Taking the Kids: Tips for the first time RVers this fall

“We saw tons of animals. One night an elk and bison came into our camp in Yellowstone,” said Branden Greathouse, 10, RVing for the first time with his family from Northern California to Yellowstone. “And every chance we could, we got to jump on our bikes, because we could bring them along.”

Scooters, too, said Cam Feirabend, 13, who is from Minnesota and every summer takes a long trip with his family pulling their 23-foot trailer.

“The best part is being outdoors with no responsibilities,” said Pearl Olson, 12, from Wyoming. That’s the best treat, she added – better than homemade pie or ice cream.

“And you are surrounded by nature!” said Ella Wilson, 12, a Coloradan.

Another plus: Bringing your pet. “ We take our cat with us,” said Brittaney Clay, from Little Rock, whose family are fans of KOA campgrounds. “She loves riding on the motorhome dash. You should see the looks we get from other cars!”

Some RVing kids point out that fall is a great time for a trip because it is cooler and pesky bugs are gone. “It’s pretty in the fall,” with leaves changing color, added Maggie Wilson, 12, who also lives in Northern Colorado where the foliage is spectacular.

If you are thinking about an RV trip this year, RVers and those in the travel industry suggest, make reservations. As with so many more RVers, it can be harder to get an RV reservation than one in a hotel.

Make sure you know how everything works — our first night out it was literally freezing and we couldn’t get the heat to turn on. (A good resource is the KOA blog with camping and RVing hacks.) Most important, experienced RVers suggest, be mindful of the tight space (half-size fridge) when packing food and gear. “Remember there will be grocery stores where you are going!” said Luke Feirabend, a teacher from Minnesota. Speaking of food, families say, opt for what’s easy. “Spaghetti is always my favorite,” said Olivia, 10, from Nevada, who camps with her extended family in their campers near Grand Teton National Park every summer.

For those who just want to enjoy the outdoors without driving, Outdoorsy may be able to deliver an RV — and hook it up — to a campground for you (for a fee). Blacksford is a new recreational vehicle rental business offering fully-stocked Mercedes-Benz Sprinter overland adventure vehicles from Winnebago with an all-inclusive pricing model that includes unlimited miles, no generator fees, bedding, bath, and kitchen supplies, free Wi-Fi, a free annual pass to national parks, and 24-hour roadside assistance now available at airports in Las Vegas and Bozeman, Montana, starting at $199. (The company also connects travelers with vetted campsites, guides, and other attractions.)

The Dunavants, for their part, decided it made more economic sense to buy an RV for such a long trip. Originally, they thought they would sell it when they got home. But now, says Rebecca Dunavant, “We’re in no hurry.”

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(For more Taking the Kids, visit www.takingthekids.com and also follow TakingTheKids on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram where Eileen Ogintz welcomes your questions and comments. The Kid’s Guide to Philadelphia, the 13th in the kid’s guide series, was published in 2020, with The Kid’s Guide to Camping coming in 2021.)