Explore Wild River State Park

St. Croix River Scenic

A great place to keep in mind the next time you’re looking for a place to take the RV, Wild River State Park is located along 18 miles of the St. Croix River.

The park is attractive to those who enjoy camping, hiking, horseback riding, canoeing, interpretive programs, self-guided trails, cross-country skiing, and snowshoeing.

The hiking is also great, offering a 35-mile trail system. The trails are especially nice during the spring when the wildflowers are in bloom.

For those not using an RV, the camp has a guest house that provides a living room, dining room, kitchen, and fireplace. The park also has six camping cabins, which have bunkbeds, a table, and benches.

You can get to the camp by exiting I-35, taking State Highway 95 to County Road 12. Drive 3 miles on County Road 12 to the park’s entrance.

Contact the park for more information at 651-583-2925 or email wildriver.statepark@state.mn.us. The best time to contact the park is somewhere between 9am and 4pm.

Visit PleasureLand RV Center

Before you visit Wild River State Park, stop by PleasureLand RV Center to tour a new or used RV and find your next motorhome or travel trailer today. If you’ve already got a rig, you can schedule service with the service center at PleasureLand RV Center to make sure that your RV is in tip-top shape for the road.

Customize Your RV

Camper Journey

Each RV traveler has different wants and needs for his or her RV lifestyle. And the only way to get an RV that’s designed just for you, is to customize it just the way you like it. Whether that involves making interior decor changes, upgrading your RV mattress, swapping out your shower head or installing vent fans, your RV can be exactly what you want it to be with a little creativity and help from the staff here at PleasureLand.

Upgrade Your RV’s Decor

Older RV models often have very outdated decor features or simply a color scheme that’s not as appealing as it used to be. Upgrading your RV’s interior can be made simple by purchasing new bed coverings, rugs, throw pillows, towels and other soft goods. Reupholstering your sofa or dinette and upgrading your laminate countertops to solid surface ones are bigger upgrades that can make a huge difference in the way your RV looks and feels.

Get More Comfortable

Compacting your life inside an RV means you have to sacrifice a few of the luxuries you learned to love in your brick-and-mortar home. But many of those luxuries don’t have to be left behind. Consider swapping your RV’s dull stock shower head for one that can amplify your water pressure and even help you conserve water on the road.

RV mattresses can be less than comfortable as well, but that doesn’t mean you have to go out and spend thousands on a top-end mattress for your life on the road. Consider upgrading your mattress with a simple 2-inch memory foam mattress cover. These are often easy to clean and inexpensive, so you can purchase one for every bed in your motorhome, travel trailer or fifth wheel.

Upgrade Your RV at PleasureLand

For bigger upgrades — like air-conditioning and vent fan installs, battery upgrades, inverters and just about any modification you want to make inside our outside of your RV — PleasureLand RV Center is here to help. Our certified RV service technicians are here to handle all of your install, repair, general maintenance and even body shop needs, so you can enjoy your RV lifestyle to the fullest.

Visit Lake Bemidji State Park

Photo by Pete Markham | Flickr CC

Looking for a nearby spot to camp and enjoy some outdoor recreation, perhaps for spring break? If you’re centered in Minnesota or plan on passing through soon, check out Lake Bemidji State Park. It’s just 10 minutes north of Bemidji off Highway 71 N. Watch for and follow the park’s signage and you can’t miss it.

Lake Bemidji State Park offers visitors swimming, boating, fishing, birdwatching, hiking, camping, biking picnicking, and snowmobiling and cross-country skiing in colder months.

Away from the lake, hiking is an especially good activity. Trails lead through Lake Bemidji’s tamarack bog, which is carpeted with showy lady’s slippers, pitcher plants, dragon’s mouths, grass pink, and insect-eating sundews. Most flowers start to bloom in the bog between late spring and early summer.

Birdwatchers will also love the lake, as it offers a unique ecosystem with eagles and ospreys. Other common birds in the spring include the red-eyed vireo, tree swallow, red-breasted nuthatch, American robin, yellow-rumped warbler, indigo bunting, swamp sparrow, blue-winged teal, ruby-throated hummingbird, and many more.

Free WiFi is available at the campground and Visitors Center.

The park’s hours are from 8am to 4pm daily.

If you’d like to learn more, contact the park at 3401 State Park Road Northeast, Bemidji, Minnesota. Call 218-308-2300 or email lakebemidji.statepark@state.mn.us.

