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Illinois is home to a rich topography of gorgeous, glacier-forged sandstone bluffs, waterfalls, canyons, and natural springs. Its unique geology is reason enough to visit, but everyone will find something to fall in love with at these state parks.

Native American history has played a part in much of Illinois due to its abundant hunting and fishing grounds, which still exist today. Clean springs and rivers still offer and support great fishing and wildlife in Illinois.

Tons of options for camping (and glamping) and outdoor recreation are offered within the following state parks, and are sure to appeal to just about everyone in your extended family.

Matthiessen State Park

Budding geologists and nature-lovers will find much to delight in within this park. The numerous unusual and beautiful sandstone rock formations are the most popular feature of Matthiessen State Park, and it is home to the largest anticline in Illinois. The mile-long main canyon, formed by ancient water erosion and colored by minerals, is a unique sight to behold. Hikers will enjoy the five miles of trails that traverse the many steep cliffs, deep canyons, streams, and waterfalls.

Cascade Falls features a gorgeous 45-foot waterfall, carrying spring-fed mineral water from the Upper Dells of the Deer Park Lake, to the Lower Dells of the Vermillion River. In addition, several mineral springs are a worthwhile sight at Matthiessen, attracting a large deer population for salt licks.

Along with hiking, visitors will find six miles of cross-country ski trails, nine miles of equestrian and mountain bike trails, a field archery range, geocaching, and a radio-controlled model airplane field. Dove, coyote, squirrel, and turkey hunting are offered seasonally. This is an excellent park for bird-watching, as Matthiessen offers a wide variety of habitats and plant life. Camping at the park appears to be limited to equestrian camping, but multiple accommodations exist within a few miles.

Starved Rock State Park

Arguably the most beautiful state park destination in Illinois, Starved Rock State Park features eighteen canyons of sandstone bluffs that were formed by ancient glacial meltwater. The vertical walls of the canyons allow for fantastic overlooks of waterfalls and natural springs, surrounded by a lush arrangement of cedar, oak, hickory, and pine trees. In the spring, waterfalls are found at the heads of all 18 canyons, as groundwater seeps through the sandstone.

Starved Rock’s namesake and pièce de résistance derive from an early NativeAmericann legend surrounding the 125-foot sandstone butte within the park. The rich ecosystem of this area has attracted and sustained mankind for at least 10,000 years. Starved Rock State Park’s cultural history can be identified all the way back to 8000 B.C., the history of which can be explored through visitor center exhibits and guided tours of the park.

An abundance of wildlife and plantlife inhabit Starved Rock State Park, which can be enjoyed along the thirteen miles of trails spanning the park. Bald Eagles are a major attraction in the winter months as they migrate from Canada and the Great Lakes for the unfrozen waters of Starved Rock’s Lock and Dam. In the spring and summer months, many varieties of wildflowers and plants bloom, sprout, and sustain wildlife. Flying squirrels can be spotted soaring from tree to tree, alongside Indigo Buntings, Vireos, and Yellowbellied Sapsuckers.

Starved Rock State Park hosts many guided tours and hikes, including full moon hikes, sunrise hikes, and haunted trail hikes. In addition to hiking, many fishing, boating, hunting, and camping opportunities are available throughout the park. The campground has 129 Class-A Premium campsites, all equipped with a cement pad for RV or camper, electric hook-ups, an area for two tents, and a picnic table and grated fire pit. Luxury lodging can be found within the Starved Rock lodge and cabins, in addition to fine dining.

Kankakee River State Park

There is a tremendous amount of history to this park, which is sure to add interest to your visit. Kankakee River State Park was once home to several large Native American tribes in the 1600-1700s, including the Miami, Potawatomi, Ottawa, and Chippewa nations. The most extensive village was “Rock Village” or “Little Rock Village” inside the present-day park near the mouth of Rock Creek. In 1830, it was the site of the last great Indian Council.

