Subscribers RV Travel Newsletter for Saturday, July 4, 2026

America’s Original RV Newsletter. Since 2001
Issue 1268
Ads have been removed in this newsletter
for our much-appreciated volunteer paid subscribers.

Today’s thought 

“May we think of freedom not as the right to do as we please, but as the opportunity to do what is right.” —Peter Marshall

REMEMBER: Fireworks of all kinds are illegal on BLM public lands. Dry summer conditions mean fire hazards are extremely high. One spark can lead to devastating wildfires.

Thank you for joining us on Independence Day, when we celebrate the birthday of the United States of America!

Before we continue on, a word from Miss Kate Smith
(from Nov. 11, 1956)

Featured news

National Park staff may no longer reveal visitor deaths, report says
The Department of the Interior has changed how the National Park Service and other federal land agencies communicate after fatal incidents. Under an internal policy, park employees are no longer permitted to publicly confirm a death or discuss the severity of injuries. Instead, they may acknowledge that an incident occurred… Continue reading.

State parks across U.S. implement changes that affect RVers
If you’re still planning your RV trips this summer, keep in mind that several state park systems have announced changes that could affect where you camp, how you make reservations, and what to expect when you arrive. Here’s a roundup of some important recent developments.

Gas prices ease ahead of July 4 holiday
RVers and other motorists planning Fourth of July road trips are getting some welcome relief at the gas pump after weeks of steadily declining fuel prices. According to AAA, the national average price for a gallon of regular gasoline has fallen to about $3.86, down roughly 53 cents from a month ago. Continue reading.

Patrick and Lippert are merging after all. Here’s what it could mean for RV owners
Just two months after merger talks unexpectedly collapsed, two of the RV industry’s biggest suppliers say they’re getting back together after all. If approved, the all-stock merger would combine Patrick Industries and LCI Industries, better known as its Lippert brand. The companies supply many of the parts that go into today’s RVs. Here’s what that means for you.

Silverado 2027 pickups unveiled with revised lineup
General Motors has unveiled the redesigned 2027 Chevrolet Silverado, giving its full-size pickup updated styling, a new interior and a revised lineup of gasoline and diesel engines. The truck is expected to arrive at dealerships later this year, with pricing to be announced closer to launch. Here’s what you can expect.

Winnebago lowers yearly sales target as demand weakens
There aren’t a bunch of happy campers over at Winnebago Industries. The company has lowered its financial outlook for fiscal 2026 after reporting weaker third-quarter sales, citing slowing retail demand, cautious dealer ordering, and continued pressure in the towable RV market. Learn more.

Thinking about buying a used RV? The market may finally be shifting your way
New RV sales are slowing, wholesale prices are softening, and shoppers may have more room to negotiate than they’ve had in years. If you’ve been thinking about buying a used RV, this may be a good time to start shopping. Recent trends in used RV prices suggest buyers could finally have a little more room to negotiate.

RV review
2026 Alpine Avalanche Edition 381DL 5th wheel—an awesome lounge

Most rear-living fifth wheels give buyers a couple of chairs and call it a lounge. The 2026 Keystone Alpine Avalanche Edition 381DL takes a different path with two full sofas, room to stretch out, and guest sleeping that works for adults. It is also a wide-body, upper-deck fifth wheel that feels built for longer stays. That combination makes the 381DL easy to picture at a seasonal site, a lake lot, or as a couple’s rig with room for family visits. See what you think.

Beyond the headlines with Tony Barthel
Lippert–Patrick merger moves forward, Coachmen has new floors, and Forest River wants to hear from you

Patrick and Lippert have revived merger plans that could put much of the RV parts supply chain under one roof, raising questions about competition and pricing. Meanwhile, Coachmen is testing an innovative recycled-plastic flooring material that’s waterproof, mold-resistant, and fully recyclable. Plus, Forest River has expanded its customer service operation to make it easier for owners to get help when they need it. Here’s this week’s news recap.

Wildfire news for RVers

Wildfire season underway; RVers already feeling the impact
Large fires are burning across several Western states, and they can disrupt a trip long before you ever see flames. Smoke, road closures, campground closures and sudden evacuations often affect travelers well outside the immediate fire zone. Many travelers assume that if a wildfire is 50 or even 100 miles away, it won’t affect their trip. Unfortunately, that’s often not the case.

