In this weekly roundup, Togo RV shares the top stories and features that are impacting and shaping the RV community. We cover everything from news and travel updates to gear and gadgets, and all the good stuff in between.
More People Are Camping Now Than Ever Before
The number of people camping set an all-time high in 2021, according to KOA’s 2022 North American Camping Report. Around 57 million households took a camping trip last year, up 18 percent from 2020. That number includes more than 9 million people who camped for the first time. While the pandemic spurred some of camping’s growth, this trend has been ticking upwards for the past 8 years. One reason could be that 75 percent of respondents said it “reduces stress and contributes to their emotional well-being.”
Read more from PR NewswireHeading to a National Park With Your Electric Vehicle?
While both electric vehicle purchases and national park visits are burgeoning in recent years, the two collide when EV drivers attempt to find charging stations in parks. The National Park Service faces infrastructure challenges as it moves to meet this demand. Park geography and remote locations are the biggest problems, which are the very reason people flock to these treasured landscapes. The NPS has significantly increased the number of chargers and EVs in the work fleet within the past decade, but work remains to meet the goals of the future.
Read more from National Parks TravelerBold Styling and Engineering for Ram’s New 1500 EV Truck
Ram is the latest manufacturer to debut plans for an electric truck with the 2024 Ram 1500 EV expected to fully debut in the fall of 2022. Teasers dropped by the company hint at a bold change in body design, but the innovation isn’t just for the exterior. The truck promises to have an impressive towing capacity, driving range, charge time, and payload. Plans are in the works for a heavy-duty electric truck that uses fuel cells—primarily for fleet trucks—which can recharge in a mere 4 minutes.
Read more from MotorTrend
Expect to Pay More at Great Smoky Mountains National Park
As visits to Great Smoky Mountains National Park have grown by 57 percent over the last decade, so have the infrastructure challenges. Next year, the park is proposing an increase in fees to generate funds for park improvements. Currently, Great Smoky Mountains National Park doesn’t charge an entrance fee thanks to historical laws but plans to sell parking tags as one way to self-fund the roadway and lot maintenance. If the plan is passed, campers will also see a modest increase in backcountry and frontcountry camping fees, with sites ranging from $8 to $36 per night.
Read more from USA TodayVirgin River Canyon Recreation Area Campground Reopens
After 3 years of renovations, the Virgin River Canyon Recreation Area Campground has reopened. Located within the Virgin River Gorge in Arizona, the campground location is known for its colorful cliffs and canyon walls. Nearby, there are hiking trails and scenic drives. Located along Interstate 15, the park is located 20 miles outside of St. George, a popular basecamp for visiting Zion National Park and other recreation areas in southwestern Utah. The campground includes 74 first-come, first-served campsites available for $8 per night.
Read more from St George NewsThe Latest in Outdoor Poop Etiquette
For years, Leave No Trace principles advised burying waste as the preferred option for hikers and campers, but some are calling for a change in this practice. Science shows that this process does little to break down the waste, leaving pathogens and allowing bacteria to make its way into waterways. This wouldn’t be a major concern if there were limited amounts of waste; however, as interest in hiking and camping has swelled, so have the remnants left along trails and in popular camping destinations. Backcountry visitors are now being encouraged to take along WAG bags (waste alleviation and gelling kits), which contain hand sanitizer, toilet paper, and double-layer bags.
Read more from Outside OnlineIs Summer Wasted if You Don’t Travel?
A new survey from Roadpass Digital (Togo RV’s parent company) found strong reverence for family travel, with three out of five respondents saying summer is wasted if they haven’t traveled. Almost 60 percent already planned or will be planning a trip for the upcoming summer, and nearly 70 percent have fond memories of family vacations from their youth—which is inspiring more parents to provide the same for their kids. Though pandemic woes, fuel prices, and other costs are a concern, the majority will travel anyway, with many opting for closer staycation adventures.
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