The Best Minnesota Horseback Riding Trails

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Minnesota is one of the top states in the country for horseback riding. The diverse terrain, massive network of trails and stretches of untouched land make for some of the most scenic trail rides you can find.

The following three riding trails and ranches are some of the best in the Land of 10,000 Lakes for taking in the Minnesota sites on horseback.

Big Valley Ranch — Winona

Big Valley Ranch is a family-friendly place to hop on horseback without owning one. The ranch is nestled into the picturesque Winona bluff country, and offers 165 acres of terrain. Visitors can enjoy everything from riding lessons to long trail rides, day camps and more. The ranch is located on East Burns Valley Road in Winona, so it’s easier for vacationers to find than some other, less-accessible ranches.

Browns Creek State Trail

The 5.9-mile-long Browns Creek State Trail in Washington County opened last October and is the newest addition to Minnesota’s massive trail system. This rail-trail spans from Stillwater to Grant where it meets up with the Gateway State Trail. Riders can access the St. Croix River from an off-road trail or enjoy the smoother paved option. Both lines pass historic sites and breathtaking Minnesota scenery.

River Valley Ranch — Carver

Get on the trails every day you’re in Minnesota at the River Valley Ranch in Carver. The ranch provides stunning 1-hour-long tours of the Minnesota River Valley with group tours available as well. Even better, the ranch is just 25 minutes southwest of the bustling city of Minneapolis. This is the perfect option for novice riders; however, reservations are recommended for all tours, so call the ranch at (952) 361-3361 before your visit.

Stop and See Us at PleasureLand

Don’t forget to stop and see us at the PleasureLand RV Centers when you’re traveling throughout Minnesota. There’s no better place to find the perfect RV or simply some accessories and camping supplies for your fall adventures.

The 2016 CrossRoads RV Hampton

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If you think you’ll never be able to afford your dream vacation home, you’ve never looked at the 2016 CrossRoads Hampton. This luxurious destination trailer is ready to be your portable dream home, so you can enjoy a lifestyle you probably thought you couldn’t afford. It’s available in five residential floorplan options, so you can find the one that’s perfect for you and your family’s needs.

The Floorplans

Each Hampton floorplan is designed to be your dream home away from home. Whether you’re interested in a destination trailer with a front bedroom, a rear bedroom, two bathrooms, a rear living area, bunks for kids or guests, two private bedrooms or a front kitchen with bar, there’s a 2016 CrossRoads Hampton to suit your specific travel needs.

Each 2016 Hampton is equipped with a residential kitchen, comfortable living area, entertainment center, private bedroom, spacious bathroom and everything you need to enjoy every moment inside your new RV.

High-End Standard Features

Each CrossRoads Hampton destination trailer is outfitted with the highest end standard features, so you always feel comfortably at home. Hampton owners enjoy stainless steel appliances, an 8-foot floor-to-ceiling height, an HD LED TV, decorative accent lighting, two toned wood fascia, a fireplace, a power ventilation fan, hardwood raised panel cabinet doors, an armoire, a faucet with pull-out sprayer, decorative window treatments and countless other touches that make this travel trailer feel more like a high-end home than an RV.

The exterior of the Hampton is just as luxurious as the interior with tinted glass windows, a patio awning, an outdoor shower, exterior speakers, a detachable hitch, one-piece radius rubber roof, rain gutters, electric slides and a long list of other features that make this one of the most comfortable and reliable travel trailers in the industry.

Start Your New Travel Lifestyle Today

The 2016 CrossRoads Hampton proves that your dream vacation home is not out of your budget. Tow this unbeatable destination trailer away from our PleasureLand RV Center lot for an unbelievably low price today.

What We Do for Our Canadian Buyers

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Here at the PleasureLand RV Center, we cater to our customers north of the border. We know that purchasing an RV in another country and returning it to Canada may sound intimidating at first. However, we make the process just as easy as buying at home. Even better, you’ll save big bucks by purchasing your new or used RV from PleasureLand.

This guide will help you understand what we do to provide a stress-free purchasing process and the few simple steps you’ll take to transport your RV across the border.

What We’ll Do

You don’t have to fear buying your new RV in the United States, because our PleasureLand RV Center customer service representatives have years of experience dealing with these types of purchases. We’ll provide you with a completed bill of sale, a title or Manufacturer’s Statement of Origin, a recall clearance letter and a temporary transit tag that will give you plenty of time to transport your new RV to the border.

