Active RV Destinations – Guest Post

This is a guest post by Andi Singer.

Kayaking

Idaho has an abundance of kayaking, canoeing, and river-floating adventures all throughout the state. If you are a beginner or just want to try it out, the Boise River in Southwest Idaho is one of the shorter and milder options. For an intermediate kayaker, the Middle Fork Salmon River will provide more of a challenge, and it spans for 100 miles. If you head further north, you’ll come across South Fork Clearwater, which offers intricate rapids and a long stretch of beautiful scenery.

You’ll want to visit Idaho in the summer or late spring for water adventures as it is notoriously snowy in the winter. RV campgrounds with hookups are abundant, and Walmarts and truck stops are known for being fairly friendly to overnight parking.

Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore in Michigan also has a great variety of options for both beginners and advanced kayakers. There are several guided tours that take you across crystal clear water, past sandstone cliffs, and through caves and arches.

There is RV camping available at the Lakeshore, although some roads are not suitable for larger vehicles. Twelvemile Beach Campgrounds offers spots directly on the lake shore, and it is recommended to arrive by early afternoon because they are available only on a first-come, first-serve basis.

Hiking

Utah is the perfect state to explore if you love hiking. Within a 20-mile radius of Salt Lake City alone you’ll find upwards of 20 trails for all experience levels. If you’re traveling with your pooch, Dog Lake is a 6-mile trail in the area, popular for hiking in the summer and snowshoeing in the winter. It gets its name because dogs are allowed both on the trail as well as at the lake shore.

Arches National Park is another popular destination, located in Eastern Utah. There are trails as short as .3 miles and as long as 8.25 miles one-way. Fiery Furnace is an interesting trail within the park because it is known to be a maze. It is recommended that you travel with a guide because although it is not an advanced course, many travelers get lost along this path. If you find yourself in the Southwest corner of the state, Zion National Park has several trails for more advanced hiking. Even if you are just passing through the state on your way to another destination, there are so many hiking opportunities in Utah that you are likely missing out on a nearby adventure.

Morgan-Monroe State Forest in Indiana has two 10-mile hiking loops that pass through ravines, forested ridges, and creeks. Originally this area was developed as farmland, however its rocky soil was found to be inefficient for growing crops, so the state purchased it to create the forested park. Both RV and primitive camping are allowed at the park.

Snorkeling

Crystal River, Florida provides a snorkeling experience that you will not find elsewhere in the United States. Not only is the water- as the name implies- crystal clear, but you will also have the unique opportunity to see aquatic animals up close and personal. Most notable are the manatees, which you can swim and interact with. There are also tours to see dolphins, sea turtles, and sea horses, and to collect scallops. There are several RV parks in the area including Crystal Isles RV Resort, which has electric, water, and sewage hookups.

Gloucester, Massachusetts offers an additional opportunity for kayaking, paddle board, scuba diving, and snorkeling. Tours are available for each of these activities, or you can rent the equipment or bring your own and venture out without guidance. The Cape Ann area is known for an abundance of ship wreckage sites, as well as rich marine life. There is both tent and RV camping in the area with electrical and sewer hookups available.