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Top 4 RV Parks in Arkansas to Visit This Fall

September 18, 2020bankstonmotorhomes

If the thought of flannel shirts, crisp chilly days, and pumpkin spice make your heart sing, your season is right around the corner. It’s never too early to plan a fall vacation! Why not enjoy camping in Arkansas?

Nearly every town with a wealth of fall fun has a campground nearby.

We’ve made it easy to find a place to park your rig and lay your head. Read on and explore the top four RV parks in Arkansas.

1. Eureka Springs KOA

You can’t go wrong when you set up camp at a KOA campground.

Fall is the ideal time to visit the Ozarks. Leaves begin their color change in early October and peak from late October to early November.

If you’re into taking vacations with family, Eureka Springs KOA offers a full menu of family-friendly activities. On Halloween weekend, the park celebrates in style with RV decorating, pumpkin carving, and trick-or-treating. A short ten-minute drive to Eureka Springs lets you shop to your heart’s content.

This is a big rig friendly RV park, and all sites include cable TV, fire pits and grills, and Wi-Fi. Traveling with a furry friend? There’s even a fenced-in dog park!

2. Catherine’s Landing RV Resort

If you’ve never visited Hot Springs in the fall, you’re in for a treat! The Spa City features Hot Springs National Park, where shutterbugs will love the many opportunities to capture the fall colors on film.

Catherine’s Landing offers RV sites with full hookups, including 30, 50, and 100 amp service. Depending on where you park your rig, you can enjoy lake or mountain views. Some sites offer both!

Whether you’re traveling with kids or you’re young at heart, you’ll discover a wealth of fun in the Hot Springs area. Why not master ziplining or enjoy a horseback ride through the Ouachita National Forest?

3. Tom Sawyer’s RV Park

Another popular destination for RVs is the Mississippi River area. If you love watching boats and the rolling waters, you won’t want to miss this RV park, located in West Memphis, Arkansas.

The park features pull-thru sites with full hookups and 30- or 50-amp electric service. For campers with fifth wheels, don’t miss out on the special riverfront section where your rear picture window will thrill you with views of the river.

If you’ve always wanted to visit Memphis, you’ll only have 10 miles to travel. Graceland is 20 miles away.

4. Downtown Riverside RV Park

For a fun-packed fall vacation, you can’t beat Little Rock, Arkansas. The Downtown Riverside RV Park puts you right in the center of the excitement!

Enjoy the fall views of the river from the Arkansas River Trail. Then, take some time to explore the capital city. For a bit of history, visit Little Rock Central High School National Historic Site. Then head over to the William J. Clinton Library and Museum.

The RV park features water, sewer, and 50-amp power. There’s also a convenient dump station.

Campers love the on-site management, free Wi-Fi, and the clubhouse where they can take care of laundry.

Ready to Visit the Top RV Parks in Arkansas?

We hope our sampling of some of the best RV parks in Arkansas to visit during the fall season inspires you to get out and see the many attractions in Arkansas.

For more articles on RV destinations, packing for family RV trips, or other topics of interest for RVers, check out the archives here on the blog!

Family RV Packing List: Essential Items to Pack for Family RV Trips

August 24, 2020bankstonmotorhomes

Going on a family RV trip is one of the best ways to spend some quality time with your loved ones. Once you arrive at your camping location, everyone can get out, stretch their legs, and enjoy the great outdoors with one another. Taking an RV trip alone or with adults only can much different than traveling with little ones.

If you’ve never taken a family RV trip, then you’ll want to do some research on what should be included in your RV packing list. To ensure the kids are kept entertained throughout the drive and the camp experience itself, you’ll want to continue reading for some solid advice on how to prepare.

Here’s a few things you’ll want to add to your RV camping list when traveling with children!

1. Favorite Items

Everyone can become homesick at times, but a trip away from home might be even more difficult for your little ones. If you pack a few favorite items from home, it’ll help make your children feel more comfortable. Plus it helps them make their ‘space’ their own!

Do they have a favorite stuffed animal that they sleep with at night? Is there a favorite blanket they like to use or a favorite toy they always play with? You may also want to take along a small battery-operated lantern to help them feel more cozy in their bunk, or tucked away on the sleeper-sofa?

Give your children the option of choosing their own favorite toy to bring along with them to make them feel close to home while away.

2. Board Games and Card Games

Board games and card games will come in handy during the road trip. Select a few different board games and a few different card games. This will give kids plenty of options while on the road.

