The bald eagle is one of the most majestic birds in the world. Chosen early on in the history of America as the national bird, this large bird of prey has almost always been associated with strength. The bird was officially designated as the national bird by Congress on June 20, 1782. Since then, it has featured on currency, official documents, and so much more.
It makes sense then that you should find some time to go and see this symbol of our great nation in its natural habitat, but where do you go to see bald eagles? Here’s a look at locating some of these amazing birds during your next RV trip with the whole family.
Where to Go
Image by Greg Moser
Even though the bald eagle plays a very big symbolic role for America and Americans, the bird was pushed to near extinction. According to History.com, bald eagle population numbers dwindled from over 100,000 in the late 1800s due to the destruction of the bird’s habitat and hunting. It got as low as about 600 pairs of birds.
In the 1940s, Congress passed laws designed to protect the species. Thanks to these laws and the work of many dedicated environmentalists, the population has been creeping back up for decades and is not on the endangered species list. You now have a good chance of seeing these birds if you visit the right areas of the country.
The Top 5 Places to See Bald Eagles
Image by Greg Moser
Bald eagles can be found in every state of the U.S. except Hawaii, according to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. That means, there’s probably a location in your home state where you can go to see the birds in the wild. However, if you’re looking for a good place to go on a longer RV camping trip to see these amazing birds, then here some of the best places to go.
1. Alaska Chilkat Eagle Preserve – Alaska
The largest concentration of bald eagles is in Alaska. If you really want the best chance of seeing the nation’s bird in a truly wild habitat, then you should visit the Alaska Chilkat Eagle Preserve. This 48,000-acre area in Haines, Alaska, sees somewhere around 4,000 bald eagles during the annual salmon run.
2. Klamath Basin – Oregon and California
This area, located right on the border of Oregon and California is home to many bald eagles. It’s one of the highest concentration levels of anywhere in the lower 48 states. If you’re thinking of making the trip out west or already live out near that area, then make sure to stop in the Kalamath Basin to see at least a couple bald eagles.
3. Starved Rock State Park – Illinois
If you’re in the Midwest or will be traveling to it, you must make a stop at Starved Rock State Park in Illinois. Not too far of a drive from the beast of a city that is Chicago, Starved Rock State Park is home to hundreds of bald eagles, especially during the colder winter months. It’s a wonderful place to stop and there’s plenty to do and see.
4. Chassahowitzka National Wildlife Refuge – Florida
If you’re looking for a good place to go down south to see bald eagles, then look no further than the Chassahowitzka National Wildlife Refuge in Florida. This refuge is home to plenty of bald eagles. The birds come seeking new food sources and many can be easily spotted if you camp nearby or hike the right areas.
5. North Platte National Wildlife Refuge – Nebraska
Located in the western panhandle of the state of Nebraska, the North Platte National Wildlife Refuge is another excellent place to go to see bald eagles. Nebraska is home to many great areas to see wildlife, hike, and camp, but this area, in particular, is perfect for spotting bald eagles.
When to Go
Image by Greg Moser
Generally, the best time to go and see bald eagles is during the winter months. Bald eagles follow food supplies and that generally means coming down from Canada to other states to get to open water where they can fish and live. They migrate annually, so you can often come back to specific places again and again to see these amazing creatures.
Seeing bald eagles in the wild is an exhilarating experience for anyone, but if you like to travel and camp as a family, it can be a fantastic thing to do. Your kids won’t forget seeing one of the most iconic birds in the whole world. Visiting one of the locations mentioned above or anywhere else closer to your home will be worth it.
Have you seen bald eagles in their natural habitat? What was it like? Leave a comment below.
Towing a trailer can be one of the most stressful things about camping with a travel trailer. This is especially true for people who don’t tow that much. Most of the time, towing is something that people do occasionally if at all. This means they’re likely not going to be very comfortable doing it. If you’re one of these people, keep the following tips in mind. They should help make towing your travel trailer a little easier.
Make Sure Everything Works and Is Connected Correctly
Image by Vichai Phububphapan from Getty
My first tip is a simple one and actually starts before you set off. Make sure everything is connected properly and working correctly. This goes for the hitch, chains, lights, trailer brakes and anything else on your rigs, like a backup camera or some kind of proximity sensors.
