opportunities for outdoor adventures. You can choose from power sport rentals like UTVs, watercraft, Jeeps, dirt bike rentals and more. For complete details about adding these rentals on to your existing reservation please click here.

Returning to Utah is definitely on our bucket list. Returning to Zion National Park is also on our bucket list. And now we know where we will be camping when we return to this great state.

This is just a little sneak peak of what Jellystone Park Zion has to offer. To find out more check out our podcast interview with Scott Nielson or click here and let your next great adventure begin.

And please–keep your eyes on those pic-a-nic baskets while you are camping at Jellystone Park Zion. Yogi is much quicker than he looks.

And he is always hungry.

Always.

The post Campground Debut! Jellystone Park Zion Makes a Splash in Utah appeared first on The RV Atlas.

Spacious Skies Adirondack Peaks is a terrific basecamp for exploring New York State’s magnificent Adirondack Park.  After venturing out into the rugged landscapes, you’ll appreciate returning each night to this family-friendly campground and it’s two pools and other fun amenities.

First, you need to understand the Adirondacks. The Adirondack Park encompasses one third of the land in New York, giving you a huge area to explore. In it, there are truly classic larger resort towns like Lake George and Lake Placid, which we love visiting. We’ve reviewed some great campgrounds near these bustling resort towns before, like Moose Hillock Campground. But outside of the resort towns, this region can be rugged and expansive–and filled with opportunities for outdoor adventure.

Spacious Skies Adirondack Peaks is roughly in the middle of Lake George and Lake Placid, making each an easy day trip. Lake George is around 40 minutes south of the campground, and Lake Placid is around 50 minutes northwest of it.  This puts both of these awesome towns within easy striking distance for a day trip from Spacious Skies Adirondack Peaks.

Aside from visiting the resort towns, Spacious Skies Adirondack Peaks offers easy access to some of the smaller, quaint villages that dot the Adirondacks. Schroon Lake is easily accessible and adorable (just 10 minutes away), and it has all of the supplies, restaurants, and shopping that you will need. More on some of our favorites below.

Spacious Skies Adirondack Peaks is what we would call a medium-sized park. It has a small cozy vibe but really has a wide variety of sites and accommodations. The campground offers over 150 RV sites, plus tent sites, cabins, and yurts. It some ways it reminded us of the old Lake Placid/Whiteface Mountain KOA, which was always one of our go-to places for the Adirondacks. Unfortunately, the campground is closed and some reports suggest that KOA is trying to turn it into a glamping resort. If you were a fan of the old Lake Placid KOA you definitely might want to give Spacious Skies Adirondack Peaks a try.

Our favorite sites were #1-11, which are located on a cool loop with easy access to the river and some great views. In fact, there’s a whole row of sites along the river. There is a road across the street from the river. You might get some road noise that’s noticeable if you’re sensitive to that sort of thing. However, our friends camped in these sites in a pop-up and in an Airstream and were not bothered by the road at all.

For a quieter experience, look at some of the interior sites. We stayed in a cabin near the back of the park, and it was very peaceful.

The park offers a ton of site options, with pull-thrus and back-ins. Some have full hookups, while others are water/electric only. Check out the Campground Map page for an overview plus a virtual street-view tour of the park.

Spacious Skies Adirondack Peaks uses dynamic pricing. To get a firm sense of pricing, you’ll need to input your actual dates on the website. That being said, we were pleasantly surprised by the pricing. For the summer dates in 2024 that we checked (and for the nights we were there), RV sites can be found for around $50-60 a night. The cabins are around $100-140 a night.

Considering the amenities and activities that are offered on site, these prices are a very good value. We know many campers are looking for budget camping options, and we think this park really hits the mark! Just remember, the prices are subject to change and vary by date and season.

This campground hits the sweet spot for family camping! For us, it’s those classic amenities that we really appreciated when our boys were young. It doesn’t have to be the polished over-the-top resort-styled stuff that even drives the prices up sky high. Things like a cool camp store and the ability for kids to bike around the park make for a relaxed family vacation.

Spacious Skies Adirondack Peaks offers all of these things and more. The park has two pools, including one with a waterslide, as well as a new playground. Additionally, the camp store provides an awesome selection of local ice cream (the most important supply), along with their own special Spacious Skies Sundae!

A large recreation hall has ping-pong tables and offers crafts and movies, as well as other activities for themed weekends. The reading corner is especially charming, with a variety of books for kids of all ages. Also, the kids can also burn some energy on the jumping pillow and with the pedal bike rentals. Finally, for dogs, check out the Cosmic Canine Dog Park–which is located in a shady spot in the back of the park.