Visit PleasureLand RV Center

Stop by PleasureLand RV Center before you visit Lake Bemidji State Park or any other destination in Minnesota. PleasureLand RV Center offers RV sales, service, parts and accessories in Minnesota. See us in St Cloud, Brainerd, or Ramsey today!

Keeping Your RV in Shape This Spring

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Your RV is your gateway to adventure, travel, family time, and fun, so taking proper care of your RV will allow you to enjoy the benefits of the RV lifestyle year after year. Fortunately, we make taking care of your RV easy here at PleasureLand RV Center. Bring your RV to our PleasureLand service center, and we’ll ensure your home on wheels is in top shape for the summer camping season.

Our Service Center

PleasureLand RV Center offers one of the most complete RV repair and service facilities in the country. Our expert technicians give you the proper advice to help you handle all of your RV concerns, whether your recreational vehicle is in need of repair, maintenance, warranty work or upgrades. Our service center is equipped with 32 service bays and the most experienced technicians, so you can trust PleasureLand for your RV’s electrical work, appliance servicing, body work, engine maintenance and so much more.

RV Parts and Accessories

PleasureLand RV Center features two Camper’s General Stores; one in the Ramsey location and one in St. Cloud. The stores are the largest RV parts and accessory suppliers in the region, so when your RV calls for a part, you know exactly where to go. And if you’re not in reach of one of our Camper’s General Stores, you can log onto our online parts store and shop 24 hours a day, seven days a week. We’ll ship your new RV parts, accessories or camping supplies to wherever you’re located, so your RV lifestyle can continue without a glitch.

Prepare Your RV Today

Prepare your RV for the spring camping season before it gets started, so you’re ready to hit the roads as soon as the warmer weather rolls around. Our service shop and Camper’s General Stores are open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Give us a call at 1-800-862-8603 or send us an email to ask us any questions about your RV or to set up a service appointment today.

Why You Should Consider Renting an RV for Your Next Vacation

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You don’t have to be an RV owner to fall in love with the RV lifestyle. Renting an RV can give you a taste of the RV lifestyle before you decide to buy. It’s also one of the best ways to enjoy a stress-free family vacation without the hassle of hotel reservations, flights and costly restaurant meals. Transitioning from a traditional vacation to an RV vacation may seem odd at first, but you’ll quickly realize why RV travel is always preferred.

It’s More Affordable

Gas prices are plummeting, yet the cost of flights keeps rising. Forget about buying expensive plane tickets for your entire family and opt for an RV vacation instead. In addition to saving on flights, you’ll save even bigger on not having to book hotel rooms and cooking your favorite meals inside your RV.

It’s Less Stressful

Let’s face it — flying is no longer fun. Flights are delayed, security checks are annoying and you never make it to your destination exactly when you planned. When you travel in an RV, you can arrive at your destination whenever you want and see everything along the way. Stop for meals, sightseeing or simply to get out and go for a bike ride.

It’s Comfortable

You always feel right at home when traveling in an RV. Here at the PleasureLand RV Center, we offer a wide array of RV rental options to suit a variety of travelers. This means you can have as much sleeping space, living space and cooking space as you desire. Forget about cramming your whole family into one hotel room to save money, because you can have your own vacation home on wheels instead.

Rent From Us

PleasureLand RV Center offers some of the lowest rental rates on Class A motorhomes, Class C motorhomes, travel trailers, pop-up campers and ice houses in the industry. Give us a call, log online or stop by one of our locations in St. Cloud, Ramsey or Brainerd to find out more.

Visit the Nation’s Capital for Spring Break

Beautiful early morning Jefferson Memorial

Washington, D.C., is a beautiful place to visit this spring break due to the cherry blossoms that will be in bloom at the time. If you’re less interested in crowded beaches and more interested in exploring the history and beauty of our nation’s capital, you’ll be surprised to learn that Washington, D.C., is actually very friendly to RVs, perhaps one of the friendliest cities for motorhomes, in fact. With the city’s rich history, free museums, campgrounds, and addictive restaurants, you’ll probably want to make D.C. one of your go-to camping destinations.

Motorhomes Welcome

If you’ve been avoiding taking your RV to D.C. because you’re afraid there’s no place to camp near the capital, think again.

Cherry Hill Park, the closest campground to D.C., is just 12 miles north of the city, and it’s an ideal place to park your RV. The campground even offers rides into the capital multiple times per day, so you never have to worry about maneuvering your motorhome in city traffic. Indulge in the sauna, hot tub, and free WIFI after a long day of sightseeing.

Free Museums and Attractions

Forget about breaking the bank with museum tickets for the entire family. D.C. offers hundreds of free museums and landmarks open to the public.