Setting off without something properly connected means you’ll have a hard time and could be dangerous. Before you head out on the road, make sure to check everything. Also, double-check your weights. If the RV is overloaded, it can negatively impact your tow vehicle or the RV itself. Here’s our Towing Guide to help.
Go Slow and Give Yourself Plenty of Braking Room
Your tow vehicle will accelerate slower and take longer to slow down. Be ready for this. While you’ll need to keep up with traffic and stick to posted speed limits, you should take things slower when your travel trailer is attached to your rig. Most travel trailer tires are rated for 60-65 mph, so keep that in mind when on the highway, too.
When driving, look far ahead to see if you’ll need to brake. Don’t wait to brake like some drivers do in a car. Also, make a point of giving yourself more room between you and the car in front of you. The added weight of the travel trailer will increase stopping distances, you need to account for that on the road. Sudden stops with a travel trailer attached to your tow vehicle are not advised, so give yourself plenty of room at all times.
Take Turns Wide and Go Slow
When turning, you need to remember the length of your rig. If your trailer is short, you’ll have an easy time. Long trailers are where things can get a little tricky. The longer your travel trailer the wider you’ll need to take turns. The RV will follow the path of the tow vehicle, but taking wider turns helps ensure you won’t clip things on the inside of the turn.
Going slow in turns is also important. It will help ensure your RV doesn’t lean too far or the other. The chances of it tipping are extremely low, but you’ll likely have items like dishes inside your RV. The last thing you want is for them to go thrashing about because you took a turn too quickly. Go slow and you’ll have a smoother drive and all your camping gear will be right where you left it.
Avoid Backing Up Under Pressure
You want to give yourself plenty of time to back your travel trailer up properly. Unless you drive with the travel trailer all of the time, the more time you give yourself, the less stressful backing up your trailer will be. Try to avoid any situations that can put you under pressure. Let other vehicles move past you or around you if there’s someone waiting on you.
If you find yourself in some traffic congestion, take steps to avoid tight spaces whenever possible, and look for areas where you can simply pull through instead of backing up. If you must back up, try not to let the impatience of others impact you. You need to be able to think clearly and not rush. This will help you avoid any accidents or issues when backing up your rig.
What tips do you have for towing a travel trailer? Leave a comment below!
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. And 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 California:
Napa Valley Wine Train
Photo Credit: Jim G (CC BY-SA 2.0)
Built as transportation to the spa resort of Calistoga in 1864, the Napa Valley Wine Train has always had an air of distinction. Today’s journey leaves the town of Napa, traveling through some of the most acclaimed landscapes in the world as the train arrives in St. Helena. With half and full day winery tours, lunch and dinner trains, and specialty tours, the Wine Train offers a wide variety of ways to enjoy the stunning Napa Valley.
Railway and Locomotive Types
With diesel locomotives, the Wine Train runs on standard gauge rails. Its many first class coach cars were built by Pullman in 1915 and have gone through extensive renovations, with Honduran mahogany paneling, etched glass partitions and velveteen fabric armchairs. The results offer today’s passengers the same opulence and luxury that those of the early 20th century enjoyed.
Seating Options
The railroad offers traditional railway seating, with couples seated on the same side on four person tables. Parties of four will be seated together.
There are two classes available on most train tours:
First Class – Seating is assigned in coach cars and open gondolas.
Private Class – Private dining is exclusive to the Vista Dome car, where luxury dining is upstairs and a state-of-the-art kitchen is housed downstairs.
Riding Options
The Napa Valley Wine Train has five different categories of train rides, each with different time limits, seating and opportunities:
Lunch Trains – Gourmet Express, including Vista Dome private lunches, are offered.
Dinner Trains – Gourmet Express and dining in the Vista Dome are also offered for dinner trains.
½ Day Winery Tours – All ½ day tours include lunch. The tours offered are the Grgich Hills Estate Tour, Ambassador Winery Tour, Raymond Winery Tour and Castle Winery Tour.
Full Day Winery Tours – All full day tours include a multi-course gourmet meal. Tours include the Legacy Tour, Collective Tour and the Estate Tour.
Special Events (see Specialty Trains below)
Specialty Trains
Photo Credit: Grendelkhan (CC BY-SA 3.0)
Murder Mystery – Join in the intrigue of solving a murder on your three-hour train ride. Transformed into a vintage speakeasy, the Napa Valley Wine Train hosts mayhem and mystery along with a three course gourmet meal.