If you have some games that normally take a long time to finish, then this would be the perfect time to play them. If you don’t have many of these games at home, then be sure to pick some up on the way.

3. A Variety of Electronics

Electronics can come in handy while on the road as well. You might not want them to bring out the electronics once arriving at the campgrounds, but you may want to have then available to use during the drive.

Laptops, portable DVD players, tablets, cell phones, and other electronics are all great ways to stay busy and distracted during long road trips. And for those parents trying to limit screen time, audio books are always a great option too! You can find audio books on-line to download before the trip, so spotty internet connections won’t be an issue. And for teenagers, make sure they download their tunes before you leave your internet behind. You’ll also want to be sure there’s a device for each child to eliminate arguing.

4. Water Toys and Outdoor Activities

If the campgrounds have a lake, a river, or a swimming pool, you’ll want to have plenty of water toys for the kids to play with. Be sure to add all your pool floats, water blasters, swim floaties, and more to your RV packing checklist as well!

Walkie talkies, binoculars, games of horseshoe, and other outdoor activities should be brought along as well. You’ll want your children to enjoy as much time outdoors as possible and bringing these kinds of toys along will provide a variety of options.

5. First Aid Kit

While we certainly hope you don’t need a first aid kit, it’s better to be prepared! When you have little ones along for the trip, you don’t want a scraped knee or a pesky mosquito bite to hamper your fun. Having a basic first aid kit stowed on-board your RV is always advisable. And there’s no need to go buy one- you probably have everything you need at home to make a suitable kit to take with you. First, make sure you get a bag that is big enough to hold all your supplies- and label it accordingly. Next, make sure everyone in the family knows where it is & what’s inside to minimize frustration if someone is asked to go get it. Third, stock it with the basics you feel best suit your family. If you’re not sure what to include, check out this list from trip savvy.

What’s on Your Family RV Packing List?

What family essentials will you include on your own RV packing list? Be sure to grab the items listed above in our guide above and you will have a head-start on your next family RV trip!

Looking for a new RV to safely transport you and your family?

Check out our new RVs available right now!

5 Family Friendly RV Parks to Visit

July 17, 2020bankstonmotorhomes

With summer well under way, we know that many RVers are still looking for more great family friendly rv parks to take the family! Whether you are looking for kid-friendly parks, or pet-friendly parks, we have a few options on this list that are sure to please. So if you are craving natural beauty & hiking paths, we have a park for that. If you are looking for a lake and fishing, we have a park for that. Or maybe you are tired of State Parks and want to try an RV park for a change, we understand that too. For those of you that are itching to make the most of these next few weeks of summer- read on and discover five family friendly RV parks to make some fantastic memories!

The U.S. Space & Rocket Center RV Park

The U.S. Space & Rocket Center RV Park is often a top pick for families because it’s right next door to the Space & Rocket center in Huntsville, Alabama. In addition to offering awesome traveling exhibits every summer, the Space & Rocket Center is also home to Space Camp! So for parents that want to be nearby while their kid is exploring the astronaut world, this RV Park is a great way to be on-location. Beyond the space experience, there is a large, open, grassy field nearby that is great for a game of kickball or frisbee. With plenty of local attractions nearby, like the Huntsville Botanical Gardens, Huntsville Art Museum, and Early Works Children’s Museum, this RV Park is a fun-filled stop for families with kids of all ages.

Website: https://rocketcenter.com/RVPark

Address: One Tranquility Base, Huntsville, Alabama 35805

Contact number: 1-800-637-7223

Green River Oaks RV Park & Campground

The all-inclusive Green River Oaks RV park offers themed weeks throughout the summer. That means visitors can expect a unique experience each time they stay at this family RV campground. Relax in the two heated swimming pools, go fishing in Lake St. George, rent a kayak, or borrow a campground bike. There are not any additional charges for campground activities, like the camp-wide hayride. Reviewers say the playgrounds here are fabulous, and they love the fact this campground is centrally located to top golf courses.

