Yellowstone National Park is the nation’s first national park and still remains one of the most popular and visited parks in the country. Some people argue that it was the first established national park in the world. Yellowstone became a national park in 1872 and has been captivating visitors ever since. During our time at Yellowstone National Park, we continually felt like we were on a different planet. The landscape is vast, beautiful and wild.

Why Visit Yellowstone National Park?

It might be easier to think of reasons not to visit Yellowstone. Seriously, the park is unbelievable. There is so much to see and do and the grandeur of it all makes it an unforgettable experience.

One of the primary reasons to visit Yellowstone, though, is the abundance of hydrothermal wonders. With over 10,000 thermal features, Yellowstone is the best place in the world see hydrothermal phenomena such as geysers, hot springs, mud pots, and steam vents. Over half of the world’s geysers and hydrothermal features are located in Yellowstone National Park. Even if you’ve never been to the park, you’ve likely heard and seen pictures of Old Faithful, the most famous geyser in the world. But, Yellowstone offers so many more thermal features than just Old Faithful.

Probably the second most popular reason to visit Yellowstone is to experience the diverse wildlife. It’s not uncommon to see deer, moose, wolves, bighorn sheep, elk, bison, bears, and more just driving through the park. As with thermal features, Yellowstone National Park has the largest concentration of wildlife in the contiguous United States.

Whatever the reason for your visit, Yellowstone offers something for everyone and is a can’t miss national park.

Things to Do

There is no way we can cover all of the things to do in Yellowstone in one blog post. Our goal is to highlight some of the most popular activities to give you some ideas for your trip.

Experience the Incredible Thermal Features

Old Faithful

Located in the Upper Geyser Basin, Old Faithful is probably the most recognized feature in the park and no trip would be complete without seeing it erupt. An eruption is quite fascinating.

The geyser erupts about every 1.5 hours and can shoot water nearly 200 feet in the air! Old Faithful is one of only six major geysers that are predicted regularly by the staff which is remarkable considering there are over 500 geysers in the park. Its regularity is the basis for its name and one of the reasons that developers were able to build viewing areas and lay the foundation of the village and visitor center that exists today at Old Faithful.

Don’t forget to check out the rest of the Upper Geyser Basin. There are 150 geysers in one square mile so there are lots to see other than just Old Faithful.

Grand Prismatic

Grand Prismatic is the largest hot spring in the park and is one of the most interesting sites you will ever see. The colors are so intense and beautiful that it’s hard to even believe your eyes. The hot spring is huge—between 200 and 330 feet in diameter and over 120 feet deep.

Be aware that parking at the hot spring is limited and doesn’t have enough capacity for Yellowstone’s large crowds. Try to get there early to get a parking spot or plan some extra time to wait for a spot to open up.

Mammoth Hot Spring Terraces

The Mammoth Hot Springs are located near the northern entrance of the park, and the springs offer visitors unique viewing experiences. You can walk along boardwalks above the hydrothermal features and get an up-close and personal view of the hot spring terraces. I can’t explain how these terraces are made, but I can say that they are really interesting and particularly inspiring.

Norris Geyser Basin

Take a stroll along the boardwalks at Norris Geyser Basin and enjoy the oldest, hottest and most dynamic of Yellowstone’s thermal areas. Hike the three-quarter-mile trail Porcelain Basin or the 1.5-mile trail that goes around Black Basin. Steamboat Geyser, the tallest geyser in the world, is located here. Although eruptions are uncommon, if you get the chance to see one, it will be something you remember for the rest of your life.

Hiking

With 2.2 million acres and 900 miles of hiking trails, there’s no shortage of wilderness to explore. Whether you prefer hiking through the forest, around lakes and rivers, or through canyons, Yellowstone has it all! Keep in mind though that many of these hikes are high in elevation and will still have snow until June and late July in some areas, so you’ll want to be prepared for cooler temperatures and harsh trail conditions.

