Arizona RV Golfing

Picture this... a challenging golf course only steps away from a welcoming, well-equipped RV campsite. If that sounds like vacation paradise to you, it's definitely time to plan a trip to at least one of Arizona's RV golf resorts. Arizona's diverse landscapes offer golfers who love to travel by RV amazingly beautiful surroundings and golf that's worth writing home about.

Here are some best bets for RV golfing in Arizona. Try them all, or pick a different one each year, but plan to park your motorhome in the Grand Canyon State soon for a great round of golf and enjoyable RV camping.

We-Ko-Pa Golf Course - Fort McDowell - Where else but Arizona could you play on two 18-hole championship golf courses surrounded by both Sonoran desert and mountain views? Just east of Scottsdale, this course is on land owned by the Fort McDowell Yavapai Nation, where you'll also find Eagle View RV Resort, a unique RV camping experience.

Circle Pines KOA - Williams - Head down Route 66 to historic Williams, Arizona, where this picturesque RV campground in the pines is a short drive from 18 holes of golf at Elephant Rocks Golf Course.

Turquoise Valley Golf & RV Park - Near Tombstone, RV camping golf lovers will find the oldest continuously operated golf course in Arizona. For more than one hundred years, golfers have found this 18-hole course fascinating. Test your skills on the famous par 6, 747-yard 15th hole nicknamed "The Rattler!" A first class, one hundred campsite RV park is located on-site, making this truly a best bet for your Arizona RV golfing trip.

Westwind RV & Golf Resort - Yuma - Park your RV among the pines at this well-appointed park in Yuma. An executive 9-hole park is only one of the great amenities that attract RV golf campers year after year.

Voyager RV Resort - Tucson - There's so much to love about this upscale resort in Tucson! A par 3 9-hole golf course offers golfers views of the nearby mountains, and the amenities available to RV campers will have you booking your next vacation soon!

Cocopah RV and Golf Resort - Yuma - The USGA-rated 18-hole par 72 public course adjacent to this full-service RV resort lure campers from all over the US. Spend a day or spend a week, but don't miss the chance for golf and RV camping at their best.

There's no reason to give up golf while camping by RV. Arizona's fabulous RV golf resorts, and many other RV campgrounds near golf courses, are a huge draw for tourists every year.

Why not discover for yourself what makes golfing and camping in Arizona so memorable? Check out these top picks, and talk to other RV camping fans who've already made the journey, and then make plans to spend time on the links in Arizona.

For more RV/Golfing ideas see the RV Parks with Golf / Golf Courses with RV Parks.

Outdoor Enthusiasts Find Adventure in Rockford, Illinois

Many thanks to the Rockford Area Convention & Visitors Bureau for providing us with this...

As we start to think of the final piles of snow melting and giving way to warm rain and sunshine, it's time for the outdoor enthusiasts to think about shaking off the winter layers and setting out for the expansive trails, lakes and rivers in the Rockford Region. Nestled in tree-covered northern Illinois, the Rockford area sports enough outdoor adventure - from hiking, canoeing, horseback riding and more - to keep the avid outdoorsman busy year-round.

Retreat to the vast trails and waterways of Rock Cut State Park, 7318 Harlem Road in Loves Park, a beautiful Illinois state park with two lakes set on the park's 3,092 acres. Pitch your tent in Rock Cut's extensive campgrounds and enjoy evenings under the stars during a weekend camping trip a world away from the stress and hustle of everyday life. Rock Cut features everything a camper needs for a relaxing weekend out-of-doors, from fishing, swimming and boating, to hiking, biking and bird watching.

Canoers looking to take the hassle out of planning their next canoe trip should head out to Larsen's Landing Outfitters, 1951 New Milford School Road in Rockford. Located in southeast Rockford, Larsen's Landing is a 30-acre wilderness area with wooded hiking paths along a 1/2 mile of river frontage. This Kishwaukee River canoe outfitter offers canoe trips, rentals, livery, group outings, catered picnics, fishing trips and more. Two open fields are nestled within the trees along the river to accommodate post-canoeing gatherings - the perfect setting for a private group get-together.

Lockwood Park Trailside Equestrian Centre, 5201 Safford Road in Rockford, is the perfect stop for horse-lovers of all ages. Riders ages 8 and older can enjoy a leisurely ride through Lockwood's 40 acres of rolling hills, woods and meadows. Trail rides appropriate for first-time or occasional riders are offered on weekends. Junior riders won't be left out - Lockwood also features a pony ring, wagon rides, hay rides and a petting zoo. And you don't have to ride a horse to enjoy Lockwood's beautiful trail system - there are many miles of scenic trails winding through the park available for hiking and biking.

