June 5th, 2014 -
If you are taking your vacation during the summer and have the time to drive, load up your RV and take a trip to Sevierville, Tennessee. The trip takes about 16 hours if you go through Chicago. If you want to skirt Chicago, it takes about 17 ½ hours. On the way down, take your time and visit some destinations on your way.
Before you leave, stop by PleasureLand RV to have your RV service or checked since this is quite a long drive. Also be sure to pick up any accessories you may need for your trip.
Once you get to Sevierville, you have numerous places to camp, including places in Pigeon Forge. Places include River Plantation RV Resort, Riverside RV Park and Resort, Up the Creek RV Camp and Riveredge RV Park. Since Sevierville and the surrounding area is a popular destination, it is advisable to make reservations before you leave.
Once there, you’ll find tons of shopping and activities, including hiking, fishing, boating, swimming and more. Don’t forget to spend a couple of days at Dollywood, even if you don’t have children.
Other nearby places include Lynchburg, Tennessee, home of Jack Daniels Distillery. If you take I-40 West, you’ll pass close to Oak Ridge, America’s Secret City and Muddy Pond, which is just outside of Monterey. Muddy Pond is a Mennonite community that has a leather shop, outdoor furniture maker, general store, and, if you visit in the Fall, you can see how to make sorghum the “old-timey” way.
Also in the area – within a 1- to 3-hour drive from Monterey, you’ll find tons of state parks – some that offer RV camping – such as Burgess Falls, Sunset Marina, Caney Creek and more. If you want to go about 2 hours out of your way, you can take 101 out of Crossville to Fall Creek Falls State Park to see some of the best waterfalls in the area.
Dale Hollow Lake, accessible from many points including Sunset Marina and East Port Marina offers big fishing opportunities – the lake is huge. You can rent pontoon boats, bass boats, ski boats, house boats and jet skis at both marinas. Sunset Marina is about an hour from Monterey while East Port Marina is about 45 minutes from Monterey.
Before you leave for this large trip, stop by PleasureLand RV for service and accessories, and be sure to visit our Facebook page to tell us about your trip.
September 18th, 2013 -
Photographer: Greg Gjerdingen via Flickr Creative Commons
A perfect place for a weekend getaway in Minnesota is at Sibley State Park. The west-central state park has plenty of activities to enjoy year round for all ages. If getting out-and-about on America’s highways and byways to see the sights is something you’ve been planning but not sure where to begin, start with PleasureLand RV to get an idea on recreational vehicle options.
The RV dealership has an array of new and used motorhomes, travel trailers, fifth wheels and more to suit your traveling style and your budget. Let the friendly staff get you situated in the perfect travel option and then be on your way to this relaxing and fun-filled state park.
Sibley State Park
Set amid a landscape any artist would love to paint, Sibley State Park is all-inviting. Throughout the 3,419-acre park, the landscape is filled with aspen, red cedar, maple, green ash and more making fall a panorama of color during the changing of the leaves. You’ll walk through tall prairie grass on the knolls and among fields of wildflowers as the landscape is ever-changing.
Wildlife
Bring your camera and take pictures as you hike along the trails. An array of species make the park home including raccoons, mink, badgers, gray fox, coyotes, squirrel and woodchucks. Bird watching is also a great pastime with Canada geese, egrets and herons, loons, ducks, pelicans and scarlet tanagers, to name a few, inhabiting the park.
Activities
During the off-season, boat rentals are available including kayaks, canoes and row boats from the park office. In the winter, strap on rented snowshoes and trek through the park. Cross country skiing, snowmobiling, ice fishing and skate-skiing are also options during the winter season.
In the warmer months, go for a swim, take a boat ride or drop a line in Lake Andrew for some leisurely fishing. The park also features a picnic area, and for adventurers, take a hike to Mount Tom for scenic views.
Camping
Sibley accepts RVs 70 feet in length. Electricity and showers are available at the Lakeview campground. Dump station available may through the middle of October.
For all your RV travel needs including parts and service, visit PleasureLand RV today so you’ll be ready to roll whenever the travel bug bites.