Here are some of the most popular day hikes in Yellowstone National Park:

• Mystic Falls Trail and Fairy Creek (3.5 miles and rated moderate)
• Canyon Rim North Trail to Inspiration Point (7.9 miles and rated moderate)
• Uncle Tom’s Trail (.6 mile and rated easy)
• Artists Paintpots Trail (1 mile and rated easy)
• Dunraven Pass to Mount Washburn (6.8 miles and rated difficult)
• Bunsen Peak Trail (4.4 miles rated moderate)
• Lava Creek Trail (8 miles rated difficult)

Fly Fishing

Yellowstone is home to several of the most famous trout streams, including the Yellowstone, Gallatin, Snake, and Madison. In fact, anglers from across the world visit Yellowstone specifically to fish and they are an important part of the park’s native fish conservation goals.

Cutthroat trout, mountain whitefish, arctic grayling, are some of Yellowstone’s native fishes that are crucial to its ecology. Be sure to read up on Yellowstone’s specific and strict fishing regulations before you head out on the lakes and rivers.

Horseback Riding

Both guided and private horseback riding trips are available to Yellowstone visitors and an incredible, unique and memorable way to explore the park. There are outfitters who offer day trips and even overnight backcountry trips. Yellowstone National Park Lodges also offers one-to-two-hour rides at Tower-Roosevelt and Canyon.

Many visitors prefer to bring private stock but must follow all regulations and should check the backcountry situation report and bear management area descriptions ahead of time.

Boating

Consider exploring beautiful Yellowstone from a different perspective by canoeing, kayaking, and motorized boating the park’s rivers and lakes. With a permit and inspection, you can bring your own watercraft. Otherwise, the lodges provide rentals at Bridge Bay Marina on Yellowstone Lake. You can also book guided services from these companies.

When to Visit

Yellowstone is a seasonal national park. At an average elevation over 8,000 feet and surrounded by large mountains, it’s understandable that some of the park is closed during winter. That doesn’t mean that winter is not a great time to visit the park, just understand that the conditions are fairly extreme.

Therefore, summer is the most popular time to visit the park and the time when all of the facilities are open. To determine which season is right for you as well as what amenities are generally available, please check out this information page.

Where to Stay

There are 12 campgrounds with 2,000 sites offered at Yellowstone National Park. While this sounds like a lot, the spots fill up quickly in high season and the park only takes reservations for five of the campgrounds with the rest being first-come, first-served.

Fishing Bridge RV Park is the only campground that offers full hookups for RVs. Some of the campgrounds can only accommodate smaller RVs, so you’ll want to check the descriptions of each one on the NPS camping page.

The good news is, there are a great number of campgrounds outside the park to choose from if you aren’t able to reserve a site in advance. There are several to choose from near each of the five entrances to the park.

There is also dispersed RV camping (boondocking) spots throughout the forest. You can find these spots by using the official US Forest MVUM’s (motor vehicle use maps). Here’s a great list of all your options for camping around the outside of the park.

Getting to and Around Yellowstone National Park

Yellowstone National Park is located in the northwest corner of Wyoming but, technically, it resides in three states with three percent of the park in Montana and one percent in Idaho. There are five different entrance stations to the park but since the park covers around 3,500 square miles, it can take several hours to drive between the stations. Therefore, bringing your own vehicle is highly recommended for exploring the park.

It can take hours to travel the 50 miles from Old Faithful to the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone because of traffic from the number of tourists in the park. But also, the buffalo tend to slow your travel down and it’s not uncommon for an entire herd to block the road for a long period of time. So, plan to travel slowly throughout the park. Some companies provide shuttle services and tours if you’d prefer to sit back and enjoy the ride.

Tips and Tricks Specific to Yellowstone National Park

Besides the obvious tips of getting your accommodations booked well in advance and remember to bring your camera and binoculars, here are a few more tips for visiting Yellowstone:

• You’ll definitely want to stop at a Visitor Center upon arriving in Yellowstone. With it being such a big and complex park, there’s always a lot going on and updates you’ll want to be aware of. Rangers can also give you the best tips for what to do during the specific times you’re visiting and your preferred activities.
• Consider seeing the top attractions, such as Old Faithful, in the early morning or evening to avoid crowds. This is also the best times to spot wildlife.
• Don’t forget to spend time stargazing! Go outside after dark, with of course a flashlight and awareness of wildlife, and either walk or drive a short distance away from your campsite or lodge. You’ll enjoy a dazzling night sky.
• Pack for all seasons! Bring layers as the days can be hot and the nights can get chilly, even in the middle of summer.
• Visit nearby Grand Teton National Park while you’re in the area. It’s only a short drive and you absolutely won’t regret it!

