Issue 1211
Ads have been removed in this newsletter
for our much-appreciated volunteer paid subscribers.
Today’s thought
“If we don’t change the direction we are headed, we will end up where we are going.” ―
Need an excuse to celebrate? Today is National Utah Day!
On this day in history: 1911 – The RMS Titanic is launched in Belfast, Northern Ireland.
Featured news
Harvest Hosts, long known for offering RVers unique overnight stays at farms, wineries, and other small businesses, now has a new competitor: RV Overnights. Recently backed by the Family RV Association, RV Overnights is pitching itself as a lower-cost alternative with a similar model—connecting travelers with host sites off the beaten path. But how do the two really compare when it comes to cost, perks, and ease of use? We take a closer look at the fine print, member experiences, and what RVers are really getting for their money.
With national parks and forests bracing for more staff layoffs, U.S. Rep. Joe Neguse has introduced two bills aimed at reversing recent workforce reductions and restoring critical staffing ahead of the busy summer season. The Protect Our Parks Act and the Save Our Forests Act would rehire employees whom President Trump’s “Department of Government Efficiency” (DOGE) initiative let go, after it caused sweeping cuts across public land agencies. Learn more.
Speaking of staff shortages… Visiting Idaho’s breathtaking Sawtooth National Recreation Area? You might be on your own. Ranger stations are closed, phones go unanswered, and essential permits are suddenly hard to get—all due to a wave of federal staff resignations and a controversial government program. Now, volunteers are racing to hold things together. Here’s what’s really happening behind the locked doors of one of America’s most iconic public lands.
BIG RECALL: Ford is recalling more than one million vehicles due to a defect affecting rearview cameras, which may fail to display properly when the vehicle is in reverse. This widespread issue, caused by a software error, impacts a broad range of 2021–2025 models and could significantly reduce driver visibility, increasing the risk of a crash. Learn more.
Lazydays RV, once a major player with 25 dealerships, is continuing to downsize amid mounting financial losses—$180 million in 2024 alone. Its Mesa, Arizona, location has now been sold to General RV Center, which sees the move as a strategic expansion. With only nine locations left and more sales pending, Lazydays is in full retreat while trying to frame the sell-offs as part of a turnaround plan. More info here.
While big travel stop company Love’s says it’s bringing several new locations on-line this year, the company is also revamping a number of their existing stops. Included on the list, six existing locations now offer full RV hookups. Seven other Love’s outlets are sprucing up in ways that might also be attractive to the RV crowd. What Love’s locations are adding RV hookups? Find out here.
BUMPER SNICKER: “If I’ve gone missing, I’ve gone camping.”
Campground crowding, comments & concerns
RVers discuss ‘entitled campers’; no regard for others at the campground
This week, we received a number of emails discussing things that irritate people when camping. In addition to those, Nanci Dixon mentions her biggest campground pet peeves (including pets😉), both as a traveler and from when she and her husband were camp hosts for several years. Would you like to vent about campground irritations that aren’t mentioned here?
DON’T MISS THE NEWS!
Did you know we send out a daily recap of the latest news for RVers? That’s right, you don’t have to wait for this newsletter every Saturday to stay up-to-date with the latest news. If you sign up, you’ll receive a short recap of that day’s news every Monday–Friday, delivered straight to your inbox. Learn more or subscribe to our Breaking RV News RSS feed.
More news
Way back in March 2024, we first reported on a lawsuit that hauled the National Park Service into court over a cash controversy. At the time, three U.S. citizens filed suit against the park service for the policy of not accepting cash payments for entry into some parks. Some 14 months later, the lawsuit is still dragging on. Here’s the current situation.
THE BEST? A family-owned campground nestled between Boston and Cape Cod has been named the best RV destination in the country. Normandy Farms in Foxborough, Massachusetts, claimed the top spot on USA Today’s newly released list of the 10 best RV campgrounds in America, part of the 2025 10Best Readers’ Choice Awards announced Wednesday.
Think you have what it takes to win a talent show? “Are you a virtuoso vocalist, a nimble-footed dancer, a masterful magician, a jovial juggler or can just back the heck out of a trailer?” That’s the question from RVTV and its latest promotion, which aims to shoot talented RVers to fame—and hand them a check for $5,000. You got it—it’s a talent show for RVers. Maybe you could win?
A growing safety concern is affecting several RV brands—collapsing detachable stairs. Multiple manufacturers have issued recalls for units equipped with MORryde removable step assemblies, and now Keystone RV Company has joined the list following reports of step failures on select models. Is your RV a part of this recall?