Like the Native Americans, fishers and hunters will find much to enjoy and sustain themselves within this park. Roughly half of Kankakee River State Park’s 4000 acres are wetlands, including eleven miles along both sides of the Kankakee River. Great fishing can be found along this Federal Clean Streams registered river, including smallmouth bass, walleye, northern pike, and channel catfish.

There are two boat ramps for fishers, but the water can be shallow. A seasonal hunting program includes archery deer, waterfowl, and upland game. Firearm hunting is permitted for duck, pheasant, turkey, dove, rabbit, squirrel, fox, coyote and raccoon.

There are many other family-friendly activities within the confines of Kankakee River State Park. Hiking, biking and cross-country ski trails, in addition to horse and snowmobile trails can be explored seasonally. Geocaching, an archery range, dog-training sites, canoeing, and metal-detecting count among other popular activities.

There are more than 200 campsites within the Kankakee River State Park, including equestrian campgrounds (no water). 98 sites are limited in regard to electricity and showers. Another 110 sites with full electricity and showers are offered in another part of the park. Picnic sites, shelters, and two rental cabins are also located within the park.

Pere Marquette State Park

This is a great state park to visit for those interested in Native American history and nature, and for families with a variety of preferred camping styles. Pere Marquette State Park features 8,000 pristine acres of nature, including gorgeous views of the Illinois River from atop its bluffs.

A vast network of streams and rivers were formed in the area following the glacial period, creating rich topsoil that lent itself to a deciduous forest. Over the centuries, six Native American cultures made their home amongst this abundant topography, and several burial mounds have been identified within Pere Marquette State Park.

When European explorers first came to this site in the late 1600s, they were met with mural depictions of the Piasa Bird, a dragon-human creature, painted on the bluffs of the Mississippi River. A representation of the Piasa Bird can be seen today painted on bluffs about 20 miles away from the park.

Year-round recreational activities are held here, including horseback riding, fishing, hiking, hunting, boating, and camping. 80 campsites are available with electrical hookups, with a sanitary dump station, drinking water, and a shower building available on the grounds. The park offers two Rent-A-Camp cabins, a Youth Tent Camp Area, and a fantastic luxury lodge featuring 50 spacious guest rooms and 22 guest cabin rooms.

Among the lodge facilities are a cocktail lounge, gift shop, indoor swimming pool, whirlpool, saunas, game room and tennis court. An excellent brunch is also offered within the lodge, making this park a great choice for glampers and campers alike.

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Have you visited any of these Illinois state parks? Did we miss any important ones? Leave us a comment below!

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Your health should be a priority no matter your living situation. Whether you live in a sticks and bricks house or RV full-time, it’s important to make time for yourself and exercise. If you do full-time, living in a 300 square foot RV is no excuse to not work out. There are so many ways to stay in shape on the road. Here are six ways to exercise while full-time RVing.

Biking

Whether it’s on a mountain, around town, or even around the campground, biking is a great work out. It gets the heart pumping and is also a wonderful way to check out the area where you are camping.

It can be a fun work out for the entire family or the perfect opportunity to clear your mind on a solo ride. Not sure how to travel with a bicycle in tow? A bike rack can easily mount onto the bumper or rear hitch of your rig.

Hiking

There is no better way to get outside and see this beautiful country than by hiking. Hiking allows you to access places not a ton of people go and see an area’s natural beauty.

It is also a great workout! Burn some calories, stretch your legs, and get to know a place even better by getting out and taking a hike. Whether it’s a short stroll or a strenuous hike, it’s great for your body and mind. So grab your hiking gear and hit the trail!

Yoga

Yoga is the perfect way to exercise the body and relax the mind while full-time RVing. It takes up very little space so it is something that can be done outdoors on nice days or even indoors when the weather isn’t great.

All you need is enough space for your yoga mat! Not sure where to start with yoga? Try attending a class in the local area where you are camped or find a video online. There are a number of free resources online to get you started on your yoga journey!

Exercise Videos

Long gone are the days of jazzercise videos on VHS but that doesn’t mean exercise videos no longer exist. Using your smartphone, tablet, or computer, you can easily find resources online to guide your workout.