This only covers some of the park’s amenities. Check out more on the campground website. Most importantly, Spacious Skies Adirondack Peaks has great customer service with a friendly welcome. The campground manager and staff greeted every single camper that entered the camp store with a huge hello and asked them what they were up to that day and if they needed any help or recommendations for things to do in the area. Their friendliness and knowledge of the area really helped give this campground a homey and charming vibe.

As mentioned earlier, Spacious Skies Adirondack Peaks is located in an area near some charming restaurants and shops. Here are a few places we enjoyed in/near the campground and in Schroon Lake:

Finally, for outdoor recreation, make sure to head over to Schroon Lake. It’s a great spot for paddling. You might also want to check out Split Falls, a waterfall with a cool place to hang out. Then, as mentioned earlier, you can easily day trip into Lake George and Lake Placid.

Really, with all of the amenities in the campground and all of the things to do nearby, as well as the major day trip options, you could easily spend a whole week at Spacious Skies Adirondack Peaks. You’ll have the perfect mix of campground relaxation and things to see and do in the wild and wonderful Adirondack Park.

The post Spacious Skies Adirondack Peaks: Budget-Friendly Camping in the ADK appeared first on The RV Atlas.

Our trip to Iceland was like a dream from beginning to end. But our journey along Iceland’s South Coast was our absolute favorite part of the trip. This section of our road trip was filled with astonishing waterfalls, quiet hikes, delicious food, great campsites, and so much more.  Read on just below to learn more about this epic stretch of our trip.

To read about the first leg of our trip in Reykavik and along the Golden Circle–please click here.

To find out about 53 things you need to know before you go to Iceland–please click here.

To listen to Jeremy and Stephanie discuss the second part of their Iceland Road Trip–please click on the media player above or subscribe to The RV Atlas podcast wherever you get your favorite shows!

Use code rvatlas10 for 10 percent off a motorhome rental with Rent Easy Iceland AND free pickup and drop off from and to the KEF airport. Do not book the transportation as part of your reservation or you will be charged for it. Send an email or direct message on social media with arrival and departure dates and your pickup and delivery will be arranged from there. Our code CAN be combined with any other discounts available on their website. This is not an affiliate code and we do not earn a percentage from your reservation. We truly hope to inspire you to go to Iceland and we loved our experience with Rent Easy Iceland.

Seljalandsfoss Waterfall is located just off of the Ring Road on the way to Vik and is about an hour and forty-five minutes away from Reykavik. This stunning 200 foot waterfall is an absolute must stop on your way to Vik–or on your way back–depending on your timing and travel plans. In the weeks before our trip (when we were in researching mode) this waterfall seemed to appear in photos and videos more than any other in Iceland This is no surprise considering how easy it is to visit–and considering the fact that you can walk all the way behind it. Make sure you wear a rain coat when you go. You won’t get soaked–but you will get wet!

Skogafass was our favorite waterfall out of the five that we visited. It felt wild and untamed and you could get right up close to the edge of it without guardrails of any kind in your way impeding you view.  Like Seljalandsfoss this majestic waterfall is located right off of the ring road about two and a half hours away from Reykavik and less than 30 minutes from Vik. Plenty of parking is available and the waterfall is just steps away from the parking lot. There are other hikes with waterfalls located above and behind the main waterfall for those that want to beat the crowds and enjoy a longer ramble.

We loved Vik and the Vik Campsite so much that we stayed there on our way out to Skaftafell and Jokulsarlon and on the way back. We even changed our plans to do so. We initially planned on spending two nights at Skaftafell but we ditched our second night there to retain to Vik for good food and drink. The campsite was in a lovely spot just across the street from shopping, great restaurants, and the beach. With mountains on one side and the ocean on the other this location felt like a dream. Vik Campsite had a very friendly staff and all of the facilities were clean, comfortable and welcoming. The common area had a community kitchen and plenty of tables for enjoying a meal or hanging out–and the bathrooms and showers were plentiful and also immaculately clean. But at the end of the day it was all about the location. Being able to walk to breakfast or dinner (or for a drink at the local brewhouse) and walk back to the motorhome made this entire stop chill and relaxing. It didn’t hurt having Iceland’s most famous coffee house located right on the Vik Campsite’s property. Access to electricity is available and the overall price for this campsite for two of us was around $35 dollars US.

Skool Beans Cafe is located just on the other side of the Vik Campsite’s common area and bathhouses and they serve up (arguably) the best cup of coffee in Iceland. Their shop is located in a school bus and it is warm, cozy, and inviting. We had the dark roast and the medium roast while we were there. The medium roast was very good. The dark roast was one of the best cups of coffee we have ever had–and all just steps away from our gorgeous campsite with mountain views.

