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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 start with the most popular trains in Ohio:

Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad

Built in 1880 to transport coal and passengers, this railway became part of the B&O Railroad and the Chessie Line, before interest in creating a scenic excursion on the existing rails became a reality in 1972.

Running from Independence to Akron along the Ohio and Erie Canal Towpath, the railroad now takes riders through Cuyahoga Valley National Park, where visitors can experience reclaimed wetland habitats, forests and rolling hills. Passengers can board or disembark at three stations to explore the park, or ride a specialty train throughout the season.

Railway and Locomotive Types

The Cuyahoga runs on standard gauge rails with diesel engines. Its passenger cars vary from comfortable enclosed coach cars to elegant lounge, café, dome, and dining cars, outfitted to enhance the golden age of transportation.

Seating Options

The railroad offers several classes of service to its passengers:

• Coach All Day Pass – Get on and off the train throughout the day, exploring the national park at your leisure. These tickets have general unassigned seating.
• Table Top – Assigned seating with tables in a dining car.
• First Class – Assigned seating with padded chairs and tables in first class enclosed car.
• Executive Class – Assigned seating in a lounge car, with complimentary muffin and beverage.
• Upper Dome – Assigned seating in a dome observation car, with padded seats and tables.

Check the train schedule to select dates, times and classes of service available to fit your travel schedule.

Riding Options

The Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad has a wide variety of rail cars in which to enjoy your excursion:

• Enclosed Coach Car – Seating is unassigned in a passenger car with sections of four seats – two facing each other.
• Vintage Dining Car – Four-top seating is assigned in a restored enclosed car.
• Dome Observation Car – Assigned seats in a panoramic glass-enclosed observation car, with seats configured in groups of four with a table between.

Specialty Trains

• Polar Express – Wear your pajamas and join the fun on the Polar Express train, running from November 8 through December 21. Cookies and cocoa warm up the occasion as the train makes its way into North Pole Village, where caroling elves greet children and the young at heart.  Santa even makes an appearance.
• Murder Mystery Train – Special Friday night trains cater to the detective in you, with a murder mystery that must be solved before the ride is over. Wear period costumes, indulge in appetizers and dig up clues to find a culprit as the railroad leads passengers down the tracks on this two-hour excursion.
• Ales on Rails – Enjoy five beer samples paired with appetizers as you learn about the brews’ body, aroma, and finish. Available to those 21 and over, passengers will take home great memories and a commemorative tasting glass.
• Dinner Train – Fall and Summer dinner trains on Friday evenings include a two-hour train ride with an elegant four-course meal and complimentary bar service.

Length of Season

The Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad runs year-round, but specialty rides have specific dates of service.  Explore the Cuyahoga Valley National Park by train, or bring your bicycle and utilize their “Bike Aboard” option, with several stops to carry you and your two-wheeler down the line.

Hocking Valley Scenic Railroad

Begun as the Mineral Railroad in 1864, these tracks were initially laid the bring salt and coal from Athens to Columbus, Ohio, with a cannon on board to announce the train’s arrival into each city.

By 1899, the line had attained the name of Hocking Valley Railway, transporting cargo and commuters, but the Great Depression brought an end to passenger travel along those rails. It wasn’t until the mid-1980s that volunteers began to resurrect the railroad, creating today’s weekend trains that run between Nelsonville and Haydenville, from Memorial Day through the end of October. There are also several special event trains that run on specific dates.

Railway and Locomotive Types

These standard gauge tracks support diesel engines with a variety of cars, dependent upon the season and the event.  A couple of days each year the Hocking Valley Scenic Railroad hosts a Steam Day, where passengers ride behind a restored 1920 coal-fired steam locomotive. This treat sells out quickly, so check the schedule and grab your tickets early!

Seating Options

All seating is unassigned, with space available in heated, enclosed coaches, and in summer several cars have air conditioning, while others have windows that can be opened.

Riding Options

Most cars are enclosed with general seating, but some specialty trains include double-decker cars or cabooses.  Select the car you are most comfortable in and enjoy the ride through Hocking River country to see the river locks.

