The RV Atlas Podcast

On this week’s episode of The RV Atlas Podcast, we head to eastern Massachusetts for a campground review that surprised us in all the best ways. Jeremy recently spent several days at Spacious Skies Minuteman, a wooded campground in Littleton, Massachusetts that serves as an ideal basecamp for exploring Boston, Lexington, Concord, Walden Pond, and some of the most important sites in American history. What began as a quick New England getaway quickly turned into a reminder of why we fell in love with RV travel in the first place. Beautiful campsites, towering trees, fascinating history, charming New England towns, and easy access to one of America’s greatest cities make this campground a standout destination for RVers looking to combine outdoor relaxation with cultural exploration. To listen to our review of Spacious Skies Minuteman please click on the media player above--or subscribe to the RV Atlas wherever you get your favorite shows! Why We Keep Coming Back to New England There’s something special about New England in the summer. The forests feel different. The small towns feel different. The history feels alive. For years, our family spent much of our summer RV time exploring destinations like Cape Cod, Acadia National Park, and coastal Maine. While recent years have taken us farther west to places like Yellowstone and beyond, this trip was a reminder of just how much we love the Northeast. In fact, the experience left us wondering why we had stayed away for so long. A Perfect Location for Exploring Eastern Massachusetts Spacious Skies Minuteman is located in Littleton, Massachusetts, northwest of Boston. The location works on multiple levels. Some campers use it as a convenient overnight stop while traveling through New England. Others use it as a dedicated Boston basecamp. But what really impressed us was how much there is to explore right outside the city. Nearby attractions include: Boston Concord Lexington Walden Pond Minute Man National Historical Park Most of these destinations are within about 20 to 30 minutes of the campground. That means you can spend your days exploring history, museums, restaurants, and cultural attractions, then return each evening to a quiet wooded campsite. Easy Access to Boston Without the Headache One of the campground’s biggest strengths is its connection to Boston. The staff have become experts at helping RVers navigate the city. Every guest receives detailed instructions explaining: Public transportation options Park-and-ride locations Driving alternatives City access tips Whether you’re traveling in a Class C motorhome, a truck camper, or a larger towable RV, they can help you figure out the easiest way to reach the city. The general consensus? Skip the downtown parking headaches and use public transportation whenever possible. Many campers are able to reach Boston in about an hour without ever dealing with city traffic. The Campground Vibe: Private Campground Meets State Park What impressed us most about Spacious Skies Minuteman was the atmosphere. Technically, it’s a private campground. But it feels more like a state park. The campground is: Heavily wooded Quiet Natural Spacious Filled with mature trees Many campsites feel tucked into the forest rather than lined up in rows. The back-in sites near the rear of the campground are particularly impressive, offering large footprints and a tremendous amount of privacy.

RV Vacations Vs. Cruise Vacations For 12 years, we’ve made an RV podcast for RV people. We’ve driven all over North America with kids and dogs, chasing beach days, national parks, great food, and campfire nights. So when we tell you we did something wildly out of character last spring… we mean it. After a decade of spring break RV trips—Myrtle Beach, Charleston, and even one memorable spring break camping trip in Texas—we booked our first-ever cruise. We had never cruised as kids. We’d never cruised as adults. But the boys were cruise-curious (because how could they not be, with the commercials and the stories from friends?), and our spring break landed early in the calendar—right in that “South Carolina might still be brisk and the pools might not even be open” zone. So we tried it. And for an entire week, we couldn’t stop comparing it to RV travel. This isn’t a cruise review. We’re not cruise experts. This is simply what we learned when an RV family tried a classic spring break cruise—and why, even after a fun trip, we’re still firmly in the “RV vacation” camp as our family’s go-to for spring break each year! 1) RV vacations can be far more affordable Cruises can be expensive, especially with five people—and we’re not talking about luxury suites. Between the rooms (we booked two rooms so we’d have two bathrooms), add-ons, and general travel costs, the total number adds up fast. What really struck us is what that same amount of money can buy in the RV world. Depending on how you shop, one cruise vacation can equal a significant down payment on an RV—or even the full cost of a used pop-up or used travel trailer. And once you have the RV, you have a travel style that lets you control costs in a way cruising simply doesn’t. 2) Our RV setup is more comfortable than cruise ship rooms Cruise rooms were comfortable, but they’re small. RV travel has spoiled us: our own pillows, our own towels, more space to spread out, a kitchen, and a bathroom that actually feels more functional for a family than a cruise ship bathroom. The funny part is that RVing might be what made the cruise room feel manageable—because we’re used to small-space living. But if we’re choosing the most comfortable option for our family, RV travel wins. 3) We prefer the RV food situation On an RV trip, we get the best of both worlds: we can cook (Blackstone griddle, Weber grill—whatever fits the vibe) and still go out for great meals when we want to. On a cruise, you’re eating out for everything. That can be relaxing in one way—no meal planning—but it also means constant eating, constant temptation, and fewer opportunities to reset with simple, familiar food. For us, the quality also felt like a consistent “B+.” Totally fine. Totally edible. But not the same as picking our favorite restaurants in a place like Charleston and building the vacation around truly great meals--and making our own great meals whenever we want. 4) RV vacations are naturally more active On our spring break RV trips, we’re moving: walking, hiking, swimming, surfing, exploring towns, biking around campgrounds, and generally living outside. A cruise can be active if you make it active, but for our family it didn’t land that way. The rhythm felt more sedentary, and that’s not what we love most about vacation. RV vacations keep us naturally in motion. 5) Cruise pool culture is intense We’ve been to crowded resort campgrounds during spring break. We know what pool crowds look like. But cruise pool crowds were next-level. Chair saving, early morning competition for seats, and a vibe that felt more stressful than relaxing. On an RV trip, the pool is part of a bigger day. On a cruise ship day, it can feel like the center of the universe—becau...