YouTube is filled with free videos to get you moving, or you can pay for a more structured series of workouts that can be tailor-made to fit your health goals. Guided workout videos are a great way to exercise if you’re not sure where to start or need a little bit of motivation.

Home Gym

If you think you don’t have room in your tiny home on wheels for a home gym, think again! You really don’t need much to get your body moving and have a successful workout. Dumbbells can be used in a number of ways to assist in a full-body workout and don’t need to take up much storage space.

An exercise mat can be used for situps, pushups, or stretching. Even a mini exercise bike and arm exerciser doesn’t take up much space and it is a great addition to any home gym. With just a few workout staples, you can stay fit without even leaving your campsite.

Gym Membership

Do you wish you could have a gym membership like you did before you started traveling full-time? Well, you can! There are a number of gyms with locations nationwide where your membership can be used. For example, YMCA and Planet Fitness have gyms in almost every state in the U.S. and membership is good at any location.

Heading to the gym for your workout is a great way to get out of your rig and spend time focused on yourself. A gym membership can also come with other perks such as daycare, showers, and free Wi-Fi!

There is no excuse for skipping a workout if you full-time RV. It doesn’t take much to stay healthy and have fun at the same time. Make sure to keep your body in shape so you are able to really enjoy all of the beautiful places you visit while living the travel lifestyle dream.

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How do you stay in shape while on the road? Leave a comment below!

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Looking for new ways to celebrate Thanksgiving? It’s coming up fast. While many people don’t do Thanksgiving while camping, you always can try hosting your Thanksgiving dinner in your RV. 

Read on for our best tips on how to plan the perfect RV Thanksgiving. These tips are great for RVers and anyone looking for new Thanksgiving, or Friendsgiving, ideas. An RV Thanksgiving is so easy to plan, you might just make it your new Thanksgiving tradition. 

Book Your Thanksgiving Campsite in Advance

Believe it or not, campgrounds fill up for Thanksgiving. Camping on Thanksgiving is a thing so be sure to book your site as soon as possible. 

Consider booking your stay for Wednesday through Sunday to take advantage of the time off and relax in the great outdoors for your holiday.

We tend to associate Thanksgiving with the changing leaves, pumpkin spice, and all things fall. If you’re able to travel, for an idyllic Thanksgiving dinner setting, try celebrating at a state park or Corps of Engineer campground in Tennessee, North Carolina, or Georgia.

Most years the weather will be just right and the leaves will still be ablaze with color. Otherwise, try your local state park or campground.

Thanksgiving Dinner: Cater or Cook Ahead

Catering Your RV Thanksgiving Meal

The easiest way to enjoy a traditional turkey and fixings in your RV is to have your meal catered. This way everyone gets to relax by the campfire in the morning, catch the big game, and enjoy their Thanksgiving camping.

Try to avoid tasking one person with all the cooking. Also remember, your RV oven may not be big enough or tall enough to fit a whole bird.

Depending on your preferences and budget try ordering your catered Thanksgiving meal from Whole Foods Market, Cracker Barrel, or Boston Market. Many supermarket chains like Kroger, Safeway, and Publix (for those of you in Florida and Georgia), also offer great options. Believe it or not, some reports have shown these options cost less than making everything from scratch. 

Try to set up your order to be picked up on Wednesday evening so you can pick up your meal on your way to your campsite, especially if you won’t be taking a tow car. 

Cooking Ahead and Reheating

If there’s a famous side dish in your family––the kind where it’s just not Thanksgiving without it–– cook ahead and reheat on the grill, in the microwave, or on the stove the day of. 

You can also roast your turkey at home, slice it up, and then reheat the already sliced turkey in the RV oven. 

If you full-time, you can have the turkey catered, and still make your sides from scratch. 

No matter what, be sure your campsite is developed and has power hookups if you plan on using a non-propane appliance like a microwave or Instapot for your Thanksgiving Day cooking. 

If your Thanksgiving is spent at a National Park, remember most National Park sites are unserviced. Plan on a catering option, and then reheat the meal on your propane RV stove or on a skillet over the grill.