Specialty Trains

• Easter Bunny Train & Egg Hunt – Enjoy a two-hour round-trip outing to the Easter Bunny’s secret hidden egg location, where children hunt for eggs that contain prizes. Only two Bunny Trains are on the schedule, so hop on over to the website to get your tickets!
• Ohio’s Friendliest Train Robbery – Get robbed by train bandits along the tracks on this special train.  These robbers are looking for loot when they stop the train, so be prepared with some “fake” bills!
• All Caboose Train – On August 31 a collection of privately-owned cabooses is assembled on the train, with each passenger given the opportunity to disembark and photograph the “caboose train” as it rolls down the rails.
• Trunk or Treat Train – Dress your kids in their scariest costumes to collect treats as the train winds its way through spooky Hocking Valley.
• New Year’s Eve Train & Fireworks – Take a ride through the evening countryside, stopping at the stroke of midnight to enjoy fireworks from the train.

Length of Season

The Hocking Valley Scenic Railroad is run by an all-volunteer group, with trains scheduled on Saturdays and Sundays from Memorial Day weekend through the end of October. Specialty trains have specific dates running from April to the end of the year.

Cincinnati Dinner Train

This unique railway has been in existence for 10 years, capturing passengers’ attention with a twist on Date Night. Ride in one of four authentic 1949 dining cars along the Ohio River while indulging in a scrumptious four-course meal, complete with live musical entertainment.

Riders are encouraged to dress in period clothing, as an event photographer snaps candid images of everyone onboard. The entire trip is 25 miles, completed in three hours with passengers limited to those over 12 years old.  It’s the perfect recipe for some time with loved ones in a unique atmosphere.

Railway and Locomotive Types

The Cincinnati Dinner Train runs on standard gauge rails with a diesel engine powering the train. The dining cars are all circa the 1940s, with a kitchen car used to provide hot-from-the-oven meals onboard.

Seating Options

Staff assigns seating after the reservations have been made on the dinner train. All cars are climate-controlled dining cars with tables for four, although there are a few two-person tables. Tickets are all the same price and children under 12 are only allowed on chartered cars.

Riding Options

The dinner train consists of a four-course dinner, served in authentic 1940s dining cars during a three hour narrated train ride.  All cars offer the same amenities, so there are no varying classes of service available. Check out their schedule for dates of service.

Besides the Saturday evening dinner trains, passengers have the following optional opportunities:

• Locomotive Cab Ride – A seat is available every Saturday evening in the diesel locomotive. One lucky rail fan can eat dinner with his or her friends and family on the way out of the depot, then ride with the train’s engineer in the cab all the way back.  The ticket includes a Cincinnati Dinner Train cap to commemorate the occasion.
• Private Cars – Procure one, two, three or all four dining cars for your own private event. Each car can handle from 12 to 60 passengers, and ticket prices include dinners, taxes and gratuities.  And if you anticipate a very large event, rent the entire train!

Specialty Trains

• 1949 Train – The September 7th dinner train hearkens back to the late 1940s. Dinner is served in the authentic 1949 dining cars, with retro entertainment by the Queen City Sisters singing hit songs from that time frame. Guests are encouraged to don costumes reminiscent of the Big Band era, with a photographer on hand to capture the essence of historical fashion.
• Labor Day Fireworks Train – Enjoy dinner on the September 1^st evening train as it heads downtown, where Cincinnati celebrates the end of Summer with a blast!

Length of Season

 

The Cincinnati Dinner Train runs every Saturday (except Thanksgiving weekend) from March through December. The dress is business casual and no jeans, shorts or flip-flops are allowed.

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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 on Fridays.

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An escape to “The Islands” is on the wishlist of many a traveler, and the Virgin Islands are usually at the top of that list. So, it shouldn’t surprise us that the National Park Service has one of the most coveted vacation spots on its roster: The U.S. Virgin Islands National Park covers about 60% of St. John’s Island, one of the US Virgin Islands.

