RV Travel Continues To Surge In United States

Above, camping at the Devils Tower KOA Kampground last summer. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Traveling by recreational vehicle is my favorite mode of travel.

One can go where they want, when they want and take their time exploring. On top of that, RVers sleep and eat in their own kitchens and in their own beds. One doesn't have to worry about some stranger's DNA in the bedding when traveling in their own vehicle.

Last summer, a friend and I took an RV trip through Wyoming, Montana, South Dakota, Utah and Colorado. We had a great time going to a Winchester Collectors gun show in Cody, Wyoming. We visited Arches National Park, Little Bighorn Battlefield, Devils Tower, Deadwood and the Black Hills of South Dakota. 

According to TravelPulse, RV travel continues to surge.

They wrote (to begin their article):

As 2026 travel trends have identified what’s popular on the horizon for this year, RV travel is continuing to emerge as a segment standout, according to RVshare’s 2026 travel trend report.

Many vacationers discovered RV travel during COVID. However, many stuck with the experience post-pandemic, for several reasons. The road trip becomes part of the fun with scenic drives; random roadside stops and small-town visits. Travel has become more about the journey, not just the destination endpoint. With more time on their hands, retirees love the slow travel and longer stays. Families enjoy the space and convenience. And even weekend adventurers have gotten hooked.

Trends continue to show that RV travel isn’t just a niche choice, it’s becoming a mainstream way Americans are planning flexible, affordable and intentional travel in 2026. Air fare isn’t getting any cheaper and is fraught with delays and other inconveniences. And whether you fly or choose to drive by car, you’ll need a hotel room. RVers don’t.

To read more, go here. 

Poll: How Often Do You Stay At A KOA Kampground?

Above, last summer at Devils Tower KOA in Wyoming. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Over the years, whenever I go on a camping vacation, I plan ahead for where to say the night while en route to a destination. I also check for what RV parks and campgrounds are available at my destinations.

Most often, if there is a KOA Kampground, I will reserve a spot or take a chance and drive in and see if they have any available campsites. Usually they do.

Why do I pick KOA Kampgrounds? First, they are generally consistent in what facilities and amenities are available. Plus, as I have accrued bonus points from previous stays, I use them to get lower prices.

RV Travel has posted a poll asking, "How often do you stay at a KOA Kampground?" My response was "often". I would hazard a guess that it is around 70% of the time.

They begin their poll with:

Kampgrounds of America, better known as KOA, is the largest campground chain in North America with more than 500 locations. It was founded in 1962 in Billings, Montana, and has been a staple for campers for decades.

With its signature yellow signs and a wide range of amenities, KOAs are often a go-to choice for travelers seeking convenience, family-friendly activities, and dependable facilities.

KOA locations cater to every style of camper. Many of its properties also include perks like pools, dog parks, and planned activities for kids, making them an excellent choice for families on the road.

For those looking for extra comfort, KOA Holiday and KOA Resort locations often feature enhanced amenities like upgraded cabins, deluxe RV sites, and full-service cafes. But you’ll pay the price!

When you travel, how often do you stay at KOA campgrounds? Are you drawn to their consistent quality, or do you seek out independent or state park campgrounds for a different experience?

 To read more and participate in the poll, go here.

Cleaning Your RV Awning

Above, making use of the awning at the Devils Tower KOA. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

RV awnings are great things to have, especially if one is camped where there are no trees around. I had to replace the awning fabric seven years ago as a small tear (from a leaning telephone pole I didn't see) got larger over the years.

Do It Yourself RV has posted an article on what to use (and what not to use) for cleaning RV awnings. Personally, I have specially-made RV awning cleaner. 

The article begins with:

It’s time to clean your RV awning. No, it’s not the most thrilling moment of your life, but it’s a job worth doing. Awnings get filthy fast, and neglecting them can cost you. Replacing one runs anywhere from $500 to $2,000, so keeping yours clean is a smart money move.

Plus, no one wants to sit under a moldy eyesore. A dirty awning can smell bad, attract bugs, work less effectively, and even pose health risks. Let’s skip that mess and go over a few simple ways to keep yours clean, functional, and campsite-ready. 

 To read more, go here.

July Over Already?

Above, the trip included a return visit to Devils Tower. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

This had to have been the fastest July in my memory. We're already at the last day of the month and August 1 is tomorrow and the Gallup Inter-Tribal Indian Ceremonial begins.

Given the drought conditions in New Mexico, it would not have been wise to shoot off any Independence Day fireworks. Some bans were put in place (and some were ignored).

My month of activities started on July 6 when Mitch Geriminsky and I head off to Colorado, Utah, Wyoming, Montana and South Dakota for some history exploring. We were going to leave July 8, but decided to leave two days earlier and just take our time driving through Utah and Colorado to get to Cody, Wyoming for the Winchester Arms Collectors Association's gun show.

