Table of contents for Issue 3: January 2021 in RV Destinations Magazine

Do aliens really exist? If you ask the residents of Roswell, New Mexico, you certainly might think they do. This mid-sized city of about 50,000 residents made national news in 1947, when the Roswell Army Air Field put out a press release to the Daily Record that they’d captured a flying saucer. The very next day, however, they retracted the statement and claimed it was actually nothing more than a weather balloon. From this, the greatest story in U.S. history of aliens, UFOs and government cover-up was born: The Roswell Experience. Which side of the story is true? We’ll let you decide. But we discovered that the residents of this town have fully embraced the myth that put them on the map. You must do your due diligence to determine…

Most people east of the Mississippi have heard of Pigeon Forge Tennessee. It is a popular tourist destination for families, honeymooners, outdoor lovers, spring breakers and just about anyone else. To say that there is something for everyone is almost an understatement for this area of the country. Living as we do within several hours of the Great Smoky Mountains, Pigeon Forge has been a long weekend getaway of ours for many, many years. What I love the most about heading to the Smoky’s is that every trip has been completely different from the one before. We have our favorite places to visit, of course, but every trip has been unique. The area is expansive and encompasses Pigeon Forge TN, Gatlinburg TN, Smoky Mountain National Park, Sevierville, TN and Cherokee,…

Sit back matey, for I am about to spin you a fantastical tale. A tale full of magical sea creatures, swashbuckling pirates, legends of the deep, pirate booty and even a love story powerful enough to bring two feuding bands of misfits together. The tale begins out on the high seas with Blackbeard and his quartermaster, Calico Jack. Dueling crews are the least of their worries as they learn about a treasure protected by none other than Davy Jones. How can they ever get their hands on that treasure? Davy Jones reveals the secret to the treasure; the team that proves themselves to be the best is the worthiest of the treasure. Blackbeard makes it clear and Calico Jack gets the message out to the crew; let the games begin.…

If you want a break from Pigeon Forge’s usual busyness and feel like taking on a beautiful scenic drive, hop on route 441, which cuts straight through Smoky Mountain National Park. This road twists and turns through the Smoky Mountain wilderness while climbing up 6,644 feet to the top at Clingmans Dome, Tennessee’s highest point. You then descend the other side and eventually end up in the charming little town of Cherokee, North Carolina. Driving route 441 should undoubtedly be on everyone’s bucket list, especially first-time visitors to the park. Arguably one of the best drives in the area, you pass through some of the most stunning scenery the park has to offer, following the Walker Camp Prong and West Prong Little Pigeon rivers. However, there is another road less…

Step outside your comfort zone—from the familiar sights and sounds of conventional RV America—into a desolate land rich with rarity. Niland, California, and its neighboring Imperial Valley towns are a perfect paradox: deserted, still, eerily tranquil, yet alive and rich with hot springs, oases, and offbeat wonders. The stark landscape of the Sonoran Desert beckons the naturalist, hiker and off-roader to explore. Rough though it may be, the closer you look, the more you see. Desert beauty abounds with wildflowers, mountains and rock formations, explosive sunsets, and vast viewpoints as far as the eye can see. Our quest for a winter retreat with more land and fewer people, more wilderness and less brick and mortar, brought us to Niland. We loved it so much that we returned the following year.…

Gulf Waters Beach Front RV Resort in the winter. Very nice beachfront campground in Port Aransas, Texas. Across the boardwalk is about 20 miles of beach. It’s south of town, so the beach isn’t too busy. You can also drive your car over there. It’s my favorite winter-time spot. —S. Martin, Harrah, OK Summit RV Resort in New Braunfels, Texas. The sites are roomy, and the amenities are superb with river access for floating. Nice place and great owners. —J. Free, Harker Heights, TX Hilton Head Harbor RV Resort and Marina. —Karen E., Augusta, GA Henrys Lake State Park in Island Park Idaho is a highly affordable waterfront location. It’s convenient to both Yellowstone Lake State Park and the Grand Teton National Park. —P. Rubin, Hideout, UT So far, my…

There’s something extraordinary about heading out on a road trip. You pack your luggage carefully and strategically, like a game of Tetris. Snacks are at hand; music and navigation queued up. Shoes are typically kicked off, and hopefully, one last trip to the bathroom is taken by all. Excitement for the journey is just as great as the destination itself. That’s how we see it, anyway. Hi, I’m Alexa, the Senior Content Marketing Strategist at RVshare. RVshare is the world’s first and largest peer-to-peer RV rental marketplace. We connect RV owners wanting to make some extra income, who are also passionate about sharing their love of RVing with renters. As a community, we love exploring new places. Today, I’m going to share with you one of my favorite destinations to…

For all the times we have visited Pigeon Forge over the years, we had never visited Dollywood until this trip. Coming into town, I saw billboards advertising reduced rates after 5:00pm and with their LumiNights being in full swing, it seemed like a great time to visit the park. Nestled in the Smoky Mountains, and playing to the terrain, Dollywood is home to a theme park, water park, hotel and even cabins. I have been to my share of theme parks over the years. Growing up in mid-Ohio, I had options just a couple hours to the north and south so a lot of summers were spent at theme parks. I’ve always loved a good roller coaster, fair-style games and over-priced, but delicious, theme park food. There is something nostalgic…