Imagine relaxing on immaculate white sand beaches, snorkeling through protected coral reefs and meandering through hundreds of years of history all in one place. Here visitors can explore the same coves where pirates hid their bounty and Christopher Columbus greeted Native Americans in 1493.

Relish the sounds of the Caribbean surf lapping the sand or hike through tropical forests to discover the magnetic pull of island life.

History of Virgin Islands National Park

The first residents of the Virgin Islands were hunter-gathers from South America. They date back to 840 BC, but within 1,600 years villages had been established in almost all the beaches on St. John. By the time Christopher Columbus arrived here in 1493 Taino Indians had settled on the island, and with Columbus came Europeans, who began battling over ownership of the islands.

Merely 100 years later, pirates discovered the seclusion and safety of this region, using it to hide out as they plundered treasure from Spanish ships. Blackbeard himself sailed this waters, using the hidden ports to lie in wait for unsuspecting ships carrying expensive cargo.

Members of the Danish West India and Guinea Company were the first to settle on the Island of St. John in the 1700s, establishing sugar cane plantations, which required large numbers of laborers. The planters initially used the indigenous tribes as slave labor, then began importing Africans from the Portuguese-dominated slave trade.

It didn’t take long for the number of slaves to become five times greater than the number of Danish settlers and a serious uprising occurred, putting the control of the island in slave hands for nearly six months. However, rather than return to captivity and slavery, more than two dozen Africans took their own lives before French forces could get to them.

Finally ending the practice of slavery in 1848, the sugar cane plantations soon reaped what they had sewn.  They began to fail, as they had been dependent upon the free labor.

In need of a naval base during the first World War, the United States purchased the Virgin Islands from Denmark in 1917. Wealthy investors began buying land and rehabilitating many of the plantation houses, creating resorts. Laurence Rockefeller owned a large swath of St. John and in 1956 deeded the property over to the National Park Service, with the agreement it would be protected from further development.

Today Virgin Islands National Park encompasses more than 14,000 acres full of forests, pristine beaches and aqua blue waters full of coral reefs and colorful sea life.

Why Can’t You Visit Virgin Islands National Park in Your RV?

The park is on an island that requires first a plane ride and then a boat ride to get there. So, RV to Miami, find a place to park it for a while and enjoy a quick holiday in a resort or at the campground on the island (with tents and linens included).

Your motorhome will be waiting for you when you get back from a relaxing getaway at Virgin Islands National Park.

Places to Go

Here is a list of the places you need to check out when you visit the island.

Cinnamon Bay

This is the longest beach on the island, perfect for sailing and windsurfing, and snorkeling gear is available for rent here, as well.

Trunk Bay

This beach even comes with its own lifeguards, so enjoy swimming and snorkeling in the sun and surf.

Visitor Center

Located in Cruz Bay, the visitor center provides brochures, maps, and information about the park, as well as schedules for ranger-led tours and hikes.

Things to Do

Here are some of the activities you can and should do while enjoying your stay at the park.

Hiking

There are several hikes on both the North and South Shores of the island, varying in length from 15 minutes to two hours. Here are a few of the 20 trails through the park:

• Yawzi Point Trail – .6 miles
• Lind Point Trails
• Salt Pond Bay and Ram Head Trails
• Tektite Trail – 1.4 miles
• Francis Bay Trail
• Salomon/Honeymoon Bay

Snorkeling and SCUBA Diving

There are several locations that have exquisite snorkeling and SCUBA diving opportunities, including the beaches within the park.

Sailing, Windsurfing, and Kayaking

Cinnamon Bay has perfect conditions and just the right amount of wind for these water sports, and they offer rentals.

Fishing

It is limited by location and types of fish. Here is the Virgin Islands Fishing Handbook

Camping

Cinnamon Bay Resort has a campground that includes bare sites for those with their own tents, and platform tents, which come with tent, camp mattresses and linens.  There are also several cottages that can be rented.

Birdwatching

The forests on St. Johns Island have a wide diversity of birds, including hummingbirds, cuckoos and warblers.

Beach Combing

The simple pleasure of a walk along the beach collecting shells or building a sandcastle is easy to do here, with so many quiet beaches to choose from.