We’ll also ensure that your vehicle has a visible manufacturers statement of compliance label in tact, and we’ll fax all forms that need to be submitted to U.S. Customs and Border Protection for you.

What You Need to Do

Here at the PleasureLand RV Center, we make the border crossing experience easier than ever before. Once you reach the border, you’ll simply show the agent your copies of the purchase order, title (or MSO), proof of RV insurance and the recall clearance letter. Then, you’ll complete a simple vehicle import form, which the border agent will provide. The agent will collect your border fees and verify that your VIN matches the manufacturer’s statement of compliance label. It’s as easy as one, two, three.

Start shopping for your new or pre-owned RV today by logging onto our PleasureLand RV Center website, and we’ll take care of the rest.

Why Now is the Best Time to Buy a New RV

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The end of summer and beginning of fall is one of the best times of year to get an incredible deal on a new RV. The busy summer RV season is winding down and our showroom is filling with brand-new 2016 models. We still have dozens of new 2015 models in stock, and it’s time get them off our PleasureLand RV Center lots.

That’s why we’re offering tons of unbeatable end-of-summer deals at the Minnesota State Fair. We’re the exclusive RV dealer of the fair, and we’ll be taking a variety of RV models with us this year.

Why Shop at the Fair?

Heading to the Minnesota State Fair is one of the best ways to get an unbelievable deal on a new RV. We’ll be transporting RVs from all of our locations to the fair, so you have a wider variety of discounted RVs to view.

Even better, we’re knocking thousands of dollars off each RV’s MSRP, so you enjoy unbeatable deals just for meeting us there. We don’t want to have to take these RVs back to the dealership after the event, so we’re ready to accept all reasonable offers.

About the Fair

The Minnesota State Fair will take place from Aug. 27 to Sept. 7, and we’ll be there every single day. The fairgrounds are open from 6 a.m. to midnight, and there’s far more to see than our discounted RVs.

The event is packed with competitions, contests, live music, rides, shopping, parades, games and tons of other family-friend entertainment. Regular fair time admission is just $13 for adults and $11 for kids ages 5 to 12. Kids under the age of 5 get in free.

The Minnesota State Fair features a campground, so you can park your RV on-site and spend days exploring the grounds. The fairgrounds are located at 1265 Snelling Ave. N., in St. Paul. We look forward to experiencing the excitement of the 2015 Minnesota State Fair with you.

Easy Upgrades for Your RV’s Interior

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Whether you’ve just purchased a used RV or have been traveling in the same trusty, old RV for years, it’s likely the interior of your motorhome or travel trailer could use a few upgrades. From buying a few simple decor items to tearing out old carpeting, these RV upgrade ideas are ones that’ll give your home on wheels a fresh new look.

Revamp Your Bedroom

Your RV’s bedroom is where you relax after a long day on the road, and an outdated mattress and bedding may be cutting into your comfort. Don’t be afraid to swap your old RV mattress for one you find more comfortable. If you can’t change your mattress, try placing a memory foam mattress topper on your existing one.

Swapping musty old RV bedding for new sheets, pillows and a comforter will also make you feel like you have a brand-new bedroom, but it’ll cost you less than $200.

Upgrade Your Shower

RV showers can seem less than satisfying when you’re living life on the road. Swap the cheap shower head that came standard in your RV for a new one that will amplify your water pressure and make that cramped space feel a bit more luxurious.

Purchase new rugs, towels and decor for your bathroom, and you’ll be surprised how new it feels.

Get Rid of Old Flooring

You’re not stuck with the flooring that came standard in your RV. Removing old carpet and replacing it with new carpet or laminate flooring is easy to do, and it can completely change the way the interior of your RV feels. The small size of the interior of your RV makes it easy to find cheap “remnants” of carpet and laminate flooring that will fit snuggly into your home away from home.

Upgrade Your RV at PleasureLand

Here at the PleasureLand RV Center, our certified RV technicians are experts at helping you upgrade your RV. Stop in with your ideas or concerns, and we’ll help you turn your old RV into your dream home on wheels.