For the latest info on visiting Yellowstone National Park, visit the park’s website.

---

Have you been to Yellowstone National Park? What tips can you share?

Source link

In this episode, Sam interviews Lindsay McKenzie (Follow Your Detour) and Julie Chickery (Chickery’s Travels), half of the team for Full-time Freedom Week, a free online event that will teach you everything you need to know to become (and remain!) a successful full-time RVer! Along with Liz Wilcox (The Virtual Campground) and Camille Attell (More Than A Wheelin’), Lindsay and Julie are deep into preparing for this annual online event. Tune into the episode to hear all about the speakers, topics, and the newest addition to this event… an in-person meet-up!

Full-Time Freedom Week is a free online event, featuring 30+ RV experts, from November 5-8th. You can also upgrade to a paid ticket for extended access to the video content or attend the event in person! Click here to learn more and grab your ticket!

What we cover in this episode

• 3:00 – What’s new with Full-time Freedom Week
• 6:00 – Speakers from the event this year
• 12:00 – How the event got started
• 17:00 – How to sign up for the event!
• 20:00 – Stories from Full-time Freedom Week

Links mentioned in this episode

• Full-time Freedom Week Tickets
• Event Schedule
• List of Event Speakers

** Subscribe to Stories from the Road on iTunes, Spotify, or Google Play **

Source link

Taking your new (or new to you) RV out for the first time can be a little intimidating. It may seem like there is simply too much to remember, but don’t worry. The list of things that scare you will shrink with time, knowledge, and experience. But for your first time, these tips will help you make the most of your first campground stay.

Advance Planning

The best thing you can do to ensure a smooth first camping trip is plan in advance. More and more people are enjoying RV travel, making campground reservations important. The more popular the location, the farther out you need to make your reservations. If you are planning to visit a first-come, first-served campground, you’ll want to do a little research to determine the best time to show up in order to snag a site.

It’s always a good idea to touch base with the campground office the day before you head out on your trip. Verify your reservation and verify what time you can check in. Even if you plan to arrive early, something unexpected could happen. Therefore, inquire about late check in procedures. You don’t want to roll up to a locked gate after a long day’s drive.

Learn Your Rig

Practice using the RV systems before you leave home. This includes the landing gear, leveling process, slide outs, as well as hitching and unhitching if applicable. Don’t forget driving and parking practice, especially backing up. We’ve arrived at a campground with a pull-thru site reservation only to find there was a mix up and needed to move to a back-in site.

Make A Checklist

As you are practicing with your rig, make a checklist for packing, arrival, and departure. You don’t need a lot of gear to enjoy a great camping trip, but you will need some essentials. Take a look at our essential packing guide for first time campers.

Create a checklist of items for setting up the RV at the campground. You’ll want to include things like:

• Deploy the jacks/levelers
• Chock the wheels
• Plug in the power
• Connect to water and sewer (if provided)
• Turn on the air conditioner (if needed)
• Open slides
• Turn on the water heater
• Turn on the LP gas

This itemized checklist will help things go smoothly at the campground and ensure you don’t forget anything. You’ll also be able to use the list in reverse upon departure.

Campground Arrival

Many campgrounds have an office that you will stop at first to register. Some public campgrounds (state, city, national forest), especially smaller ones, don’t have an office, but do have a kiosk for self-registration. If you don’t have a reservations, look for guidelines on finding an open site. In some cases, there will be a list posted on a board with the campground map, and it others there may be a marker on the actual campsite.

Pay attention to your site’s location on the campground map looking closely for the approach. The campgrounds are always marked well once you move beyond the entry and you want to be sure you’ve noted a few landmarks or site numbers to help you navigate to yours.