Website: https://www.greenriveroaks.com/

Address: 1442 Sleepy Hollow Rd, Amboy, IL 61310

Contact Number: (815) 638-2088

Campground at James Island County Park

South Carolina’s 643-acre Campground at James Island County Park features miles of hiking, skating, and biking trails. The 16-acre lake is a great place to go fishing. Please be advised that, due to construction, the Fishing Dock at James Island County Park will be temporarily closed starting June 15, 2020. Construction is expected to last into the summer. An inexpensive shuttle makes going to activities in Charleston easy. Reviewers say they love this campground for its water park and its dog park. The park also boasts a climbing wall that is scheduled for a phased reopening, and the waterpark is also open at this time. There are 116 spaces with full hook-ups and the campsite is open year-round. This park is rated 4.5/5 on Trip Advisor with 294 reviews, and a certificate of excellence from Trip Advisor.

Website: https://charlestoncountyparks.reserveamerica.com/campgroundDetails.do?contractCode=CHST&parkId=1240020&tti=Campsite

Address: 871 Riverland Dr, Charleston, SC 2941

Contact number: (843)795-4386

Whispering Pines Campground

Nestled within Douthat State Park in Virginia, this campground has something for everyone! Amid some of Virginia’s most breathtaking mountain scenery, visitors can explore four miles of stream fishing, a 50-acre lake stocked with trout, a sandy swimming beach with snack bar, boat rentals, a gift shop and camp store, and more than 43 miles of hiking, mountain biking and bridle trails. Plus, there are playgrounds, an amphitheater, picnic areas, along with tent and trailer camping. There are 23 spaces with electric & water hook ups (no sewer, the campground has dump stations) and can take RVs up to 50’ long with parking for tow or towed vehicles on-site. This park is rated 4.5/5 on trip advisor with 192 reviews.

Website: https://www.dcr.virginia.gov/state-parks/douthat

Address: 4239 Douthat State Park Rd, Millboro, VA 24460

Contact Number: (540) 862-8100

Devil’s Garden Campground

Located within Utah’s Arches National Park, Devils Garden Campground is shaded by juniper and pinyon pines. Roads nearby allow visitors to see many of the 2,500 unusual natural rock formations. Numerous hiking trails run right through this campground. Devil’s Garden offers breathtaking views, camping, backpacking, stargazing, and hiking for all skill levels. Many families also love to go mountain biking here. There is truly something for everyone in this popular area of the park.

Devil’s Garden is located at the very end of the park road, 18 miles north of Arches Visitor Center. Reviewers have noted that the ‘road’ to the park is actually a dirt road and can be a bit bumpy. In addition, parking lots can be very busy during peak season and during holiday weekends. Devil’s Garden Campground is available by reservation from March through October and in the winter months on a first-come, first-served basis. Again, please check the park website for updates as the NPS has been working on a phased re-opening for the 2020 season.

Website: https://www.nps.gov/arch/planyourvisit/devils-garden.htm

Address: Arches Entrance Rd, Moab, UT 84532

Contact Number: (435) 719-2299

These parks are just a handful of the options available to RVers this summer. We hope you find this short list helpful, and encourage you to stay safe and have fun!

How to Plan the Ultimate RV Staycation

June 16, 2020bankstonmotorhomes

With many people choosing to combine staying at home with road-trip style vacation this summer, we thought it would be good to share some tips to make the most of your ‘staycation’ if you haven’t planned this kind of vacation before. The staycation has been a staple for families that cannot take a full two or three month extended vacation for years.

Whether you own an RV for personal travel, or live in one full-time, here’s how to prepare for the ultimate RV staycation.

Treat Your Staycation Like a Vacation

The recent events have set the world on what seems like a weird on-again, off-again type of stage, forcing many to rethink their highly anticipated getaways. Though you may not live on a tropical paradise year-round, consider what you were hoping to accomplish with your vacation. Was it to relax and rejuvenate? Was it to spend more time with your family? Was it to start a new creative endeavor?

Whatever the reason, treat your staycation with similar respect. Those that work from home can have a hard time separating free time and work time. Though you are still in your hometown, start your own digital detox, unplug from the world, and treat it like you’re a million miles away.

Build anticipation by saving the date on your calendar.

Explore Your Locale during your Staycation

RVers are used to hitting the road for lush campsites by lakes or parking at the seat of soaring mountains. During the tourist season, these places become over-crowded. If you’re practicing physical distancing, explore areas in your hometown for availability. You may be able to find secluded areas that allow you to get away without leaving home.

Also, consider traveling to a campsite in the off season when tourism is low.

Your hometown could be a treasure trove of campsites , RV parks, or things to do just waiting to be discovered.

Plan Your Staycation Adventure

Sometimes, driving your RV to another location isn’t in the cards. In those cases, your backyard is your best friend. Plan your activities to center around the comfort of what your home has to offer. Staying in your RV could be a fun adventure for your family.

