Where are you going this summer?

[MN Blue Skies aka Max]

Hi all, I'm staying in Southern Illinois during summer — does anyone have interesting summer destinations in the Midwest (under-the-radar places preferred)? Also, does anyone have plans to travel to Canada over the summer (despite the political brouhaha)? Would love some Canada recs as well.

This summer DH and I hope to spend some time in MN and/or Wisconsin. Anyone interested in meeting up?

 

[DutchmenSport]

Same thing I've been doing for the last year ... hanging out in Louisiana at the Audubon State Historic Site.

We were here Jan, Feb, Mar 2024. Again May and June 2024. Again Oct, Nov, Dec and Jan 2025. Again Mar, Apr, May, June 2025.

We will be going to Nebraska in July, back to Indiana for August and September (doing State Park Camping, back home) and then back to Louisiana (Oakley Plantation) again for Oct, Nov, Dec, and Jan 2026.

Click here for my latest excursion at Oakley.

 

[Gr8bawana]

The only planned trip so far is 2 weeks at Big Lake in the White mountains of AZ. in July. It is at 9100' so it should be pretty nice temp wise.

 

[John Stephens]

Since we had a 9,000 mile trip throughout the West last year, we are staying closer to home (SW Florida) this year by driving to Dallas to see a relative, Searcy, AR, to get a window repaired at RV Fog Dr., St. Louis for two weeks to see friends, the Land Between the Lakes in KY to visit Patti's 1880 Establishment, and then a week in Pigeon Forge, TN. We'll only be gone for six weeks this year, whereas we are usually on the road for three to four months.

 

[Adventurous Traveler]

one of our favorite NY State parks

What park is that, Dutch?

We are heading across the country again from WNY. The trip started with a reservation at Glacier NP (St. Mary's, MT). We backfilled the trip to include my wife's cousin's wedding outside of Joliet, Illinois, Wisconsin shore on Lake Michigan, Milwaukee, Wisconsin Dells, Fargo, and Teddy Roosevelt NP before Glacier.

We originally were going to cross into Canada to visit Jasper and Calgary, but instead decided to extend our trip westward to take in Oregon and the Willamette Valley wine region, then down to Crater Lake NP. Heading back East, we plan to stay several days in Cheyenne, WY, the Little Bighorn Battlefield, and maybe a day or so in Yellowstone.

From Wyoming heading East, we're gonna fill in the blanks daily as we motor back towards home.

 

[JaycoLovers]

Big trip for us this summer. On the road for a month. Leaving from Western NY to travel to Custer SP with a stop in Sioux Falls, SD. Then we head to Rocky Mountain NP. Over the Rockies to Yosemite, then Sequoia/Kings Canyon NP's. Then Anaheim to celebrate out 30th Anniversary at DisneyLand (honeymooned at DW...always promised wife we'd visit DisneyLand someday). From Anaheim to Joshua Tree NP, a quick stops at Grand Canyon NP and then a visit to Durango, CO. Finishing with 3 days of travel to Ohio Amish country for a brief visit and rest, then returning home. Combination of NP/SP campgrounds, Harvest Host locations and private RV resorts. 6284 planned towing miles.

 

[Adventurous Traveler]

Jayco, sounds like a great trip. Custer SP is great, as is the entire Mt. Rushmore surrounding region. When we were in Yosemite two years ago, the crowds were almost overwhelming. This was especially true, taking the park buses from stop to stop packed to the gills with people from all over the world, and yes, many from countries that don't use deodorant. We were also disappointed that none of the sit-down restaurants in the park were open, only the cafeteria type selling pre-made sandwiches and the like. No place to grab a beer. For the effort to get there (two-lane mountain roads), we were overall disappointed with our Yosemite experience.

 

[JaycoLovers]

Jayco, sounds like a great trip. Custer SP is great, as is the entire Mt. Rushmore surrounding region. When we were in Yosemite two years ago, the crowds were almost overwhelming. This was especially true, taking the park buses from stop to stop packed to the gills with people from all over the world, and yes, many from countries that don't use deodorant. We were also disappointed that none of the sit-down restaurants in the park were open, only the cafeteria type selling pre-made sandwiches and the like. No place to grab a beer. For the effort to get there (two-lane mountain roads), we were overall disappointed with our Yosemite experience.

