Everybody's National Parks | ENP 16: Visiting National Parks by RV
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  • ENP 16: Visiting National Parks by RV
    07/17/2019
    Jason and Abby and their new rig - Heartland Pioneer QB300Jason and Abby and their new rig – Heartland Pioneer QB300
    Abigail Trabue and her family run the RV Miles Network and host the RV Miles and The National Parks podcasts. As RV enthusiasts who travel full-time with three young boys, Abby and her husband have a lot of great experience and advice for traveling with a family in RVs and balancing reality and expectation while exploring the world.

    Abby's wealth of knowledge on RV travels with families and how to make the most out of national parks in almost every area of the country will help any aspiring traveler have a truly memorable experience in our parks.
     
    Abby and Henry on the Appalachian trail in the Great Smoky Mountains National ParkAbby and Henry on the Appalachian trail in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park
    Along with general travel tips for exploring various beautiful national parks in different areas of the country and sage guidance to help families determine if the RV life is a good fit, Abby shares some of her family's favorite park experiences. From her eldest son's obsession with a video at the Harry S. Truman Historical Site in Missouri, their recent stay at Zion National Park, to lesser known gems like the Gulf Island National Park Reserve and Voyageurs National Park in Minnesota, Abby has ideas that are sure to appeal to the entire family!
    Jason, Abby, Jack, Ethan and Henry at Fort Pickens part of the Gulf Islands National SeashoreJason, Abby, Jack, Ethan and Henry at Fort Pickens part of the Gulf Islands National Seashore

    She even has suggestions for those family members who like a little urban access during their adventures into the natural world.
      Her practical RV travel tips coupled with her vast travel experience will help your family plan a National Parks adventure that is both well-suited for the family and memorable.
     
    Jason, Abby, Jack, Ethan and Henry at Mount RushmoreJason, Abby, Jack, Ethan and Henry at Mount Rushmore
     
    Jason and Abby in a promo shot for the RV Miles Podcast Jason and Abby in a promo shot for the RV Miles Podcast
    Our Discussion Journey:
    • What sparked Abby’s family to leave their Chicago belongings behind and live in a converted bus? (4:31)
    • From theatre to bus living to the RV Miles Network (5:45)
    • Why Abby and her family needed to say goodbye to the converted bus and what comes next (9:13)
    • What surprised and challenged Abby the most about transitioning to an RV lifestyle? (11:27)
    • Important travel lessons that Abby has to share about living an RV travel lifestyle. (15:18)
    • Managing your expectations as traveling parents (18:07)
    • Dispelling the “RV size” myth and camping in the national parks. (21:57)
    • Rules of traveling with an RV in the National Parks (23:22)
    • Park suggestions for the last-minute RV trip (25:16)
    • Abby discusses “dispersed camping” versus Bureau of Land Management (BLM) camping and what travelers should expect. (26:48)
    • Are there enough RV camp sites across national park lands? (28:31)
    • How is the RV Miles podcast different from a typical travel or National Park podcast? (30:10)
    • Ways to try the “RV lifestyle” before committing to it. (31:55)
    • Different ways to rent an RV. (32:55)
    • Abby shares some of her family’s favorite park trips (35:46)
    • Why New Mexico should be on everybody’s travel and adventure list. (37:54)
    • National Parks that offer both urban and natural experiences. (39:15)
    • Abby shares a memory from the Gulf Shores of Pensacola. (41:21)
     
    Wander Bus at BLM land just outside Badlands National ParkWander Bus at BLM land just outside Badlands National Park

    Photo credits: Abigail Trabue, RV Miles
     

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