When to Visit Virgin Islands National Park

When is there a bad time to visit a Caribbean island? Many travelers love to visit in the winter, substituting sunny warm beaches for the cold and snow of the northern states, so December through March is usually the busy season for Virgin Islands National Park.

The park is open year-round, and as long as there is water for cooling off, even summers are a delightful time to enjoy sunsets on the beach and snorkeling among the coral reefs.

One caveat—watch the weather reports if planning a trip to the island between August and October, as that is prime hurricane season.

Where You Can Stay

Obviously, there are no RV campgrounds or dispersed sites on St. John’s Island. Since arrival to the island requires an airplane flight, travelers are reminded to leave their motorhome or travel trailer on the mainland.

However, camping by tent is allowed on the island at the Cinnamon Bay Resort, and cottage rentals are available there, as well. If looking for an RV campground on the mainland to utilize before and after your trip to St. John, here are a few suggestions in the Miami area:

• Davie/Fort Lauderdale KOA
• Miami Everglades RV Resort
• Larry and Penny Thompson Park
• Hollywood KOA

Getting to and Around Virgin Islands National Park

Getting to Virgin Islands National Park is a three-part process. Visitors must fly into St. Thomas, as the Island of St. John has no airports. Once landed, rent a car or take a taxi to the east end of St. Thomas Island and the town of Redhook. Take a car barge or people ferry to St. John’s Island. From the ferry terminal, it is a short walk to the National Park visitor center.

There are two roads on St. John and both are best traversed by car, as they are steep and winding. Vehicles are required to stay within parking areas and will be ticketed if parked outside of designated regions or on fragile vegetation.

Island Lure

A visit to Virgin Islands National Park is more like a getaway, where travelers immerse themselves in the sights and sounds of the Caribbean while absorbing the tumultuous history and wonderful mixture of cultures and inhabitants that exist there today.

It is a place for exploration, relaxation, and anticipation of what tomorrow will bring to this island oasis. Visitors are guaranteed to leave with an overwhelming desire to return time and time again.

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Do you want to visit the U.S. Virgin Islands National Park? Why or why not? Leave a comment below!

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Your RV kitchen is small. Maybe not abysmally small, but probably smaller than your kitchen at home. You need kitchen tools that are efficient in size and utility, with multi-purpose functions.

You need kitchen tools that can be easily stored in your small cabinets, and that won’t break if you hit a bump in the road. You need tools that will allow you to spend more time doing what you love while traveling, without sacrificing the qualities of a formerly-laborious, delicious meal.

Lacking space or time is no longer a problem for campers who love to cook—or for those who simply wish to eat well while on the road. A plenitude of kitchen tools and utensils exist that provide all-of-the-above qualities, and that won’t put a major dent in your travel expenses.

Kitchen Appliances and Utensils

Here’s a look at some kitchen appliances and utensils that can make a huge difference inside your RV. If you don’t have at least some of these, it’s time to upgrade.

A Combo Mixer for Smoothies and Food Processing

A fraction of the size of standard blenders, this combo mixer is perfect for your RV. Chop, grind, blend, mix, or whip up your next meal. The mixer can be used for whisking omelets, blending single-serving smoothies, grinding coffee beans, chopping salsa, preparing frozen cocktails and fresh sorbets, and so much more.

Eating fresh has never been so easy, with the added benefit of avoiding all of the yucky preservatives and additives in canned/prepared food from the store.

An Air Fryer for Healthier Dishes

Fried foods are freaking delicious. The caveat is that they’re incredibly messy to prepare, and unhealthy to eat regularly. Reduce clean-up, cook-time, calories, and saturated fats by treating yourself to an air fryer like the one shown above.

From $40 to $200, an air fryer won’t break your budget. The equivalent size to a toaster oven, the fryer won’t take up too much space in your rig’s kitchen. If you love fried foods, this healthier alternative would be a great addition to your home away from home.