Romance on the Rails – Enjoy a romantic three-hour evening train ride in the two-story Vista Dome car, complete with a taste of sparkling wine, a multi-course gourmet meal and two glasses of private label wine.
Tequila Train – The wine train is taken over by its smooth sipping cousin on National Tequila Day, with a tequila cocktail, Mexican appetizers, tequila shots and entertainment on this two-hour journey.
Happy Hour Hop Train – Wine plays second fiddle to beer on a two-hour trip through the Napa Valley. Enjoy two pints of local craft beer, bar bites and entertainment in an open air train car.
Length of Season
The Napa Valley Wine Train runs year-round with half and full day wine tour trains, dinner trains and specialty events. Here is a schedule to plan your visit.
Yosemite Mountain Sugar Pine Railroad
Photo Credit: YMSPRR.com
Built in the Sierra Nevada Mountains as a means of transport for the lumber industry, the Yosemite Mountain Sugar Pine Railroad runs on four miles of track just outside Yosemite National Park’s south gate. Used by the Madera Sugar Pine Lumber Company around the turn of the 20th century, the steam locomotives would haul felled trees to a sawmill, and today they continue their duty, taking passengers along a little piece of California’s history.
Railway and Locomotive Types
This narrow gauge train is pulled by one of two steam locomotives on site, built in 1913 and 1928. Passengers ride in open gondola cars on this narrated excursion through the forestland of the Sierra Nevada.
Seating Options
Photo Credit: NearEMPTiness (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Open seating is available to all on the steam train and Jenny railcars. The passenger cars are covered open gondolas, and open rail cars with seats carved from logs are also available.
Riding Options
The Yosemite Mountain Sugar Pine Railroad offers two types of rides:
Logger Steam Train – The trip lasts one hour and the train holds up to 200 passengers.
Jenny Railcar – The trip in a Model A powered car lasts 30 minutes and holds 8 to 10 passengers.
The logger steam train runs from April through October, but the rails can also be enjoyed on a Jenny railcar ride during and after the steam train season ends.
Specialty Trains
Photo Credit: Ian Gratton (CC BY-SA 2.0)
Moonlight Special BBQ Train – Take the night train up to Lewis Creek Canyon to enjoy a tasty BBQ dinner and songs around the campfire.
Gold Panning – Although not a specialty train ride, visitors can try their hand at panning for gold outside the station while waiting for train departures.
Length of Season
The Sugar Pine Railroad runs its logger steam train from April 6 through the end of October. Jenny railcars may be accessible outside of the regular season, but contact the depot for specific dates. Here’s the train schedule.
Sacramento River Train
Photo Credit: SierraNorthern.com
The 14 miles of track that the Sacramento River Train run on originated in 1911 as the Sacramento and Woodland Railroad, carrying freight and passengers until 1940 and World War II. Wartime required cargo to move quickly on the rails, but by 1960 the line began to break up and various spurs were retired.
Luckily the Yolo Shortline Railroad Company purchased the section that eventually became the River Train. Today customers enjoy elegant dining and train travel in the “Plantation Style,” with wood paneling, ceiling fans and rattan furniture in the luxuriously restored coach cars.
Railway and Locomotive Types
Diesel engines power the train on standard gauge tracks, with three open air cars and three enclosed air conditioned coaches. Enjoy a comfortable journey through open farmland along the Sacramento River and through the Yolo County Wildlife Refuge.
Seating Options
The Sacramento River Train has a variety of train specials, many on a monthly basis, and all have assigned seating in enclosed coach cars. Passengers can move about the train and enjoy the open cars, as well.
Riding Options
Photo Credit: SacramentoRiverTrain.com
Although there are several unique train experiences, all tickets are round trip, leaving from the West Sacramento boarding station. The train travels along the Sacramento River with a stop at a park before returning to the station. There are no one-way tickets sold.
Specialty Trains
Photo Credit: SacramentoRiverTrain.com
Old Vine Express – Sip from a selection of 15 California wines as the train takes you through open farm country. Entertainment and a commemorative wine glass are included, and a meal is optional. This train is offered once a month during the operating season.
Great Train Robbery – Experience an old western showdown as the train is derailed by bandits, then hit the chuckwagon for a BBQ lunch before heading back to the station.