On this week’s episode of The RV Atlas Podcast, we kicked off Season 12 (and celebrated the podcast’s 12th anniversary!) by talking directly to the newest members of the RV community—the RV Newbies. who just bought their first rig, are staring at it in the driveway with equal parts joy and trepidation, and are realizing that RVing has a real learning curve. We love the excitement of the newbie stage. We remember being RV Newbies quite vividly. That enthusiasm is part of the magic. It’s also the thing that can lead to some stressful decisions if you are not prepared. So we put together 28 Tips for RV Newbies, spread across two episodes. This week we’re sharing the first 13 tips—and we want you to think of these as your “calm, practical, take-a-deep-breath” checklist for getting through your first season with more confidence and less chaos. Tip 1: Start with only what you need (and add items with intention) This first tip for RV newbies came straight from Janet Piedmont in the RV Atlas Facebook Group, and it’s so perfectly stated that we’re adopting it as official policy: follow the “Stephanie School of Thought” and begin with only the essentials. Too much stuff makes loading and unloading stressful, and the “buy everything at once” approach is a guaranteed way to waste money—because, as an RV. newbie, you don’t actually know what you’ll use until you’ve camped a few times. There are true non-negotiables—things like a sewer hose, chocks, drinking water hose, and water pressure regulator. But beyond that, it’s easy to get sucked into a shopping spiral because every video and post makes it seem like you need a dedicated camping version of everything you already own. In reality, most RVers eventually build a hybrid setup that includes a few camping-specific pieces and a whole lot of “our favorite stuff from home.” Give yourself time to learn what your camping style really is before you buy the “nice-to-haves.” Tip 2: Camp close to home on your first trip (and treat it like a systems test) Your first trip is not the time to drive ten hours to the Great Smoky Mountains because the campground has a stone fireplace you saw on Instagram. The goal of trip #1 is to test everything: furnace, water, plumbing, electric, air conditioning, and all the “how does this work again?” systems that feel obvious after you’ve lived with them for a while. Camping close to home makes troubleshooting less stressful for an RV Newbie. If something leaks, breaks, or wasn’t winterized correctly, you’re not stuck far away from your house, a store, or your dealer. We’ve had that “water on the bathroom floor” moment. We’ve had the “pipe isn’t tightened” moment. And we’ve also taken a rig straight to a big destination only to discover something major was wrong—meaning we spent vacation time working around a problem instead of relaxing. Your first trip should be purposeful and forgiving. Tip 3: For your first trip, choose a private campground We love public campgrounds, but for trip #1, we strongly recommend a private campground (think KOA, Jellystone Park, Spacious Skies, or a solid mom-and-pop park). Private campgrounds are more likely to have full hookups (which you need for testing systems), wider roads, friendlier turning radiuses, and staff who actually expect to help RVers troubleshoot basic problems. At many public parks, you might have a wonderful camp host—or you might not. Rangers and staff at public parks aren’t necessarily RV experts, and helping you get your propane system to cooperate may not be in their wheelhouse. Private parks are built for RV customers, and that convenience is a big deal when you’re learning. Tip 4: Book a pull-through site for your first few trips We know back-in sites are often prettier.