3 Things Everyone Must Do in Minnesota

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Minnesota is a state filled with so many natural wonders, city sights and exciting things to do, you’ll never get bored exploring the land we call home. These three things to do in the “Land of 10,000 Lakes” are ones you don’t want to miss, whether you’re a Minnesota local or an RV traveler passing through.

Catch a Game at Target Field

There’s nothing more American that watching a good old-fashioned baseball game, and Target Field in Minneapolis is one of the best places to see one. You don’t have to be a Twins fan to enjoy the field’s atmosphere, complete with vendors in the stands, memorabilia shops, delicious eats and unbeatable views of the field and downtown Minneapolis. The season runs from early April to late September, so there’s plenty of time to catch a game in the state’s warmer months.

Take the North Shore Scenic Drive

Minnesota’s North Shore Scenic Drive is one of the best places to get out and explore some of the state’s many natural wonders. The drive stretches from Canal Park in Duluth to Grand Portage along the shoreline of the world’s largest freshwater lake. You’ll pass massive cliffs, gorgeous beaches, breathtaking forests, waterfalls and countless places to park your car, put on your hiking shoes and start exploring.

The quaint communities along the shore are also ideal places to shop, dine and even stay the night.

Explore the Minneapolis Institute of Arts

The Minneapolis Institute of Arts is one of the best places in the country to spend a rainy day. Spend hours enjoying the exhibitions, browsing the awe-inspiring collections (ranging from Arts of Africa and the Americas to Contemporary Art) and taking part in tons of family-friendly activities. The Minneapolis Institute of Arts isn’t your typical, stuffy art museum; it’s a place for kids and parents can learn and have hands-on art experiences together.

When you’re cruising throughout Minnesota this summer and fall, don’t forget to stop and see us at the PleasureLand RV Center for all of your RV needs.

4 Books About Road Trips That Will Get You Inspired

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Authors have been writing about road trips since the first vehicles were invented, and many of those tales have turned into must-reads. These four books about road trips are ones every traveler should pick up when they’re in need of some inspiration or simply a good story.

1. Travels with Charlie — John Steinbeck

John Steinbeck’s Travels with Charlie isn’t just a classic road trip story, it’s one that will introduce you to life on the road in the 1960s, which was quite a bit different than today. The charming tale of Steinbeck and his dog Charley hitting the road with their camper named Rocinante is one you’ll want to read again and again.

2. Into the Wild — Jon Krakauer

Into the Wild is one of the books you should read when you’re seeking inspiration or when you’re a little hesitant to hit the road. The story of Christopher McCandless and his journey to the Alaskan wilderness is one of adventure and courage that will inspire you to hit the road, experience new things, meet new people and never look back.

3. The Alchemist — Paulo Coelho

The Alchemist is one of those books that travelers read countless times. The novel tracks the journey of Santiago, an Andalusian shepherd boy, as he takes a journey to find hidden treasure near Egypt’s pyramids. Through his travels, he meets exciting people who change his life, and ultimately discovers that the treasure was actually the journey after all.

4. The Lost Continent — Bill Bryson

Road Trip stories aren’t always serious, and this one by Bill Bryson is guaranteed to make you laugh out loud. Follow Bryson and his sense of humor as he cruises through America and trades tourist traps for more comical small town adventures.

Find More Inspiration at PleasureLand

Nothing will get you as excited about your next road trip as a new or used RV from the PleasureLand RV Center in Minnesota. Log online or stop in and see us to browse our huge selection today.

American Adventures Month – The Best American Adventures

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August is American Adventures Month, and the only way to celebrate is by traveling to some of America’s most unique spots. These three unbeatable American adventures are ones every explorer should try in their lifetime.

Take a Small Boat Cruise Through Glacier Bay

Few places in the country are as rustic as Alaska, and it’s a place every adventurer should visit. When visiting the Last Frontier, don’t miss out on the opportunity to take a small boat tour through Glacier Bay and the Prince William Sound. You’ll enjoy the unmatched opportunity to admire wildlife up close, see Alaska’s landscapes from a new perspective and dodge icebergs in some of the world’s prettiest waters.

Trek the John Muir Trail

The John Muir Trail, also known as the backbone of the Sierra Nevada mountain range, takes approximately 17 days to complete, and it’s guaranteed to be the adventure of a lifetime. The 146-mile stretch of trails spans between Mount Whitney and Yosemite, where you’ll see some of the world’s most breathtaking scenery up close and personally.