Nature-lovers looking for a less strenuous outdoor experience can visit Severson Dells Nature Center, 8786 Montague Road in Rockford. Stroll through Severson Dell's 369-unspoiled-acres on the paved path or 2.5 miles of trails and enjoy the sights and aromas of an unusual concentration of native wildflowers. Make sure to step into the butterfly garden, where you'll forget your nagging worries as you watch butterflies and hummingbirds flit carelessly about. The Nature Center also features a gift shop, aquarium and indoor beehive.

The Winnebago County Forest Preserve District (WCFPD) provides the mother lode of outdoor adventure in the Rockford Region, managing more than 9,500 acres and 40 sites throughout the county that are open to the general public. Experience lush woods, picturesque streams, dramatic cliffs and dells, unspoiled prairies and native wildlife through WCFPD's many outdoor offerings, such as hiking, canoeing, picnicking, fishing and bird watching at sites throughout the county. Camping is available at Hononegah Campground, Pecatonica River Campground, Seward Bluffs and Sugar River Campground. For more information, including a full list of locations visit www.wcfpd.org.

For more information on events and attractions in the Rockford Region, visit www.gorockford.com. For an RV rental for a camping adventure to Rockford, IL see the El Monte RV Chicago RV Rentals location in Villa Park, IL.

RV Camping Great Smoky Mountains National Park

The magic of the Great Smoky Mountains is waiting to thrill you, especially if you're traveling in the comfort of an RV. This vacation season is the perfect time to explore the ridges and hollows, forests and rivers that make Great Smoky Mountains National Park a favorite destination of our RV rental clients.

We asked our clients what, exactly, keeps drawing them back to "The Smokies" and here's what they had to say:

• Abundant Wildlife: The variety and abundance of wildlife you'll find in Great Smoky Mountains National Park may come as a big surprise on your first visit. Large species like black bear, elk and white-tailed deer can be safely viewed without disturbing their natural habitats. They share the Park with smaller birds and animals such as coyotes, barred owls and salamanders, promising wildlife lovers and nature photographers plenty of vacation memories.
• Glorious Scenery: Breathtaking sunsets and sunrises are only two of the reasons not to miss this National Park. You'll never forget finding a secret valley filled with the famous blue haze that gives the Smokies their name. Natural attractions such as Cades Cove, Roaring Fork and Newfound Gap Road are spectacular places you'll want to see for yourself.
• Endless Outdoor Sports: Great Smoky Mountains National Park isn't just for seeing from the road. Biking or hiking the trails will give you a front row seat to waterfalls, forests and streams not easily seen from the roads. If you'd like to try your hand at brook trout fishing, the streams in the Park are the place to go. There are also several horseback riding concessions and exciting whitewater rafting excursions available.
• Unforgettable RV Campgrounds: Even though this Park features many remote areas, there are several unforgettably beautiful "front country" campgrounds accessible to RV campers. Use this link to find information on NPS campgrounds suitable for RVs within the Park. Just in case those are full, there's an extremely helpful website, Smoky Mountains RV Campgrounds, with full information on two dozen campgrounds nearby.

There's no doubt about it, Great Smoky Mountains National Park should be on your list of "must camps." Our El Monte RV Rentals location in Atlanta, Georgia is closest to the National Park, about two hours away once you pick up your RV rental. Call us to reserve your RV, and be sure to let us know about your own Great Smoky Mountains adventure!

RV Camping to Grapefruit League Spring Training In Florida

Did you know that fifteen major league baseball teams head to Florida each year for spring training? During the month of March, more than a million fans watch "Grapefruit League" spring training games, and RV campers who love baseball are always in the stands.

The possibilities for being in the stands are fantastic, with some early planning. Here's a quick look at the Florida cities that host Grapefruit League games each year (courtesy Florida Grapefruit League Association):

• Atlanta Braves - Lake Buena Vista
• Baltimore Orioles - Sarasota
• Boston Red Sox - Fort Myers
• Detroit Tigers - Lakeland
• Florida Marlins - Jupiter
• Houston Astros - Kissimmee
• Minnesota Twins - Fort Myers
• New York Mets - Port St. Lucie
• New York Yankees - Tampa
• Philadelphia Phillies - Clearwater
• Pittsburgh Pirates - Bradenton
• St. Louis Cardinals - Jupiter
• Tampa Bay Rays - Port Charlotte
• Toronto Blue Jays - Dunedin
• Washington Nationals – Viera

We did a little advanced scouting and found some great RV campgrounds near spring training venues. Use our list to help plan your trip, or reserve a campsite at your own favorite Florida campground, instead.