Many recipes for the air fryer don’t use any oil at all, while oven-roasting uses about the same. Fry chicken, vegetables, and potatoes together for an easy, healthy meal. Canned chickpeas are excellent when air-fried with olive oil. Prepared frozen foods can be tossed in the fryer for a quick snack.

An Instant Pot for Easy Cooking

An Instant Pot will replace many kitchen tools and appliances in your kitchen. It can work as a slow cooker, pressure cooker, steamer, rice cooker, yogurt maker, and can even saute. Save space in your rig, and save time cooking, by using an Instant Pot.

The high temperatures and sealed environment of an Instant Pot produces savory results by locking in moisture, reducing your need for cooking oils and other saturated fats. Expect cooking time to be cut in half (or more) for most dishes.

Try Sous Vide

The Sous Vide style of cooking involves a few simple steps: seal your food in a bag, then submerge it in a water bath to cook it to a precise temperature.

Typically, you’ll finish prepping by grilling, searing, or broiling to add a crispy exterior layer. Sous Vide-prepared foods are exquisitely moist and flavorful. Pork belly, steaks, and lamb are especially delicious when cooked via Sous Vide, then seared for a short time as a final step.

Look for Reusable and Foldable Utensils

Anything you can reuse is a good idea at the campground. Definitely keep an eye out for tools and utensils you can use again and again. Here are a couple of ideas:

Soda Caps Keep the Fizz In

This cap will keep your canned beverage as bubbly as it was when you opened it: a great option for carbonated mixers and sodas. If you’re the kind of person who doesn’t want to finish a full can after opening it, then this is a great help.

Reusable Coffee Brewing Dripper

This collapsible and reusable coffee drip brewer is made of silicone and can help save space while still getting you your daily cup of coffee. You’ll won’t need filters for this either as it offers a screen system in the bottom. 

This drip brewer will also work for teas and other hot beverages, making it a super handy item to have in your kitchen.

Foldable Kettle for Simplicity and Space Savings

Made of lightweight (but strong) food-grade quality silicone, you can boil water in a few minutes in a foldable kettle. Most foldable kettles collapse into half for storage, and can be squished between other cooking tools in your cabinets when not in use.

Find Ways to Make the Most of Your Space

In addition to finding reusable items, you want to look for things that make it easy for your to make the most of your small kitchen space. Here are some fantastic options for your rig’s galley.

Racks for Storage Areas

A rack for your kitchen is the perfect multi-purpose tool. Use it to make extra space in your cooler or freezer, for dish-drying in the sink, or for additional cabinet storage.

Slide Out Spice Rack For Easy Access

This slide-out spice rack will keep your spice jars right where you left them, through even the bumpiest of terrains. The rack can hang from a shelf, slide out of a cabinet, or stand independently on a counter. It can be mounted with double-sided tape or can be screwed in.

An Under-the-Cabinet Hammock for Fruit

This under-the-cabinet fruit hammock can attach anywhere you can screw-in two small hooks, keeping produce within your reach, but out of your way.

Adjustable Cargo Net for Odds and Ends

An adjustable cargo net is a useful device for just about anywhere in your RV, but it can be handy in certain storage areas of your kitchen. If you have some items you’re not sure what to do with, consider a cargo net for them.

Non-Slip Cabinet Liners Holding Things in Place

Simply line your cabinets with these non-slip liners and you’ll never have kitchen tools or appliances tumbling out of your cabinets again. These can be super helpful when transporting your RV from place to place if you keep the cabinets full. 

In the end, its important to think about your kitchen space in your RV and how the items, appliances, and utensils fit into that space. There are plenty of new and improved options out there. The ones called out above should help you make the most of your kitchen space.

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How do you make the most of your RV’s kitchen area? Leave a comment below!

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Most RV’s come with air conditioning units installed. If your RV doesn’t then you’ll need to find another way to stay cool. Also, if you do have an AC, but are boondocking and don’t want your AC using up tons of energy, then you’ll need to find alternative ways to keep from cooking yourself inside your RV.

Here are some tips and tricks you can use to stay cool in your camper without cranking up the air conditioning unit.

