RV Out West

The Pacific Northwest forest is full of secrets, and some of its most fascinating treasures are growing right beneath our feet. In this immersive audio story, we head into the woods with mushroom foragers and our good friends, Jeff and Laurel, to discover the wild world of mushroom hunting, edible fungi, and the incredible ecosystem hidden beneath the forest floor. Come along for an audio journey...

The best RV road trips aren't always the ones everyone talks about. Sometimes, the most memorable adventures happen when you take a different highway, explore beyond the usual stops, and give yourself time to discover what lies around the next bend. In this episode of RV Out West, we're sharing seven Pacific Northwest road trips that deserve a place on your bucket list. These routes take...

Discover the wild beauty of Olympic National Park as we head to Washington’s rugged Pacific coastline in Part 2 of our Olympic National Park adventure with our two dogs, Beau & Roxy. This is where towering forests meet the ocean, the shoreline tells a story of constant change, and some of the most unforgettable sights on the Olympic Peninsula are waiting to be explored. In Part 1, we explored...

Crystal-clear water, mountain views, Olympic marmots, waterfalls, dog-friendly trails, and an RV adventure through one of Washington’s most spectacular national parks. This summer, we packed up the RV, brought the dogs along, and explored the northern side of Olympic National Park and the Olympic Peninsula. Part 1 of this two-part mini series takes you along for the first half of our adventure, co...

Public lands belong to all of us. This episode takes a deeper look at why they matter and what their future could mean for everyone who enjoys the outdoors. National Public Lands Day was just this past Saturday, September 26, a day dedicated to celebrating and caring for the parks, forests, trails, rivers, mountains, and open spaces that connect us to the outdoors. For RVers, campers, hikers, hunt...

It started with $100 and an idea. Today, Gerson and Jackie are building small, retro-inspired European campers in Eugene, Oregon, using molds dating back to 1972 and sourcing parts from across Europe. The result is Clasica Campers , a company putting a fresh spin on a classic style of caravan and creating some seriously cool options for RVers who want to go small. We sit down with the husband-and-...

What if you could park your RV, grab your golf clubs, and spend the day playing a beautiful golf course without ever leaving the campground? That’s exactly what we discovered at Bar Run Golf and RV Resort in Roseburg, Oregon. We’re heading to Southern Oregon for a closer look at this golf-focused RV resort and everything it has to offer. Bar Run is more than a place to park your RV. With an on-sit...

Brad Thompson, a full-time RVer from Oregon, joins us on the show to share his journey on the road, his favorite places to explore and camp and the RV maintenance problem that inspired his big idea. An RV includes many systems and components, each with its own maintenance schedules, manuals, warranties, service records and quirks. For used RV owners, tracking down that information can be especiall...

La Conner, Washington, offers a memorable RV getaway where you can park the rig and spend a few days exploring one of the state’s most scenic corners. In this special Destination episode of RV Out West, we’re heading to La Conner, a charming Skagit Valley town that deserves a spot on your RV travel list. La Conner is more than a stop along the way. It’s a place where waterfront views, Pacific Nort...

We’re joined by author and full-time RVer Kristy Halvorsen , who made the bold decision to leave behind a more conventional way of life and make her Airstream, Coddi, her home. The name comes from “coddiwompling,” meaning to travel purposefully toward an unknown or vague destination, and it perfectly reflects a journey that has taken Kristy far beyond simply exploring North America. Her first book...

Washington is home to incredible lakes that offer some of the best RV camping in the Pacific Northwest. We’re sharing six lakes where you can park your RV just steps from the shoreline and spend your days swimming, kayaking, paddleboarding, fishing, boating, or simply relaxing by the water. The lakes we explore in this episode highlight what makes each destination worth the trip. You'll learn...

From towering waterfalls and dramatic basalt cliffs to alpine lakes and Oregon's tallest peak, the Columbia River Gorge and Mt. Hood are two of the Pacific Northwest's most unforgettable destinations. In this episode of the RV Out West Podcast, host Brooks welcomes Oregon photographer & RV wanderer, Kristy, of Willa Wanders to share the story behind her passion for exploring the regi...

