For many people, recreational vehicles fit into a grand life plan. In a way, they represent the fulfillment of the American Dream. Once a couple settles down, has kids and pays off the mortgage, it’s time to traverse the great national landscape in style and luxury. RVs are also reminiscent of another American ideal: manifest destiny. We explore unfamiliar locales in hopes of laying claim to something new and exciting.

Yet RVs are not an end in themselves. RV owners have to consider plenty of mundane details before setting out onto the open road. One of the most important of these considerations is where you are going to set up shop each night. Whether we need Eastern Washington RV camping or some lodging in the Deep South, we always do our research before we depart.

A lot of people love to go camping during the summer, and as the weather continue to heat up, campsites will be filled with an increasing number of patrons. People enjoy spending time in the great outdoors and just relaxing far away from the city.  Going to Eastern Washington campgrounds promotes communal activities and is a great way to foster relationships.

There are different campsites to choose from, and you’ll want to be sure to select one that caters to your particular interests. There are campsites that offer a lot of amenities like hot showers, barbecue grills, satellite phones and more. But some just offer the basic sewer provision and that’s it. You can really have a great camping experience whether you are bombarded with technological innovations or just plain roughing it.  The whole family will enjoy the experience since you are all together having fun.

Family vacations are about much more than the destination. Take a moment to listen to a proud father recounting his favorite vacation memories and you’ll notice that the place becomes arbitrary when compared to the people. Even in trying financial times, families can spend a few days together away from the pressures of work and school.

For an affordable family vacation, consider limiting travel time and reducing the costs of lodging. An RV park in a local woodland area could take the place of some far-off national monument. The marshmallows roasted over an open fire taste just as delicious. Family fun doesn’t need to cost a bundle, so look into the logistics of traveling to a Washington RV park for your next “staycation.”

Here in the Pacific Northwest we get our fair share of good and bad weather. But regardless of the rain, sleet, or snow we love camping in Washington and other outdoor activities. It may rain for several months out of the year, but that doesn’t stop us from hiking trails, camping out, and rock climbing. The weather here is fickle, so that means outdoor enthusiasts must always be prepared.

One aspect of preparation is acquiring the right clothing. That means layers, layers, and more layers! It’s so important to wear layers because while it may be 75 degrees during the day, the temperature could easily drop to 40 degrees at night. Also, try to buy clothing made of breathable fabric, like taffeta and cotton. These fabrics keep you cool when it’s hot and warm when it’s cold.

Family trips don’t need to be expensive in order to be memorable. There are many options for a family operating on a shoestring budget, but the best bet is to stay local. By saving on transportation costs, you can maximize the limited resources you have at your disposal.

Instead of coughing up bundles of cash on pricy hotel rooms, try bringing the family together in a wilderness setting. Pack up the camping gear, pile into the van, and head on down the road to Washington campgrounds. Once you arrive, begin teaching the kids a few valuable life lessons – give them a tent-pitching primer and a brief seminar on the finer points of catching fish.

I grew up in the South and attended college only a few hours away from my hometown. When the local economy started to slip, I began to expand my career horizons by investigating opportunities outside the area. As luck would have it, I landed a job soon after graduation and relocated to the Pacific Northwest. Knowing the trip would take several days, I packed up my truck and headed out onto the highway.

I’ve always been an outdoorsy type, so I consulted a lodging directory to find campgrounds along the route. I managed to save money that otherwise would have been squandered on motel rooms. While some of the campgrounds were subpar, the facilities at the Banks Lake campgrounds stand out for their immaculate upkeep and the outdoor activities that were easily accessible. By roughing it, I arrived in town with a few extra tales to tell my new friends and co-workers.

Despite living in Western Washington for nearly my whole life, I decided to go to college in Spokane, on the eastern side of the state. Before I left for the first time, I heard horror stories about how Eastern Washington was a vast wasteland with nothing to do. Admittedly, I left for Spokane less than enthused over the prospects of entertainment.

During my four years in Spokane, I came to appreciate all of that Eastern Washington has to offer. While it may not have the urban life of the Seattle area, there are exquisite Eastern Washington camping sites and opportunities to experience the great outdoors. One of my favorite places to visit while I lived there was the majestic Banks Lake, just miles away from Grand Coulee.

No trip to Grand Coulee would be complete without a stop at the Grand Coulee Dam. One of the summer highlights is the evening laser light show at Dam that is projected onto the dam’s wall.

The area around the dam has an abundance of camping options, including cabins, villas, resorts and setting up your own tent. Banks Lake campgrounds located around Banks Lake also offer many recreational options such as boating, fishing, kayaking as well..

If you live in the Washington area and are looking for a way to spend a sunny afternoon, there is a huge array of hikes at your disposal. In fact, if you’re an avid outdoorsmen, Washington is a great place to live. To that end, one of the most beautiful places to take a day hike is Rachel Lake. An alpine lake starting at Box Creek, the trail is four miles in and four miles out. It offers many gorgeous views, some waterfalls, and several river crossings.

The highlight of the hike is the lake itself, which is a completely clear and stunning blue. It does require a rather steep and difficult ascent to get to that view, however. This can either be a full day’s hike, or a short hike followed by an overnight camp. Rachel Lake, however, is just one opportunity for Washington camping. The state is filled with amazing, challenging, and pristine campgrounds.