Podcast
Campground of the Week
Hosted by RVFTA Podcast Network · EN
This podcast is devoted purely to recommending fantastic destinations in the United States and reviewing the campgrounds in those locations. Hosts Jeremy and Stephanie interview campground correspondents from all over the country to help RVers answer that perennial question: Where to next?
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Episodes
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8 Great Campgrounds in Northern California and Coastal Oregon (Pt. 2): with Camp West BBQ
Aug 1, 202500:51:20Tap to summarizeThis is the second episode in a two part mini-series with Jeremy Wayland from Camp West BBQ. In episode one Jeremy covered four great campgrounds in northern California and southern Oregon that he visited with his family on an epic 17 day road trip earlier this summer. In this follow up episode he picks up where he left off and covers four more great campgrounds that his family visited on the second leg of their trip.For more information about all of these campgrounds check out this detailed blog post here or listen to the RV Atlas wherever you listen to your favorite shows! Huge thanks to Jeremy from Camp West BBQ for sharing this epic journey with the RV Atlas community! The post 8 Great Campgrounds in Northern California and Coastal Oregon (Pt. 2): with Camp West BBQ appeared first on The RV Atlas.
Transcribe →8 Great Campgrounds in Northern California and Coastal Oregon with Camp West BBQ (Part 1)
Jul 30, 202500:44:00Tap to summarizeNorthern California and Oregon are home to some of the nation’s most beautiful landscapes and amazing campgrounds. With all of the options, how do you decide where to stay? Recently, Jeremy Wayland from Camp West BBQ planned his first long RV journey and chose this beautiful section of the Pacific Coast as his focus. His 17-day journey includes 8 great campgrounds in Northern California and Coastal Oregon. We are so glad he shared all of his tips and reviews with us! Thanks to Jeremy for sharing his family photos for this post! We know Jeremy Wayland as “CampWestBBQ” online where he shares great BBQ content using his Traeger grills, with so many recipes and tips that are perfect for your camping adventures. He has been a weekend warrior, taking short trips with his family for over five years. This year, he planned his very first extended trip for his family of five (including three kids and the family dog!) in their 26-foot Coleman Lantern 263BH. Their 17-day journey took them from Elk Grove, CA, along the Northern California coast, the Oregon coast, to Salem, and back through Bend, OR, and Mt. Shasta. They hit eight campgrounds along the way—and we are so excited to hear all about them! Along with these reviews of 8 great campgrounds in northern California and coastal Oregon, Jeremy Wayland shared his thoughts on the shift from being a weekend warrior to a road-tripping pro, including how he went about planning such an extensive trip with his family and tips for first-time road trippers. We had such a great conversation that it is spread across two podcast episodes! To hear more about Jeremy’s journey and tips, click play on the media player above to find Part 1 of his interview or look for The RV Atlas in your podcast app. Make sure to check out Part 2 of the podcast, as well, to hear more. Campground Reviews: Northern California Shelter Cove RV Campground (Shelter Cove, CA) If you want to visit the historic Cape Mendocino Lighthouse and have incredible coastal views, check out Shelter Cove RV Campground. The campground offers full hookups. You won’t find a ton of resort amenities in the park, but you won’t miss them because there’s so much to explore in the area. Every evening, you can enjoy sweeping views of the sun setting over the ocean. Here’s a fantastic insider tip: Jeremy recommends grabbing a shrimp po’boy at the campground deli. While this area isn’t good for swimming, the beaches are rich with tide pools. Jeremy’s family loved that they could walk to them right from their campsite to find sea urchins, sea stars, anemones, and crabs. A short drive away, you’ll find the Black Sands Beach, which has a stretch of black sand created from volcanic minerals and rocks. Lighthouse Cove RV Park (Crescent City, CA) The Lighthouse Cove RV Park gives you great access to both the beach and the redwoods. It’s situated right on the coast near the Redwood National and State Parks. This city-run campground has some full hookup sites. The best feature is that you can walk right to the water, where there’s a nice shallow harbor to play in. Nearby, Jeremy’s family enjoyed visiting Battery Point Lighthouse (heads up: It’s only accessible for tours during low tide) and the Ocean World aquarium, which has a 45-minute tour with a touch-and-feel tide pool experience. It gives kids a chance to pet a shark, and a see a sea lion show. His kids loved it! Jeremy also recommends checking out SeaQuake Brewing for delicious beer, kombuchas, brick oven pizza, and locally caught fish dishes. Mount Shasta KOA Holiday (Mt Shasta, CA) Mount Shasta KOA Holiday served as a rest spot for Jeremy’s family on their way back home from Oregon, but the campground still deserves a shout out. It’s a smaller campground, but it has some great views of Mt. Shasta and a lot of kid-friendly amenities, with a pool, a park, and a game room. Remember, you can hear Jeremy’s full reviews of these 8 great campgrounds in northern California and coastal Oregon and more tips for planning your first long roadtrip by clicking play on the podcast player above or looking for The RV Atlas in your podcast app. Check out both Part 1 and Part 2! Campground Reviews: Oregon Sunset Bay State Park (Coos Bay, OR) Not only was Sunset Bay State Park Jeremy’s favorite campground of his trip, it just might have earned the title of best campground of all time. This state park has the huge, private sites you might associate with a state park, combined with full hookups, making it the best of both worlds. He described it as having “Jurassic Park vibes” due to the lush surroundings. This is a great area for hiking and biking, with trails accessible right from the campground. He especially recommends the Sunset Bay to Cape Argo trail for beautiful sweeping views of the ocean and cliff side. This brought back so many memories of our own great visit to the Oregon Coast in 2017. South Beach State Park (Newport, OR) While Jeremy’s family was sad to leave Sunset Bay State Park, the South Beach State Park ended up offering the best beach experience out of all ...