Murder Mystery – Help solve a mystery aboard the train, as a cast of quirky characters accuse each other of a dastardly deed. Period costumes are encouraged!
Pumpkin Train – Travel through Autumn colors to arrive at a pumpkin patch, where all passengers can select the perfect jack-o-lantern to carve for Halloween.
Easter Egg Express – Join the Easter Bunny for a train trip to his hunting grounds, where children can enjoy games and collecting Easter eggs before a return trip to the train station.
Length of Season
The Sacramento River Train runs from April through September with a wide range of meal trains, specialty events and seasonal railroad excursions. Check out their schedule to find the perfect trip!
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. Another article will go up every Friday.
Summer is prime camping season, but if you don’t pick the right destination you may find yourself sweltering in the heat instead of enjoying yourselves. That’s why finding a great campground near the water is key!
Lakes are wonderful for caming and most have some amazing campgrounds to choose from. You can build some wonderful memories with your family at a lake. So, pack up your swim suits, fishing poles, and kayaks and head to one of these fabulous lakeside campgrounds.
Davis Lakes Campground – Virginia
Even better than camping on one lake is camping on three! Davis Lakes Campground has it all: fishing, water sports, and plenty of activities for land lovers too. Located in Suffolk, Virginia this campground in only an hour away from Virginia Beach and Colonial Williamsburg, but you might have a hard time dragging yourself away from all they have to offer onsite.
For starters, the 25-acre Lake Neal is the primary fishing spot, but don’t miss the six-acre Catfish Lake stocked with blue gill, largemouth bass and catfish. If you’re looking for a sandy beach with a terrific swimming area, try the 18-acre Lake Helen which also boasts an Aquaglide with water trampolines, jungle gyms, and blasts bags.
Camp Chautauqua Camping Resort – New York
Since 1968 the Anderson family has been providing a summer retreat for the whole family at Camp Chautauqua Camping Resort. Located on the shores of the 17-mile long Chautauqua Lake in Western New York, this family resort has every amenity you could want including a pool, splash pad, playground, boat marina, and nature trails for starters.
They also have themed weekends with fun activities all summer long. One of our favorites is the Wet & Wild Weekend in July, which includes a cool twist on kickball, soaker hayride, and giant slip and slide.
Catherine’s Landing – Arkansas
Just five minutes away from Hot Springs, Arkansas Catherine’s Landing is aptly named as it features one mile of water frontage on beautiful Lake Catherine. Many sites are waterfront and there are beautiful woods all around. Each paved site has full hook-ups, a picnic table, BBQ grill, and fire ring.
The camp store will even deliver firewood right to your site. Rent a kayak or pontoon boat to explore the windy Ouachita River or stay at the campground and soak in saline pool while kids enjoy the splash pad. If you get adventurous they also have a zip line.
Be sure to head into town to visit Hot Springs National Park, which is the only national park we’ve visited that is in a city. While there are some nature trails, the main attraction is Bath House Row where you walk down the city streets and tour historic buildings that once housed medical spas. You can even book your own “bathing” experience that includes a private soak in the mineral waters, a steam bath, and a massage.
Neshonoc Lakeside Camping Resort – Wisconsin
Situated on the shores of beautiful Lake Neshonoc you will find family camping at its best! Neshonoc Lakeside Camping Resort offers spacious RV sites with two swimming pools, playground, and sports fields. The best part is the 600 acre lake perfect for swimming, fishing, and kayaking.
This campground is only 15 minutes from La Crosse, a terrific town on the banks of the Mississippi River. The area features a downtown trolley tour, paddle boat cruises, wineries, and farmer’s markets.
Wahweap Marina RV Park & Campground – Arizona
Enjoy this desert oasis in the southwest! Wahweap Marina RV Park and Campground is located in the Glen Canyon National Recreation Area, which manages the lake as well as a large 1.3 million-acre swath of Arizona and Utah. Lake Powell is one of the largest man-made lakes in North America. It is 186 miles long with 1,960 miles of shoreline and over 96 major side canyons.
The campground is a quarter mile from the lake, but set on a tiered hillside to provide fabulous views. They provide a shuttle to help you get around, and you can charter a boat or book tours on the lake as well.
Did we miss one? Let us know what your favorite lakeside camping resort is in the comments below.