Botanic Gardens is located on the National Mall and is a gardener’s haven in the concrete city. With roughly 4,000 living plants, it’s hard not to spend an entire day wandering through the gardens.

What’s a trip to D.C. without paying homage to our country’s leaders? Take a free tour through the historic Ford Theater where President Lincoln was assassinated. View exhibits honoring Lincoln’s life and hear the true story of the night he was tragically killed.

The U.S. Capitol Building offers free guided tours as well. Learn about the Senate and House of Representatives or just enjoy the architecture of one of our country’s most prominent landmarks.

Of course you can’t go to D.C. and not visit the numerous monuments, such as the Lincoln Memorial, the Washington Monument, and Vietnam Memorial Wall.

Then there’s the Smithsonian, a museum complex that hosts a variety of subjects, from natural history to aviation.

City Parking

Thinking of taking a day trip to D.C. in your motorhome, but fearing the nightmare of finding a parking space for your vehicle? The Union Station parking garage in downtown D.C. offers parking intended for tour buses, but motorhomes are permitted too. For $22, you can park your RV worry-free for 24 hours.

Stop by PleasureLand RV Center

What’s holding you back? Plan a trip in your RV to D.C. today. If you need an RV of your own to visit D.C., come see us today at PleasureLand RV Center.

Enjoy a Healthier Breakfast

sandwich with avocado and a fried egg on a white plate on a light rustic wood surface

Breakfast in an RV, like most meals, can feel somewhat limited simply due to the fact that you’re working with less space than you would be at home. This might lead to concessions at times, which translates to some less-than-healthy meals. But you can eat healthy anywhere if you know some simple recipes that are easy to make in your RV’s galley. Try this recipe for a healthier breakfast.

Guacamole and Egg Breakfast Bowls

Quick and simple, this filling recipe is easy to make with just a few ingredients. You can also serve this on wheat toast as an open-face sandwich or in a whole grain tortilla as a wrap.

Ingredients for the bowl:

  • 1 egg, room temperature
  • Cup full of baby spinach leaves
  • ⅛ red onion, peeled and finely sliced
  • 1 small piece toast, chopped into chunks
  • 1 tbsp sour cream
  • 2 tsp sweet chili sauce
  • Pinch black pepper

Ingredients for the guacamole:

  • 1 ripe avocado, peeled, de-stoned and roughly chopped
  • ⅛ red onion, peeled and finely chopped
  • 1 tbsp chopped parsley
  • Pinch of salt
  • Pinch of pepper
  • Juice of half a lime

Directions

  1. Place the egg in a pan of cold water, bring to the boil, then simmer for 5-6 minutes. Turn off the heat and drain off the water. Leave the egg to cool (you can put it in some cold water to speed up the process if you like). Peel the egg and slice in half.
  2. Now make the guacamole by mashing all of the guacamole ingredients together.
  3. Place the spinach in a bowl, top with the guacamole, egg, slices of red onion, cubes of toast, a blob of sour cream, a drizzle of sweet chili sauce and a sprinkle of pepper, then serve.

Visit PleasureLand RV Center

Stop by PleasureLand RV Center to tour some RV models and floorplans and to find the one that’s right for you. PleasureLand RV Center is here to help you find the motorhome or travel trailer of your dreams. If meal prep is important to you on the road, just ask your helpful sale associate to show you RVs with larger kitchen areas.

Load Up the RV and Head to Destin

Aerial image of the Destin Harbor in Destin, Florida

If you’ve decided it’s time to pile into the RV and head somewhere sunny to escape what remains of winter, you ought to consider Destin, Florida. With miles of pristine beaches, blue ocean, and tons of diversions, Destin in a family-friendly destination matched by few other places. Here are some of its best attractions.

The Boardwalk

The old Destin Boardwalk is an iconic place to visit, offering covered picnic areas, volleyball nets, restaurant and shopping, and vibrant nightlife. There’s plenty of parking, public restrooms, and outdoor showers for beach goers. The Boardwalk has enough variety to occupy everyone in your party for a day, so plan accordingly.

Big Kahuna’s

Swimming in the ocean is fun, but sometimes you want water that’s not full of salt and maybe a ride or two. Big Kahuna’s got more than two rides — with over 40 water attractions and an adventure park, Big Kahuna’s is perfect for a family looking to cool off.