Transcribe →An Epic Family RV Trip to New River Gorge National Park in West Virginia with Allie Kreuz
Jul 27, 202501:00:14Tap to summarizeSince 2020, New River Gorge has held the title of the nation’s newest national park. Travelers are just discovering the magic of this fantastic slice of West Virginia. If you’re planning an epic family RV trip to New River Gorge National Park, we have a special guest here to help you decide where to stay and what to do. There’s so much more to this region than its iconic bridge. Allie Kreuz is a special member of our RV Atlas Facebook group who has been so helpful in sharing tips and advice with our community, so when she reached out to share all of her trip details for New River Gorge National Park, we were excited to welcome her on the show. We last talked about New River Gorge in 2021, so it was time for an update. Allie has such great recommendations! Allie traveled to New River Gorge with her husband and three girls who camp in their Jayco 224BH. Their family likes to visit national parks, especially ones that are pretty easy to reach from the Midwest. Allie is going to tell us about two campgrounds, Adventures on the Gorge and Battle Run COE Campground. Plus, she has some great tips for what to do and where to eat during your stay. Allie shares a lot of great tips for planning a trip New River Gorge National Park adventures on the podcast! Check it out by clicking play on the media player above, or look for The RV Atlas wherever you find your podcasts. Thanks to Allie for providing photos for this post! Adventures on the Gorge Resort Adventures on the Gorge comes highly recommended as a base camp for visiting New River Gorge National Park. Allie describes it as the perfect blend of a beautiful state park combined with a resort with great amenities. We all know how hard it is to find this combo! One tip Allie shared is that the gravel sites are not super level, like you might find at state parks, so take your levelers, especially if you have a longer rig. The campsites are not huge but they are wooded, giving them some privacy. You just might have a perfect spot to hang a hammock since the sites are all tucked into the trees. If you don’t have an RV, you will also find a large variety of cabins, as well as tent spots. Everything has a woodsy vibe that Allie describes as being like a “90s summer camp.” The pool rivals what you might find at resorts like Margaritaville at Pigeon Forge. with multiple areas for both kids and adults. But, the best part is that the pool deck has gorgeous views of the New River Gorge. There’s a sunbathing deck that has better views than the park’s visitor center. We all love when you can take the kids to a national park for outdoor adventures by day and then return to the campground for their fun and relaxation n the evening. Allie also gives a special shoutout to the food onsite at Adventures on the Gorge. Not only was it convenient, it was actually good! The park has multiple dining spots, including a pub, restaurants, and a poolside snack bar. The virgin piña coladas and strawberry daiquiris were a huge hit with her girls, who might come to expect this at every campground. Even if you aren’t staying at the campground, Allie recommends coming for a meal. Also, you don’t have to leave the campground to truly experience the beauty of the New River Gorge. The pool isn’t the only spot to take in views. You’ll also find walking trails, scenic overlooks, and restaurants with a view. This is such a unique amenity to find in the campground and really adds to the experience! Planning an RV Trip to New River Gorge National Park Allie recommends starting your trip at a visitor center. The rangers can give you great trail recommendations, you can pick up your junior ranger booklets, and you can learn all about the park. There’s a great observation deck right at the visitor center. Plus, you can pick up all your merch and maps. Inside the park, Allie recommends Stone Cliff Trail for a fun hike (it’s more of a walk). This 2.7-mile trail follows an old road along the New River, so along your walk, you will see the rafters going by. It’s a fun way to get excited about a rafting trip. Plus, you can take a break and put your feet in the water. For a more adventurous hike, check out the Bridge Trail, which is more strenuous since it takes you to the bridge itself for up-close views. You really get a sense of the size of the bridge as you get close to it. This one includes some fun rock scrambles. Did you know New River Gorge National Park has a ghost town? You can tour the town of Thurmond. It has a visitor center inside an old train station. This was a bustling coal town in the early 1900s, but now, it has a population of two. You will have to drive there, but the drive itself is also fun, as it takes you over a one-lane bridge. You can peek in the windows of the downtown buildings and imagine what life was like a century ago. Rafting in the New River Gorge While the park is known for its views from above, one of the best ways to experience the park is in the deep river valley with a rafting trip. Allie recommends doing your visit in the summer, so you can get the full rafting experience. You can find whitewater options for more the more adventurous and calmer sections for rafting with kids and others who may want a calmer experience. Allie booked her rafting trip directly through Adventures on the Gorge. They could walk to the meeting spot right from their campsite, which was a major benefit. If you want to plan your own epic family RV trip to New River Gorge in West Virginia–consider rafting a must! Allie’s family thoroughly loved the rafting trip, from the bus ride to the rapids! Though she was initially nervous, the trip was calm enough to relieve those nerves but fun enough to be an adventure. She does recommend taking dramamine if you get motion sickness. After having a taste of tackling the rapids, her family hopes to return someday to do the Lower N...