Wildfire update for July 4, 2026
Here is a quick rundown of the major fires and fire conditions affecting the most popular areas in the United States where RVers travel.

Fire restrictions spread across Western national parks and forests
Here’s a breakdown of all current fire restrictions in national parks and forests.

News briefs

Coachmen RV has partnered with Supersede to use Marine Board composite decking in the floors of Coachmen Catalina travel trailers. The recycled polypropylene material replaces plywood or OSB (oriented strand board) and is designed to resist moisture, rot, splintering and warping while maintaining structural strength. It is recyclable. (More details in Tony’s “Beyond the Headlines“.)

Dometic has unveiled a fully electric RV water heater that eliminates propane, reflecting growing interest in all-electric RV systems and lithium battery-powered camping.

Hipcamp has published its “50 Favorite Places to Camp in America Right Now” list, which is broken down by region. See if your favorite Hipcamp location made the list.

A 2026-27 budget proposal in the California legislature includes $3.59 million to operate a new Fort Ord Dunes State Park campground.

Nevada has created a new state park along nearly five miles of the Carson River in Churchill County, and officials are asking the public to help name it. The park will preserve historic sections of the California and Pony Express trails. Name suggestions are being accepted through July 15 before a public vote on finalists in August. Submit your name idea here.

The Department of the Interior is seeking public input to help identify long-distance biking trails. The DOI is tasked with identifying no fewer than 10 long-distance trails that make use of roads and trails already existing, and no fewer than 10 areas where there is an opportunity to develop or complete future long-distance biking trails.

Coachmen RV is bringing back its Concord Class C motorhome after several years off the market. The redesigned coach features updated styling, floorplans and technology.

Blue Compass RV announced it has sold its 250,000th RV, marking a major milestone for one of the nation’s largest dealership groups.

THE MORE YOU KNOW… Americans eat about 150 million hot dogs on the Fourth of July. That’s enough hot dogs to stretch from Washington, D.C., to Los Angeles more than five times!

Isle Royale National Park will temporarily close Duncan Narrows Campground from July 6–8 because of increasing human-wildlife interactions. Park officials say the closure is necessary for visitor safety as the island continues to see a high wolf population.

A proposal in the New Hampshire senate would prohibit smoking throughout Hampton Beach State Park, including the RV park, with signage required, but there would be no monetary fine.

Heavy rain in Southeastern Minnesota has caused flooding, campground closures, and trail damage at several state parks ahead of the holiday weekend. Beaver Creek Valley State Park is closed until further notice, while visitors to other parks are urged to check conditions before heading out.

Tesla delivered a much-stronger-than-expected second quarter, reporting 480,126 vehicle deliveries, well ahead of Wall Street forecasts of roughly 406,600. The company also produced 451,758 vehicles during the period, signaling a meaningful improvement after a slow start to the year. In that same quarter, RV manufacturers delivered a total of 75,009 wholesale units to dealers.

Grand Canyon National Park is asking for the public’s help identifying a man who damaged a historic Hopi headpiece inside the Desert View Watchtower after climbing onto historic furniture for a photo. The man and a woman believed to be his daughter left before rangers could identify them. Anyone with information is asked to contact park law enforcement.

Good news for Washington campers: On July 8, Olympic National Forest and Olympic National Park will reopen the Staircase Campground, Lake Cushman day-use areas, and several trailheads that closed after last year’s Bear Gulch Fire. The human-caused wildfire burned more than 20,000 acres and was the largest on the Olympic Peninsula since 1951.

There’s a new way to explore Golden Gate National Recreation Area. The new 13-mile Golden Gate Dozen Trail connects 12 national park sites across San Francisco, stretching from Crissy Field to Fort Funston. The route is now available on AllTrails and can be completed on foot or by bike.