The village of Vik is charming and chillaxed in just about every way. There are restaurants, brewpubs, a grocery store, a gas station, some great shopping, and more.  The Icewear and Vik Wool shop across the street from the campground was wonderful and packed with great clothing and gifts. We each bought our souvenirs for the trip here. This is the place to get a gorgeous wool sweater or hat–or even a book or a mug. they had just about everything. There are also plenty of clean public restrooms here.

Vik is a lovely town for strolling and the black sand beach is just steps past the shops. The famous Black Beach (Reynisfjara) is not right in front of Vik–you have to back track towards Reykavik about ten minutes. It is right on the other side of the Peninsula that can be viewed to the west of downtown Vik. You must still take caution on the beaches directly in front of Vik–but the infamously dangerous beach where numerous tourists have died is on the other side.

We lost track of the number of times an Icelander told us to be careful when walking on the infamous Black Beach just west of Vik. A handful of tourists have died on this beach in the last 5-6 years so we did take those warnings seriously and you should too. Rogue or “sneaker waves” can materialize out of seemingly nowhere and surge onto the beach and knock a person down and then sweep them out to sea. So don’t walk too close to the water when you visit and don’t turn your back to the waves–ever. Besides the possibility of danger this is a lovely beach for a stroll and we saw puffins while we were there. They were hanging out on the rock outcroppings and swooping out over the waves.

This is a must stop during your stay in Vik.

Black Crust Pizza is another must stop when you are camping or passing through the village of Vik. Listed below are the three pizzas we tried (and appetizer)–and they were all delicious. They are famous for the charcoal crusted black pizza dough–but we loved the sourdough crust just as much.

The vibe here was relaxed and chill and the selection of beer was excellent. We actually ended up eating here twice. Once on our first night in Vik and once on our second night in Vik after visiting the Glacial Lagoon and Diamond Beach in Jokulsarlon .

The Strondin Pub also had excellent food and drink and a nice, relaxed atmosphere close to the beach. The fish and chips was excellent and so was the Traditional Icelandic Fish Stew. Ask for some stickers before you leave–they have them behind the counter and they are free.

This wonderful brew house is located in the old section of town–which is still just a short walk away from the Vik Campsite. The staff was friendly and the selection of craft beers was excellent. If you are a beer lover then this is the stop for you in Vik.  The food here is also very tasty–we had an order of chicken wings and a brownie dessert to go along with our craft beers.

Skaftafell

Skaftafell was an independent national park until 2008. But now it is part of the much larger Vatnajokull National Park whose dominant feature is the Vatnajokull Glacier. Skaftafell is often still referred to as Skaftafell National Park–so don’t get confused when it is.  After one night in Vik it was our plan to spend two nights at Skaftafell Campsite (which costs about 40 bucks per night for two people and electric) but we ended up spending one night and then hightailing it to Vik for another night of great food and drink. This is no knock on Skaftafell–which was absolutely one of the most beautiful spots on Iceland’s South Coast.  We just felt like we saw what we wanted to see in one afternoon and one morning and we felt like having another great meal in Vik.

The campsite at Skaftafell (which does not take reservations) was truly beautiful–and peaceful and relaxing. There are 8 pitches (aka loops) here and about half of them are for tent campers and half for vans, caravans, and motorhomes that need electric. The campsites are at the base of the hiking trail to Svartifoss and the exceptionally lovely visitor center is just a short walk away.  We loved the views of the snowcapped mountains from our campsite and we also really appreciated the clean bathrooms and the free, hot showers. Everything at Skaftafell was delightful and remarkably uncrowded while we were there in May.

The most popular day hike at Skaftafell is clearly the hike to the Svartifoss waterfall.  This moderate hike was 2 miles out and back with some slight elevation gain–especially at the beginning. This hike was not crowded while we were there–but there were certainly other people on the trial with us.  This was an awesome hike made particularly enjoyable by the fact that the trailhead began just steps away from our campsite.

The first hike we did in Skaftafell (soon after picking our site and parking our motorhome) was the short ramble to the edge of the glacier–which begins just past the visitor center. This is a super easy hike (less than two miles round trip) with little to no elevation gain–and we were practically alone on the trail. We saw one couple on the way out who stopped to tell us that they saw a fox. But we were completely alone by the glacier. We were also almost able to walk right up to the edge of the glacier—but a few streams and deep pools were in our way.