Transcribe →Campground Review: Summer Fun at Camp Eddy in Grand Junction, Colorado
Jul 18, 202500:47:04Tap to summarizeLocated in the bustling outdoor playground of Grand Junction, Colorado, Camp Eddy offers a camping experience that seamlessly combines modern amenities, river access, and proximity to the vibrant downtown area. This unique campground, situated alongside the Colorado River, captures the best of both natural tranquility and urban convenience. You can listen to our complete campground review wherever you get your podcasts! Camp Eddy Overview and Location Camp Eddy is beautifully situated on the banks of the Colorado River, conveniently located just minutes from downtown Grand Junction. The campground combines the rustic charm of riverside camping with close proximity to local attractions, restaurants, and outdoor adventures. It’s an ideal spot for both outdoor enthusiasts and travelers looking for comfortable amenities. Campsite and Accommodation Options Camp Eddy offers a range of lodging options for visitors. We stayed in an RV rental while we were there, since we flew into the Denver airport. RV Sites: Camp Eddy features level, tidy back-in sites and pull-throughs with full hookups—electric, water, and sewer. The sites do not offer shade, so be aware if visiting in the summer. Airstream Rentals: Camp Eddy also provides fully furnished Airstream rentals, ideal for those visiting without their personal RV. We found these accommodations very well outfitted, with toiletries, towels, and linens provided. Tiny Homes: Tiny homes offer compact, upscale luxury and a unique lodging experience with great views of the river and mountains. Campground Amenities The amenities at Camp Eddy are the star of the show, creating a hip, fun camping environment that mirrors the vibe of the surrounding region. Bathhouse and Laundry Facilities: The bathhouses are clean, well-maintained, and modern, offering private, individual bathroom suites—a significant upgrade from typical communal campground bathrooms. Additionally, laundry facilities onsite add convenience for longer stays. Outdoor Space and River Access: A beautiful outdoor area featuring Adirondack chairs, fire pits, and hammocks along the riverbank provides a relaxing communal space for guests to enjoy nature and unwind. Camp Eddy’s prime riverfront location makes it ideal for activities such as kayaking, paddleboarding, or simply relaxing riverside. Onsite Food Trucks and Snack Shop: The campground includes a convenient snack shop, ideal for grabbing quick items without leaving the premises. Additionally, during the peak season, onsite food trucks are scheduled for evening festivities. Outdoor Adventures and Activities Near Camp Eddy One of the greatest advantages of staying at Camp Eddy is the excellent variety of outdoor adventures available nearby. With its central location in Grand Junction, the campground offers quick access to exciting activities like river rafting, hiking, scenic exploration, and more. River Adventures with Grand Junction Adventures (GJA) Directly onsite, Grand Junction Adventures (GJA) makes exploring the Colorado River exceptionally easy. Visitors can rent equipment such as paddleboards, kayaks, and tubes without leaving the campground. GJA offers excellent guided float trips, including a particularly enjoyable route from nearby Palisade back down to Camp Eddy. This relaxing float provides scenic views and is highly recommended for a leisurely adventure suitable for all skill levels. Exploring Colorado National Monument Only about 15 minutes from Camp Eddy, Colorado National Monument is a must-see for campers. This remarkable national park features stunning red-rock canyons, towering cliffs, and unique geological formations, often compared to those found in Utah’s famous parks. A drive along Rim Rock Drive is a highlight, offering spectacular viewpoints like Grand View and Coke Ovens. Early morning visits provide excellent photography opportunities and cooler temperatures. Popular trails within the monument include the Canyon Rim Trail and the short Otto’s Trail, which offer breathtaking overlooks accessible for most visitors. Hiking Near Grand Junction Grand Junction offers ample hiking opportunities close to Camp Eddy. Devil’s Kitchen Trail, a moderate 1.5-mile round trip, leads hikers through beautiful red rock formations. Additionally, Monument Canyon Trail is notable for stunning rock formations such as Independence Monument, ideal for hikers seeking slightly longer routes with impressive views. ATV Tours (OHV/Off-Roading Adventures) <img decoding="async" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-2369...