Activities like hiking, sleeping under the stars, and setting up for a picnic are all great for that outdoor camping feel. Delineate a ‘kickoff’ activity. One that designates the beginning of your staycation. This could be watching a movie, sharing a drink with your partner, or lighting up the fire pit.

Remember time not planned for, even leisure time, is time wasted. Creating a themed itinerary can offer a unique experience your family will remember for years to come. Consider fun themes like “Wacky Science”, or “Think like an Artist” if you have kids. It’s not hard to find loads of ‘science experiments‘ that are fun & entertaining and can be done with common household supplies. Or for the artsy types, maybe turn your RV into a ‘studio’ to allow family members to explore their artistic talents! You could feature an artist each day, and let your family try their hand at Kandinsky inspired painting one day, try Jackson Pollock the next, and so on. If you need more ideas, check out Pinterest for great projects that are inspired by famous artists.

Oh the Places You’ll Go

A vacation doesn’t have to be lavish to be rejuvenating. Choosing the right activities and making a plan can make even the simplest efforts into lasting memories you cherish with your family for years to come. Determine what is important for you and have that be the center of your focus during your ‘vacation’ time and you’ll have a wonderful “staycation”!

What makes for a great RV vacation is spending time with the people we love creating memories together.

How To Optimize Your RV For Long-Term Travel

April 28, 2020April 28, 2020bankstonmotorhomes

As the temperature continues to warm up outside, there’s nothing better than making plans to hit the road and find adventure. And we know many of you are looking on-line to determine what is open and where are the best places to go at this point. Our friends at Campendium are keeping a list of what’s open available online. So whether you’re interested in National Park options or RV Park options, you can check their list to determine what your best options are.

It’s hard to beat traveling in an RV. After all, this is the perfect way to skip the hassle and expense of booking rooms along the way and keeping yourself safe. Your RV puts you in total control of where to go and where to stay.

This article takes a look at tips that will help you optimize RV for long-term travel. Keep reading to get the inside scoop that will make your trip as fun and pleasant as possible.

Plan Simple Meals

The fewer ingredients you pack for your extended time on the road the better. Keep in mind that complicated recipes will require extra ingredients that take up space and have special storage requirements. Therefore, it’s good to have a set of recipes planned out ahead so you can make sure your pantry & refrigerator are stocked with what you’ll need.

The key is to keep your recipes simple yet delicious.

Maximize Your Storage Areas

RVs have limited storage space. That means that every inch matters. So do yourself a favor and pack as little as possible.

Or if you are going to be staying where laundry options are limited, you can always pick up a portable washing machine to help keep your clothes clean while on the road.

Also, be sure to buy supplies that can easily be folded and stored.

Take an RV Toolkit

A good toolkit is a gift that keeps on giving. After all, things will wear out and need to be repaired, and there’s always something that needs to be tightened. Thus you’ll never regret investing in an RV toolkit that is designed to help you manage little inconveniences.

Keep Your Fuel Topped Off

Try to resist the impulse to let your fuel gauge drop below half a tank. You never know when you might have to take a detour and stay on the road longer than planned. Plus, you may decide you want to pull over at a scenic view and idle in place for a while so you can take some awesome travel pictures.

So get in the habit of topping off your tank every chance you get. This is a simple tip that will help provide peace of mind no matter what the day throws at you.

Pack a Weather Radio

Weather changes can happen fast. That’s why it’s important to be ready for sudden spring thunderstorms. Investing in a portable weather radio and plenty of fresh batteries will give you the ability to stay updated on the weather so that you can react quickly and adapt your plans accordingly.

Clean & Treat the Awning

Taking the time to clean and treat your awning will help keep your RV looking great. It will also make your awning last as long as possible. This means not only checking it for small nicks or tears, it means taking time to apply an RV silicone based lubricant to components that might not have been checked in a while.

Clean the Oven

You might not give much thought cleaning the oven inside your RV, but this is actually a very useful tip. The process takes only a few minutes and will help keep the interior of your RV from smelling like burnt food as you travel from place to place.

How to Optimize RV for Long-Term Travel

It’s almost time to pack your stuff and start exploring the highways and backroads of America. Fortunately, these tips will help optimize RV to make the most of your travel time in the future.

Click here to see 5 key benefits of owning an RV in 2020.

Which Is Better For You In 2020: Used RV vs New?