After we completed the hike to Svartifoss we headed further south to Jokulsarlon which was our furthest point away from Rekavik on the south coast. Jokulsarlon is a terrific end point for a south coast adventure and for those that are not proceeding further east to complete the entire ring road tour. The Glacial Lagoon at Jokulsarlon is clearly one of the most photographed spots in the country. After all, you can park your van or motorhome with a direct view of giant, electric blue icebergs floating by in the sparkling water just past the parking lot.

Those icebergs either wash out to sea or wash back in on the black sand beach at the end of the river-mouth just a short walk away from the Glacial Lagoon. This beach is fittingly called Diamond Beach because of the stunning chunks of ice that wash ashore there. It was a beautiful dreamlike place to take a stroll on the beach and pick up stunning, multicolored chunks of ice that are taking up temporary residence on the beach.

We can’t wait to return to Iceland. This beautiful country is calling us back already. Maybe next time we will tackle the entire ring road, or the Westfjords, or the North, or the Highlands. We are not sure what the next trip will entail–but we are certain we want to go back.

The post Iceland Road Trip Part 2: The South Coast (Vik, Skaftafell, Jokulsarlon) appeared first on The RV Atlas.

Iceland is one of those places that is simply PERFECT for road tripping! The size is manageable, the landscapes are awe inspiring, and the culture is truly amazing. And, the camping culture is particularly awesome. If an Iceland road trip is moving off of your bucket list and onto your to-do list, this post will help you plan your trip, as we share our itinerary, tips, and first-hand experiences from our recent trip.

If you can’t tell, Iceland simply knocked us off our feet, so we are bringing you a 3-part series all about our trip. Click here to find out 53 Things To Know Before You Go, then read this post to hear about the first part of our trip (Reykavik and the Golden Circle), and then check back for the next post to hear about the rest of our trip along the South Coast.

We had so much help planning our itinerary from Icelanders and those experienced visitors, and we just want to pay it forward! We hope this helps inspire you to plan your own Iceland road trip.

Use code rvatlas10 for 10 percent off a motorhome rental with Rent Easy Iceland AND free pickup and drop off from and to the KEF airport. Do not book the transportation as part of your reservation or you will be charged for it. Send an email or direct message on social media with arrival and departure dates and your pickup and delivery will be arranged from there. Our code CAN be combined with any other discounts available on their website. This is not an affiliate code and we do not earn a percentage from your reservation. We truly hope to inspire you to go to Iceland and we loved our experience with Rent Easy Iceland.

The number one question we have received about our Iceland RV road trip is: How much did it cost? We always hate to put a number on things since costs greatly vary by your own tastes, the time of year you visit, location, and so much more. But, here are some facts:

If you want to hear all of the details from our recent Iceland road trip, click play on the media player above or look for The RV Atlas in your favorite podcast app. 

Blue Lagoon

We started our journey at the phenomenal Blue Lagoon. After a plane ride, it’s the perfect place to unwind and to get your first taste of Iceland. We paid around $104 per person for the upgraded “Premium” package that included the experience, 2 drinks, showering before and after, and a bathrobe. One great tip is that there is a line for the people with the base package, and this Premium upgrade let us skip the line.

Paying for the upgrade is really just the same as paying for drinks, and the drinks were absolutely worthwhile. We tried out the juices and really enjoyed them. If you go, check out the Green is Good and the Forever Fresh! Seriously delicious! The spa has a cafeteria (grab-and-go style) or a restaurant. We opted for the cafeteria, and it was definitely better than the typical grab-and-go fare in the U.S. Think sushi, cheese platters, etc.

Yes, the Blue Lagoon is touristy. But, it truly didn’t feel like a gimmick. It offered a nice, relaxing spa experience. It was huge and beautiful. (And no, the sulfur wasn’t too stinky and the naked shower wasn’t too creepy. Don’t worry!). We definitely recommend this as your welcome to Iceland as you leave the airport. Just know that volcanic eruptions can interrupt your plans, as it has had to close on occasion.

Rent Easy Iceland picked us up at the Blue Lagoon, making it super convenient to go pick up our motorhome. This wasn’t special treatment–you can get picked up, too if you use our discount code listed at the top of this post.

While at Rent Easy Iceland, you’ll get the full motorhome walkthrough from Diddi or Gardar–the brothers that own this Rent Easy Station. These two brothers are real campers themselves and they will really help you feel comfortable with your rental before you hit the road.

Here’s another important tip: Don’t book a campground too far from where you pick up your motorhome. Our first stop at Reykavik Eco-Campsite was maybe 20 minutes down the road from Rent Easy Iceland, and that was enough for our first busy day of travel. This campground is right in Reykavik, giving you easy access to a lot of amenities.