Listen now: 8 hours of patriotic music for July 4th, plus history of our national anthem

By Gail Marsh
Want to get inspired as you shape your hamburger patties and mix up the ‘tater salad for your 4th of July celebration? Maybe you want some inspiration while getting ready to attend the fireworks celebration? If you answered “yes” to either question, I have the ultimate 4th of July music playlist for you. It’s eight hours of continuous patriotic music. (Plus, the history of our national anthem!) Click here to listen.

Tanner Toons
With Tanner Woods

Extreme weather

• 🔥 Hottest this weekend: The most dangerous heat will shift into the Midwest, Ohio Valley, Mid-Atlantic, and Northeast, where a powerful heat dome will send temperatures into the upper 90s to low 100s with heat index values between 105°F and 115°F. Major cities, including Washington, D.C., Philadelphia, New York City, and parts of the Great Lakes, will experience oppressive heat and humidity.
• 🥶 Coldest this weekend: Looking to escape the heat? Head for the Northern Rockies. The coolest weather in the Lower 48 will be in and around Yellowstone National Park, West Yellowstone, Montana, and the mountains of central Idaho. Afternoon highs will range from the mid-50s in Yellowstone’s higher elevations to the mid-70s in nearby mountain towns, while overnight lows will fall into the 30s and low 40s.

THE MORE YOU KNOW: Happy Birthday, Caesar Salad! The salad was created for the very first time 101 years ago on July 4, 1924, in Tijuana, Mexico. Caesar Cardini, the salad’s inventor, was an Italian immigrant, one of many in Mexico at the time. The restaurant remains famous and is still serving the Caesar salad today.

Reader poll
Will you do something today to celebrate the 4th of July?

Respond here.

FACTOID: Researchers in Barcelona found evidence that giraffes may be capable of simple math. In a study published in the journal Scientific Reports, researchers presented four giraffes at the Barcelona Zoo with two containers holding different numbers of carrot pieces. After watching researchers add or remove carrots, the giraffes chose the container with more carrots 68% of the time, which is better than would be expected by chance.

RV and RV-related recalls

• Tiffin is recalling certain 2026-2027 Zephyr, Wayfarer, Phaeton, Open Trail, GT1, Allegro Red, Allegro Open Road, Allegro Bus, Allegro Bay, 2026 Midas, Byway, and Allegro Breeze recreational vehicles equipped with certain MaxxAir N-Series Maxxfan rooftop ventilation fans. Here’s why.

Upcoming RV shows & seminars. Click here. 

Brain teaser

A fish lives at the bottom of a 30-foot lake. Each morning, it swims up three feet. At night, it floats down two feet. How many days will it take the fish to reach the surface?

(Answer in tomorrow’s Sunday RV Travel newsletter.)

Trivia

Many lizards can shed their tails to escape predators, a defense known as caudal autotomy. The detached tail often continues to twitch, jump and wiggle for several minutes, distracting the predator while the lizard escapes. This movement is fueled by stored energy, not the brain. Many lizards later regrow their tails, though the replacements are usually made of cartilage rather than bone and often look different from the original.

Laugh of the week

Top scams RVers should watch for right now

Summer travel is in full swing, and scammers are targeting people who are booking trips, driving long distances, and spending time outdoors. In addition, watch out for a Medicare scam. Here are three scams to watch for this week:

• Fake DMV and toll payment texts: Messages claim you owe an unpaid toll, parking ticket, or DMV fee and threaten penalties if you don’t pay immediately. The links lead to phishing websites designed to steal your payment information.
• Campground Wi-Fi login scams: Cybercriminals are setting up fake Wi-Fi networks at campgrounds, RV parks, and rest areas. Connecting to the wrong network—or entering your email or payment information into a fake login page—can expose your personal data.
• Fake vacation rental and campsite listings: Fraudsters continue posting nonexistent campsites, cabins, and RV rentals on social media and marketplace sites. They pressure travelers to send deposits through payment apps before disappearing.

Miss The Perfect Scam? Listen to the most recent episode here.

Today in history

Today’s weather forecast across the nation
THIS MAP UPDATES TWICE A DAY

• Current National Radar Weather Map
• National Interagency Fire Center (national wildfire activity)
• InciWeb (major fire information)
• AirNow (smoke and air quality)

RVtravel.com All Star Staff

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