rv camping

May 31, 2022 by J Chickery Leave a Comment

A Quick Guide to Planning the Perfect US Camping Trip

When you think of the perfect camping trip, what comes to mind? For many people, the ideal camping experience involves spending time in a beautiful location, surrounded by nature. If you’re planning a camping trip in the United States, there are plenty of amazing destinations. In this blog post, we will provide you with some tips on how to plan the perfect US camping adventure!

Image of a tent and camper at a campground in the Pacific Northwest

1) Choose your destination:

The first step in planning the perfect camping trip is to choose your destination. When selecting a location, it is important to consider the type of terrain you will be camping on, as well as the climate. For example, are you looking for a place with beautiful hiking trails? Or do you prefer a more relaxed setting where you can enjoy some fishing and swimming? Once you have an idea of what kind of environment you would like to camp in, research different locations that fit your criteria. When choosing your campsite, book one with all the amenities you need, such as running water and electricity. You should also check to see if any restrictions or permits are required if you plan to camp off grid in the area. Follow these three tips for finding the best campgrounds.

2) Pack your gear:

Once you have chosen your destination, it’s time to start packing! When packing for a camping trip, it is essential to bring all the necessary items. If you’re tent camping, you’ll obviously need a tent, sleeping bags, and food. No matter whether you’re in a tent or RV, there are also some other things you might want to consider bringing, such as bug spray, sunscreen, and a first-aid kit, you can find all your camping gear requirements online at ECOGEAR FX. Also, make sure to pack enough clothing for the number of days you will be gone, as well as extra socks and shoes in case of wet weather. And don’t forget to bring along some fun games and activities to keep everyone entertained!

3) Plan your meals:

One of the most critical aspects of planning a camping trip is to make sure you have enough food. When packing your food, it is crucial to consider both perishable and non-perishable items. Make sure to bring along plenty of snacks and easy-to-prepare meals, such as sandwiches and trail mix. If you are bringing any perishable items, pack them in a cooler with ice packs. And don’t forget to pack some drinks, too! Water is always a necessity, but you might also want to bring some juice or sports drinks.

4) Don’t forget to explore

One of the best parts about camping is getting to explore your surroundings! Once you have set up camp, take some time to wander around and discover all the hidden gems of your location. If you’re camping in a national park, check out any nearby hiking trails. And if you’re near a lake or river, don’t forget to go for a swim! Make sure to bring along a map to find your way back to camp, and always let someone know where you are going before heading off into the wilderness.

Following these tips will help ensure that you have a fun and safe camping trip! Remember to choose your destination carefully, pack all the essential items, and plan your meals ahead of time. And don’t forget to explore your surroundings and have fun!

October 3, 2018 by Guest Post 4 Comments

Gunter Hill Campground (Montgomery, Alabama)

This peaceful campground was our first Army Corps of Engineer park and we loved it! Don’t let the name fool you–these parks are open to the public even though they are managed by the Army Corps of Engineers. Many are rustic, but this campground in North Montgomery, Alabama had full hook-ups and was situated along a river.

Prime Location

The terrific thing about this location is that it was only 10 miles from downtown Montgomery, but you’d never know it! Gunter Hill Campground offers a peaceful scene of trees and nature on the backwaters of the Alabama River. All of the large sites in the Catoma Loop are paved. The back-in sites are wooded and provide plenty of shade. Many even have a view of the river.

All Catoma Loop RV sites also have water, electric, and sewer hook-ups as well. However, the connections are all the way at the rear of the site, so if you have a lengthy RV be sure you have a long enough power and water cord. Ours was just long enough to make it!

Each site also had a fire ring and picnic table in a gravel area just off the pavement.

Amenities

As you can see in the video linked above, the Catoma Loop has two bathhouses with private showers, two small playgrounds, and a laundry room. While you can see the river from the campground, there is no swimming area. There is a boat launch ramp on the day use side of the park.

Reservations

You can make reservations online or using the Recreation.gov app. I especially like using this site because if there is not a site available when you want it, you can see when the next availability is. You can also see the specific sites that are available on a map view. Each one has a photo of the site, as well as the site length.

Local Area

There is a lot to do and see in the Montgomery area. We were only there a short time and visited the downtown and State Capital areas. We also paid a visit to a new museum that just opened in 2018, The Legacy Museum: From Enslavement to Mass Incarceration. We were moved by the multi-media exhibits and displays that dramatize the enslavement of African Americans, the evolution of racial terror lynchings, legalized racial segregation and racial hierarchy in America. We highly recommend purchasing a combination ticket for the museum and the nearby National Memorial for Peace and Justice. It’s the nation’s first memorial dedicated to the legacy of people terrorized by lynching between 1877 and 1950 and was very moving. Since it was a very hot day, we drove between the two, although they are only a little over a mile a part.

If you’re interested in learning about some other Civil Rights museums we’ve visited in the South, see the following articles:

National Civil Rights Museum in Memphis, TN

Civil Rights Sites in Atlanta, GA

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July 24, 2018 by Julie Leave a Comment

Crossville I-40 KOA (Crossville, TN)

We really enjoyed our two-week stay at the Crossville KOA campground in Crossville, TN. While it has easy access on and off I-40, it is far enough away (about 5 miles) to make you feel as though you are in the country. It is so quiet and peaceful with all the amenities you expect from a KOA. Watch our video below to see the campground and some highlights from the local area.

RV, Tents, and Cabins

One thing we really like about KOAs is that they offer a range of accommodations, and this one is no exception. In addition to paved full-hook up sites, they have tent camping sites, as well as several different size cabins. Some of the cabins had RV hook-ups adjacent to them so you could have family come visit and have enough room to spread out. If you want to have a big gathering, they even have a 4-unit log lodge which could be a great place for family reunions. Each RV site has water, sewer, 50 amp power, a picnic table, and fire pit. Although we were there in July, we still made a fire in the evening.

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Once the sun started to set, it cooled down enough to have a campfire! #betteroutside #campfire #rvtravel #homeiswhereyouparkit #travelusa #rvcamping #rvcouple #rvlife #koacamping

A post shared by Chickery's travels (@chickerystravels) on Jul 5, 2018 at 6:33am PDT

Cumberland Plateau

This campground is situated in a beautiful part of Tennessee known as the Cumberland Plateau. There are some amazing historical sites, state parks, and beautiful waterfalls! One of our favorites is Burgess Falls. You can’t swim there, but you can see three waterfalls on one fairly short short hike (3/4 from the parking lot).

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The tallest of three waterfalls at Burgess Falls State Natural Area on the Cumberland Plateau in Sparta, TN. #lovetennessee #travelusa #rvlife #homeiswhereyouparkit #rvtravel #coupleswhotravel #rvcamping

A post shared by Chickery's travels (@chickerystravels) on May 30, 2018 at 2:47pm PDT

Click here to learn about some surprising WWII history in the local area.

Learn More

For more fabulous places to visit in the local area, follow us on Instagram @chickerystravels where we posted photos (like the ones below) almost everyday. https://www.instagram.com/p/BksHdtInznK/?taken-by=chickerystravels

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Last day in Tennessee, and it’s a beautiful one at that! #lovetn #koacamping #travelusa #homeiswhereyouparkit #rvlife @kampgroundsofamerica

A post shared by Chickery's travels (@chickerystravels) on Jul 13, 2018 at 6:11am PDT

Click here to make reservations for your next adventure!

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