It is also a good idea to arrive early in the afternoon so you can set up your campground in the daylight. Not only does this make things easier on you, but it also keeps the neighbors happy. No one likes headlights shining in their RV windows or the loud sounds of someone setting up at night.

Scout out your site before actually pulling into it. Take notice of the power, water, and sewer hook ups. Be sure there is enough space to fully deploy your slides. More than once we’ve had to move the RV forward or backward to be safely clear the power pedestal with our bedroom slide. If there is a paved pad, keep an eye on your RV leveling jacks to ensure they stay on the pad.

Campground Etiquette

Once you’ve gotten settled in and are ready to enjoy your stay, consider these few unwritten rules of campground etiquette. By following these few guidelines, you can help ensure that your good time doesn’t ruin someone else’s.

First of all, remember that even if you can’t see your neighbors, they usually aren’t that far away. Be mindful of that when you are playing music or telling stories around the campfire. Most importantly, observe quiet hours. They are usually posted and typically start around 9 or 10pm.

Also, be aware that the little privacy you have is limited to your campsite. Respect the space that other campers have chosen, and don’t walk through another campsite to get to another location in the campground.

RVing is a great way for pet owners to travel with their fur babies, but there are a few courtesies you can extend to your fellow campers. Clean up after your pets, keep your dogs on a leash, and don’t leave them cooped up (and barking) all day while you’re away.

Camping as a family is a joy, but be mindful that not every camper has children. Please make sure your children are properly supervised and respectful of others.

Have Fun

This is the most important tip of all! Don’t let any small mistakes or items left behind ruin your trip. Enjoy yourself and your first camping trip. We all learn as we go and any mishaps will make entertaining stories down the road.

Source link

As the world’s first cave to be named a national park, Wind Cave is an outstanding addition to the National Park Service. It is the world’s longest and most complex cave system, with 149 miles of explored passages, containing intricate boxwork and frostwork formations.

Many miss its allure by only noticing the undulating prairie that lies above this geologic anomaly. In fact, the cave’s discovery by white Americans came from two brothers peering into a 10” x 14” hole as the wind whistled out of it. By knocking the hat off the boys’ heads, Wind Cave acquired a name and a reputation.

History of Wind Cave National Park

The Lakota Sioux nation has revered Wind Cave as the underground birthplace of its people for thousands of years. It wasn’t until 1881 that white settlers in the area discovered the subterranean caverns when the Bingham brothers lost their hats by that small hole leading to the cave.

Eventually, a local family was hired by a mining company to explore the area for mineral deposits, and 16-year-old Alvin McDonald crawled through the passageways. When no valuable minerals were found, the McDonald family decided to open the cave for tours in 1892.

Just eleven years later, President Theodore Roosevelt designated the area as Wind Cave National Park, making it the first cave in the world to be protected as a national park. Today with room names like Lincoln’s Fireplace and Petrified Clouds, and rare calcite formations like boxwood and cave popcorn, Wind Cave entices visitors from around the globe to view its underground treasures and its abundant wildlife, both above and below the surface.

Why Visit Wind Cave National Park in Your RV?

Wind Cave is an excellent destination for RVers who enjoy hidden gems underground and the rolling hills and ranchland above. The park has one campground with plenty of space for motorhomes and travel trailers, and after hiking over scenic trails, then cooling off in the cave, RVers realize that Wind Cave National Park has even more going for it.

The park lies in the midst of many other nationally recognized attractions.  In fact, its northern border abuts popular Custer State Park, and the Crazy Horse Memorial and Mount Rushmore National Memorial are also in close proximity. Using Wind Cave as a base camp offers great accessibility and a quieter, more relaxing camping experience away from the crowds of these other venues.

Places to Go

There are plenty of places and spots to visit at the park. You’ll have plenty to see and do.

Visitor Center

Located at the entrance to the park, the visitor center offers a movie about the cave’s formation and discovery, a bookstore, exhibits and cave tours. Rangers are available to answer questions and disperse backcountry permits.

Sanson Ranch

A 5,000-acre historic ranch and homestead include a 1,000-year-old buffalo jump, where Native Americans hunted bison, forcing them off low cliffs. There are also remnants of old tipi rings showcasing hundreds of years of habitation in the area.