Photo Source
August 19th, 2013 -
Photographer: Deb Nystrom
PleasureLand RV is the place to be for any and all things related to recreational vehicle travel. Our RV dealership provides an extensive inventory of new and used travel trailers, truck campers, RVs, pop-ups, utility and cargo trailers, and more. As the premier RV dealership in Minnesota, you’ll find what you need to make your way to upcoming events like the Minnesota State Fair.
Time and Location
The fair is scheduled to begin August 22 and runs through Labor Day, September 2. The Minnesota State Fairgrounds are located at 1265 North Snelling Avenue N in St. Paul. Gates open at 6am with exhibit buildings, Midway, Kidway, food concessions, barns, Ag-Hort building, and other areas opening between 8am and 10am.
Attractions
The Midway and Kidway are star attractions as each provides thrilling rides and entertainment. Adventure Park keeps guests busy with bungy jumping or testing your stamina on the Sling Shot. Take the Skyride across the grounds or go upward 40 feet on the SkyGlider for spectacular views of the fair.
Kids will get a kick out of the Go Carts, Giant Slide, Carousel, and ice skating. For exotic fun, there’s Monty’s Traveling Reptile Show and Bob’s Snake Zoo, and, for those wanting something a little tamer, the Butterfly House is a nice respite for relaxing. The Luminarium is a visual treat where visitors are swathed in colorful light coming through stained glass windows three stories high.
Entertainment
There’s something going on everyday with free events, music, comedy shows, and more at designated areas that include the stages at Heritage Square, North Woods, Bazaar, Bandshell, Baldwin Park, and Ramberg Center.
Save some time to see the daily parade beginning at 2pm and plan time on your itinerary for the multi-breed horse shows that are included in the fair admission price. See English riding beginning August 21 and Western riding beginning August 30. For rodeo action, the High School Rodeo takes place August 28 through August 30.
Camping
The Minnesota State Fair Campground is available by reservation only. Contact the office at (651) 642-2379 to reserve your site.
Stop by PleasureLand RV today and let our experienced staff show you around to get a firsthand look at what we have in stock, from new RVs to used. No matter what you’re looking for, we’re sure to have something in stock that meets your needs.
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August 16th, 2013 -
A vacation to Voyageurs National Park is a true adventure as visitors have 218,000 acres to explore. The tapestry of the park is an intertwined network of lush forest, ancient rock, and multiple waterways.The rugged and remote park is a haven for water enthusiasts and wildlife observers.
When planning a getaway to this Minnesota destination, traveling in comfort is the ideal way to make the trip. If you’re in the market to purchase a new or used Class A motorhome, travel trailer, or pop-up camper, a visit to PleasureLand RV Center provides an extensive inventory to choose from.
Photographer: JCK Photos
Visitor Centers
Rainy Lake Visitor Center is open year-round and features a museum, bookstore, exhibits, theater, children’s area, information desk, and boat launch. Kabetogama Lake Visitor Center and Ash River Visitor Center are open late May through late September and also provide a free boat launch and picnic area with tables. Access to Voyageurs and public boat launches require a free permit available at the visitor center.
Things to do
Depending on the season, visitor’s enjoy hiking, fishing, canoeing, boat tours, and ranger led naturalist programs. During the winter, snowmobiling, skiing, ice-fishing, cross-country skiing, and hiking snow-covered trails are options. Rowboats, canoes, cross-country skis, and snowshoes are available for rent.
Hiking
Voyageurs offers multiple trails and overlooks accessible by land and several by water, only. Trails vary in difficulty from easy to moderate, taking anywhere between 20 minutes to two hours, and strenuous hikes, such as the 27.9 mile Kab-Ash Trail, that can take several days. Along the trails, hikers have the opportunity to view forests of aspens and pines, wetlands, birds, and wildlife
Camping
Campsites inside Voyageurs are only accessible by boat. Adjacent to the park is the Woodenfrog State Forest Campground that offers camping for recreational vehicles. The campground has a boat launch and swimming area.
Plan an itinerary to Voyageurs and look to PleasureLand RV for all your needs from service maintenance to sales. The professional, expert, and certified technicians at our family owned and operated RV dealership will get you road-ready for your next great travel excursion.