This campground is in Reykavik, but it’s not in the popular downtown area. So, to get to some of the more “famous” Reykavik restaurants and attractions, you would need to drive or take a cab. Since you probably won’t want to park the motorhome, we really recommend taking a cab.

We really liked the vibe of this campground and had a great stay! It was the most expensive of the campgrounds we stayed at, but we weren’t surprised since we were in the city. It’s a great place to begin and end your trip. (We opted for a hotel for our final night, though, since we had an early flight out the next morning).

To get an introduction to Icelandic foods, we booked a traditional food tour with Your Friend in Reykavik. If you wonder why the food in Iceland is the way it is, this tour will tell you! It’s really fascinating to hear about how the history and location affected food preservation and traditions.

We didn’t book a private tour, but we ended up being the only people on the tour, and we had a great guide. So, this ended being a really cool experience! You’ll get to try all kinds of things and will learn so much about the stews, waffles, hot dogs, fermented shark–and so much more! Plus, as you walk around the city, it’s easy to fall in love with Reykavik.

Don’t forget that you can check out this post/episode to hear more about these foods and some of our experiences, and click play on the media player above to hear us share more experience about all of the great things on this itinerary!

We had our first breakfast in Iceland at Bread and Co., and wow, we seriously fell in love with the breads. Everything was SO SO good! TIP: Grab some breads to go. They are the perfect road trip snack. Another tip, remember to call coffee “Americano” if you want a regular cup of coffee. Just note that they are smaller than our usual serving sizes in the U.S.

There are multiple locations, so make sure you GPS the correct location to find one near the campground.

With bellies full of bread and coffee, we drove right to Thingvellir National Park, which was around an hour away in what is called Iceland’s “Golden Circle.” Stephanie had book a snorkeling tour through DIVE.IS. She did the Silfra tour, during which you will snorkel through tectonic plates, which is a truly unique experience.

The water is super clear, so you can see far underwater. You can see the tectonic plates moving. You can even drink the water! Yes, that does seem unimaginable, but it truly is sparkling clean. Plus, the landscape above water is also stunning, with snow-capped peaks (see those above!) and a waterfall hike (more on that below).

Prices start at around $200 and go up from there, depending on what options you need/add. You do wear a dry suit, and it can feel like a lot, especially if you’ve never done it. Plus, your hands do get cold since they aren’t covered in wet suit material.

While at Thingvellir National Park, we decided to do the hike to Oxararfoss Waterfall. It’s a mile each way, making for two miles round trip. The hike is easy enough, and the waterfall was really lovely. It didn’t end up being our very favorite waterfall, but it’s a nice way to get a taste of this national park.

Laugarvatn Fontana Geothermal Baths offer a similar experience to Blue Lagoon. We liked it even better! The price range was around $35.00 per person. You can also add on an experience where they teach you about the geothermal rye-bread baking traditions–which happen underground. We didn’t do it, but it looked really interesting.

Tips: The bread and soup bar was quite good! We paid to rent towels, and it was really unnecessary. Also, if you are looking to save money, we would pick this over Blue Lagoon, especially if you have kids to pay for, as well. You can also go to the community pools, but you won’t get a spa experience.

The geyser named Geysir, appropriately enough, is a very popular stop on Iceland road trips of the Golden Circle. We must confess that we were a little underwhelmed by this. Maybe that’s because we’ve been to Yellowstone. So, we definitely don’t want to diss it, but it wasn’t our favorite…especially when there are so many other wonderful things to see.

Another reason we might not have loved Geysir is because we drove a long way to get there because we went off the Golden Circle loop for other adventures. So, we may have been a bit tired! If it’s on your way or if you’ve never seen a geyser, it is worth a stop. Don’t let us bring you down!

Next up was a meal at Old Dairy Food Hall in Selfoss. This was such a cool experience! The food hall is like a mall food court, but with trendier street-style or food-truck style fares. We walked around for 15 minutes trying to decide between a ton of great options. It’s nice because everyone can pick their own options and then gather together at the large central tables.

After a fully adventurous day, we were ready to tuck in for the night at our second campsite, the Reykjarmork Campsite in Hveragerdi. This was a charming little spot with lovely surroundings. The bathrooms and showers weren’t super clean, so that can be a turn off (luckily, we had showered at the Fontana spa earlier).

The town of Hveragerdi is pretty cool in its own right. Stop by the visitor center. You can find a marked spot where you are technically standing in two continents because of the tectonic plates. The town swimming pool also was highly recommended, but we didn’t have time to get there. We really enjoyed the Almar Bakery and had quite an experience shopping for groceries like a local at Bónus. It had Aldi’s vibes! TIP: You can press a button to change the digital display to English!!