Gulfarium

A comprehensive aquarium featuring marine life from the Gulf of Mexico and beyond, the Gulfarium will satisfy both those who love marine life and those who just love to learn something new. Featuring bottle-nose dolphins, sea lions, and mixed species shows, it’s quite a spectacle. Other habitat displays include otters, sharks, turtles, penguins, and even an albino alligator.

Visit PleasureLand RV Center

Don’t leave town before you stop by PleasureLand RV Center, especially if you’ve had your RV in storage and are dusting it off for the first trip of the season. The service center at PleasureLand RV Center can make sure that your rig is in good shape to handle any trip you’re planning to take, such as to Destin, Florida. If you think it’s time to retire the old RV for a new one or if you’re thinking about buying your first RV ever, don’t hesitate to drop by PleasureLand RV Center to find your new dream RV today.

Celebrate Cherry Month with Chocolate Cherry Cupcakes

Chocolate cupcakes with cream and fresh cherry horizontal

February is National Cherry Month, and there’s no better way to celebrate than by preparing a fresh and delicious cherry dessert in the comfort of your RV. These rich and fruity chocolate cherry cupcakes are so tasty, you may want to bake two batches.

Chocolate Cherry Cupcakes

What you’ll need for 1 dozen cupcakes:

  • 3/4 cup cake flour
  • 3/4 cup whole-wheat pastry flour
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
  • 3/4 cup granulated sugar
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1 large egg
  • 1/4 cup canola oil
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 1/2 cups chopped pitted fresh cherries (plus 12 cherries for garnish)
  • Cream cheese frosting

Preparation instructions:

  1. Preheat your oven to 350 degrees. Line a 12-cup muffin pan with paper liners.
  2. Whisk the cake flour, whole-wheat flour, baking soda, cocoa, baking powder and salt together in a medium bowl.
  3. Beat the granulated sugar and oil together in a separate large mixing bowl with an electric mixer. Beat the egg and vanilla into the mixture until combined.
  4. Turn the mixer to low and alternately mix in the flour mixture and buttermilk. Scrape the sides of the bowl as needed until the mixture is combined.
  5. Fold the cherries into the mixture, then divide the batter into the cupcake pan.
  6. Bake the cupcakes for 22 to 26 minutes or until a toothpick can be inserted into the center and come out clean. Transfer the cupcakes to a wire rack and let them cool.
  7. Once cool, frost each cupcake with the cream cheese frosting. Top with a fresh cherry before serving.

Visit PleasureLand RV Center

Whether you’re searching for a travel trailer with a large kitchen or a truck camper to help you travel more in 2017, you can always find your dream RV at PleasureLand RV Center.

Head to New Orleans for Mardi Gras

mardi gras float details

The Mardi Gras celebration in New Orleans is so famous (and so much fun) that is has begun to define the city. New Orleans is known for its delicious Cajun eats, incredible music scene, and non-stop party, but the best of all three are combined for one unbelievable day every year — Mardi Gras.

Mardi Gras is on Tuesday, February 28 this year, and although the date is rapidly approaching, there’s still time to plan your RV trip to “The Big Easy.”

Full of Family Fun

The Mardi Gras celebration can be either a family-friendly or strictly adults-only event based on what you want to see. If you’re looking for family-friendly Mardi Gras experience, you can avoid the busy Mardi Gras crowds and visit Family Gras from Feb. 17 to 19 this year. This free celebration, including tons of family-friendly activities, live music, and plenty of famous Louisiana eats, will take place at the Lakeside Shopping Center in Metairie.

Mardi Gras Parades and Events

The Mardi Gras festivities are non-stop in the month of February, with parades on schedule in the days leading up to the big day in New Orleans and a number of other cities throughout the state. Visitors can take part in New Orleans Mardi Gras tours, see exciting exhibits at local museums (the Louisiana State Museum and Germaine Cazenave Wells Mardi Gras Museum) and enjoy an unbeatable Mardi Gras meals at the famous Antoine’s Restaurant. The Mardi Gras festivities are practically seeping out of every bar, restaurant and store in town.

Where to Stay

New Orleans is home to a number of top quality RV parks that are guaranteed to make your Mardi Gras experience even better than expected. Stay in the heart of it all at the French Quarter RV Resort or find a little more mellow refuge at the gorgeous Pontchartrain Landing RV park. New Orleans is home to numerous RV parks and campgrounds that are ready to host you for the celebration.

Find Your Perfect RV

If you’re still searching for the perfect RV for your 2017 adventures, there’s no better place to shop than right here at PleasureLand RV Center. Log onto our website or stop by PleasureLand RV Center to view our huge selection of new and used RVs for unbeatable prices.