Things to Do

In addition to there being plenty of spots to visit and things to see, you also will have plenty of activities to do.

Hiking

There are 30 miles of hiking trails throughout the park, moving through meadows, prairies, and forest environments. It is conceivable that hikers will encounter wildlife like bison, elk and mountain lions, so be aware of surroundings and regulations. Each trail is designated by level of difficulty:

Easy Trails:

• Elk Mountain
• Prairie Vista
• Rankin Ridge
• Wind Cave Canyon

Moderate Trails:

• Cold Brook Canyon
• Lookout Point

Strenuous Trails:

• Sanctuary
• East Bison Flats
• Centennial
• Highland Creek
• Boland Ridge

Camping

Wind Cave National Park has one organized campground and also allows backcountry camping in the northwest section of the park. A free permit is required, and off-trail hiking is allowed.

Guided Cave Tours

Ranger-led tours come in two different varieties.

     Regular Walking Tours consist of:

• Garden of Eden Tour
• Natural Entrance Tour
• Fairgrounds Tour

     Specialty Tours available are:

• Candlelight Tour
• Wild Cave Tour

All tours are limited in the number of participants and tickets are sold on a first-come, first-serve basis. The tours have different levels of difficulty, so be sure to read the descriptions of each, as some involve crawling through tight places, off-trail hiking, and numerous stairs.

When to Visit Wind Cave National Park

The park is accessible year-round, with its visitor center closed only on Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s Day. Cave tours continue all year but have a limited schedule during winter months.

Winter storms can sometimes close roads within Wind Cave National Park, so check online for closures if planning an off-season visit. If coming to enjoy the varied wildlife here, keep in mind that most animals are more active in cool temperatures.

Where RVers Can Stay

Wind Cave offers the perfect setting for RV vacations, with one campground within park boundaries. The Elk Mountain Campground lies on the edge of the prairie, with 25 pull-through sites available on a first-come, first-serve basis. Flush toilets and running water are available in summer, but there are no hookups or showers.

If you would prefer to camp outside the park, here are a few of the many private campgrounds in the area:

• Fort Welikit Campground near Custer, SD
• Hot Springs Black Hills KOA – Hot Springs, SD
• Allen Ranch Campground – Hot Springs, SD

Getting to and Around Wind Cave National Park

From Hot Springs, South Dakota travel 6 miles north on US Highway 385 to the park entrance. If coming from the town of Custer, travel 20 miles south on US Highway 385.

Once in the park, visitors travel on the two paved roads, US Highway 385 or South Dakota Highway 87. The visitor center lies just inside the park entrance on Highway 385, where cave tours begin, but both roads have pullouts and scenic views throughout the park.

There are also two gravel roads that take travelers to less developed areas of the park. They are suitable for two wheel drive vehicles, but are narrow and may have wildlife around which to navigate.

Whistle a Tune

Matching barometric pressure with the outside world, Wind Cave whistles its own tune as visitors enjoy its unusual attributes. Boxwood formations rarely found anywhere else display a delicate pattern on the ceilings as cavers navigate both tight tunnels and vast rooms in the complex.

Outside, one can envision what prairie life was like 150 years ago, with bison roaming the hills of this mixed-grass savanna and historic homesteads attempt to tame the rural landscape. Wind Cave National Park seems to encapsulate a bygone era full of natural beauty and endless vistas both above ground and below.

---

Have you ever been to Wind Cave National Park?  What were your experiences there?

Source link

Georgia is home to some of the most beautiful areas in the whole country. Many of the state’s best attractions and natural landscapes can be found within the state parks.

The wild, rocky landscape of the Peach State is home to many gorgeous attractions. Some of these attractions are shrouded in mystery, like the ancient rock wall found in Fort Mountain State Park. Some state parks boast incredible canyons with powerful waterfalls, like those of Tallulah Falls or Cloudland Canyon. Another notable state park, Stone Mountain, is a veritable time capsule to the state’s complicated history, while others offer the unique feature of yurt-style glamping, a treat for campers of all ages (and levels of experience).

If you’re looking for fun activities to do while camping in Georgia, look no further. Here’s the information you need to know about these gorgeous state parks. 