Bring Out the Fall Feels

Thanksgiving dinner is a special meal. Just because you’re out camping in your RV doesn’t mean you can’t incorporate fall touches like you would at home.

The easiest way to add a festive touch to your table is a tablecloth. Decorate your campsite picnic table with a fall tablecloth. A white or off-white tablecloth is always a winner if you don’t have one with that fall harvest feel. Add a table runner if you really want to go all out. 

Depending on where you are you can also add fallen leaves or pine cones lying around your campsite site to your table decor. 

If you’re eating inside your RV, fabric placemats might do the trick, especially if your dinette table is smaller. 

You can also hang a Fall wreath on your RV door, or bring a Thanksgiving lawn ornament (think one of those little banners you stick into the ground) to hang by your campsite post. 

Inside the RV, add some fall throw pillows and blankets to seating areas and beds. 

Know Your Game Plan

If anyone taking part in your RV Thanksgiving is a big football fan, definitely plan to have them be able to tune in. 

Some campgrounds will have a cell signal and so streaming services you subscribe to may be a good option (Think YouTube TV, ESPN+, etc.) A cell booster can help if you’re going this route.

You might instead prefer to bring a satellite antenna or HDTV antenna.

One of the most fun ways to tune into the game is to have an exterior RV TV, but an interior TV in the common area works great too. 

For those of you college football fans, you’ll find a very festive atmosphere at the campgrounds near some of the big college football schools. Bring your fan gear and show your school pride at the campsite with banners, apparel, and camp chairs and make a full weekend out of your RV Thanksgiving. 

If you or your football fan guests prefer tablets to TVs, be sure to have a tablet mount for hands-free watching. 

Even if you don’t have any football fans at your RV Thanksgiving, it’s fun and cozy to plan on some holiday movies after the campfire. 

What to Pack for an RV Thanksgiving

If possible begin to stock your RV a few days in advance. Pack cozy blankets, camp chairs, firewood, and fire starters for the campfire. 

Be sure to bring hiking shoes, bikes, table games, outdoor games, books, hammocks, and any other recreation favorites. If the weather is nice, it’s a great time for hiking, biking, and other outdoor fun. 

If the weather refuses to cooperate on any of the days during your camp stay, books, movies, and games will go a long way. 

Most importantly remember to fully stock your kitchen with paper towels, coffee filters, aluminum foil, plastic wrap, and containers for left-overs. Stock utensils like forks, spoons, and knives, but don’t forget serving spoons, and other serve-ware.

Plates, mugs, wine glasses, and bowls are a must. A cutting board, skillets, pots, and casserole dishes may come in handy especially if you’ll be making anything from scratch. 

If you’re having a larger celebration or have kids, you might want a cooler for drinks and snacks to keep outside the RV or in your RV patio if you have one. There are options that double as a fridge, to rolling coolers, to traditional coolers. 

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Where will you RV this Thanksgiving? Leave a comment below!

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So, you want to buy your family an RV? Well, awesome! RV ownership and all that comes with it can be one of the most rewarding things you can do.

You’ll learn new skills, go to awesome locations and show your family all that this great country has to offer. There’s state parks, national parks, and so much more. Before you can get started though, you’ll need to buy your RV. But where do you start?

Start At Your Kitchen Table

It might sound kind of odd, but you should really start at your kitchen table. You need to sit down with your family, specifically your spouse or significant other and go over what you can afford. Don’t go into the RV buying process without knowing what you can easily afford.

You should have a full dollar amount you feel comfortable paying for the RV and a monthly amount that you can easily afford. If you’re taking out a loan to buy the RV (the vast majority of buyers do this) then you need to make sure you have a number that you can pay each month without putting needless strain on your family.

The good news is that many RVs can be had at very reasonable prices. The loan terms on an RV are much different than they are on a car, which means you can get an RV with an extremely reasonable monthly payment.