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August 9th, 2013 -
For chocolate lovers, August 10 is the day for celebration as the scrumptious, creamy, luscious treat known as s’mores celebrates its own national day. What a treat for RVers who plan to be camping on this special day.
At PleasureLand RV, your top-of-the-line RV dealership in Minnesota, there are new and used RV’s, travel trailers, utility and cargo trailers, and even rentals in stock that can get you to a local campground to make your own s’mores over the campfire.
S’mores History
According to The Hershey Company* – experts in all things chocolate – the s’mores recipe made its debut in the Girl Scout handbook in 1927 and has been a favorite treat ever since. From Hershey, the company produces “enough Hershey’s Milk Chocolate bars to make 746 million S’mores annually.”
That’s a lot of chocolate. Hershey’s also noted “Americans buy more than 90 million pounds of marshmallows,” so it’s obvious s’mores deserve their own special day.
S’mores are one of the easiest treats to make using a campfire or even a microwave. If you’ve never had the experience of creating this mouth watering treat, follow these simple tips of how to make s’mores.
Things you’ll need include Hershey’s Milk Chocolate, a bag of marshmallows, graham crackers, and wooden sticks or skewers to roast the marshmallows.
- Break one graham cracker in half. One half is the top, the other the bottom of the s’more.
- Break the Hershey’s Milk Chocolate bar into individual squares of 2 squares each.
- Place the chocolate on one of the cracker halves.
- Place a marshmallow on the stick or skewer and toast it till it’s light golden and mushy. Turn the skewer to get all sides of the marshmallow roasted.
- Place the roasted marshmallow onto the graham cracker with the chocolate.
- Place the other half of graham cracker on top of the marshmallow, press firmly and gently pull the skewer or stick out of the marshmallow.
- Let the s’more sit for a minute or two allowing the hot marshmallow to melt the chocolate and cool a little.
- Press the crackers together, one more time, then enjoy the goodness.
Enjoy the day at your local campground or RV park, but, before heading out, have your recreational vehicle serviced to ensure everything is running as it should. The experts at PleasureLand RV can handle any problems and have you on your way to enjoy National S’mores Day with friends and family.
*Source
July 3rd, 2013 -
Summer heat is upon us and what better way to cool off than by visiting PleasureLand and taking a look at the new and used inventory. With an RV, travel trailer or pop up camper, traveling to one of Minnesota’s outstanding areas like Itasca State Park is a breeze. With your recreational vehicle packed, enjoy nature, over 100 lakes and all the park’s amenities in complete comfort.
Itasca State Park
Itasca has the distinction of being the oldest state park in Minnesota. The 32,000 acre park was created in 1891 and continues to be a popular location for camping, hiking, fishing and interesting historical areas. Visit the Mississippi Headwaters Center, Itasca Indian Cemetery and Wegmann’s Cabin or explore the Wilderness Sanctuary, a designated National Natural Landmark.
Events
The park has scheduled events throughout the summer including fishing, hiking, wildlife education and boat building for kids, the Animal Sounds Evening Stroll, Old Timers Cabin Tour, Music Under the Pines and the 7th Annual North Country Hiking Fest, just to name a few. There’s something of interest for everyone of all ages at Itasca State Park.
Hiking
If hiking is your favorite past time, Itasca will keep your feet busy. With 49 miles of hiking trails through beautiful flora and fauna, your eyes will have a continual feast of nature at its best whether you walk or bring a bike in your toy hauler to explore the 6 miles of off-road paved trail. For a leisurely stroll, the self-guided 3.25 miles of trail include the Landmark, Blowdown and Forestry Demonstration Trail along with the Doctor Roberts and Headwaters Trails ending at the Old Timer’s Cabin. The park also has a scenic wheelchair accessible boardwalk with stunning views of delicate orchids during the spring and summer months.
If you’re already planning ahead for a winter romp in the snow, pack up your RV for snowshoe excursions on several designated trails and roads, snowmobiling along 31 miles of trails circling the park or tackling 28 miles of easy to difficult trails for classic, skate or cross country skiing.
