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.
Two States Received New National Monuments
The Biden administration designated two new national monuments, protecting more than 500,000 acres of land in the Southwest. The Spirit Mountain area in Nevada and Castner Range in Texas will now be safeguarded from development. Spirit Mountain (also called Avi Kwa Ame) is considered sacred land by Indigenous tribes including the Chemehuevi, Mojave, and Paiute. In Texas, the Castner Range is located on Fort Bliss and was previously used as a training and testing area for the U.S. military. Both designations will help preserve Indigenous history and protect natural resources, habitats, and wildlife.
Read more from CNBCVisitors Can Now Return to Yosemite National Park
After heavy snowfall caused several weeks of closures, Yosemite National Park is now partially open to visitors. Yosemite Valley is currently open to the public and paved pathways have been plowed for hiking. All other trails are still covered in snow and hiking isn’t recommended. Campgrounds are also buried in snow but the park hopes to open some lodging accommodations soon. Visitors should plan for road closures and come prepared with tire chains as road conditions can change quickly.
Read more from Travel + LeisurePickups of All Sizes Can Carry This Lightweight Camper
The Lone Peak Camper is designed for a variety of pickups, including EVs and hybrid models. This lightweight truck camper can turn a truck’s bed into living and storage space with 32 inches of pass-through room. Up top, there’s a rooftop tent for sleeping that can unfold in less than a minute. Buyers can also opt for additional gear like LED lighting, a vent fan in the roof, a gear vault, and solar panel prep. The Lone Peak Camper weighs in at 315 pounds with a price tag starting at nearly $6,000, making it significantly more affordable than some of the more luxurious slide-in campers on the market.
Read more from RV MagazineIt’s Time to Book Your 2024 Winter Campground Reservations
If you’re planning to spend next winter at a Florida campground, you’ll need to book your site sooner rather than later. This year, snowbirds are booking earlier than ever, leaving many campgrounds and resorts with few (if any) open sites for those who wait to make reservations. While some parks and resorts cater to returning guests and/or long-term stays, reservation guidelines vary by the campground. Park owners are urging RVers to book sites as soon as possible to avoid scrambling for a spot come winter.
Read more from Woodall’s Campground MagazineJayco Teams Up With Harvest Hosts for Its 2024 RVs
The Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks is now live with a new website that allows park visitors to choose and reserve their campsites with ease. Campers can pick a site using an interactive map of the campground or they can use a grid view to check what accommodations are available during a specific time. The new system also allows visitors to provide the park with valuable feedback, which will be used to help make improvements to give campers better experiences. Of the state’s 23 parks, 19 are open for camping, and reservations can be booked up to 13 months in advance.
Read more from Harvest HostsCuyahoga Valley National Park Continues to Grow in Popularity
Unlike the remote wilderness surrounding popular national parks in the Western U.S., Cuyahoga Valley National Park is located just outside of the urban settings of Cleveland and Akron, Ohio. But that hasn’t stopped this Midwestern destination from ranking as one of the most-visited national parks in the country. In 2022, Cuyahoga Valley saw more than 3 million visitors. Park officials credit the increased numbers to recent park updates, marketing efforts by the city of Cleveland, and people looking to escape from city life less than an hour away. With more than 125 miles of trails, the park’s most popular locations are Brandywine Falls, the Ledges Trail, and Beaver Marsh.
Read more from WYSOGear Check: A Kitchen Island Made for the Campground
Turn your campsite into a functional kitchen fit for any chef with the GCI Outdoor portable kitchen island. This collapsible table folds out to make a sturdy surface for all of your campground cooking needs. It’s even equipped with a sink and integrated drainage hose—plus, three side-mounted tables for added storage and prep space. When you’re done, you can easily wipe it off and fold it up until the next use.
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