Snowmobiling on Langjokull Glacier with Mountaineers of Iceland was the experience of a lifetime! It all starts with the drive. Look at the picture of the truck above–it’s really crazy! Then, snowmobiling was super fun and exciting. The guides help keep you safe, even if you have never ridden a snowmobile before. Now, they can be a little hard to drive, depending on how you place yourself and your partner. So, if you feel uncomfortable one way, try switching places!

We cannot tell you enough how beautiful it was to be on top of a glacier. We were lucky enough to have blue skies, adding even more to the beauty. As far pricing, it was around $200 per person. So, we do think this was worth it, though we know that can be expensive for a family. When traveling with our kids, we do try to pick at least one special experience whenever we can. Going as a couple gave us a little more freedom to pay for these kinds of extras.

If you want to hear us stumble through our Icelandic pronunciations and hear more details about all of these adventures, click play on the media player above!

The Gullfoss Waterfall is huge, powerful, and stunning! It’s definitely worth seeing, especially if you do the snowmobile tour since the trail is right where you get dropped off. Even as cool as it is, it still wasn’t our favorite waterfall. More on those to come in the next post! We have so much more to tell you about!

So, have you booked your flight to Iceland yet? If you’re not quite convinced that you want to take a Iceland road trip, check back to hear about the second part of our trip, which was really our favorite!

The post Iceland Road Trip Part 1: Reykavik and the Golden Circle appeared first on The RV Atlas.

Have you ever dreamed of booking an Iceland RV Rental and taking an epic road trip across the country? We have had that dream for many years–and recently turned it into a reality. The kids stayed at home for this one–and the trip was very much a sneak peek of what travel might look like for us when they fly the coop. We booked a 22 foot (automatic) motorhome rental from Rent Easy Iceland and had an incredible experience with them from start to finish. Below are are 53 things you should know before you go. Read this post so you are prepared and ready to have the trip of a lifetime.

To listen to Jeremy and Stephanie talk about 53 things you need to know before you take an RV rental  trip to Iceland–click on the media player above or subscribe to The RV Atlas wherever you get your favorite shows.

Use code rvatlas10 for 10 percent off a motorhome rental with Rent Easy Iceland AND free pickup and drop off from and to the KEF airport. Do not book the transportation as part of your reservation or you will be charged for it. Send an email or direct message on social media with arrival and departure dates and your pickup and delivery will be arranged from there. Our code CAN be combined with any other discounts available on their website. This is not an affiliate code and we do not earn a percentage from your reservation. We truly hope to inspire you to go to Iceland and we loved our experience with Rent Easy Iceland.

Blue Lagoon

1. Iceland is easy to get to. We flew direct from JFK for $500 each. For us this is closer, easier, and less expensive than flying to Yellowstone, Glacier, and California. Iceland is not Antarctica. It’s easier to get to than most people think.

2. Almost everyone speaks English in Iceland. Every single Icelander we met spoke English–and very good English at that. Iceland may look like another planet–but communicating there is very easy.

3. Iceland is (for the most part) very welcoming to tourists. Generally speaking–Icelanders like tourism. It is currently the number one driver of their economy. They also like Americans and American culture, music, and television. Iceland is a European country but very different than other  European countries we have visited.

4. Iceland is one of the cleanest countries we have ever visited. Period! End of story. Every town and national park we visited was meticulously clean. This is partly due to the small population of the country–but also due to a love of neatness and order.  Almost every restroom, shower, and spa we visited was spotless.

5. Icelandic people are “can do” entrepreneurial but also easy going and relaxed. Life moves at a more relaxed pace in Iceland (when compared to America at least) even though they are “can do” people.  Their unofficial national saying is “Thetta Reddest” which translates to “It will all work out.” This saying really does crystalize the essence of the Icelandic people–at least in our eyes.

6. Icelandic spa and thermal bath culture is amazing. There are big (heavily) touristed thermally heated spas like Blue Lagoon and Sky Lagoon–and then there are smaller community pools that also have warm water and showers. There is also everything in-between these two extremes.  If you don’t go to a spa or community pool–did you really go to Iceland?

7. The population of Iceland is 382,000–the country is not crowded when it comes to driving, parking, etc… 60 percent of those people live in in the greater Reykjavik area.

8. Free drinking water is available everywhere and it is fresh and good. Icelanders are proud of their drinking water and they should be.