April 16, 2020bankstonmotorhomes

Recreational vehicles have always been popular in the United States and we’re not going to fall out of love with them anytime soon. In Spring and Summer 2019, close to 25 million Americans are thought to have taken to the open road. A million Americans live in RVs as modern nomads.

RVs let you travel anywhere under your own power. They represent freedom and an ability to explore the vast swathes of America and beyond.

If you’re thinking of getting in on the action, you might be weighing up buying a used RV vs new one. What is your best bet? Should you buy an older model at a lower price or is getting a new RV the better option?

In this article, we’re going to help you solve this question and enjoy the best vacations the world has to offer. Ready to find out more? Then keep reading!

Used RV vs New RV: Which Is for You?

How does a used RV compare with a new model? What should you be on the lookout for when buying a used motorhome, travel trailer, or fifth wheel? Here are some pros and cons.

Price Differences

One of the biggest draws to buying a used RV is their lower price. Depreciation is quite significant on new RVs and you can expect the vehicle to lose 25 percent of its value within three years (similar to a new car). This lower value also means that used RVs are less to insure than new ones.

Depreciation on used models is less significant too, slowing year on year after the first year of ownership.

The Latest Tech

If you want the very latest and greatest tech that you can get in an RV, you’ll want to get a new one. RVs have come a long way in recent years with modern travel trailers & fifth wheels featuring internet access, weight-saving technology, and improved battery life.

All of this comes together to give new RVs an impressive edge over used recreational vehicles.

There’s less likelihood of mechanical issues occurring on new RVs too. Older model RVs may have issues due to wear and tear, but new RVs fresh from the factory do not.

More Choice

The sad reality is that if you want to buy a used RV, you’re going to have fewer choices than when buying a new one. While Bankston Motor Homes keeps a wide selection of used RVs, our supply is based on what customers trade in. This means that even our large inventory of approximately 200 RVs is based on what customers have decided to trade-in when they trade-up.

There’s also no customization available on a used RV. If you want to choose specific options, you need to buy a new RV.

How We Can Help You

There’s an old myth that buying a new recreational vehicle is never worth it. That’s not true; if you want the latest tech and customization, buying a new RV is well worth the money. And many of our customers truly enjoy that process and make their travel dream come true!

However, a used RV may be able to give you just as much fun and adventure as a brand new one would for a significant savings in price.

The choice between buying a used RV or new one is often an option worth exploring . We can help you decide what’s best for your needs!

Take a look at our used RVs or new inventory and get in touch with your nearest location to learn more!

The Complete and Only Road Trip Packing List You’ll Ever Need

March 23, 2020bankstonmotorhomes

Did you know that the longest road in the world is over 18,600 miles?

If you dream of cruising along the open roads, having the ultimate road trip packing list can help you make the most out of your next vacation.

Are you ready to embark on your greatest adventure yet? Keep reading to learn all of the essentials you should pack.

Snacks, Drinks, and a Cooler

Tasty, nutritious snacks and drinks are road trip essentials. There’s nothing worse than relying on fast food or needing to stop for gas station supplies often. If you’re driving a vehicle like an RV with a refrigerator, you can pack all kinds of filling goodies like sandwiches and fresh fruit. If you prefer not to get in your fridge while driving, there are plenty of non-perishable snacks that can be made ahead and stored in a ‘snack bag’.

Important Documents

Important documents are other road trip must-haves because you should always be prepared for emergencies. If you ever get into an accident or pulled over by the police, you’ll need to make sure you have your license, registration, and proof of insurance. It’s also a good idea to keep a copy of your medical insurance card, a list of any medical conditions a doctor might need to know, and who to call in case of an emergency. While most of these precautions are rarely needed, you’ll feel better knowing you are well prepared.

A Car Charger and Phone Mount

Cell phone supplies are important items to bring on a road trip so you can stay connected no matter where you go. Having a car mount will make it much easier and safer to navigate when you use GPS services. Bringing a charger and/or adapter can also ensure you never run out of power. A lot of RVs now have USB ports, so you’ll want to think about how to make sure everyone on the trip has a place to charge their device.

Weather-Appropriate Clothes

If you’re wondering what to pack for a road trip, it’s always best to have plenty of weather-appropriate clothes with you. Sunglasses, a rain jacket, and clothing that’s made out of fast-drying materials can help protect you from the elements when you’re outside. Check the weather in advance to make sure you are properly prepared. For example, if you love to hike and rain doesn’t bother you, make sure you bring hiking boots that you don’t mind getting a bit muddy. And many RVers like to have a shoe tray, or mat, near the door to put their dirty shoes on so they are not tracking and bits of dirt, mulch, or gravel into the living area of their RV.

