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If your family is like mine, you love the rides of thrill parks. And for others who like a tamer type of entertainment, there are parks that offer that as well. There’s no better way to enjoy these parks than by taking your RV along for the trip and stay onsite. Whether it’s roller coasters, wild swings, carousels or a lazy paddleboat excursion, there are parks that offer these and give you a place to park your home on wheels. We love taking these types of trips because even though the parks themselves aren’t the cheapest vacation, a full day of activity for one price isn’t bad in today’s economy. And if you have the option to go back to your campsite for a rest and food, saving you from exhaustions and saves money. Our favorite spot is Cedar Point in Sandusky, Ohio, and its Camper Village. Although we spend very little time at our site or in our RV, and the campground offers minimal amenities, it’s nice to eat at home once in awhile. And it gives us a chance to do two days in the park...

What’s better than going to the beach in the middle of the summer – how about going to the campground and the beach?! If you’re like my family, you love camping and everything that goes with it, and in the summer that means water and lots of it. Paddling around in a two-man raft is relaxing, especially when followed by grilling out and sitting around the fire. Fast forward to the next day – more of the same! Or, what about splashing through the water, burying a “loved one” in the sand and building sand castles? And after you’re done, walking back to your camper, having a burger and then S’mores over the campfire? There’s no better way to go to the beach than to finish the day at the campsite and not in the traffic jam heading away from the lake. There’s also fishing, a relaxing outing in itself. And, if you’re at the campground that means fresh fish for supper! This summer hasn’t been as warm as many of those I remember, but we’ve found our way to Lake Michigan and then some smaller in...

While RV companies have been hit hard by the recession, it seems that RVers are still getting out on the road and to the parks. And even a new park in northeast Indiana is having a good seasons, despite the faltering economy. The Bluffton/Fort Wayne South KOA in Bluffton, Ind., about 25 miles south of Fort Wayne, opened to its customers this spring, and is having a pretty good year, so far, said owner Ann Marie Crismore, who owns and operates the park with her husband, Ryan. The couple spent two years planning and constructing the park that will eventually have 124 sites, including five cabins, plus eight tent sites, when all is completed. Sites will be water and electric and full hookup, and the majority are pull-thru sites. There’s also a fishing pond and in-ground pool and nearby is the Wabash Heritage Trail and Ouabache State park if hiking is something you enjoy. Little Turtle State Recreation is also nearby for fishing. While the actual work has been ongoing for two years, emotio...

As someone who loves the outdoors – hiking, biking, swimming, whatever it may be – not everyone can or want to haul their RV or tents to a state or national park to enjoy the wonders on a warm weekend. But there are other options. Several campgrounds and RV parks are nestled near these wonderful outdoor attractions – and often offer amenities not found in the public campgrounds – such as cable TV or Wi-Fi. Like many, Memorial weekend was our first camping trip of the summer. We went just an hour from home in northern Indiana, enjoying the nearby state park and its natural attractions. And while the state park was full of campers, so were the surrounding private parks, which also offered their guests the options of water and sewage hookups, cable TV and Wi-Fi. And those who chose to stay at the private parks also were just minutes from the state parks vast biking, hiking and horseback riding trails, as well as the beach. But because you aren’t the only one who wants to get away for the ...