Think About Where You Park

Shade is key to staying cool when you’re in an RV. Even if you have to park or get a campsite in an area that isn’t your first preference, you might find that it’s better than that super sunny spot by the lake or beach. If you can, try to find a large tree to park near. This will help keep the temperature down in your RV.

Also, think about where wind or a breeze is blowing. You’ll want to park where you can catch moving air. This might mean you park your RV away from others or near an open area. See if you can survey the campground before you choose your campsite or think about looking at a Google Map view online to find a good spot to go.

Open Up Windows and Think About Ventilation

First thing’s first, screen doors and windows are your friend. Use them. Opening up your RV will only help let hot air out and keep your RV well ventilated. On super hot days, this might not be enough, but it should help otherwise.

As I said above, you should think ahead about ventilation. This is important for choosing the right campsite, but it’s also helpful to think about when positioning your RV in a specific campground. You may want to orient your rig differently depending on which way the breeze is blowing. At some campgrounds you don’t have much of a choice, but it’s always worth thinking about.

Use LED Lights Inside Your RV

This is a small thing, but it can make a big difference. Those incandescent light bulbs in your rig actually waste a lot of energy producing heat. By switching to LED light bulbs, you should not only cut down on the amount of energy used, but you should also cut down on the amount of heat created inside your RV. When you’re trying to stay cool, even little things like this can help a lot.

Cook Outside

This one’s kind of a no brainer. When you cook inside you rig, you create a lot of heat. It can take a long time for that heat to dissipate once you’re done cooking. Instead of heating up the inside of your RV by cooking in your kitchen, fire up the grill and cook outside.

If you don’t have a grill, consider cooking over an open campfire. This is a great thing to do with a family, and honestly pretty easy to do. There are also plenty of recipes out there designed specifically for cooking over a campfire.

Use a Fan or Two

Fans don’t use as much energy as your AC unit and can help move air around the inside of your RV, helping to keep you cool. I highly suggest having at least one fan in your RV if you don’t want to use your AC unit. It will help keep you comfortable, especially at night when you’re trying to sleep.

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How do you stay cool? Leave your tips below!

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If you’re planning to visit a national park on your summer RV trip, you’re not alone. Millions of Americans flock to our national parks during summer vacation. However, you don’t have to let the crowds put a damper on your fun. Follow these tips for enjoying the national parks during the busiest time of year.

Go Early or Stay Late

Many of the busy parks limit the number of visitors that can enter on any given day. By getting up a little earlier than usual, your family can be first in line.

This will be easy to do if you take a few minutes to prepare for your trip a day in advance by packing a lunch, a blanket, and some games. Then get a good night’s sleep so you can an early start to your day. Once you arrive at the park, you can go ahead and visit the most popular sight or two on your list right away before the rest of the crowds arrive.

As the park begins to fill up, you can find a shady spot to put out your blanket and have a relaxing lunch. Stick around a little longer playing cards or other games so that later when everyone else is hot and tired, you’ll still have plenty of energy for more activities.

Another option is to leave mid-day and head back to your campground. You can return later in the evening when others are exiting. Last year at Yellowstone the best time to view Old Faithful was at 8:30 in the evening with only a handful of people on the boardwalk that serves as a viewing area for the geyser.

Stay in the Park

Even better than arriving at the entrance gate early, is staying inside the park. Most every national park has a campground, and the larger parks often have two or three. Staying inside the park gives you unparalleled access to the park.

You’ll need to plan ahead though. Check the national park website to see if they take advance reservations and what kind of services they offer. Many are “partial” hook-ups meaning they may only have 30amp power and you’ll need to use potable water and dump stations. We’ve even stayed at a few that had no hook-ups at all, but they had hiking trails you could access directly from the campground! You also can’t beat the ability to wake up among the sights and sounds of a national park.

It’s not surprising that the Grand Canyon, one of America’s most iconic national parks, is often crowded. Most of these visitors stick to the South Rim, leaving you with a perfect opportunity to explore the less populated North Rim. The North Rim Campground borders the Transept Canyon, an offshoot of the main canyon that has spectacular views. The 90-site campground, open May through October (reservations only), is located a mile south of the Grand Canyon Lodge and visitor center.