Transcribe →Roundabout Oxford RV & Water Resort in Oxford, Mississippi with Casita Dean May
Jul 8, 202500:56:25Tap to summarizeThe Roundabout Oxford RV & Water Resort in Oxford, Mississippi, is generating considerable buzz among RVers, and for good reason. Recently opened, this upscale RV resort fills a valuable niche in North Central Mississippi, offering a luxury camping experience that’s perfect for families, football fans, and snowbirds alike. Situated conveniently close to Oxford—home to the University of Mississippi (“Ole Miss”)—this brand-new resort has become an immediate standout. Dean May, affectionately known around these parts as “Casita Dean,” recently reviewed the new resort on The RV Atlas podcast. You can listen to the entire episode wherever you get your podcasts or by clicking on the media player above. Prime Location in Oxford, Mississippi Roundabout Oxford RV & Water Resort is located near Oxford, Mississippi, approximately 70 miles south of Memphis, Tennessee. Easily accessible via Interstate 55 and U.S. Highway 278, the resort provides convenient city access without the hustle and bustle of a major metropolitan area. Oxford, a vibrant college town with a population around 27,000, offers an fun cultural scene, great dining, and ample shopping, all enhanced by the presence of the University of Mississippi. Campsite Options and Details The resort features approximately 150 RV sites, all equipped with full hookups including 50, 30, and 20 amp service. Impressively, about 80% of these sites are pull-through, ideal for larger rigs, with the remaining 33 back-in sites. Each site is paved, level, and spacious, providing room for campers to spread out comfortably. Dean highlighted the absence of shade due to the resort’s recent opening but pointed out strategic site choices such as back-in sites along Chillin’ Way (especially sites 117-124), which offer morning shade and additional privacy due to their location near a retaining wall and hillside. The resort also includes 20 luxurious cottages available for rent, each fully furnished and well-appointed, including amenities like a full kitchen, comfortable beds, and plenty of living space. Exceptional Resort Amenities Roundabout Oxford goes above and beyond typical campground amenities, offering a truly resort-level experience: Welcome Center The Welcome Center greets visitors with offices, a business center, restrooms, golf cart rentals, and bike racks. Guests can also enjoy morning coffee and a patio overlooking the newly completed mini-golf course. Grand Lodge The Grand Lodge serves as the resort’s central hub. Here, campers find a well-stocked camp store, community room with a full kitchen and bar, arcade room, sports TV lounge, and the casual dining restaurant called “The Canteen.” Covered balconies with rocking chairs and ample entertainment options create a relaxing atmosphere for families. Water Resort Spanning approximately 2.5 acres, the water resort is a highlight, featuring two impressive water slides, family pools, hot tubs, a lively kiddie pool complete with playground and water cannons, and a 912-foot lazy river. An adults-only pool area and a swim-up bar (“Hoka Hut”) further enhance the experience, offering refreshments accessible directly from the lazy river and the adult pool. Food and Drink Options Guests have numerous convenient dining choices onsite, including The Canteen for casual meals, the Hoka Hut swim-up bar, the Molly Barr Bar concession, and the Beach Bar serving tasty cocktails. The camp store also provides snacks, ice cream, and camping essentials. Family Fun and Recreational Activities <img decoding="...
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