Clean Up Supplies

As you’re eating and spending more time in your vehicle, you’ll want to have easy access to items that help with clean up. Baby wipes, tissues, and napkins are all great ways to facilitate a quick clean up! So having these items on your road trip checklist is always a good plan. If you keep some supplies up front, the driver can always keep their area neat and clean without having to stand up or pull over.

Make A Day Bag

Are you planning on hiking or going on day trips where you’ll be away from your vehicle? If so, having a day bag that’s filled with a few extra clothes, a couple of extra snacks, and extra hand-sanitizer or wipes will make you feel more secure when you leave your vehicle behind.

For parents of young children, including some boredom busters in case of a long wait at a local restaurant can also be helpful. Think of easy items that are space saving, like a Rubix Cube, or pipe-cleaners that can be used creatively, and even a few printable coloring pages+ baggie with crayons can save the day!

Emergency Kit

Nobody likes to imagine worst-case scenarios, but accidents can happen to anybody. This is why being prepared is essential. Having an emergency kit with first aid supplies, flashlights, blankets, and a small radio can keep you and your loved ones safe during your travels. As an RV owner, you will also want to have an emergency kit for your RV. Check out this video of what basics you’ll want to include.

You’re Ready With This Road Trip Packing List

If you follow this road trip packing list, you can enjoy the scenic ride and surprising adventures knowing that you are better prepared for the unexpected.

Are you ready to go on a road trip in style? If so, buying or renting an RV is the best way to keep you and your passengers comfortable. Check out our monthly specials to learn how we can help you have an unforgettable experience.

6 Must-See National Parks on the East Coast

February 26, 2020bankstonmotorhomes

When it comes to beauty, nature never disappoints. The United States is full of natural wonders that inspire travelers looking for adventure. This is especially true of the nation’s national parks.

If you’ve never experienced the national parks on the east coast, you’re in for a treat. After all, the east coast is packed with amazing natural scenery that will keep you exploring year after year.

This article takes a look at the best national parks to visit on the east coast. Keep reading to discover places that should be at the top of your list of destinations as you plan your next vacation.

1. Everglades National Park (Florida)

This is one of the most amazing destinations in the country, featuring wild and natural wetlands that will take your breath away. A vast 1.5 million acres of mangroves and sawgrass is like nothing you’ve ever seen. Everglades National Park also protects & provides an important habitat for numerous rare and endangered species like the manatee, American crocodile, and the elusive Florida panther.

2. Mammoth Cave National Park (Kentucky)

Mammoth Cave National Park features 10 miles of caves that are open for public exploration. This park features a limestone labyrinth that slowly formed over billions of years. This park preserves the longest known cave system on earth (400+ miles), as well as 53,000 acres of beautiful forest. With nearly a dozen miles of cave trail below ground, there are also nearly 70 miles of surface trails, 13 backcountry campsites, three campgrounds, and over 20 miles of navigable river for visitors to explore and enjoy. It really is two worlds in one.

3. Appalachian National Scenic Trail

If you love to hike, Appalachian National Scenic Trail ranks among the most fabulous hiking destinations anywhere in the world. This trail covers 2,190 miles across 14 states.

4. Statue of Liberty National Monument

This ranks as one of the smallest national parks on our list, and yet it’s also among the most historically significant. In May of 2019, Lady Liberty’s legacy expanded with the opening of the Statue of Liberty Museum. Housed within the Statue of Liberty Museum are three interactive galleries that tell the statue’s history in thought-provoking ways. Each gallery is designed to inspire visitors. And your National Park Pass is not needed here, National Park passes are valid at parks that charge an entrance fee. Liberty and Ellis Islands are fee-exempt by law. The price of the ferry ticket covers the cost of transportation by the concessionaire.

5. Shenandoah National Park

Located just outside Washington D.C., Shenandoah National Park offers the kind of beauty only great poetry could adequately describe. With over 500 miles of hiking trails, this is a destination you could easily spend a lifetime exploring. This fall-favorite is great to visit any time of year for lots of fantastic hikes, views, and memorable drives. If you are looking for an RV park in the area, our friends at RVShare have a great list to get you started.