9. Clean bathrooms are available just about everywhere that tourists might go. At least along the Golden Circle and along the south coast where we visited.

10. We found driving in Iceland (even Reykavik) to be easy and the roads are good. This was in MAY–not winter–and along the south coast.

11. Drive the speed limit or let people pass by putting your blinker on and slowing down. There is not a lot of traffic though and this was not really a stressful issue.

12. They drive on the right side of the road. This made driving there quite a bit less stressful. Though we have driven on the left side before in Ireland.

13. You need to bring appropriate layers of clothing to Iceland. Bring those layers with you everywhere. We had temps in the low 50’s almost every day in May. But the weather can change quickly–light rain comes and goes.  You should also bring real hiking shoes and bring long underwear for hikes and outdoor excursions–something good quality like Merino Wool.

14. Reykjavik is an incredible European city with great food and culture-–plan to spend at least a day there before heading out into the countryside. The Reykavik Eco Campsite is in the city and makes exploring the city easy.

15. Once you leave Reykavik the natural world is amazing and the population drops. You will start finding hiking, waterfalls, beaches, rivers, and incredible vistas almost immediately. 

Diamond Beach, Iceland

16. The most common first trip with an Iceland RV Rental is Reykavik, the Golden Circle, and the Southern Coast to Vik or Skaftafell–we went as far as Diamond Beach and headed back to Vik and then Reykavik–spending one more night in each place.

17. Iceland is not Disney World--there are things there that can killl you. Use common sense.

18. Consider the shoulder seasons of May and September for better pricing and even less crowded conditions.

19. Credit cards are accepted almost everywhere. We did not touch Icelandic Currency (Krona). One time we needed Icelandic coins for the pay showers at the Vik Campsite. They gave them to us for free. You can purchase them with credit card when you pay for your site.

Hveragerdi Campsite

20. In Iceland they are called campsites not campgrounds.  Their camping culture is amazing and there are campgrounds (uh… campsites) all over the country. Most are not all open all year though–so do your homework before you go.

21. Many guidebooks say reservations for campsites are not required. But we think that is changing. Our best tip is to make reservations whenever you can—and don’t show up late if possible. Have a backup plan if you are going in high season—but ultimately it all works out pretty easily.  Campsite prices ranged between 20-60 dollars per night while we there. Electric requires an additional fee.

22. Access to electricity was available at every campground we visited. There is not electric at every campsite–but many loops have a pedestal with multiple hookup points. Rent Easy Iceland includes a long power cord that will easily reach these pedestals.

23. You dump the tanks for your Iceland Motorhome Rental at gas stations or at public car washes. We know–this is weird for an American to do–but it worked out fine.

24. At some campsites you can’t reserve a particular site. If you leave and come back you may need to pick a different site. Sometimes you have all of the room in the world–sometimes the RVs are stacked up.

25. Individual campsites are not always well-defined in Iceland. Someone can pull in right next to you and other times there will be no one else around. Sometimes (within one campsite) they will have defined sites–and rows where the RV’s can be very stacked up.

26. Icelandic campgrounds are awesome but they are fairly simple. They often have common rooms for cooking, bathrooms, and showers–but not many amenities like playgrounds, pools etc. 

27. Campsites are often located right in the small towns and within walking distance of community pools, restaurants etc. In several situations we were able to walk to get dinner and drinks and then walk back.

28. You can pull in and pay in the morning in some situations–you can pay by app in other situations. Sometimes the welcome center or pay station is only open for certain hours and may be closed when you arrive—don’t panic! Pull in and grab a site.

29. Occasionally campsites have community showers like at the Vik Campsite. But many places have private showers like Skaftafell. Three of the days on our trip we went to a spa/pool and just showered there.

30. Some showers require Icelandic coins which can be purchased when you check in and pay for your site.

31. NATIONAL PARKS ARE JOYFULLY UNCROWDED, We were completely alone on at least one hike to the Glacier at Skaftafell. We parked everywhere easily. Stephanie kept saying this must be like what American national parks were like in the 1970’s and 1980s.

Skogafoss (Near Vik)

32. Using an Iceland RV Rental is a very common and popular way to see the country–and it may be the best way to see the country. Many spots are one and done. You stay one night and move on. Hopping from hotel to hotel seems exhausting to us.

33. An Iceland motorhome rental or van rental is not cheap–but neither are hotels. And you can easily cook your own food and save money that way. This would be impossible to do in a hotel.

Interior of Etrusco Motorhome Rental from Rent Easy Iceland

Motorhome Rental From Rent Easy Iceland

34. Everything about European RVs is smaller and more compact. Don’t  book an Iceland motorhome rental and expect something the size and complexity of an American RV.