With over 150 different trails that stretch 800 miles, The Great Smoky Mountain National Park (GSMNP) is an absolute hiker’s utopia. It’s one of the most biodiverse ecosystems in all national parks, with over 1,600 species of plants, 100 species of trees, 65 different mammals and over 200 birds. The park is one of nature’s incredible paradises. With such diversity, you can imagine that there are some fantastic hikes within the park. Whether you take a short hour stroll or you spend several days hiking on the wildly popular Appalachian Trail, GSMNP won’t disappoint. While there is an over-abundance of spectacular hikes in the park for you to choose from, Abrams Fall Trail is one of our favorites. Getting to the trailhead’s parking lot, located off of Cades Cove Loop…

There are so many great camping options in and around the Smoky Mountains and Pigeon Forge. Campgrounds range from basic to amenities galore and campgrounds can be found right off the main strip or off the beaten path. There are options inside the national park as well, like Elkmont, which is nestled along the river and hidden among the trees. Having visited this area many times over the years, we have stayed at quite a few different campgrounds. Here are a few of those. Up the Creek RV Camp is located about four miles off the main strip in Pigeon Forge, but it feels worlds away. This quiet park is nestled between two creeks and offers large and private sites. Sites are flat and some are paved with a concrete…

What I’m about to say is an uncharacteristically bold statement. I’ve visited every state in my life’s journey, so I feel qualified to make such an assessment. Here goes. Sedona, Arizona, might be one of the most beautiful places in the United States, certainly landing in the top 5 in the lower 48. It’s a magical place of mild (relatively speaking) Arizona weather, stunning red-rock buttes, and beautifully designed shops and galleries. The area attracts hikers, bikers, off-road enthusiasts, photographers and all sorts of open-air adventure seekers. If outdoor thrill-seeking is not your cup of tea, you can visit one of the countless spas, take a scenic drive through one of the most beautiful landscapes, or shop ‘til you drop at one of the hundreds of local gift shops or…

NIAGARA FALLS NEW YORK | ONTARIO With 750,000 gallons of water plunging over the three separate falls every second, it’s easy to see why Niagara Falls has been such an attraction and is one of the seven wonders of the world. It’s not the tallest in the world, or even in New York, but one look makes it obvious why millions of people flock here every year to witness the breathtaking beauty and splendor. You can easily take an entire day to marvel at just the falls, so a week or more will allow you to fit in everything there is to do and experience with all your senses. There are two cities named Niagara Falls, both of which lie on either side of the border shared with the United…

Situated on the eastern flank of Pikes Peak in Manitou Springs, Colorado, lies the Manitou Incline: a hike that’s a staple amongst Coloradans and tourists alike. Most commonly referred to as “The Incline,” this hike is unique, challenging and guaranteed to check your fitness level. Rated as hard to extreme, the Incline gains more than 2,000 feet of elevation in just 0.88 miles by way of old railroad ties—2,744 of them. Think of it as an outdoor stair master. With an average grade of 41% (and 68% at its steepest), your heart rate is sure to spike. The summit sits at 8,590 feet above sea level and provides stunning views of Manitou Springs, Colorado Springs and the Eastern Plains. And if you start early enough, a spectacular sunrise awaits you.…

Suppose you are in Pigeon Forge and have visited all museums, shops and dinner theaters you can handle and you’re searching for something a little different to do. Taking a helicopter ride over Smoky Mountain National Park might fit the bill. This is exactly where we were when we decided to take a helicopter tour during our last trip to Pigeon Forge. While there are a couple of companies offering such tours, we elected to go with Scenic Helicopter Tours. Scenic Helicopter Tours offers nine different flights ranging from a 5-minute, 8 miles “River Ride” flight up to a 25-minute, 50 miles “National Park Tour.” The company has been in operation since 1972 and is the only company grandfathered in by the National Park to fly at any elevation over…

Nestled high upon the hills (and I do mean high!) and located just behind Dollywood in Pigeon Forge, Parrot Mountain is home to hundreds of exotic birds. This was a new stop for us on our Pigeon Forge adventure; we had set out to try new and different things and we were not disappointed. This truly unique bird sanctuary sits among beautiful gardens and buildings straight out of a Thomas Kinkade painting. It’s a beautiful, relaxing place to visit as well as learn something about some gorgeous, intelligent creatures. We learned from signage that many of the birds now living in Parrot Mountain were once neglected, abused, sick or unable to be cared for by their owners. Immediately upon entering, you find exotic birds of all sorts perched on trees…

We’ve only ever so slightly scratched the surface of Pigeon Forge and Smoky Mountain National Park. There is still so much more to see and do in Cherokee, North Carolina, Sevierville, Tennessee and Gatlinburg, Tennessee; we’ll save that for another time. This is a popular tourist destination for many people and with that comes a lot of traffic and long lines. If you want to visit during a quieter season, try January through March. Most campgrounds are open, just check ahead of time if you need water hook-up as some campgrounds may shut off water during colder weather. Weather during these months can bring colder temperatures and snow in the mountains although we have enjoyed some 50-degree days in mid-February in the past. There is a vacation to be had…

Last issue I dove into some tips and tricks about how to use a cell phone camera to capture some great images. Being a professional photographer, leaving my DSLR camera at home and just taking my cell phone to capture images on our trips was scary and liberating. Being newer to cell phone photography, I am always looking for ways to improve my images. Recently, we connected with an Instagrammer who takes some seriously stunning images – all with his cell phone. What does it take to get some truly jaw dropping images with your cell phone? We interviewed Kamil Radziszewski (Roy.Coffee83 on Instagram) to find out. RVD: What made you take the leap into cell phone photography? Kamil: During my first trip to the United States, I brought a…