6. Great Smoky Mountains National Park

The Great Smoky Mountains rank among the oldest mountains found anywhere on earth. Featuring over 100 species of native trees, this is the ultimate destination for any nature lover. Did you also know that Great Smoky Mountains National Park is a world-renowned preserve of wildflower diversity? Over 1,500 kinds of flowering plants are found in the park, more than in any other North American national park! You can see where to find many of these flowers on the Species Mapper. In fact, the park is sometimes referred to as the “Wildflower National Park.” So blooming flowers can be found year-round in the park!

Trip-Worthy National Parks on the East Coast

Traveling the country by RV and exploring everything our national parks have to offer is a great way to create fond memories that will last a lifetime. This list of national parks on the east coast will help get your next trip started.

Four Mississippi Parks You’ll Want to Visit in Your RV!

February 19, 2020bankstonmotorhomes

The Southern US is home to some of the prettiest state parks in the U.S. If you have not added a swing through Mississippi to your plans, you will want to after reading about some of these idyllic settings for outdoor fun! Be sure to check out the on-line portals for these state parks to stay up to date on camp ground options & conditions.

1. Tishomingo State Park, Tishomingo

This breathtakingly beautiful park has won numerous awards, including being listed in Reserve America’s “Top 100 Campgrounds.”

This park offers seven hiking trails that range in length from ¾ to 3 miles and in difficulty from easy to moderate. The trails feature scenic natural springs, waterfalls, rocky creeks and streams, cliffs, rock walls and huge outcrops. Rock climbing, which requires a helmet and a free permit (available at the park office), is a popular activity on the trails, particularly at the formation known as Jean’s Overhang. Bear Creek crosses a number of points along the trail system and can be explored by canoe on one of the float trips offered at the park.

Three popular disc golf courses are also available, and an Olympic-sized outdoor swimming pool is open during late spring and summer. The park offers 62 developed RV campsites, which have both water and electricity.

The park’s Nature Center, which re-opened in 2016, offers displays of Tishomingo county heritage, nature, art, animals, arrowheads and memorabilia from the Civilian Conservation Corps.

2. Buccaneer State Park, Waveland

Buccaneer State Park’s beautiful restoration was completed in 2013, after hurricane Katrina devastated this area in 2005. Located on the beach in Waveland, Buccaneer is in a natural setting of large moss-draped oaks, marshlands and the Gulf of Mexico. Use of this land was first recorded in history in the late 1700’s when Jean Lafitte and his followers were active in smuggling and pirating along the Mississippi Gulf Coast. Today this area is centrally located to numerous family-friendly attractions such as Stennis Space Center / NASA, Old Town Bay St. Louis, Beauvoir Jefferson Davis Shrine, World War II D-Day Museum, Aquarium of Americas, and more!

3. Davis Bayou Area/Gulf Islands National Seashore, near Ocean Springs

Part of the national seashore, there’s never a shortage to see or do at this 51-site campground. From a two-mile nature trail that traverses the coastal forest to saltwater fishing, visitors to Davis Bayou are in for a real treat. This park maintains several facilities for visitors to enjoy. Such as the William M. Colmer Visitor Center which enables travelers to explore indoor exhibits about the shore and the islands. There is also a Visitor Center Fishing Pier which is an excellent site to cast a line. There are also several short hiking trails through the area.
For a small fee, visitors may also launch their boat and park a vehicle for a day on the water.
Or if your crew just prefers to hang out, there is a large area for picnics including five picnic shelters.

Gulf Islands National Seashore officials announced plans to conduct small controlled burns within the Davis Bayou Area near Ocean Springs, Mississippi. The planned burns are scheduled to be conducted between early February and early March so be sure to check their website and/or call ahead for updates.

4. Sardis Lake Recreation Area, Lafayette, Panola, and Marshall Counties

Sardis was built as a flood control facility in the 1930s and recreation was not mentioned in the original plans. Soon after the Dam’s construction, however, visitation skyrocketed. Today, the employees of Sardis Lake take great pride in building and maintaining some of the top recreation facilities in the country.

Whether planning a one-day outing or an extended camping trip, you can find a wealth of activities to fill your days and nights. Camp in one of the modern campgrounds, or picnic, or swim, or rent a pavilion for a family reunion or find a spot somewhere on our 98,000 acres to boat, hunt, fish, go birding, or walk a trail. There’s an abundance of natural beauty at Sardis Lake and plenty of activities for all campers to enjoy.