So, start there. Sit down at your table and discuss your budget with your family. You don’t necessarily need to include the kids (if you have some) at this point, but it can also be an easy way to teach your kids budgeting. Be realistic and err on the side of caution and you should find a number you’re comfortable with.

Think About How You Want to Use Your RV

The next step, before you start digging into the different types and classes of RV is to think about how you plan to use your RV. Are you going to spend a lot of time in it? Do you plan on taking long trips or short ones? How far do you plan to go? Who will be going on the trips with you?

These are all questions you need answers to before you start looking at motorhomes vs towable RVs or different classes of motorhomes.

Literally, get a pad of paper out and a pencil or pen and write this stuff down. Once you have all of these things figured out, or as close as they can be to being figured out, then you can start thinking about the individual RV you’d like to have.

It’s these early preparation tasks that will help ensure you get the right RV for you and your family.

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When you’re ready to begin the shopping process, head over to Camping World’s website to see all of the RVs on sale. 

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Need to buy a holiday gift for the RVer in your life, but don’t know your fifth wheel from your A Class? Not to worry, we’ve got you covered with a great variety of gift options that will make you look like a camping expert! Here are some perfect options for your RVing friends and family members.

Midland X-Talker XT T51VP3 Two-Way Radios

Give the gift of communication this holiday season with a pair of two-way radios. Not only is this set of Midland X-Talker XT T51VP3 Two-Way Radios perfect for talking with a spotter when backing into a tight space or maneuvering rigs through difficult situations, but with its 28-mile range and 22 channels this set is great for caravanning through desolate regions, off-grid backcountry hiking, or any adventure where you need to stay in communication and there’s no cell coverage. It’s even equipped with weather alert technology so you’ll be warned of any severe weather in the area.

Check it out at Camping World

Magnetic National Park Wall Art

Have friends or family who are making their way through the National Parks? Help them proudly show their progress by giving them a magnetic National Park tracker. This piece of wall art lists all 58 National Parks and comes with magnetic pins to let people easily track how many parks they’ve been to and how many are still to go!

Check it out at Camping World

Thermacell Portable Mosquito Repeller

Everyone who’s been camping knows that a good trip can be ruined by swarms of bugs. Keep those RVing friends happy and enjoying the outdoors with a portable mosquito repeller. This repeller by Thermacell includes a fuel cartridge and three repellant mats that provide 12 hours of protection in a 15-ft zone. It’s scent-free, doesn’t have an open flame, and there’s no chemical to skin contact or mess to clean up afterward. It’s a great way to spend time outside without becoming dinner for mosquitos. You might even want to pick one up for yourself!

Check it out at Camping World

GCI Outdoor Freestyle Rocker Rocking Camp Chair

Sure, you could give your RVing family members basic camp chairs, but why not take it up a level with these collapsible rocking camp chairs that will let them smoothly rock and relax at the campsite? Not only do these chairs have an easy carry handle and feature Spring Action Rocking Technology, but they also fold down for compact storage in an RV and include a beverage holder.

Check it out at Camping World

National Parks Monopoly

Bring the family together in the evening with the National Parks edition of Monopoly. Choose from fun tokens such as a canoe, bison, or hiking boot and travel around the board visiting over 60 of America’s beautiful National Parks. The game also includes custom Monopoly money featuring National Monuments and educational information about local animals. It’s a great way to learn about the National Parks while on your way to visit them.

Check it out at Camping World

Portable RV BBQ Grill

This black coated portable steel grill is perfect for RVing and camping. It can be attached to the sidewall of a RV or can be used as a tabletop grill. The porcelain enamel cooking area offers 305 sq. inches of grilling space, and the 10,000 BTU output lets you grill up feast while tailgating, camping, or even just at a picnic. The grill features a built-in temperature gauge and cool touch stainless steel handle, as well as foldable legs and a carry bag to make storage easy.