Above, inside the Plains Indian Museum in Cody. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

 We saw some interesting places along the way, such as Flaming Gorge National Recreational Area. We stayed one night in Moab, Utah, which came in handy for me in scouting the area for when I plan to return there in September to help out with the John Wayne Cancer Foundation marathons. 

Above, the vacation included a stop at The Wrangler store in Cheyenne. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Other activities included touring the Little Bighorn Battlefield, Devils Tower and roaming around the Black Hills of South Dakota. We ended the trip on July 17. This was my longest vacation trip since the 2017 Great American Eclipse trip. 

August will be mostly noted for me by getting the Jeep repaired and the deck repaired, which is not as exciting as July.

"Close Encounters" and Devils Tower KOA

Above, Close Encounters of the Third Kind is screened nightly
with Devils Tower in the background. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

During our recent trip up to Wyoming, Montana, Colorado and South Dakota, one stop was at Devils Tower National Monument, famous for appearing in Close Encounters of the Third Kind (1977). It took us a few hours to reach Devils Tower from the Little Bighorn Battlefield in Montana.

During our one-night stay at the Devils Tower KOA Kampground, we joined other campers for the nightly screening of the movie. 

Above, a view of Devils Tower from our campsite. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

The KOA screens the movie every night when they are open. In an article in 2023, Cowboy State Daily showed that they seemed to have a larger screen and provided some seating. When we attended, the screen was smaller and we had to bring our own chairs. 

Still, we enjoyed our screening (until it started getting cold out). 

The Cowboy State Daily article began with:

DEVILS TOWER — What was once a common hayfield is now an uncommon campground.

The Devils Tower KOA campground is No. 1 in the national campground system for having above 90% occupancy on one-night stays during the summer season.

A lot of that is location.

“We’re the perfect distance from Mount Rushmore to Yellowstone,” Zannie Driskill, who co-owns the Devils Tower KOA with her husband Ogden, told Cowboy State Daily. “So, if you leave Cody, you get here late afternoon or early evening. And if you leave Mount Rushmore, you get here, you know, a little after lunch and you can be here all day. And if you jump up the next morning, you can be in Cody without traveling too hard or anything.”

But there’s more at work here than just near-perfect distance from two world-famous landmarks.

The campground itself is a one-of-a-kind experience. It’s located just below Devils Tower, the tallest columnar formation of its kind in the world, and it’s where Steven Spielberg filmed “Close Encounters of the Third Kind,” a 1977 box office smash that set records and helped rescue Columbia Pictures from bankruptcy.

To read the full article, go here. 

Devils Tower National Monument

Before heading to the Black Hills of South Dakota, we stopped for the night at Devils Tower National Monument in Wyoming.

I had been there before in 1990, but that was only a quick stop before proceeding to Yellowstone National Park. 

We stayed at the Devils Tower KOA Kampground. The campground shows Close Encounters of the Third Kind nightly. We joined other campers at the night's screening. 

Before leaving, we took a drive into Devils Tower National Monument and took some photos along the way.

Below are various photos in and out of the national monument of Devils Tower.

Devils Tower Trading Post

Before we checked into the Devils Tower KOA Kampground, we stopped in the Devils Tower Trading Post (which is across the street from the KOA) to browse around.

They, of course, had plenty of Devils Tower souvenirs available. Unfortunately, most of them were made in China. Any souvenir made in China I avoid. 

They did have some alien items available since Close Encounters of the Third Kind was filmed at Devils Tower. The KOA is on the former set where the mother ship lands in the movie.

I took a few pictures while at the trading post.

Minor RV Repair

Above, the strip under the open house door before repairs. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

At the Devils Tower KOA, we noticed that a strip of molding below the house door of the RV was damaged. 

It may have caught on something, I don't know what. I needed to find either some duct tape or self-tapping screws to fix it, even temporarily.

Above, a better view of the damaged molding. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

When we got into Deadwood, I found an Ace hardware store and got a roll of duct tape and some self-tapping screws.

We parked at the Deadwood Visitor Center and I got out my drill (I keep it in the RV) and fixed the problem. Whereas Winnebago used one screw, I used two, so it is now secure. 

Made It To Devils Tower

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Above, Devils Tower. Photo by Armand Vaquer. 

We got on the road from Hardin, Montana to go to Devils Tower, Wyoming this morning. 

I had been to Devils Tower once before in 1990. That was a quick stop while en route to Yellowstone National Park.

We're staying within view of Devils Tower. At night, the KOA we're at shows "Close Encounters of the Third Kind", the movie that features the Tower.

From here, we'll be heading to the Black Hills of South Dakota. It'll be a short drive tomorrow. 

Above, the view from the campsite. Photo by Armand Vaquer.