Go Boulder Scaling in Central Park

You don’t have to be out in the wilderness to enjoy an unbeatable American adventure. Boulder scaling, or bouldering, is something even novice climbers can try, because it is done very close to the ground without a spotter or ropes. Rat Rock, in New York’s famed Central Park, is easy to find from it’s countless white chalk marks left by climbers. Head to the north face of the wall for a beginner-level climb, then advance east for a more challenging route.

Your American Adventure Starts Here

There’s no better way to travel to all of America’s great adventure sites than in the comfort and convenience of an RV. Here at PleasureLand RV Center in Minnesota, we’ll help you locate a perfect new or used RV that fits within your budget needs.

The Top 3 Places in Minnesota for Family Fun

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There’s no better time of year than summer in Minnesota, and you won’t have to travel far to reach some of the state’s most exciting sites. These three destinations are some of the best in the state for enjoying family fun this summer.

The Mall of America

Taking your kids to the mall may not sound like a family-friendly activity, but the Mall of America is unlike any other mall in the world. You can take this year’s back-to-school shopping to the next level this august while taking breaks to ride the rides at Nickelodeon Universe, explore the Sea Life aquarium, enjoy the Barbie “The Dream House experience,” and take part in a number of other family-friendly activities. Even better, the Mall of America and all of its included activities can be enjoyed rain or shine.

The Minnesota Zoo

The Minnesota Zoo is located just a few minutes south of the Mall of America, and it offers even more fun for kids and adults. It’s home to more than 4,300 animals in a variety of environments ranging from the tundra and lush tropical forests to the boreal forest, marine center and so much more. The Minnesota Zoo is also the perfect place to enjoy a birthday party or other celebration.

Spirit Mountain

Spirit Mountain isn’t just a winter destination anymore. This skiing and snowboarding hotspot near Duluth is just as much fun in summer as it is in winter. Spirit Mountain’s adventure park features a zip line, scenic lift rides, a disc golf course, mountain biking trails, mini golf and even day camps for kids. The park’s signature Timber Twister alpine roller coaster features a 3,200 foot track that’s exhilarating for adults and kids alike.

Start Your Adventure at PleasureLand

The best way to travel to Minnesota’s best family-friendly attractions is in the comfort and convenience of a new or used RV from PleasureLand RV Center. Stop in and see us in St. Cloud, Ramsey, Brainerd or Long Prairie to find the perfect RV for your family adventures.

3 Easy Ways to Decorate Your RV to Make it Feel Like Home

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Your RV is your home on wheels, and there’s no reason it shouldn’t feel as comfortable as the brick-and-mortar home you left behind. Follow these three simple tips to turn your motorhome, travel trailer or fifth wheel into a comfortable and cozy oasis.

1. Adjust Your Lighting

Not all RVs come with intelligent and decorative lighting systems. Take the time to find LED lights in a color and brightness that suit your preferences and use them in place of your overhead and reading lights. Additionally, opt for candles or flameless LED candles for mood lighting at night and whenever you don’t want bright lights shining in your vehicle.

2. Decorate Like Home

You don’t have to live with the outdated or unattractive interior that came with your RV when you purchased it. Don’t be afraid to remove undesirable carpeting and replace it with a color or texture you enjoy. RV enthusiasts can also transform RV interiors with simple and affordable additions like new rugs, bedding, towels and throw pillows.

In addition to buying new soft goods, hanging pictures, adding decor pieces and placing a few plants around your RV can really add a touch of home. Just remember to secure your items before hitting the road.

3. Use Quality Dishes

Contrary to popular belief, you can use real dishes and silverware in your RV. Stocking your RV with quality dishes and glasses can make it feel more like you live inside your RV rather than simply use it as a camper.

Use wine boxes from the grocery store to separate your glasses and keep them safe when you’re on then road, then stock your shelves when you arrive at your destination. Non-slip shelf liners and a piece of non-slip lining between each dish will also keep your plates and bowls in place when you’re on the go.

Find Your Dream RV

Not feeling comfortable on your travels? Stop by the PleasureLand RV Center in Minnesota to find the RV of your dreams for an unbelievably affordable price.