Get Off The Beaten Path

Instead of sticking to the top attraction, look for the hidden gems and be willing to move away from your vehicle. The sad truth is that most park visitors stay close to their cars.

They park at the scenic overlooks, take a few photos, and race to the next attraction If you are willing to hike, bike, or kayak there is so much more to see and you won’t have to compete with as many people to experience it.

When we visited Acadia National Park, too many people were trying to squeeze into the parking areas along the main road. After our early morning hike, we went on a guided kayak tour. We paddled the remote “Westside” including Western Bay and Blue Hill Bay.

The best part of this trip is that we did not see any tour boats, just some working lobster boats. Even better was the abundant wildlife including harbor seals, eagles, osprey, and loons. Taking a short break on small beach nestled among the rocky, tree-lined coast to watch eagles soaring was quite a treat!

Alternative Transportation

One of the best ways to make the most of a crowded day at your favorite national park is by leaving your car behind. There are several options depending on which park you visit, but the most popular ones like Glacier, Grand Canyon, Zion, and Yosemite have free shuttles.

This is a terrific way to enjoy the scenic drives without anyone having to pay attention to the road. It is also a great way to hit some of the most popular trails without worrying about squeezing your vehicle into a tiny trailhead parking lot.

Bicycling is another fabulous way to get around your favorite national park. Now, I know what you’re thinking, what if I only want to bike part of the day? No worries. Many of the shuttles have bike racks so you can get a little assist back to your car if needed.

Pick a Park That Is Not as Busy

A final tip has to do with route planning. Instead of trying to avoid crowds at the busiest parks, how about trying one that is not visited as much in the summer months. The National Parks Service publishes statistics on their Visitor Use Statistics Portal.

Located in the Pacific Northwest, with mild weather is North Cascades National Park in Washington. With less than 30,000 annual visitors it is one of the least visited national parks. What it lacks in crowds, it makes up for in sheer beauty. 110 miles northeast of Seattle, it is home to over 300 glaciers, more than any other US park outside Alaska.

On the east coast, you’ll typically need to be prepared to brave the heat to find a park that is not as crowded. Biscayne National Park is within sight of Miami, but offers numerous opportunities to find respite from the heat such as snorkeling at a shipwreck or sailing on beautiful Biscayne Bay.

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Which national park will you visit this summer? Leave a comment below!

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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 New York:

Adirondack Scenic Railroad

Once a part of the New York Central Line in 1853, the Adirondack Scenic Railroad continues the tradition of transporting passengers in upstate New York. The excursion train of today travels between Utica, Old Forge, and Big Moose, offering daily service during the Spring, Summer, and Fall.

Several specialty trains take advantage of the beautiful landscapes in the Adirondacks on specific dates throughout the year.

Railway and Locomotive Types

The train is pulled on standard gauge rails by a fleet of diesel engines. The rolling stock is made up of private cars and coaches from the 1920s through the 1950s. The railway also offers rail bikes for groups of people looking for more direct involvement in their “locomotion.”

Seating Options

The railroad has open seating with two classes of service on its daily routes:

• Coach Class – Seating is available in enclosed coach cars.
• First Class – Seating is available in private cars.

Riding Options

The Adirondack Scenic Railroad offers one-way and round-trip options between its daily stops. They are as follows:

• Utica to Old Forge one-way
• Utica to Old Forge round trip
• Utica to Big Moose round trip
• Old Forge (Thendara) to Utica one-way
• Old Forge (Thendara) to Big Moose one-way
• Old Forge (Thendara) to Otter Lake one-way

Specialty Trains

• Beer & Wine Train – Enjoy the countryside as you sip local beers and wines on the train. Passengers receive a commemorative glass with their ticket.
• Soda Fountain Train – Take a train ride into the past, as you travel from Utica to Remsen for a lunch stop at a 1950s soda fountain.
• Princess Super Hero Train – Children will watch wide-eyed as their favorite superheroes board the train with them for an adventurous ride. Capture it all on film back at the station, where photo opportunities abound!
• Haunted History Evening Train – Get spooked on this haunted journey into Old Forge’s murderous history. Darkness surrounds the tales told as passengers disembark at a forest for ghostly stories and unsolved crimes.