Check it out at Camping World

Garmin GPSMAP 64s Handheld GPS

For those RVers who love to boondock and explore the wilderness, this Garmin handheld GPS can help them find their way. This high-sensitivity GPS and GLONASS receiver has a full color 2.6” screen and aquad-helixx antenna which provides fantastic reception and keeps your location even when exploring deep canyons. It features a 3-axis electronic compass with barometric altimeter and a 1-year BirdsEye Satellite Imagery subscription. You can even share your routes and waypoints wirelessly with its Bluetooth connectivity and received texts and emails from compatible phone devices.

Check it out at Camping World

Ladder Mount Bike Rack

This ladder mounting bike rack is perfect for those RVers who love to explore on two wheels as well as four. The lightweight aluminum construction adds minimal additional weight to the RV, and the rack easily hooks onto a rung of a roof access ladder, allowing the tailgate to be freed up for other uses. The rack holds two bikes and comes with tie-down straps to make sure everything stays secure.

Check it out at Camping World

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Not seeing what you want for the RVer in your life listed here? Check out all of the RVing products for sale at Camping World.

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Maybe it’s just you and your significant other. Maybe your kids are out of the house and you finally have time to travel. Whatever the reason, when you’re looking for a camper designed for couples you don’t always need or want a large motorhome.

Small towable campers can be exactly what you need, and here are five of the best ones you’ll find out there for extremely reasonable prices.

Keystone Bullet Crossfire 1900RD

Kicking things off, we have the Keystone Bullet Crossfire 1900RD. This unit features a queen bed at the front of the unit, a sink and range on the camp side, a U-shaped dinette at the rear of the unit, and a refrigerator and pantry across from the kitchen area.

The travel trailer measures 21.92 feet in length and has a dry weight of 3,360 pounds. With the U-shaped dinette that turns into another bed, you could even bring along some friends because this unit sleeps four people total. It’s a perfect option for the outdoorsy couple.

Check Camping World’s Inventory

Crossroads Zinger 18RD

Another great option for an outdoorsy couple is the Crossroads Zinger 18RD. This unit features a queen bed at the front along with some storage areas, a kitchen area on the camp side of the trailer, a large u-shaped dinette at the rear of the unit, and a wardrobe and a pantry opposite the kitchen.

The Zinger 18RD measures 22.5 feet in length and comes in at 3,290 pounds. It sleeps three, so it’s not going to work if you would like to bring along some friends but if you have your grandkid for the weekend, then you should be good to go.

Check Camping World’s Inventory

Coleman Lantern LT 18FQ

Are you looking for something with a little more room? The Coleman Lantern LT 18FQ is the answer. The single slide-out on the off-camp side gives you some extra room inside the unit. The camper comes with a queen bed at the front, a sofa and dinette housed in the slide-out, and a kitchen along the camp side.

The trailer features a 22.75-foot overall length and a dry weight of 3,980 pounds. It sleeps three people so like the Zinger shown above it’s perfect for couples and maybe a grandkid.

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2020 Coleman Light LX 1705RB

If the Coleman unit above doesn’t do it for you, maybe the Coleman Light LX is more your speed. The camper features a sofa and a Murphy bed combination at the front of the unit with wardrobe space to either side. It offers a dinette and storage on the camp side and a kitchen across from that.

The camper is one of the shortest on this list at 21.92 feet and it weighs 3,586 pounds too. The unit can sleep up to three people between the bed and the dinette, so it’s the perfect camper for a couple looking to get away from it all for a few days.

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2020 Forest River Rockwood Geo-Pro 19FD

Another great option with a Murphy bed is the Forest River Geo-Pro 19FD. This unit features a layout very similar to the Coleman Light shown above. There’s the dinette on the camp side wall and the kitchen across from that. It’s just a different take on this same layout. Some folks find the Geo-Pro to be the preferable option.

The Geo-Pro measures an even 20 feet in length and it has a dry weight of 2,829 pounds. Which makes it considerably lighter weight than the Colman, which can be important depending on your tow vehicle. The unit sleeps three, so once again, it’s perfect as a couple’s getaway trailer.

Check Camping World’s Inventory

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What do you think of these selections? Leave a comment below. If you don’t see something that interests you, check out Camping World’s full inventory. 

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