35. Consider a small motorhome–not a van. We loved working with Rent Easy Iceland. They have a fleet of small motorhomes (from 22 to 24 feet) that come in manual and automatic.  These come with efficient Truma Combi’s for heat and hot water. We used less than one tank of propane during our weeklong stay. You can also add on a linens package which was a must for us because we were flying in from America. The owners of this Rent Easy Station (brothers Diddi and Gardar) have imported American pop up campers, and they are currently an iKamper RTT dealer. They are both outdoorsmen who love camping very much and understand the needs of American customers very well. Their fleet of Etrusco Motorhomes is gorgeous and they have floorplans that can sleep up to 5 and have seatbelts for up to 5.

36. You can rent a motorhome and bring your kids. This would be difficult to do in a van–particularly if you have bigger kids like we do. We opted to take a couple’s trip which also saved us quite a bit of money.

37. Fuel is not cheap–but the small motorhomes are very fuel efficient.  At the time of this writing it costs 8 dollars per gallon for diesel in Iceland.  But our 2024 Etrusco motorhome averaged 23.5 MPG. So it balanced out a little bit in the end.

Skaftafell

38. One night is enough at most places–even National Parks. This caused us to change our plans on the fly after one night in Skaftafell. After completing two of the most popular hikes at Skaftafell we decided to head back to Vik for dinner and another night at the awesome campsite there.

39. You can be spontaneous like it used to be here in America. As mentioned above, we changed our itinerary on the fly. Instead of a second night in Skaftafell we headed back to Vik for a great meal and to be closer to Reykavik on our last full day.

40. Even motorhomes can have cassette toilets in Iceland. We had a cassette toilet–like our old pop up had–we did a no #2 rule and it worked great. The cassette toilet is easy to remove and dump once you find an appropriate place to do so. We did not shower in the motorhome but could have if we felt the need.

Black Crust Pizza

41. Icelandic food culture is amazing and very diverse–with both traditional food and ethnic food.  They have awesome pastries and breakfast options at bakeries in just about every town we visited. Sourdough and rye bread seem to be Icelandic specialties. We had amazing bread there and often would buy an extra loaf to bring with us and snack on in the motorhome.

42. Good food like food truck food) is often available in national parks and tourist spots–not just mediocre burgers, fries and pizza like we often get stuck with at home.

43. Shopping in an Icelandic grocery store is a lot like shopping in a grocery store at home. We found prices to be comparable too.

44. The easiest way to save money is to cook and use your motorhome kitchen and outdoor grill if provided. But the food is so good and not to be missed if you can swing the expense. You could do a foodie tour in Iceland if you wanted to. There are food trucks even at somewhat remote locations. We loved the food trucks at Diamond Beach which was as far east as we went. The lobster rolls were very good there. We did not make a single meal in the RV–but we could have. We also did not make coffee in the RV–they had it everywhere we went.

45. Prices are high in Iceland–but so are prices in America. We found food and activity costs to be very much like the northeast in America—-all of the guidebooks we used make it sound so expensive though.

46. Serving sizes for coffee and food are smaller than in America. Jeremy almost started ordering two AMERICANOS.

47. Candy and sweets are very popular. There are great chocolate and licorice options everywhere.

48. Eat the hot dogs Not the fermented shark. Icelandic hot dogs are awesome and not just a dumb tourist gimmick. Iceland fermented Shark was gross and felt gimmicky.

49. Stock up and refuel in towns before heading somewhere remote. It was not as remote as we thought in a certain sense–but research your itinerary and options for fuel and groceries before heading into less populated parts of the country.

50. Read The Little Book of Tourists in Iceland by Alda Sigmundsdóttir to learn a ton about the culture in a short easy book. You can purchase a copy here.

51. Watch the Vivid Iceland YouTube channel.

52. Watch the Chris Burkard Documentaries about surfing and cycling in Iceland. Even if you do not plan on surfing or cycling. They are incredible. 

53. People that go love to go BACK for another Iceland RV Rental. They often head to the he Snaefellness Peninsula, the Westfjords, and the north for a second and third trip—-adventurous people might even head into the Icelandic Highlands in a 4X4 and camp in more remote locations,

If you are dreaming of an Iceland RV Rental we encourage you to start planning and make that dream come true. It was the trip of a lifetime for us.

The post Iceland RV Rental Adventures: 53 Things To Know Before You Go appeared first on The RV Atlas.

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!

The post Huge Announcement! + 5 Trends from KOA’s 2024 Camping and Outdoor Hospitality Report appeared first on The RV Atlas.