West Virginia is a haven for the outdoor adventure seeker. Home to Pipestem Resort State Park, Bluestone State Park, and the New River Gorge National Park and Preserve, the Mountain State has everything you could ever want in a nature getaway.
Pipestem State Park is home to one of West Virginia’s most unique attractions. For starters, Splash Park and Adventure Lake features inflatable mountains, slides, and trampolines for kids and adults alike to enjoy. The fun isn’t limited to swimming, as the park hosts several other great attractions, including zipline tours, golf courses, mountain biking, guided fishing tours, and even skiing in the winter.
Photo Credit: Pipestem RV Park and Campground
Right up the street, Bluestone State Park has its own lake, with boat rentals from April 15 to October 15. The park also boasts more than 10 beautiful hiking trails with incredible overlooks and stargazing vistas. For your next family outing, consider renting out their picnic shelter and cookout while the kids enjoy horseshoes, a basketball court, and a playground.
Photo Credit: Janeson Keeley
Gorgeous Gorge
Just north of Pipestem RV Park and Campground lies New River Gorge National Park & Preserve. This area is a historical gold mine: you can learn about the stories of John Henry and the construction of the C&O Railroad, the West Virginia mine wars, and the ghost town of Thurmond, just to name a few. The New River weaves through deep canyons and attracts plants and wildlife, including river otters, 10 species of bats, rhododendrons, and peregrine falcons, to name a few. The local history combined with the beautiful Appalachian Mountains’ diverse habitat creates a unique combination of outdoor experience and quiet getaway that is too often overlooked.
Photo Credit: Pipestem RV Park and Campground
Perfect Base Camp
Nestled in the middle of these incredible parks, Pipestem RV Park & Campground is the perfect “base camp” for your West Virginia explorations. With well-shaded, full-hookup RV sites, you get privacy and practicality in one place. Not to mention the biggest RV supply shop in the area onsite, along with a carry-out style grill serving hot food made to order. The menu includes pizza, wings, burgers, and more that will keep you coming back throughout your entire stay.
Photo Credit: Pipestem RV Park and Campground
The market is stocked so well that it is a local fan favorite. Propane, firewood, camping accessories, fishing gear, ice, ice cream, soda, milk, beer, wine, and even tobacco are just some of the items at your fingertips. The kids aren’t forgotten either, with a basketball court and playground a short walk from your RV site. All well-behaved pets are welcome, too, so it’s truly a place to bring the whole family. It’s no surprise locals and travelers alike continue to rate Pipestem RV Park 5 stars. Book a stay to experience West Virginia’s natural playground!
The post West Virginia’s Pipestem RV Park and Campground: Made for Adventurers appeared first on RV.com.
From beaches to mountains and deserts to theme parks, this six-stop road trip lets you experience all the highlights of SoCal. Begin in San Diego, a haven of surf and sun, then journey to Julian for gold mining history and delicious apple pie. Continue to Borrego Springs for desert hikes and metal sculptures, to Palm Springs to explore its mid-century architecture and to Anaheim for Disney magic. Cap off your trip with a coastal retreat at Newport’s beautiful harbors and shores.
Click on the numbered icons to explore the Golden State most treasured destinations on this 299-mile adventure.
From fishing and diving to kayaking, hiking, and camping, the wonders of Florida’s Lower Keys never cease to amaze. These idyllic islands offer miles of pristine beaches, wonderful restaurants and campgrounds, and gorgeous weather all year long. But those who crave a more active outdoor experience won’t be disappointed either, as opportunities for adventure abound.
Photo Credit: Florida’s Lower Keys
Florida’s Lower Keys are an outdoor paradise stretching along Highway US 1 from the iconic Seven Mile Bridge south to historic Stock Island. In between, travelers will find plenty of things to see and do, with options for every visitor. Activities include everything from hiking and biking in the National Key Deer Refuge to playing a round of golf on the par-70 championship course at Key West Golf Club on Stock Island. Looking for an aquatic adventure? There are plenty of opportunities for sailing, kayaking, snorkeling, diving, and deep-sea fishing, too.
Photo Credit: Florida’s Lower Keys
Bahia Honda State Park is one of the epicenters for outdoor activities in the Lower Keys. Located at mile marker 37, this fantastic destination offers white-sand beaches, crystal-clear waters, and some of the best sunsets found anywhere along the gulf. Visitors can choose to simply relax along the shore with their feet in the water or take a more active approach. The park has a 3.5-mile paved walking and biking trail, while the waters just offshore are excellent for swimming, snorkeling, and kayaking. Bahia Honda is also home to some of the best tarpon fishing in the state and has three onsite campgrounds with a total of 80 campsites for RV and tent camping.
Photo Credit: Florida’s Lower Keys
With its delicious restaurants, beautiful campgrounds, live music, and access to the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary, Big Pine Key rightfully receives plenty of attention. But visitors should be sure to add the eclectic and enchanting Stock Island to their must-visit list. It is not only home to a thriving commercial shrimping industry, but it is also a surprisingly great culinary destination with charming art studios and seaside bars nestled beside colorful marinas. It is also a hub for serious anglers searching for the best charter fishing captains the Keys have to offer.
Photo Credit: Florida’s Lower Keys
As you can see, these unique and beautiful islands have plenty to offer anyone looking for a tropical escape. From active adventures to total rest and relaxation, you’ll find it all in Big Pine Key and Florida’s Lower Keys. To start planning your visit—and learn more about this fantastic destination—click here.
The post Big Pine Key and Florida’s Lower Keys are Your Destinations for Active Adventures in 2025 appeared first on RV.com.
Josh Gordy is the Camp Keeper at Warthen RV Park in Warthen, Georgia. Here’s the story of how he started that gig after a career in the NFL.
“Back in 2011, the land that the park sits on came up for sale and it was right in the area where I grew up. I was playing in the NFL at the time. I wanted the opportunity to buy some land and hold onto it for the family—and then ambition started to roll in our stomachs. We started thinking: What can we do to capitalize on it? My mom and my late uncle suggested an RV park, and we broke ground in 2012.
Photo Credit: Josh Gordy/Warthen RV Park
“I didn’t know anything about RVing. But I spent a lot of my life outside, and we eventually became more connected with the recreational side of the industry. Every little thing we do in the park ties back to our ability to help people recharge. We’re getting a fishing pond built and a walking trail constructed— peaceful activities. That was a big ‘why’ to the mission. I just love adding value to the place and giving people a place to recharge and clear their mind, because you gotta unplug a little bit. We host events for people to come together and get to know each other, too.
“Being African American, it’s no secret there are not a lot of owners of businesses like this in the country. So, naturally, a big portion of our clients are African American. We want to add value to our community by providing a great product. We attract a diverse community, and that’s what makes us good. We say people come to us as strangers but they leave as family.”
Gordy played with five NFL teams, winning a Super Bowl with Green Bay in 2010-11.
