We are excited to share our campground review of the Lake Placid / Whiteface Mountain KOA. This campground has an amazing location right on the Ausable River, just outside the charming town of Lake Placid. There is a ton to explore both inside and outside of the campground.

We know a lot of RV newbies are out there. You're listening. You're camping. And, you're packing! We want to help make that packing process easier with our RV stock-up list and tips.

While we know you won't be packing up to head there anytime soon, RVing in Iceland is definitely a bucket-list trip.

They say you only have 18 summers with your children before they become young adults. As campers, we all want to make the most of those summers. What kinds of trips can we take that will leave a lasting impression? Check out these bucket list trips with kids for some inspiration.

Anchor Down RV Resort, located in Dandridge, TN, is one of the hottest new campgrounds in the nation. It seems everyone we know has either gone there or is wanting to go there. With meticulous campsites located on Douglas Lake and views of the Great Smoky Mountains in the distance, Anchor Down is an exceptional campground in an exceptional location.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, campgrounds and RV parks closed, just as much of America did. What was it like to suddenly shut down, just as prime camping season was about to start? Erin and Dan Thiem, from Inn Town Campground, are here to tell us how their campground handled the global pandemic.

RV dealerships have been on an emotional roller coaster ride during the COVID-19 pandemic. What is it like to go from a total shutdown to explosive sales? Josh the RV Nerd from Haylett Auto & RV Supercenter in Coldwater, Michigan, is here to take us behind the scenes and show us how RV dealerships have handled the global pandemic.

There are thousands of campgrounds in this country, and it is so difficult to know what the differences are at first glance. However, we can help you figure out your campground style. With that bit of knowledge, you'll be well on your way to booking the right campground for you!

It seems like in the hotel world, we all know what kind of hotel is for us. Are you a Holiday Inn or a Ritz-Carlton kind of traveler? Chance are, you could easily answer that question. Now, are you a COE or KOA kind of camper? If that question was harder for you to answer, this post is especially for you!

This post is adapted from chapter 5 of our book See You at the Campground. If you'd like more camping and RVing tips and inspiration, please check it out!

To hear more about booking the right campground, click "play" on the media player above or look for The RV Atlas wherever you find your favorite podcasts.

Booking the Right Campground Starts with Knowing Your Style

There are two broad categories of campgrounds: public campgrounds and private campgrounds. When booking the right campground, it is really helpful to know which is more your style. Here's a brief overview of each.

Public campgrounds

Public campgrounds are supported by local, state, or federal funds. Within that category, there are a variety of options. There are National Park Service campgrounds, funded with federal dollars. Next, you'll have state park campgrounds, which are supported at the state level. These vary a lot from state to state, depending on the investment. Additionally, you'll find options from the Corps of Engineers and city/county parks.

In many public campgrounds, you'll tend to get more space and more national beauty--but not always. However, it makes sense that national and state parks preserve some of our country's most beautiful spaces, so they will have campgrounds that are themselves beautiful. Also, since public campgrounds receive outside funding, they are not as dependent on capturing every dollar they can from campsite fees. Therefore, they don't have to pack campsites in as tightly, and they do not have to charge as much.

One drawback to public parks is that you may not find full hookups. Since these parks are focused on conservation and preservation, they don't invest it (or necessarily want) the infrastructure for water, electric, and sewer at every campsite. Now, a lot of public parks do have electric sites or even water and electric, with some even offering full hookups. And, of course, you may even find parks with no hookups at all. When booking a public park, you have to pay close attention to all of those options.

If you are a newbie who is wondering what you do without these hookups while camping, there are a couple of important things to note. Even if the campground doesn't offer sewer hookups at your site, the park will likely have what is called a "dump station" onsite. As you leave the park, you'll drive through there, hop out, and dump your tanks. Additionally, while in the park, you need to monitor your tank levels to make sure you don't fill them up--or else, you'll have to take an extra trip to the dump station.

Also, if you are staying in a campground without water at your site, you'll usually find water spigots placed throughout the park. Pull up to one of those and fill your tanks (or fill them before leaving your house). Finally, staying in a park without electricity is definitely trickier. In order to fully operate all.of.the.things, you'll need some solar power or a generator.

Do you love trees and shade? Is privacy important to you? Do you like natural landscaping? Can you survive without hookups, in exchange for these other benefits? Do you want more space? Do you want to "get away from it all"?  If you answered "yes" to those questions,

Alabama's Gulf Coast is a hidden gem, with sugary sand beaches turquoise waters stretching as far as the eye can see. Jellystone Park of the Alabama Gulf Coast, located in Elberta, is a gorgeous retreat that puts you just 25 minutes from the beaches. The park itself is so parked with activities and amenities you could fully enjoy a stay there, even if the beaches weren't just down the road.

Congress will be discussing the Great American Outdoors Act this week. This act will affect our lives as campers and as park lovers. We encourage you to get involved.