Mississippi is often referred to as “The Hospitality State” and with so many great parks to choose from we can see why! If you haven’t visited Mississippi in your RV, you will definitely want to add this state to your travel plans. With awesome parks, fantastic food, and friendly people, you are sure to make some marvelous memories in Mississippi!

5 Tips for Full-Time RV Living

January 30, 2020bankstonmotorhomes

Ready to join the 1 million Americans who live in an RV full-time?

Full-time RV living isn’t for everyone. You trade-off storage space and a predictable environment.

But you gain the type of freedom you can’t get when you live in a traditional home. You can move your home and all of your belongings anywhere you want to go, any time the urge appeals to you.

Chase the warm weather year-round. Or visit family and friends with your own space so you don’t have “too much” togetherness.

Whatever your reason for living in an RV full time, it takes some planning to make the transition smooth.

We’ve put together five key tips to help you make the jump.

1. Prioritize RV Maintenance

Your RV is now your home, so you want to make routine maintenance and conditioning a consistent part of the schedule by planning for it. A mechanical problem may leave you in a bind until it can be fixed. If the stove, or an electrical outlet, or a water hose needs to be repaired, you may be less comfortable than you would like until those items can be fixed.

Before you start your new life on the road, schedule maintenance with an RV dealer and let them know what your plans are. They’ll check over whatever items you ask them to, and make sure those systems are operating correctly. In addition to taking care of any known issues before you hit the road, you will also want to make sure to map out any factory authorized service centers along your route as a back-up plan.

Keep up with your RV maintenance once you start living in an RV full-time. Don’t skip out on oil changes and routine inspections. Check your tires regularly to ensure they’re properly inflated.

2. Do a Massive Downsize

If you’re going from a traditional home to an RV full-time, you’ll want to pare down your belongings. Consider how much storage space you have now and the available space you’ll have in your RV to help you downsize.

If you can’t part with everything, consider putting some things in long-term storage. You may want to choose a storage facility near a family member, so you’ll have someone to check on your things while you are on the road. Plus if you happen to change your plans and want to have some things shipped to you, you are more likely to be able to get a family member to help. (For example, if you decide to head to the snow and wish you’d brought those snow boots!)

Don’t load up your RV too heavy when you start, otherwise you’ll have little extra room and might feel a bit cramped in your RV. Just be sure to bring the basics and you can always add more items later if you want to.

3. Make It Comfortable

The standard decor on an RV is fine for shorter camping trips, but full-time RV living can get old fast if you don’t take a bit of time and effort to personalize your living space.

Your RV is your home, so give it the comforts of home as much as possible. Many RVs now come with ultra-comfy mattresses, but if yours did not then maybe that’s worth splurging on to upgrade. Do you have to have espresso every morning? Then maybe you bring your regular electric espresso maker & a camp-fire espresso maker that does not require power -.just in case you want to savor the outdoors one morning.

Again, RVers plan to splurge on certain areas depending on their preferences. If you love to cook, maybe having an Instant Pot is a higher priority. For RVers with furry travelers, having a secure place for pets may take priority with a special space in the living area. The best part about RVing is that each traveler can customize their space based on their personal needs and those of their companions.

4. Have a Plan

Once the date is set for officially going full-time in your RV, it’s important to make plans for your first destinations, including researching the options for where to stay, such as RV resorts in the area.

In addition to planning where you plan to stay, you will also want to plan for routine maintenance stops. Planning and budgeting for maintenance, gas, and other necessities are an important part of the process. There are plenty of full-time RVers that offer tips on the best places to stay to stretch your RV budget, as well as how to earn a living while on the road. And of course there are plenty of resources to help you keep your RV in tip-top shape so you can enjoy the full-time RV life as much as possible.

5. Stay Flexible when RVing full-time

Part of the reason many people choose living full-time in an RV is the flexibility and freedom. Don’t forget that flexibility when unexpected things happen on the road. You might decide you want to stay longer in one place than you planned, or you might decide to leave early if you don’t like it.

You want a general idea of where you’re going, but don’t be afraid to change the plan when life presents a new opportunity.

Enjoy Full-Time RV Living

Full-time RV living gives you the unique opportunity to explore. It removes the limitations of a traditional home and provides more freedom than ever. You can certainly join the ranks of full-time RVers with some research & proper planning!

Check out our other RVing articles or lots of helpful tips on the RV lifestyle.