Length of Season

The Adirondack Scenic Railroad has regular train service in Spring, Summer, and Fall, with specialty trains running on specific dates year-round. Check out their schedule here.

Arcade & Attica Railroad

In 1880 the Buffalo, Arcade & Attica Railroad began as a partial line between Attica, New York, and Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Begun as a narrow-gauge railway, the tracks were standardized in 1895. Less than 20 years later, decisions were made to close this section of the line.

Local farmers and merchants needed the railroad for transporting livestock, products, and cargo so they pooled their money and came up with $79,000 to purchase the line, creating the Arcade & Attica Railroad Corporation. They still retain ownership, and the railway continues running freight services and passenger excursion trains.

Railway and Locomotive Types

Running on standard gauge rails, the Arcade & Attica moves its scheduled weekend trains with a steam engine. However, the engine is in for much needed repairs and a vintage World War II diesel will be pulling rolling stock for all trains during the 2019 season.

Seating Options

All seating is coach class, with assigned seating in any one of six enclosed coaches. The round trip from Arcade to the Curriers Station takes approximately 90 minutes, including uncoupling the engine and moving it to the back of the train for the return trip to Arcade.

Riding Options

All train rides originate at the Arcade depot, traveling to Currier Station, where the engine is uncoupled and moved to the back of the train for its return trip. There are no side trips available.

Specialty Trains

• Civil War Weekend Train – Enjoy a two-and-a-half-hour round-trip train outing with Civil War reenactors and demonstrations.
• Murder Mystery Dinner Theater Train – Discover who killed a fellow train passenger, while you enjoy a catered dinner and a scenic ride on the rails.
• May the Rails Be With You – Come dressed as your favorite Star Wars character for a train ride that even Jabba the Hut would enjoy!

Length of Season

The Arcade & Attica Railroad runs every weekend from Memorial Day through the end of October. Specialty trains take place on specific dates throughout the year. Check out the train schedule to find your perfect trip.

Catskill Mountain Railroad

Built in 1868, the Catskill Mountain Railroad has descended from the Rondout & Oswego Railroad and is considered a heritage railway, connecting the Hudson Valley with the Catskills. Originally created to haul quarried rock, cargo, and farm products to New York City, today the railroad offers passengers transport through the scenic landscapes of the Catskill Mountains, just as it took vacationers to the hotels and camps in the region for the last sixty years.

Railway and Locomotive Types

The Catskill trains are pulled by diesel engines on standard gauge track. The rolling stock consists of Kingston coaches made by Pullman and restored swift electric coaches.

Seating Options

All trains, with the exception of the Polar Express, are open seating in general admission on any of the enclosed coach or open gondola cars. Passengers may move throughout the train, but children must be accompanied by an adult.

Riding Options

The train leaves the Kingston depot, venturing up Hurley Mountain and eventually returning to Kingston. There are no one-way tickets or side trips available.

Specialty Trains

• Great Train Robbery – Celebrate the legend of the Great Train Robbery as depicted in the 1903 silent movie that was filmed on New York rails. Hold on to all of your valuables on this train!
• Peace Train – Several Peace Trains are scheduled throughout the summer with live musicians and entertainment for the whole family.
• Rails of Terror – Take a ride on haunted rails, if you dare! A cast of characters will strike terror in the hearts of passengers on this frightening train.
• Polar Express – Read along with the classic story as passengers snack on cookies and cocoa, while their golden tickets are punched. Then watch for Santa at the North Pole as he and his helpers hand out silver bells and sing Christmas carols. Children from 1 to 92 will enjoy this holiday train.

Length of Season

The Catskill Mountain Railroad runs trains from Kingston, New York on Saturdays from June through Labor Day, with specialty trains scheduled on specific dates well into December. Take a look at the train schedule for days of service.

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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.

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