1. Stone Mountain State Park

Located just 15 miles from Atlanta, Stone Mountain is the state’s most-visited attraction. The park highlights many unusual and exciting attractions, including The Lasershow Spectacular in MountainVision, an iconic show featuring lasers, choreographed drone flights, flame cannons, fireworks, lights, and music. The Summit Skyride uses a high-speed Swiss cable car to provide fantastic views of the world’s largest relief carving, the Atlanta skyline, the Appalachian Mountains, and up to 60 miles of the surrounding area!

The Stone Mountain Museum at Memorial Hall displays artifacts and stories that span 12,000 years, from ancient civilizations that lived on the mountain, to Civil War history, to present-day events.

Many options for camping are available at this park, including traditional RV, camper, and primitive sites. Stone Mountain is unique in offering furnished yurts, RV/campers, and safari tents for rent. WIFI is available throughout the park, which is great for downtime. Your family is sure to make tons of memories at Stone Mountain State Park.

2. Tallulah Gorge State Park

Tallulah Gorge’s key feature is a series of six waterfalls cascading down through the surprisingly-deep and treacherous rocky canyon. This is an excellent park for hiking and other outdoor athletic activities, but as camping is limited to 50 tent, RV, and trailer sites, reservations are recommended. 

Breathtaking views can be found by simply walking to the edge of the 1000 foot canyon, or to the official Tallulah Point Overlook. For hikers, a reasonably-difficult (and beautiful) trek includes 750 stairs down to the 80-foot suspension bridge that spans the gorge and waterfalls and will take most about 30-45 minutes to complete. Expect to feel the burn and return feeling very-winded! Experienced hikers and athletes can complete the entire trek across the gorge and back to the park in about two hours. Experienced hikers will also enjoy exploring the gorge floor, but only 100 permits are issued each morning at the Interpretive Center, so get there early! 

Children will enjoy the kitschy taxidermy displays in the park’s Interpretive Center, and adults will find plenty of information concerning the park’s history on the Center’s walls. A large, serene lake is located near the park and is great for picnics and swimming. Ten miles of mountain bike trails are available to the public. All in all, this is a fantastic park for families and athletes.

3. Fort Mountain State Park

Fort Mountain State Park is a fascinating historical site, deriving its name from an ancient stone rock wall erected between 500-1500 CE. The 855-foot long wall was built near the crest of the mountain, and according to Cherokee lore, was constructed by the “Moon-eyed people,” who saw better during the night than the day. The Fort Mountain website also claims that “The wall’s purpose has also been debated by archaeologists and historians, with theories ranging from a military defense fortification to a spiritual structure. The true purpose of the Fort Mountain rock wall remains an enigma to this day.”

Horseback riders, runners, and bikers will fall in love with the 60 miles of trails offered within the park. Fort Mountain’s Geocaching will engage the tech-savvy with nature. The restored fire tower, erected during the New Deal of the FDR era, is a testament to early conservation efforts (and incredible masonry work), and be accessed on weekends from 1-4 pm. Miniature golf is available at the park, along with great fishing on the 17-acre lake. Boat, kayak, canoe, paddleboard, aqua cycle, and pedal boat rentals are available seasonally. The Funk Heritage Center, located nearby, features art exhibits and Native American history tours.

Fort Mountain State Park offers 70 tent, trailer, and RV campsites. Four walk-in campsites are available year-round, in addition to six platforms, three pioneers, and four backcountry campsites. 15 cottages are available for rentals year-round. Make your reservations early, as sites fill up fast!

4. Cloudland Canyon State Park

Cloudland Canyon is a nature lover’s dream. The park’s 3,538 acres offers tons of outdoor activities, including multiple caves to be explored, alongside two gorgeous waterfalls. There are 64 miles of hiking trails, 16 miles of horseback riding trails, and 30 miles of biking trails. An 18-hole disc golf course is one of many other attractions available at this family-friendly park.

