Quebec Travel

Archive for June, 2009

Don’t worry – Lassen Volcanic National Park’s volcanoes aren’t going to explode and spill fiery doom all over you and your motor home. Although once a roaring caldron of magma, the volcanoes are now quiet and still. But, if you wander the park, you can still find among the pristine wilderness and pine forests some boiling pits of mud and steam hissing out of the cracks in the earth. These are just some of the attractions that make Lessen Volcanic National Park one of Northern California’s greatest RV destinations.

The park is located about 50 miles west of Redding, California in the northeastern corner of the state. It is about 180 miles from Reno, Nevada. Its location puts it right in the middle of some of America’s prettiest country, not far from the parks and wilderness areas of California, Oregon, Idaho and Montana.

What is there to do at the park?

There are more than 150 miles of hiking trails, which means that you will never walk it all, and the wide range of different scenery makes each hiking trail a real journey. The park is close enough to the Cascades and Sierras that you can see great views of the mountain ranges from some areas of the park. There are beautiful mountain lakes, as well as hydrothermal attractions you won’t find anywhere else. These include huge vents leading to the depths of the earth that discharge steam and volcanic gas; steam coming straight out of fissures in the ground; and boiling mud and water pools (they’re a little too hot for a dip!). At Lassen, you can really get close to what’s going on underneath the earth’s surface.

And what about the eruptions?

Of course there is always a possibility of a volcanic “event”, but there are a few things that should set your mind at ease. First off, although there was an eruption as recently as 1915, eruptions are few and far between at Lassen, occurring usually once every 10,000 years. Lassen is part of a volcanic corridor stretching from northern California up to Mount St. Helens, and there are occasionally small eruptions here and there. The other thing that should set your mind at ease is that there are a large number of scientists constantly keeping an eye on the park. They will definitely let you know well in advance if you shouldn’t park your motor home nearby.

There are lots of places to stay around Lassen Volcanic National Park. One of the best motor home sites in the area is Lassen Pines RV Park, located in McArthur, California. Lassen Pines is located in the Fall River Valley among the tall pines and juniper trees. It is a friendly, family-oriented campground with lots of RV sites. They also offer fishing, golfing, hiking, biking and other activities. You can find them online.

If you want to add some great fishing and hunting to your volcanic hikes, try Rancheria RV Park located on Lunker Lake, 36 miles from the park. Rancheria puts you close to other northern California attractions such as Hat Creek, the Pit River Casino and Subway Cave, as well as the fishing and hunting activities around the lake. The park has tent camping, cabins and motor home sites, from very rustic to fully equipped. Check them out online.

Lassen Volcanic National Park makes a great RV destination, or a wonderful stop along the way to any of northern California’s parks. It offers sightseeing and scenery that you won’t find anywhere else.

Here’s a surprise for you, something that nobody ever forgets – driving along the endless plains of South Dakota, up ahead you see rising out of the featureless plain, a range of mountains covered in pine trees. These are the legendary Black Hills of South Dakota and Wyoming, and they are full of great scenery and things to do.

The Black Hills and Badlands of South Dakota are some of the most popular motor home destinations in the country. It makes a great vacation spot, or stop along your way across the Great Plains to the Rockies and the Great American West beyond.

One of the sites that is a must-see in the Black Hills is Mount Rushmore. These masterfully carved faces in the mountain cliffs of our most esteemed former presidents are considered to be a monument to American democracy. We’ve all seen them in history textbooks and on TV, but there’s nothing like actually seeing them “face to face” to appreciate just how giant they are.

Another site of important historical significance is the Crazy Horse Memorial. This monument to another of history’s heroes includes a museum, shrine and memorial service to the great Sioux leader. It is important to the heritage of all North American Indians, as well as Americans of any ancestry.

If you want to get out and really see the majestic preponderance of pine forests up close, there’s no better way than the George S. Mickelson Trail. This trail was created in 1998, and winds itself 109 miles through the Black Hills. There are covered bridges, gentle slopes, and beautiful scenery. You can hike it or bike it, and there are lots of trailheads.

For those who want to get out and see the land in your motor home, the scenic drives of Custer State Park are ideal. There are a variety of roads that take you all over the Black Hills, where you can see its unique scenery and wildlife.

Finally, there is Badlands National Park, where you can see buttes and eroded rock formations that tell the ancient pre-history of this remarkable land. Some people have described the Badlands as otherworldly. Looking at some of these rock formations, you can’t believe that they were not formed by the hand of man. That is exactly the kind of unique beauty that makes the Badlands such a popular destination for motor home enthusiasts.

One of the best places to stay in the Black Hills/Badlands area is Lazy J RV Park and Campground, located just south of Rapid City. It is close enough to the city to be convenient, but outside of town enough that you’ll have mountains right at your doorstep. Best of all, it is family friendly and fully equipped for RVs. They also have a variety of activities for folks of any age.

Another great place is Beaver Lake Campground in Custer, South Dakota. They have sites for all different sized motor homes, and they are all big and shady. They also have a heated pool and waterslide for the kids to enjoy. Rates vary from $23 to $25.

If you want to have the Black Hills right at the door of your motor home, try Whispering Pines Campgrounds and Lodging in Rapid City. The campground is located right in between Mt. Rushmore and Deadwood, and the rates are very reasonable, ranging from $16 to $25. They accommodate RVs, campers and tents, and also have cabins for a more luxurious stay.

Vacations are usually something most people save up for and plan carefully. The goal is to have a memorable, fun vacation and, oftentimes, to see and do as much as you can fit in. Vacations are not a time to waste money on unnecessary service or items, but rather a time to research your trip and plan to save as much money as you can. If this sounds like your approach to vacationing, you may want to consider a road trip and even better, RV vacation. Road trips are one of the best vacations in which saving money is easier, and RVs offer the most convenient transportation choice for travel on road trips. Here are a few simple steps to make your RV holiday one of the most memorable, fun and cheapest vacations you have taken.

RVs come in a variety of sizes you can purchase, and which one you should choose depends on the number of people traveling and the types of accommodations you desire. One of the benefits of an RV is that you will save money on lodging during ever trip. You will also be able to take more personal items from home when traveling in an RV as compared to traveling in your car.

If you are traveling with children, you will probably face the challenge of keeping them entertained during the trip. RVs offer much more room than a car allowing children to play, spread their wings and roam around a little if they get bored. Some RVs include DVD players so the kids can watch movies or even possibly hook up their video games to the television.

Investing in an RV for your vacationing needs will help cut the cost of lodging, which will provide you extra money for other things you come across during your trip. Basically, you can take your family with you on your new “home on wheels” whether you want to go on a quick mountain getaway or a trip to the beach.

With a little research on vacation in an RV, you will find that there are many scenic places you and your family can experience along the way to your ultimate destination. For example, a family of four can go camping for a week at a national park or state forest. Campground fees, which are usually charged per night, camping gear and miscellaneous travel expenses will more than likely keep you under a $1,000 budget. You can bond with you family enjoying the beautiful outdoors during the day and enjoy the amenities of the RV at night.

Yellowstone National Park is popular vacation spot for RVing families, and you will find that it has plenty of entertainment and activities for your family. There are may other campgrounds and RV parks available, though. You will find them all throughout Canada and the United States, all offering ideal vacations for your family. A little research and planning will have you on your way to an unforgettable RV vacation with your family!