And speaking of recalls… If you’re following an Alliance-built RV down the highway, you may want to give it plenty of distance. Alliance RV is recalling certain 2023 Paradigm 295MK and Avenue 23RLS fifth wheels. The freshwater tank may be installed incorrectly, which can result in the tank detaching from the vehicle.
On June 7, 2025, Oregon will celebrate State Parks Day with free admission and camping at state parks, excluding cabins, yurts, and facility rentals. The annual event, organized by OPRD (Oregon Parks and Recreation Department) since 1998, thanks Oregonians for supporting the park system.
Times are challenging. Can you help again?
RVtravel.com readership has dropped dramatically. Why? Google no longer shows our stories in its search results, which has had a big impact on us. It’s the same story with a million other independent websites. We’re doing okay because of our loyal readers, but we are hugely challenged. If you haven’t contributed for awhile, would you please consider contributing again? It would really help. As a thank you, as you know, you’ll continue to receive our Saturday and Sunday newsletters ad-free, forever (which you’ll continue to receive without any further contributions—just to be clear). Thank you very much, and thank you for being a valued reader. We wouldn’t be here without you!
Reader poll
What kind of roads do you dislike driving the most?
MORE POLLS YOU MIGHT ENJOY:
- For long-time RVers: Is RVing today as enjoyable to you as it was 15 years ago?
- Does your RV have a spare tire?
- Do you consider someone who lives in an RV year-round in one location to be an ‘RVer’?
- If you get ‘bad vibes’ at an RV park, do you stay or leave?
Latest fuel prices
The latest U.S. average prices per gallon of fuel as of May 26, 2025:
Regular unleaded gasoline: $3.16. Down 1 cent from last week; down 42 cents from last year.
Diesel: $3.49. Down 5 cents from last week; down 27 cents from last year.
• The state with the most expensive gas: California, $4.82
• The state with the least expensive gas: Mississippi, $2.66
Upcoming RV shows & seminars. Click here.
Brain teaser
What is unusual about the following words: revive, banana, grammar, voodoo, assess, potato, dresser, uneven?
(Answer in tomorrow’s Sunday RV Travel newsletter.)
Trivia
California was named after a fictional island in a 16th century romance novel. The novel, Las Sergas de Esplandián, describes an island named California ruled by a Queen Calafia. The author, Rodríguez de Montalvo, was thought to have named the novel after the Arabic Khalif or Khalifa, but he may have also been influenced by the term “Califerne” in a French poem, The Song of Roland. When Spanish explorers first discovered California on the Baja Peninsula they thought the peninsula was an island similar to the one described in the novel. They named the land California.
Laugh of the week
The perfect scam
Reverse Mortgage Scam Leaves Chicago Families Fighting to Save Homes
Longtime homeowners on Chicago’s West Side trust Mark Diamond to help them access funds and carry out necessary home repairs. However, they are often unaware that they are entering into reverse mortgage agreements. The repairs are never completed, and Diamond disappears with the money, leaving families desperately struggling to save their homes from foreclosure.
Today in history
Today’s weather forecast across the nation
THIS MAP UPDATES TWICE A DAY
Visit Current National Radar Weather Map
Headed on an unfamiliar highway? Learn if it has low bridges you might not fit under.
RVtravel.com All Star Team
Click here for information about our staff and how to contact us.
I have Mexican friends who always called California “Khalifa”.
Mr. Diamond needs to go to the “Don Corleone” school of “Do what you promise”. Or you get an “Offer you can’t refuse”.
Re: Today’s Thought: “If you do not change direction, you may end up where you are heading.” was from Lao Tzu, presumably said before Ms Picoult paraphrased it.
He said a lot of cool things, like “The journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step”, and “A good traveler has no fixed plans and is not intent on arriving.”
I love to see families put down their cellphones, kids jumping, running, playing or riding there bikes. We as drivers in most RV parks speed limit is 5 mph for a reason. Yes, barking dogs are very annoying and usually people are oblivious to them, so I inform them when they come back your dog barked the whole time you were gone, they usually are very apologetic and try to do something to change the outcome tomarrow. They don’t know unless someone informs them. I ask my neighbors everyday if my dogs barked while I was gone. I can’t control what I don’t know. I pick up after my dogs, and I turn in anybody who doesn’t including the KOA Campground Host, they need to set the example.
Thank you, Emily and Diane! Another great issue! 🙂 Have a great weekend and safe travels!
Thanks, Neal. We hope you and Ginger and Weagle have a great weekend/week and safe travels, too! Have a good night.🤗 –Diane