Oh, that's disappointing to hear. We are staying in Wawona CG. We plan to tour the Yosemite Valley area of the park on e-bikes. We are starting to research where we can park our tow vehicle close to the Valley area and put out our bikes from there. If necessary, we can ride from Wawona Campground and enter the Valley area through Tunnel View though that will mean biking the 19 miles from Wawona to the Tunnel View entrance, then back at the end of the day...but we are not going to miss riding through the Yosemite Valley on bikes. It's been a dream of ours for many years.
Totally agree with you on Custer area. We visited 20 years ago...our first long distance trip when we camped with our 3 (now adult) sons. We've been looking forward to going back and checking things out again. Gotta see the progress on Crazy Horse Monument.

 

[bigb56]

New Mexico in a couple weeks for 10 or 11 days then later this summer to the CA. coast and possibly all the way up to the PNW. It would be our longest trip and the only hitch is finding someone to care for our house.

 

[NY_Dutch]

What park is that, Dutch?

We are heading across the country again from WNY. The trip started with a reservation at Glacier NP (St. Mary's, MT). We backfilled the trip to include my wife's cousin's wedding outside of Joliet, Illinois, Wisconsin shore on Lake Michigan, Milwaukee, Wisconsin Dells, Fargo, and Teddy Roosevelt NP before Glacier.

We originally were going to cross into Canada to visit Jasper and Calgary, but instead decided to extend our trip westward to take in Oregon and the Willamette Valley wine region, then down to Crater Lake NP. Heading back East, we plan to stay several days in Cheyenne, WY, the Little Bighorn Battlefield, and maybe a day or so in Yellowstone.

From Wyoming heading East, we're gonna fill in the blanks daily as we motor back towards home.

Looks like a great trip! We'll be at Gilbert Lake State Park near Oneonta, NY. The park is only about 20 minutes from our granddaughter's house, so they keep an eye on us when we're there. We have the same site (#1) reserved for all three stays. Sadly, this may be our last season before leaving the RV world.

 

[LarsMac]

Well, Finally, I have a fully functional RV and ready to roll.
I am heading south for a while. My uncle in Georgia is celebrating 90 years in July, and there are a number of other relatives to whom I owe a visit.
Then, I am going to head across the country up to Washington, and visit the Olympic peninsula for the first time, and work my way south, visiting relatives, friends and former co-workers, on my way down to southern Arizona, where I hope to winter.

 

[Firstime RVer]

So far we've planned to go to Henelopin state park in delaware and a
site near the Delaware water gap in Pa, mystic seaport in Ct , fairfax, vt, and the Finger lakes in NY.
And thats just the beginning.
Safe travels and all the best.

 

[Boat Bum]

First trip is this coming Saturday to Sea Vu campground in Wells Maine.

You may recall my post about failing inspection for rear passenger side sway bar bracket missing and inop windshield washer. The bottom bolt of the bracket was sheared off just below the surface. The estimate to fix was over $1300. I fixed it myself for under $45.

 

[DonTom]

The only planned trip so far is 2 weeks at Big Lake in the White mountains of AZ. in July. It is at 9100' so it should be pretty nice temp wise.

That looks like an interesting July AZ destination

A place I have never been to. Is an advance reservation required for there? And anything else you can tell me? How are the roads to get there?

-Don- Auburn, CA

 

[Adventurous Traveler]

and the Finger lakes in NY.

Firstimer, any idea where in the Finger Lakes?

 

[dave541]

A big loop up the Oregon Coast and then down the east side of the Cascades. We have made the same trip before in the opposite direction. Then local stuff.

 

[Firstime RVer]

Firstimer, any idea where in the Finger Lakes?

Over the years we've stayed at a number of locations. Have got to say we were pleased with every one.
I would suggest you decide what activities you would like and decide on a campground nearby.
We've stayed near Corning at a Yogi Bear RV Park (which was very nice with full hookups, reasonable prices, and a good location) and visited the Corning Glass works museum.