We’re heading to John Day, Oregon, a destination filled with incredible scenery, outdoor adventures, fascinating history, and some of the best lesser-known experiences for RV travelers. Located in Eastern Oregon, the John Day area is a great getaway for RVers looking to explore beyond crowded campgrounds and discover wide-open landscapes, scenic drives, and memorable places to visit. From the dram...

For more than 15 years, Jeremy Puglisi has explored North America by RV, building a lifetime of experiences that have inspired thousands of campers through RV Atlas . In this episode of RV Out West, host Brooks Smothers sits down with Jeremy for an honest conversation about family travel, campground culture, and the lessons that only years on the road can teach. Jeremy reflects on how a simple dec...

Some people chase adventure on well-marked trails. Paul Boomhower has built a life exploring where the pavement ends. Known to many as Smokey and the Vandit , Paul is a photographer and van traveler whose passion for the outdoors has taken him across the Pacific Northwest and beyond in search of unforgettable landscapes and incredible wildlife encounters. Paul joins us for a conversation about pho...

We take a step outside our normal focus on RV travel and camping for a special collaboration with Scott Cowan, host of the Explore Washington State Podcast . Armed with a field recorder and plenty of curiosity, Brooks and Scott spend the day walking through downtown Everett, Washington, visiting four outstanding independent coffee shops: Narrative Coffee, Nadine's Coffee, Loft Coffee Bar &amp...

Travel has a way of shaping our perspective, and few people understand that better than Jay Cullis, Content Manager at Airstream . Jay shares the journey that took him from newspaper reporting and teaching to helping tell the stories behind one of the most recognizable names in the RV industry. We talk about several notable Airstream projects, including the Frank Lloyd Wright-inspired travel trail...

Live music and RV travel have more in common than you might think. Both are built around experiences, memories, and the stories that stay with us long after the trip is over. A favorite song can instantly transport us back to a specific place and time, much like revisiting a beloved campground, scenic drive, or destination. Your host, Brooks, takes you on a musical road trip through some of the Pa...

Part two with Edwin and Jessely Soto is here. The Sotos, of From the Hatch , share stories from their travels across the Pacific Northwest, including the places that left a lasting impression, the stops they missed this time around, and the destinations already calling them back for another trip. If you love RV travel, road trips, van life, Airstream adventures, and exploring the Pacific Northwest...

In this special 200th episode of RV Out West, we sit down with Edwin and Jessely Soto, the couple behind From the Hatch, for a raw and honest conversation about full time RV living, family travel, and building a nomadic lifestyle from the ground up. What makes their story so different is that when they first started RV life, they had absolutely zero experience. In fact, I first met the Sotos over...

RV travel invites us to explore wide landscapes, open roads, and the freedom of the outdoors, but there’s another layer to that experience waiting just beyond the trail. This conversation explores how foraging, wild foods, and campfire cooking connect RVers to the land in a more personal and rewarding way. It’s about slowing down, looking closer, and discovering what the forest has to offer right...

If you think your RV camp kitchen setup is dialed in, this episode might make you rethink everything. We break down the real-world RV cooking gear, camp kitchen essentials, and outdoor cooking setups that have actually survived years of camping, road trips, and campground meals with our family of four. From the truth about built-in RV outdoor kitchens to our experience with Blackstone griddles, ca...

RV black tank problems, grey tank odors, and dump station mistakes are all part of RV life, but they do not have to ruin your camping experience. In this episode of RV Out West, Mark from Kleen Tanks joins the show to talk about one of the most important parts of RV maintenance and ownership, caring for your grey and black tanks properly. Mark shares years of experience working on RV waste systems...

Celebrate National Bike Month with this episode focused on exploring the Pacific Northwest by bike while RVing. After recent time spent paddling and hiking, we shift into cycling and highlight some of the best bike trails and multi-use paths across Washington, Oregon, and Idaho. From scenic rail trails and river paths to long-distance routes, we share standout places to ride and how bikes can expa...

What turns a simple walk in the woods into a lifelong obsession with the trail? In this episode, we sit down with Craig Romano , one of the most trusted voices in Pacific Northwest hiking, to uncover the stories, miles, and moments that have shaped his journey. From hidden alpine lakes to rugged coastal paths, Craig shares how he got started exploring Washington’s vast trail systems and what conti...