Every December, we gather around the digital campfire to share our favorite camping and RV gift ideas of the year in our RV Atlas Holiday Gift Guide—and this tradition has become one of our most fun and most requested episodes of the year. Over time, listeners have come to expect a certain dynamic: the ongoing tug-of-war between the gear maximalist (that would be Jeremy) and the gear minimalist (that would be Stephanie). This balance has apparently become part of the charm. As one couple told us at the Hershey RV Show this fall, they love the gift guides because they get two totally different perspectives—the person who gets wildly excited about gear and the person who keeps us grounded and reminds everyone that sometimes, you really don’t need the fancy, new thing. This year’s list has three parts: Budget-friendly gifts Gifts for the RV itself Bougie gifts Here’s the complete 2026 RV Atlas Holiday Gift Guide, shared from the heart and filled with items we’ve used, tested, or fallen in love with enough to recommend to you. Budget-Friendly Gifts ($10–$60) RV Atlas Holiday Gift Guide Ozark Trail 7.5" Folding Knife — $9.97 at Walmart This year’s most surprising gift recommendation comes from Walmart’s Ozark Trail line—a 7.5-inch slide-lock folding knife that looks and feels far more expensive than it is. This knife went viral among everyday-carry fans because it resembles high-end models from brands like Benchmade, yet costs under ten dollars. The ball-bearing action is smooth, the blade is sturdy, and the overall design feels substantial without being bulky. It’s a perfect stocking stuffer for any responsible camper who appreciates a good tool. Swiss Tech “Lodern” Fire Starting Kit — $29.95 This fire-starting kit from Swiss Tech includes a fixed-blade knife, a tinder scraper, a magnesium block, a flint sparker, a belt pouch, and best of all, an extendable pocket bellows that supercharges any campfire. Pocket bellows alone often cost nearly as much as this whole kit, so the value is excellent. Pair it with a kids’ camping journal and you’ve got the perfect “junior adventurer” bundle. Let’s Go Camping: A Journal & Logbook for Kids — $7 Packed with activities that teach kids about wildlife, hiking basics, campfire safety, etiquette, and more, this journal is a wonderful way to engage young campers at home or at the campground. Rainy day? Quiet time? Counting down to the next trip? This book gives kids something meaningful to do, blending fun with practical learning. Camp Craft Outdoors Waxed Canvas Skillet Bag — $24.95 This rugged waxed canvas skillet bag is one of those practical luxuries campers don’t buy for themselves—but love to receive. Perfect for cast iron cooks, the bag keeps soot, seasoning, and grease from transferring to the rest of your camping gear. Sturdy, handsome, and as useful as it is giftable. Route 66 Cookbook by Linda Lee — $25 Part travelogue, part cookbook, part Americana history, this beautifully photographed book compiles real recipes from real Route 66 institutions—diners, soda fountains, cafes, and roadside stops. With the 100th anniversary of Route 66 in 2026, this makes a meaningful and timely gift for anyone who loves nostalgia, road trips, or American food culture. Blackstone Griddle Camping Cookbook by Cheri Reneé — $20 Cherii's newest cookbook focuses on approachable, low-ingredient camping meals designed specifically for Blackstone cooking. Handheld breakfasts, snackable sides, hearty mains, and camp-friendly desserts—this book is practical, delicious, and filled with flexible variations. Great for anyone with a backyard Blackstone or a small camping griddle. My First Book of Hiking $6.

On this week’s episode of The RV Atlas Podcast, we turned our attention to a topic that so many RVers eventually face: how to thoughtfully add a dog to an RVing and camping lifestyle. This episode was born from two things, questions we've seen time and time again in the RV Atlas Facebook group, and our own family’s emotional journey after losing our beloved Maggie in September. Maggie camped with us for well over a decade. She was the dog who lived for the campground—she’d leap into the truck long before we were ready to leave and lived her happiest life on the road. We dedicated one of our books to her, and it felt right to dedicate this conversation to her, too. This isn’t just an episode about how to camp with a dog—there are tons of resources for that. This is about something deeper and more foundational: How do you choose the right dog for an RVing family? How do you find a match that fits your lifestyle, protects the dog’s well-being, and sets both your family and your future furry friend up for success? Here are some of our own tips for this journey, shaped by our own experiences and the insightful comments shared by members of our Facebook community. Understanding What Kind of Dog Fits Your Camping Lifestyle A common question that pops up in RV groups is: “What kind of dog should we get?” And a very common answer online is usually: “Rescue is the best breed.” And while we strongly believe in rescuing (we’ve been involved in animal rescue our entire lives), simply “getting any rescue dog” is not the full story. It’s okay—and important—to think carefully about breed, size, temperament, and energy level, especially when you’re an RVing family. Breed Characteristics Matter When we adopted Maggie, we intentionally looked for a working dog breed because: We wanted a dog who would stay close and not wander (no hounds catching scents and disappearing). We wanted a dog that could handle a solid range of temperatures. We wanted a dog with stamina to hike miles with us. We wanted a dog that wouldn’t be anxious in new environments. All of that lined up beautifully with who Maggie became in our family. Size Matters Too Not every dog fits every RV. A big dog in a tiny Class B can be stressful. A small dog in a fifth wheel might be perfect. Think about: Where the dog will sit in the tow vehicle Whether you have kids sharing the backseat Where a crate will fit inside your RV Whether you have space for multiple pets if you ever expand your fur family Reactivity and Temperament Campgrounds are full of: Kids Bikes Wildlife Golf carts Other dogs (over 50% of RVers camp with one) If you choose a dog who struggles with constant stimulation or new environments, every trip can become challenging. Why Foster-Based Rescues Are Ideal for RVers This is the part of the conversation we felt most passionate about. Rescue doesn’t mean adopting blindly. It means adopting thoughtfully. Rescue dogs in shelters can be overwhelmed, anxious, or shut down—making it hard to see their true personalities. Foster dogs, by contrast, have already lived in a home, so you can ask very specific questions, like: How do they ride in the car? Are they crate trained? How do they behave with kids?