Here are our top picks for Florida RV campgrounds this spring:

• Sun-n-Fun RV Resort – Sarasota: Your family will love this very large camping resort close to the Baltimore Orioles and Pittsburgh Pirates spring training fields.
• Calusa Cove RV Resort – Fort Myers: Why not plan to see both the Boston Red Sox and the Minnesota Twins in Grapefruit League games? This beautifully wooded RV campground is the perfect home base.
• Bay Bayou RV Resort – Tampa: Camp in luxury and watch the New York Yankees work out at George Steinbrenner Field, a miniature replica of Yankee Stadium.

For additional Spring Training information see: Major League Baseball Spring Training.

As you can see, there are fifteen great venues to visit in March if you enjoy combining great baseball action with comfortable RV camping. So, here's the game plan: use this handy link to Grapefruit League team schedules, plan an itinerary and then contact one of our Florida RV Rental locations to reserve a motorhome for the trip. With RV rental locations in Miami, Orlando and Palm Harbor, picking up your RV for your spring training pilgrimage is a breeze. See you at the stadium!

RV Camping NASCAR 101

Are you ready for racing season? There's nothing more exciting than RV camping in the infield! If you've never indulged in NASCAR RV camping, here's a tutorial for getting ready for the races.

I. Where Would You Like to Go?
Every single NASCAR track works hard to create a memorable experience for die-hard NASCAR fans who also love RV camping. Race weekend at these tracks means a veritable city of RVs and motorhomes springs up, and it's time for you to be part of it! Here are some favorite tracks suggested by our RV rental clients: Kentucky Speedway, Atlanta Motor Speedway, Las Vegas Motor Speedway, Texas Motor Speedway, and Charlotte Motor Speedway. If none of these get your engines revving, check NASCAR.com for information on world-famous tracks like Daytona, Talladega and Chicagoland.

II. Make Reservations Early!
As you're choosing your favorite NASCAR RV campground, remember that infield camping and nearby campgrounds fill up many months in advance, so make your reservations soon. A terrific resource for NASCAR RV campers can be found at LaidBackRacing.com. They charge a minimal fee for the information, but they've done an amazing amount of research on campgrounds, onsite camping and local amenities for nearly every NASCAR track.

III. Arrive Early!
You're going to find a party waiting at any RV campsite near a NASCAR track, long before the race begins. Make your vacation super-memorable by arriving early. Our clients have shared some great stories about marathon poker games, non-stop tailgating and incredibly friendly fans. If that sounds like the perfect vacation to you, plan to set up camp as soon as the gates are open.

You can find information about individual tracks and race weekend particulars at NASCAR.com. The fan guides for each track explain when and where camping is allowed, where RVs can park for tailgating if you're camping off-site, and the best traffic routes.

IV. Know What to Expect!
There's nothing worse than arriving for a long weekend of NASCAR racing and RV tailgating, only to realize the infield camps don't have hook-ups. If this is your first time RV camping at a particular NASCAR track, head for the track's online fan forums and ask questions. You'll find plenty of NASCAR RV camping veterans able to help.

RV camping on-site at a NASCAR track is the ultimate experience for racing fans. We're ready and waiting to help our customers enjoy maximum NASCAR excitement. Give us a call to start your NASCAR season rolling or check out NASCAR Vacation / NASCAR RV Camping on the El Monte RV site.!

Wilmington/Cape Fear for Romance

Thanks to the Wilmington/Cape Fear Coast Convention and Visitors Bureau for tipping us off to the following...

Wherever you rent your El Monte RV from, if Valentines day will find you in the Wilmington and North Carolina's Cape Fear Coast region, you may want to check out these romance-inspired events during the month of February:

FEB. 4-6: 30th ANNUAL N.C. JAZZ FESTIVAL. More than a dozen traditional jazz artists perform in a cabaret-style setting. Admission charge/advance reservations. Hilton Wilmington Riverside. 910-793-1111

FEB. 5-7: 8th ANNUAL WILMINGTON CHOCOLATE FESTIVAL. Chocolate makers demonstrate & sell their sweet treats. Chocolate Gala Fri. 7pm-10pm ; Festival Sat. 11am-6pm & Sun. 11am-4pm. Admission charge (AC). Senior Center, Wilmington; 910-798-6402

FEB. 11-13: HOLD-YOUR-HONEY-TIGHT HAUNTED TOURS. Guides tell tragic love tales. Ghost Walk at 6:30; Haunted Pub Crawl at 7:30. AC. Reservations required. 910-794-1866

FEB 12-14: VALENTINE HORSE-DRAWN CARRIAGE RIDE. Moonlit ride with private coach, rose, chocolates. Admission charge. Reservations required. Downtown Wilmington. 910-251-8889