Camping
Itasca has two campgrounds; one with 223 drive-in sites, the other with 160 electric sites. RV sites allow 60-feet from the front of the RV to the rear of any towed vehicle. While camping, picnicking by the lake or a picnic shelter, swimming, volleyball and a children’s playground are easily accessible.
Don’t wait another minute to get your RV vacation plans fine-tuned, just like your RV. If you’re looking to purchase your first RV or travel trailer or need your current recreational vehicle serviced for your next adventure, PleasureLand can handle all of your needs from start to finish.
June 17th, 2013 -
You’ve taken your rig to Pleasureland RV, and you know it’s ready for the open road. But are you really ready? Do you have your reservations and campgrounds picked? If your summer travel plans include the Jasper/Banff and BC coast areas, you’ll want to plan strategically, because summer is peak season for these areas.
Get Reservations Early
When it comes to summer RV travel Canada is difficult to beat. This means that stunning views and relaxing atmospheres await you, but it also means there are numerous other RV enthusiasts joining you on the road. Because of this, particular in popular areas along the BC coast and the Banff/Jasper region, you will want to get reservations early. As soon as you know your dates for travel, start calling campgrounds to find a spot.
Traveling Without Reservations
If you have waited too long and will be traveling without reservations, you will want to look for parks that don’t take reservations. Chances are the parks that do will be full. Some campgrounds in Banff and Jasper don’t take reservations, so this might be an option. Be sure to arrive early to find a spot.
For private campgrounds, summer is peak season, so you won’t likely find a spot without a reservation. If you must travel without reservations, try to travel towards the beginning or end of summer, and during the week. Weekends will be the most challenging time to find a spot.
As you pick up your RV from Pleasureland and head out on the road this summer, make sure you have planned well this is a popular area to tour this time of year, so get your reservations in early, and you will have a great time.
June 3rd, 2013 -
Need a summer vacation idea? Try camping in your RV! Camping is great way to see the country, gain experience andexercise. There are dozens of campgrounds throughout Minnesota. However, only few have been ranked the top spots according to tripleblaze.com. Here are the top five based on average rating and number of reviews.
The first on their list is Flour Lake Campground. It is nestled on the quiet shore of 352 acres on the lake of the same name. The area is home to a variety of wildlife including moose, beavers, ducks, bald eagles and bears. There are sites for tent only camping as well as a place to park your RV. The RV campsites range in size from 30 feet to 73 feet for extra space. All are back-in only. This campground is pet friendly and is great for fishing and hiking alike.
The second on their list is Stony Point. This breathtaking campground is settled on the banks of Leech Lake in the heart of the Chippewa National Forest. Leech Lake is the third largest lake in the state of Minnesota and home of trophy-sized perch, bass and northern pike. It is also a great area for canoeing or boating.
Fall Lake makes number three for them. This campground is located within the Superior National Forest close to the United States and Canada border. The forest spans 150 miles and is comprised of 3 million acres. With hiking, swimming and fishing, there is much to do at this family-friendly campsite. There are several local events happening nearby including City of Ely’s July 4th fireworks, the Blueberry Festival which happens the last weekend in July, and the Harvest Moon festival.
Leech Lake Rec area made it to the number four spot. This area encompasses 14 natural lakes with over 300 miles of shoreline. They have numerous scenic hiking trails as well as boating and canoeing amenities. Dozens of wooded campsites are yours to choose from here at this spectacular site.
Finally, the Itasca State Park finishes the list of top five. This is the oldest State Park in Minnesota. It is over 32,000 acres and holds more than 100 lakes. There are over 200 drive-in sites for your RV in two separate campgrounds. The park has nearly 50 miles of hiking trails and 16 miles of paved bike trails. They also offer rentals for all of your sport needs.
So pack up your campers and head out for a fun-filled summer vacation. If you have time, visit two or three! There are many beautifully kept campgrounds near the northeast border of the state. And remember to come by Pleasureland RV for all your recreational vehicle needs.
May 13th, 2013 -
Wow, are you ready for summer yet? How about spring? At our PleasureLand RV Center, we are more than ready! We’ve have had some extra time to prepare this year for the warm weather rush we normally see in April and May. We’ve also had the opportunity to plan for some great trips for the season.