The park’s two waterfalls are situated in the canyon and can be accessed by hiking down 600 steps and back: no small feat for little ones, but a worthwhile trek regardless. Caving is offered (with permits and reservations) for experienced spelunkers in the months of April, June-July, and September-October. Geocaching is sure to attract the attention of the tech-addicts in your family, who will enjoy the treasure hunt-style excursions connecting them to nature.

The Canyon Climbers Club membership ($20) offers more access to trails and provides checklists and a t-shirt for its members while fundraising for Georgia’s state parks. 

Many genres of camping and rentals are available at Cloudland! Sixteen cottages, ten yurts, one group lodge (sleeps 40), and one group shelter (sleeps 175) are offered year-round here. 30 walk-in campsites are also available, alongside 72 full-access tent, camper, and RV sites. Thirteen backcountry and four pioneer campsites are available for campers who want to rough it. However you choose to camp here, you’re going to love the sites and attractions of Cloudland. 

5. Fort Yargo State Park

Fort Yargo is an awesome lake excursion-style site. It’s 260-acre lake hosts boating, fishing, and swimming activities, and it has a nicely-maintained sand beach for picnics, sunning, and more. Adventure cabins, cottages, yurts, and over 50 full-access campsites are available for rental here. Located between Athens and Atlanta, this park could even be a fun stop between adventures or could act as a home-base while you explore the greater area.

Twenty and a half miles of hiking and biking trails wind around Fort Yargo. Private boating is allowed here with permits, making fishing and swimming a little more exciting. If you’re into Glamping, Fort Yargo’s six yurts, thirteen adventure cabins, and three cottages are highly desired! Book in advance to ensure your glamping experience awaits. 

Nearby attractions include the State Botanical Gardens (a must-see), the Watson Mill Bridge, Chateau Elan Winery and Resort, the Fort Yargo Historical Society, and some of the state parks included in this article. Overall, this is an excellent park for a day trip, glamping, and more lengthy explorations of the area.

---

Which of these parks is your favorite, and why? Add your comments below and fill us in. We’d love to gather more firsthand accounts of your experiences within Georgia’s State Parks.

 

Source link

Many times camping trips involve exploring new territory and discovering enticing attractions along the way. Passenger tour trains have that magnetic appeal for many RVers, providing a novel way to see hidden countryside not normally viewed from the road. Railroad passengers learn about local history, culture and the many colorful characters from the communities visited. Camping World wants to make sure you don’t miss the departing whistle, so we have created a series entitled RVing the Rails. You will find the most popular excursion trains to ride in each state, complete with any specialty trains they might offer.

Today we will explore the most popular trains in Massachusetts:

Berkshire Scenic Railway Museum

Being a descendant of the Berkshire Railroad has had its ups and downs for this excursion train. In 1842, the rails were run as part of the Housatonic and Berkshire Railroads and became quite popular with passengers vacationing in the area.

Today’s train line, the Berkshire Scenic Railway Museum, has been cobbled together from abandoned tracks, with several entities refusing to lease the right-of-way to the railroad. Hence the reason this popular railway has moved on a couple of occasions. Now they have found a home between the communities of Adams and North Adams, providing a scenic 10 mile trip on historic rails that once connected the Berkshires with New York City.

Railway and Locomotive Types

The Berkshire Scenic Railway has placed several diesel locomotives in service on the line, with standard gauge rails carrying enclosed motor cars and passenger coaches.

Seating Options

All seating on the train is unassigned general admission tickets, available on a first-come, first-serve basis. The railroad does suggest purchasing tickets in advance online, however, to assure a seat on the specific train you’ve chosen.

Riding Options

Train excursions are all round-trip affairs, so there are no one-way tickets or side trips available. The one-hour tour takes passengers through the beautiful rolling hills of the Berkshires.

Specialty Trains

• Cabaret Trains – Enjoy live music as you travel the countryside of Western Massachusetts. Passengers are encouraged to bring their own beverages and snacks onboard.
• Tinseliner Trains – Take a trip back to the 1950s with a vintage Christmas train ride. Passengers stop at a tree lot to select the perfect Yuletide tree for pick up later, and Santa will join in the festivities.
• Mistletoe & Martini Train – Live holiday music will accompany your Christmas train ride. Bring snacks and beverages along to make the season bright!