FEB. 13-14: SWEETHEART CRUISES ABOARD THE HENRIETTA III. Cruise, buffet meal, and cash bar aboard NC's largest riverboat. Dinner/dance cruise: Saturday (6:30-9:30pm); Lunch cruise: Sunday (12-1:30pm); Sweetheart Supper cruise: Sunday (4-6pm). Boards one-half hour prior to cruise. Admission charge. Advance pre-paid reservations required. Cruises depart at Dock & Water sts., Downtown Wilmington. 910-343-1611; 800-676-0162

FEB. 13-14: WILMINGTON GARDEN SHOW. 50+ exhibitors with products and presentations. 9am-5pm (Sat.) & 11am-4pm (Sun.). Admission charge (AC). Schwartz Center, Wilmington. 910-798-7670

FEB. 14: THAT'S A MORAY! VALENTINE DINNER. Couples-only 4-course dinner and dancing surrounded by the magic of the ocean. 6:30pm. Admission charge; advance reservations required. NC Aquarium at Fort Fisher, Kure Beach. 910-458-8257

RV Tailgating at NASCAR Races

"Daytona", "Talladega" and "Watkins Glen," those names run through the dreams of NASCAR fans as racing season opens. They know there's not only great racing to be enjoyed at NASCAR tracks, but non-stop tailgating fun, as well. Those fans lucky enough to travel by RV have a leg-up on the competition. Here's a primer on how to plan a full season of NASCAR RV tailgating.

Choose Your Favorite Tracks
For a winning season of NASCAR RV tailgating experiences, start by choosing your NASCAR itinerary for the season. Besides local and regional racing, NASCAR features three national racing series - Sprint Cup, Nationwide and Camping World Truck Series. They also have a sanctioned racing season in Canada and Mexico.

You might also have a favorite driver or two that will help you decide which races to follow. Drivers like Kurt Busch, Tony Stewart and Jeff Gordon have built loyal throngs of fans who line the stands every time they race.

If you've been following NASCAR racing for years, you probably already know which drivers you'd like to watch and their scheduled races. Newcomers to NASCAR racing can look here for schedule information, and then decide how many races you'll travel to attend. An important tip: order tickets early! Many NASCAR tracks, even those holding nearly two hundred thousand fans, have been known to sell out during the more famous races.

NASCAR Tailgating Traditions
Every NASCAR track has unique attractions, and they've created RV camping and tailgating traditions at each. Daytona International Speedway, for example, offers NASCAR fans five different RV campgrounds within sight of the speedway. During races like the Daytona 500, thousands of NASCAR-loving RV campers bring out their best tailgating recipes and enjoy a non-stop party over race weekend.

Bristol Motor Speedway in the hills of Tennessee, Infineon Raceway near Sonoma in California's Wine Country and Alabama's Talladega Superspeedway with its convenient infield RV camping are just three of the tracks that are known for great RV tailgating possibilities.

To get the latest in RV camping and tailgating information, and to learn tips such as what can be carried into the grandstands, go to each individual track's website and follow the links to their fan guide. Also, find out which RV campgrounds require reservations and be sure to make yours early for this race season.

Plan Your Tailgate Party Menu
Now, let's talk about food! That is, after all, what's at the heart of every great tailgate party. The convenience of an RV kitchen can make all the difference in whether your NASCAR tailgate party crosses the finish line first. Think about which of your favorite recipes could be easily eaten at the track—grilling brats and burgers, cooking a batch of your famous chili or roasting veggies in foil are all tailgating traditions.

Food Network's website offers dozens of tailgate party recipe ideas, everything from Uncle Bubba's Wings to Deviled Crab Potato Skins. The Tailgating.com blog also features favorite recipes from hundreds of tailgate party aficionados.

Remember, if you're traveling to the track by RV, you won't be limited to a hibachi outside your mini-van. You'll have well-designed kitchen appliances perfect for preparing a meal on the road. There's really no better way to host a tailgate party than in the shade of a great RV!

Pack Up the RV
You've chosen your RV roadtrip itinerary that includes time at your favorite NASCAR tracks. You've selected your very best tailgate party recipes, bought the groceries and planned for kitchen utensils and party ware. All that's left to do is pack what you need and head for the track.

Be sure to check with El Monte RV Rentals if you will be renting an RV for the trip. For additional information also see NASCAR Vacation, NASCAR RV rentals, NASCAR RV Camping & Tailgating.

It's going to be a great NASCAR racing season! Don't miss the excitement; start making your plans now for at least one weekend of race-car-watching-tailgate-partying fun this year.