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.
Campendium Announces Campers Choice Award Winners
Campendium recently announced the winners of the 2021 Campers Choice Awards, chosen from user-submitted reviews on its website and app. Mountain View Campground in Hiawassee, Georgia, was designated as the best RV park. The award for best national park campground went to Belle Fourche Campground, which offers views of the Devils Tower National Monument in Wyoming. Skidaway Island State Park was the top pick in the state park category, and the best national forest campground and best free camping went to Nomad View Dispersed Camping in South Dakota.
Read more from CampendiumHave You Heard of Packrafting?
As more people become interested in packrafting, Alpacka Raft is debuting three new models. Camping and packrafting are a natural pairing, with the inflatable rafts weighing between 2 and 5 pounds. These portable rafts are easily carried through rough terrain and take up less storage space than a standard kayak or paddle board. The all-new Refuge model can be used in up to Class III rapids, while the 2.25-pound Ghost raft is targeted at backpackers and canyoneers traversing flat waters. The redesigned Scout model gives paddlers more leg room and is great for portability, durability, and comfort.
Read more from Alpacka RaftJayco’s New Terrain Class B Van Is Geared for Adventure
Jayco joins the campervan market with the 2022 Terrain Class B, which combines a luxurious interior with off-grid capabilities. Built on the Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 2500 chassis, the Terrain offers four-wheel drive, enhanced suspension, and a 3-liter V6 engine. Inside, the rear bed has a power lift with garage storage below. A wet bath, kitchen, and additional seating round out the interior, and the rig’s boondocking-friendly features include a solar power system, water filtration, and heated tanks.
Read more from JaycoCalifornia Redwood Forest Returned to Native American Tribes
A conservation group purchased more than 200 acres of old-growth coastal redwood forests to donate to a council of Native American tribes indigenous to the Mendocino County region in California. The Save the Redwoods League received money from Pacific Gas & Electric Company to fund the purchase and worked with the InterTribal Sinkyone Wilderness Council to develop tribal protection for the area. This purchase supports the power company’s 30-year conservation goals developed alongside the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. The transaction also includes more than a mile of Anderson Creek, a tributary of South Fork Eel River. The new name Tc’ih-Léh-Dûñ comes from the Sinkyone language and translates to “fish run place.” The council aims to protect the habitat and history of the area.
Read more from NPREV Charging Stations Coming to Glamping Resorts
A new partnership will bring Rivian’s Waypoint charging stations to Under Canvas glamping locations in Moab and Lake Powell-Grand Staircase in Utah for 2022. According to a press release, the goal is to “make outdoor exploration more accessible and encourage people to adventure responsibly by reducing their carbon footprint” while traveling to national parks and monuments. While Rivian manufactures electric vehicles, its Waypoint chargers can be used by all EV brands.
Read more from Under CanvasWho Wins This Celebrity RV Showdown?
Screening rooms, dance floors, and rooftop decks are just a few of the treasures you can find in these over-the-top, celebrity-owned motorhomes. Will Smith’s $2.5 million rig (nicknamed “The Heat”) has 3,900 feet of living space and needs to be towed by a semi. Simon Cowell’s $2 million RV has a dedicated space for music production. Known as the “Skyscraper on Wheels,” Mariah Carey’s behemoth motorhome expands both horizontally and vertically and can hold up to 50 people.
Read more from South China Morning PostShare Your Outdoor Story for a Chance to Win
Do the outdoors provided inspiration, solace, or recreation in your life? The Recreation.gov “Share Your Story” contest is seeking tales about adventures on public lands. Enter for a chance to win one of 29 prize packages, which include gift certificates to outdoor retailers, America the Beautiful national park passes, and branded gear. You have until April 30 to enter stories in the following categories: RV/Campervans, Traditions (Old and New), Family Trips, and Activities and Adventure—you can submit up to two stories in different categories
Read more from Recreation.govTogo RV is part of a joint venture, partially owned by THOR Industries, Inc., of which Jayco is a subsidiary.