Length of Season

The Berkshire Scenic Railroad season runs from Memorial Day through October with weekend departures. Specialty trains have specific dates, so please check the train schedule for more information.

Cape Cod Central Railroad

Continuing railroad history that dates back more than 170 years, the Cape Cod Central has big shoes to fill. Initially, trains ran to the Cape to provide freight service, but passengers were quick to discover the train as a relaxing way to travel to the beaches and communities of this vacationer’s paradise.

Today’s railway takes travelers through places not normally accessible by car, like saltwater marshes and cranberry bogs.  It’s no wonder that so many enjoy its excursion and dinner trains alike.

Railway and Locomotive Types

The railroad operates diesel locomotives, the very same engines that ran on these rails in the 1950s. The standard gauge track is perfectly suited to carry plush table cars, a glass dome car, lounge car, kitchen car and enclosed Pullman coaches.

Seating Options

The Cape Cod Central Railroad has assigned seating tickets with classes as follows:

On Excursion Trains:

• Standard Class – Passengers travel in double decker rail cars with seats arranged in rows.
• First Class – Passengers ride at seated tables of four.
• Diamond Class – Passengers travel in a glass-enclosed dome car, seated at tables of four.

On Dinner Trains:

• Standard Class – Ticketed passengers enjoy a five-course meal, seated at a table of four in a passenger car.
• First Class – Ticketed passengers partake of a five-course meal, seated at a table of four in the glass-enclosed dome car.
• Diamond Class – Passengers are seated at a private table in a vintage club car while enjoying a five-course meal. One alcoholic beverage is included with the meal.

Riding Options

The railroad offers two types of rail adventures:

• Excursion Trains –These narrated trains venture to the Cape Cod Canal, along the coast or stop for a tour of a glass factory.
• Dinner Trains – Try a Sunday brunch, a weekday lunch or an exclusive dinner train to top off your visit to the Cape.

Specialty Trains

• Rails & Ales Beer Tasting Train – Pair local brews with locally sourced appetizers for an evening adventure. Brewers are on hand to talk about their craft and answer any questions as you taste test several popular beers.
• Gourmet Wine & Dinner Train – Revel in a five-course meal as you sip four sample wines from a local vineyard.
• Christmas Train – Take the whole family on a holiday train to the North Pole, where Santa climbs on board to talk with children, hand out gifts and enjoy some Christmas fun.

Length of Season

The Cape Cod Central Railroad operates from May through October. Specialty trains are scheduled on specific dates, so please check the train calendar to see which excursion is right for you.

Lowell National Historical Park

Historically trolley cars have been a part of Lowell since the surrounding mills began to attract workers. As the town grew outside of its boundaries, the new suburbs began to require transportation. So, in 1889 Lowell got its first electric streetcar and the lines continued to expand.

Once automobiles became popular, however, the need for trolleys dried up. When the Lowell National Historical Park was designated here, visitors required transportation around the park and into downtown Lowell, so trolley cars were put back into operation, rejuvenating the historic vehicles.

Railway and Locomotive Types

The Lowell National Historical Park runs two open air electric trolley cars and one enclosed electric trolley car on the tracks of the old Boston Main Railroad. The cars are powered by overhead lines carrying 600 volts of electricity.

Seating Options

There is no charge to ride the trolley, so all seating is open with no assigned seats. Passengers can get on or off the trolley at any of the designated stops.

Riding Options

Catch a trolley ride from the park into downtown Lowell, then ride it back to Lowell National Historical Park for more tours with a ranger, on a boat or through a mill. Passengers can catch a trolley throughout the park during their operating hours at no charge.

Specialty Trains

The trolley itself is considered a specialty train and a part of transportation history. Most trolleys were utilized in medium-sized cities, where electric lines were readily available, and residents needed to travel greater distances than what had been done by walking in earlier years.

Length of Season

The trolleys at Lowell National Historical Park run from March through November, taking passengers to downtown Lowell and bringing them back to the national park.

---

Join the thousands of RVers that have a love affair with trains and ride the rails on your next camping trip.  Check out the other excursion trains available on a state-by-state basis in our series, RVing the Rails.

Source link