One place to make note of is Summer Haven RV Resort in Tenstrike, Minnesota. Summer Haven RV Resort had to delay their official opening for the 2013 season due to the snow, so they are also ready for you.
Summer Haven RV Resort is listed as one of the top 5 family campgrounds in all of Minnesota and here are some of the reasons why.
- You have a choice of lake lots, lake view lots and wooded lots. The area is scenic and tree covered.
- Bemidji is a fabulous area to vacation. Gulf Lake is over 2,200 acres large and offers superb fishing for walleye, northern pike, blue gill, perch and more.
- Summer Haven RV Resort has a beach, heated swimming pool, volleyball, basketball, and shuffleboard.
- The resort offers water fun that includes paddleboats, kayaks, and canoes.
- All sites have full hook-ups of water, electric and sewer.
- 20 of their sites have 50 amp service available with the rest offering 30 amp service.
Summer Have RV Resort seems to always have something going on to keep everyone entertained. They have fishing contests, scavenger hunts, hayless hayrides, kids and teen crafts and minnow races. If you are looking for a week or a weekend getaway, consider the fine folks at Summer Haven RV Resort.
Pleasureland RV Center is a family owned RV dealership in Minnesota. We offer great new and used RVs that Minneapolis has come to rely on. We can even get you started in the world of RVing with an RV rental.
Look, it has been a long, cold snowy winter. It’s time to gear up and enjoy the warmer months ahead. We invite you to visit PleasureLand RV Center and let’s get the season started!
May 10th, 2013 -
Take your vacation plans to another level of excitement when purchasing a new or used RV from “best in the Midwest” PleasureLand RV Center. With hundreds of units in stock for your perusal, you’re sure to find the size and style to fit your travel plans, family size and budget.
Taking a trip in an RV to explore the many places in Minnesota is not only relaxing and convenient, it allows you to visit a variety of places at your own pace. Taking in the great outdoors in comfort makes for an overall excellent trip especially when visiting magnificent parks such as Superior National Park established in 1909.
With your RV stocked up and ready to go, here are just a few of the things to experience at Superior National Park.
- Travelers have access to over 70 lakes, 10 swimming beaches, more than a dozen fishing piers and nearly two dozen picnic areas.
- Enjoy biking, fishing, ATV riding, boating, hunting, climbing and horseback riding.
- During the winter months, hop aboard your snowmobile, go cross-country skiing and snowshoeing, sledding, tubing and snowboarding. You can even go mushing at certain areas within the area.
- Hike and observe the many species of wildlife along 2000 miles of scenic trails.
- Go rock hunting and explore designated trails in the park to see some of the oldest rock on the planet.
- There is ample camping at one of the 18 rustic campgrounds or 23 fee-based campgrounds within the park.
Special Places
Additional visual adventures within the park to consider adding to your travel itinerary include:
- Gunflint Trail Scenic Byway- takes visitors through lush forest areas of birch, pine, maple and aspen along a quiet and serene wilderness road. It is known for its opportunities to see deer, loons and moose.
- Superior National Forest Scenic Byway – offers scenic views of the massive wilderness area of the park. Picnic areas and roadside stops are available along the byway. Two historic sites you’ll see are the Toimi School and Timber Arch Bridge.
- North Shore Scenic Drive- provides views of Lake Superior’s cliffs, Sawtooth Mountains and the historic Split Rock Lighthouse first lit in 1910. Museums with interesting cultural exhibits are located along the drive.
- Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness – this massive one million acre region is located within Superior National Park. The wilderness area has over 1000 streams and lakes providing ample opportunities for fishing, canoeing, bird watching and wildlife observation.
Don’t let another day go by without checking out the inventory, service department and specials at Pleasureland. With years of experience providing outstanding quality customer service, you can expect top-notch help in choosing an RV for your next great on the road adventure.
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About Me
Hi, my name is Dan Pearson and I am the Owner of PleasureLand RV Centers based out of St. Cloud, MN. We have three other Minnesota locations to serve all of you RV needs. I look forward to providing you with all your RV information from buying an RV to tips and maintenance. If you would like to contact me, be sure to leave a comment.
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