Jellystone Park of the Finger Lakes
5932 County Route 11, Bath, NY 14810

Plan on the better part of the day for that one. There is an Aircraft museum nearby as well.
Wineries and breweries are everywhere and are very well run.
Watkins Glen is another spot worth visiting. You can easily spend half a day strolling thru the gorge.
You might just want to consider the spots you would like to visit and select a site nearby.

Safe travels and all the best.

 

[Wasillaguy]

Prepping for a trail ride with the kids/grandkids. Maybe next weekend if wx is nice. I'll be on my trusty 30 yr old King Quad, wife will ride in my son's modified golf cart. All the kids have dirt bikes.
Eklutna Lakeside Trail runs 13 miles back to the glacier, along the eastern shore of the lake, in the Chugach Mountains.

 

[Adventurous Traveler]

I asked about the Finger Lakes because my DW and I visit the entire region several times each summer. For Corning, there is a C.O.E. campground 15 miles away down I-15 in PA that is one of our favorite campgrounds, Cowanesque Lake; Corps Lakes Gateway: Pennsylvania - Cowanesque Lake. It's an easy 15-minute drive into Corning. You can also visit Wellsboro, PA, from Cowanesque. A very charming, beautiful town with a grass-lined center median with gas lamps that stay on all day.

Our favorite Finger Lakes region is Keuka Lake. We stay at Camp Elmbois, WWW Camp Elmbois.Com. Small private campground with 22 sites around two ponds. This place is truly an oasis in the hills of the West side of Keuka Lake. The owners are about as nice of campground owners you'll ever find. We are heading there in a couple of weeks for Memorial Day Wknd.

Within three miles of Camp Elmbois, there are several high-end Finger Lakes wineries such as Heron Hill and Point of the Bluff Winery. Also, there are two breweries, Keuka Lake Brewing (literally around the corner from the CG), and one of our favorites anywhere, Stueban Brewing. All four of these locations offer some great music on the weekends. Also within the same distance are three distilleries, each being very unique. You are less than a 10-minute drive to the charming small town of Hammondsport, offering several great dining options like The Tavern (owned by a former Michelin-rated chef).

There is also a great state park on Keuka Lake, Keuka Lake State Park, reservable through Reserve America, if you can get in without a reservation months in advance. If we can get a res at KLSP will spend time at Elmbois to cover one side of the lake, then with our stay at the state park will take in Penn Yan and another great brew pub, Laurentide Brewing Company.

One of our must-do Finger Lakes adventures is to visit Sampson State Park (Reserve America) on the East side of Seneca Lake. Well over 200 huge sites with electric only. From here, we love going into Geneva, NY, eight miles away, for dinners and entertainment. Head along route 96A to 414 and tour some incredible wineries and brew pubs, and end up in Watkins Glen for a bite to eat. If time permits, head up Route 14 on the West side of the lake to take in more wineries (over 60 around the lake), heading back into Geneva.

We finish our camping season every year at Robert Treman State Park in Ithaca. Small town Ithaca is a miniature culture and eclectic scene, like maybe Toronto or New York. Robert Treman has a hike worth taking if capable, with awesome waterfalls and trails, about 4 1/2 miles total, with one area taking you up almost 300 steps in a row. Buttermilk Falls, 3 miles down the road from Trema, offers one of the most scenic Instagram picture waterfalls in New York State. Here is a half-mile hike up one side of the waterfall gorge that will test the fittest, then a more gentle pathway walk down along the other side. From Buttermilk, follow Rt.89 to Taughannock Falls SP for a leisurely hike to the 200-foot-high falls, one of the tallest falls East of the Mississippi.

These are just some highlights of places to go in the Finger Lakes Region of New York.

 

[Gr8bawana]

That looks like an interesting July AZ destination

A place I have never been to. Is an advance reservation required for there? And anything else you can tell me? How are the roads to get there?

-Don- Auburn, CA

Yes the forest service campgrounds do require reservations. The newest campground has full hook-ups and they are booked up until mid Sept. when it all goes to FCFS camping.
We went with no hook-ups as those were the only ones available for our dates.
The roads are very good now, they used to be gravel up until about 5 years ago.
It's a nice fishing lake and the scenery is awesome. There is a lot of boondocking in the surrounding area that gets used a lot during the fall hunting seasons.